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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5601 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 5601

   To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
   weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and 
   prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the provision of 
                 weather data, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

            December 18 (legislative day, December 16), 2024

Ms. Cantwell (for herself and Mr. Cruz) introduced the following bill; 
    which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
   weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and 
   prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the provision of 
                 weather data, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Weather Research 
and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2024'' or the 
``Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
   TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING 
                         INNOVATION ACT OF 2017

Sec. 101. Public safety priority.
Sec. 102. United States weather research and forecasting.
Sec. 103. Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes 
                            Experiment - United States of America 
                            (VORTEX-USA).
Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program.
Sec. 105. Tsunami Warning and Education Act reauthorization.
Sec. 106. Observing system planning.
Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments.
Sec. 108. Computing resources prioritization.
Sec. 109. Earth prediction innovation center.
Sec. 110. Satellite architecture planning.
Sec. 111. Improving uncrewed activities.
Sec. 112. Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services.
Sec. 113. Ocean observations.
Sec. 114. Consolidation of reports.
Sec. 115. Precipitation forecast improvement program.
     TITLE II--ENHANCING FEDERAL WEATHER FORECASTING AND INNOVATION

Sec. 201. Weather innovation for the next generation.
Sec. 202. Radar next program.
Sec. 203. Data voids in highly vulnerable areas of the United States.
Sec. 204. Atmospheric rivers forecast improvement program.
Sec. 205. Coastal flooding and storm surge forecast improvement 
                            program.
Sec. 206. Aviation weather and data innovation.
Sec. 207. NESDIS partnership program, transition program, and 
                            operational planning.
Sec. 208. Advanced weather interactive processing system.
Sec. 209. Reanalysis and reforecasting.
Sec. 210. National Weather Service workforce.
Sec. 211. Artificial intelligence for weather forecasting.
Sec. 212. Composition of the atmosphere and atmospheric observations.
Sec. 213. Project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog.
      TITLE III--COMMERCIAL WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATIONS

Sec. 301. Commercial Data Program.
Sec. 302. Commercial Data Pilot Program.
Sec. 303. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication.
Sec. 304. Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices.
Sec. 305. Clerical amendment.
             TITLE IV--COMMUNICATING WEATHER TO THE PUBLIC

Sec. 401. Definitions.
Sec. 402. Hazardous weather or water event risk communication.
Sec. 403. Hazard communication research and engagement.
Sec. 404. National Weather Service communications improvement.
Sec. 405. NOAA Weather Radio modernization.
Sec. 406. Post-storm surveys and assessments.
Sec. 407. Government Accountability Office report on alert 
                            dissemination for hazardous weather or 
                            water events.
Sec. 408. Data collection management and protection.
   TITLE V--IMPROVING WEATHER INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND WATER 
                               MANAGEMENT

Sec. 501. Weather and climate information in agriculture and water 
                            management.
Sec. 502. National integrated drought information system.
Sec. 503. National Mesonet Program.
Sec. 504. National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network.
Sec. 505. National Water Center.
Sec. 506. Satellite transfers briefing.
    TITLE VI--HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL 
                         AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2024

Sec. 601. Short title.
Sec. 602. Amendments to the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research 
                            and Control Act of 1998.
Sec. 603. Other harmful algal bloom matters.
   TITLE VII--PREVENTING HEALTH EMERGENCIES AND TEMPERATURE-RELATED 
                     ILLNESS AND DEATHS ACT OF 2024

Sec. 701. Short title.
Sec. 702. Definitions.
Sec. 703. National Integrated Heat Health Information System 
                            Interagency Committee.
Sec. 704. National Integrated Heat Health Information System.
Sec. 705. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE VIII--NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                                  2024

Sec. 801. Short title.
Sec. 802. Certain definitions under Flood Level Observation, 
                            Operations, and Decision Support Act.
Sec. 803. Reauthorization of National Landslide Preparedness Act.
             TITLE IX--ILLEGAL RED SNAPPER ENFORCEMENT ACT

Sec. 901. Short title.
Sec. 902. Methodology for identifying the country of origin of red 
                            snapper imported into the United States.
TITLE X--ACCELERATING NETWORKING, CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE, AND HARDWARE FOR 
                          OCEANIC RESEARCH ACT

Sec. 1001. Short title.
Sec. 1002. Definitions.
Sec. 1003. Plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications of U.S. 
                            Academic Research Fleet.
                      TITLE XI--OTHER AUTHORITIES

Sec. 1101. Meteorological observations in the Arctic region.
Sec. 1102. Unfunded priorities list, reports, and plans.
Sec. 1103. Miscellaneous authorities.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    (a) In General.--In this Act, the terms ``seasonal'', ``State'', 
``subseasonal'', ``Under Secretary'', ``weather enterprise'', ``weather 
data'', and ``weather industry'' have the meanings given such terms in 
section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501).
    (b) Weather Data Defined.--Section 2 of the Weather Research and 
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(5) Weather data.--The term `weather data' means 
        information used to track and predict weather conditions and 
        patterns, including forecasts, observations, and derivative 
        products from such information.''.

   TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING 
                         INNOVATION ACT OF 2017

SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.

    Section 101 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act 
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8511) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall--
            ``(1) ensure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration focuses on providing accurate and timely weather 
        forecasts that protect lives and property and enhance the 
        national economy;
            ``(2) through the Director of the National Weather Service, 
        coordinate and implement observational infrastructure, weather 
        forecasting, communications, and impact-based decision support 
        services; and
            ``(3) work to improve operation weather forecasts, 
        products, and services through nimble, flexible, and mobile 
        methods.
    ``(b) Research.--In conducting research, the Under Secretary shall 
prioritize improving weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting, 
and warnings for the protection of life and property and for the 
enhancement of the national economy.''.

SEC. 102. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING.

    Section 110 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act 
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8519) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to carry 
out this title the following:
            ``(1) $163,794,000 for fiscal year 2025, of which--
                    ``(A) $91,058,000 is authorized for weather 
                laboratories and cooperative institutes;
                    ``(B) $39,491,000 is authorized for the United 
                States Weather Research Program;
                    ``(C) $21,125,000is authorized for tornado, severe 
                storm, and next generation radar research; and
                    ``(D) $12,120,000 is authorized for the joint 
                technology transfer initiative described in section 
                102(b)(4) of this title.
            ``(2) $165,432,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which--
                    ``(A) $91,968,000 is authorized for weather 
                laboratories and cooperative institutes;
                    ``(B) $39,886,000 is authorized for the United 
                States Weather Research Program;
                    ``(C) $21,336,000 is authorized for tornado, severe 
                storm, and next generation radar research; and
                    ``(D) $12,241,000 is authorized for the joint 
                technology transfer initiative described in section 
                102(b)(4) of this title.
            ``(3) $167,086,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which--
                    ``(A) $92,888,000 is authorized for weather 
                laboratories and cooperative institutes;
                    ``(B) $40,285,000 is authorized for the United 
                States Weather Research Program;
                    ``(C) $21,550,000 is authorized for tornado, severe 
                storm, and next generation radar research; and
                    ``(D) $12,364,000 is authorized for the joint 
                technology transfer initiative described in section 
                102(b)(4) of this title.
            ``(4) $168,757,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which--
                    ``(A) $93,817,000 is authorized for weather 
                laboratories and cooperative institutes;
                    ``(B) $40,688,000 is authorized for the United 
                States Weather Research Program;
                    ``(C) $21,765,000 is authorized for tornado, severe 
                storm, and next generation radar research; and
                    ``(D) $12,487,000 is authorized for the joint 
                technology transfer initiative described in section 
                102(b)(4) of this title.
            ``(5) $170,444,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which--
                    ``(A) $94,755,000 is authorized for weather 
                laboratories and cooperative institutes;
                    ``(B) $41,094,000 is authorized for the United 
                States Weather Research Program;
                    ``(C) $21,983,000 is authorized for tornado, severe 
                storm, and next generation radar research; and
                    ``(D) $12,612,000 is authorized for the joint 
                technology transfer initiative described in section 
                102(b)(4) of this title.
    ``(b) Limitation.--No additional funds are authorized to carry out 
this title or the amendments made by this title.''.

SEC. 103. VERIFICATION OF THE ORIGINS OF ROTATION IN TORNADOES 
              EXPERIMENT - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (VORTEX-USA).

    (a) In General.--Section 103 of the Weather Research and 
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8513) is amended to read 
as follows:

``SEC. 103. VERIFICATION OF THE ORIGINS OF ROTATION IN TORNADOES 
              EXPERIMENT - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (VORTEX-USA).

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry and academic partners, shall maintain a 
program for rapidly improving tornado forecasts, predictions, and 
warnings, including forecaster training in radar interpretation and 
information integration from new sources.
    ``(b) Goal.--The goal of the program under subsection (a) shall be 
to develop and extend accurate tornado forecasts, predictions, and 
warnings in order to reduce the loss of life or property related to 
tornadoes, with a focus on the following:
            ``(1) Improving the effectiveness and timeliness of tornado 
        forecasts, predictions, and warnings.
            ``(2) Optimizing lead time and providing actionable 
        information beyond one hour in advance.
            ``(3) Transitioning from warn-on-detection to warn-on-
        forecast.
    ``(c) Innovative Observations.--The Under Secretary shall ensure 
the program under subsection (a) periodically examines, tests, and 
evaluates the value of incorporating innovative observations, such as 
novel sensor technologies, observation tools or networks, crewed or 
uncrewed systems, and hosted instruments on commercial aircrafts, 
vessels, and satellites, with respect to the improvement of tornado 
forecasts, predictions, and warnings.
    ``(d) Activities.--The Under Secretary shall award grants for 
research, including relating to the following:
            ``(1) Implementing key goals and achieving program 
        milestones to the maximum extent practicable as outlined by the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2019 report, 
        `Tornado Warning Improvement and Extension Program Plan'.
            ``(2) In coordination with the National Science and 
        Technology Council's Social and Behavioral Sciences 
        Subcommittee, improving the social, behavioral, risk, 
        communication, and economic sciences regarding vulnerabilities, 
        risk communication, and delivery of information critical for 
        reducing the loss of life or property related to tornadoes.
            ``(3) Improving the physical sciences, computer modeling, 
        and tools related to tornado formation, the impacts of 
        tornadoes on the built and natural environment, and the 
        interaction of tornadoes and hurricanes.
    ``(e) Priority Institutions.--
            ``(1) In general.--In awarding grants under subsection (d), 
        the Under Secretary may prioritize awarding grants to minority-
        serving institutions.
            ``(2) Definition of minority-serving institution.--In this 
        subsection, the term `minority-serving institution' means--
                    ``(A) a part B institution (as defined in section 
                322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1061));
                    ``(B) a Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in 
                section 502(a) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)));
                    ``(C) a Tribal College or University (as defined in 
                section 316(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)));
                    ``(D) an Alaska Native-serving institution (as 
                defined in section 317(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
                1059d(b)));
                    ``(E) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as 
                defined in section 317(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 
                1059d(b)));
                    ``(F) a Predominantly Black Institution (as defined 
                in section 318(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1059e(b)));
                    ``(G) an Asian American and Native American Pacific 
                Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 
                320(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1059g(b))); or
                    ``(H) a Native American-serving, nontribal 
                institution (as defined in section 319(b) of that Act 
                (20 U.S.C. 1059f(b))).
    ``(f) Warnings.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Under 
Secretary, in coordination with the program established under section 
403(a) of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, shall--
            ``(1) conduct and transition to operations the research 
        necessary to develop and deploy probabilistic weather forecast 
        guidance technology for tornadoes and related weather 
        phenomena;
            ``(2) incorporate into tornado modeling and forecasting, as 
        appropriate, social, behavioral, risk, communication, and 
        economic sciences;
            ``(3) enhance workforce training on radar interpretation 
        and use of tornado warning systems; and
            ``(4) expand computational resources, including cloud 
        computing, to support higher-resolution modeling to advance the 
        capability for warn-on-forecast.
    ``(g) Tornado Rating System.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration 
with local communities and emergency managers, shall--
            ``(1) evaluate the system used as of the date of the 
        enactment of this section to rate the severity of tornadoes;
            ``(2) determine whether updates to such system are required 
        to ensure such ratings accurately reflect the severity of 
        tornados; and
            ``(3) if determined necessary, update such system.
    ``(h) Annual Budget.--The Under Secretary shall, not less 
frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed budget 
corresponding with carrying out this section.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Under Secretary to carry out this section 
$11,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030, of which not 
less than $2,000,000 each fiscal year shall be used for prioritized 
grants awarded under subsection (e).''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended 
by amending the item relating to section 103 to read as follows:

``Sec. 103. Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes 
                            Experiment - United States of America 
                            (VORTEX-USA).''.

SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

    Section 104 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act 
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8514) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry and academic partners, shall maintain a 
program to improve hurricane forecasting, predictions, and warnings.
    ``(b) Goal.--The goal of the program under subsection (a) shall be 
to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts, predictions, and 
warnings in order to reduce the loss of life or property related to 
hurricanes, with a focus on the following:
            ``(1) Improving the understanding, prediction, and 
        communication of rapid intensity change and projected path of 
        hurricanes, including probabilistic methods for hurricane 
        hazard mapping.
            ``(2) Improving the forecast and impact-based communication 
        of inland flooding, compound flooding, and storm surges from 
        hurricanes, in coordination with the program established under 
        section 205 of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024.
            ``(3) Incorporating social, behavioral, risk, 
        communication, and economic sciences to clearly inform response 
        to prevent the loss of life or property.
            ``(4) Evaluating and incorporating, as appropriate, 
        innovative observations, including acoustic or infrasonic 
        measurements, novel sensor technologies, observation tools or 
        networks, crewed or uncrewed systems, and hosted instruments on 
        commercial aircrafts, vessels, and satellites.
    ``(c) Activities.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Under 
Secretary shall award grants for research, including relating to the 
following:
            ``(1) Implementing key strategies and following priorities 
        and objectives outlined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration's 2019 report `Hurricane Forecast Improvement 
        Program'.
            ``(2) In coordination with the National Science and 
        Technology Council's Social and Behavioral Sciences 
        Subcommittee and other relevant interagency committees, 
        improving the social, behavioral, risk, communications, and 
        economic sciences related to vulnerabilities, risk 
        communication, and delivery of information critical for 
        reducing the loss of life or property related to hurricanes.
            ``(3) Improving the physical sciences, operational 
        modeling, and tools related to hurricane formation, the impacts 
        of wind and water-based hurricane hazards on the built and 
        natural environment, and the interaction of hurricanes and 
        tornadoes.
    ``(d) Warnings.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Under 
Secretary, in coordination with the program established under section 
403(a) of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, shall--
            ``(1) conduct and transition to operations the research 
        necessary to develop and deploy probabilistic weather forecast 
        guidance technology relating to hurricanes and related weather 
        phenomena;
            ``(2) incorporate into hurricane modeling and forecasting, 
        as appropriate, social, behavioral, risk, communication, and 
        economic sciences research; and
            ``(3) expand computational resources, including cloud 
        computing, to support and improve higher-resolution operational 
        modeling of hurricanes and related weather phenomena.
    ``(e) Annual Report.--Not later than June 1 of each year until 
2029, the Under Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Defense, shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives a report that includes the 
following:
            ``(1) The number and causes of missed mission requirements 
        for the National Hurricane Operations Plan and the National 
        Winter Season Operations Plan, including those related to 
        equipment malfunction, aircraft availability, aircraft 
        maintenance, flight hour limits, and availability of pilots or 
        other air and maintenance crew members.
            ``(2) Requirements related to the plans described in 
        paragraph (1) that were requested by forecasters but not 
        tasked, and the reasons why those were not tasked.
            ``(3) A workforce management plan addressing any shortfalls 
        in human capital resources that are necessary for hurricane 
        observational data collection aboard aircraft or uncrewed 
        systems.
            ``(4) A summary of--
                    ``(A) hurricane technology that is under research 
                and development to improve confidence in hurricane 
                track and intensity predictions;
                    ``(B) hurricane technology that is at the prototype 
                demonstration stage or beyond; and
                    ``(C) plans for transitioning the hurricane 
                technology described in subparagraph (B) into 
                operations.''.

SEC. 105. TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION.

    (a) Title Heading.--The Tsunami Warning and Education Act (enacted 
as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479)) is amended 
in the title heading, by inserting ``RESEARCH,'' after ``WARNING,''.
    (b) Purposes.--Section 803 of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act 
(33 U.S.C. 3202) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``timeliness and'' 
        before ``accuracy'';
            (2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(9) to ensure data and metadata are managed, archived, 
        and made available for operations, research, education, and 
        mitigation activities in accordance with section 305 of the 
        Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.''.
    (c) Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Program.--Section 804 of the 
Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``, using 
                industry and scientific best practices,'' after 
                ``operational condition'';
                    (B) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``global seismic network'' and inserting 
                        ``Global Seismic Network'';
                            (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (D), 
                        (E), (F), and (G), as subparagraphs (E), (F), 
                        (G), and (H), respectively; and
                            (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (C) 
                        the following new subparagraph:
                    ``(D) the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) 
                network;'';
                    (C) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
            ``(6) ensure data quality and management systems, support 
        data and metadata access and archiving, and support the 
        requirements of the program pursuant to the Foundations for 
        Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-435) 
        and chapter 31 of title 44, United States Code;'';
                    (D) in paragraph (7)--
                            (i) by amending the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A) to read as follows: ``include 
                        a cooperative effort among the Administration, 
                        the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the 
                        National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
                        (NASA), and the National Science Foundation 
                        (NSF) under which the Director of USGS, the 
                        Director of the NSF, and the Administrator of 
                        NASA shall--'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following 
                        new subparagraphs:
                    ``(C) provide reliable and real-time support for 
                the GNSS network data streams from NSF, NASA, and USGS 
                maintained networks, and supplement instrumentation 
                coverage for rapid earthquake assessment;
                    ``(D) assess the data and information relating to 
                warning systems of collaborating agencies for potential 
                utilization in NOAA's warning system, taking into 
                consideration advancement in research and technology;
                    ``(E) incorporate, as practicable, tsunami 
                notifications and warnings in the USGS Earthquake Early 
                Warning System; and
                    ``(F) incorporate, as practicable, preliminary 
                analysis or data from the National Earthquake 
                Information Center regarding the source and magnitude 
                of an offshore earthquake within five minutes of 
                detection;'';
                    (E) in paragraph (8)--
                            (i) by inserting `` and decision support 
                        aides'' after ``graphical warning products,''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting ``-prone'' after 
                        ``tsunami'';
                    (F) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (G) in paragraph (10), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (H) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(11) update tsunami inundation maps, models, or other 
        geographic products, in order to best support, as appropriate, 
        relevant agencies with tsunami mitigation and recovery 
        activities.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and redesignating 
                paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), 
                respectively; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), as so redesignated--
                            (i) by striking ``the Atlantic Ocean, 
                        including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, 
                        that are determined--'' and inserting ``the 
                        Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans, including 
                        the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, that are 
                        determined to pose significant risks of tsunami 
                        for States and United States territories along 
                        the coastal areas of such regions; and''; and
                            (ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B);
            (3) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) as 
        subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively;
            (4) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(d) Tsunami Warning Alert Level Evaluation.--The Administrator, 
in collaboration with social scientists, emergency personnel, and high-
risk communities, shall--
            ``(1) evaluate tsunami alert levels terminology, timing, 
        and effectiveness;
            ``(2) determine if such alerts produce the desired response 
        and understanding from possible tsunami-prone communities; and
            ``(3) if necessary, update the alert level system for 
        increased effectiveness.'';
            (5) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by inserting ``responsible for Alaska, the 
                        continental United States, Hawaii, United 
                        States territories, and international entities 
                        the Administrator determines appropriate'' 
                        before the period;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``which is primarily responsible for Alaska and 
                        the continental United States''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, 
                        which is primarily responsible for Hawaii, the 
                        Caribbean, and other areas of the Pacific not 
                        covered by the National Center'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
                        ``current,'' after ``sea level,'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and 
                        volcanic eruptions'' and inserting ``volcanic 
                        eruptions, or other sources'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``buoy data and tidal'' and inserting ``and 
                        coastal'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking 
                        ``Integrated Ocean Observing System of the 
                        Administration'' and inserting ``United States 
                        and global ocean and coastal observing 
                        system'';
                            (v) in subparagraph (H), by inserting 
                        ``monitoring needs,'' after ``response,''; and
                            (vi) by amending subparagraph (I) to read 
                        as follows:
                    ``(I) Providing a Tsunami Warning Coordinator to 
                coordinate with partners and stakeholders products and 
                services of the centers supported or maintained under 
                paragraph (1).'';
                    (C) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
            ``(3) Fail-safe warning capability.--The Administrator 
        shall support and maintain fail-safe warning capability for the 
        tsunami warning centers supported or maintained under paragraph 
        (1), and such centers shall conduct at least one service back 
        up drill biannually.'';
                    (D) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by amending the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A) to read as follows: ``The 
                        Administrator shall coordinate with the weather 
                        forecast offices of the National Weather 
                        Service, the centers supported or maintained 
                        under paragraph (1), and such national and 
                        regional program offices of the Administration 
                        as the Administrator or the coordinating 
                        committee, as established in section 805(b), 
                        consider appropriate to ensure that regional 
                        and local weather forecast offices--'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following new 
                        subparagraph:
                    ``(D) conduct education and outreach efforts to 
                help prepare coastal communities for tsunami 
                hazards.'';
                    (E) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) in the section heading, by striking 
                        ``Uniform'' and inserting ``Standardized'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``uniform'' and inserting ``standardized'';
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking 
                        ``uniform'' and inserting ``standardized'';
                            (iv) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (v) in subparagraph (E), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (vi) by adding at the end the following new 
                        subparagraph:
                    ``(F) align the analytic techniques and 
                methodologies of the existing tsunami warning centers 
                supported or maintained under paragraph (1) to ensure 
                seamless continuity of operations and mitigate risk of 
                operational failure by prioritizing investments that 
                include--
                            ``(i) replacing end of life equipment;
                            ``(ii) ensuring product consistency;
                            ``(iii) enabling consistent operational 
                        process for backup capabilities;
                            ``(iv) mitigating existing operational 
                        security risks; and
                            ``(v) meeting information security 
                        requirements specified in chapter 35 of title 
                        44, United States Code.''; and
                    (F) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(7) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this paragraph and annually thereafter until 
        such time as all relevant requirements have been satisfied, the 
        Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, 
        and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate an update briefing on the progress of the following:
                    ``(A) Standardizing products and procedures under 
                paragraph (5), including tsunami assessments, forecast 
                guidance, and related products.
                    ``(B) Migrating the message generation systems of 
                the centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1) 
                to the Advanced Weather Information Processing Systems, 
                or successor systems.
                    ``(C) The structural reorganization effort, if 
                necessary, to align such centers' organizational 
                charts.
                    ``(D) The expected timeline for the full completion 
                of standardizing such centers' products and 
                procedures.'';
            (6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                        (A), by inserting ``detect, measure, and'' 
                        after ``used to'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``and the Advanced National Seismic System'' 
                        and inserting ``the Advanced National Seismic 
                        System, and the global navigation satellite 
                        system (GNSS); and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following new 
                        subparagraph:
                    ``(D) ensure research is coordinated with tsunami 
                warning operations;''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``according to 
                industry best practices'' before the period; and
            (7) in subsection (h)(2)(A), as so redesignated, by 
        striking ``accuracy of the tsunami model used'' and inserting 
        ``timeliness and accuracy of the forecast used to issue the 
        warning''.
    (d) National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.--Section 805(c) of 
the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3204(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), 
                (E), (F), and (G) as subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), (F), 
                (G), and (H), respectively;
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following new subparagraph:
                    ``(B) Coastal digital elevation models (DEMs) to 
                support the development of inundation maps.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraphs:
                    ``(I) Evaluation of the variation of inundation 
                impact resulting from tsunami-driven sediment 
                transport.
                    ``(J) Evaluation of tsunami debris impact on 
                critical infrastructure (as such term is defined in 
                section 1016(e) of Public Law 107-56 (42 U.S.C. 
                5195c(e))) and lifelines.
                    ``(K) High-resolution and high-quality digital 
                elevation models needed for at-risk coastlines, ports, 
                and harbors, particularly for regions not covered by 
                existing inundation maps.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (7)(C), by inserting ``and behavioral'' 
        after ``social'';
    (e) Tsunami Research Program.--Section 806 of the Tsunami Warning 
and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3205) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``section 805(d)'' and inserting 
                ``section 805(b)''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``and management'' after ``data 
                collection'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``deployment 
                and'' after ``may include'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``social science 
                research'' and inserting ``social and behavioral 
                science research, including data collection,'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph 
                (7); and
                    (E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following 
                new paragraphs:
            ``(5) develop decision support tools;
            ``(6) leverage and prioritize research opportunities; 
        and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c) Research and Development Plan.--Not later than 12 months 
after the date of the enactment of this subsection and not less 
frequently than every 36 months thereafter, the Administrator, in 
consultation with the Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological 
Services, shall develop a research and development and research to 
operations plan to improve tsunami detection and forecasting 
capabilities that--
            ``(1) identifies and prioritizes research and development 
        priorities to satisfy section 804;
            ``(2) identifies key research needs for better detecting 
        tsunamis that may occur in open ocean and along the coastlines 
        of the United States and its territories, improve forecasting 
        of tsunamis that are not seismically driven, and other 
        opportunities determined appropriate;
            ``(3) develops plans for transitioning research to 
        operations; and
            ``(4) identifies collaboration opportunities that may 
        further and align tsunami research, development, warnings, and 
        operations between the centers supported or maintained under 
        section 804, the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Center for 
        Tsunami Research, the National Science Foundation, the United 
        States Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency Management 
        Agency, institutions of higher education, private entities, 
        stakeholders, and others determined appropriate.'';
    (f) Assessment of Tsunami Watches and Warnings.--
            (1) In general.--The Tsunami Warning and Education Act 
        (enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
        Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public 
        Law 109-479)) is amended by inserting after section 804 (33 
        U.S.C. 3203) the following:

``SEC. 804A. ASSESSMENT OF TSUNAMI WATCHES AND WARNINGS.

