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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 50 Introduced in House (IH)]

109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 H. R. 50

To provide for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 
                          for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 4, 2005

  Mr. Ehlers introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
                        the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
To provide for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) The term ``Administration'' means the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration.
            (2) The term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (3) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--There shall be in the Department of Commerce an 
agency known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    (b) Mission.--The mission of the Administration is to understand 
the systems of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere and predict changes in 
the Earth's oceans and atmosphere and the effects of such changes on 
the land environment, to conserve and manage coastal, ocean, and Great 
Lakes ecosystems to meet national economic, social, and environmental 
needs, and to educate the public about these topics.
    (c) Functions.--The functions of the Administration shall include--
            (1) collecting, through observation and other means, 
        communicating, analyzing, processing, and disseminating 
        comprehensive scientific data and information about weather and 
        climate, solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the 
        space environment, and about the coasts, oceans, Great Lakes, 
        upper reaches of estuaries, and hydrologic systems;
            (2) operating and maintaining a system for the storage, 
        retrieval, and dissemination of data relating to weather and 
        climate, solar and geophysical events on the Sun and in the 
        space environment, and about the coasts, oceans, Great Lakes, 
        upper reaches of estuaries, and hydrologic systems;
            (3) conducting and supporting basic and applied research 
        and development of technology as may be necessary to carry out 
        the mission described in subsection (b);
            (4) issuing weather, water, climate, and space weather 
        forecasts and warnings;
            (5) coordinating efforts of Federal agencies in support of 
        national and international programs with respect to 
        meteorological services;
            (6) understanding the science of Earth's climate and 
        related systems, and undertaking research, development, and 
        demonstration to enhance society's ability to plan for and 
        respond to climate variability and change;
            (7) protecting, restoring, and managing the use of the 
        coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes through ecosystem-based 
        research, development, demonstration, and management;
            (8) coordinating efforts of Federal agencies in support of 
        national and international programs with respect to integrated 
        Earth observing systems;
            (9) administering public outreach and education programs 
        and services to increase scientific and environmental literacy 
        about weather and climate, solar and geophysical events on the 
        Sun and in the space environment, and the coasts, oceans, Great 
        Lakes, upper reaches of estuaries, and hydrologic systems;
            (10) cooperating with international organizations and 
        scientists in bilateral and multilateral research, development, 
        conservation, and service programs related to coastal, ocean, 
        Great Lakes, weather, and climate issues; and
            (11) any other function assigned to the Administration by 
        law.

SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP.

