(1) the overall geographic distribution of RISA 
Teams and existing gaps in applied research to sup-
port local and regional decisionmakers; 
(2) the team’s ability to contribute to the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s ef-
forts to deliver climate services in the region; and 
(3) the team’s proposal to integrate social and 
physical sciences research to address the effects of 
climate variability and change on the ecological, eco-
nomic, and social systems in the region. 
SEC. 8. SURVEY OF NEED FOR CLIMATE SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall pro-
vide a report to Congress within 6 months after the date 
of enactment of this Act that compiles information on the 
current climate products being delivered by the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its partner 
organizations to users and stakeholders and on the needs 
of users and stakeholders for new climate products and 
services. 
(b) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report shall iden-
tify— 
(1) specific user groups and stakeholders that 
currently are served by the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration and its partner organi-
zations; 
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(2) the type of climate products and services 
currently delivered to specific user groups and stake-
holders and the specific National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration office or partner organiza-
tion that delivers these products and services; 
(3) potential user groups and stakeholders that 
may be served by expanding climate products and 
services; and 
(4) specific needs for new climate products and 
services identified by user groups and stakeholders. 
(c) CONSULTATION.—The Under Secretary shall con-
sult with the Climate Service Advisory Committee in the 
preparation of this report. 
SEC. 9. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall pre-
pare a plan for creating a National Climate Service in the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and de-
livering climate products and services to the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration users and stake-
holders. The plan shall be submitted to the President and 
the Congress within 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
(b) DRAFT PLAN.—Prior to the submission of the 
final plan, the Under Secretary shall publish a draft plan 
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in the Federal Register with a public comment period of 
at least 30 days. 
(c) CONTENTS.—The plan shall— 
(1) identify the current gaps in climate services 
and outline the process and resources the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will use to 
fill these gaps; 
(2) describe the roles of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration line offices and the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
partner organizations in the development and deliv-
ery of climate products and services; 
(3) describe the development and implementa-
tion of quality assurance and control mechanisms for 
climate products and services delivered by the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and 
its partner organizations; 
(4) identify the mechanisms and opportunities 
for determining user needs and engaging in a two- 
way dialogue with users that will inform climate 
product and service development and delivery of au-
thoritative, timely, and useful information on climate 
variability and change and the effects on local, 
State, regional, national, and global scales; 
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(5) identify new responsibilities or tasks to be 
undertaken by existing National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration line offices and partner orga-
nizations; and 
(6) identify new infrastructure, equipment, per-
sonnel, or other resources needed to implement the 
proposed plan. 
(d) CONTINUITY OF SERVICE.—During the develop-
ment of the implementation plan, the public comment pe-
riod, and final plan, the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration shall continue to provide climate 
services to the user community. 
(e) CONSULTATION.—In developing the plan, the 
Under Secretary shall consult with user groups and stake-
holders, other Federal agencies, the Climate Service Advi-
sory Committee, and Congress. 
Æ 
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