Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill: 119-s-2126
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2025-06-18
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Latest action: action_date: 2025-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2126 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 18, 2025 Mr. Wicker (for himself and Ms. Cantwell ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025 . 2. Purposes Section 12302 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3601 ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)— (A) by striking Council and inserting Committee ; (B) by striking and ocean observation and inserting , ocean, and meteorological observations ; and (C) by striking and coastal information and inserting , coastal, and meteorological information ; and (2) in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting data management systems and cyber infrastructure, after data gaps, . 3. Definitions Section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3602 ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking Council and inserting Committee ; and (B) by striking term and all that follows through established and inserting term Committee means the Ocean Policy Committee established ; (2) in paragraph (3), by striking Council and inserting Committee ; (3) in paragraph (6), by inserting conduct operational oceanography measurements and after systems in order to ; (4) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively; (5) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: (8) State The term State has the meaning given that term in section 3501 of title 40, United States Code. ; and (6) in paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (4), by striking Council and inserting Committee . 4. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing System Section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3603 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(1)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking national and inserting regional, national, ; (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting and ocean after weather ; and (C) in subparagraph (E)— (i) in clause (iv), by inserting and ocean after weather each place it appears; and (ii) in clause (v), by inserting and ocean after weather ; (2) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking Council and inserting Committee ; and (ii) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Council each place it appears and inserting Committee ; (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking The Council and inserting The Committee ; and (ii) in subparagraph (B)— (I) by redesignating clauses (vi) through (x) as clauses (vii) through (xi), respectively; and (II) by inserting after clause (v) the following: (vi) develop requirements and processes for regional associations and federally funded projects of the agencies participating in the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to collaborate with the regional coastal observing systems for data sharing at regional levels; ; and (C) in paragraph (3)(C)— (i) in clause (iii)(I), by inserting as operational entities after associations ; (ii) in clause (x), by inserting , cyber infrastructure, after data management ; and (iii) in clause (xiii)— (I) by inserting and ocean after weather ; and (II) by striking and harmful algal bloom forecasting and inserting harmful algal bloom forecasting, and resource and coastal management ; (3) in subsection (d)(1), by adding a period at the end; and (4) by striking the Council each place it appears and inserting the Committee . 5. Report to Congress Section 12307 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3606 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)— (A) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively; and (B) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: (8) a post-storm evaluation for all major storms in the United States that occurred during the year preceding submission of the report, to assess the impact of observations of the System and other products of the System with respect to storm forecast accuracy; ; and (2) by striking the Council each place it appears and inserting the Committee . 6. Authorization of appropriations Section 12311 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3610 ) is amended— (1) by striking There are and inserting the following: (a) In general There are ; (2) by striking this subtitle and all that follows and inserting $56,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (b) Allocation of funds (1) In general Except as provided by paragraph (2), the Secretary shall allocate not less than 7.5 percent of amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) to each regional coastal observing system that was in existence on January 1, 2025. (2) Exclusion of disaster relief appropriations Paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to any amounts appropriated by an Act making supplemental appropriations for disaster relief. . 7. Conforming amendments (a) Interagency financing and agreements Section 12305(b) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3604(b) ) is amended by striking the Council and inserting the Committee . (b) Public-Private use policy Section 12308 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3607 ) is amended by striking the Council each place it appears and inserting the Committee . (c) Intent of Congress Section 12310 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 ( 33 U.S.C. 3609 ) is amended by striking the Council each place it appears and inserting the Committee .