    ``(a) Assessment of Tsunami Watches and Warnings.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) conduct an assessment of--
                            ``(i) the tsunami watches and warnings of 
                        the National Weather Service; and
                            ``(ii) the information delivery to support 
                        preparation and responses to tsunamis; and
                    ``(B) submit to Congress a report on the findings 
                of the Under Secretary with respect to the assessment 
                required by subparagraph (A).
            ``(2) Elements.--The assessment required by paragraph 
        (1)(A) shall include the following:
                    ``(A) An evaluation of whether the watches, 
                warnings, and information described in paragraph (1)(A) 
                effectively--
                            ``(i) communicate risk to the general 
                        public;
                            ``(ii) inform action to prevent loss of 
                        life and property;
                            ``(iii) inform action to support tsunami 
                        preparation and response; and
                            ``(iv) deliver information in a manner 
                        designed to lead to appropriate action.
                    ``(B) Subject to subsection (b)(2), such 
                recommendations as the Under Secretary may have for--
                            ``(i) legislative and administrative action 
                        to improve the watches and warnings described 
                        in paragraph (1)(A)(i); and
                            ``(ii) such research as the Under Secretary 
                        considers necessary to address the focus areas 
                        described in paragraph (3).
            ``(3) Focus areas.--The assessment required by paragraph 
        (1)(A) shall focus on the following areas:
                    ``(A) Ways to communicate the risks posed by 
                hazardous tsunami events to the public that are most 
                likely to result in informed decision making regarding 
                the mitigation of those risks.
                    ``(B) Ways to provide actionable geographic 
                information to the recipient of a watch or warning for 
                tsunami, including partnering with emergency response 
                agencies, as appropriate.
                    ``(C) Evaluation of information delivery to support 
                the preparation for and response to tsunamis
            ``(4) Consultation.--In conducting the assessment required 
        by paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall consult with--
                    ``(A) individuals in the academic sector, including 
                individuals in the field of social and behavioral 
                sciences;
                    ``(B) other weather services;
                    ``(C) media outlets and other entities that 
                distribute the watches and warnings described in 
                paragraph (1)(A)(i);
                    ``(D) emergency planners and responders, including 
                State, local, and Tribal emergency management agencies;
                    ``(E) other government users of the watches and 
                warnings described in paragraph (1)(A)(i), including 
                the Federal Highway Administration; and
                    ``(F) such other Federal agencies as the Under 
                Secretary determines rely on watches and warnings 
                regarding tsunamis for operational decisions.
            ``(5) Methodologies.--In conducting the assessment required 
        by paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall use such 
        methodologies as the Under Secretary considers are generally 
        accepted by the weather enterprise, including social and 
        behavioral sciences.
    ``(b) Improvements to Tsunami Watches and Warnings.--
            ``(1) In general.--Based on the assessment required by 
        subsection (a)(1)(A), the Under Secretary shall make such 
        improvements to the watches and warnings described in that 
        subsection as the Under Secretary considers necessary--
                    ``(A) to improve the communication of the risks 
                posed by tsunami events; and
                    ``(B) to provide actionable geographic information 
                to the recipient of a watch or warning for a tsunami.
            ``(2) Requirements regarding recommendations.--In 
        conducting the assessment required by subsection (a)(1)(A), the 
        Under Secretary shall ensure that any recommendation under 
        subsection (a)(2)(B) that the Under Secretary considers a major 
        change--
                    ``(A) is validated by social and behavioral science 
                using a generalizable sample;
                    ``(B) accounts for the needs of various 
                demographics, vulnerable populations, and geographic 
                regions;
                    ``(C) responds to the needs of Federal, State, 
                local, and Tribal government partners and media 
                partners; and
                    ``(D) accounts for necessary changes to Federally 
                operated watch and warning propagation and 
                dissemination infrastructure and protocols.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for the 
        Tsunami Warning and Education Act (enacted as title VIII of the 
        Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
        Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479)) is amended by 
        inserting after the item relating to section 804 the following:

``Sec. 804A. Assessment of tsunami watches and warnings.''.
    (g) Global Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Network.--Section 807(d) 
of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3206(d)) is amended 
by inserting ``and management'' after ``data sharing'';
    (h) Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel.--Section 808 of 
the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3206a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``and behavioral'' 
        after ``social''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Sunset.--The Panel shall terminate not later than six years 
after the date of the enactment of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act 
of 2024.''.
    (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 809 of the Tsunami 
Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3207) is amended to read as 
follows:

``SEC. 809. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to 
carry out this title $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 
2028, of which--
            ``(1) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated 
        for each fiscal year shall be for activities conducted at the 
        State level under the national tsunami hazard mitigation 
        program under section 805; and
            ``(2) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated 
        shall be for the tsunami research program under section 806.''.

SEC. 106. OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING.

    Section 106 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act 
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8516) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by inserting ``Federal'' before ``observing 
                capabilities''; and
                    (B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by inserting ``, including private sector 
                partnerships or commercial acquisition,'' after 
                ``options''; and
                    (B) by striking the period and inserting a 
                semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(5) compare costs and schedule, including cost-benefit 
        analysis, of Federal and private sector supplemental options to 
        fill the observation data requirements under paragraph (1) and 
        gaps identified pursuant to paragraph (3); and
            ``(6) not later than one year after the date of the 
        enactment of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, 
        submit to Congress a report that provides an analysis of the 
        technical, schedule, cost, and cost benefit analyses to place 
        an operational polar-orbiting environmental satellite 
        capability in the early morning orbit to support the weather 
        enterprise and the Administration's mission.''.

SEC. 107. OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS.

    Section 107 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act 
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8517) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``providing data'' 
        and inserting ``comparison to current or experimental 
        commercial system capabilities that provide data'';
            (2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``, including polar-
        orbiting and geostationary satellite systems,'';
            (3) by striking subsection (d); and
            (4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).

SEC. 108. COMPUTING RESOURCES PRIORITIZATION.

    (a) Computing Research Initiative.--Section 108 of the Weather 
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8518) is 
amended by striking subsection (a)(3)(C) and all that follows through 
subsection (b)(7) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Artificial Intelligence Investments.--The Under Secretary 
shall leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning 
technologies to facilitate, optimize, and further leverage advanced 
computing to accomplish critical missions of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
    ``(c) Centers of Excellence.--The Under Secretary may expand, and 
where applicable establish, centers of excellence to aid the adoption 
of next-generation artificial intelligence and machine learning enabled 
advanced computing capabilities. Each such center may carry out 
activities that include the following:
            ``(1) Leveraging robust public-private partnership models 
        to provide access to training, experience, and long-term 
        development of workforce and infrastructure.
            ``(2) Developing and optimizing tools, libraries, 
        algorithms, data structures, and other supporting software 
        necessary for specific applications on high performance 
        computing systems.
            ``(3) Applying modern artificial intelligence, deep 
        machine-learning, and advanced data analysis technologies to 
        address current and future mission challenges.
            ``(4) To the maximum extent practicable, exploring quantum 
        computing and related application partnerships with public, 
        private, and academic entities to improve the accuracy and 
        resolution of weather predictions.
    ``(d) Multi-Year Contracts.--The Under Secretary may enter into 
multi-year contracts in accordance with section 3903 of title 41, 
United States Code, and shall ensure compliance with all contract 
clauses provided in such section to support operations, research, and 
development related to high performance and cloud computing 
infrastructure or systems with an unfunded contingent liability in the 
event of cancellation.
    ``(e) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Under 
Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Energy shall submit 
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate a report evaluating the following:
            ``(1) A best estimate of the overall value of high-
        resolution probabilistic forecast guidance for hazardous 
        weather or water events (as such term is defined in section 401 
        of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024) using a next-
        generation weather forecast and warning framework.
            ``(2) The needs for cloud computing, quantum computing, or 
        high-performance computing, visualization, and dissemination 
        collaboration between the Department of Energy and the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            ``(3) A timeline and guidance for implementation of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) High-resolution numerical weather prediction 
                models.
                    ``(B) Methods for meeting the cloud computing, 
                quantum computing, or high-performance computing, 
                visualization, and dissemination needs identified under 
                paragraph (2).''.
    (b) Strategic Plan on High-Performance Computing and Data 
Management Needs.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall make publicly 
        available not later than one year after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, and update every 5 years thereafter 
        until 2035, a 10-year strategic plan that outlines the high-
        performance computing and data management requirements and 
        needs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
        and actions and strategies to address those requirements and 
        needs.
            (2) Plan elements.--At a minimum, the strategic plan 
        required by paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    (A) A 10-year prospective outlook of computing 
                resources and upgrades needed to meet the mission needs 
                of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                for fisheries management, oceanographic forecasting, 
                and ecological forecasting missions.
                    (B) A discussion of--
                            (i) computing and processing resources of 
                        the Administration and a 10-year projected need 
                        for such resources, disaggregated by line 
                        office of the Administration;
                            (ii) facilities, commercial contracts, and 
                        partnerships (with other Federal agencies or 
                        other institutions or entities) of the 
                        Administration that are providing computing and 
                        data management support or capacity as of such 
                        date;
                            (iii) the use by the Administration of 
                        cloud computing and other emerging 
                        technologies, such as artificial intelligence 
                        and machine learning;
                            (iv) additional technologies that have the 
                        potential to increase effectiveness and 
                        efficiency for data storage and processing 
                        power, including challenges to access and use 
                        of those technologies;
                            (v) the distribution of computing resources 
                        among the operations and research functions of 
                        the Administration;
                            (vi) products and services of the 
                        Administration that have not become available 
                        to the public because of a lack of computing 
                        resources;
                            (vii) current and future workforce 
                        development needs, such as information 
                        technology and software engineering, of the 
                        Administration; and
                            (viii) the high-performance computing 
                        requirements of the Administration, with a 
                        special focus on requirements that are common 
                        across line offices of the Administration.
                    (C) Timelines, and performance measures for 
                assessing progress toward attaining goals for--
                            (i) computing infrastructure and 
                        architecture of the Administration (including 
                        facilities, hardware, and software); and
                            (ii) use by the Administration of 
                        technologies that will increase effectiveness 
                        and efficiency for data storage and processing 
                        power, including challenges to access and use 
                        of such technologies.
                    (D) A 10-year life cycle analysis of the management 
                of facilities, hardware, and engineering involved in 
                the strategic plan that includes--
                            (i) program formulation for project 
                        conception, implementation, and closure; and
                            (ii) technical infrastructure, products, 
                        processes, data, and personnel resources 
                        required to achieve defined cost, schedule, and 
                        performance objectives.
                    (E) If appropriate, a description of actions taken 
                to implement the previous plan.
            (3) Public involvement.--In developing the strategic plan 
        required by paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall invite 
        comments and other feedback from the public to inform the 
        strategic plan.
            (4) Annual briefings.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, and annually 
                thereafter until 2029, the Under Secretary shall brief 
                Congress on the progress made toward the objectives of 
                the strategic plan required by paragraph (1).
                    (B) Elements.--Each briefing required by 
                subparagraph (A) shall include the following:
                            (i) An evaluation of the progress made in 
                        implementing the strategic plan.
                            (ii) Such updates to the strategic plan as 
                        the Under Secretary considers appropriate.

SEC. 109. EARTH PREDICTION INNOVATION CENTER.

    Paragraph (5) of section 102(b) of the Weather Research and 
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512(b)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
        following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(E) developing community weather research 
                modeling systems that--
                            ``(i) are accessible by the public in 
                        accordance with section 10601 of the James M. 
                        Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for 
                        Fiscal Year 2023 (15 U.S.C. 8512a) and 
                        available for archive and long-term study;
                            ``(ii) meet basic end-user requirements for 
                        running on public computers and networks 
                        located outside of secure National Oceanic and 
                        Atmospheric Administration information and 
                        technology systems;
                            ``(iii) use, whenever appropriate and cost-
                        effective, innovative strategies and methods, 
                        including cloud-based computing capabilities, 
                        for hosting and management of part or all of 
                        the system described in this subparagraph;
                            ``(iv) use modeling systems that allow for 
                        interoperability with new model components, 
                        modules, and next-generation software and 
                        coding languages;
                            ``(v) allow for open testing and 
                        integration of promising operational model 
                        improvements from the broader community;
                            ``(vi) access as close to a real-time basis 
                        as possible operational data and metadata, 
                        including commercially purchased data for use 
                        in the model testing conducted by the Earth 
                        Prediction Innovation Center pursuant to 
                        redistribution restrictions, licensing 
                        agreements, and applicable existing laws and 
                        regulations; and
                            ``(vii) provide supported and portable 
                        versions of the unified forecast system, 
                        including applications for fire weather, 
                        subseasonal to seasonal forecasting, hurricane, 
                        space weather, ocean, cryosphere, air quality, 
                        and coastal models, that can reproduce current 
                        operational global and regional model 
                        prediction; and
                    ``(F) establishing a National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration Data Lake, to be maintained 
                by the Administration, a commercial partner, or non-
                profit entity, that consolidates and maintains a 
                publicly available and continuously updated collection 
                of data and metadata used in numerical weather 
                prediction for use in the Earth Prediction Innovation 
                Center's model testing, pursuant to redistribution 
                restrictions, licensing agreements, and applicable 
                existing laws and regulations.''.

SEC. 110. SATELLITE ARCHITECTURE PLANNING.

    Section 301 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act 
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8531) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and 
        redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (1), 
        (2), and (3), respectively;
            (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Satellite 
Systems and Data.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall maintain a 
        fleet of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration space-
        based observation platforms that provide critical operations-
        focused data and information to support the mission of the 
        Administration to monitor the global environment in order to 
        protect lives and property from extreme weather and other 
        natural phenomena.
            ``(2) Collaboration.--The Under Secretary shall implement 
        recommendations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration Observing Systems Council to ensure an 
        appropriate mix of government, academic, commercial sector, and 
        international partnerships in the provision of data and 
        information, including a broadened effort on data acquisition 
        through the Commercial Data Program under section 302 when cost 
        effective and beneficial to the Administration.
            ``(3) Priority.--The Under Secretary shall ensure that 
        platforms maintained under paragraph (1) prioritize the 
        development of products and services that are tailored to meet 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's mission.
            ``(4) National centers for environmental information.--The 
        Under Secretary shall maintain the National Centers for 
        Environmental Information to provide a long-term archive and 
        access to the national and global data and metadata of the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.''; and
            (3) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``2023'' and 
        inserting ``2030''.

SEC. 111. IMPROVING UNCREWED ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Research and Development.--Section 102(b)(3) of the Weather 
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512(b)(3)) 
is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``aerial'' and 
        inserting ``crewed and uncrewed aerial and surface''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``, including 
        commercial observing systems'' and inserting ``, including 
        stationary and mobile commercial observing systems, such as 
        uncrewed aircraft and marine systems, to provide observations 
        of the atmosphere and ocean, and other observations, in 
        cooperation with the Office of Marine and Aviation 
        Operations''.
    (b) Use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems.--Section 102 of the Weather 
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512) is 
further amended by--
            (1) redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (d) and (e), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under this 
        section, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Research and the Assistant Administrator for the 
        Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, whenever practical, 
        shall use uncrewed aerial systems to assess damage and assist 
        recovery after an extreme weather or water event.
            ``(2) Use of systems.--In carrying out the program under 
        this section, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Research and the Assistant Administrator for the 
        Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, may acquire uncrewed 
        aerial systems and training resources for the regional offices 
        and partners of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration for the use and deployment of those systems in 
        storm assessments and response.''.

SEC. 112. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL FOR ADVANCING METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Section 402 of the Weather Research and 
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8542) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``Advancing Weather Services'' and 
                inserting ``Advancing Meteorological Services (in this 
                section referred to as the `Interagency Council')''; 
                and
                    (B) by striking ``Committee'' each place it appears 
                and inserting ``Council'';
            (2) by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:
    ``(b) Co-Chairs.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy and the Under Secretary shall serve as co-chairs of 
the Interagency Council. The Under Secretary shall serve as the Federal 
Coordinator for Meteorology.
    ``(c) Further Coordination.--The Director of the Office of Science 
and Technology Policy shall take such steps as are necessary to 
coordinate the activities of the Federal Government with stakeholders 
in the United States weather industry, academic partners, State 
governments, and emergency managers, including by implementing 
mechanisms to encourage and enable the participation of non-Federal 
employees in the functions of the Interagency Council.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
    ``(d) Functions.--The Interagency Council shall be the formal 
mechanism by which all relevant Federal departments and agencies 
coordinate implementation of policy and practices to ensure United 
States global leadership in meteorological services. In doing so, the 
Interagency Council shall review programs and support relevant weather 
research and forecast innovation activities, as well as other related 
implementation activities, related to Federal meteorological services, 
including by carrying out the following:
            ``(1) Identifying and helping prioritize meteorological 
        research and service delivery needs, including relating to 
        observations, operational systems, communications, and 
        infrastructure.
            ``(2) Providing recommendations to streamline or 
        consolidate activities and develop greater efficiencies in 
        cross-agency activities.
            ``(3) Leveraging Earth system science research outcomes of 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
        National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other 
        relevant Federal departments and agencies, including research 
        outcomes related to the relevant recommended key science and 
        applications questions and priorities in the National Academies 
        of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's 2018 report `Thriving 
        on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth 
        Observation from Space', to understand and predict high-impact 
        weather phenomena.
            ``(4) Facilitating the expansion and strengthening of 
        partnerships with private sector entities to advance 
        meteorological research, communications, and computing in 
        collaboration with the Earth system science, service, and 
        stakeholder communities.
            ``(5) Sharing information regarding meteorological research 
        improvement needs and science opportunities across relevant 
        Federal departments and agencies.
            ``(6) Providing advice to all relevant Federal departments 
        and agencies regarding potential collaborations and expected 
        level of resources needed to maintain and operate the 
        Interagency Council.
            ``(7) Enhancing communication and coordination and 
        promoting sharing within relevant Federal departments and 
        agencies and across the Interagency Council.
            ``(8) Developing, recruiting, and sustaining a professional 
        and diverse workforce for meteorological research and services.
    ``(e) Data Inventory.--The Interagency Council, in coordination and 
avoidance of duplication with the United States Group on Earth 
Observations, shall promote data and metadata access and archive 
activities to increase accessibility, interoperability, and reusability 
by maintaining a data inventory of meteorological observations. Not 
less frequently than every two years for a period of 10 years beginning 
on the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Interagency 
Council shall solicit updated information from private sector entities 
identifying current and near future sources of such data. Such data 
shall be made available to member departments and agencies under 
subsection (a).
    ``(f) Coordination Office.--The Interagency Meteorological 
Coordination Office shall provide to the Interagency Council such 
administrative and logistical support as the Interagency Council may 
require, as determined by the co-chairs.
    ``(g) Cost Share.--Member departments and agencies of the 
Interagency Council specified under subsection (a) may provide 
reimbursable financial support to the Interagency Meteorological 
Coordinating Office to enhance cost-sharing and collaboration related 
to weather research and forecast innovation activities.
    ``(h) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter until 2029, the 
Interagency Council shall publish a report which identifies among 
member departments and agencies specified under subsection (a) the 
following:
            ``(1) Federal programs that use meteorological 
        observations, data sources, and capabilities.
            ``(2) Federal programs that acquire such observations, 
        data, and capabilities from private sector entities.
            ``(3) Advancements in meteorological data collection, 
        assimilation, and forecasting that could improve Federal 
        programmatic operational capabilities.
            ``(4) Barriers to acquiring meteorological observations, 
        data sources, and capabilities that could be used to better 
        meet Federal programmatic needs.''.
    (b) References.--Any reference to the Interagency Committee for 
Advancing Weather Services in any law, rule, regulation, paper, 
document, map, or other record of the United States shall be deemed to 
be a reference to the Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological 
Services.

SEC. 113. OCEAN OBSERVATIONS.

    Subsection (b) of section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean 
Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603) is amended by adding at 
the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(5) Ships of opportunity pilot program.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator, in 
                coordination with the heads of relevant Federal 
                departments and agencies, shall, subject to relevant 
                regulations and certifications, maintain pilot programs 
                or projects to contract with research or commercial 
                ship operators for data collection and assess the 
                potential costs, benefits, and viability of a network 
                of ocean and atmospheric observing instruments 
                operating on research or commercial ocean vessels, 
                including in the Arctic, in order to supplement the 
                Integrated Coastal, Great Lakes, and Ocean Observation 
                System in improving understanding of coastal and ocean 
                systems and their relationships to human activities.
                    ``(B) Standards and specifications.--The 
                Administrator shall ensure that data acquired through 
                the pilot program established pursuant to subparagraph 
                (A) meets the most recent standards and specifications 
                required for observation services and data as published 
                pursuant to subsection (c) of section 302 of the 
                Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
                2017.
                    ``(C) Report.--Not later than five years after the 
                date of the enactment of this paragraph, the 
                Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of 
                Transportation, shall submit to Congress a report on 
                the requirements for a global network of ocean and 
                atmospheric instruments operating on research or 
                commercial ocean vessels for measurement and data 
                transmission.
                    ``(D) Sunset.--This paragraph shall terminate on 
                the earlier of--
                            ``(i) September 30, 2029; or
                            ``(ii) one year after the date on which the 
                        report required under subparagraph (B) is 
                        submitted by the Administrator.''.

SEC. 114. CONSOLIDATION OF REPORTS.

    (a) Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.--
            (1) In general.--The Weather Research and Forecasting 
        Innovation Act of 2017 is amended--
                    (A) in section 102 (15 U.S.C. 8512), by striking 
                subsection (d);
                    (B) by amending section 105 (15 U.S.C. 8515) to 
                read as follows:

``SEC. 105. WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.

    ``Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this 
section and not less frequently than every two years thereafter, the 
Under Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research, and in coordination with the Director of the 
National Weather Service and the Assistant Administrator for Satellite 
and Information Services, shall issue a research and development and 
research to operations plan to maintain United States leadership in 
numerical weather prediction and forecasting that--
            ``(1) describes the forecasting skill and technology goals, 
        technology transfer plan, and progress of the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration in carrying out the program 
        conducted under section 102;
            ``(2) identifies and prioritizes specific research and 
        development activities, data collection and analysis, 
        predictive modeling, demonstration of potential operational 
        forecast application, education, training, and performance 
        metrics, weighted to meet the operational weather and flood-
        event mission of the National Weather Service to achieve a 
        weather-ready Nation;
            ``(3) describes how the program conducted under section 102 
        will collaborate with Federal agencies and departments, 
        international partners, and stakeholders, including the United 
        States weather industry and academic partners, and the role of 
        each in advancing weather forecasting and communication;
            ``(4) identifies, through consultation with the National 
        Science Foundation, the United States weather industry, and 
        academic partners, research necessary to advance the scientific 
        understanding of weather processes and provide information to 
        improve weather warning and forecast systems in the United 
        States most effectively;
            ``(5) describes the ongoing research projects of the United 
        States Weather Research Program, the goals of those projects, 
        and those projects related to weather observations, short-term 
        weather, or subseasonal forecasts within the Office of Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Research that are closest to 
        operationalization; and
            ``(6) describes how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration is advancing community weather modeling.'';
                    (C) in section 403 (15 U.S.C. 8543)--
                            (i) in subsection (a), by inserting ``the'' 
                        after ``Director of''; and
                            (ii) by amending subsection (d) to read as 
                        follows:
    ``(d) Annual Briefing.--Not less frequently than once each year, 
the Under Secretary shall brief the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives on participation in the 
program under subsection (a) and shall highlight any innovations that 
come from the interaction described in subsection (b).''; and
                    (D) by striking sections 408 through 411 and 
                section 414 and redesignating sections 412 and 413 as 
                sections 408 and 409, respectively.
            (2) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents in section 
        1(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
        2017 is amended by striking the items relating to sections 408 
        through 414 and inserting the following new items:

``Sec. 408. Weather enterprise outreach.
``Sec. 409. Hurricane hunter aircraft.''.
    (b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization 
Act of 1992.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-567) is amended--
            (1) in section 106, by striking subsection (c) (15 U.S.C. 
        1537); and
            (2) in section 108 (15 U.S.C. 8520)--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by striking paragraph (5); and
                            (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (6) 
                        through (12) as paragraphs (5) through (11), 
                        respectively;
                    (B) by striking subsection (b); and
                    (C) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection 
                (b).

SEC. 115. PRECIPITATION FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Title VI of the Weather Research and Forecasting 
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 603 as section 604; and
            (2) by inserting after section 602 the following:

``SEC. 603. PRECIPITATION FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry, other Federal agencies, and academic 
partners, shall maintain a program to improve precipitation forecasting 
across timescales.
    ``(b) Goal.--The goal of the program under subsection (a) shall be 
to provide more accurate, reliable, and timely precipitation forecasts 
across timescales through the development and application of a fully 
coupled Earth system prediction model in order to reduce the loss of 
life or property related to precipitation extremes, with a focus on the 
following:
            ``(1) Improving the understanding and prediction of 
        precipitation extremes from a variety of weather systems, 
        including atmospheric rivers.
            ``(2) Evaluating and incorporating, as appropriate, 
        innovative observations into operational monitoring and 
        forecast systems to improve precipitation forecasts.
            ``(3) Improving earth system model predictions of 
        precipitation extremes from atmospheric rivers, tropical 
        cyclones, summer-time thunderstorms, winter storms, and other 
        phenomena, in coordination with relevant programs.
            ``(4) Enhancing research transition to operations through 
        testbeds, including the evaluation of physical and social 
        science, technology, and other research to develop products and 
        services for implementation and use by relevant stakeholders.
            ``(5) Incorporating social, behavioral, and economic 
        sciences best practices into operations for more effective and 
        actionable watch and warning products that help drive public 
        safety and damage mitigation decisions in coordination with the 
        programs established in accordance with this Act.
            ``(6) Ensuring data and metadata management processes are 
        in place to support data access and archive for long term 
        research and operations among multiple partners.
    ``(c) Activities.--In carrying out the program under subsection 
(a), the Under Secretary shall support research-to-operations work, 
including relating to the following:
            ``(1) Implementing key strategies and following priorities 
        and objectives outlined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration's `Precipitation Prediction Grand Challenge 
        Strategy'.
            ``(2) Improving the physical science, operational modeling 
        and tools, and technology related to better forecasting 
        precipitation extremes across timescales.
            ``(3) Improving the social, behavioral, risk, 
        communications, and economic sciences related to 
        vulnerabilities, risk communication, and delivery of 
        information critical for reducing the loss of life or property 
        related to extreme precipitation.
            ``(4) Conducting the research necessary to develop and 
        deploy probabilistic weather forecast guidance technology 
        relating to precipitation extremes in operational practice.
            ``(5) Enhancing the operational capacity of the National 
        Weather Service to deliver decision support for increasing 
        precipitation extremes.
            ``(6) Expanding computational resources to improve 
        precipitation modeling.
    ``(d) Annual Budget.--The Under Secretary shall, not less 
frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed budget 
corresponding with carrying out this section.
    ``(e) Sense of Congress.--It is the Sense of Congress that improved 
precipitation forecasts should support improved water resource 
management and resilience to extreme water related events, such as 
floods and drought, which may include the use of enhanced streamflow 
prediction.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended 
by striking the item relating to section 603 and inserting the 
following new items:

``Sec. 603. Precipitation forecast improvement program.
``Sec. 604. Definitions.''.

