I 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4069 
To increase observations, understanding, and forecasting of coastal flooding 
and storm surge events, to address weather observation gaps in highly 
vulnerable areas, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 13, 2023 
Mr. KEAN of New Jersey introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To increase observations, understanding, and forecasting of 
coastal flooding and storm surge events, to address 
weather observation gaps in highly vulnerable areas, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protecting Coasts and 
Cities from Severe Weather Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. COASTAL FLOODING AND STORM SURGE FORECAST 
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in collabo-
ration with the Integrated Ocean Observing System, the 
National Integrated Flood Information System, the 
United States weather industry, and academic partners, 
shall establish a coastal flooding and storm surge forecast 
improvement program (in this section refer to as the ‘‘pro-
gram’’). 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of the program shall be to re-
duce through the development and extension of accurate, 
effective, and actionable forecasts and warnings the loss 
of life and economic losses from coastal flooding and storm 
surge events. 
(c) PRIORITY.—In implementing the program, the 
Under Secretary shall prioritize activities that carry out 
the following: 
(1) Improve understanding and capacity for 
real-time prediction of the ocean’s role in coastal 
flooding and storm surge events. 
(2) Improve the capacity to mitigate or prevent 
the impacts of coastal flooding and storm surge 
events. 
(3) Utilize distributed sensors to easily incor-
porate data into models. 
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(d) INNOVATIVE OBSERVATIONS.—The Under Sec-
retary shall ensure the program periodically examines, 
tests, and evaluates the value of incorporating innovative 
observations, such as acoustic or infrasonic measurements, 
observations from crewed or uncrewed vehicles, and obser-
vations from coastal, ocean, and inland water observation 
networks, or other emerging technologies, with respect to 
the improvement of coastal flooding and storm surge fore-
casts, predictions, and warnings. 
(e) PROGRAM PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Ad-
ministrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, in co-
ordination with the Director of the National Weather 
Service, shall develop a plan that details the specific re-
search, 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, acting through the Assistant Admin-
istrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and in co-
ordination with the Director of the National Weather 
Service, shall, not less frequently than annually, submit 
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