An act to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather research through a focused program of investment on affordable and attainable advances in observational, computing, and modeling capabilities to support substantial improvement in weather forecasting and prediction of high impact weather events, to expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other purposes
PL 115-25 (H.R.353), enacted 04/18/2017

131 STAT. 91 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
Public Law 115–25 
115th Congress 
An Act 
To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s weather research 
through a focused program of investment on affordable and attainable advances 
in observational, computing, and modeling capabilities to support substantial 
improvement in weather forecasting and prediction of high impact weather events, 
to expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Weather 
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING 
IMPROVEMENT 
Sec. 101. Public safety priority. 
Sec. 102. Weather research and forecasting innovation. 
Sec. 103. Tornado warning improvement and extension program. 
Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program. 
Sec. 105. Weather research and development planning. 
Sec. 106. Observing system planning. 
Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments. 
Sec. 108. Annual report on computing resources prioritization. 
Sec. 109. United States Weather Research program. 
Sec. 110. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE II—SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTING INNOVATION 
Sec. 201. Improving subseasonal and seasonal forecasts. 
TITLE III—WEATHER SATELLITE AND DATA INNOVATION 
Sec. 301. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite and data 
management. 
Sec. 302. Commercial weather data. 
Sec. 303. Unnecessary duplication. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL WEATHER COORDINATION 
Sec. 401. Environmental Information Services Working Group. 
Sec. 402. Interagency weather research and forecast innovation coordination. 
Sec. 403. Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and National Weather Serv-
ice exchange program. 
Sec. 404. Visiting fellows at National Weather Service. 
Sec. 405. Warning coordination meteorologists at weather forecast offices of Na-
tional Weather Service. 
Sec. 406. Improving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration communica-
tion of hazardous weather and water events. 
Sec. 407. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Ready All 
Hazards Award Program. 
15 USC 8501 
note. 
Weather 
Research and 
Forecasting 
Innovation Act 
of 2017. 
Apr. 18, 2017 
[H.R. 353] 
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131 STAT. 92 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
Sec. 408. Department of Defense weather forecasting activities. 
Sec. 409. National Weather Service; operations and workforce analysis. 
Sec. 410. Report on contract positions at National Weather Service. 
Sec. 411. Weather impacts to communities and infrastructure. 
Sec. 412. Weather enterprise outreach. 
Sec. 413. Hurricane hunter aircraft. 
Sec. 414. Study on gaps in NEXRAD coverage and recommendations to address 
such gaps. 
TITLE V—TSUNAMI WARNING, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2017 
Sec. 501. Short title. 
Sec. 502. References to the Tsunami Warning and Education Act. 
Sec. 503. Expansion of purposes of Tsunami Warning and Education Act. 
Sec. 504. Modification of tsunami forecasting and warning program. 
Sec. 505. Modification of national tsunami hazard mitigation program. 
Sec. 506. Modification of tsunami research program. 
Sec. 507. Global tsunami warning and mitigation network. 
Sec. 508. Tsunami science and technology advisory panel. 
Sec. 509. Reports. 
Sec. 510. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 511. Outreach responsibilities. 
Sec. 512. Repeal of duplicate provisions of law. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) SEASONAL.—The term ‘‘seasonal’’ means the time range 
between 3 months and 2 years. 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means a State, a territory, 
or possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, 
or the District of Columbia. 
(3) SUBSEASONAL.—The term ‘‘subseasonal’’ means the time 
range between 2 weeks and 3 months. 
(4) UNDER SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Under Secretary’’ means 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. 
(5) WEATHER INDUSTRY AND WEATHER ENTERPRISE.—The 
terms ‘‘weather industry’’ and ‘‘weather enterprise’’ are inter-
changeable in this Act, and include individuals and organiza-
tions from public, private, and academic sectors that contribute 
to the research, development, and production of weather fore-
cast products, and primary consumers of these weather forecast 
products. 
TITLE I—UNITED STATES WEATHER RE-
SEARCH 
AND 
FORECASTING 
IM-
PROVEMENT 
SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY. 
In conducting research, the Under Secretary shall prioritize 
improving weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting, and 
warnings for the protection of life and property and for the enhance-
ment of the national economy. 
SEC. 102. WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Assistant Administrator for the Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall conduct a program to 
develop improved understanding of and forecast capabilities for 
atmospheric events and their impacts, placing priority on developing 
more accurate, timely, and effective warnings and forecasts of high 
impact weather events that endanger life and property. 
(b) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The program described in subsection 
(a) shall focus on the following activities: 
15 USC 85012. 
15 USC 85011. 
15 USC 8501. 
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131 STAT. 93 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(1) Improving the fundamental understanding of weather 
consistent with section 101, including the boundary layer and 
other processes affecting high impact weather events. 
(2) Improving the understanding of how the public receives, 
interprets, and responds to warnings and forecasts of high 
impact weather events that endanger life and property. 
(3) Research and development, and transfer of knowledge, 
technologies, and applications to the National Weather Service 
and other appropriate agencies and entities, including the 
United States weather industry and academic partners, related 
to— 
(A) advanced radar, radar networking technologies, and 
other ground-based technologies, including those empha-
sizing rapid, fine-scale sensing of the boundary layer and 
lower troposphere, and the use of innovative, dual-polariza-
tion, phased-array technologies; 
(B) aerial weather observing systems; 
(C) high performance computing and information tech-
nology and wireless communication networks; 
(D) advanced numerical weather prediction systems 
and forecasting tools and techniques that improve the fore-
casting of timing, track, intensity, and severity of high 
impact weather, including through— 
(i) the development of more effective mesoscale 
models; 
(ii) more effective use of existing, and the develop-
ment of new, regional and national cloud-resolving 
models; 
(iii) enhanced global weather models; and 
(iv) integrated assessment models; 
(E) quantitative assessment tools for measuring the 
impact and value of data and observing systems, including 
Observing System Simulation Experiments (as described 
in section 107), Observing System Experiments, and Anal-
yses of Alternatives; 
(F) atmospheric chemistry and interactions essential 
to accurately characterizing atmospheric composition and 
predicting meteorological processes, including cloud micro-
physical, precipitation, and atmospheric electrification proc-
esses, to more effectively understand their role in severe 
weather; and 
(G) additional sources of weather data and information, 
including commercial observing systems. 
(4) A technology transfer initiative, carried out jointly and 
in coordination with the Director of the National Weather 
Service, and in cooperation with the United States weather 
industry and academic partners, to ensure continuous develop-
ment and transition of the latest scientific and technological 
advances into operations of the National Weather Service and 
to establish a process to sunset outdated and expensive oper-
ational methods and tools to enable cost-effective transfer of 
new methods and tools into operations. 
(c) EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the program under this 
section, 
the 
Assistant 
Administrator 
for 
Oceanic 
and 
Atmospheric Research shall collaborate with and support the 
non-Federal weather research community, which includes 
Collaboration. 
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131 STAT. 94 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
institutions of higher education, private entities, and non-
governmental organizations, by making funds available through 
competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. 
(2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that 
not less than 30 percent of the funds for weather research 
and development at the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research should be made available for the purpose described 
in paragraph (1). 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—Each year, concurrent with the annual 
budget request submitted by the President to Congress under sec-
tion 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, the Under Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a description of current and planned activities under 
this section. 
SEC. 103. TORNADO WARNING IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in collaboration with 
the United States weather industry and academic partners, shall 
establish a tornado warning improvement and extension program. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of such program shall be to reduce the 
loss of life and economic losses from tornadoes through the develop-
ment and extension of accurate, effective, and timely tornado fore-
casts, predictions, and warnings, including the prediction of torna-
does beyond 1 hour in advance. 
(c) PROGRAM PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Research, in coordination with the Director 
of the National Weather Service, shall develop a program plan 
that details the specific research, development, and technology 
transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, 
necessary to achieve the program goal. 
(d) ANNUAL BUDGET FOR PLAN SUBMITTAL.—Following comple-
tion of the plan, the Under Secretary, acting through the Assistant 
Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and in 
coordination with the Director of the National Weather Service, 
shall, not less frequently than once each year, submit to Congress 
a proposed budget corresponding with the activities identified in 
the plan. 
SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in collaboration with 
the United States weather industry and such academic entities 
as the Administrator considers appropriate, shall maintain a project 
to improve hurricane forecasting. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of the project maintained under subsection 
(a) shall be to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts 
and warnings in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and damage 
to the economy, with a focus on— 
(1) improving the prediction of rapid intensification and 
track of hurricanes; 
(2) improving the forecast and communication of storm 
surges from hurricanes; and 
(3) incorporating risk communication research to create 
more effective watch and warning products. 
(c) PROJECT PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, acting through 
the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 
Deadline. 
Consultation. 
Collaboration. 
15 USC 8514. 
Coordination. 
Deadline. 
Coordination. 
Collaboration. 
15 USC 8513. 
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131 STAT. 95 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
and in consultation with the Director of the National Weather 
Service, shall develop a plan for the project maintained under 
subsection (a) that details the specific research, development, and 
technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources 
and timelines, necessary to achieve the goal set forth in subsection 
(b). 
SEC. 105. WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the 
Under Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator for 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and in coordination with the 
Director of the National Weather Service and the Assistant 
Administrator for Satellite and Information Services, shall issue 
a research and development and research to operations plan to 
restore and maintain United States leadership in numerical weather 
prediction and forecasting that— 
(1) describes the forecasting skill and technology goals, 
objectives, 
and 
progress 
of 
the 
National 
Oceanic 
and 
Atmospheric Administration in carrying out the program con-
ducted under section 102; 
(2) identifies and prioritizes specific research and develop-
ment activities, and performance metrics, weighted to meet 
the operational weather mission of the National Weather 
Service to achieve a weather-ready Nation; 
(3) describes how the program will collaborate with stake-
holders, including the United States weather industry and aca-
demic partners; and 
(4) identifies, through consultation with the National 
Science Foundation, the United States weather industry, and 
academic partners, research necessary to enhance the integra-
tion of social science knowledge into weather forecast and 
warning processes, including to improve the communication 
of threat information necessary to enable improved severe 
weather planning and decisionmaking on the part of individuals 
and communities. 
SEC. 106. OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING. 