     TITLE II--ENHANCING FEDERAL WEATHER FORECASTING AND INNOVATION

SEC. 201. WEATHER INNOVATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall establish a Research, 
Development, Test, and Evaluation Program (in this section referred to 
as the ``Program'') to ensure the continued performance of weather 
radar capabilities based on defined use needs and requirements, 
including capabilities currently being developed.
    (b) Requirements.--In carrying out the Program, the Under 
Secretary, in consultation with the Interagency Council for Advancing 
Meteorological Services, shall--
            (1) partner with the private sector, academia, Federal, 
        State, and local government entities, and any other entity the 
        Under Secretary considers appropriate;
            (2) identify, evaluate, and test existing or emerging 
        technologies and solutions that improve radar coverage and 
        performance, including by mitigating the potential impact of 
        interferences on weather radar;
            (3) to the maximum extent practicable, research additional 
        solutions that could improve radar coverage and performance and 
        mitigate the effects of interferences on weather radar, such 
        as--
                    (A) signal processing algorithms, including the 
                capability to merge data from multiple radars, 
                including commercial radars, and other supplemental 
                data sources;
                    (B) short-term forecasting algorithms to improve 
                weather and water-related forecasts and warnings;
                    (C) gap filling radars to improve radar coverage 
                and provide supplemental or replacement observations in 
                areas impacted by interferences on weather radar;
                    (D) solutions to replace or mitigate the effects of 
                data contaminated by interferences on weather radar; 
                and
                    (E) solutions from electromagnetic sources; and
            (4) develop, support, or partner with developers to provide 
        commercially viable technical mitigation solutions for 
        interferences to weather radar capabilities that are compatible 
        with the operational requirements of the weather radar system.
    (c) Priority.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Under Secretary 
shall prioritize consideration of the following technology-based 
mitigation solutions:
            (1) Phased array weather radar systems.
            (2) Supplementing or replacing contaminated data with 
        commercial radar data.
            (3) The use of data from meteorological towers associated 
        with the private sector, or similar capabilities.
            (4) The installation and provision of access to rain 
        gauges.
            (5) Any other technology-based mitigation solution the 
        Under Secretary determines could improve radar coverage by 
        overcoming interferences, beam blockage, or ghost echoes.
    (d) Report; Recommendation.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of 
        the enactment of this section and annually thereafter until the 
        Program terminates pursuant to subsection (e), the Under 
        Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the 
        implementation of the Program, including an evaluation of each 
        technology-based mitigation solution identified for priority 
        consideration pursuant to subsection (c), and a recommendation 
        regarding additional identification and testing of new 
        technologies based on such consideration.
            (2) Final recommendation.--Not later than five years after 
        the date of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary 
        shall provide to Congress a recommendation on whether 
        additional research, testing, and development through the 
        Program established under subsection (a) is needed, and a 
        determination of whether a cessation of field research, 
        testing, development and evaluation under the Program is 
        appropriate.
    (e) Termination.--The authority of the Under Secretary to carry out 
the Program shall terminate on the earlier of--
            (1) September 30, 2029; or
            (2) one year after the date on which the final 
        recommendation required under subsection (d)(2) is submitted by 
        the Under Secretary.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Ghost echo.--The term ``ghost echo'' means radar signal 
        reflectivity or velocity return errors in radar data due to the 
        proximity of an interference.
            (2) Interference.--The term ``interference'' means any 
        natural or human-built structure that affects a weather radar 
        system, including any wind turbine or building that could 
        disrupt or limit the effectiveness of a weather radar system.

SEC. 202. RADAR NEXT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in consultation with the 
Director of the National Weather Service, shall establish a program to 
be known as the ``Radar Next Program'' (in this section referred to as 
the ``program'').
    (b) Requirements.--In carrying out the program, the Under Secretary 
shall--
            (1) develop performance and coverage requirements for the 
        weather radar network of the United States, including the 
        territories of the United States;
            (2) collaborate with the weather enterprise to determine 
        potential solutions to update the weather radar network of the 
        United States that meets the requirements developed under 
        paragraph (1); and
            (3) develop a plan in accordance with subsection (c).
    (c) Plan.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall develop a plan 
        to replace the Next Generation Weather Radar of the National 
        Weather Service system in existence as of the data of the 
        enactment of this Act (in this subsection referred to as the 
        ``NEXRAD system'').
            (2) Elements.--The plan developed under this subsection 
        shall seek to continue and improve weather radar coverage in 
        the United States and its territories and include the 
        following:
                    (A) Estimates of quantifiable improvements in 
                performance, coverage, and accuracy to be made from 
                potential options for replacement of the NEXRAD system.
                    (B) Development of a proof-of-concept phased array 
                radar to test and determine the specifications and 
                requirements for such replacement.
                    (C) Expected actions needed to implement the 
                recommendations of the report published by the 
                Environmental Information Services Working Group of the 
                Science Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration in November 2023 and 
                entitled ``A NESDIS Observing System Backbone 
                Framework'' to assist in defining a radar backbone 
                architecture that will best serve the United States.
                    (D) Establishment of a weather surveillance radar 
                testbed for the following:
                            (i) Evaluation of commercial radars with 
                        the potential to replace or supplement the 
                        NEXRAD system.
                            (ii) providing technical assistance for the 
                        use of small, gap-filling radars with private 
                        and local partners in regions where 
                        geographical topography prevents the full use 
                        of large systems or in locations where such 
                        systems may not be commercially viable.
                    (E) Consultation and input solicited from academia, 
                meteorologists, emergency managers, and public safety 
                or utility officials regarding the specifications and 
                requirements for replacement of the NEXRAD system.
                    (F) Prioritized locations for initial deployment of 
                the system that will replace the NEXRAD system.
                    (G) Expected locations of the system that will 
                replace the NEXRAD system, including sites located more 
                than 75 miles away from an existing NEXRAD system 
                station and additional appropriate locations.
                    (H) Expected or planned improvements to data 
                available for weather and water-related forecasts and 
                warnings from the system that will replace the NEXRAD 
                system.
            (3) Procurement deadline.--The Under Secretary shall take 
        such actions as may be necessary to ensure the plan developed 
        under this subsection is fully implemented and executed by not 
        later than September 30, 2040.
    (d) Radar-as-a-Service.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary may partner or 
        contract with entities outside of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration to fill data gaps in weather radar 
        coverage using diverse weather radars and data assimilation 
        technologies in order to--
                    (A) supplement data gaps in weather radar coverage, 
                including at low levels and wide areas, in existence as 
                of the date of the enactment of this Act;
                    (B) ensure the continued performance of the United 
                States' weather radar network; and
                    (C) better detect significant precipitation and 
                severe weather over a greater area across a population.
            (2) Considerations.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Under Secretary may consider--
                    (A) partnering or contracting with entities that 
                have participated in the testbed described in 
                subsection (c)(3), the National Mesonet Program, or 
                Cooperative Research and Development Agreements; and
                    (B) weather camera systems and services, including 
                in consultation with the Federal Aviation 
                Administration, as viable technologies to supplement 
                weather forecasting and prediction needs.
    (e) Updates to Congress.--The Under Secretary shall provide to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate periodic updates on the implementation of 
this section.

SEC. 203. DATA VOIDS IN HIGHLY VULNERABLE AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in coordination with the 
Director of the National Weather Service and the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the United 
States weather industry, academic partners, and in accordance with 
activities implemented through existing regional atmospheric, coastal, 
ocean, and Great Lakes observing systems, shall carry out activities to 
ensure equitable and comprehensive weather observation coverage, 
impact-based decision support services, and emergency information 
sharing in the United States, including the following
            (1) Identifying regions in the United States and the 
        territories of the United States that are under-observed or 
        highly vulnerable to weather impacts that threaten human life, 
        health, and the economy.
            (2) Identifying any challenges that contribute to the lack 
        of operations under paragraph (1).
            (3) Increasing weather observations and developing new 
        weather observational capabilities, such as urban heat island 
        mapping campaigns, with respect to the regions identified under 
        paragraph (1).
            (4) Establishing or supporting testbeds and deployments of 
        decision-support services to Federal, State, and local 
        emergency operations centers to develop and integrate new 
        weather, water, and climate observation or emergency 
        information sharing tools, with respect to the regions 
        identified under paragraph (1).
            (5) To the maximum extent practicable, advancing weather 
        and water forecasting and climate modeling capabilities for the 
        regions identified under paragraph (1).
            (6) Undertaking workforce development efforts for emergency 
        management officials and meteorologists in the regions 
        identified under paragraph (1).
            (7) Using data-void-filling observations to better resolve 
        extreme rainfall in complex topography.
            (8) Contributing to a national integrated heat health 
        information system.
    (b) Interagency Partnership To Support Pilot Projects.--In carrying 
out this section, the Under Secretary, acting through the Director of 
the National Weather Service and in collaboration with the 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall 
establish an interagency partnership to support pilot projects that 
accelerate coordination and use of localized weather, water, and 
climate data and impact-based communications in infrastructure and 
emergency management decisions by Federal, State, and local officials.
    (c) Priority.--At least one pilot project under subsection (b) 
shall address key science challenges to using mesonet data in local 
decision making and development of new tools and training for owners 
and operators of critical infrastructure (as such term is defined in 
section 1016(e) of Public Law 107-56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))), such as 
dams, energy generation and distribution facilities, nuclear power 
plants, and transportation networks.

SEC. 204. ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry and academic partners and in 
coordination with the precipitation forecast improvement program under 
section 603 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
2017, as added by section 115 of this Act, shall establish an 
atmospheric river forecast improvement program (in this section 
referred to as the ``program'').
    (b) Goal.--The goal of the program shall be to reduce the loss of 
life and property and economic losses from atmospheric rivers through 
the research, development, and extension of accurate, effective, and 
actionable forecasts and warnings including by--
            (1) establishing atmospheric river forecast skill metrics 
        that include assessing the benefits of dynamical modeling, data 
        assimilation, and machine learning improvements in the 
        probabilistic forecasts of landfall location, extreme wind and 
        precipitation, and cascading impacts;
            (2) developing an atmospheric river forecast system within 
        a unified forecast system, and advancing next-generation 
        coupled modeling systems, with the capability of providing 
        seasonal to short-range atmospheric river forecasts that 
        include forecast of snow accumulation and other hydrologic 
        components;
            (3) advancing scientific understanding of the roles of 
        atmospheric rivers in subseasonal to seasonal precipitation and 
        probabilistic predictions at subseasonal and seasonal scales;
            (4) developing tools and improved forecast products to 
        predict periods of active or inactive atmospheric river 
        landfalls and inland penetration over the United States with a 
        focus on addressing stakeholder and public needs related to 
        perceiving, comprehending, and responding to atmospheric river 
        forecast improvements;
            (5) enhancing the transition of research to operations 
        through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 
        testbeds, including the evaluation of physical and social 
        science, technology, and other research to develop products and 
        services for implementation and use by relevant stakeholders; 
        and
            (6) incorporating into atmospheric river modeling and 
        forecasting, as appropriate, social, behavioral, risk, 
        communication, and economic sciences.
    (c) Innovative Observations, Data Assimilation, and Modeling.--The 
Under Secretary shall ensure the program periodically examines, tests, 
and evaluates the value of incorporating innovative observations, data, 
and measurements with respect to the improvement of atmospheric river 
analysis, modeling, forecasts, predictions, and warnings.
    (d) Program Plan.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of the Air Force or the Commander of the 53rd Weather 
Reconnaissance Squadron of the Air Force Reserve Command, shall develop 
a plan that details the specific research, development, data 
acquisition, partnerships with the weather industry and academic 
partners, and technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding 
resources, and timelines, necessary to achieve the goal of the program 
under subsection (b). Such plan shall be made available to the public 
on release.
    (e) Annual Budget for Plan Submittal.--After the development of the 
plan pursuant to subsection (d), the Under Secretary shall, not less 
frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed budget 
corresponding with the activities identified in such plan.
    (f) Improved Modeling.--In carrying out the program, the Under 
Secretary may--
            (1) develop, test, and operationalize prototype high-
        resolution Atmospheric River Analysis and Forecasting System 
        models through research and operations partnerships with 
        institutions of higher education and other partners outside the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
            (2) enhance data assimilation of current and new satellite 
        and ocean observations that is useful for atmospheric river 
        analysis and forecasting predictions;
            (3) improve data processing techniques related to 
        atmospheric river analysis and forecasting predictions;
            (4) use artificial intelligence and machine learning 
        methods as applicable to atmospheric river analysis and 
        forecasting predictions;
            (5) ensure the surface and subsurface observations of the 
        ocean meet the needs of atmospheric river analysis and 
        forecasting predictions on different time scales; and
            (6) to the maximum extent practicable, improve or establish 
        baseline weather monitoring services in areas that have 
        historically experienced, or are predicted to experience, 
        atmospheric rivers.
    (g) Conduct of Reconnaissance.--The Under Secretary shall acquire 
and sustain adequate aircraft, scientific equipment, and personnel to 
meet mission requirements of the National Hurricane Operations Plan and 
the National Winter Seasons Operation plan, and to--
            (1) ensure atmospheric river air reconnaissance 
        observations are available throughout the expected seasons of 
        tropical cyclones and atmospheric rivers;
            (2) to the maximum extent practicable and in accordance 
        with paragraph (4), ensure data and information collected are 
        made available for research and operations purposes;
            (3) participate in research and operations partnerships 
        that guide flight planning and use research methods to improve 
        and expand the capabilities and effectiveness of atmospheric 
        river reconnaissance over time;
            (4) develop data management strategies to ensure that data 
        and metadata are adequately stewarded, maintained, and 
        archived; and
            (5) undertake such other additional activities as the Under 
        Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Air Force, 
        considers appropriate to improve and grow the hurricane hunter 
        and atmospheric river reconnaissance mission.
    (h) Improved Atmospheric River Hazard Communication.--The Under 
Secretary may conduct reach and development activities in coordination 
with the program established under section 403(a) to--
            (1) as appropriate, develop and refine methods to 
        categorize the intensity of weather and oceans hazards, 
        including tropical cyclones and atmospheric rivers, on a 
        quantitative scale and the effectiveness of such scale in 
        hazard communication;
            (2) develop best practices for communication of atmospheric 
        river events and hazards across regions of the United States;
            (3) gather information from areas prone to hurricanes and 
        atmospheric rivers regarding levels of knowledge and 
        preparedness, including responses to early forecasts and 
        warnings by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration; and
            (4) explore strategies and effectiveness of communicating 
        that hurricane and atmospheric river events are beneficial at 
        lower intensities versus hazardous at higher intensity.

SEC. 205. COASTAL FLOODING AND STORM SURGE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry and academic partners, shall establish a 
coastal flooding and storm surge forecast improvement program (in this 
section referred to as the ``program'').
    (b) Goal.--The goal of the program shall be to reduce the loss of 
life or property from coastal flooding, including high tide flooding, 
and storm surge events through the development and extension of 
accurate, effective, actionable, and probable forecasts and warnings.
    (c) Priority.--In implementing the program, the Under Secretary 
shall prioritize activities that carry out the following:
            (1) Improving understanding and capacity for real-time 
        operational prediction of the ocean's role in coastal flooding, 
        including high tide flooding, and storm surge events.
            (2) Improving the capacity to mitigate, adapt to, or 
        prevent the impacts of coastal flooding, including high tide 
        flooding, and storm surge events, including by improving the 
        understanding and capacity of coastal communities to perceive, 
        comprehend, and respond to forecast information.
            (3) Incorporating data from in situ distributed sensors 
        into predictive models and re-analyses.
            (4) Developing probabilistic coastal flooding, including 
        high tide flooding, and storm surge estimates to complement 
        worst-case scenario estimates, including for use in long-term 
        planning and risk management by States, Tribal governments, 
        localities, and emergency managers in coordination with the 
        Federal Emergency Management Agency, as appropriate.
            (5) Establishing skill metrics for coastal inundation 
        forecasting that quantify the benefits of dynamical modeling, 
        data assimilation, and machine learning improvements in the 
        probabilistic forecast of coastal flooding, including high tide 
        flooding, and storm surge risk and impacts.
            (6) Improving operational regional storm surge models and, 
        in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey, wave 
        prediction models to enhance probabilistic guidance and 
        messaging.
    (d) Innovative Observations and Modeling.--The Under Secretary 
shall ensure the program periodically examines, tests, and evaluates 
the value of incorporating enhanced model physics, hybrid dynamical or 
machine learning based prediction systems, and innovative observations, 
such as novel sensor technologies, observation networks, crewed or 
uncrewed systems, and hosted instruments on commercial aircrafts, 
vessels, and satellites, with respect to the improvement of coastal 
flooding, including high tide flooding, and storm surge forecasts, 
predictions, and warnings.
    (e) Program Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall develop a plan that 
details the specific research, development, data acquisition, and 
technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and 
timelines, necessary to achieve the goal of the program under 
subsection (b).
    (f) Annual Budget for Plan Submittal.--After the development of the 
plan pursuant to subsection (e), the Under Secretary shall, not less 
frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed budget 
corresponding with the activities identified in such plan.

SEC. 206. AVIATION WEATHER AND DATA INNOVATION.

    (a) Program.--The Under Secretary shall maintain an airborne 
observation program (in this section referred to as the ``program'') 
for the acquisition of atmospheric sensor data and the deployment of 
critical atmospheric sensors, including in partnership with the weather 
enterprise.
    (b) Activities.--The program shall include activities that carry 
out the following:
            (1) Procurement of weather data available from commercial 
        aircraft, as determined by the Under Secretary.
            (2) Acquisition of additional vertical profile observations 
        that provide spatial and temporal density, as determined by the 
        Under Secretary.
            (3) Analysis of procured data when incorporated into the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's unified 
        forecast system in order to provide improved forecast 
        information for aircraft.
    (c) Budget.--The Under Secretary shall, not less frequently than 
annually, submit to Congress a proposed budget corresponding with the 
activities described in subsection (b), including and analysis of 
activities that can be complemented by National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration aircraft.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts authorized to be 
appropriated for the Commercial Data Program under section 302 of the 
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, there shall be 
available not more than $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 
through 2029 to carry out the program.
    (e) Aviation Weather and Turbulence Forecasting.--The Director of 
the National Weather Service shall include turbulence events, icing 
conditions, or other phenomena in the forecasting capabilities of the 
Aviation Weather Center and the Center Weather Service Units, and 
deliver operational forecasts with consistent, timely, and accurate 
weather and turbulence information for the airspace system and the 
protection of lives and property.
    (f) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (e), the Director of 
the National Weather Service shall give consideration to 
recommendations from the Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
Administration in furtherance of section 44720 of title 49, United 
States Code, and improve weather and turbulence forecasting 
capabilities by--
            (1) designating or establishing within the Federal 
        Government an interagency working group to determine weather 
        and environmental data or observation requirements, needs, and 
        potential solutions related to aviation weather and turbulence 
        modeling or forecasting;
            (2) identifying current and future potential data gaps 
        related to turbulence events or phenomena that can--
                    (A) identify or inform route specific flight 
                planning; and
                    (B) be supplemented or filled by commercial 
                aviation tools;
            (3) transitioning research initiatives and pilot programs, 
        including a pilot program of instrumentation for observing 
        greenhouse gases and other atmospheric factors deployed on 
        commercial aircraft and support for the evaluation of a 
        sustained observing network using such instrumentation, into 
        operations that improve the forecasting capabilities of the 
        Aviation Weather Center;
            (4) developing and deploying improved probabilistic 
        aviation weather forecast guidance technology; and
            (5) updating interagency agreements as appropriate, 
        including to address reimbursable agreements.
    (g) Next Generation Aviation Research.--Paragraph (3) of section 
102(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 
(15 U.S.C. 8512(b)), is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as 
        subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(F) aviation weather phenomena, including 
                atmospheric composition and turbulence, to improve 
                scientific understanding and forecast capabilities for 
                the airspace system;''.
    (h) Aviation Information Dissemination.--The Under Secretary shall 
ensure the Aviation Weather Center is able, to the maximum extent 
possible, to disseminate in a timely manner full resolution aviation 
weather data, forecasts, and information to meet the needs of aviation 
users.
    (i) Provision of Weather Services to the Federal Aviation 
Administration.--
            (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
        the aviation weather services provided to the Federal Aviation 
        Administration by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration are critical to the functions of the Federal 
        Aviation Administration and the safety of the flying public.
            (2) Interagency agreement.--The Under Secretary and the 
        Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
        enter into or otherwise participate in an interagency agreement 
        for a period of not less than 5 years under which the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides weather 
        services to the Federal Aviation Administration.
            (3) Briefings.--Not less frequently than once per quarter 
        through 2030, the Under Secretary and the Administrator of the 
        Federal Aviation Administration shall provide a briefing to the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
        the House of Representatives on the status of the provision by 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of weather 
        services to the Federal Aviation Administration and the 
        interagency agreement under paragraph (2)

SEC. 207. NESDIS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM, TRANSITION PROGRAM, AND 
              OPERATIONAL PLANNING.

    (a) Partnership Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Assistant Administrator of the 
        National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service 
        (in this section referred to as the ``Assistant 
        Administrator'') shall maintain a partnership program to 
        enhance engagement with the private sector, academia, and other 
        Federal departments and agencies (in this section referred to 
        as the ``partnership program'').
            (2) Administration.--The Assistant Administrator, in 
        consultation with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration, shall administer broad agency 
        announcements and other transactional authority or contracting 
        mechanisms, on an annual or more frequent basis, to support the 
        partnership program.
    (b) Transition Program.--
            (1) In general.--To support the development of next-
        generation technologies, missions, data systems, spacecraft, 
        and instrument design, the Assistant Administrator, in 
        consultation with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration, shall maintain a program to 
        transition selected awards from research and study phases into 
        demonstration (in this section referred to as the ``transition 
        program'').
            (2) Considerations.--In selecting awardees for 
        demonstrations under the transition program, the Assistant 
        Administrator shall consider technologies, missions, data 
        systems, spacecraft, and instrument design that--
                    (A) improve upon the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration's satellite architecture;
                    (B) have a direct impact on implementing the 
                recommendations of the Administration's 2018 Satellite 
                Observing System Architecture Study entitled, 
                ``Building a Plan for NOAA's 21st Century Satellite 
                Observing System''; and
                    (C) meet current or future mission requirements.
    (c) Operational Planning.--In carrying out the transition program , 
the Assistant Administrator shall monitor demonstration phase progress 
and plan for promising results that meet mission requirements to be 
transitioned into the operational satellite architecture of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    (d) Annual Plan.--Not less frequently than annually until 2029, the 
Assistant Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an annual plan 
that outlines the progress made in the partnership program under 
subsection (a), the transition program under section (b), and 
operational planning under subsection (c).
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and 
Information Service, there shall be available $20,000,000 for fiscal 
years 2025 through 2029 to carry out to this section.

SEC. 208. ADVANCED WEATHER INTERACTIVE PROCESSING SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Not later than September 30, 2030, the Under 
Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Weather Service, 
shall develop a strategy to transition operations of the Advanced 
Weather Interactive Processing System to an operational cloud-based 
environment in order to enable a more nimble, flexible, and mobile 
workforce.
    (b) Services.--The Under Secretary shall ensure that the Advanced 
Weather Interactive Processing System in an operational cloud-based 
environment referred to in subsection (a) provides impact-based 
decision support services to emergency managers at the Federal, State, 
local, and Tribal levels, and continues to provide the following 
services:
            (1) Integrating and displaying forecast data, including 
        meteorological, hydrological, climate, ocean, satellite, and 
        radar data, for National Weather Service field offices and 
        national centers.
            (2) Acquiring and processing observational data from 
        sensors and local sources.
            (3) Providing an interactive communications system, 
        including any relevant capabilities of the existing satellite 
        broadcast network, to connect relevant National Weather Service 
        employees and sites.
            (4) Initiating the dissemination of weather, water, marine, 
        ecological, climate, aviation, and space warnings and forecasts 
        in a rapid and highly reliable manner.
    (c) Elements.--The transition of operations required under 
subsection (a) may include the following:
            (1) Establishment or support of testbeds, pilot projects, 
        and functional testing activities to facilitate remote 
        evaluation and automated testing.
            (2) Coordinated training efforts needed for Federal and 
        non-Federal users and operators of the Advanced Weather 
        Interactive Processing System in an operational cloud-based 
        environment referred to in subsection (a).
            (3) Evaluation of bandwidth requirements to achieve a 
        quality user experience.
            (4) Installation of circuits to reduce lapses in network 
        operations and support backup functions.
            (5) Establishment of a cloud-based, remotely accessible 
        repository for data referred to in subsection (b)(2).
            (6) Development and deployment of virtualized systems to 
        replace physical hardware at operational sites.
            (7) Evaluation of commercial cloud providers, including 
        hybrid approaches, to meet mission needs.
            (8) Development, testing, demonstration, evaluation, and 
        operationalization of forecast and warning products, consistent 
        with the mission and scientific expertise of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    (d) Updates to Congress.--The Under Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate periodic updates on the implementation of 
this section.
    (e) Continued Innovation.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
as prohibiting the development of new forecast capabilities, sub-
systems, or implementing modeling advancements on the operational 
computing systems of the Administration.

SEC. 209. REANALYSIS AND REFORECASTING.