    (a) Administrator.--
            (1) In general.--There shall be, as the Administrator of 
        the Administration, an Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 
        and Atmosphere. The Administrator shall be appointed by the 
        President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
        The Administrator shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for 
        level III of the Executive Schedule.
            (2) Functions.--The Administrator shall perform such 
        functions and exercise such powers with respect to the 
        Administration as the Secretary may prescribe, including--
                    (A) general management;
                    (B) policy development and guidance;
                    (C) budget formulation, guidance, and execution; 
                and
                    (D) serving as the Department of Commerce official 
                for all ocean and atmosphere issues with other elements 
                of the Department of Commerce and with other Federal 
                agencies, State, tribal, and local governments, and the 
                public.
            (3) Delegation of authority.--The Administrator may, except 
        as otherwise prohibited by law--
                    (A) delegate any functions, powers, or duties of 
                the Administrator to such officers and employees of the 
                Administration as the Administrator may designate; and
                    (B) authorize such successive redelegations of such 
                functions, powers, or duties within the Administration 
                as the Administrator considers necessary or 
                appropriate.
            (4) Authorities.--The Administrator shall have the 
        authority to enter into and perform such contracts, leases, 
        grants, and cooperative agreements with Federal agencies, State 
        and local governments, Indian tribes, international 
        organizations, foreign governments, educational institutions, 
        nonprofit organizations, and commercial organizations, as may 
        be necessary and proper to carry out the Administration's 
        functions under this Act or as otherwise provided by law.
    (b) Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere.--
            (1) In general.--There shall be, as Deputy Administrator of 
        the Administration, an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for 
        Oceans and Atmosphere. The Assistant Secretary shall be 
        appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent 
        of the Senate. The Assistant Secretary shall be the 
        Administrator's first assistant for purposes of subchapter III 
        of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code. The Assistant 
        Secretary shall be paid at the rate of basic pay for level IV 
        of the Executive Schedule.
            (2) Functions.--The Assistant Secretary shall perform such 
        functions and exercise such powers as the Secretary or 
        Administrator may prescribe and shall act as Administrator 
        during the absence or disability of the Administrator or in the 
        event of a vacancy in the office of Administrator.
    (c) Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere.--
            (1) In general.--There shall, be as the Chief Operating 
        Officer of the Administration, a Deputy Under Secretary of 
        Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Deputy Under Secretary 
        shall be appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy 
        Under Secretary shall be a Senior Executive Service position 
        authorized under section 3133 of title 5, United States Code.
            (2) Functions.--The Deputy Under Secretary--
                    (A) shall ensure the timely and effective 
                implementation of Administration policies and 
                objectives;
                    (B) shall be responsible for all aspects of the 
                Administration's operations and management, including 
                budget, financial operations, information services, 
                facilities, human resources, procurements, and 
                associated services;
                    (C) in the absence or disability of the Assistant 
                Secretary, or in the event of a vacancy in such 
                position, shall act in that position; and
                    (D) shall perform such other duties as the 
                Administrator shall prescribe.
    (d) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere.--
            (1) In general.--There shall be in the Administration a 
        Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere. The 
        Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall be 
        appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy Assistant 
        Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere shall be a Senior Executive 
        Service position authorized under section 3133 of title 5, 
        United States Code.
            (2) Functions.--The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans 
        and Atmosphere--
                    (A) shall serve as an advisor to the Administrator 
                on program and policy issues related to environmental 
                policy, strategic planning, and program analysis;
                    (B) shall ensure the timely and effective 
                implementation of Administration policies and 
                objectives related to environmental policy, strategic 
                planning, and program analysis; and
                    (C) shall perform such other duties as the 
                Administrator shall prescribe.
    (e) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology, Education, 
and Outreach.--
            (1) In general.--There shall be in the Administration a 
        Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology, Education, 
        and Outreach, who shall coordinate and oversee the science and 
        technology activities of the Administration and ensure that 
        Administration decisions are informed by the results of 
        appropriate and relevant research. The Deputy Assistant 
        Secretary for Science, Technology, Education, and Outreach 
        shall be appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy 
        Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology, Education, and 
        Outreach shall be a Senior Executive Service career reserved 
        position as defined in section 3132(a)(8) of title 5, United 
        States Code.
            (2) Functions.--The Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, 
        Technology, Education, and Outreach shall--
                    (A) coordinate research and development activities 
                across the Administration, including coordination of 
                research and development budgets;
                    (B) advise the Administrator on how research 
                activities can be applied to operational use;
                    (C) provide advice to the Administrator regarding 
                science and technology issues and their relationship to 
                Administration policies, procedures, and decisions;
                    (D) participate in developing the Administration's 
                strategic plans and policies and review the science and 
                technology aspects of those plans and policies;
                    (E) develop and oversee guidelines for the 
                dissemination to the public of results from research 
                and development conducted, sponsored, or cited by the 
                Administration;
                    (F) serve as liaison to the nongovernmental science 
                and technology community;
                    (G) develop and oversee guidelines for peer review 
                of science and technology research sponsored by the 
                Administration;
                    (H) oversee implementation of the strategic plan 
                for science and technology research, development, and 
                demonstration required under section 10(b);
                    (I) oversee management of research laboratories in 
                the Administration;
                    (J) oversee the research and education programs of 
                the Administration; and
                    (K) perform such other duties as the Secretary or 
                Administrator shall prescribe.
            (3) Qualifications.--An individual appointed under 
        paragraph (1) shall be a person who has an outstanding science 
        and technology background, including research accomplishments, 
        scientific reputation, and public policy experience.
            (4) Consultation.--Before appointing an individual under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult with the National 
        Academy of Sciences, the Science Advisory Board of the 
        Administration, and other appropriate scientific organizations.
    (f) General Counsel.--
            (1) In general.--There shall be in the Administration a 
        General Counsel. The General Counsel shall be appointed by the 
        Secretary. The General Counsel shall be paid at the rate of 
        basic pay for level V of the Executive Schedule.
            (2) Functions.--The General Counsel--
                    (A) shall serve as the chief legal officer of the 
                Administration for all legal matters that arise in 
                connection with the conduct of the functions of the 
                Administration; and
                    (B) shall perform such other functions and exercise 
                such powers as the Secretary or Administrator may 
                prescribe.
    (g) Continuation of Service.--Any individual serving on the 
effective date of this Act in a position provided for in this Act may 
continue to serve in that position until a successor is appointed under 
this Act. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require the 
appointment of a successor under this Act sooner than would have been 
required under law as in effect before the effective date of this Act.