The Under Secretary shall— 
(1) develop and maintain a prioritized list of observation 
data requirements necessary to ensure weather forecasting 
capabilities to protect life and property to the maximum extent 
practicable; 
(2) consistent with section 107, utilize Observing System 
Simulation Experiments, Observing System Experiments, Anal-
yses of Alternatives, and other appropriate assessment tools 
to ensure continuous systemic evaluations of the observing 
systems, data, and information needed to meet the require-
ments of paragraph (1), including options to maximize observa-
tional capabilities and their cost-effectiveness; 
(3) identify current and potential future data gaps in 
observing capabilities related to the requirements listed under 
paragraph (1); and 
(4) determine a range of options to address gaps identified 
under paragraph (3). 
Lists. 
15 USC 8516. 
Consultation. 
Deadlines. 
Coordination. 
15 USC 8515. 
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131 STAT. 96 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
SEC. 107. OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In support of the requirements of section 
106, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research shall undertake Observing System Simulation Experi-
ments, or such other quantitative assessments as the Assistant 
Administrator considers appropriate, to quantitatively assess the 
relative value and benefits of observing capabilities and systems. 
Technical and scientific Observing System Simulation Experiment 
evaluations— 
(1) may include assessments of the impact of observing 
capabilities on— 
(A) global weather prediction; 
(B) hurricane track and intensity forecasting; 
(C) tornado warning lead times and accuracy; 
(D) prediction of mid-latitude severe local storm out-
breaks; and 
(E) prediction of storms that have the potential to 
cause extreme precipitation and flooding lasting from 6 
hours to 1 week; and 
(2) shall be conducted in cooperation with other appropriate 
entities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration, other Federal agencies, the United States weather 
industry, and academic partners to ensure the technical and 
scientific merit of results from Observing System Simulation 
Experiments or other appropriate quantitative assessment 
methodologies. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—Observing System Simulation Experi-
ments shall quantitatively— 
(1) determine the potential impact of proposed space-based, 
suborbital, and in situ observing systems on analyses and fore-
casts, including potential impacts on extreme weather events 
across all parts of the Nation; 
(2) evaluate and compare observing system design options; 
and 
(3) assess the relative capabilities and costs of various 
observing systems and combinations of observing systems in 
providing data necessary to protect life and property. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—Observing System Simulation Experi-
ments— 
(1) shall be conducted prior to the acquisition of major 
Government-owned 
or 
Government-leased 
operational 
observing systems, including polar-orbiting and geostationary 
satellite systems, with a lifecycle cost of more than 
$500,000,000; and 
(2) shall be conducted prior to the purchase of any major 
new commercially provided data with a lifecycle cost of more 
than $500,000,000. 
(d) PRIORITY OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS.— 
(1) GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM RADIO OCCULTA-
TION.—Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research shall complete an Observing System 
Simulation Experiment to assess the value of data from Global 
Navigation Satellite System Radio Occultation. 
(2) GEOSTATIONARY HYPERSPECTRAL SOUNDER GLOBAL CON-
STELLATION.—Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic 
Deadlines. 
Assessments. 
Evaluation. 
15 USC 8517. 
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131 STAT. 97 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
and Atmospheric Research shall complete an Observing System 
Simulation Experiment to assess the value of data from a 
geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation. 
(e) RESULTS.—Upon completion of all Observing System Simula-
tion Experiments, the Assistant Administrator shall make available 
to the public the results an assessment of related private and 
public sector weather data sourcing options, including their avail-
ability, affordability, and cost-effectiveness. Such assessments shall 
be developed in accordance with section 50503 of title 51, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 
108. 
ANNUAL 
REPORT 
ON 
COMPUTING 
RESOURCES 
PRIORITIZATION. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
Act and not less frequently than once each year thereafter, the 
Under Secretary, acting through the Chief Information Officer of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in 
coordination with the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National Weather 
Service, shall produce and make publicly available a report that 
explains how the Under Secretary intends— 
(1) to continually support upgrades to pursue the fastest, 
most powerful, and cost-effective high performance computing 
technologies in support of its weather prediction mission; 
(2) to ensure a balance between the research to operations 
requirements to develop the next generation of regional and 
global models as well as highly reliable operational models; 
(3) to take advantage of advanced development concepts 
to, as appropriate, make next generation weather prediction 
models available in beta-test mode to operational forecasters, 
the United States weather industry, and partners in academic 
and Government research; and 
(4) to use existing computing resources to improve advanced 
research and operational weather prediction. 
SEC. 109. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
Section 108 of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–567; 15 U.S.C. 313 
note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting 
a semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the 
end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: 
‘‘(5) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, not 
less frequently than once each year, a report, including— 
‘‘(A) a list of ongoing research projects; 
‘‘(B) project goals and a point of contact for each project; 
‘‘(C) the five projects related to weather observations, 
short-term weather, or subseasonal forecasts within Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research that are closest to 
operationalization; 
‘‘(D) for each project referred to in subparagraph (C)— 
‘‘(i) the potential benefit; 
‘‘(ii) any barrier to operationalization; and 
Lists. 
Reports. 
Coordination. 
Public 
information. 
15 USC 8518. 
Public 
information. 
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131 STAT. 98 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(iii) the plan for operationalization, including 
which line office will financially support the project 
and how much the line office intends to spend; 
‘‘(6) establish teams with staff from the Office of Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather Service 
to oversee the operationalization of research products developed 
by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; 
‘‘(7) develop mechanisms for research priorities of the Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to be informed by the 
relevant line offices within the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, the relevant user community, and 
the weather enterprise; 
‘‘(8) develop an internal mechanism to track the progress 
of each research project within the Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research and mechanisms to terminate a project 
that is not adequately progressing; 
‘‘(9) develop and implement a system to track whether 
extramural research grant goals were accomplished; 
‘‘(10) provide facilities for products developed by the Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to be tested in operational 
simulations, such as test beds; and 
‘‘(11) encourage academic collaboration with the Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather 
Service by facilitating visiting scholars.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the’’ and inserting ‘‘The’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) SUBSEASONAL DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘subsea-
sonal’ means the time range between 2 weeks and 3 months.’’. 
SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) FISCAL YEARS 2017 AND 2018.—For each of fiscal years 
2017 and 2018, there are authorized to be appropriated to Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research— 
(1) $111,516,000 to carry out this title, of which— 
(A) $85,758,000 is authorized for weather laboratories 
and cooperative institutes; and 
(B) $25,758,000 is authorized for weather and air chem-
istry research programs; and 
(2) an additional amount of $20,000,000 for the joint tech-
nology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4). 
(b) LIMITATION.—No additional funds are authorized to carry 
out this title and the amendments made by this title. 
TITLE II—SUBSEASONAL AND 
SEASONAL FORECASTING INNOVATION 
SEC. 201. IMPROVING SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTS. 
Section 1762 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 
99–198; 15 U.S.C. 313 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘(a)’’ and inserting ‘‘(a) 
FINDINGS.—’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘(b)’’ and inserting ‘‘(b) 
POLICY.—’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
15 USC 8519. 
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131 STAT. 99 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS.—The Under Secretary, acting through the 
Director of the National Weather Service and the heads of such 
other programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration as the Under Secretary considers appropriate, shall— 
‘‘(1) collect and utilize information in order to make usable, 
reliable, and timely foundational forecasts of subseasonal and 
seasonal temperature and precipitation; 
‘‘(2) leverage existing research and models from the weather 
enterprise to improve the forecasts under paragraph (1); 
‘‘(3) determine and provide information on how the fore-
casted conditions under paragraph (1) may impact— 
‘‘(A) the number and severity of droughts, fires, torna-
does, hurricanes, floods, heat waves, coastal inundation, 
winter storms, high impact weather, or other relevant nat-
ural disasters; 
‘‘(B) snowpack; and 
‘‘(C) sea ice conditions; and 
‘‘(4) develop an Internet clearinghouse to provide the fore-
casts under paragraph (1) and the information under para-
graphs (1) and (3) on both national and regional levels. 
‘‘(d) COMMUNICATION.—The Director of the National Weather 
Service shall provide the forecasts under paragraph (1) of subsection 
(c) and the information on their impacts under paragraph (3) of 
such subsection to the public, including public and private entities 
engaged in planning and preparedness, such as National Weather 
Service Core partners at the Federal, regional, State, tribal, and 
local levels of government. 
‘‘(e) COOPERATION.—The Under Secretary shall build upon 
existing forecasting and assessment programs and partnerships, 
including— 
‘‘(1) by designating research and monitoring activities 
related to subseasonal and seasonal forecasts as a priority 
in one or more solicitations of the Cooperative Institutes of 
the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; 
‘‘(2) by contributing to the interagency Earth System Pre-
diction Capability; and 
‘‘(3) by consulting with the Secretary of Defense and the 
Secretary of Homeland Security to determine the highest pri-
ority subseasonal and seasonal forecast needs to enhance 
national security. 
‘‘(f) FORECAST COMMUNICATION COORDINATORS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall foster effec-
tive communication, understanding, and use of the forecasts 
by the intended users of the information described in subsection 
(d). This may include assistance to States for forecast commu-
nication coordinators to enable local interpretation and plan-
ning based on the information. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—For each State that requests assist-
ance under this subsection, the Under Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) provide funds to support an individual in that 
State— 
‘‘(i) to serve as a liaison among the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, other Federal 
departments and agencies, the weather enterprise, the 
State, and relevant interests within that State; and 
‘‘(ii) to receive the forecasts and information under 
subsection (c) and disseminate the forecasts and 
Consultation. 
Public 
information. 
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131 STAT. 100 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
information throughout the State, including to county 
and tribal governments; and 
‘‘(B) require matching funds of at least 50 percent, 
from the State, a university, a nongovernmental organiza-
tion, a trade association, or the private sector. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—Assistance to an individual State under 
this subsection shall not exceed $100,000 in a fiscal year. 
‘‘(g) COOPERATION FROM OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Each Fed-
eral department and agency shall cooperate as appropriate with 
the Under Secretary in carrying out this section. 