    The Under Secretary may support reanalysis and reforecasting 
activities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
including through weather testbeds of the Administration, for--
            (1) improving weather forecasts, extreme weather 
        predictions, and weather and climate datasets; and
            (2) serving as training data for artificial intelligence 
        and machine learning data-driven models.

SEC. 210. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WORKFORCE.

    (a) Hiring.--The Director of the National Weather Service shall 
annually submit to the Under Secretary and Congress an assessment of 
the milestones, timelines, and service level expectations required for 
the expeditious hiring and timely on-boarding of employees of the 
National Weather Service. Each such assessment may include the 
following:
            (1) Recommendations to outsource hiring to any entity other 
        than the National Weather Service in order to meet such 
        milestones, timelines, and service level expectations.
            (2) Determinations of the number of staff and designated 
        positions required at each forecasting office to provide 
        services to protect lives and property in the geographic region 
        of responsibility.
    (b) Health and Morale Assessment.--The Director of the National 
Weather Service shall contract or continue to partner with an entity 
other than the National Weather Service to conduct an assessment of 
medical impacts, including stress and long-term health impacts, on 
National Weather Service employees related to required rotating shift 
work. Such assessment may include options for mitigating such impacts 
on employees and recommendations for improving benefits related to 
required rotating shift work.
    (c) Role of the Director.--Notwithstanding the results of the 
assessment under subsection (a), the Director of the National Weather 
Service shall establish service level standards based on staffing 
levels.
    (d) Designation of Service Hydrologist.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather 
        Service may designate at least one service hydrologist at each 
        Weather Forecast Office of the National Weather Service.
            (2) Limitation.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
        to authorize or require a change in the authorized number of 
        full time equivalent employees of the National Weather Service 
        or otherwise result in the employment of any additional 
        employees.
            (3) Performance by other employees.--Notwithstanding 
        paragraphs (4) and (5), the Director of the National Weather 
        Service may assign the performance of the responsibilities 
        described in this subsection to such other staff of the 
        National Weather Service as the Director considers appropriate
            (4) Responsibilities.--In order to increase impact-based 
        decision support services, each service coordination 
        hydrologist designated under paragraph (1) shall, with respect 
        to hydrology, carry out the following:
                    (A) Be responsible for providing service to the 
                geographic area of responsibility covered by the 
                Weather Forecast Office at which the service 
                coordination hydrologist is employed to help ensure 
                that users of products and services of the National 
                Weather Service can respond effectively to improve 
                outcomes from flood events.
                    (B) Liaise with users of products and services of 
                the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
                such as emergency managers, the public, academia, media 
                outlets, users in the hydropower, transportation, 
                recreation, and agricultural communities, and forestry, 
                land, fisheries, and water management interests, to 
                evaluate the adequacy and usefulness of the products 
                and services referred to in subparagraph (A), including 
                extended range streamflow forecasts, water supply 
                forecasts, drought outlooks, flood inundation mapping, 
                coastal inundation, and flood warnings.
                    (C) Collaborate with the National Water Center, 
                River Forecast Centers, other Weather Forecast Offices, 
                the National Integrate Drought Information System, 
                Administration offices, and Federal, State, local, and 
                Tribal government agencies, as the Director considers 
                appropriate, in developing, proposing, and implementing 
                plans to develop, modify, or tailor such products and 
                services to improve the usefulness of such products and 
                services.
                    (D) Engage in interagency partnerships with 
                Federal, State, local, and Tribal government agencies 
                to explore the use of forecast-informed reservoir 
                operations to reduce flood risk and inform decisions 
                related to water resources management.
                    (E) Ensure the maintenance and accuracy of flooding 
                and water resource management partner call lists, 
                appropriate office hydrologic service policy or 
                procedures, and other hydrologic information or 
                dissemination methodologies or strategies.
                    (F) Work closely with Federal, State, local, and 
                Tribal emergency and floodplain management agencies, 
                and other agencies relating to disaster management, to 
                ensure a planned, coordinated, and effective 
                preparedness and response effort.
            (5) Additional responsibilities.--A service coordination 
        hydrologist designated under this subsection may, with respect 
        to hydrology--
                    (A) work with a State agency to develop plans for 
                promoting more effective use of products and services 
                of the National Weather Service throughout the State 
                concerned;
                    (B) identify priority community preparedness 
                objectives;
                    (C) develop plans to carry out the responsibilities 
                described in paragraph (4); and
                    (D) conduct flooding event preparedness planning 
                and citizen education efforts with and through various 
                State, local, and Tribal government agencies and other 
                disaster management-related organizations.
    (e) Pilot Projects.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather 
        Service shall--
                    (A) perform pilot projects for transformational 
                services related to decision support services and 
                technology, transitioning data and services to the 
                cloud, provision of on-site decision support for 
                emergency management operations, and transition to and 
                communication of probabilistic models, forecasts, and 
                hazard information; and
                    (B) conduct a study to assess the capabilities 
                needed to scale those pilot projects toward a new, more 
                efficient and effective operations model.
            (2) Sunset.--The authority under paragraph (1) shall 
        terminate two years after the date of the enactment of this 
        Act.

SEC. 211. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR WEATHER FORECASTING.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Artificial intelligence.--The term ``artificial 
        intelligence''--
                    (A) has the meaning given that term in section 5002 
                of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act 
                of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401); and
                    (B) includes machine learning, neural networks, and 
                natural language processing.
            (2) Artificial intelligence weather model.--The term 
        ``artificial intelligence weather model'' means a weather model 
        based primarily on artificial intelligence technology to 
        project future Earth system conditions based on machine 
        learning using weather forecasting training datasets.
            (3) Curate.--The term ``curate'', with respect to a 
        dataset, means--
                    (A) to collect and maintain the dataset--
                            (i) to ensure and document its quality; and
                            (ii) to provide metadata on its provenance; 
                        and
                    (B) to update the dataset periodically, as 
                appropriate and practicable.
            (4) Numerical weather model.--The term ``numerical weather 
        model'' means a weather model based primarily on coupled Earth 
        System processes that uses numerical computation to forecast 
        future Earth system conditions.
            (5) Observational data.--The term ``observational data'' 
        means data and metadata from actual observations of 
        environmental conditions, including remote sensing and in situ 
        platforms.
            (6) Synthetic data.--The term ``synthetic data'' means data 
        produced from a model or statistical method in order to fill 
        gaps in observational data.
            (7) Weather forecasting training dataset.--The term 
        ``weather forecasting training dataset''--
                    (A) means a dataset that contains continuous global 
                observational data and synthetic data for Earth system 
                variables relevant to weather forecasting, aviation 
                weather, marine weather, and hydrology and water 
                management; and
                    (B) may include model reanalysis and forecasts 
                initialized through a data assimilation system.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to--
            (1) improve accuracy and timeliness of weather, water, and 
        space weather forecasts and effective dissemination of critical 
        information;
            (2) strengthen analytic capacity to inform resource 
        deployments in response to and to mitigate harm from weather, 
        water, and space weather hazards through the mandated 
        exploration and use of artificial intelligence by Federal 
        agencies;
            (3) strengthen public-private partnerships to accelerate 
        adoption and outcomes of the use of artificial intelligence in 
        response to and to mitigate such harm; and
            (4) strengthen public-private partnerships in highly 
        technical, high-risk, and high-reward fields related to 
        weather, water, and space weather forecasts.
    (c) Earth System Forecasting and Information Delivery.--
            (1) Training datasets.--Not later than 4 years after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of 
        the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director 
        of the National Science Foundation, the Director of the 
        National Center for Atmospheric Research, the Interagency 
        Council on Advancing Meteorological Services, other appropriate 
        Federal advisory committees as determined by the Under 
        Secretary, and such other technical experts as the Under 
        Secretary considers appropriate, shall develop and curate 
        comprehensive weather forecasting training datasets with 
        relevant Earth system data, quality information, and metadata 
        necessary for weather forecasting.
            (2) Use of existing datasets.--In order to speed the 
        development of the weather forecasting training datasets 
        required under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall assess, 
        and to the greatest extent practicable build on, existing Earth 
        system reanalysis datasets of the Federal Government.
            (3) Artificial intelligence weather model.--
                    (A) Global model.--In carrying out this subsection, 
                the Under Secretary, in consultation with appropriate 
                Federal advisory committees as determined by the Under 
                Secretary, may develop and test a global weather model 
                based on artificial intelligence technologies utilizing 
                data of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration to the extent possible.
                    (B) Regional and local models.--In addition to a 
                global weather model under subparagraph (A), the Under 
                Secretary may experiment with regional and local 
                weather models based on artificial intelligence 
                technologies.
            (4) Use of artificial intelligence to disseminate 
        information.--In coordination with an artificial intelligence 
        weather model or models developed under paragraph (3), the 
        Under Secretary may explore the use of artificial intelligence 
        to enhance the dissemination of information with respect to 
        weather and evaluate the effectiveness of communication for 
        improved public understanding and preparedness.
            (5) Continued support for observations, basic research, and 
        numerical weather models.--Notwithstanding the requirements of 
        this subsection, the Under Secretary shall continue to support 
        and advance the activities of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration--
                    (A) to collect and acquire traditional and novel 
                observational data relevant for artificial intelligence 
                and numerical weather, water, and space weather 
                forecasting;
                    (B) to advance research on the Earth system and 
                numerical weather model forecasting;
                    (C) to develop and advance numerical Earth system 
                modeling for predictions;
                    (D) to develop weather model data post-processing 
                techniques; and
                    (E) to improve data assimilation techniques.
            (6) Observing system coverage.--In carrying out this 
        subsection, the Under Secretary may evaluate the use of cost 
        functions in data-driven machine learning model training to 
        balance inequities in observing system coverage and data poor 
        areas.
            (7) Uncertainty quantification research.--In carrying out 
        this subsection, the Under Secretary may develop uncertainty 
        quantification research for the purpose of accurate 
        environmental risk and hazard communications of probabilistic 
        predictions and forecasts.
            (8) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than every 2 
        years thereafter through 2035, the Under Secretary shall submit 
        to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
        of the House of Representatives a report on the activities 
        conducted under this subsection.
    (d) Advanced Artificial Intelligence Applications for Weather and 
Information Delivery.--The Under Secretary shall explore advanced 
applications of artificial intelligence to improve weather forecasts 
and information delivery, such as by--
            (1) improving data assimilation;
            (2) accounting for coupled Earth system processes;
            (3) using artificial intelligence weather models to 
        generate ensemble forecasts to more accurately assess flow-
        dependent forecast uncertainties; and
            (4) improving impact-based decision support to diverse 
        users and communities for greater societal benefits based on 
        those forecasts.
    (e) Technical Assistance on Use of Artificial Intelligence Weather, 
Water, and Space Weather Models.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall provide--
                    (A) technical assistance, data access, and support 
                for forecasters, scientists, social scientists, and 
                engineers to test and evaluate the use and 
                effectiveness of the artificial intelligence models of 
                the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
                including within the testbeds of the Administration;
                    (B) best practices on providing forecasts based on 
                outputs from artificial intelligence weather models and 
                numerical weather models, or a combination thereof; and
                    (C) support for emergency managers to make 
                operational decisions based on outputs from artificial 
                intelligence weather models and numerical weather 
                models, or a combination thereof.
            (2) Assessment of weather models.--
                    (A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall support 
                the development of a common framework for the 
                assessment of numerical weather models and artificial 
                intelligence weather models by comparing model output 
                and observational data over a period of time in the 
                past through the use of such methodologies as the Under 
                Secretary considers appropriate.
                    (B) Best practices.--In carrying out this 
                paragraph, the Under Secretary may develop and 
                disseminate best practices in collaboration with--
                            (i) the National Institute of Standards and 
                        Technology, the National Aeronautics and Space 
                        Administration, the National Science 
                        Foundation, and the Department of Energy;
                            (ii) academic and research institutions; 
                        and
                            (iii) the private sector.
            (3) Technical assistance.--In carrying out this subsection, 
        the Under Secretary may provide technical assistance, best 
        practices, and support required under paragraph (1) through the 
        National Weather Service.
            (4) Independent study on the impacts of artificial 
        intelligence weather, water, and space weather models.--The 
        Under Secretary may enter into an agreement with the National 
        Academy of Sciences or another entity as determined appropriate 
        by the Under Secretary to assess the impacts of artificial 
        intelligence weather models on the weather enterprise and make 
        recommendations to improve the integration of such models in 
        operational forecasting.
    (f) Partnerships for Transformational Innovation.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary may explore novel 
        structures for partnerships with private, academic, and 
        international entities for research and development of 
        transformative innovation in weather forecasting and other 
        environmental forecasts--
                    (A) to further the understanding of weather, water, 
                and space weather, and their societal impact;
                    (B) to advance the science of weather and water 
                forecasting, including seasonal and subseasonal 
                forecasting; and
                    (C) to develop, evaluate, and transition artificial 
                intelligence weather, water, and hazard forecasting 
                applications to operations.
            (2) Co-investment.--Subject to applicable law, the Under 
        Secretary may consider and adopt novel co-investment strategies 
        with the private academic and international sectors to carry 
        out paragraph (1), including--
                    (A) non-Federal Government contributions to 
                resource and support high-risk, high-return research 
                and development in environmental forecasting, data 
                science, artificial intelligence, and related fields;
                    (B) shared rights to intellectual property from 
                research and development activities under this 
                subsection; and
                    (C) other approaches to sharing resources and 
                results under this subsection.
    (g) Availability of Dataset.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall develop and 
        implement a plan to make available to the public, at no cost 
        and subject to applicable law and policy, the following:
                    (A) Operational artificial intelligence weather 
                models developed by the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration.
                    (B) Artificial intelligence weather models that are 
                not operational models, including experimental and 
                developmental models, as the Under Secretary determines 
                appropriate.
                    (C) Applicable information and documentation for 
                artificial intelligence weather models described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), including a description of 
                intended model outputs.
                    (D) Subject to subsection (i), all data owned by 
                the Federal Government and data that the Under 
                Secretary has the legal right to redistribute that are 
                associated with artificial intelligence weather models 
                made available to the public pursuant to the plan and 
                used in operational forecasting by the Administration, 
                including--
                            (i) relevant metadata; and
                            (ii) data used for operational artificial 
                        intelligence weather models used by the 
                        Administration.
            (2) Accommodations.--In developing and implementing the 
        plan under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary may make such 
        accommodations as the Under Secretary considers appropriate to 
        ensure that the public release of any artificial intelligence 
        weather model, information, documentation, or data pursuant to 
        the plan does not jeopardize--
                    (A) national security;
                    (B) intellectual property or redistribution rights, 
                including under titles 17 and 35, United States Code;
                    (C) any trade secret or commercial or financial 
                information subject to section 552(b)(4) of title 5, 
                United States Code;
                    (D) any models or data that are otherwise 
                restricted by contract or other written agreement; or
                    (E) the mission of the Administration to protect 
                lives and property.
            (3) Report.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary 
                shall submit to Congress a report, in both unclassified 
                and classified form, regarding the risks to the 
                economic and intellectual security of the United States 
                from foreign countries of concern through access by 
                those countries to weather data in the United States.
                    (B) Elements.--The report required under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include--
                            (i) a full analysis of the national, 
                        intellectual, and economic security 
                        implications for the United States with respect 
                        to intellectual property theft or cyber or 
                        human espionage through access to weather data; 
                        and
                            (ii) conclusions of the Under Secretary and 
                        recommendations for legislative and 
                        administrative action, if any.
                    (C) Foreign country of concern defined.--In this 
                paragraph, the term ``foreign country of concern'' has 
                the meaning given that term in section 9901 of the 
                William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense 
                Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 
                4651).
    (h) Retention of Federal Government Expertise.--Subject to 
applicable law, the Under Secretary may consider novel methods to 
recruit, retrain, and retain expert personnel to support activities 
under this section, including by--
            (1) using methods to be competitive with salaries outside 
        the Federal Government;
            (2) developing staff exchange programs and training 
        programs; and
            (3) leveraging diverse hiring strategies.
    (i) Protection of National Security Interests.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this section, the Under Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of Defense, as appropriate, may withhold models or 
        data used under this section if the Under Secretary determines 
        doing so to be necessary to protect the national security 
        interests of the United States.
            (2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
        construed to supersede any other provision of law governing the 
        protection of the national security interests of the United 
        States.

SEC. 212. COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE AND ATMOSPHERIC OBSERVATIONS.

    (a) Assessments.--Not later than 2 years after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes the 
following:
            (1) An identification of Federal observation capabilities 
        and data gaps related to the composition of Earth's atmosphere, 
        including the troposphere and stratosphere.
            (2) An analysis of Federal efforts that advance scientific 
        understanding of the effects on the Earth's radiation budget of 
        direct or indirect actions that may change the composition of 
        Earth's atmosphere.
            (3) The current and projected use of ground based, space 
        based, and maritime based remote and in situ sensing 
        capabilities, autonomous and manned aerial platforms, and other 
        commercially available technologies and platforms of 
        opportunity to accelerate research and increase observations 
        and monitoring of Earth's atmosphere.
            (4) Recommendations for the adaptation or expansion of 
        technologies and platforms identified under paragraph (3).
            (5) An identification and prioritization of additional 
        observation and analysis capabilities needed to ensure 
        comprehensive monitoring that detects future changes in 
        atmospheric composition.
    (b) Considerations.--In preparing an assessment required by 
subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall consider and use, as 
appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies, the 
National Research Council, or other entities.
    (c) Pilot Projects.--
            (1) Pilot projects.--The Under Secretary may conduct pilot 
        projects of atmospheric composition observational systems and 
        platforms including--
                    (A) the use of atmospheric observing instruments on 
                commercial and uncrewed aircraft;
                    (B) the use of atmospheric and oceanic observing 
                instruments on uncrewed ocean surface platforms or 
                deployed on commercial or other nondedicated ocean 
                vessels; and
                    (C) in-situ observation capability to conduct 
                regular atmospheric observations of the troposphere and 
                stratosphere.
            (2) Consultation and coordination.--The Under Secretary 
        shall consult and coordinate with relevant Federal agencies to 
        develop processes for the appropriate deployment of systems and 
        platforms pursuant to pilot projects required by paragraph (1).
    (d) Authority To Enter Into Agreements.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Under Secretary may enter into agreements, to the 
extent necessary to carry out this section, with governmental and 
nongovernmental entities--
            (1) for the purchase of atmospheric composition data from 
        commercial providers;
            (2) for the hosting of observational instruments on 
        government or private platforms; and
            (3) to leverage data from international platforms as 
        appropriate.
    (e) Definition of Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In this 
section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
        of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
        House of Representatives.

SEC. 213. PROJECT TO IMPROVE FORECASTS OF COASTAL MARINE FOG.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall conduct a project to 
improve forecasts of coastal marine fog.
    (b) Goal.--The goal of the project required under subsection (a) is 
to enhance vessel safety and reduce the economic impact of coastal 
marine fog events, with a focus on--
            (1) increasing the number of marine-based observations 
        through additional Federal platforms and commercially acquired 
        observations in locations where impacts from marine fog and 
        reduced visibility have major safety and economic impacts, 
        including through the use of--
                    (A) buoys;
                    (B) meteorological stations measuring visibility, 
                temperature, dewpoint, and wind speed and direction as 
                a stand-alone or co-located with water level sensors, 
                such as those that are part of the physical 
                oceanographic observation system program of the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
                    (C) stationary platforms or drifting instruments;
                    (D) vessels;
                    (E) unmanned systems;
                    (F) remote sensing technologies, including rapid 
                refresh hyperspectral satellite imagery; and
                    (G) advanced algorithms that extract actionable 
                information from observational data, including early 
                detection and regular monitoring of marine fog;
            (2) advancing geographic coverage, resolution, skill, and 
        accuracy of marine fog modeling, including, when feasible, 
        additional locations and advancements in marine channel 
        forecast capability;
            (3) improving communication of marine fog advisories by the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
            (4) communicating risks posed by hazardous marine fog 
        events in a way that maximizes informed decision making by the 
        public; and
            (5) providing decision support services based on 
        environmental information that is actionable to the recipient 
        of a marine fog advisory.
    (c) Stakeholder Engagement.--In implementing the project required 
under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall meet with public and 
private stakeholders regarding the planning, development, and 
implementation of the project.
    (d) Tribal Engagement.--The Under Secretary shall meet with Indian 
tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) regarding the planning, 
development, and implementation of the project required under 
subsection (a).
    (e) Project Plan.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall develop a plan for the 
project required under subsection (a) that details the specific 
research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as 
corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve the goal 
set forth under subsection (b).

      TITLE III--COMMERCIAL WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATIONS

SEC. 301. COMMERCIAL DATA PROGRAM.

    The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is 
amended by striking section 302 (15 U.S.C. 8532) and inserting the 
following:

``SEC. 302. COMMERCIAL DATA PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Program Establishment.--The Under Secretary, in coordination 
with the heads of appropriate offices of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, shall maintain a Commercial Data Program to 
coordinate and execute acquisition of weather and environmental data 
and services from private sector entities for operational use.
    ``(b) Program Elements.--The Under Secretary may acquire satellite, 
ground-based, airborne, or marine-based in situ, remote sensing, or 
crowd-sourced data and services for operational use relating to weather 
and environmental forecasting and modeling.
    ``(c) Coordination and Collaboration.--The Under Secretary shall 
ensure the Commercial Data Program coordinates, collaborates, and 
ensures access to data across the Administration, including among the 
following:
            ``(1) The National Mesonet Program.
            ``(2) The Aircraft Based Observation Program.
            ``(3) The National Integrated Drought Information System, 
        including the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring 
        Network.
            ``(4) The National Integrated Flood Information System.
            ``(5) The Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program.
            ``(6) The National Data Buoy Center.
            ``(7) The Uncrewed Systems Operation Center.
            ``(8) The Ocean Exploration Program.
            ``(9) Any other program or office the Under Secretary 
        determines appropriate.
    ``(d) Standards and Specifications.--Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this section and on a continuous basis 
thereafter, the Under Secretary shall publish data, metadata, and 
service standards and specifications required for acquired observation 
services and data for use, licensing, and attribution to ensure 
quality, impact, and compatibility of such services and data with 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration modeling capabilities, 
meteorological situational awareness, and forecasting.
    ``(e) Prioritization.--In acquiring data and services from private 
sector entities, the Under Secretary shall prioritize obtaining 
surface-based, airborne-based, space-based, and coastal- and ocean-
based data, metadata, and services for operational use from entities 
that participate in the Commercial Data Pilot Program or other programs 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that acquire 
commercial data or observations.
    ``(f) NOAA Observing Systems and Fleet Councils.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall maintain the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Observing 
        Systems Council and the NOAA Fleet Council (in this subsection 
        referred to as the `Councils') to provide strategic 
        recommendations and guidance regarding the prioritization, 
        design, development, acquisition, upgrading, lifecycle, 
        performance monitoring, and retiring of major components of 
        observing systems and portfolios, including related to the 
        acquisition of commercial weather and environmental data and 
        services.
            ``(2) Line office coordination.--The Councils shall ensure 
        coordination and adherence to uniform policies by providing 
        guidance to all line offices of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration engaged in observing systems 
        portfolio design, technology, development, execution, and 
        operation.
            ``(3) Committee.--The Under Secretary shall maintain a 
        Committee within the Councils to develop and approve procedural 
        directives, guides, or handbooks relevant to management of data 
        and information, including commercial data, and coordinate data 
        governance and management practices across the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration to promote consistent processes.
    ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to 
        carry out this section.
            ``(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
        the Under Secretary should seek to enter into contracts or 
        other appropriate agreements that enable the expenditure, to 
        the maximum extent practicable, of amounts authorized to be 
        appropriated or otherwise made available in a fiscal year to 
        carry out this section.
    ``(h) Data and Hosted Payloads.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Commerce may enter into agreements 
relating to the following:
            ``(1) The purchase of weather and environmental data and 
        services through contracts with private sector commercial data 
        and service providers.
            ``(2) The placement of weather instruments on co-hosted 
        Federal, international, or private space, airborne, maritime, 
        or ground platforms.
    ``(i) Ombudsman.--The Under Secretary shall establish or designate 
at least one Ombudsman position within the Commercial Data Program to 
implement the recommendations of the Observing System Council under 
subsection (e) related to commercial weather and environmental data and 
services acquisitions. Such an Ombudsman shall act as the liaison 
between private sector data and service providers and the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with respect to receiving 
recommendations and resolving issues related to engagement, testing, 
contracting, or other areas related to the Administration's efforts to 
acquire commercial weather and environmental data and services.
    ``(j) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall submit to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating the activities and 
needed authorities related to data governance and management practices, 
including acquisition, collection, documentation, quality control, 
validation, reprocessing, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and long-
term preservation activities across all National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration line, staff, and corporate offices.''.

SEC. 302. COMMERCIAL DATA PILOT PROGRAM.