SEC. 5. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall maintain within the 
Administration a National Weather Service.
    (b) Mission.--The mission of the National Weather Service is to 
provide weather, water, climate, and space weather forecasts and 
warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters, and 
ocean areas for the protection of life and property and the enhancement 
of the national economy.
    (c) Goals.--The goals of the National Weather Service shall 
include--
            (1) to provide timely and accurate weather, water, climate, 
        and space weather forecasts; and
            (2) to provide timely and accurate warnings of weather, 
        water, and climate natural hazards, and of space weather 
        hazards.
    (d) Functions.--The functions of the National Weather Service shall 
include--
            (1) maintaining a network of local weather forecast 
        offices;
            (2) maintaining a network of observation systems to collect 
        weather and climate data;
            (3) operating national centers to deliver guidance, 
        forecasts, warnings, and analysis about weather, water, 
        climate, and space weather phenomena for the Administration and 
        the public;
            (4) conducting and supporting applied research to 
        facilitate the rapid incorporation of weather and climate 
        science advances into operational tools; and
            (5) other functions to serve the mission of the National 
        Weather Service.
    (e) Public-Private Partnerships.--Not less than once every 5 years, 
the Secretary shall develop and submit to Congress a policy the defines 
processes for making decisions about the roles of the National Weather 
Service, the private sector, and the academic community in providing 
weather-related and climate-related products, technologies, and 
services. The first such policy shall be completed not less than 12 
months after the date of enactment of this Act. At least 90 days before 
each submission of the policy to Congress, the Secretary shall publish 
the policy in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not 
less than 60 days.

SEC. 6. OPERATIONS AND SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall maintain within the 
Administration programs to support operations of ongoing data 
collection and direct services and products regarding satellite, 
observations, and coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes information.
    (b) Functions.--To accomplish the mission described in section 
3(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 3(c), the 
operations and service aspects of the Administration shall include--
            (1) acquiring, managing, and operating coastal, ocean, and 
        Great Lakes observing systems;
            (2) ensuring the availability of a global Earth-observing 
        system, integrating remote sensing and in situ assets that 
        provide critical data needed to support the mission of the 
        Administration, and providing that data to decisionmakers and 
        the public;
            (3) developing, acquiring, and managing operational 
        environmental satellite constellations and associated ground 
        control and data acquisition facilities to support the mission 
        of the Administration;
            (4) managing and distributing atmospheric, geophysical, and 
        marine data and data products for the Administration through 
        national environmental data centers;
            (5) providing for long-term stewardship of environmental 
        data, products, and information via data processing, storage, 
        reanalysis, reprocessing, and archive facilities;
            (6) promoting widespread availability of environmental data 
        and information through full and open access and exchange to 
        the greatest extent possible;
            (7) issuing licenses for private remote sensing space 
        systems under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992;
            (8) administering a national water level observation 
        network, which shall include monitoring of the Great Lakes;
            (9) providing charts and other information for safe 
        navigation of the oceans and inland waters, as provided by law; 
        and
            (10) such other functions to serve the operations and 
        services mission of the Administration as the Administrator may 
        prescribe.

SEC. 7. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall maintain within the 
Administration programs to conduct and support research and education 
and the development of technologies relating to weather, climate, and 
the coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes.
    (b) Functions.--To accomplish the mission described in section 
3(b), and in addition to the functions described in section 3(c), the 
research and education aspects of the Administration shall include--
            (1) conducting and supporting research and technology 
        development to improve the Administration's capabilities in 
        collecting, through observation and otherwise, communicating, 
        analyzing, processing, and disseminating comprehensive 
        scientific data and information about weather, climate, and the 
        coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes;
            (2) improving environmental prediction and management 
        capabilities through ecosystem-based research and development;
            (3) improving knowledge of Earth's climate and related 
        systems through research and observation for decision support;
            (4) reducing uncertainty in projections of how the Earth's 
        climate and related systems may change in the future;
            (5) fostering the public's ability to understand and 
        integrate scientific information into considerations of 
        national environmental issues through education and public 
        outreach activities;
            (6) administering the National Sea Grant College Program 
        Act;
            (7) conducting and supporting research and development of 
        technology for exploration of the oceans;
            (8) maintaining a system of laboratories to perform the 
        functions described in this subsection;
            (9) supporting extramural peer-reviewed competitive grant 
        programs to assist the Administration in performing the 
        functions described in this subsection; and
            (10) such other functions to serve the research, 
        development, education, and outreach mission of the 
        Administration as the Administrator may prescribe.

SEC. 8. SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD.