‘‘(h) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of the Weather Research and Forecasting 
Innovation Act of 2017, the Under Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives a report, including— 
‘‘(A) an analysis of the how information from the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on sub-
seasonal and seasonal forecasts, as provided under sub-
section (c), is utilized in public planning and preparedness; 
‘‘(B) specific plans and goals for the continued develop-
ment of the subseasonal and seasonal forecasts and related 
products described in subsection (c); and 
‘‘(C) 
an 
identification 
of 
research, 
monitoring, 
observing, and forecasting requirements to meet the goals 
described in subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—In developing the report under para-
graph (1), the Under Secretary shall consult with relevant 
Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local government agencies, 
research institutions, and the private sector. 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) FOUNDATIONAL
FORECAST.—The term ‘foundational 
forecast’ means basic weather observation and forecast data, 
largely in raw form, before further processing is applied. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL
WEATHER
SERVICE
CORE
PARTNERS.—The 
term ‘National Weather Service core partners’ means govern-
ment and nongovernment entities which are directly involved 
in the preparation or dissemination of, or discussions involving, 
hazardous weather or other emergency information put out 
by the National Weather Service. 
‘‘(3) SEASONAL.—The term ‘seasonal’ means the time range 
between 3 months and 2 years. 
‘‘(4) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means a State, a territory, 
or possession of the United States, including a Commonwealth, 
or the District of Columbia. 
‘‘(5) SUBSEASONAL.—The term ‘subseasonal’ means the time 
range between 2 weeks and 3 months. 
‘‘(6) UNDER SECRETARY.—The term ‘Under Secretary’ means 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. 
‘‘(7) WEATHER INDUSTRY AND WEATHER ENTERPRISE.—The 
terms ‘weather industry’ and ‘weather enterprise’ are inter-
changeable in this section and include individuals and organiza-
tions from public, private, and academic sectors that contribute 
to the research, development, and production of weather fore-
cast products, and primary consumers of these weather forecast 
products. 
Analysis. 
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131 STAT. 101 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(j) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For each of fiscal 
years 2017 and 2018, there are authorized out of funds appropriated 
to the National Weather Service, $26,500,000 to carry out the 
activities of this section.’’. 
TITLE III—WEATHER SATELLITE AND 
DATA INNOVATION 
SEC. 301. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 
SATELLITE AND DATA MANAGEMENT. 
(a) SHORT-TERM MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVA-
TIONS.— 
(1) MICROSATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall complete 
and operationalize the Constellation Observing System for 
Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate–1 and Climate–2 
(COSMIC) in effect on the day before the date of the 
enactment of this Act— 
(i) by deploying constellations of microsatellites 
in both the equatorial and polar orbits; 
(ii) by integrating the resulting data and research 
into all national operational and research weather fore-
cast models; and 
(iii) by ensuring that the resulting data of National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s COSMIC– 
1 and COSMIC–2 programs are free and open to all 
communities. 
(B) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not less frequently than once 
each year until the Under Secretary has completed and 
operationalized the program described in subparagraph (A) 
pursuant to such subparagraph, the Under Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report on the status of the efforts 
of the Under Secretary to carry out such subparagraph. 
(2) INTEGRATION OF OCEAN AND COASTAL DATA FROM THE 
INTEGRATED OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM.—In National Weather 
Service Regions where the Director of the National Weather 
Service determines that ocean and coastal data would improve 
forecasts, the Director, in consultation with the Assistant 
Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the 
Assistant Administrator of the National Ocean Service, shall— 
(A) integrate additional coastal and ocean observations, 
and other data and research, from the Integrated Ocean 
Observing System (IOOS) into regional weather forecasts 
to improve weather forecasts and forecasting decision sup-
port systems; and 
(B) support the development of real-time data sharing 
products and forecast products in collaboration with the 
regional associations of such system, including contribu-
tions from the private sector, academia, and research 
institutions to ensure timely and accurate use of ocean 
and coastal data in regional forecasts. 
(3) EXISTING MONITORING AND OBSERVATION-CAPABILITY.— 
The Under Secretary shall identify degradation of existing mon-
itoring and observation capabilities that could lead to a reduc-
tion in forecast quality. 
Consultation. 
15 USC 8531 
note. 
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131 STAT. 102 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(4) SPECIFICATIONS FOR NEW SATELLITE SYSTEMS OR DATA 
DETERMINED BY OPERATIONAL NEEDS.—In developing specifica-
tions for any satellite systems or data to follow the Joint 
Polar Satellite System, Geostationary Operational Environ-
mental Satellites, and any other satellites, in effect on the 
day before the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Sec-
retary shall ensure the specifications are determined to the 
extent practicable by the recommendations of the reports under 
subsection (b) of this section. 
(b) INDEPENDENT STUDY ON FUTURE OF NATIONAL OCEANIC 
AND
ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION
SATELLITE
SYSTEMS
AND 
DATA.— 
(1) AGREEMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall seek to 
enter into an agreement with the National Academy of 
Sciences to perform the services covered by this subsection. 
(B) TIMING.—The Under Secretary shall seek to enter 
into the agreement described in subparagraph (A) before 
September 30, 2018. 
(2) STUDY.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Under an agreement between the 
Under Secretary and the National Academy of Sciences 
under this subsection, the National Academy of Sciences 
shall conduct a study on matters concerning future satellite 
data needs. 
(B) 
ELEMENTS.—In 
conducting 
the 
study 
under 
subparagraph (A), the National Academy of Sciences 
shall— 
(i) develop recommendations on how to make the 
data portfolio of the Administration more robust and 
cost-effective; 
(ii) assess the costs and benefits of moving toward 
a constellation of many small satellites, standardizing 
satellite bus design, relying more on the purchasing 
of data, or acquiring data from other sources or 
methods; 
(iii) identify the environmental observations that 
are essential to the performance of weather models, 
based on an assessment of Federal, academic, and 
private sector weather research, and the cost of 
obtaining the environmental data; 
(iv) identify environmental observations that 
improve the quality of operational and research 
weather models in effect on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act; 
(v) identify and prioritize new environmental 
observations that could contribute to existing and 
future weather models; and 
(vi) develop recommendations on a portfolio of 
environmental observations that balances essential, 
quality-improving, and new data, private and nonpri-
vate sources, and space-based and Earth-based sources. 
(C) DEADLINE AND REPORT.—In carrying out the study 
under subparagraph (A), the National Academy of Sciences 
shall complete and transmit to the Under Secretary a 
report containing the findings of the National Academy 
of Sciences with respect to the study not later than 2 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Assessment. 
Recommenda- 
tion. 
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131 STAT. 103 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
years after the date on which the Administrator enters 
into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences 
under paragraph (1)(A). 
(3) ALTERNATE ORGANIZATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—If the Under Secretary is unable 
within the period prescribed in subparagraph (B) of para-
graph (1) to enter into an agreement described in subpara-
graph (A) of such paragraph with the National Academy 
of Sciences on terms acceptable to the Under Secretary, 
the Under Secretary shall seek to enter into such an agree-
ment with another appropriate organization that— 
(i) is not part of the Federal Government; 
(ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and 
(iii) has expertise and objectivity comparable to 
that of the National Academy of Sciences. 
(B) TREATMENT.—If the Under Secretary enters into 
an agreement with another organization as described in 
subparagraph (A), any reference in this subsection to the 
National Academy of Sciences shall be treated as a ref-
erence to the other organization. 
(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are author-
ized to be appropriated, out of funds appropriated to National 
Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, to 
carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for the period encom-
passing fiscal years 2018 through 2019. 
SEC. 302. COMMERCIAL WEATHER DATA. 
(a) DATA AND HOSTED SATELLITE PAYLOADS.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary of Commerce may enter 
into agreements for— 
(1) the purchase of weather data through contracts with 
commercial providers; and 
(2) the placement of weather satellite instruments on 
cohosted government or private payloads. 
(b) STRATEGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce, in 
consultation with the Under Secretary, shall submit to the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives a strategy to enable the 
procurement of quality commercial weather data. The strategy 
shall assess the range of commercial opportunities, including 
public-private partnerships, for obtaining surface-based, avia-
tion-based, and space-based weather observations. The strategy 
shall include the expected cost-effectiveness of these opportuni-
ties as well as provide a plan for procuring data, including 
an expected implementation timeline, from these nongovern-
mental sources, as appropriate. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The strategy shall include— 
(A) an analysis of financial or other benefits to, and 
risks associated with, acquiring commercial weather data 
or services, including through multiyear acquisition 
approaches; 
(B) an identification of methods to address planning, 
programming, budgeting, and execution challenges to such 
approaches, including— 
Analysis. 
Plan. 
Deadline. 
Consultation. 
Contracts. 
15 USC 8532. 
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131 STAT. 104 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(i) how standards will be set to ensure that data 
is reliable and effective; 
(ii) how data may be acquired through commercial 
experimental or innovative techniques and then evalu-
ated for integration into operational use; 
(iii) how to guarantee public access to all forecast- 
critical data to ensure that the United States weather 
industry and the public continue to have access to 
information critical to their work; and 
(iv) in accordance with section 50503 of title 51, 
United States Code, methods to address potential 
termination liability or cancellation costs associated 
with weather data or service contracts; and 
(C) an identification of any changes needed in the 
requirements development and approval processes of the 
Department of Commerce to facilitate effective and efficient 
implementation of such strategy. 
(3) AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENTS.—The Assistant Adminis-
trator for National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Informa-
tion Service may enter into multiyear agreements necessary 
to carry out the strategy developed under this subsection. 
(c) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) CRITERIA.—Not later than 30 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall publish 
data and metadata standards and specifications for space-based 
commercial weather data, including radio occultation data, and, 
as soon as possible, geostationary hyperspectral sounder data. 
(2) PILOT CONTRACTS.— 
(A) CONTRACTS.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall, through 
an open competition, enter into at least one pilot contract 
with one or more private sector entities capable of providing 
data that meet the standards and specifications set by 
the Under Secretary for providing commercial weather data 
in a manner that allows the Under Secretary to calibrate 
and evaluate the data for its use in National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration meteorological models. 
(B) ASSESSMENT OF DATA VIABILITY.—Not later than 
the date that is 3 years after the date on which the Under 
Secretary enters into a contract under subparagraph (A), 
the Under Secretary shall assess and submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives the results of a 
determination of the extent to which data provided under 
the contract entered into under subparagraph (A) meet 
the criteria published under paragraph (1) and the extent 
to which the pilot program has demonstrated— 
(i) the viability of assimilating the commercially 
provided data into National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration meteorological models; 
(ii) whether, and by how much, the data add value 
to weather forecasts; and 
(iii) the accuracy, quality, timeliness, validity, reli-
ability, usability, information technology security, and 
cost-effectiveness of obtaining commercial weather data 
from private sector providers. 
Determination. 
Criteria. 
Publication. 
Deadlines. 