    The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is 
amended by striking section 303 (15 U.S.C. 8533) and inserting the 
following new section:

``SEC. 303. COMMERCIAL DATA PILOT PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Program Establishment.--Within the Commercial Data Program 
under section 302, there shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be a 
Commercial Data Pilot Program to engage with external partners and 
providers to test and develop shared standards and methodologies for 
quality, use, licensing, and attribution of observation services and 
data, and to ensure quality, impact, and compatibility of such services 
and data with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration modeling 
capabilities, meteorological situational awareness, and forecasting. 
The Program is authorized to test and evaluate all sources and types of 
observation services, imagery, products, and data from private sector 
entities, including new and innovative surface-based, airborne-based, 
space-based, and coastal- and ocean-based data, metadata, and model 
components.
    ``(b) Criteria.--The Under Secretary shall ensure that data 
acquired through the Commercial Data Pilot Program described in 
subsection (a) meets the most recent standards and specifications 
required for observation services and data as published pursuant to 
section 302(c).
    ``(c) Pilot Contracts.--The Under Secretary shall, through an open 
competition, regularly enter into pilot contracts with private sector 
entities capable of providing observation services and data referred to 
in subsection (a) that meet the standards and specifications published 
pursuant to section 302(c) for so providing such services and data in a 
manner that allows the Under Secretary to calibrate and evaluate such 
services and data for use in National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration activities.
    ``(d) Assessment of Viability.--The Under Secretary shall annually 
assess and submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives a summary of the pilot 
contracts entered into pursuant to subsection (c), an assessment of the 
extent to which such contracts meet the standards and specifications 
published pursuant to section 302(c), and any additional information 
determined necessary related to the following:
            ``(1) The viability of integrating observation services and 
        data from private sector entities into National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration forecasts and models.
            ``(2) The expected value added or improvements from such 
        services and data if integrated into National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration forecasts and models.
            ``(3) The accuracy, quality, timeliness, validity, 
        reliability, usability, information technology security, and 
        cost-effectiveness of obtaining observation services and data 
        from private sector entities.
            ``(4) If the Under Secretary determines it is viable to 
        integrate such services and data into the forecasts and models 
        of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
        steps to integrate, not later than one year after the date of 
        the determination, such services and data into operational use 
        by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or any 
        associated challenges in doing so.
    ``(e) Obtaining Future Data.--If an assessment under subsection (d) 
demonstrates the ability of services and data from private sector 
entities to meet the standards and specifications published pursuant to 
section 302(c), the Under Secretary shall--
            ``(1) when cost-effective and feasible, obtain observation 
        services and data from private sector entities through the 
        Commercial Data Program under section 302;
            ``(2) as early as possible in the acquisition process for 
        any future National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
        satellite system, determine whether there is a suitable, cost-
        effective, commercial capability available or that will be 
        available to meet applicable instrument, spacecraft, or system 
        requirements before completion of the critical design phase of 
        such planned satellite system;
            ``(3) if the Under Secretary determines under paragraph (2) 
        that a suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability is or 
        will be available, determine whether and how such capability is 
        in the national interest if developed as a solely governmental 
        system; and
            ``(4) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report 
        detailing any determinations made under paragraphs (2) and (3).
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts authorized to 
be appropriated pursuant to section 302 to carry out such section, not 
less than 15 percent of such amounts each fiscal year are authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section.''.

SEC. 303. CONTRACTING AUTHORITY AND AVOIDANCE OF DUPLICATION.

    Title III of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
2017 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 304. CONTRACTING AUTHORITY AND AVOIDANCE OF DUPLICATION.

    ``(a) In General.--Consistent with the authorities of other Federal 
agencies that contract and partner with private sector entities, 
including under section 3903 of title 41, United States Code, the Under 
Secretary is authorized to use contracting mechanisms and enter into 
agreements that use multiyear contract options. In carrying out 
sections 302 and 303, the Under Secretary shall, to the greatest extent 
possible--
            ``(1) enter into year-long or multiyear contracts using 
        contracting mechanisms that foster resiliency of service and 
        data purchased;
            ``(2) partner and contract with multiple observation 
        service and data providers simultaneously to reduce risks of 
        data gaps and improve mission robustness; and
            ``(3) use authorities, such as additional forms of 
        transaction agreements under section 301, that allow for 
        innovative partnerships with private sector entities.
    ``(b) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this title may be construed as 
infringing on the acquisition authority or strategy of Federal entities 
authorized under title 10, United States Code.
    ``(c) Unnecessary Duplication.--In meeting the requirements under 
this title, the Under Secretary shall avoid unnecessary duplication 
between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, other Federal 
departments and agencies, and private sector entities, including 
relating to corresponding expenditures of funds and employment of 
personnel by--
            ``(1) coordinating existing activities with other civilian 
        Federal departments and agencies which provide, contract, or 
        partner with private sector entities to acquire, weather and 
        environmental observations and data; and
            ``(2) coordinating and soliciting weather and environmental 
        observations and data requirements and needs from other 
        civilian Federal departments and agencies to be acquired by the 
        Commercial Data Program under section 302.
    ``(d) Fair Compensation for Interagency Needs.--The Under 
Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall ensure that Federal 
departments and agencies utilizing services and data under sections 302 
and 303 fairly compensate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, or the non-Federal entities providing such services or 
data, as appropriate, for use.''.

SEC. 304. DATA ASSIMILATION, MANAGEMENT, AND SHARING PRACTICES.

    Title III of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
2017, as amended by section 303 of this Act, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 305. DATA ASSIMILATION, MANAGEMENT, AND SHARING PRACTICES.

    ``(a) Data Standards.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with 
the weather enterprise, shall seek to establish consistent and open 
data and metadata standards to support open science, including simple 
cloud-optimized data formats and application programming interfaces 
that support findability, accessibility, usability, and preservability.
    ``(b) Data Infrastructure.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in consultation 
        with the Chief Information Officer and appropriate program 
        heads, shall consolidate and arrange data infrastructure needs 
        to ensure efficient and effective data transfer between 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices by 
        considering the use of commercial cloud technologies, or 
        similar hybrid structures, to host and transmit data and 
        metadata.
            ``(2) Federal partnerships.--In carrying out paragraph (1), 
        the Under Secretary may partner with the heads of other Federal 
        departments and agencies, including the National Aeronautics 
        and Space Administration, the Department of Energy, the United 
        States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, the United 
        States Navy, the Federal Aviation Administration, the United 
        States Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
        National Science Foundation, and the United States Geological 
        Survey, to collocate data with joint utility and support a 
        transition to cloud architectures, including commercial cloud 
        networks.
            ``(3) Long term data archive.--The Under Secretary shall 
        ensure the long-term management, maintenance, and stewardship 
        of archival data and metadata acquired through the Commercial 
        Data Program under section 302 is conducted within the National 
        Centers for Environmental Information.
    ``(c) Data Sharing With the Weather Enterprise.--
            ``(1) In general.--To the greatest extent practicable, the 
        Under Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) continue to ensure the delivery of data 
                through sound and robust infrastructure, such as data 
                sharing capabilities of the industry proving grounds; 
                and
                    ``(B) make accessible to members of the weather 
                enterprise that are United States persons data that 
                is--
                            ``(i) not subject to redistribution 
                        contract permissions; or
                            ``(ii) purchased through the Commercial 
                        Data Program under section 302 or shared 
                        through international government partners.
            ``(2) Data assimilated into models or forecasts.--If data 
        described in paragraph (1)(B) must be assimilated into 
        numerical weather prediction models or automated forecast 
        guidance to satisfy terms of a redistribution contract, the 
        Under Secretary shall make accessible without delay to members 
        of the weather enterprise that are United States persons the 
        numerical weather prediction model or automated forecast 
        guidance output, as the case may be.
    ``(d) Data Assimilation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in coordination 
        with the Commercial Data Program under section 302, the 
        National Centers for Environmental Prediction, the National 
        Centers for Environmental Information, the Office of Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Research, and any other relevant offices within 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall 
        establish a program to test, advance, and implement data 
        assimilation methods, which may include artificial 
        intelligence, machine learning, data pre- and post-processing, 
        efficient input and output, and next-generation algorithms.
            ``(2) Data assimilation university consortium.--Through the 
        program established pursuant to paragraph (1), the Under 
        Secretary shall establish a consortium consisting of 
        institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in 
        section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1001)) to address critical research challenges for data 
        assimilation and foster a growing data assimilation workforce. 
        The consortium shall seek to--
                    ``(A) solve critical research issues for data 
                assimilation through innovative research;
                    ``(B) increase significantly the number of 
                students, including Ph.D. candidates and other graduate 
                level students, in data assimilation;
                    ``(C) use modern software and frameworks, such as 
                the Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration, or 
                emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence 
                and machine learning techniques, to conduct data 
                assimilation research and development and facilitate 
                research- to- operations efforts to improve weather 
                modeling and prediction;
                    ``(D) identify and prioritize critical research 
                areas in data assimilation and facilitate operations to 
                research efforts;
                    ``(E) establish and enable an effective 
                collaboration infrastructure between National Oceanic 
                and Atmospheric Administration facilities, such as 
                laboratories, centers, or joint agency institutes, and 
                the research community, including a mechanism for 
                external partners to host Administration employees; and
                    ``(F) establish mechanisms to enable all members of 
                the consortium to archive and access data required to 
                support the work under this subsection.
            ``(3) Coordination.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
        Under Secretary shall ensure the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration and its associated activities focus 
        on research-to-operations and operations-to-research efforts, 
        including by coordinating and collaborating with the Joint 
        Center for Satellite Data Assimilation.
            ``(4) Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices 
        security.--The activities authorized under this subsection 
        shall be conducted in a manner consistent with subtitle D of 
        title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and 
        Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117-167; 42 
        U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).
    ``(e) Study on Data Management.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall seek 
        to enter into an agreement with a non-Federal entity to conduct 
        a study on matters concerning data practices and management 
        needs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
        In conducting the study, the outside entity shall--
                    ``(A) assess the costs and benefits of current data 
                management needs for observational and operational 
                mission requirements;
                    ``(B) develop recommendations regarding how to make 
                more robust and cost-effective the data portfolio of 
                the Administration;
                    ``(C) identify data infrastructure technologies and 
                needs that are essential to the performance of modeling 
                systems of the Administration;
                    ``(D) assess the sharing needs and practices of the 
                Administration for both internal and external 
                dissemination;
                    ``(E) develop recommendations for methods of data 
                infrastructure sharing, including data purchased from 
                the commercial sector; and
                    ``(F) develop recommendations for data standards, 
                formats, and protocols to support artificial 
                intelligence and machine learning techniques.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--Of amounts 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Commercial Data Program 
        under section 302, $1,000,000 shall be available to carry out 
        the study under paragraph (1) to remain available until 
        expended.''.

SEC. 305. CLERICAL AMENDMENT.

    The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Weather Research and 
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by striking the items 
relating to sections 302 and 303 and inserting the following new items:

``Sec. 302. Commercial Data Program.
``Sec. 303. Commercial Data Pilot Program.
``Sec. 304. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication.
``Sec. 305. Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices.''.

             TITLE IV--COMMUNICATING WEATHER TO THE PUBLIC

SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Hazardous weather or water events.--The term 
        ``hazardous weather or water events'' means weather or water 
        events that have a high risk of loss of life or property, 
        including the following:
                    (A) Severe storms, such as hurricanes and short-
                fused, small-scale hazardous weather or hydrologic 
                events produced by thunderstorms, including large hail, 
                damaging winds, tornadoes, and flash floods.
                    (B) Winter storms, such as freezing or frozen 
                precipitation (including freezing rain, sleet, and 
                snow), or combined effects of freezing or frozen 
                precipitation and strong winds.
                    (C) Other weather hazards, such as extreme heat or 
                cold, wildfire, drought, dense fog, high winds, and 
                river, coastal, or lakeshore flooding.
            (2) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001).
            (3) NOAA weather radio.--The term ``NOAA Weather Radio'' 
        means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
        Weather Radio All Hazards network.
            (4) Public cloud.--The term ``public cloud'' means an 
        information technology model in which service providers make 
        computing services, including compute and storage and develop-
        and-deploy environments and applications, available on-demand 
        to organizations and individuals over the public internet or 
        other means that allows for the widest dissemination of 
        information.
            (5) Watch; warning.--
                    (A) In general.--The terms ``watch'' and 
                ``warning'', with respect to a hazardous weather or 
                water event, mean products issued by the National 
                Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, intended for 
                consumption by the general public, to alert the general 
                public to the potential for or presence of such event 
                and to inform action to prevent loss of life or 
                property.
                    (B) Exception.--The terms ``watch'' and ``warning'' 
                do not include technical or specialized meteorological 
                or hydrological forecasts, outlooks, or model guidance 
                products.

SEC. 402. HAZARDOUS WEATHER OR WATER EVENT RISK COMMUNICATION.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall maintain and improve the 
system of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by which 
the risks of hazardous weather and water events are communicated to the 
general public, with the goal of informing action and encouraging 
response to prevent loss of life and property.
    (b) Hazard Risk Communication Improvement and Simplification.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall maintain a 
        hazard risk communication program (in this subsection referred 
        to as the ``Program''), for the purposes of simplifying and 
        improving the communication of hazardous weather and water 
        event risks.
            (2) Terminology.--The Program shall identify, eliminate, or 
        modify unnecessary, redundant, or confusing terms for hazardous 
        weather and water event communications and add new terminology, 
        as appropriate.
            (3) Communications improvement.--The Program shall improve 
        the form, content, and methods of hazardous weather and water 
        event communications to more clearly inform action and increase 
        the likelihood that the public takes such action to prevent the 
        loss of life or property.
            (4) Evaluations.--The Program shall, in coordination with 
        the performance branch of the National Weather Service, develop 
        metrics for that branch to track and evaluate the degree to 
        which hazardous weather and water event communications inform 
        action and encourage response.
            (5) Support plan.--The Program shall develop a plan for the 
        purpose of supporting the activities described in paragraph 
        (3). The plan shall be periodically updated and informed by 
        internal and extramural research and the results of the 
        evaluation of hazardous weather and water event communications 
        conducted under paragraph (4).
            (6) Methods.--In carrying out this subsection, the Program 
        shall develop and implement recommendations that--
                    (A) are based on the best and most recent 
                understanding from social, behavioral, risk, and 
                communication science research;
                    (B) are validated by social, behavioral, risk, and 
                communication science, taking into account the 
                importance of methods that support reproduction and 
                replication of scientific studies, use of rigorous 
                statistical analyses, and, as applicable, data analysis 
                supported by artificial intelligence and machine 
                learning technologies;
                    (C) account for the needs of various demographics, 
                vulnerable populations, and geographic regions;
                    (D) account for the differences between various 
                types of weather and water hazards;
                    (E) respond to the needs of Federal, State, and 
                local government partners and media partners; and
                    (F) account for necessary changes in the 
                infrastructure, technology, and protocols for creating 
                and disseminating Federally operated watches and 
                warnings.
            (7) Coordination.--The Program shall coordinate with--
                    (A) Federal partners, including National 
                Laboratories, cooperative institutes, and regional 
                integrated sciences and assessments programs;
                    (B) State and local government partners;
                    (C) Indian Tribes;
                    (D) institutions of higher education; and
                    (E) media partners.
            (8) Timeliness and consistency.--The Program shall develop 
        best practices and guidance for ensuring timely and consistent 
        communication across public facing platforms that disseminate 
        hazardous weather and water event information.

SEC. 403. HAZARD COMMUNICATION RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary may maintain, as appropriate, 
a program to--
            (1) modernize the development and communication of risk-
        based, statistically reliable, probabilistic hazard 
        information, with the goal of informing appropriate responses 
        to hazardous weather or water events; and
            (2) improve the fundamental social, behavioral, economic, 
        risk, and communication science relating to communications, 
        including by means of collecting voluntary data, regarding 
        hazardous weather or water events.
    (b) Coordination.--In carrying out the program under subsection 
(a), the Under Secretary shall coordinate and communicate with States, 
Tribal governments, localities, and emergency managers regarding 
research priorities and results.
    (c) Pilot Program for Tornado Hazard Communications.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in coordination with 
        the VORTEX-USA program under section 103 of the Weather 
        Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 
        8513), as amended by section 103 of this Act, and in 
        collaboration with one or more eligible institutions (or 
        consortia thereof), shall establish a pilot program for tornado 
        hazard communications to test incorporation of research into 
        operations with respect to tornadoes.
            (2) Eligible institution defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term ``eligible institution'' means any of the following:
                    (A) A historically Black college or university 
                located in an area of persistent poverty that is 
                subjected to frequent severe weather, such as 
                tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods.
                    (B) An institution of higher education in close 
                proximity to a Weather Forecast Office of the National 
                Weather Service.
    (d) Pilot Study for Hurricane Hazard Communication.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in coordination with 
        the hurricane forecast improvement program under section 104 of 
        the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 
        U.S.C. 8514), as amended by section 104 of this Act, and in 
        collaboration with one or more eligible institutions (or 
        consortia thereof), shall enter into an agreement with an 
        appropriate entity, as determined by the Under Secretary, to 
        conduct a pilot study using a mixed methods approach, including 
        surveys, focus groups, and interviews, to gather information 
        from hurricane prone population areas regarding the levels of 
        preparedness of such areas for hurricanes or in response to the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's early 
        forecasts and warnings.
            (2) Elements.--The pilot study required under paragraph (1) 
        shall evaluate the following:
                    (A) Possession of disaster supplies.
                    (B) Evacuation decisions.
                    (C) Levels of trust of tropical cyclone information 
                and hurricane path prediction from various sources.
                    (D) Access to tropical cyclone and hurricane 
                forecasts and warnings in such study participant's 
                first language.
                    (E) Any reasoning or deliberation by the 
                individuals interviewed as part of the study that may 
                hinder the ability or willingness of the individuals to 
                evacuate.
            (3) Additional criteria.--The Under Secretary shall publish 
        the methodology of the pilot study described in paragraph (1) 
        on a publicly accessible website of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration.
            (4) Eligible institution defined.--In this subsection, the 
        term ``eligible institution'' means any of the following:
                    (A) An institution of higher education, nonprofit 
                organization, or other institution located in a 
                jurisdiction eligible to participate in the program 
                under section 113 of the National Science Foundation 
                Authorization Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 1862g).
                    (B) An institution of higher education, nonprofit 
                organization, or other institution located in proximity 
                to a Weather Forecast Office of the National Weather 
                Service.
    (e) Hurricane Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall carry out 
        research and development activities to improve how the public 
        receives, interprets, responds to, and values hurricane 
        forecasts and warnings.
            (2) Elements.--In conducting activities under paragraph 
        (1), the Under Secretary shall--
                    (A) conduct a comprehensive review of the manner by 
                which the public receives, interprets, responds to, and 
                makes decisions regarding hurricane forecasts and 
                warnings, including--
                            (i) how weather observations, downstream 
                        models, and processes affect the decision tools 
                        or products derived from hurricane forecasts 
                        and warnings;
                            (ii) how hurricane forecasts and warnings 
                        generated by decision tools and products are 
                        used by emergency managers, governments, and 
                        other users to benefit the public and 
                        stakeholder groups;
                            (iii) how past experiences with hurricanes 
                        impact the decision making of the general 
                        public;
                            (iv) how the source of such hurricane 
                        forecasts and warnings affects interpretation;
                            (v) how tropical cyclone forecasts and 
                        warnings are received and interpreted by the 
                        general public;
                            (vi) how understanding of and response to 
                        hurricane forecasts and warnings varies across 
                        demographic groups, including the elderly, 
                        people with disabilities, and other vulnerable 
                        populations;
                            (vii) the effect of language barriers on 
                        the accessibility of hurricane forecasts and 
                        warnings; and
                            (viii) how understanding of and response to 
                        such hurricane forecasts and warnings varies 
                        across geographic areas, including rural, 
                        urban, and suburban areas;
                    (B) identify communication data gaps based on the 
                review conducted pursuant to subparagraph (A);
                    (C) carry out research, including data collection 
                and baseline assessments, in coordination with the 
                hurricane forecast improvement program under section 
                104 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation 
                Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8514), as amended by section 104 
                of this Act, to evaluate and quantify the economic 
                value of extending lead times of tropical cyclone and 
                hurricane forecasts and warnings, including identifying 
                the most affected or vulnerable populations and 
                potential impacts to those populations of extending 
                leads times;
                    (D) using the post-storm surveys and assessments 
                conducted under section 406 of this Act to conduct 
                retrospective or ex ante assessments of previous 
                hurricane forecasts and warnings to better understand 
                the key components of such forecasts and warnings that 
                affected actions or initiated behavior changes;
                    (E) conduct cost- benefit analyses of forecasts and 
                warnings improvement alternatives developed through the 
                hurricane forecast improvement program under section 
                104 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation 
                Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8514), as amended by section 104 
                of this Act; and
                    (F) conduct assessments of the risk to the elderly 
                for pre-, during, and post-storm periods in regions and 
                communities with significant elderly populations, 
                including retirement communities.

SEC. 404. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS IMPROVEMENT.

    (a) Improvement of NWS Instant Messaging Service.--The Director of 
the National Weather Service shall improve the instant messaging 
service used by personnel of the National Weather Service by 
implementing, not later than October 1, 2027, a commercial off-the-
shelf communications solution that replaces the instant messaging 
service commonly referred to as ``NWSChat''.
    (b) Requirements.--The communications solution implemented under 
this section shall--
            (1) be hosted on the public cloud; and
            (2) satisfy requirements set forth by the Director of the 
        National Weather Service to ensure such solution--
                    (A) best accommodates future growth;
                    (B) performs successfully with increased numbers of 
                users;
                    (C) is easy to use for the majority of users; and
                    (D) is similar to systems already in commercial 
                use.
    (c) Funding.--From amounts made available for Operations, Research, 
and Facilities, the Director of the National Weather Service shall 
allocate not more than $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 
2027 to carry out this section.

SEC. 405. NOAA WEATHER RADIO MODERNIZATION.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, expand coverage of the NOAA Weather Radio and ensure its 
reliability. In carrying out this subsection, the Under Secretary 
shall--
            (1) maintain support for existing systems serving areas not 
        covered by or having poor quality cellular service;
            (2) ensure consistent maintenance and operations 
        monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site 
        equipment and antennas;
            (3) enhance the ability to amplify Non-Weather Emergency 
        Messages via NOAA Weather Radio as necessary; and
            (4) acquire additional transmitters as required to expand 
        coverage to rural and underserved communities, units of the 
        National Park System, and National Recreation Areas.
    (b) Modernization Initiative.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
the Under Secretary shall modernize NOAA Weather Radio to ensure its 
capabilities and coverage remain valuable to the public. In carrying 
out this subsection, the Under Secretary shall--
            (1) upgrade telecommunications infrastructure of NOAA 
        Weather Radio to accelerate the transition of broadcasts to 
        internet protocol-based communications over non-copper media;
            (2) accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced Weather 
        Interactive Processing System, or any relevant system 
        successors, in order to implement partial county notifications 
        and alerts;
            (3) enhance accessibility and usability of NOAA Weather 
        Radio data and feeds with feedback from relevant stakeholders, 
        including the private sector;
            (4) develop options, including satellite backup capability 
        and commercial provider partnerships, for NOAA Weather Radio 
        continuity of service in the event of Weather Forecast Office 
        outages;
            (5) research and develop alternative options, including 
        microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA Weather Radio signals 
        to transmitters that are remote or do not have internet 
        protocol capability; and
            (6) transition critical applications to the Integrated 
        Dissemination Program, or any relevant program successors.
    (c) Priority.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Under Secretary 
shall prioritize practices, capabilities, and technologies recommended 
in accordance with the assessment under subsection (d) to maximize the 
accessibility of NOAA Weather Radio, particularly in remote and 
underserved areas of the United States.
    (d) Assessment for Management and Distribution.--Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary 
shall complete an assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio. In 
conducting such assessment, the Under Secretary shall take into 
consideration and provide recommendations regarding the following:
            (1) The need for continuous, adequate, and operational 
        real-time broadcasts of the NOAA Weather Radio in both urban 
        and rural areas.
            (2) Input from relevant stakeholders on the compatibility 
        of NOAA Weather Radio data with third party platforms that 
        provide online services, such as websites and mobile device 
        applications, or provide NOAA Weather Radio access.
            (3) The manner by which existing or new management systems 
        may promote consistent, efficient, and compatible access to 
        NOAA Weather Radio.
            (4) The ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration to aggregate real-time broadcast feeds at one or 
        more central locations.
            (5) Effective coordination between agencies with 
        responsibilities relating to emergencies and natural disasters.
            (6) The potential effects of an electromagnetic pulse or 
        geomagnetic disturbance on NOAA Weather Radio.
            (7) Any other function or element the Under Secretary 
        considers appropriate.

SEC. 406. POST-STORM SURVEYS AND ASSESSMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall perform one or more 
post-storm surveys and assessments following every hazardous weather or 
water event determined by the Under Secretary to be of sufficient 
societal importance to warrant a post-storm survey and assessment.
    (b) Coordination.--The Under Secretary shall coordinate with 
Federal, State, and local governments, private entities, and relevant 
institutions of higher education (or a consortia thereof) when 
conducting post-storm surveys and assessments under this section to 
optimize data collection, sharing, integration, archiving, and access, 
as appropriate for research needs.
    (c) Data Availability.--The Under Secretary shall make the 
appropriate data obtained from each post-storm survey or assessment 
conducted under this section available to the public as soon as 
practicable after conducting each such survey or assessment.
    (d) Improvement.--In carrying out this section, the Under Secretary 
shall--
            (1) examine the role of uncrewed aerial and marine systems 
        in data collection during post-storm surveys and assessments 
        conducted under this section;
            (2) identify gaps in tactics and procedures and update such 
        tactics and procedures to enhance the efficiency and 
        reliability of data obtained from post-storm surveys and 
        assessments;
            (3) to the maximum extent practicable, increase the number 
        of post-storm community impact studies, particularly among 
        under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable populations, 
        including--
                    (A) surveying-individual responses;
                    (B) conducting reviews of the accuracy of prior 
                risk evaluations;
                    (C) evaluating the efficacy of prior mitigation 
                activity; and
                    (D) gathering survivability statistics; and
            (4) as appropriate, integrate community-based, social, 
        behavioral, risk, communication, and economic sciences elements 
        into existing post-storm surveys and assessments, including 
        elements related to the efficacy of forecast and warning 
        information that was shared with the public, barriers that 
        affected the ability of the public to take action, and any 
        challenges with respect to messaging about the hazardous 
        weather or water event.
    (e) Support for Employees.--The Under Secretary shall provide 
training, resources, and access to professional counseling to support 
the emotional and mental health and well-being of employees conducting 
post-storm surveys and assessments under this section.
    (f) Exemption.--Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United 
States Code, shall not apply to the collection of information during a 
survey or assessment conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 407. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON ALERT 
              DISSEMINATION FOR HAZARDOUS WEATHER OR WATER EVENTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives a report that examines the information 
technology infrastructure of the National Weather Service, specifically 
regarding the system for timely public notification via alerts and 
updates regarding hazardous weather or water events.
    (b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall include 
the following:
            (1) An analysis of the information technology 
        infrastructure of the National Weather Service, including 
        software and hardware capabilities and limitations, including 
        an examination of server and data storage methods, broadband, 
        data management, and data sharing.
            (2) An identification of secondary and tertiary fail-safes 
        for the timely distribution to the public of notifications via 
        alerts and updates regarding hazardous weather or water events.
            (3) A determination of the extent to which public 
        notifications via alerts and updates regarding hazardous 
        weather or water events have been delayed and an identification 
        of possible improvements or corrective measures to address 
        latency in the notification process.
            (4) An assessment of whether collaboration with other 
        Federal departments and agencies, States, or private entities 
        could reduce delays in notifications to the public.
            (5) A description of actions being undertaken to better 
        identify critical steps in public notification via alerts and 
        updates for hazardous weather or water events that may be 
        vulnerable to disruption or failure in the event of 
        communication, technologic, or computational failure.
            (6) The geographical differences in availability and 
        effectiveness of rural systems, including an estimated number 
        of rural areas affected by unreliable or unavailable systems 
        and barriers to obtain or upgrade such systems.

