(1)

in paragraph (2), by inserting timeliness and before accuracy;

(2)

in paragraph (7), by striking and after the semicolon;

(3)

in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(4)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(9)

to ensure data and metadata are managed, archived, and made available for operations, research, education, and mitigation activities in accordance with section 305 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(3)

by redesignating subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) as subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively;

(4)

by inserting after subsection (c) the following new subsection:

(d) Tsunami warning alert level evaluation

The Administrator, in collaboration with social scientists, emergency personnel, and high-risk communities, shall—

(1)

evaluate tsunami alert levels terminology, timing, and effectiveness;

(2)

determine if such alerts produce the desired response and understanding from possible tsunami-prone communities; and

(3)

if necessary, update the alert level system for increased effectiveness.;

(5)

in subsection (e), as so redesignated—

(6)

in subsection (f), as so redesignated—

(7)

in subsection (h)(2)(A), as so redesignated, by striking accuracy of the tsunami model used and inserting timeliness and accuracy of the forecast used to issue the warning.

(1)

in paragraph (5)—

(2)

in paragraph (7)(C), by inserting and behavioral after social;

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(3)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(c) Research and development plan

Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection and not less frequently than every 36 months thereafter, the Administrator, in consultation with the Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services, shall develop a research and development and research to operations plan to improve tsunami detection and forecasting capabilities that—

(1)

identifies and prioritizes research and development priorities to satisfy section 804;

(2)

identifies key research needs for better detecting tsunamis that may occur in open ocean and along the coastlines of the United States and its territories, improve forecasting of tsunamis that are not seismically driven, and other opportunities determined appropriate;

(3)

develops plans for transitioning research to operations; and

(4)

identifies collaboration opportunities that may further and align tsunami research, development, warnings, and operations between the centers supported or maintained under section 804, the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Center for Tsunami Research, the National Science Foundation, the United States Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, institutions of higher education, private entities, stakeholders, and others determined appropriate.;

(A)

by inserting Federal before observing capabilities; and

(B)

by striking and after the semicolon;

(A)

by inserting , including private sector partnerships or commercial acquisition, after options; and

(B)

by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(2)

by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:

(b) Co-Chairs

The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Under Secretary shall serve as co-chairs of the Interagency Council. The Under Secretary shall serve as the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology.

(c) Further coordination

The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall take such steps as are necessary to coordinate the activities of the Federal Government with stakeholders in the United States weather industry, academic partners, State governments, and emergency managers, including by implementing mechanisms to encourage and enable the participation of non-Federal employees in the functions of the Interagency Council.;

(3)

by adding at the end the following new subsections:

(d) Functions

The Interagency Council shall be the formal mechanism by which all relevant Federal departments and agencies coordinate implementation of policy and practices to ensure United States global leadership in meteorological services. In doing so, the Interagency Council shall review programs and support relevant weather research and forecast innovation activities, as well as other related implementation activities, related to Federal meteorological services, including by carrying out the following:

(1)

Identifying and helping prioritize meteorological research and service delivery needs, including relating to observations, operational systems, communications, and infrastructure.

(2)

Providing recommendations to streamline or consolidate activities and develop greater efficiencies in cross-agency activities.

(3)

Leveraging Earth system science research outcomes of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other relevant Federal departments and agencies, including research outcomes related to the relevant recommended key science and applications questions and priorities in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s 2018 report Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space, to understand and predict high-impact weather phenomena.

(4)

Facilitating the expansion and strengthening of partnerships with private sector entities to advance meteorological research, communications, and computing in collaboration with the Earth system science, service, and stakeholder communities.

(5)

Sharing information regarding meteorological research improvement needs and science opportunities across relevant Federal departments and agencies.

(6)

Providing advice to all relevant Federal departments and agencies regarding potential collaborations and expected level of resources needed to maintain and operate the Interagency Council.

(7)

Enhancing communication and coordination and promoting sharing within relevant Federal departments and agencies and across the Interagency Council.

(8)

Developing, recruiting, and sustaining a professional and diverse workforce for meteorological research and services.

(e) Data inventory

The Interagency Council, in coordination and avoidance of duplication with the United States Group on Earth Observations, shall promote data and metadata access and archive activities to increase accessibility, interoperability, and reusability by maintaining a data inventory of meteorological observations. Not less frequently than annually for a period of five years beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Interagency Council shall solicit updated information from private sector entities identifying current and near future sources of such data. Such data shall be made available to member departments and agencies under subsection (a).

(f) Coordination office

The Interagency Meteorological Coordination Office shall provide to the Interagency Council such administrative and logistical support as the Interagency Council may require, as determined by the co-chairs.

(g) Cost share

Member departments and agencies of the Interagency Council under subsection (a) may provide reimbursable financial support to the Interagency Meteorological Coordinating Office to enhance cost-sharing and collaboration related to weather research and forecast innovation activities.

(h) Report

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter, the Interagency Council shall publish a report which identifies among member agencies the following:

(1)

Federal programs that use meteorological observations, data sources, and capabilities.

(2)

Federal programs that acquire such data from private sector entities.