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131 STAT. 105 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For each of fiscal 
years 2017 through 2020, there are authorized to be appro-
priated for procurement, acquisition, and construction at 
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information 
Service, $6,000,000 to carry out this subsection. 
(d) OBTAINING FUTURE DATA.—If an assessment under sub-
section (c)(2)(B) demonstrates the ability of commercial weather 
data to meet data and metadata standards and specifications pub-
lished under subsection (c)(1), the Under Secretary shall— 
(1) where appropriate, cost-effective, and feasible, obtain 
commercial weather data from private sector providers; 
(2) as early as possible in the acquisition process for any 
future National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration mete-
orological space system, consider whether there is a suitable, 
cost-effective, commercial capability available or that will be 
available to meet any or all of the observational requirements 
by the planned operational date of the system; 
(3) if a suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability is 
or will be available as described in paragraph (2), determine 
whether it is in the national interest to develop a governmental 
meteorological space system; and 
(4) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report 
detailing any determination made under paragraphs (2) and 
(3). 
(e) DATA SHARING PRACTICES.—The Under Secretary shall con-
tinue to meet the international meteorological agreements into 
which the Under Secretary has entered, including practices set 
forth through World Meteorological Organization Resolution 40. 
SEC. 303. UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION. 
In meeting the requirements under this title, the Under Sec-
retary shall avoid unnecessary duplication between public and pri-
vate sources of data and the corresponding expenditure of funds 
and employment of personnel. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL WEATHER 
COORDINATION 
SEC. 
401. 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
INFORMATION 
SERVICES 
WORKING 
GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Science Advisory Board shall continue to maintain 
a standing working group named the Environmental Information 
Services Working Group (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Working 
Group’’)— 
(1) to provide advice for prioritizing weather research initia-
tives at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
to produce real improvement in weather forecasting; 
(2) to provide advice on existing or emerging technologies 
or techniques that can be found in private industry or the 
research community that could be incorporated into forecasting 
at the National Weather Service to improve forecasting skill; 
(3) to identify opportunities to improve— 
15 USC 8541. 
15 USC 8533. 
Reports. 
Determination. 
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131 STAT. 106 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(A) communications between weather forecasters, Fed-
eral, State, local, tribal, and other emergency management 
personnel, and the public; and 
(B) communications and partnerships among the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the 
private and academic sectors; and 
(4) to address such other matters as the Science Advisory 
Board requests of the Working Group. 
(b) COMPOSITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall be composed 
of leading experts and innovators from all relevant fields of 
science and engineering including atmospheric chemistry, 
atmospheric physics, meteorology, hydrology, social science, risk 
communications, electrical engineering, and computer sciences. 
In carrying out this section, the Working Group may organize 
into subpanels. 
(2) NUMBER.—The Working Group shall be composed of 
no fewer than 15 members. Nominees for the Working Group 
may be forwarded by the Working Group for approval by the 
Science Advisory Board. Members of the Working Group may 
choose a chair (or co-chairs) from among their number with 
approval by the Science Advisory Board. 
(c) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not less frequently than once each year, 
the Working Group shall transmit to the Science Advisory Board 
for submission to the Under Secretary a report on progress made 
by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in adopting 
the Working Group’s recommendations. The Science Advisory Board 
shall transmit this report to the Under Secretary. Within 30 days 
of receipt of such report, the Under Secretary shall submit to 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
the House of Representatives a copy of such report. 
SEC. 
402. 
INTERAGENCY 
WEATHER 
RESEARCH 
AND 
FORECAST 
INNOVATION COORDINATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall establish an Interagency Committee for 
Advancing Weather Services to improve coordination of relevant 
weather research and forecast innovation activities across the Fed-
eral Government. The Interagency Committee shall— 
(1) include participation by the National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its con-
stituent elements, the National Science Foundation, and such 
other agencies involved in weather forecasting research as the 
President determines are appropriate; 
(2) identify and prioritize top forecast needs and coordinate 
those needs against budget requests and program initiatives 
across participating offices and agencies; and 
(3) share information regarding operational needs and fore-
casting improvements across relevant agencies. 
(b) CO-CHAIR.—The Federal Coordinator for Meteorology shall 
serve as a co-chair of this panel. 
(c) FURTHER COORDINATION.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall take such other steps as are 
necessary to coordinate the activities of the Federal Government 
President. 
Determination. 
15 USC 8542. 
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131 STAT. 107 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
with those of the United States weather industry, State govern-
ments, emergency managers, and academic researchers. 
SEC. 403. OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH AND 
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research and the Director of National Weather Service 
may establish a program to detail Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research personnel to the National Weather Service and National 
Weather Service personnel to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of this program is to enhance forecasting 
innovation through regular, direct interaction between the Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research’s world-class scientists and 
the National Weather Service’s operational staff. 
(c) ELEMENTS.—The program shall allow up to 10 Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research staff and National Weather 
Service staff to spend up to 1 year on detail. Candidates shall 
be jointly selected by the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National Weather 
Service. 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not less frequently than once each year, 
the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
a report on participation in such program and shall highlight any 
innovations that come from this interaction. 
SEC. 404. VISITING FELLOWS AT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National Weather Service 
may establish a program to host postdoctoral fellows and academic 
researchers at any of the National Centers for Environmental Pre-
diction. 
(b) GOAL.—This program shall be designed to provide direct 
interaction between forecasters and talented academic and private 
sector researchers in an effort to bring innovation to forecasting 
tools and techniques to the National Weather Service. 
(c) SELECTION
AND
APPOINTMENT.—Such fellows shall be 
competitively selected and appointed for a term not to exceed 1 
year. 
SEC. 405. WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGISTS AT WEATHER 
FORECAST OFFICES OF NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. 
(a) DESIGNATION
OF
WARNING
COORDINATION
METEOROLO-
GISTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National Weather 
Service shall designate at least one warning coordination mete-
orologist at each weather forecast office of the National Weather 
Service. 
(2) NO ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES AUTHORIZED.—Nothing in 
this section shall be construed to authorize or require a change 
in the authorized number of full time equivalent employees 
in the National Weather Service or otherwise result in the 
employment of any additional employees. 
(3) PERFORMANCE BY OTHER EMPLOYEES.—Performance of 
the responsibilities outlined in this section is not limited to 
the warning coordination meteorologist position. 
15 USC 8545. 
15 USC 8544. 
15 USC 8543. 
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131 STAT. 108 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(b) PRIMARY ROLE OF WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLO-
GISTS.—The primary role of the warning coordination meteorologist 
shall be to carry out the responsibilities required by this section. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), consistent with 
the analysis described in section 409, and in order to increase 
impact-based decision support services, each warning coordina-
tion meteorologist designated under subsection (a) shall— 
(A) be responsible for providing service to the 
geographic area of responsibility covered by the weather 
forecast office at which the warning coordination meteorolo-
gist is employed to help ensure that users of products 
of the National Weather Service can respond effectively 
to improve outcomes from weather events; 
(B) liaise with users of products and services of the 
National Weather Service, such as the public, media out-
lets, users in the aviation, marine, and agricultural commu-
nities, and forestry, land, and water management interests, 
to evaluate the adequacy and usefulness of the products 
and services of the National Weather Service; 
(C) collaborate with such weather forecast offices and 
State, local, and tribal government agencies as the Director 
considers appropriate in developing, proposing, and imple-
menting plans to develop, modify, or tailor products and 
services of the National Weather Service to improve the 
usefulness of such products and services; 
(D) ensure the maintenance and accuracy of severe 
weather call lists, appropriate office severe weather policy 
or procedures, and other severe weather or dissemination 
methodologies or strategies; and 
(E) work closely with State, local, and tribal emergency 
management agencies, and other agencies related to dis-
aster management, to ensure a planned, coordinated, and 
effective preparedness and response effort. 
(2) OTHER STAFF.—The Director may assign a responsibility 
set forth in paragraph (1) to such other staff as the Director 
considers appropriate to carry out such responsibility. 
(d) ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), a warning 
coordination meteorologist designated under subsection (a) 
may— 
(A) work with a State agency to develop plans for 
promoting more effective use of products and services of 
the National Weather Service throughout the State; 
(B) identify priority community preparedness objec-
tives; 
(C) develop plans to meet the objectives identified 
under paragraph (2); and 
(D) conduct severe weather event preparedness plan-
ning and citizen education efforts with and through various 
State, local, and tribal government agencies and other dis-
aster management-related organizations. 
(2) OTHER STAFF.—The Director may assign a responsibility 
set forth in paragraph (1) to such other staff as the Director 
considers appropriate to carry out such responsibility. 
(e) PLACEMENT WITH STATE
AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MAN-
AGERS.— 
Collaboration. 
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131 STAT. 109 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, the Director 
of the National Weather Service may place a warning coordina-
tion meteorologist designated under subsection (a) with a State 
or local emergency manager if the Director considers doing 
so is necessary or convenient to carry out this section. 
(2) TREATMENT.—If the Director determines that the place-
ment of a warning coordination meteorologist placed with a 
State or local emergency manager under paragraph (1) is near 
a weather forecast office of the National Weather Service, such 
placement shall be treated as designation of the warning 
coordination meteorologist at such weather forecast office for 
purposes of subsection (a). 
SEC. 
406. 
IMPROVING 
NATIONAL 
OCEANIC 
AND 
ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION 
COMMUNICATION 
OF 
HAZARDOUS 
WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS. 
(a) PURPOSE
OF SYSTEM.—For purposes of the assessment 
required by subsection (b)(1)(A), the purpose of National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration system for issuing watches and 
warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events shall be 
risk communication to the general public that informs action to 
prevent loss of life and property. 
(b) ASSESSMENT OF SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall— 
(A) assess the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration system for issuing watches and warnings 
regarding hazardous weather and water events; and 
(B) submit to Congress a report on the findings of 
the Under Secretary with respect to the assessment con-
ducted under subparagraph (A). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The assessment required by paragraph 
(1)(A) shall include the following: 
(A) An evaluation of whether the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration system for issuing 
watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and 
water events meets the purpose described in subsection 
(a). 
(B) Development of recommendations for— 
(i) legislative and administrative action to improve 
the system described in paragraph (1)(A); and 
(ii) such research as the Under Secretary considers 
necessary to address the focus areas described in para-
graph (3). 
(3) FOCUS AREAS.—The assessment required by paragraph 
(1)(A) shall focus on the following: 
(A) Ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous 
weather or water events to the public that are most likely 
to result in action to mitigate the risk. 