SEC. 408. DATA COLLECTION MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION.

    (a) Data Collection.--The Under Secretary may collect social, 
behavioral, and economic data, including data relating to Federal 
communication of hazardous weather or water events and the public 
response to such communications. Where appropriate, the Under Secretary 
shall encourage the collection of secondary data, purchase data, or 
partner with the private sector to obtain data.
    (b) Data Management.--The Under Secretary shall establish and 
maintain a central repository system for the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration for data related to the communication of and 
related public response to hazardous weather or water events, including 
data developed or received pursuant to this title.
    (c) Protection of Data.--The Under Secretary shall ensure that data 
is collected, managed, and used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration in accordance with legal, regulatory, and contractual 
obligations, including chapter 31 of title 44, United States Code, and 
the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public Law 
115-435).
    (d) Digital Watermarking.--The Under Secretary shall develop 
methods to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized tampering with online 
public notifications of hazardous weather or water events, such as 
developing digital watermarks.
    (e) Policies and Procedures.--The Under Secretary shall establish 
policies and procedures for the collection, archiving, and managing of 
data related to community response, including the response of effected 
or vulnerable populations, to hazardous weather or water events.

   TITLE V--IMPROVING WEATHER INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND WATER 
                               MANAGEMENT

SEC. 501. WEATHER AND CLIMATE INFORMATION IN AGRICULTURE AND WATER 
              MANAGEMENT.

    Section 1762 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (15 U.S.C. 8521) is 
amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
    ``(c) Functions.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) conduct and support research to improve 
                understanding of subseasonal to seasonal predictability 
                for temperature, precipitation, and other Earth system 
                variables and applications;
                    ``(B) collect and use data to make usable, 
                reliable, and timely foundational forecasts of 
                subseasonal-to-seasonal temperature and precipitation;
                    ``(C) support the advancement of multi-model 
                ensemble forecast systems and forecast verification and 
                evaluation capacity, including by--
                            ``(i) developing advanced coupled data 
                        assimilation methods using robust Earth system 
                        observational data;
                            ``(ii) developing improved coupled 
                        subseasonal-to-seasonal ensemble prediction 
                        systems;
                            ``(iii) improving exchanges and 
                        interactions between datasets across different 
                        models and Earth system observations to 
                        increase model accuracy of local relationships 
                        between and drivers of ocean, land, snow, and 
                        ice observations; and
                            ``(iv) developing data management 
                        strategies to support operations and research 
                        activities;
                    ``(D) leverage existing research and models from 
                the weather and Earth system enterprises to improve the 
                forecasts under subparagraph (B);
                    ``(E) accelerate the operationalization of emerging 
                modeling technologies developed to support and assist 
                the cross development of fully coupled subseasonal-to-
                seasonal forecast systems, including during 
                collaborations with other agencies and entities;
                    ``(F) determine and provide information on how 
                subseasonal-to-seasonal temperature and precipitation 
                may relate to--
                            ``(i) droughts;
                            ``(ii) fires;
                            ``(iii) tornadoes;
                            ``(iv) hurricanes;
                            ``(v) floods, storm surges, and coastal 
                        inundation;
                            ``(vi) heat waves and marine heat waves;
                            ``(vii) winter storms, snowpack, and 
                        permafrost thaw;
                            ``(viii) sea ice conditions; and
                            ``(ix) other high impact weather or 
                        relevant weather disasters.'';
            (2) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
    ``(h) Subseasonal to Seasonal Forecasting Pilot Projects.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Under Secretary shall establish 
        not fewer than 2 pilot projects, in accordance with paragraph 
        (2), within the United States Weather Research Program of the 
        Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support improved 
        subseasonal to seasonal precipitation forecasts for--
                    ``(A) water management in areas of the United 
                States in which there is--
                            ``(i) a high level of drought; and
                            ``(ii) a reliance on reservoirs for water 
                        storage; and
                    ``(B) agriculture in the central United States.
            ``(2) Objectives.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
        Under Secretary shall ensure the following:
                    ``(A) A pilot project under subparagraph (A) of 
                paragraph (1) addresses key science challenges to 
                improving forecasts and developing related products for 
                water management, including the following:
                            ``(i) Improving operational model 
                        resolution, both horizontal and vertical, to 
                        resolve issues associated with mountainous 
                        terrain, such as intensity of precipitation and 
                        relative fraction of rain versus snow 
                        precipitation.
                            ``(ii) Improving modeling of interstate or 
                        cross-boundary water movement and storage 
                        through rivers, tributaries, and aquifers with 
                        relation to water availability.
                            ``(iii) Improving fidelity in the 
                        operational modeling of the atmospheric 
                        boundary layer in mountainous regions.
                            ``(iv) Resolving challenges in predicting 
                        winter atmospheric circulation and storm 
                        tracks, including periods of blocked versus 
                        unblocked flow over the eastern North Pacific 
                        Ocean and western United States.
                            ``(v) Utilizing outcomes from the 
                        atmospheric rivers forecast improvement program 
                        under section 204 of the Weather Act 
                        Reauthorization Act of 2024 and the 
                        precipitation forecast improvement program 
                        under section 603 of the Weather Research and 
                        Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to produce 
                        operational tools and services.
                            ``(vi) Improving the quality and temporal 
                        and spatial resolution of observations and 
                        accurate operational modeling of air-sea 
                        interactions, and the influence of oceans on 
                        subseasonal and seasonal forecasting.
                    ``(B) A pilot project under subparagraph (B) of 
                paragraph (1) addresses key science challenges to 
                improving forecasts and developing related products for 
                agriculture in the central United States, including the 
                following:
                            ``(i) Improving the quality and temporal 
                        and spatial resolution of observations and 
                        accurate operational modeling of the land 
                        surface and hydrologic cycle, including soil 
                        moisture and flash drought processes.
                            ``(ii) Improving fidelity in the 
                        operational modeling of warm season 
                        precipitation processes.
                            ``(iii) Understanding and predicting large-
                        scale upper-level dynamical flow anomalies that 
                        occur in spring and summer.
                            ``(iv) Improving modeling of interstate or 
                        cross-boundary water movement and storage 
                        through rivers, tributaries, and aquifers with 
                        relation to water availability for agriculture.
            ``(3) Activities.--A pilot project under this subsection 
        shall include activities that carry out the following:
                    ``(A) Best implement recommendations of the 2020 
                Report of the National Weather Service, entitled 
                `Subseasonal and Seasonal Forecasting Innovation: Plans 
                for the Twenty-First Century'.
                    ``(B) Achieve measurable objectives for operational 
                forecast improvement.
                    ``(C) Engage with, and leverage the resources of--
                            ``(i) institutions of higher education (as 
                        such term is defined in section 101 of the 
                        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001));
                            ``(ii) a consortia of institutions as 
                        described under clause (i);
                            ``(iii) entities within the National 
                        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 
                        existence as of the date of the enactment of 
                        this subsection, including Regional Climate 
                        Centers and the National Centers for 
                        Environmental Information; and
                            ``(iv) other Federal agencies, as 
                        appropriate.
                    ``(D) Are carried out in coordination with the 
                Assistant Administrator for the Office of Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National 
                Weather Service.
            ``(4) Sunset.--The authority under this subsection shall 
        terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the 
        enactment of this subsection.''; and
            (3) by amending subsection (j) to read as follows:
    ``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $50,300,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to 
carry out the activities under this section.''.

SEC. 502. NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--Section 3 of the National Integrated Drought 
Information System Act of 2006 (15 U.S.C. 313d) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``, through the National 
        Weather Service and other appropriate weather and climate 
        programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration,'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following 
                        new subparagraph:
                    ``(C) incorporates flash drought research and tools 
                to enhance timely response;'';
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``improvements in 
                seasonal precipitation and temperature, subseasonal 
                precipitation and temperature, and low flow water 
                prediction; and'' and inserting ``support improvements 
                in subseasonal to seasonal precipitation and 
                temperature, and low flow water prediction;'';
                    (C) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraphs:
            ``(7) advance and deploy next generation technologies 
        related to drought, such as monitoring, preparedness, and 
        forecasting capabilities utilizing artificial intelligence, 
        machine learning, and cloud technologies;
            ``(8) use observational networks, including the National 
        Weather Service cooperative observer program and State or 
        regional hydrological monitoring projects;
            ``(9) refine drought indicators across multiple spatial and 
        temporal scales;
            ``(10) improve decision-support products;
            ``(11) optimize data and resources from across the Federal 
        Government;
            ``(12) investigate and address data gaps, including 
        snowpack monitoring, space-based or in-situ soil moisture 
        monitoring, groundwater data, and data related to rapid 
        intensification events; and
            ``(13) engage with, and leverage the resources of, entities 
        within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 
        existence as of the date of the enactment of the Weather Act 
        Reauthorization Act of 2024 to improve coordination of water 
        monitoring, forecasting, and management.'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(4) in partnership with the National Mesonet Program, 
        establish memoranda of understanding to provide coordinated, 
        high-quality data.''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Modeling Update.--Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Under 
Secretary, acting through the National Integrated Drought Information 
System and the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather 
Service, shall develop a plan to incorporate existing drought products 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and improved 
dynamical and statistical forecast modeling tools into probabilistic 
forecasts.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 4 of the National 
Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-430; 
15 U.S.C. 313d note) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act--
            ``(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
            ``(2) $15,500,000 for fiscal year 2026.
            ``(3) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
            ``(4) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2028.
            ``(5) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.''.

SEC. 503. NATIONAL MESONET PROGRAM.

    (a) Program.--The Under Secretary shall maintain the National 
Mesonet Program (referred to in this section as the ``Program''), which 
shall--
            (1) obtain observations to improve understanding of and 
        forecast capabilities for atmospheric, drought, fire, and water 
        events, with a prioritization on leveraging available 
        commercial, academic, and other non-Federal Government 
        environmental data to enhance coordination across the private, 
        public, and academic sectors of the weather enterprise in the 
        United States;
            (2) establish means to integrate greater density and more 
        types of environmental observations into the Program on an 
        annual basis, including by encouraging local and regional 
        networks of environmental monitoring stations and in situ 
        sensor networks, including soil moisture and ground-based 
        profilers, to participate in the Program;
            (3) establish memoranda of understanding with networks 
        outside of the scope of the Program in furtherance of this 
        section; and
            (4) coordinate with satellite data and services acquired 
        through the Commercial Data Program under section 302 of the 
        Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 
        U.S.C. 8532), as amended by section 401 of this Act.
    (b) Program Elements.--In carrying out the Program, the Under 
Secretary shall--
            (1) increase data density by--
                    (A) improving and increasing the quantity and 
                density of environmental observations used by the 
                Administration and the National Weather Service to 
                support baseline forecasts, including nowcasts, 
                warnings, and hyper local forecasts that protect 
                individuals, businesses, agricultural production, food 
                security, military, and government agencies in the 
                United States, and enabling such individuals and 
                entities to operate in a safe, efficient, and orderly 
                manner;
                    (B) yielding increased quantities of boundary-layer 
                data to improve numerical weather prediction 
                performance, including in subseasonal to seasonal 
                timescales;
                    (C) identifying available terrestrial or marine 
                environmental data, or quantifiable gaps in such data, 
                to improve the understanding of air-sea interactions; 
                and
                    (D) supporting the National Weather Service in 
                reaching its target of a 30-minute warning time for 
                severe weather through better predictive model 
                algorithms driven by increasingly effective 
                observations;
            (2) monitor local meteorological conditions by--
                    (A) acquiring soil and moisture data to monitor 
                soil moisture, vegetation water content, and moisture 
                loss from evaporation, in support of operational 
                forecasting, the National Integrated Drought 
                Information System, and local commercial, agricultural, 
                and emergency management needs;
                    (B) supporting the National Coordinated Soil 
                Moisture Monitoring Network in acquiring soil moisture 
                and related data to support the development of 
                decision-support products and other information 
                services; and
                    (C) expanding and enhancing environmental 
                observational networks in the roadway environment to 
                provide real-time road weather and surface conditions 
                for surface transportation and related economic 
                sectors; and
            (3) administer the Program by--
                    (A) obtaining data in furtherance of this section 
                only when demonstrably cost effective and meeting or 
                exceeding data quality standards available to the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                (referred to in this section as the 
                ``Administration'');
                    (B) subject to the requirement in subparagraph (A), 
                leveraging existing networks of environmental 
                monitoring stations, including supplemental radar 
                systems, to increase the quantity and density of 
                environmental observations and data available to the 
                Administration;
                    (C) providing the critical technical and 
                administrative infrastructure needed to facilitate 
                rapid integration and sustained use of new and emerging 
                networks of environmental monitoring stations 
                anticipated in coming years from non-Federal Government 
                sources;
                    (D) coordinating with existing data developed by 
                the Administration and used for forecasts, including 
                data from the National Environmental Satellite, Data, 
                and Information Service, the Integrated Ocean Observing 
                System, the Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing 
                Program, the National Data Buoy Center, and the 
                National Ocean Service; and
                    (E) identifying and communicating to the Office of 
                Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and other partners 
                priorities of research and development needed to 
                advance observations in the Program.
    (c) Financial and Technical Assistance.--
            (1) In general.--In furtherance of the Program, in a fiscal 
        year, the Under Secretary may award not less than 15 percent of 
        the amount appropriated for the Program for that fiscal year 
        for financial assistance to State, Tribal, private, and 
        academic entities seeking to build, expand, or upgrade 
        equipment and capacity of mesonet systems.
            (2) Other federal awards.--Financial assistance under this 
        subsection may be made in coordination with and in addition to 
        awards from other Federal agencies.
            (3) Agreements.--Before receiving financial assistance 
        under paragraph (1), the State, Tribal, private, or academic 
        entity seeking financial assistance under this subsection shall 
        enter into an agreement with the Under Secretary to provide 
        data to the Program, subject to verification by the Program of 
        the relative operational value and evaluation of the cost of 
        such data, for use in weather prediction, severe weather 
        warnings, and emergency response.
            (4) Assistance and other support.--The Under Secretary may 
        provide--
                    (A) technical assistance, project implementation 
                support, and guidance to State, Tribal, private, and 
                academic entities seeking financial assistance under 
                this subsection; and
                    (B) technical and financial assistance for 
                maintenance of monitoring stations in underrepresented 
                or remote areas of the country where it is financially 
                unfeasible for 1 entity to operate such stations 
                without such assistance.
            (5) Terms.--In providing financial assistance under this 
        subsection, the Under Secretary shall establish terms to ensure 
        that each State, Tribal, private, or academic entity that 
        receives financial assistance under this subsection receives a 
        level of support commensurate with the quality and other 
        characteristics of the data to be provided.
            (6) Determination.--A State, Tribal, private, or academic 
        entity may only receive financial assistance under this 
        subsection if the Under Secretary determines such entity will 
        provide sufficient financial support from non-Federal 
        Government sources and fully maintain the quality of the 
        mesonet system and associated data standards required by the 
        Program for a period of not less than 5 years.
            (7) Priority.--The Under Secretary shall prioritize 
        providing assistance under paragraph (1) to not fewer than 1 
        entity in a remote area or an area that has a lack of 
        environmental monitoring stations described in subsection 
        (a)(2).
    (d) Advisory Committee.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall ensure the 
        Program has an active advisory committee of subject matter 
        experts to make recommendations to the Administration on the 
        identification, implementation, procurement, and tracking of 
        data needed to supplement the Program, and recommend 
        improvements, expansions, and acquisitions of available data.
            (2) Designation of existing committee.--The Under Secretary 
        may designate an existing advisory committee, subcommittee, or 
        working group of the Federal Government, including the Science 
        Advisory Board of the Administration, to carry out the 
        requirement under paragraph (1).
            (3) Academic expertise.--The advisory committee under 
        paragraph (1), in consultation with the Program, shall include 
        expertise from 1 or more institutions of higher education (as 
        defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001)) to assist the advisory committee to identify, 
        evaluate, and recommend potential partnerships, regional or 
        subregional consortia, and collaborative methods that would 
        expand the number of participants and volume of data in the 
        Program.
    (e) Regular Briefings.--
            (1) In general.--Not less frequently than annually through 
        2035, the Under Secretary shall provide regular briefings to 
        the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
        the House of Representatives on all activities under the 
        Program.
            (2) Briefing content.--Each briefing required under 
        paragraph (1) shall include information relating to the 
        following:
                    (A) Efforts to implement the activities described 
                in subsection (b).
                    (B) Any financial or technical assistance provided 
                pursuant to subsection (c).
                    (C) Efforts to address recommendations received 
                from the advisory committee under subsection (d), if 
                any.
                    (D) The potential need and associated benefits of a 
                coastal and ocean mesonet, or other emerging areas of 
                weather data needs.
                    (E) Progress toward eliminating gaps in weather 
                observation data in States and regions of the United 
                States.
                    (F) Any other topic the Under Secretary determines 
                relevant.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Weather Service, there shall be available 
not more than the following amounts to carry out this section:
            (1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
            (2) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
            (3) $61,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
            (4) $68,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
            (5) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.

SEC. 504. NATIONAL COORDINATED SOIL MOISTURE MONITORING NETWORK.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
Secretary of Agriculture, the Director of the United States Geological 
Survey, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies and 
departments, shall support the development, deployment, and maintenance 
of soil moisture monitoring networks by managing the National 
Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network (in this section referred 
to as the ``Network'') within the National Integrated Drought 
Information System.
    (b) Activities.--The Under Secretary shall ensure the Network 
includes activities that carry out the following:
            (1) Establishing a visible, user-friendly website.
            (2) Developing a set of criteria for high-quality data 
        sources.
            (3) Supporting research necessary to develop or improve 
        soil moisture monitoring products at a national scale.
            (4) Increasing the number of long-term, high-quality, in 
        situ and remote sensing soil moisture monitoring stations 
        across the United States.
            (5) Sharing methodologies and validation protocols with the 
        private sector.
            (6) Engaging with the citizen science community.
            (7) Developing, releasing, and promoting new, nationwide 
        point-based and gridded soil moisture data products that meet 
        the needs of diverse end-user groups.
            (8) Supporting community building and outreach to the 
        network of individuals engaged with soil moisture information 
        delivery, from data provision to end-user decision making.

SEC. 505. NATIONAL WATER CENTER.

    Section 301 of the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act 
of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 10371) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        inserting ``, within the Office of Water 
                        Prediction of the National Weather Service,'' 
                        after ``shall establish'';
                            (ii) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' 
                        after the semicolon;
                            (iii) in clause (ii), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following new 
                        clause:
                            ``(iii) to lead the transition of water 
                        research by the Federal Government, including 
                        model development, into operations of the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                        and the National Weather Service.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the 
                following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(F) Serving as the primary Center within the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for 
                research, development, collaboration, and coordination 
                of the water research and forecast activities of the 
                Administration and other centers and networks of the 
                Federal Government, including those of the Department 
                of Agriculture, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau 
                of Reclamation, the United States Geological Survey, 
                and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
                    ``(G) Integrating and promoting consistency among 
                national and regional hydrological forecast operations 
                and service delivery.''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Incorporation into unified forecast system.--The 
        Under Secretary shall use the Weather and Climate Operational 
        Supercomputing System, or any other successor system, to 
        support the development and implementation of advanced water 
        resources modeling capabilities under paragraph (2)(B) and 
        shall incorporate those modeling capabilities into the unified 
        forecast system.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b);
            (3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b);
            (4) by inserting after subsection (b), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (3), the following:
    ``(c) Organization.--The Under Secretary, acting through the 
Director of the Office of Water Prediction of the National Weather 
Service, shall--
            ``(1) supervise and oversee the administration, management, 
        and operations of each River Forecast Center of the National 
        Weather Service and coordinate those operations with the 
        National Water Center; and
            ``(2) administer the duties and activities of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration related to the 
        Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology, 
        or any successor entity, and coordinate the activities of the 
        Institute with the National Water Center.''; and
            (5) in subsection (d)(4), by striking ``fiscal year 2024'' 
        and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2024 through 2029''.

SEC. 506. SATELLITE TRANSFERS BRIEFING.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall brief the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives on the Department 
of Commerce's authorities and policies and Federal Government-wide 
policies related to transferring any portion of the weather satellite 
systems operated by the Department of Commerce to any other Federal 
department or agency, including--
            (1) a description of the process for decommissioning a 
        Department of Commerce operational weather satellite, any 
        existing agreements related to transfers of weather satellites, 
        whether decommissioned or not, and any reimbursable agreements 
        related to the transfer of physical property or the operation 
        of Department of Commerce weather satellites on behalf of any 
        other Federal department or agency; and
            (2) a summary of any Department of Commerce plans for 
        potential transfer of existing or future weather satellite 
        systems to any other Federal department or agency.

    TITLE VI--HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL 
                         AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2024

SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
Research and Control Amendments Act of 2024''.

SEC. 602. AMENDMENTS TO THE HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH 
              AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998.

    (a) Assessments.--
            (1) In general.--Section 603 of the Harmful Algal Blooms 
        and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001) 
        is amended--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking 
                ``assessments'' and inserting ``task force, 
                assessments, and action strategy'';
                    (B) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by redesignating paragraphs (13) and 
                        (14) as paragraphs (14) and (15), respectively; 
                        and
                            (ii) by inserting after paragraph (12) the 
                        following:
            ``(13) the Department of Energy;'';
                    (C) by striking subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), 
                (g), (h), and (i) and redesignating subsection (f) as 
                subsection (b);
                    (D) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
                            (i) in paragraph (1), in the first 
                        sentence, by striking ``coastal waters 
                        including the Great Lakes'' and inserting 
                        ``marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in paragraph (2)--
                                    (I) by amending subparagraph (A) to 
                                read as follows:
                    ``(A) examine--
                            ``(i) the causes and ecological 
                        consequences of hypoxia on marine and aquatic 
                        species in their environments; and
                            ``(ii) the costs of hypoxia, including 
                        impacts on food safety and security;'';
                                    (II) by redesignating subparagraphs 
                                (B), (C), and (D) as subparagraphs (D), 
                                (E), and (F), respectively;
                                    (III) by inserting after 
                                subparagraph (A) the following:
                    ``(B) examine the effect of other environmental 
                stressors on hypoxia;
                    ``(C) evaluate alternatives for reducing, 
                mitigating, and controlling hypoxia and its 
                environmental impacts;'';
                                    (IV) in subparagraph (D), as 
                                redesignated by subclause (II), by 
                                inserting ``, social,'' after 
                                ``ecological''; and
                                    (V) in subparagraph (E), as 
                                redesignated by subclause (II), by 
                                striking ``hypoxia modeling and 
                                monitoring data'' and inserting 
                                ``hypoxia modeling, forecasting, and 
                                monitoring and observation data''; and
                    (E) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Action Strategy and Scientific Assessment for Marine and 
Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not less frequently than once every 5 
        years, the Task Force shall complete and submit to Congress an 
        action strategy for harmful algal blooms in the United States.
            ``(2) Elements.--Each Action Strategy shall--
                    ``(A) examine, and include a scientific assessment 
                of, marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms, 
                including such blooms--
                            ``(i) in the Great Lakes;
                            ``(ii) in the upper reaches of estuaries;
                            ``(iii) in freshwater lakes and rivers;
                            ``(iv) in coastal and marine waters; and
                            ``(v) that originate in freshwater lakes or 
                        rivers and migrate to coastal waters;
                    ``(B) examine the causes, ecological consequences 
                or physiological consequences on fish function, and 
                economic or socio-cultural impacts, including food 
                safety and security, of harmful algal blooms;
                    ``(C) examine the effect of other environmental 
                stressors on harmful algal blooms;
                    ``(D) examine potential methods to prevent, 
                control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms and the 
                potential ecological, social, cultural, and economic 
                costs and benefits of such methods;
                    ``(E) identify priorities for research needed to 
                advance techniques and technologies to detect, predict, 
                monitor, respond to, and minimize the occurrence, 
                duration, and severity of harmful algal blooms, 
                including recommendations to eliminate significant gaps 
                in harmful algal bloom forecasting, monitoring, and 
                observation data;
                    ``(F) evaluate progress made by, and the needs of, 
                activities and actions of the Task Force to prevent, 
                control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms;
                    ``(G) identify ways to improve coordination and 
                prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal 
                agencies with respect to research on harmful algal 
                blooms; and
                    ``(H) include regional chapters relating to the 
                requirements described in this paragraph in order to 
                highlight geographically and ecologically diverse 
                locations with significant ecological, social, 
                cultural, and economic impacts from harmful algal 
                blooms.
    ``(d) Consultation.--In carrying out subsections (b) and (c), the 
Task Force shall consult with--
            ``(1) States, Indian tribes, and local governments; and
            ``(2) appropriate industries (including fisheries, 
        agriculture, and fertilizer), academic institutions, and 
        nongovernmental organizations with relevant expertise.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 
        of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
        383; 112 Stat. 3412; 136 Stat. 1268) is amended by striking the 
        item relating to section 603 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 603. Task Force, assessments, and Action Strategy.''.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 102 of the Harmful Algal 
        Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 (33 U.S.C. 4001a) is 
        amended by striking ``In developing'' and all that follows 
        through ``management.''.
    (b) National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program.--Section 603A 
of the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 
1998 (33 U.S.C. 4002) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking ``predicting,'' and 
                        inserting ``monitoring, observing, 
                        forecasting,''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``and'' after the 
                        semicolon; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) the scientific assessment submitted under section 
        603(b); and
            ``(3) the Action Strategy.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``ocean and Great 
                Lakes science and management programs and centers'' and 
                inserting ``programs and centers relating to the 
                science and management of marine, estuarine, and 
                freshwater systems''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``while 
                recognizing each agency is acting under its own 
                independent mission and authority'' before the 
                semicolon;
            (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``Except as provided in 
        subsection (h), the'' and inserting ``The'';
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(2) examine the causes, ecological consequences, and 
        costs of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, 
                        including the annual Gulf of Mexico hypoxia 
                        zone mapping cruise'' after ``Program'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) to identify opportunities to improve 
                monitoring of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, with a 
                particular focus on waters that may affect fisheries, 
                public health, or subsistence harvest;
                    ``(F) to evaluate adaptation and mitigation 
                strategies to address the impacts of harmful algal 
                blooms and hypoxia;
                    ``(G) to support the resilience of the seafood 
                industry to harmful algal blooms and to expand access 
                to testing for harmful algal bloom toxins, including 
                for subsistence and recreational harvesters, through 
                innovative methods that increase the efficiency and 
                effectiveness of such testing in rural and remote 
                areas;
                    ``(H) to support sustained observations to provide 
                State and local entities, Indian tribes, and other 
                entities access to real-time or near real-time 
                observations data for decision-making to protect human 
                and ecological health and local economies; and
                    ``(I) to assess the combined effects of harmful 
                algal blooms, hypoxia, and stressors such as runoff and 
                infrastructure changes on marine, freshwater, or 
                estuarine ecosystems and living resources;'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``agencies'' and 
                inserting ``entities, regional coastal observing 
                systems (as defined in section 12303 of the Integrated 
                Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 
                U.S.C. 3602)),'';
                    (D) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``and 
                communities'' after ``ecosystems'';
                    (E) in paragraph (8), by inserting ``and Indian 
                tribes'' after ``managers'';
                    (F) in paragraph (9)(A), by striking ``, tribal, 
                and local stakeholders'' and inserting ``and local 
                stakeholders and Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, 
                and Native Hawaiian organizations'';
                    (G) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), (5), (6), 
                (7), (8), (9), (10), and (11) as paragraphs (4), (5), 
                (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (12), and (13), respectively;
                    (H) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
            ``(3) consult with entities that are most dependent on 
        coastal and water resources that may be impacted by marine and 
        freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, including--
                    ``(A) State and local entities;
                    ``(B) Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and 
                Native Hawaiians organizations;
                    ``(C) island communities;
                    ``(D) low-population rural communities;
                    ``(E) subsistence communities; and
                    ``(F) fisheries and recreation industries;''; and
                    (I) by inserting after paragraph (10), as 
                redesignated by subparagraph (G), the following:
            ``(11) expand access to testing for harmful algal bloom 
        toxins, including for subsistence and recreational harvesters, 
        through innovative methods that increase the efficiency and 
        effectiveness of such testing in rural and remote areas;'';
            (5) by amending subsections (f) to read as follows:
    ``(f) Cooperation; Duplication of Effort.--The Under Secretary 
shall work cooperatively with and avoid duplication of effort of other 
agencies on the Task Force and States, Indian tribes, Tribal 
organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and nongovernmental 
organizations concerned with marine and freshwater issues.''; and
            (6) by striking subsection (g), (h), and (i).
    (c) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Activities.--
            (1) In general.--Section 603B of the Harmful Algal Blooms 
        and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4003) 
        is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 603B. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 
              ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall--
            ``(1) carry out response activities for marine, coastal, 
        and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events;
            ``(2) develop and enhance operational harmful algal bloom 
        observing and forecasting programs, including operational 
        observations and forecasting, monitoring, modeling, data 
        management, and information dissemination;
            ``(3) develop forecast modeling that includes the effect of 
        hurricanes and other weather events on the resuspension of 
        bioavailable nutrients in sediments and related interactions 
        with harmful algal blooms;
            ``(4) enhance communication and coordination among Federal 
        agencies carrying out activities and research relating to 
        marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia;
            ``(5) leverage existing resources and expertise available 
        from local research universities and institutions; and
            ``(6) use cost effective methods in carrying out this 
        section.
    ``(b) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.--The 
collection of monitoring and observing data under this section shall 
comply with all data standards and protocols developed pursuant to the 
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 
3601 et seq.). Such data shall be made available through the National 
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System established under 
section 12304 of that Act (33 U.S.C. 3603).''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 
        of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
        383; 112 Stat. 3412; 136 Stat. 1268) is amended by striking the 
        item relating to section 603B and inserting the following:

``Sec. 603B. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                            activities.''.
    (d) Environmental Protection Agency Activities.--
            (1) In general.--The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia 
        Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by inserting after 
        section 603B (33 U.S.C. 4003) the following:

``SEC. 603C. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
            ``(1) carry out research on the ecology and human health 
        impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events;
            ``(2) develop and enhance operational freshwater harmful 
        algal bloom monitoring, observing, and forecasting programs in 
        lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, and coordinate with the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on such programs in the 
        Great Lakes and estuaries (including tributaries thereof), 
        including operational observations and forecasting, monitoring, 
        modeling, data management, and information dissemination, to 
        support event response, prioritization, prevention, adaptation, 
        and mitigation activities;
            ``(3) enhance communication and coordination among Federal 
        agencies carrying out freshwater harmful algal bloom and 
        hypoxia activities and research;
            ``(4) to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing 
        resources and expertise available from Federal and State 
        partners and local research universities and institutions; and
            ``(5) use cost-effective methods in carrying out this 
        section.
    ``(b) Nonduplication.--The Administrator shall ensure that 
activities carried out under subsection (a) focus on new approaches to 
addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms and are not duplicative of 
existing research and development programs authorized by this title or 
any other law.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 
        of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
        383; 112 Stat. 3412; 136 Stat. 1268) is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 603B the following:

``Sec. 603C. Environmental Protection Agency activities.''.
    (e) National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Observing Network.--
            (1) In general.--Section 606 of the Harmful Algal Blooms 
        and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4005) 
        is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 606. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM OBSERVING NETWORK.

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, acting through the National 
Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the Integrated Ocean Observing 
System of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall 
integrate Federal, State, regional, and local observing capabilities to 
establish a national network of observing systems for the monitoring, 
detection, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms by leveraging the 
capacity of regional associations of the Integrated Ocean Observing 
System, including through the incorporation of emerging technologies 
and new data integration methods.
    ``(b) Coordination and Data Assembly.--In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Program Office of the Integrated Ocean Observing System 
shall--
            ``(1) coordinate with the National Centers for Coastal 
        Ocean Science regarding observations, data integration, and 
        information dissemination;
            ``(2) organize, integrate, disseminate, and provide a 
        central architecture to support ecological forecasting of 
        harmful algal blooms; and
            ``(3) coordinate with the Water Quality Portal to store and 
        serve discrete data related to the monitoring of freshwater, 
        estuarine, and coastal harmful algal blooms.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 
        of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
        383; 112 Stat. 3412; 136 Stat. 1268) is amended by striking the 
        item relating to section 606 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 606. National harmful algal bloom observing network.''.
    (f) National-Level Incubator Program.--
            (1) In general.--The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia 
        Research and Control Act of 1998 is amended by inserting after 
        section 606 (33 U.S.C. 4005) the following:

``SEC. 606A. NATIONAL-LEVEL INCUBATOR PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
Administrator and research universities and institutions, shall 
establish a national-level incubator program (in this section referred 
to as the `program') to increase the number of strategies, 
technologies, and measures available to prevent, mitigate, and control 
harmful algal blooms.
    ``(b) Framework.--The program shall establish a framework for 
preliminary assessments of novel strategies, technologies, and measures 
to prevent, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms in order to 
determine the potential effectiveness and scalability of such 
technologies.
    ``(c) Funding.--The program shall provide merit-based funding, 
using amounts otherwise available to the Under Secretary for the award 
of grants, for strategies, technologies, and measures that eliminate or 
reduce, through biological, chemical, or physical means, the levels of 
harmful algae and associated toxins resulting from harmful algal 
blooms.
    ``(d) Database.--The program shall include a database for 
cataloging the licensing and permitting requirements, economic costs, 
feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability of novel and established 
strategies, technologies, and measures to prevent, mitigate, and 
control harmful algal blooms.
    ``(e) Prioritization.--In carrying out the program, the Under 
Secretary shall prioritize proposed strategies, technologies, and 
measures that would, to the maximum extent practicable--
            ``(1) protect key habitats for fish and wildlife;
            ``(2) maintain biodiversity;
            ``(3) protect public health;
            ``(4) protect coastal resources of national, historical, 
        and cultural significance; or
            ``(5) benefit low-income communities, Indian tribes, and 
        rural communities.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2 
        of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
        383; 112 Stat. 3412; 136 Stat. 1268) is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 606 the following:

``Sec. 606A. National-level incubator program.''.
    (g) Definitions.--Section 609 of the Harmful Algal Blooms and 
Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4008) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``means the comprehensive 
        research plan and action strategy established under section 
        603B'' and inserting ``means the action strategy for harmful 
        algal blooms in the United States most recently submitted under 
        section 603(c)'';
            (2) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
            ``(3) Harmful algal bloom.--The term `harmful algal bloom' 
        means a high concentration of marine or freshwater algae 
        (including diatoms), macroalgae (including Sargassum), or 
        cyanobacteria resulting in nuisance conditions or harmful 
        impacts on marine and freshwater ecosystems, subsistence 
        resources, communities, or human health through the production 
        of toxic compounds or other biological, chemical, or physical 
        impacts of the bloom.'';
            (3) by striking paragraph (9);
            (4) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) 
        as paragraphs (5), (8), (9), (11), and (13), respectively;
            (5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
            ``(4) Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event.--The term 
        `harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event' means the occurrence of 
        a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia as a result of a natural, 
        anthropogenic, or undetermined cause.'';
            (6) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by striking ``aquatic'' and inserting ``marine 
                or freshwater''; and
                    (B) by striking ``resident'' and inserting ``marine 
                or freshwater'';
            (7) by inserting after paragraph (5), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (4), the following:
            ``(6) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            ``(7) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native 
        Hawaiian organization' has the meaning given that term in 
        section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) and includes the Department of Hawaiian 
        Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.'';
            (8) by inserting after paragraph (9), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (4), the following:
            ``(10) Subsistence use.--The term `subsistence use' means 
        the customary and traditional use of fish, wildlife, or other 
        freshwater, coastal, or marine resources by any individual or 
        community to meet personal or family needs, including essential 
        economic, nutritional, or cultural applications.''; and
            (9) by inserting after paragraph (11), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (4), the following:
            ``(12) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
        5304).''.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 610 of the Harmful 
Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 
4009) is amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:
    ``(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this title, for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029--
            ``(1) $19,500,000 to the Under Secretary; and
            ``(2) $8,000,000 to the Administrator.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Transfer Authority.--As specifically provided in advance in 
appropriations Acts, the Under Secretary or the Administrator may 
transfer funds made available to carry out this title to the head of 
any Federal department or agency, with the concurrence of such head, to 
carry out, as appropriate, relevant provisions of this title and 
section 9(g) of the National Integrated Drought Information System 
Reauthorization Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4010).''.

SEC. 603. OTHER HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM MATTERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 9(g) of the National Integrated Drought 
Information System Reauthorization Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4010) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the 
                following new sentence: ``The appropriate Federal 
                official may waive the non-Federal share requirements 
                of the preceding sentence if such official determines 
                no reasonable means are available through which the 
                recipient of the Federal share can meet the non-Federal 
                share requirement.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Contract, cooperative agreement, and grant 
                authority.--The appropriate Federal official may enter 
                into contracts, cooperative agreements, and grants with 
                States, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native 
                Hawaiian organizations, local governments, or other 
                entities to pay for or reimburse costs incurred by such 
                entities for the purposes of supporting the 
                determination of, and assessing the environmental, 
                economic, social, subsistence use, and public health 
                effects of, a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of 
                national significance.'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``a 
                leadership official of an affected Indian Tribe, the 
                executive official of the District of Columbia, or the 
                executive official of an affected territory or 
                possession of the United States,'' after ``State,''; 
                and
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``consider'' 
                and all that follows through ``boundary.'' and 
                inserting ``consider factors such as--
                            ``(i) the risk to public health and the 
                        potential severity of the detrimental 
                        environmental effects of the harmful algal 
                        bloom or hypoxia event, as indicated by--
                                    ``(I) data on shellfish or water 
                                quality obtained through sampling 
                                programs, including baseline data, and 
                                regulatory or advisory thresholds 
                                established to explain management 
                                actions related to the event;
                                    ``(II) toxin levels in fish, marine 
                                mammals, seabirds, shellfish, or water 
                                during the event;
                                    ``(III) toxic aerosols produced 
                                during the event, including potential 
                                human exposures to toxic aerosols;
                                    ``(IV) reports of human or animal 
                                illnesses or mortalities during the 
                                event;
                                    ``(V) any closures of fishing or 
                                shellfish harvesting locations or 
                                recreational public waters, including 
                                beaches, during the event;
                                    ``(VI) the duration and spatial 
                                extent of the event; or
                                    ``(VII) impacts to habitats or 
                                ecosystems associated with the event;
                            ``(ii) the potential economic, social, and 
                        subsistence impacts associated with the harmful 
                        algal bloom or hypoxia event, including to 
                        fisheries and aquaculture, recreation and 
                        tourism, monitoring and management, social or 
                        cultural resource use, and event response 
                        activities, assessed in comparison with 
                        historical data from when a State or region did 
                        not experience such an event, as possible, as 
                        indicated by--
                                    ``(I) increases in public health 
                                expenditures;
                                    ``(II) losses to commercial 
                                fisheries and aquaculture industries, 
                                recreation and tourism, real estate, 
                                and other impacted industries or 
                                businesses;
                                    ``(III) increases in monitoring and 
                                management expenditures, including 
                                costs incurred for event response and 
                                clean-up (such as for beach clean-up 
                                following an influx of biomass or a 
                                fish-kill) by public or private 
                                sectors; or
                                    ``(IV) impacts to subsistence 
                                resources, including nutritional, 
                                cultural, and economic effects on 
                                subsistence communities;
                            ``(iii) the relative magnitude of those 
                        impacts in relation to past occurrences of 
                        harmful algal bloom or hypoxia events that 
                        occur on a recurrent or annual basis; and
                            ``(iv) the geographic scope of the harmful 
                        algal bloom or hypoxia event, including the 
                        potential of the event to affect several 
                        municipalities, to affect more than 1 State, or 
                        to cross an international boundary.'';
            (3) in paragraph (3), by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has 
                the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian 
                Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 
                U.S.C. 5304).
                    ``(E) Native hawaiian organization.--The term 
                `Native Hawaiian organization' has the meaning given 
                that term in section 6207 of the Elementary and 
                Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) and 
                includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the 
                Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
                    ``(F) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal 
                organization' has the meaning given that term in 
                section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
                Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $2,000,000 for 
        each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029, to remain available 
        until expended.''.
    (b) Protect Families From Toxic Algal Blooms.--Section 128 of the 
Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 610 note) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(e) Harmful Algal Bloom Technologies.--In carrying out the 
demonstration program under subsection (a), the Secretary may enter 
into agreements with water and irrigation districts located in the 
focus areas described in subsections (c) and (d) for the use or sale of 
any new technologies developed under the program to expedite the 
removal of harmful algal blooms in such areas.''.

   TITLE VII--PREVENTING HEALTH EMERGENCIES AND TEMPERATURE-RELATED 
                     ILLNESS AND DEATHS ACT OF 2024

SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Preventing Health Emergencies And 
Temperature-related Illness and Deaths Act of 2024'' or the 
``Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2024''.

SEC. 702. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) Extreme heat.--The term ``extreme heat'' means heat 
        that substantially exceeds local temperature norms in terms of 
        any combination of the following:
                    (A) Duration.
                    (B) Intensity.
                    (C) Season length.
                    (D) Frequency.
            (2) Heat.--The term ``heat'' means any combination of the 
        atmospheric parameters associated with modulating human 
        thermoregulation, such as air temperature, humidity, solar 
        exposure, and wind speed.
            (3) Heat event.--The term ``heat event'' means an 
        occurrence of extreme heat of 2 days or more that may have 
        heat-health implications.
            (4) Heat-health.--The term ``heat-health'' means health 
        effects to humans from heat, during or outside of heat events, 
        including from vulnerability and exposure, or the risk of such 
        effects.
            (5) Planning.--The term ``planning'' means activities 
        performed across timescales (including days, weeks, months, 
        years, and decades) with scenario-based, probabilistic or 
        deterministic information to identify and take actions to 
        proactively mitigate heat-health risks.
            (6) Preparedness.--The term ``preparedness'' means 
        activities performed across timescales with decision support 
        tools to manage risk in advance of a heat event and increased 
        ambient temperature.
            (7) Tribal government.--The term ``Tribal government'' 
        means the recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska 
        Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, 
        component band, or component reservation, individually 
        identified (including parenthetically) in the list published 
        most recently as of the date of enactment of this Act pursuant 
        to section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List 
        Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).

SEC. 703. NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEAT HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM 
              INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment of Committee.--There is established within the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration an interagency 
committee, to be known as the ``National Integrated Heat Health 
Information System Interagency Committee'' (in this section referred to 
as the ``Committee'').
    (b) Purpose.--The Committee shall coordinate agencies represented 
on the Committee to execute, as appropriate, activities across such 
agencies to ensure a united Federal approach to reducing health risks 
from heat.
    (c) Membership.--
            (1) In general.--In order to carry out and achieve the 
        purpose described in subsection (b), the Committee shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The Director of the National Integrated Heat 
                Health Information System.
                    (B) Not fewer than 1 representative from each of 
                the following:
                            (i) From the Department of Commerce, the 
                        following:
                                    (I) From the National Oceanic and 
                                Atmospheric Administration, the 
                                following:
                                            (aa) The National Weather 
                                        Service.
                                            (bb) The Office of Oceanic 
                                        and Atmospheric Research.
                                            (cc) The National 
                                        Environmental Satellite, Data, 
                                        and Information Service.
                                    (II) The National Institute of 
                                Standards and Technology.
                                    (III) The Bureau of the Census.
                            (ii) From the Department of Health and 
                        Human Services, the following:
                                    (I) The Centers for Disease Control 
                                and Prevention, including the National 
                                Institute for Occupational Safety and 
                                Health.
                                    (II) The Office of the Assistant 
                                Secretary of Health and Human Services 
                                for Preparedness and Response.
                                    (III) The Substance Abuse and 
                                Mental Health Services Administration.
                                    (IV) The National Institutes of 
                                Health.
                                    (V) The Indian Health Service.
                            (iii) From the Department of the Interior, 
                        the following:
                                    (I) The Bureau of Indian Affairs.
                                    (II) The Bureau of Land Management.
                                    (III) The National Park Service.
                                    (IV) The Office of Hawaiian 
                                Relations.
                            (iv) From the Environmental Protection 
                        Agency, the following:
                                    (I) The Office of Air and 
                                Radiation, if the Administrator of the 
                                Environmental Protection Agency 
                                determines appropriate.
                                    (II) The Office of Research and 
                                Development, if the Administrator 
                                determines appropriate.
                                    (III) The Office of International 
                                and Tribal Affairs.
                            (v) The Federal Emergency Management 
                        Agency.
                            (vi) The Department of Defense.
                            (vii) The Department of Agriculture.
                            (viii) The Department of Housing and Urban 
                        Development.
                            (ix) The Department of Transportation.
                            (x) The Department of Energy.
                            (xi) The Department of Labor, including the 
                        Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
                            (xii) The Department of Veteran Affairs.
                            (xiii) The Department of Education.
                            (xiv) The Department of State.
                            (xv) The United States Agency for 
                        International Development.
                            (xvi) Such other Federal agencies as the 
                        Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
                        Atmosphere considers appropriate.
            (2) Selection of representatives.--The head of an agency 
        specified in paragraph (1)(B) shall, in appointing 
        representatives of the agency to the Committee, select 
        representatives who have expertise in areas relevant to the 
        responsibilities of the Committee, such as weather prediction, 
        health impacts, behavioral science, public health hazard 
        preparedness and response, or mental health services.
            (3) Co-chairs.--
                    (A) In general.--The members of the Committee shall 
                select 3 individuals from among such members to serve 
                as co-chairs of the Committee, subject to the approval 
                of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
                Atmosphere.
                    (B) Selection.--
                            (i) Initial selection.--Of the co-chairs 
                        first selected, one shall be from the National 
                        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, one 
                        shall be from the Department of Health and 
                        Human Services, and one shall be from the 
                        Federal Emergency Management Agency.
                            (ii) Subsequent selection.--Subsequent co-
                        chairs shall be selected from among the members 
                        of the Committee, except the National Oceanic 
                        and Atmospheric Administration shall have the 
                        opportunity to maintain a co-chair position.
                    (C) Terms.--Each co-chair shall serve for a term of 
                not more than 5 years.
                    (D) Responsibilities of co-chairs.--The co-chairs 
                of the Committee shall, in consultation with the 
                Director of the National Integrated Heat Health 
                Information System--
                            (i) determine the agenda of the Committee, 
                        in consultation with other members of the 
                        Committee;
                            (ii) direct the work of the Committee; and
                            (iii) convene meetings of the Committee not 
                        less frequently than once each fiscal quarter.
    (d) Responsibilities of Committee.--The Committee shall coordinate 
an integrated, Federal Government-wide approach to reducing health 
risks and impacts of heat, including by--
            (1) developing the strategic plan required by subsection 
        (e);
            (2) coordinating across Federal agencies on heat-health 
        communication, engagement, research, service delivery, and 
        workforce development; and
            (3) building capacity and partnerships with Federal and 
        non-Federal entities.
    (e) Strategic Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Committee shall submit to 
        Congress and make available on a public website a 5-year 
        strategic plan that outlines the goals and projects of the 
        Committee, including how the Committee will improve 
        coordination and integration of interagency Federal capacity 
        and capabilities to address health risks of heat, including--
                    (A) a strategy for improving and coordinating 
                existing Federal data collection and data management to 
                include sharing of data and statistics on heat-related 
                illnesses and mortalities and other impacts to inform 
                heat-related activities;
                    (B) a strategy for improving and coordinating 
                Federal activities to understand user gaps and needs, 
                conduct research, foster innovative solutions, and 
                provide actionable information and services; and
                    (C) mechanisms for financing heat planning and 
                preparedness within such agencies as the Committee 
                considers appropriate.
            (2) Implementation.--The head of an agency represented on 
        the Committee may implement the portions of the strategic plan 
        required by paragraph (1) that are relevant to that agency.
            (3) Updates.--Not later than 5 years after the submission 
        of the strategic plan required by paragraph (1), and every 5 
        years thereafter, the Committee shall brief Congress on an 
        update of the plan, which shall include progress made toward 
        goals outlined in the previous plan and new priorities that 
        emerge.
    (f) Consultation.--In carrying out the responsibilities of the 
Committee, the Committee shall consult with relevant--
            (1) regional, State, Tribal, and local governments;
            (2) international organizations and partners;
            (3) research institutions;
            (4) nongovernmental organizations and associations;
            (5) medical experts with expertise in emergency response; 
        and
            (6) environmental health, economic or business development, 
        or other stakeholders.

SEC. 704. NATIONAL INTEGRATED HEAT HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
Atmosphere shall establish within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration a system, to be known as the ``National Integrated Heat 
Health Information System'' (NIHHIS) (in this section referred to as 
the ``System'').
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the System is to reduce heat-related 
impacts by--
            (1) improving the delivery of data, information, forecasts, 
        warnings, predictions, and projections related to temperature 
        and extreme heat and related impacts;
            (2) through the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, 
        developing science-based solutions and tools to improve impact-
        based decision support services for heat impacts to human life, 
        property, and the United States economy; and
            (3) supporting a research program on heat health, in 
        coordination with the agencies represented on the National 
        Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency 
        Committee.
    (c) Data Management.--
            (1) Availability.--The data and metadata associated with 
        the System shall be fully and openly available, within the 
        legal right to redistribute, in accordance with chapter 31 of 
        title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Federal 
        Records Act of 1950''), and the Federal Evidence-Based 
        Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-435;132 Stat. 5529) 
        and the amendments made by that Act, to maximize use of such 
        data to support the goals of the System.
            (2) National centers for environmental information.--
                    (A) In general.--The Under Secretary of Commerce 
                for Oceans and Atmosphere shall manage, maintain, and 
                steward archival data and metadata associated with the 
                System within the National Centers for Environmental 
                Information.
                    (B) Warning coordination meteorologist.--The Under 
                Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall 
                designate at least one warning coordination 
                meteorologist, as described in section 405 of the 
                Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 
                (15 U.S.C. 8545), at the National Centers for 
                Environmental Information.

SEC. 705. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to carry out sections 703 and 704, including 
for any administrative costs for the National Integrated Heat Health 
Information System Interagency Committee and the National Integrated 
Heat Health Information System, $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2025 through 2029.

TITLE VIII--NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 
                                  2024

SEC. 801. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Landslide Preparedness 
Act Reauthorization Act of 2024''.

SEC. 802. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS UNDER FLOOD LEVEL OBSERVATION, 
              OPERATIONS, AND DECISION SUPPORT ACT.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, 
Operations, and Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C. 9707(a)) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs 
        (4) and (5), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting before paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(1) Atmospheric river.--The term `atmospheric river' 
        means a transient corridor of strong water vapor in the 
        atmosphere that--
                    ``(A) produces significant quantities of rain or 
                snow; and
                    ``(B) may be primarily beneficial to the water 
                supply or hazardous due to flooding.
            ``(2) Atmospheric river flooding event.--The term 
        `atmospheric river flooding event' means an atmospheric river 
        that--
                    ``(A) results in flooding of rivers and streams or 
                other hazards to human life, property, or the economy; 
                and
                    ``(B) is of particular concern to human health, 
                property, and the economy, as determined by the 
                Secretary of Commerce.
            ``(3) Extreme precipitation event.--The term `extreme 
        precipitation event' means precipitation quantities exceeding 
        the 5-year annual recurrence interval for a specific 
        location.''.
    (b) Requirements.--Section 12(d)(1) of the Flood Level Observation, 
Operations, and Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C. 9707(d)(1)) is amended 
by inserting ``, such as precipitation resulting from hurricanes, 
atmospheric river flooding events, and extreme precipitation events'' 
before the period at the end.