    (a) In General.--There shall be within the Administration a Science 
Advisory Board, which shall provide such scientific advice as may be 
requested by the Administrator, the Committee on Commerce, Science and 
Transportation of the Senate, or the Committee on Science or on 
Resources of the House of Representatives.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Science Advisory Board is to 
advise the Administrator and Congress on long-range and short-range 
strategies for research, education, and the application of science to 
resource management and environmental assessment and prediction.
    (c) Members.--
            (1) In general.--The Science Advisory Board shall be 
        composed of at least 15 members appointed by the Administrator. 
        Each member of the Board shall be qualified by education, 
        training, and experience to evaluate scientific and technical 
        information on matters referred to the Board under this 
        section.
            (2) Terms of service.--Members shall be appointed for 3-
        year terms, renewable once, and shall serve at the discretion 
        of the Administrator. An individual serving a term as a member 
        of the Science Advisory Board on the date of enactment of this 
        Act may complete that term, and may be reappointed once for 
        another term of 3 years unless the term being served on such 
        date of enactment is the second term served by that individual. 
        Vacancy appointments shall be for the remainder of the 
        unexpired term of the vacancy, and an individual so appointed 
        may subsequently be appointed for 2 full 3-year terms if the 
        remainder of the unexpired term is less than one year.
            (3) Chairperson.--The Administrator shall designate a 
        chairperson from among the members of the Board.
            (4) Appointment.--Members of the Science Advisory Board 
        shall be appointed as special Government employees, within the 
        meaning given such term in section 202(a) of title 18, United 
        States Code.
    (d) Administrative Provisions.--
            (1) Reporting.--The Science Advisory Board shall report to 
        the Administrator and the appropriate requesting party.
            (2) Administrative support.--The Administrator shall 
        provide administrative support to the Science Advisory Board.
            (3) Meetings.--The Science Advisory Board shall meet at 
        least twice each year, and at other times at the call of the 
        Administrator or the Chairperson.
            (4) Compensation and expenses.--A member of the Science 
        Advisory Board shall not be compensated for service on such 
        board, but upon request by the member may be allowed travel 
        expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
        accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
        States Code.
            (5) Subcommittees.--The Science Advisory Board may 
        establish such subcommittees of its members as may be 
        necessary. The Science Advisory Board may establish task forces 
        and working groups consisting of Board members and outside 
        experts as may be necessary.
    (e) Expiration.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Science Advisory Board.

SEC. 9. REPORTS.

    (a) Report on Data Management, Archival, and Distribution.--
            (1) Contents.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and once every 5 years thereafter, the 
        Administrator shall develop a report on the environmental data 
        and information systems of the Administration. The report shall 
        include--
                    (A) an assessment of the adequacy of the 
                environmental data and information systems of the 
                Administration to--
                            (i) provide adequate capacity to manage, 
                        archive and disseminate environmental 
                        information collected and processed, or 
                        expected to be collected and processed, by the 
                        Administration and other appropriate 
                        departments and agencies;
                            (ii) establish, develop, and maintain 
                        information bases, including necessary 
                        management systems, which will provide for 
                        consistent, efficient, and compatible transfer 
                        and use of data;
                            (iii) develop effective interfaces among 
                        the environmental data and information systems 
                        of the Administration and other appropriate 
                        departments and agencies;
                            (iv) develop and use nationally accepted 
                        formats and standards for data collected by 
                        various national and international sources;
                            (v) integrate and interpret data from 
                        different sources to produce information that 
                        can be used by decisionmakers in developing 
                        policies that effectively respond to national 
                        and global environmental concerns; and
                            (vi) reanalyze and reprocess the archived 
                        data as better science is developed to 
                        integrate diverse data sources; and
                    (B) a strategic plan to--
                            (i) set forth modernization and improvement 
                        objectives for an integrated national 
                        environmental data access and archive system 
                        for the 10-year period beginning with the year 
                        in which the plan is transmitted, including 
                        facility requirements and critical new 
                        technology components that would be necessary 
                        to meet the objectives set forth;
                            (ii) propose specific Administration 
                        programs and activities for implementing the 
                        plan;
                            (iii) identify the data and information 
                        management, reanalysis, reprocessing, archival, 
                        and distribution responsibilities of the 
                        Administration with respect to other Federal 
                        departments and agencies and international 
                        organizations; and
                            (iv) provide an implementation schedule and 
                        estimate funding levels necessary to achieve 
                        modernization and improvement objectives.
            (2) National academy of sciences review.--The Administrator 
        shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of 
        Sciences for a review of the plan developed under paragraph 
        (1).
            (3) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 18 months 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
        shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of 
        the House of Representatives the initial report developed under 
        paragraph (1) and the review prepared pursuant to paragraph 
        (2). Subsequent reports developed under paragraph (1) shall 
        also be transmitted to those committees.
    (b) Strategic Plan for Scientific Research.--
            (1) Contents.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, and once every 5 years thereafter, the 
        Administrator shall develop a strategic plan for science and 
        technology research and development at the Administration. The 
        plan shall include--
                    (A) an assessment of the science and technology 
                needs of the Administration based on the 
                Administration's operational requirements and on input 
                provided by external stakeholders at the national, 
                regional, State, and local levels;
                    (B) a strategic plan for coordinating research and 
                development activities across the Administration to 
                meet the needs identified in subparagraph (A); and
                    (C) a description of how the Administration plans 
                to utilize extramural, peer-reviewed competitive grant 
                programs to meet its research needs.
            (2) National academy of sciences review.--The Administrator 
        shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of 
        Sciences for a review of the plan developed under paragraph 
        (1).
            (3) Transmittal to congress.--Not later than 18 months 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
        shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science of 
        the House of Representatives the initial report developed under 
        paragraph (1) and the review prepared pursuant to paragraph 
        (2). Subsequent reports developed under paragraph (1) shall 
        also be transmitted to those committees.