(B) Ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous 
weather or water events to the public as broadly and rap-
idly as practicable. 
(C) Ways to preserve the benefits of the existing 
watches and warnings system. 
(D) Ways to maintain the utility of the watches and 
warnings system for Government and commercial users 
of the system. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Evaluation. 
Reports. 
Deadline. 
Determination. 
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131 STAT. 110 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(4) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the assessment required 
by paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall— 
(A) consult with such line offices within the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Under Sec-
retary considers relevant, including the National Ocean 
Service, the National Weather Service, and the Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; 
(B) consult with individuals in the academic sector, 
including individuals in the field of social and behavioral 
sciences, and other weather services; 
(C) consult with media outlets that will be distributing 
the watches and warnings; 
(D) consult with non-Federal forecasters that produce 
alternate severe weather risk communication products; 
(E) consult with emergency planners and responders, 
including State and local emergency management agencies, 
and other government users of the watches and warnings 
system, including the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Coast 
Guard, and such other Federal agencies as the Under Sec-
retary determines rely on watches and warnings for oper-
ational decisions; and 
(F) make use of the services of the National Academy 
of Sciences, as the Under Secretary considers necessary 
and practicable, including contracting with the National 
Research Council to review the scientific and technical 
soundness of the assessment required by paragraph (1)(A), 
including the recommendations developed under paragraph 
(2)(B). 
(5) 
METHODOLOGIES.—In 
conducting 
the 
assessment 
required by paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall use 
such methodologies as the Under Secretary considers are gen-
erally accepted by the weather enterprise, including social and 
behavioral sciences. 
(c) IMPROVEMENTS TO SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall, based on the 
assessment required by subsection (b)(1)(A), make such rec-
ommendations to Congress to improve the system as the Under 
Secretary considers necessary— 
(A) to improve the system for issuing watches and 
warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events; 
and 
(B) to support efforts to satisfy research needs to enable 
future improvements to such system. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS.—In car-
rying out paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall ensure 
that any recommendation that the Under Secretary considers 
a major change— 
(A) is validated by social and behavioral science using 
a generalizable sample; 
(B) accounts for the needs of various demographics, 
vulnerable populations, and geographic regions; 
(C) accounts for the differences between types of 
weather and water hazards; 
(D) responds to the needs of Federal, State, and local 
government partners and media partners; and 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
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131 STAT. 111 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(E) accounts for necessary changes to Federally oper-
ated watch and warning propagation and dissemination 
infrastructure and protocols. 
(d) WATCHES AND WARNINGS DEFINED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
this section, the terms ‘‘watch’’ and ‘‘warning’’, with respect 
to a hazardous weather and water event, mean products issued 
by the Administration, intended for consumption by the general 
public, to alert the general public to the potential for or presence 
of the event and to inform action to prevent loss of life and 
property. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—ln this section, the terms ‘‘watch’’ and 
‘‘warning’’ do not include technical or specialized meteorological 
and hydrological forecasts, outlooks, or model guidance prod-
ucts. 
SEC. 407. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 
WEATHER READY ALL HAZARDS AWARD PROGRAM. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director of the National Weather Service 
is authorized to establish the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Weather Ready All Hazards Award Program. This 
award program shall provide annual awards to honor individuals 
or organizations that use or provide National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers 
or transmitters to save lives and protect property. Individuals or 
organizations that utilize other early warning tools or applications 
also qualify for this award. 
(b) GOAL.—This award program draws attention to the life- 
saving work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion Weather Ready All Hazards Program, as well as emerging 
tools and applications, that provide real-time warning to individuals 
and communities of severe weather or other hazardous conditions. 
(c) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.— 
(1) NOMINATIONS.—Nominations for this award shall be 
made annually by the Weather Field Offices to the Director 
of the National Weather Service. Broadcast meteorologists, 
weather radio manufacturers and weather warning tool and 
application developers, emergency managers, and public safety 
officials may nominate individuals or organizations to their 
local Weather Field Offices, but the final list of award nominees 
must come from the Weather Field Offices. 
(2) SELECTION OF AWARDEES.—Annually, the Director of 
the National Weather Service shall choose winners of this 
award whose timely actions, based on National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio All Hazards 
receivers or transmitters or other early warning tools and 
applications, saved lives or property, or demonstrated public 
service in support of weather or all hazard warnings. 
(3) AWARD
CEREMONY.—The Director of the National 
Weather Service shall establish a means of making these 
awards to provide maximum public awareness of the impor-
tance of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Weather Radio, and such other warning tools and applications 
as are represented in the awards. 
15 USC 8546. 
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131 STAT. 112 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
SEC. 408. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WEATHER FORECASTING ACTIVI-
TIES. 
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Represent-
atives a report analyzing the impacts of the proposed Air Force 
divestiture in the United States Weather Research and Forecasting 
Model, including— 
(1) the impact on— 
(A) the United States weather forecasting capabilities; 
(B) the accuracy of civilian regional forecasts; 
(C) the civilian readiness for traditional weather and 
extreme weather events in the United States; and 
(D) the research necessary to develop the United States 
Weather Research and Forecasting Model; and 
(2) such other analysis relating to the divestiture as the 
Under Secretary considers appropriate. 
SEC. 
409. 
NATIONAL 
WEATHER 
SERVICE; 
OPERATIONS 
AND 
WORKFORCE ANALYSIS. 
The Under Secretary shall contract or continue to partner 
with an external organization to conduct a baseline analysis of 
National Weather Service operations and workforce. 
SEC. 410. REPORT ON CONTRACT POSITIONS AT NATIONAL WEATHER 
SERVICE. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit 
to Congress a report on the use of contractors at the National 
Weather Service for the most recently completed fiscal year. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include, with respect to the most recently completed fiscal year, 
the following: 
(1) The total number of full-time equivalent employees 
at the National Weather Service, disaggregated by each equiva-
lent level of the General Schedule. 
(2) The total number of full-time equivalent contractors 
at the National Weather Service, disaggregated by each equiva-
lent level of the General Schedule that most closely approxi-
mates their duties. 
(3) The total number of vacant positions at the National 
Weather Service on the day before the date of enactment of 
this Act, disaggregated by each equivalent level of the General 
Schedule. 
(4) The five most common positions filled by full-time 
equivalent contractors at the National Weather Service and 
the equivalent level of the General Schedule that most closely 
approximates the duties of such positions. 
(5) Of the positions identified under paragraph (4), the 
percentage of full-time equivalent contractors in those positions 
that have held a prior position at the National Weather Service 
or another entity in National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration. 
(6) The average full-time equivalent salary for Federal 
employees at the National Weather Service for each equivalent 
level of the General Schedule. 
15 USC 8547. 
Contracts. 
Analysis. 
Deadline. 
Reports. 
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131 STAT. 113 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(7) The average salary for full-time equivalent contractors 
performing at each equivalent level of the General Schedule 
at the National Weather Service. 
(8) A description of any actions taken by the Under Sec-
retary to respond to the issues raised by the Inspector General 
of the Department of Commerce regarding the hiring of former 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees 
as contractors at the National Weather Service such as the 
issues raised in the Investigative Report dated June 2, 2015 
(OIG–12–0447). 
(c) ANNUAL PUBLICATION.—For each fiscal year after the fiscal 
year covered by the report required by subsection (a), the Under 
Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after the completion of 
the fiscal year, publish on a publicly accessible Internet website 
the information described in paragraphs (1) through (8) of sub-
section (b) for such fiscal year. 
SEC. 411. WEATHER IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES AND INFRASTRUC-
TURE. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National Weather 
Service shall review existing research, products, and services 
that meet the specific needs of the urban environment, given 
its unique physical characteristics and forecasting challenges. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The review required by paragraph (1) shall 
include research, products, and services with the potential to 
improve modeling and forecasting capabilities, taking into 
account factors including varying building heights, impermeable 
surfaces, lack of tree canopy, traffic, pollution, and inter- 
building wind effects. 
(b) REPORT AND ASSESSMENT.—Upon completion of the review 
required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall submit to 
Congress a report on the research, products, and services of the 
National Weather Service, including an assessment of such 
research, products, and services that is based on the review, public 
comment, and recent publications by the National Academy of 
Sciences. 
SEC. 412. WEATHER ENTERPRISE OUTREACH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary may establish mecha-
nisms for outreach to the weather enterprise— 
(1) to assess the weather forecasts and forecast products 
provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion; and 
(2) to determine the highest priority weather forecast needs 
of the community described in subsection (b). 
(b) OUTREACH COMMUNITY.—In conducting outreach under sub-
section (a), the Under Secretary shall contact leading experts and 
innovators from relevant stakeholders, including the representatives 
from the following: 
(1) State or local emergency management agencies. 
(2) State agriculture agencies. 
(3) Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian 
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
5304)) and Native Hawaiians (as defined in section 6207 of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
7517)). 
(4) The private aerospace industry. 
Contracts. 
Determination. 
Assessment. 
15 USC 8548. 
Deadline. 
Web posting. 
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131 STAT. 114 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(5) The private earth observing industry. 
(6) The operational forecasting community. 
(7) The academic community. 
(8) Professional societies that focus on meteorology. 
(9) Such other stakeholder groups as the Under Secretary 
considers appropriate. 
SEC. 413. HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT. 
(a) BACKUP CAPABILITY.—The Under Secretary shall acquire 
backup for the capabilities of the WP–3D Orion and G–IV hurricane 
aircraft of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
that is sufficient to prevent a single point of failure. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO ENTER AGREEMENTS.—In order to carry out 
subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall negotiate and enter into 
1 or more agreements or contracts, to the extent practicable and 
necessary, with governmental and non-governmental entities. 
(c) FUTURE TECHNOLOGY.—The Under Secretary shall continue 
the development of Airborne Phased Array Radar under the United 
States Weather Research Program. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For each of fiscal 
years 2017 through 2020, support for implementing subsections 
(a) and (b) is authorized out of funds appropriated to the Office 
of Marine and Aviation Operations. 
SEC. 414. STUDY ON GAPS IN NEXRAD COVERAGE AND RECOMMENDA-
TIONS TO ADDRESS SUCH GAPS. 
(a) STUDY ON GAPS IN NEXRAD COVERAGE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall 
complete a study on gaps in the coverage of the Next Generation 
Weather Radar of the National Weather Service (‘‘NEXRAD’’). 