SEC. 803. REAUTHORIZATION OF NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 2 of the National Landslide Preparedness 
Act (43 U.S.C. 3101) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (11) as 
        paragraphs (7), (8), (10), (11), (13), (14), (15), and (16), 
        respectively;
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
            ``(4) Atmospheric river.--The term `atmospheric river' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level 
        Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C. 
        9707(a)).
            ``(5) Atmospheric river flooding event.--The term 
        `atmospheric river flooding event' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, 
        Operations, and Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C. 9707(a)).
            ``(6) Extreme precipitation event.--The term `extreme 
        precipitation event' has the meaning given the term in section 
        12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision 
        Support Act (15 U.S.C. 9707(a)).'';
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(9) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).'';
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (11) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(12) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native 
        Hawaiian organization' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517), except that the term includes the 
        Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian 
        Affairs.''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(17) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).''.
    (b) National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--Section 3(a)(3) of the National 
        Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(a)(3)) is amended by 
        striking ``protect'' and inserting ``contribute to 
        protecting''.
            (2) Program activities.--Section 3(b)(1)(C)(ii) of the 
        National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 
        3102(b)(1)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking ``implement'' and 
        inserting ``disseminate''.
            (3) National strategy.--Section 3(b)(2) of the National 
        Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(2)) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
                as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and 
                indenting appropriately;
                    (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
                redesignated), by striking ``Not later than'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Assessment.--For purposes of the first 
                national strategy published after the date of enactment 
                of the National Landslide Preparedness Act 
                Reauthorization Act of 2024 under subparagraph (A), the 
                Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of 
                Commerce, shall include an assessment of the risks that 
                atmospheric river flooding events and extreme 
                precipitation events pose to the safety of life and 
                property in the United States with respect to landslide 
                hazards.''.
            (4) National landslide hazards database.--Section 3(b)(3) 
        of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 
        3102(b)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as 
                subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the 
                following:
                    ``(C) the identification of areas in need of 
                additional hazard risk assessment, including areas that 
                may be at risk due to--
                            ``(i) hydrology or changes in hydrology 
                        that may include erosion, drought, or other 
                        characteristics that could impact landslide 
                        risk;
                            ``(ii) atmospheric river flooding events 
                        and extreme precipitation events, as identified 
                        by the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary;
                            ``(iii) geologic activity, such as volcanic 
                        eruptions, earthquakes, or tsunamis; or
                            ``(iv) data-poor areas or hazards with poor 
                        monitoring that could contribute to increased 
                        landslide risk;''.
            (5) Landslide hazard and risk preparedness for 
        communities.--Section 3(b)(4) of the National Landslide 
        Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(4)) is amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                inserting ``Native Hawaiian organizations and other 
                stakeholders, as appropriate,'' before ``and Indian 
                tribes'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
                        striking ``local, and Tribal governments and 
                        decisionmakers'' and inserting ``and local 
                        governments, Indian tribes, Tribal 
                        organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, 
                        and other decisionmakers'';
                            (ii) by striking clause (iii) and inserting 
                        the following:
                            ``(iii) health and safety with respect to 
                        landslides;'';
                            (iii) by redesignating clause (iv) as 
                        clause (v); and
                            (iv) by inserting after clause (iii) the 
                        following:
                            ``(iv) reducing losses from landslides, 
                        including the threats caused by atmospheric 
                        rivers and other extreme precipitation events; 
                        and''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``local, and 
                        Tribal officials'' and inserting ``and local 
                        officials, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, 
                        and Native Hawaiian organizations''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``local, 
                        and Tribal emergency managers'' and inserting 
                        ``and local emergency managers and emergency 
                        managers of Indian tribes, Tribal 
                        organizations, and Native Hawaiian 
                        organizations''.
            (6) Debris flow early warning system.--Section 3(b)(5) of 
        the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(5)) 
        is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``State, 
                territorial, local, and Tribal governments'' and 
                inserting ``State, territorial, and local governments, 
                Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native 
                Hawaiian organizations'';
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
                as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and 
                indenting appropriately;
                    (C) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
                redesignated), by striking ``In carrying out'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Consultation.--In carrying out subparagraph 
                (A), the Secretary may consult with an institution of 
                higher education described in subsection (d)(2)(B)(iv) 
                and other stakeholders to establish and support 
                emergency response procedures, as appropriate.''.
            (7) Emergency response activities.--Section 3(b)(6) of the 
        National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(6)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) 
                as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and 
                indenting appropriately;
                    (B) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so 
                redesignated), by striking ``In carrying'' and 
                inserting the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--In carrying'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding clause (i) (as 
                        so redesignated), by inserting ``Native 
                        Hawaiian organizations,'' before ``and Indian 
                        tribes'';
                            (ii) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), 
                        by striking ``and'' at the end;
                            (iii) in clause (iii) (as so redesignated), 
                        by striking the period at the end and inserting 
                        ``; and''; and
                            (iv) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) to improve real-time risk management 
                        during landslide events, including with respect 
                        to landslide events caused by--
                                    ``(I) hydrology or changes in 
                                hydrology that may include erosion, 
                                drought, or other characteristics that 
                                could impact landslide risk;
                                    ``(II) atmospheric river flooding 
                                events and extreme precipitation 
                                events, as identified by the Secretary 
                                of Commerce and the Secretary;
                                    ``(III) geologic activity, such as 
                                volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or 
                                tsunamis;
                                    ``(IV) data-poor areas or hazards 
                                with poor monitoring that could 
                                contribute to increased landslide risk; 
                                or
                                    ``(V) thawing permafrost and 
                                glacial retreat causing destabilization 
                                of slopes.''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Consultation.--In carrying out subparagraph 
                (A), the Secretary may consult with an institution of 
                higher education described in subsection (d)(2)(B)(iv) 
                and the private sector.''.
            (8) Interagency coordinating committee on landslide 
        hazards.--Section 3(c)(2) of the National Landslide 
        Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(c)(2)) is amended by adding at 
        the end the following:
                    ``(J) The Administrator of the National Aeronautics 
                and Space Administration.''.
            (9) Advisory committee.--Section 3(d)(2)(B) of the National 
        Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(d)(2)(B)) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``geological''; 
                and
                    (B) in clause (vi), by striking ``local, and Tribal 
                emergency management agencies'' and inserting ``and 
                local emergency management agencies and emergency 
                management agencies of Indian tribes and Native 
                Hawaiian organizations''.
            (10) Regional partnerships.--Section 3 of the National 
        Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subsections (e) through (i) as 
                subsections (f) through (j), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subsection (d) the 
                following:
    ``(e) Regional Partnerships.--
            ``(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
        enactment of the National Landslide Preparedness Act 
        Reauthorization Act of 2024, the Secretary shall establish in 
        the State of Alaska and other regions, as the Secretary 
        determines to be appropriate, a regional partnership with an 
        eligible partner described in paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Eligible partners.--An organization or institution of 
        higher education with expertise in landslide mapping, research, 
        and monitoring shall be eligible for a regional partnership 
        under paragraph (1).
            ``(3) Purposes and duties.--A regional partnership 
        established under paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) allow the Secretary to leverage applicable 
                expertise in regional organizations;
                    ``(B) coordinate long-term landslide research 
                specific to the applicable region; and
                    ``(C) align interagency landslide monitoring 
                efforts.''.
            (11) Grant programs.--Section 3 of the National Landslide 
        Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102) is amended, in paragraph (1) 
        of subsection (f) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking ``local, 
                and Tribal governments to research, map, assess'' and 
                inserting ``and local governments, Indian tribes, 
                Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations 
                to research, map, assess, monitor'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by inserting 
                        ``institutions of higher education described in 
                        subsection (d)(2)(B)(iv),'' before ``and Indian 
                        tribes''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii)--
                                    (I) by redesignating subclauses 
                                (II) through (IV) as subclauses (III) 
                                through (V), respectively; and
                                    (II) by inserting after subclause 
                                (I) the following:
                                    ``(II) in regions that have 
                                recently experienced loss of life due 
                                to landslides;''; and
                    (C) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by inserting ``awarded'' 
                        after ``grants''; and
                            (ii) in clause (ii), by striking ``made'' 
                        and inserting ``or other accomplishments 
                        resulting''.
            (12) Significant events.--Section 3 of the National 
        Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102) is amended, in 
        subsection (h)(3) (as so redesignated), by striking ``local, 
        and Tribal partners'' and inserting ``and local partners, 
        Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian 
        organizations''.
            (13) Funding.--Section 3 of the National Landslide 
        Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102) is amended, in subsection (i) 
        (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``2024'' and inserting ``2029''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``there is 
                authorized to be appropriated to the United States 
                Geological Survey, $25,000,000 to carry out this 
                section'' and inserting ``from amounts appropriated or 
                otherwise made available to the United States 
                Geological Survey, $35,000,000 shall be used to carry 
                out this section, of which not less than $10,000,000 
                shall be used for the purchase, deployment, and repair 
                of landslide early warning systems in high risk 
                areas''.
    (c) 3D Elevation Program.--
            (1) Establishment.--Section 5(a) of the National Landslide 
        Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3104(a)) is amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``and 
                derivative'' after ``3D elevation''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting ``, 
                process, and integrate'' after ``acquire''.
            (2) 3D elevation federal interagency coordinating 
        committee.--Section 5(b)(3) of the National Landslide 
        Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3104(b)(3)) is amended--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as 
                subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the 
                following:
                    ``(D) the 3D Hydrography Program Working Group;''.
            (3) Grants and cooperative agreements.--Section 5(d)(3) of 
        the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3104(d)(3)) 
        is amended by striking ``publically'' and inserting 
        ``publicly''.
            (4) Funding.--Section 5(e) of the National Landslide 
        Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3104(e)) is amended by striking 
        ``2024'' and inserting ``2029''.

             TITLE IX--ILLEGAL RED SNAPPER ENFORCEMENT ACT

SEC. 901. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Illegal Red Snapper Enforcement 
Act''.

SEC. 902. METHODOLOGY FOR IDENTIFYING THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF RED 
              SNAPPER IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED STATES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration.
            (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
                of the House of Representatives.
            (3) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means 
        the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology 
        and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology.
    (b) Standard Methodology for Identification.--The Under Secretary 
and the Administrator, in consultation with the Commissioner of U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection and the Commandant of the Coast Guard, 
shall jointly develop a standard methodology based on chemical analysis 
for identifying the country of origin of red snapper imported into the 
United States that--
            (1) is consistent with the needs of Federal and State law 
        enforcement agencies in combating illegal, unreported, and 
        unregulated fishing;
            (2) minimizes processing time; and
            (3) involves the use of a field kit that can be easily 
        carried by one individual.
    (c) Report.--Not later 2 years after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report that includes the following:
            (1) A summary of the methodology developed under subsection 
        (b).
            (2) A plan for operationalizing the methodology developed 
        under subsection (b).
            (3) Recommendations for further research on identification 
        methods, including other potential applications of the 
        methodology.

TITLE X--ACCELERATING NETWORKING, CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE, AND HARDWARE FOR 
                          OCEANIC RESEARCH ACT

SEC. 1001. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Accelerating Networking, 
Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research Act'' or the 
``ANCHOR Act''.

SEC. 1002. DEFINITIONS.

    In this title:
            (1) U.S. academic research fleet.--The term ``U.S. Academic 
        Research Fleet'' means the United States-flagged vessels that--
                    (A) have been accepted into, and are active 
                participants administered within, the University-
                National Oceanographic Laboratory System;
                    (B) are operated as oceanographic research vessels 
                by research universities and laboratories;
                    (C) receive funding from the National Science 
                Foundation; and
                    (D) have achieved designation as a member vessel 
                through a standard evaluation process.
            (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the National Science Foundation.
            (3) Oceanographic research vessel.--The term 
        ``oceanographic research vessel'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 2101 of title 46, United States Code.

SEC. 1003. PLAN TO IMPROVE CYBERSECURITY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS OF U.S. 
              ACADEMIC RESEARCH FLEET.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Director shall, in consultation with the head of any 
Federal agency, university, or laboratory that owns or operates a 
vessel of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee 
on Space, Science, and Technology of the House of Representatives a 
plan to improve the cybersecurity and telecommunications of the U.S. 
Academic Research Fleet.
    (b) Elements.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall include--
            (1) an assessment of the telecommunications and networking 
        needs of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, consistent with the 
        typical scientific mission of that vessel;
            (2) in accordance with guidance issued by the Cybersecurity 
        and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Institute 
        for Standards and Technology, an assessment of cybersecurity 
        needs appropriate for--
                    (A) the ownership of vessels within the U.S. 
                Academic Research Fleet; and
                    (B) the typical research functions and topics of 
                such vessels;
            (3) an assessment of the costs necessary to meet the needs 
        described in paragraphs (1) and (2), including--
                    (A) any necessary equipment, such as satellite 
                communications equipment, software, high-performance 
                computing clusters shipboard and shoreside, or 
                enterprise hardware; and
                    (B) estimated personnel costs in excess of current 
                expenditures, including any necessary training, 
                support, or logistics;
            (4) an assessment of the time required to implement any 
        upgrades required to meet the needs described in paragraphs (1) 
        and (2) under varying budgets and funding scenarios;
            (5) the adoption of common solutions or consortial 
        licensing agreements, or by centralizing elements of fleet 
        cybersecurity, telecommunications or data management at a 
        single facility; and
            (6) in consultation with any non-Federal owners of a vessel 
        of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, a spending plan for the 
        National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, non-
        Federal owners of vessels of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, 
        users of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, or any combination 
        thereof, to provide funding to cover the costs described in 
        paragraph (3).
    (c) Considerations.--The Director shall, in preparing the plan 
required by subsection (a), consider--
            (1) the network capabilities, including speed and bandwidth 
        targets, necessary to meet the scientific mission needs of each 
        class of vessel within the U.S. Academic Research Fleet for 
        such purposes as--
                    (A) executing the critical functions and 
                communications of the vessel;
                    (B) providing network access for the health and 
                well-being of deployed personnel, including 
                communications to conduct telemedicine (including 
                mental health care), counseling, interviews with crisis 
                response providers, and other remote individual care 
                and services;
                    (C) as necessary to meet operations, uploading any 
                scientific data to a shoreside server, including the 
                copying of data off ship for disaster recovery or risk 
                mitigation purposes;
                    (D) as appropriate, conducting real-time streaming 
                to enable shore-based observers to participate in ship-
                based maintenance or research activities;
                    (E) real-time coordinated viewing of--
                            (i) scientific instrumentation so that it 
                        is possible to conduct scientific surveys and 
                        seafloor mapping with fully remote subject-
                        matter experts; and
                            (ii) critical operational technology by 
                        manufacturers and vendors so that it is 
                        possible to carry out maintenance and repairs 
                        to systems with limited expertise on the 
                        vessel, with fully remote subject-matter 
                        experts advising; and
                    (F) as appropriate, enabling video communications 
                to allow improved outreach to, and other educational 
                services for, K-12 students, including occasional 
                remote classroom teaching for instructors at sea to 
                improve oceanographic access for students; and
            (2) in consultation with the Director of the Cybersecurity 
        and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Director of the 
        National Institute for Standards and Technology, and the heads 
        of other Federal agencies, as appropriate--
                    (A) the cybersecurity recommendations in the report 
                of the private scientific advisory group known as JASON 
                entitled ``Cybersecurity at NSF Major Facilities'' 
                (JSR-21-10E) and dated October 2021 as applied to the 
                U.S. Academic Research Fleet;
                    (B) aligning with international standards and 
                guidance for information security, including the use of 
                encryption for sensitive information, the detection and 
                handling of security incidents, and other areas 
                determined relevant by the Director;
                    (C) facilitating access to cybersecurity personnel 
                and training of research and support personnel; and
                    (D) the requirements for controlled unclassified or 
                classified information.

                      TITLE XI--OTHER AUTHORITIES

SEC. 1101. METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE ARCTIC REGION.

    (a) Establishment of Meteorological Observation Stations in the 
Arctic Region.--The Under Secretary may take such action as may be 
necessary in the development of an international basic meteorological 
observation network in the Arctic region of the Western Hemisphere, 
including the establishment, operation, and maintenance of observation 
stations in cooperation with--
            (1) the Department of State and other Federal agencies;
            (2) the meteorological services and space-based assets of 
        the United States and foreign countries;
            (3) the commercial sector;
            (4) local communities and Indian Tribes in the Arctic 
        region; and
            (5) persons engaged in air and marine commerce.
    (b) Appointment and Compensation of Employees for Conduct of 
Meteorological Investigations in Arctic Region.--The Secretary of 
Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary, may--
            (1) appoint employees for the conduct of meteorological 
        investigations in the Arctic region without regard to the civil 
        service laws and fix their compensation without regard to 
        chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United 
        States Code, and sections 5542, 5543, 5545, and 5546 of that 
        title, at base rates not to exceed the maximum scheduled rate 
        for GS-12 of the General Schedule under section 5332 of that 
        title; and
            (2) grant extra compensation to employees of other Federal 
        agencies for taking and transmitting meteorological 
        observations without regard to section 5533 of title 5, United 
        States Code.
    (c) Transfer From Other Government Departments of Surplus Equipment 
and Supplies for Arctic Stations.--Subject to approval of the 
President, and without charge to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Air 
Force, and the Secretary of the Navy may transfer to the National 
Weather Service equipment and supplies that are surplus to the needs of 
their respective Departments and necessary for the establishment, 
maintenance, and operation of Arctic observation stations in the United 
States.
    (d) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
observations in polar regions and remote areas are important for 
weather and environmental monitoring.
    (e) Repeal.--The first section of the Act of February 12, 1946 (60 
Stat. 4, chapter 4; 15 U.S.C. 313a) is hereby repealed.

SEC. 1102. UNFUNDED PRIORITIES LIST, REPORTS, AND PLANS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration.
            (3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
                    (C) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
                of Representatives;
                    (D) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
                of the House of Representatives; and
                    (E) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives.
            (4) Capital budgetary line item.--The term ``capital 
        budgetary line item'' means a line item in the budget 
        justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the 
        budget of the President for a fiscal year pursuant to section 
        1105 of title 31, United States Code, for any aircraft or 
        vessel for the Administration valued at more than $3,000,000.
            (5) Infrastructure and assets.--The term ``infrastructure 
        and assets'' means--
                    (A) repair and construction of infrastructure, 
                facilities, and laboratories;
                    (B) instrumentation;
                    (C) resources for data storage and analysis, 
                including options for cloud-based and supercomputing 
                services; and
                    (D) with respect to the Office of Marine and 
                Aviation Operations, aircraft, vessels, and uncrewed 
                systems, associated facility construction and repair 
                needs, instrumentation, and requirements to operate new 
                and existing assets to reliably meet the mission needs 
                of the Administration.
            (6) Unfunded priority.--The term ``unfunded priority'' 
        means a program or mission requirement that--
                    (A) has not been selected for funding in the 
                applicable proposed budget;
                    (B) is necessary to fulfill a statutory or mission 
                requirement; and
                    (C) the Administrator would have recommended for 
                inclusion in the applicable proposed budget had 
                additional resources been available or had the 
                requirement emerged before the budget was submitted.
    (b) Unfunded Priorities List.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 15 days after the date on 
        which the President submits to Congress the budget of the 
        President for a fiscal year pursuant to section 1105 of title 
        31, United States Code, the Administrator, in consultation with 
        the Assistant Administrator for each line office of the 
        Administration, shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress a report that includes a list of unfunded priorities 
        of the Administration.
            (2) Inclusions.--The list required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include unfunded priorities related to the needs of the 
        Administration--
                    (A) to meet statutory and mission requirements to--
                            (i) protect human life, property, and the 
                        economy from the impacts of weather, water, and 
                        space weather;
                            (ii) manage the Nation's fisheries and 
                        ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources; and
                            (iii) manage, steward, and make 
                        improvements to data storage, accessibility, 
                        interoperability, and utilization;
                    (B) with respect to infrastructure and assets to 
                meet statutory and mission requirements, including--
                            (i) needs with respect to--
                                    (I) repair and construction of 
                                infrastructure, facilities, and 
                                laboratories;
                                    (II) scientific support equipment 
                                and instrumentation; and
                                    (III) resources for data storage 
                                and analysis, including options for 
                                cloud-based and supercomputing 
                                services; and
                            (ii) with respect to the Office of Marine 
                        and Aviation Operations, in coordination with 
                        the Assistant Administrator for Marine and 
                        Aviation Operations, needs with respect to 
                        aircraft and vessels, associated facility 
                        construction and repair needs, and resources 
                        required to operate new and existing assets;
                    (C) with respect to operational shortfalls that 
                compromise the ability of the Administration to meet 
                the statutory and mission requirements described in 
                subparagraph (A), including by compromising the ability 
                of the Administration to meet those requirements in a 
                timely manner;
                    (D) with respect to mitigating fishery disasters, 
                including in accordance with the requirements under the 
                heading ``fisheries disaster assistance'' in title II 
                of the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 
                2023 (division N of Public Law 117-328); and
                    (E) with respect to transitioning successful 
                experimental programs under the Office of Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Research as of the date of the enactment of 
                this Act into an operational capacity under another 
                office of the Administration.
            (3) Prioritization.--The list required by paragraph (1) 
        shall--
                    (A) present the unfunded priorities of the 
                Administration in order from highest to lowest 
                priority, as determined by the Administrator; and
                    (B) with respect to each unfunded priority, 
                include--
                            (i) a brief description of the unfunded 
                        priority and its relationship to the statutory 
                        and mission requirements of the Administration;
                            (ii) an estimate of the funding level 
                        required; and
                            (iii) an assessment of the status of the 
                        design or acquisition program, if applicable.
    (c) Stock Assessments and Surveys.--
            (1) Planned stock assessments and surveys.--Not later than 
        February 1 of each year, the Administrator, in consultation 
        with the Assistant Administrator for Marine and Aviation 
        Operations and the Assistant Administrator for the National 
        Marine Fisheries Service, shall make available on a publicly 
        accessible website a list of planned stock assessments and 
        surveys for the upcoming fiscal year.
            (2) Priority stock assessments in unfunded priorities 
        list.--The list required by subsection (b)(1) shall include 
        such priority stock assessments described in subparagraph 
        (B)(ii) of section 304(e)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
        Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1854(e)(1)), as 
        added by paragraph (3), that are unfunded priorities.
            (3) Data poor stocks.--Section 304(e)(1) of the Magnuson-
        Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 
        1854(e)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(B) The report required by subparagraph (A) shall 
        include--
                    ``(i) an assessment of whether stock survey data is 
                adequately available, not available, or not 
                sufficiently available;
                    ``(ii) priority stock assessments and surveys 
                conducted for the purpose of--
                            ``(I) significantly decreasing uncertainty 
                        in stock assessments;
                            ``(II) maintaining continuity of data for 
                        species management; or
                            ``(III) increasing the ability of the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                        to meet the statutory and mission requirements 
                        described in section 1102(b)(2)(A) of the 
                        Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2024; and
                    ``(iii) for the priority stock assessments under 
                clause (ii), a description of the type, resource needs, 
                and estimated cost of increased survey efforts to meet 
                the goals under that clause.''.
    (d) Capital Investment Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date on 
        which the President submits to Congress the budget of the 
        President for a fiscal year pursuant to section 1105 of title 
        31, United States Code, the Administrator, in consultation with 
        the Assistant Administrator for Marine and Aviation Operations 
        and the Assistant Administrators for the line offices of the 
        Administration, as appropriate, shall submit to the appropriate 
        committees of Congress a future-years capital investment plan.
            (2) Inclusions.--The plan required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include--
                    (A) the fleet replacement and modernization plan 
                required by section 604 of the NOAA Fleet Modernization 
                Act (33 U.S.C. 891b);
                    (B) the NOAA Aircraft Recapitalization Plan and any 
                plan developed to carry out section 11708 of the Don 
                Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (33 U.S.C. 
                851 note prec.); and
                    (C) any other plan the Administrator considers 
                appropriate.
            (3) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1) shall 
        identify, for each capital budgetary line item--
                    (A) the proposed funding level included in the 
                applicable proposed budget;
                    (B) the total estimated cost of completion;
                    (C) projected funding levels for each fiscal year 
                for the next 5 fiscal years or until completion, 
                whichever is earlier;
                    (D) an estimated completion date at the projected 
                funding levels; and
                    (E) changes, if any, in the total estimated cost of 
                completion or estimated completion date from previous 
                future-years capital investment plans submitted under 
                this subsection.

SEC. 1103. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Technical Assistance in the Pacific.--
            (1) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
        appropriations, and at the discretion of the Secretary of 
        Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the 
        Under Secretary may provide to Pacific Island parties technical 
        assistance and services in line with the mission of the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (2) Regional capacity.--
                    (A) Use of existing programs, offices, and sites.--
                To implement this subsection, the Under Secretary shall 
                primarily use existing programs, offices, and sites of 
                the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 
                the Pacific Islands region.
                    (B) Cooperative institute.--In order to further 
                augment existing regional capacity in the Pacific 
                Islands region, the Under Secretary may consider the 
                formation of a cooperative institute to focus and 
                advise on the unique needs of that region.
            (3) Pacific island parties defined.--In this subsection, 
        the term ``Pacific Island parties'' means--
                    (A) the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands;
                    (B) the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the 
                Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of 
                Micronesia, which have each entered into a Compact of 
                Free Association with the United States; and
                    (C) such other parties as the Under Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
    (b) State Assistance.--The Under Secretary may provide technical 
assistance, data, and operational products or services in support of 
State governments, or entities and institutions partnering or 
collaborating with State governments, in the voluntary production of 
State climate or weather assessments.
    (c) International Collaboration.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the National Weather Service, may establish and 
        maintain partnerships and other relationships with national and 
        regional weather services around the world to support the co-
        development and deployment of weather and climate information 
        and instrumentation.
            (2) Existing agreements and partnerships.--Partnerships and 
        other relationships established and maintained under paragraph 
        (1), including those provided by the international desks of the 
        National Centers for Environmental Prediction, shall build upon 
        existing agreements and partnerships with the Department of 
        State, the United States Agency for International Development, 
        and the World Meteorological Organization.
    (d) App- or Web-Based Tools.--The Under Secretary may, in alignment 
with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (Public Law 
115-336; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note) and the memorandum of the Director of the 
Office of Management and Budget dated September 22, 2023, and entitled 
``Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience'' (M-23-22), develop and 
implement mobile applications, modern application programming 
interfaces, or web-based tools to increase the utility of and access to 
data, services, and products of the Administration.
    (e) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, shall provide the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives a briefing on the number and time commitment of intra-
agency and interagency meetings, councils, boards, and summits attended 
by each line office Assistant Administrator and Deputy Administrator of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
                                 <all>
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