SEC. 10. EFFECT OF REORGANIZATION PLAN.

    Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 shall have no further force and 
effect.

SEC. 11. SAVINGS PROVISION.

     All rules and regulations, determinations, standards, contracts, 
certifications, authorizations, appointments, delegations, results and 
findings of investigations, and other actions duly issued, made, or 
taken by or pursuant to or under the authority of any statute which 
resulted in the assignment of functions or activities to the Secretary, 
the Department of Commerce, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 
and Atmosphere, the Administrator, or any other officer of the 
Administration, that is in effect immediately before the date of 
enactment of this Act, shall continue in full force and effect after 
the effective date of this Act until modified or rescinded. All suits, 
appeals, judgements, and proceedings pending on such effective date 
relating to responsibilities or functions transferred under this Act 
shall continue without regard to such transfers, except for the 
transfer of responsibilities or functions. Any reference in law to a 
responsibility, function, or office transferred under this Act shall be 
deemed to refer to the responsibility, function, or office as so 
transferred.

SEC. 12. TRANSITION.

    (a) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2) the 
        provisions of this Act shall become effective 2 years after the 
        date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to sections 
        9 or 13, or to subsection (b) of this section.
    (b) Reorganization.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall transmit a plan and 
budget proposal to Congress setting forth a proposal for program and 
Administration reorganization for the program areas outlined in this 
Act.

SEC. 13. FACILITY EVALUATION PROCESS.

    (a) Public Notification and Assessment Process.-- The Administrator 
shall not close, consolidate, relocate, subdivide, or establish a 
facility of the Administration unless the Administrator has completed a 
public notification and assessment process that includes--
            (1) publication in the Federal Register of the proposed 
        action and a description of the offices, personnel, and 
        activities of the Administration that would be impacted by the 
        proposed change, and providing for a minimum of 60 days for 
        public comment;
            (2) review of the proposed change by the Science Advisory 
        Board of the Administration, if the proposed change involves a 
        science facility of the Administration, and preparation of a 
        summary of their findings regarding the proposed change;
            (3) preparation by the Administrator of an analysis of the 
        anticipated costs and savings associated with the proposed 
        facility change, including both initial costs and savings 
        associated with the change and changes in operations and 
        maintenance costs and savings over a ten year period; and
            (4) preparation by the Administrator of an analysis of the 
        effects of the facility change on operations and research of 
        the Administration, and the potential impacts on cooperative 
        institutes, other external Administration partnerships, 
        partnerships with other Federal agencies, and any State and 
        local partnerships.
    (b) Notice to Congress.--The Administrator shall provide to 
Congress, at least 90 days before any closure, consolidation, 
relocation, subdivision, or establishment of a facility of the 
Administration, a summary of the public comments received pursuant to 
subsection (a)(1), any summary prepared under subsection (a)(2), and 
the analyses prepared under subsection (a)(3) and (4), .
    (c) Weather Service Modernization.--Nothing in this section shall 
alter procedures established under the Weather Service Modernization 
Act (15 U.S.C. 313 note).
    (d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
``facility'' means a laboratory, operations office, administrative 
service center, or other establishment of the Administration with an 
annual budget of $1,000,000 or greater.
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