(2) ELEMENTS.—In conducting the study required under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— 
(A) identify areas in the United States where limited 
or no NEXRAD coverage has resulted in— 
(i) instances in which no or insufficient warnings 
were given for hazardous weather events, including 
tornadoes; or 
(ii) degraded forecasts for hazardous weather 
events that resulted in fatalities, significant injuries, 
or substantial property damage; and 
(B) for the areas identified under subparagraph (A)— 
(i) identify the key weather effects for which pre-
diction would improve with improved radar detection; 
(ii) identify additional sources of observations for 
high impact weather that were available and oper-
ational for such areas on the day before the date of 
the enactment of this Act, including dense networks 
of x-band radars, Terminal Doppler Weather Radar 
(commonly known as ‘‘TDWR’’), air surveillance radars 
of the Federal Aviation Administration, and coopera-
tive network observers; 
(iii) assess the feasibility and advisability of efforts 
to integrate and upgrade Federal radar capabilities 
that are not owned or controlled by the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, including radar 
capabilities of the Federal Aviation Administration and 
the Department of Defense; 
Assessment. 
Deadline. 
15 USC 8549. 
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131 STAT. 115 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(iv) assess the feasibility and advisability of incor-
porating State-operated and other non-Federal radars 
into the operations of the National Weather Service; 
(v) identify options to improve hazardous weather 
detection and forecasting coverage; and 
(vi) provide the estimated cost of, and timeline 
for, each of the options identified under clause (v). 
(3) REPORT.—Upon the completion of the study required 
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
House of Representatives a report that includes the findings 
of the Secretary with respect to the study. 
(b) RECOMMENDATIONS
TO IMPROVE RADAR COVERAGE.—Not 
later than 90 days after the completion of the study under sub-
section (a)(1), the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the 
congressional committees referred to in subsection (a)(3) rec-
ommendations for improving hazardous weather detection and fore-
casting coverage in the areas identified under subsection (a)(2)(A) 
by integrating additional observation solutions to the extent prac-
ticable and meteorologically justified and necessary to protect public 
safety. 
(c) THIRD-PARTY CONSULTATION REGARDING RECOMMENDATIONS 
TO IMPROVE RADAR COVERAGE.—The Secretary of Commerce may 
seek reviews by, or consult with, appropriate third parties regarding 
the scientific methodology relating to, and the feasibility and advis-
ability of implementing, the recommendations submitted under sub-
section (b), including the extent to which warning and forecast 
services of the National Weather Service would be improved by 
additional observations. 
TITLE 
V—TSUNAMI 
WARNING, 
EDU-
CATION, AND RESEARCH ACT OF 2017 
SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘Tsunami Warning, Education, 
and Research Act of 2017’’. 
SEC. 502. REFERENCES TO THE TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION 
ACT. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this title 
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment 
to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall 
be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the 
Tsunami Warning and Education Act enacted as title VIII of the 
Magnuson-Stevens 
Fishery 
Conservation 
and 
Management 
Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 
et seq.). 
SEC. 503. EXPANSION OF PURPOSES OF TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDU-
CATION ACT. 
Section 803 (33 U.S.C. 3202) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘research,’’ after 
‘‘warnings,’’; 
(2) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: 
33 USC 3201 
note. 
Tsunami 
Warning, 
Education, and 
Research Act 
of 2017. 
Deadline. 
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131 STAT. 116 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(2) to enhance and modernize the existing United States 
Tsunami Warning System to increase the accuracy of forecasts 
and warnings, to ensure full coverage of tsunami threats to 
the United States with a network of detection assets, and 
to reduce false alarms;’’; 
(3) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) to improve and develop standards and guidelines for 
mapping, modeling, and assessment efforts to improve tsunami 
detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, mitigation, resil-
iency, response, outreach, and recovery;’’; 
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as para-
graphs (5), (6), and (8), respectively; 
(5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) to improve research efforts related to improving tsu-
nami detection, forecasting, warnings, notification, mitigation, 
resiliency, response, outreach, and recovery;’’; 
(6) in paragraph (5), as redesignated— 
(A) by striking ‘‘and increase’’ and inserting ‘‘, increase, 
and develop uniform standards and guidelines for’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, including the warning signs of locally 
generated tsunami’’ after ‘‘approaching’’; 
(7) in paragraph (6), as redesignated, by striking ‘‘, 
including the Indian Ocean; and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
and 
(8) by inserting after paragraph (6), as redesignated, the 
following: 
‘‘(7) to foster resilient communities in the face of tsunami 
and other similar coastal hazards; and’’. 
SEC. 504. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI FORECASTING AND WARNING 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 
3203(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, 
and Gulf of Mexico region’’ and inserting ‘‘Atlantic Ocean region, 
including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico’’. 
(b) COMPONENTS.—Subsection (b) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 
3203(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘established’’ and inserting 
‘‘supported or maintained’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as para-
graphs (8) through (10), respectively; 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (6) as para-
graphs (3) through (7), respectively; 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: 
‘‘(2) to the degree practicable, maintain not less than 80 
percent of the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of 
Tsunamis buoy array at operational capacity to optimize data 
reliability;’’. 
(5) by amending paragraph (5), as redesignated by para-
graph (3), to read as follows: 
‘‘(5) provide tsunami forecasting capability based on models 
and measurements, including tsunami inundation models and 
maps for use in increasing the preparedness of communities 
and safeguarding port and harbor operations, that incorporate 
inputs, including— 
‘‘(A) the United States and global ocean and coastal 
observing system; 
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131 STAT. 117 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(B) the global Earth observing system; 
‘‘(C) the global seismic network; 
‘‘(D) the Advanced National Seismic system; 
‘‘(E) tsunami model validation using historical and 
paleotsunami data; 
‘‘(F) digital elevation models and bathymetry; and 
‘‘(G) newly developing tsunami detection methodologies 
using satellites and airborne remote sensing;’’; 
(6) by amending paragraph (7), as redesignated by para-
graph (3), to read as follows: 
‘‘(7) include a cooperative effort among the Administration, 
the United States Geological Survey, and the National Science 
Foundation under which the Director of the United States 
Geological Survey and the Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall— 
‘‘(A) provide rapid and reliable seismic information to 
the Administrator from international and domestic seismic 
networks; and 
‘‘(B) support seismic stations installed before the date 
of the enactment of the Tsunami Warning, Education, and 
Research Act of 2017 to supplement coverage in areas 
of sparse instrumentation;’’; 
(7) in paragraph (8), as redesignated by paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘, including graphical warning prod-
ucts,’’ after ‘‘warnings’’; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, territories,’’ after ‘‘States’’; and 
(C) by inserting ‘‘and Wireless Emergency Alerts’’ after 
‘‘Hazards Program’’; and 
(8) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘provide and’’ before ‘‘allow’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘and commercial and Federal undersea 
communications cables’’ after ‘‘observing technologies’’. 
(c) TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM.—Subsection (c) of section 804 
(33 U.S.C. 3203(c)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM.—The program under this sec-
tion shall operate a tsunami warning system that— 
‘‘(1) is capable of forecasting tsunami, including forecasting 
tsunami arrival time and inundation estimates, anywhere in 
the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions and providing adequate 
warnings; 
‘‘(2) is capable of forecasting and providing adequate 
warnings, including tsunami arrival time and inundation 
models where applicable, in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, 
including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, that are 
determined— 
‘‘(A) to be geologically active, or to have significant 
potential for geological activity; and 
‘‘(B) to pose significant risks of tsunami for States 
along the coastal areas of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean 
Sea, or Gulf of Mexico; and 
‘‘(3) supports other international tsunami forecasting and 
warning efforts.’’. 
(d) TSUNAMI WARNING CENTERS.—Subsection (d) of section 804 
(33 U.S.C. 3203(d)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(d) TSUNAMI WARNING CENTERS.— 
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131 STAT. 118 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator shall support or 
maintain centers to support the tsunami warning system 
required by subsection (c). The Centers shall include— 
‘‘(A) the National Tsunami Warning Center, located 
in Alaska, which is primarily responsible for Alaska and 
the continental United States; 
‘‘(B) the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, located in 
Hawaii, which is primarily responsible for Hawaii, the 
Caribbean, and other areas of the Pacific not covered by 
the National Center; and 
‘‘(C) any additional forecast and warning centers deter-
mined by the National Weather Service to be necessary. 
‘‘(2) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The responsibilities of the centers 
supported or maintained under paragraph (1) shall include 
the following: 
‘‘(A) Continuously monitoring data from seismological, 
deep ocean, coastal sea level, and tidal monitoring stations 
and other data sources as may be developed and deployed. 
‘‘(B) Evaluating earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic 
eruptions that have the potential to generate tsunami. 
‘‘(C) Evaluating deep ocean buoy data and tidal moni-
toring stations for indications of tsunami resulting from 
earthquakes and other sources. 
‘‘(D) To the extent practicable, utilizing a range of 
models, including ensemble models, to predict tsunami, 
including arrival times, flooding estimates, coastal and 
harbor currents, and duration. 
‘‘(E) Using data from the Integrated Ocean Observing 
System of the Administration in coordination with regional 
associations to calculate new inundation estimates and 
periodically update existing inundation estimates. 
‘‘(F) Disseminating forecasts and tsunami warning bul-
letins to Federal, State, tribal, and local government offi-
cials and the public. 
‘‘(G) Coordinating with the tsunami hazard mitigation 
program conducted under section 805 to ensure ongoing 
sharing of information between forecasters and emergency 
management officials. 
‘‘(H) In coordination with the Commandant of the Coast 
Guard and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, evaluating and recommending proce-
dures for ports and harbors at risk of tsunami inundation, 
including review of readiness, response, and communication 
strategies, and data sharing policies, to the maximum 
extent practicable. 
‘‘(I) Making data gathered under this Act and post- 
warning analyses conducted by the National Weather 
Service or other relevant Administration offices available 
to the public. 
‘‘(J) Integrating and modernizing the program operated 
under this section with advances in tsunami science to 
improve performance without compromising service. 
‘‘(3) FAIL-SAFE WARNING CAPABILITY.—The tsunami warning 
centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1) shall 
maintain a fail-safe warning capability and perform back-up 
duties for each other. 
Coordination. 
Coordination. 
Evaluation. 
Evaluation. 
