Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2014

Bill: 113-hr-5309
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Introduced: 2014-07-31 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Alaska
Atlantic Ocean
Atmospheric science and weather
California
Caribbean Sea
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Emergency planning and evacuation
Floods and storm protection
Gulf of Mexico
Hawaii
Idaho
International organizations and cooperation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Natural disasters
Oregon
Pacific Ocean
Research administration and funding
Technology transfer and commercialization
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: 
Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2014 - Reauthorizes the Tsunami Warning and Education Act through FY2017.
 
Expands the tsunami forecasting and warning program operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the National Weather Service (NWS).
 
Consolidates separate tsunami warning systems into a single warning system capable of: (1) forecasting tsunami anywhere in the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions and providing adequate warnings; and (2) forecasting and providing adequate warnings in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Requires the system to support international tsunami forecasting and warning efforts.
 
Requires: (1) NOAA to support or maintain tsunami warning centers as part of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and develop uniform operational procedures for the centers, (2) warning centers to maintain a fail-safe warning capability and an ability to perform back-up duties for each other, and (3) the NWS to coordinate with the centers.
 
Modifies the tsunami hazard mitigation program to provide for: (1) technical and financial assistance; (2) the integration of tsunami preparedness and mitigation programs into ongoing state-based hazard warning, resilience planning, and risk management activities; (3) activities to support the development of regional risk assessments; and (4) dissemination of guidelines and standards for community planning, education, and training products, programs, and tools.
 
Expands the tsunami research program, including by adding a standards development component, requiring development of the technical basis for validation of tsunami maps and models, and authorizing NOAA to develop a pilot project for near-field tsunami forecast development for the west coast's Cascadia region.
 
Revises requirements for support of the International Tsunami Warning System and operation of the International Tsunami Information Center.
 
Directs NOAA to: (1) designate its Ocean Exploration Advisory Working Group to serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice on matters regarding tsunami science, technology, and regional preparedness; (2) develop formal outreach activities to improve tsunami education and awareness and foster resilient communities; and (3) convene a coordinating committee to assist in the national tsunami hazard mitigation program.

action_date: 2014-09-08
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
 Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2014 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Tsunami Warning and Education Act to expand the tsunami forecasting and warning program operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the National Weather Service (NWS).
 
Consolidates separate tsunami warning systems into a single warning system capable of: (1) forecasting tsunami anywhere in the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions and providing adequate warnings; and (2) forecasting and providing adequate warnings in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Requires the system to support international tsunami forecasting and warning efforts.
 
Requires: (1) NOAA to support or maintain tsunami warning centers as part of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and develop uniform operational procedures for the centers, (2) warning centers to maintain a fail-safe warning capability and an ability to perform back-up duties for each other, and (3) the NWS to coordinate with the centers.
 
(Sec. 5) Modifies the tsunami hazard mitigation program to provide for: (1) technical and financial assistance; (2) the integration of tsunami preparedness and mitigation programs into ongoing state-based hazard warning, resilience planning, and risk management activities; (3) activities to support the development of regional risk assessments; and (4) dissemination of guidelines and standards for community planning, education, and training products, programs, and tools.
 
(Sec. 6) Expands the tsunami research program, including by adding a standards development component, requiring development of the technical basis for validation of tsunami maps and models, and authorizing NOAA to develop a pilot project for near-field tsunami forecast development for the west coast's Cascadia region.
 
(Sec. 7) Revises requirements for support of the International Tsunami Warning System and operation of the International Tsunami Information Center.
 
(Sec. 8) Directs NOAA to designate its Ocean Exploration Advisory Working Group to serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice on matters regarding tsunami science, technology, and regional preparedness.
 
(Sec. 9) Requires a report to Congress on implementation of the Act, including concerning the standardization of warnings for other coastal flooding events.
 
(Sec. 10) Reauthorizes the Act through FY2017.
 
(Sec. 11) Directs NOAA to develop formal outreach activities to improve tsunami education and awareness and foster resilient communities and convene a coordinating committee to assist in the national tsunami hazard mitigation program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-09-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2014-09-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2014-09-08
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7263-7265)
action_date: 2014-09-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7263-7265)
action_date: 2014-09-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5309.
action_date: 2014-09-08
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7263-7267)
action_date: 2014-09-08
text: Mr. Smith (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Introduced in House