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131 STAT. 119 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(4) COORDINATION
WITH
NATIONAL
WEATHER
SERVICE.— 
The Administrator shall coordinate with the forecast offices 
of the National Weather Service, the centers supported or main-
tained under paragraph (1), and such program offices of the 
Administration as the Administrator or the coordinating com-
mittee, as established in section 805(d), consider appropriate 
to ensure that regional and local forecast offices— 
‘‘(A) have the technical knowledge and capability to 
disseminate tsunami warnings for the communities they 
serve; 
‘‘(B) 
leverage 
connections 
with 
local 
emergency 
management officials for optimally disseminating tsunami 
warnings and forecasts; and 
‘‘(C) implement mass communication tools in effect on 
the day before the date of the enactment of the Tsunami 
Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2017 used by 
the National Weather Service on such date and newer 
mass communication technologies as they are developed 
as a part of the Weather-Ready Nation program of the 
Administration, or otherwise, for the purpose of timely 
and effective delivery of tsunami warnings. 
‘‘(5) UNIFORM OPERATING PROCEDURES.—The Administrator 
shall— 
‘‘(A) develop uniform operational procedures for the 
centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1), 
including the use of software applications, checklists, deci-
sion support tools, and tsunami warning products that 
have been standardized across the program supported 
under this section; 
‘‘(B) ensure that processes and products of the warning 
system operated under subsection (c)— 
‘‘(i) reflect industry best practices when prac-
ticable; 
‘‘(ii) conform to the maximum extent practicable 
with internationally recognized standards for informa-
tion technology; and 
‘‘(iii) conform to the maximum extent practicable 
with other warning products and practices of the 
National Weather Service; 
‘‘(C) ensure that future adjustments to operational 
protocols, processes, and warning products— 
‘‘(i) are made consistently across the warning 
system operated under subsection (c); and 
‘‘(ii) are applied in a uniform manner across such 
warning system; 
‘‘(D) establish a systematic method for information 
technology product development to improve long-term tech-
nology planning efforts; and 
‘‘(E) disseminate guidelines and metrics for evaluating 
and improving tsunami forecast models. 
‘‘(6) AVAILABLE RESOURCES.—The Administrator, through 
the National Weather Service, shall ensure that resources are 
available to fulfill the obligations of this Act. This includes 
ensuring supercomputing resources are available to run, as 
rapidly as possible, such computer models as are needed for 
purposes of the tsunami warning system operated under sub-
section (c).’’. 
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131 STAT. 120 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(e) TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY; MAINTENANCE AND UPGRADES.— 
Subsection (e) of section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203(e)) is amended to 
read as follows: 
‘‘(e) 
TRANSFER
OF
TECHNOLOGY; 
MAINTENANCE
AND 
UPGRADES.—In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) develop requirements for the equipment used to fore-
cast tsunami, including— 
‘‘(A) provisions for multipurpose detection platforms; 
‘‘(B) reliability and performance metrics; and 
‘‘(C) to the maximum extent practicable, requirements 
for the integration of equipment with other United States 
and global ocean and coastal observation systems, the 
global Earth observing system of systems, the global 
seismic networks, and the Advanced National Seismic 
System; 
‘‘(2) develop and execute a plan for the transfer of tech-
nology from ongoing research conducted as part of the program 
supported or maintained under section 6 into the program 
under this section; and 
‘‘(3) ensure that the Administration’s operational tsunami 
detection equipment is properly maintained.’’. 
(f) FEDERAL COOPERATION.—Subsection (f) of section 804 (33 
U.S.C. 3203(f)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) FEDERAL COOPERATION.—When deploying and maintaining 
tsunami detection technologies under the program under this sec-
tion, the Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) identify which assets of other Federal agencies are 
necessary to support such program; and 
‘‘(2) work with each agency identified under paragraph 
(1)— 
‘‘(A) to acquire the agency’s assistance; and 
‘‘(B) to prioritize the necessary assets in support of 
the tsunami forecast and warning program.’’. 
(g) UNNECESSARY PROVISIONS.—Section 804 (33 U.S.C. 3203) 
is further amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (g); 
(2) by striking subsections (i) through (k); and 
(3) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g). 
(h) CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATIONS.—Subsection (g) of section 
804 (33 U.S.C. 3203(g)), as redesignated by subsection (g)(3), is 
amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subpara-
graphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving such subpara-
graphs 2 ems to the right; 
(2) in the matter before subparagraph (A), as redesignated 
by paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘The Administrator’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator’’; 
(3) in paragraph (1), as redesignated by paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), as redesignated by paragraph 
(2), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), as redesignated by paragraph 
(2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; 
and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) the occurrence of a significant tsunami warning.’’; 
and 
Plan. 
Requirements. 
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131 STAT. 121 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—In a case in which notice is submitted 
under paragraph (1) within 30 days of a significant tsunami 
warning described in subparagraph (C) of such paragraph, such 
notice shall include, as appropriate, brief information and anal-
ysis of— 
‘‘(A) the accuracy of the tsunami model used; 
‘‘(B) the specific deep ocean or other monitoring equip-
ment that detected the incident, as well as the deep ocean 
or other monitoring equipment that did not detect the 
incident due to malfunction or other reasons; 
‘‘(C) the effectiveness of the warning communication, 
including the dissemination of warnings with State, terri-
tory, local, and tribal partners in the affected area under 
the jurisdiction of the National Weather Service; and 
‘‘(D) such other findings as the Administrator considers 
appropriate.’’. 
SEC. 505. MODIFICATION OF NATIONAL TSUNAMI HAZARD MITIGATION 
PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 805(a) (33 U.S.C. 3204(a)) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Administrator, in coordination 
with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency and the heads of such other agencies as the Administrator 
considers relevant, shall conduct a community-based tsunami 
hazard mitigation program to improve tsunami preparedness and 
resiliency of at-risk areas in the United States and the territories 
of the United States.’’. 
(b) NATIONAL TSUNAMI HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAM.—Section 
805 (33 U.S.C. 3204) is amended by striking subsections (c) and 
(d) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(c) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—The Program conducted under 
subsection (a) shall include the following: 
‘‘(1) Technical and financial assistance to coastal States, 
territories, tribes, and local governments to develop and imple-
ment activities under this section. 
‘‘(2) Integration of tsunami preparedness and mitigation 
programs into ongoing State-based hazard warning, resilience 
planning, and risk management activities, including predisaster 
planning, emergency response, evacuation planning, disaster 
recovery, hazard mitigation, and community development and 
redevelopment planning programs in affected areas. 
‘‘(3) Coordination with other Federal preparedness and 
mitigation programs to leverage Federal investment, avoid 
duplication, and maximize effort. 
‘‘(4) Activities to promote the adoption of tsunami resilience, 
preparedness, warning, and mitigation measures by Federal, 
State, territorial, tribal, and local governments and nongovern-
mental entities, including educational and risk communication 
programs to discourage development in high-risk areas. 
‘‘(5) Activities to support the development of regional tsu-
nami hazard and risk assessments. Such regional risk assess-
ments may include the following: 
‘‘(A) The sources, sizes, and other relevant historical 
data of tsunami in the region, including paleotsunami data. 
Coordination. 
Coordination. 
Deadline. 
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131 STAT. 122 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(B) Inundation models and maps of critical infrastruc-
ture and socioeconomic vulnerability in areas subject to 
tsunami inundation. 
‘‘(C) Maps of evacuation areas and evacuation routes, 
including, when appropriate, traffic studies that evaluate 
the viability of evacuation routes. 
‘‘(D) Evaluations of the size of populations that will 
require evacuation, including populations with special 
evacuation needs. 
‘‘(E) Evaluations and technical assistance for vertical 
evacuation structure planning for communities where 
models indicate limited or no ability for timely evacuation, 
especially in areas at risk of near shore generated tsunami. 
‘‘(F) Evaluation of at-risk ports and harbors. 
‘‘(G) Evaluation of the effect of tsunami currents on 
the foundations of closely-spaced, coastal high-rise struc-
tures. 
‘‘(6) Activities to promote preparedness in at-risk ports 
and harbors, including the following: 
‘‘(A) Evaluation and recommendation of procedures for 
ports and harbors in the event of a distant or near-field 
tsunami. 
‘‘(B) A review of readiness, response, and communica-
tion strategies to ensure coordination and data sharing 
with the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(7) Activities to support the development of community- 
based outreach and education programs to ensure community 
readiness and resilience, including the following: 
‘‘(A) The development, implementation, and assessment 
of technical training and public education programs, 
including 
education 
programs 
that 
address 
unique 
characteristics of distant and near-field tsunami. 
‘‘(B) The development of decision support tools. 
‘‘(C) The incorporation of social science research into 
community readiness and resilience efforts. 
‘‘(D) The development of evidence-based education 
guidelines. 
‘‘(8) Dissemination of guidelines and standards for commu-
nity planning, education, and training products, programs, and 
tools, including— 
‘‘(A) standards for— 
‘‘(i) mapping products; 
‘‘(ii) inundation models; and 
‘‘(iii) effective emergency exercises; and 
‘‘(B) recommended guidance for at-risk port and harbor 
tsunami warning, evacuation, and response procedures in 
coordination with the Coast Guard and the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES.—In addition to activities con-
ducted under subsection (c), the program conducted under sub-
section (a) may include the following: 
‘‘(1) Multidisciplinary vulnerability assessment research, 
education, and training to help integrate risk management 
and resilience objectives with community development planning 
and policies. 
Review. 
Evaluation. 
Recommenda- 
tion. 
Procedures. 
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131 STAT. 123 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(2) Risk management training for local officials and 
community organizations to enhance understanding and 
preparedness. 
‘‘(3) In coordination with the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency, interagency, Federal, State, tribal, and territorial 
intergovernmental tsunami response exercise planning and 
implementation in high risk areas. 
‘‘(4) Development of practical applications for existing or 
emerging technologies, such as modeling, remote sensing, 
geospatial technology, engineering, and observing systems, 
including the integration of tsunami sensors into Federal and 
commercial submarine telecommunication cables if practicable. 
‘‘(5) Risk management, risk assessment, and resilience data 
and information services, including— 
‘‘(A) access to data and products derived from observing 
and detection systems; and 
‘‘(B) development and maintenance of new integrated 
data products to support risk management, risk assess-
ment, and resilience programs. 
‘‘(6) Risk notification systems that coordinate with and 
build upon existing systems and actively engage decision-
makers, State, local, tribal, and territorial governments and 
agencies, business communities, nongovernmental organiza-
tions, and the media. 
‘‘(e) NO PREEMPTION WITH RESPECT TO DESIGNATION OF AT- 
RISK AREAS.—The establishment of national standards for inunda-
tion models under this section shall not prevent States, territories, 
tribes, and local governments from designating additional areas 
as being at risk based on knowledge of local conditions. 
‘‘(f) NO NEW REGULATORY AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this Act 
may be construed as establishing new regulatory authority for 
any Federal agency.’’. 
(c) REPORT ON ACCREDITATION OF TSUNAMIREADY PROGRAM.— 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
a report on which authorities and activities would be needed to 
have the TsunamiReady program of the National Weather Service 
accredited by the Emergency Management Accreditation Program. 
SEC. 506. MODIFICATION OF TSUNAMI RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
Section 806 (33 U.S.C. 3205) is amended— 
(1) in the matter before paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The 
Administrator shall’’ and all that follows through ‘‘establish 
or maintain’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall, in consultation 
with such other Federal agencies, State, tribal, and territorial 
governments, and academic institutions as the Administrator con-
siders appropriate, the coordinating committee under section 805(d), 
and the panel under section 808(a), support or maintain’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), as designated by paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘and assessment for tsunami tracking and numerical 
forecast modeling. Such research program shall—’’ and 
inserting the following: ‘‘assessment for tsunami tracking and 
numerical forecast modeling, and standards development. 
Consultation. 
Coordination. 
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131 STAT. 124 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The research program supported or 
maintained under subsection (a) shall—’’; and 
(3) in subsection (b), as designated by paragraph (2)— 
(A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows: 
‘‘(1) consider other appropriate and cost effective solutions 
to mitigate the impact of tsunami, including the improvement 
of near-field and distant tsunami detection and forecasting 
capabilities, which may include use of a new generation of 
the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis array, 
integration of tsunami sensors into commercial and Federal 
telecommunications cables, and other real-time tsunami moni-
toring systems and supercomputer capacity of the Administra-
tion to develop a rapid tsunami forecast for all United States 
coastlines;’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘include’’ and inserting ‘‘conduct’’; 
and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
‘‘(4) develop the technical basis for validation of tsunami 
maps, numerical tsunami models, digital elevation models, and 
forecasts; and’’; and 
(E) in paragraph (5), as redesignated by subparagraph 
(C), by striking ‘‘to the scientific community’’ and inserting 
‘‘to the public and the scientific community’’. 
SEC. 507. GLOBAL TSUNAMI WARNING AND MITIGATION NETWORK. 
Section 807 (33 U.S.C. 3206) is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL TSU-
NAMI WARNING SYSTEM.—The Administrator shall, in coordination 
with the Secretary of State and in consultation with such other 
agencies as the Administrator considers relevant, provide technical 
assistance, operational support, and training to the Intergovern-
mental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Edu-
cational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, the World Meteoro-
logical Organization of the United Nations, and such other inter-
national entities as the Administrator considers appropriate, as 
part of the international efforts to develop a fully functional global 
tsunami forecast and warning system comprised of regional tsunami 
warning networks.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘shall’’ each place it 
appears and inserting ‘‘may’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘establishing’’ and 
inserting ‘‘supporting’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘establish’’ and inserting ‘‘support’’; 
and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘establishing’’ and inserting ‘‘sup-
porting’’. 
SEC. 508. TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Act is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating section 808 (33 U.S.C. 3207) as section 
809; and 
Coordination. 
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131 STAT. 125 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(2) by inserting after section 807 (33 U.S.C. 3206) the 
following: 
‘‘SEC. 808. TSUNAMI SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY PANEL. 
‘‘(a) DESIGNATION.—The Administrator shall designate an 
existing working group within the Science Advisory Board of the 
Administration to serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology 
Advisory Panel to provide advice to the Administrator on matters 
regarding tsunami science, technology, and regional preparedness. 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(1) COMPOSITION.—The Panel shall be composed of no 
fewer than 7 members selected by the Administrator from 
among individuals from academia or State agencies who have 
academic or practical expertise in physical sciences, social 
sciences, information technology, coastal resilience, emergency 
management, or such other disciplines as the Administrator 
considers appropriate. 
‘‘(2) FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT.—No member of the Panel may 
be a Federal employee. 
‘‘(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—Not less frequently than once every 
4 years, the Panel shall— 
‘‘(1) review the activities of the Administration, and other 
Federal activities as appropriate, relating to tsunami research, 
detection, forecasting, warning, mitigation, resiliency, and 
preparation; and 
‘‘(2) submit to the Administrator and such others as the 
Administrator considers appropriate— 
‘‘(A) the findings of the working group with respect 
to the most recent review conducted under paragraph (1); 
and 
‘‘(B) such recommendations for legislative or adminis-
trative action as the working group considers appropriate 
to improve Federal tsunami research, detection, forecasting, 
warning, mitigation, resiliency, and preparation. 
‘‘(d) REPORTS
TO CONGRESS.—Not less frequently than once 
every 4 years, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives a report on the findings and recommendations 
received by the Administrator under subsection (c)(2).’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS AMENDMENT.—The table of contents 
in section 1(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–479; 
120 Stat. 3575) is amended by striking the item relating to section 
808 and inserting the following: 
‘‘Sec. 808. Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel. 
‘‘Sec. 809. Authorization of appropriations.’’. 
SEC. 509. REPORTS. 
(a) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF TSUNAMI WARNING AND 
EDUCATION ACT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the implementation of the Tsunami Warning 
and Education Act enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson- 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
Review. 
33 USC 3206a. 
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131 STAT. 126 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthoriza-
tion Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.), 
as amended by this Act. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) A detailed description of the progress made in 
implementing sections 804(d)(6), 805(b), and 806(b)(4) of 
the Tsunami Warning and Education Act the Magnuson- 
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthor-
ization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 
et seq.). 
(B) A description of the ways that tsunami warnings 
and warning products issued by the Tsunami Forecasting 
and Warning Program established under section 804 of 
the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203), 
as amended by this Act, may be standardized and stream-
lined with warnings and warning products for hurricanes, 
coastal storms, and other coastal flooding events. 
(b) REPORT
ON
NATIONAL
EFFORTS
THAT
SUPPORT
RAPID 
RESPONSE FOLLOWING NEAR-SHORE TSUNAMI EVENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator and the Sec-
retary of Homeland Security shall jointly, in coordination with 
the Director of the United States Geological Survey, Adminis-
trator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Chief 
of the National Guard Bureau, and the heads of such other 
Federal agencies as the Administrator considers appropriate, 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
on the national efforts in effect on the day before the date 
of the enactment of this Act that support and facilitate rapid 
emergency response following a domestic near-shore tsunami 
event to better understand domestic effects of earthquake 
derived tsunami on people, infrastructure, and communities 
in the United States. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
include the following: 
(A) A description of scientific or other measurements 
collected on the day before the date of the enactment of 
this Act to quickly identify and quantify lost or degraded 
infrastructure or terrestrial formations. 
(B) A description of scientific or other measurements 
that would be necessary to collect to quickly identify and 
quantify lost or degraded infrastructure or terrestrial 
formations. 
(C) Identification and evaluation of Federal, State, 
local, tribal, territorial, and military first responder and 
search and rescue operation centers, bases, and other facili-
ties as well as other critical response assets and infrastruc-
ture, including search and rescue aircraft, located within 
near-shore and distant tsunami inundation areas on the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(D) An evaluation of near-shore tsunami response plans 
in areas described in subparagraph (C) in effect on the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
how those response plans would be affected by the loss 
of search and rescue and first responder infrastructure 
described in such subparagraph. 
Evaluation. 
Evaluation. 
Coordination. 
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131 STAT. 127 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
(E) A description of redevelopment plans and reports 
in effect on the day before the date of the enactment 
of this Act for communities in areas that are at high- 
risk for near-shore tsunami, as well identification of States 
or communities that do not have redevelopment plans. 
(F) Recommendations to enhance near-shore tsunami 
preparedness and response plans, including recommended 
responder exercises, predisaster planning, and mitigation 
needs. 
(G) Such other data and analysis information as the 
Administrator and the Secretary of Homeland Security con-
sider appropriate. 
(3) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘‘appropriate committees of Congress’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and 
(B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 
the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives. 
SEC. 510. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 809 of the Act, as redesignated by section l08(a)(1) 
of this Act, is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) $25,800,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021, 
of which— 
‘‘(A) not less than 27 percent of the amount appro-
priated for each fiscal year shall be for activities conducted 
at the State level under the tsunami hazard mitigation 
program under section 805; and 
‘‘(B) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated 
shall be for the tsunami research program under section 
806.’’. 
SEC. 511. OUTREACH RESPONSIBILITIES. 
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, in coordination with State and local emergency 
managers, shall develop and carry out formal outreach activities 
to improve tsunami education and awareness and foster the develop-
ment of resilient communities. Outreach activities may include— 
(1) the development of outreach plans to ensure the close 
integration of tsunami warning centers supported or main-
tained under section 804(d) of the Tsunami Warning and Edu-
cation Act (33 U.S.C. 3203(d)), as amended by this Act, with 
local Weather Forecast Offices of the National Weather Service 
and emergency managers; 
(2) working with appropriate local Weather Forecast Offices 
to ensure they have the technical knowledge and capability 
to disseminate tsunami warnings to the communities they 
serve; and 
(3) evaluating the effectiveness of warnings and of coordina-
tion with local Weather Forecast Offices after significant tsu-
nami events. 
Evaluation. 
Coordination. 
33 USC 3208. 
Definition. 
Analysis. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
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131 STAT. 128 
PUBLIC LAW 115–25—APR. 18, 2017 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 353: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017): 
Jan. 9, considered and passed House. 
Mar. 29, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Apr. 4, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
SEC. 512. REPEAL OF DUPLICATE PROVISIONS OF LAW. 
(a) REPEAL.—The Tsunami Warning and Education Act enacted 
by Public Law 109–424 (120 Stat. 2902) is repealed. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section may be construed 
to repeal, or affect in any way, the Tsunami Warning and Education 
Act enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conserva-
tion and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 
109–479; 33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.). 
Approved April 18, 2017. 
33 USC 3201 
note. 
33 USC 3201 and 
note, 3202–3207. 
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