(3)

Advancements in meteorological data collection, assimilation, and forecasting that could improve Federal programmatic operational capabilities.

(4)

Barriers to acquiring meteorological observations, data sources, and capabilities that could be used to better meet Federal programmatic needs.

(1) In general

The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended—

(2) Clerical amendments

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by striking the items relating to sections 408 through 414 and inserting the following new items:

(1)

in section 106, by striking subsection (c) (15 U.S.C. 1537); and

(2)

in section 108 (15 U.S.C. 8520)—

(1)

by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and

(2)

by inserting before paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) the following:

(1) Atmospheric river

The term atmospheric river means a transient corridor of strong water vapor in the atmosphere that—

(A)

produces significant quantities of rain or snow; and

(B)

may be primarily beneficial to the water supply or hazardous due to flooding.

(2) Atmospheric river flooding event

The term atmospheric river flooding event means an atmospheric river that—

(A)

results in flooding of rivers and streams or other hazards to human life, property, or the economy; and

(B)

is of particular concern to human health, property, and the economy, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce.

(3) Extreme precipitation event

The term extreme precipitation event means precipitation quantities exceeding the 5-year annual recurrence interval for a specific location.

(1)

by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), and (12) as paragraphs (7), (8), (10), (11), (13), (14), (15), and (16), respectively;

(2)

by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

(4) Atmospheric river

The term atmospheric river has the meaning given the term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C. 9707(a)).

(5) Atmospheric river flooding event

The term atmospheric river flooding event has the meaning given the term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C. 9707(a)).

(6) Extreme precipitation event

The term extreme precipitation event has the meaning given the term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C. 9707(a)).;

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (8), as so redesignated, the following:

(9) Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).;

(4)

by inserting after paragraph (11), as so redesignated, the following:

(12) Native Hawaiian organization

The term Native Hawaiian organization has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517), except that the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.; and

(5)

by adding at the end the following:

(17) Tribal organization

The term Tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

(1) Establishment

Section 3(a)(3) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(a)(3)) is amended by striking protect and inserting contribute to protecting.

(2) Program activities

Section 3(b)(1)(C)(ii) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(1)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking implement and inserting disseminate.

(3) National strategy

Section 3(b)(2) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(2)) is amended—

(4) National landslide hazards database

Section 3(b)(3) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(3)) is amended—

(5) Landslide hazard and risk prepared ness for communities

Section 3(b)(4) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(4)) is amended—

(6) Debris flow early warning system

Section 3(b)(5) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(5)) is amended—

(7) Emergency response activities

Section 3(b)(6) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(6)) is amended—

(8) Interagency coordinating committee on landslide hazards

Section 3(c)(2) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(c)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(J)

The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

(9) Advisory committee

Section 3(d)(2)(B) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102(d)(2)(B)) is amended—

(10) Regional partnerships

Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102) is amended—

(11) Grant programs

Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102) is amended, in paragraph (1) of subsection (f) (as so redesignated)—

(12) Significant events

Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102) is amended, in subsection (h)(3) (as so redesignated), by striking local, and Tribal partners and inserting and local partners, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

(13) Funding

Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3102) is amended, in subsection (i) (as so redesignated), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 2024 and inserting 2030.

(1) Establishment

Section 5(a) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3104(a)) is amended—

(2) 3d elevation Federal interagency coordinating committee

Section 5(b)(3) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3104(b)(3)) is amended—

(3) Grants and cooperative agreements

Section 5(d)(3) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3104(d)(3)) is amended by striking publically and inserting publicly.

(4) Funding

Section 5(e) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3104(e)) is amended by striking 2024 and inserting 2030.

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(2)

by striking subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), and (i) and redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively;

(3)

in subsection (b), as so redesignated—

(4)

in subsection (c), as so redesignated, to read as follows:

(c) Action strategy and scientific assessment for marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms

(1)

Not less often than once every 5 years, the Task Force shall complete and submit to Congress an action strategy, including a scientific assessment, of harmful algal blooms in the United States (in this Act referred to as the Action Strategy). Each such Action Strategy, including scientific assessment, shall examine both marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms, including those in the Great Lakes and upper reaches of estuaries, those in freshwater lakes and rivers, and those that originate in freshwater lakes or rivers and migrate to coastal waters.

(2)

Each Action Strategy under this subsection shall—

(A)

examine the causes and ecological consequences, and the socio-cultural or economic costs, including impacts food safety and security, of harmful algal blooms;

(B)

examine the effect of other environmental stressors on harmful algal blooms;

(C)

examine potential methods to prevent, control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms and the potential ecological, social, cultural, and economic costs and benefits of such methods;

(D)

identify priorities for research needed to advance techniques and technologies to detect, predict, monitor, respond to, and minimize the occurrence, duration, and severity of harmful algal blooms, including recommendations to eliminate significant gaps in harmful algal bloom forecasting, monitoring, and observation data;

(E)

evaluate progress made by, and the needs of, Task Force activities and actions to prevent, control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms;

(F)

identify ways to improve coordination and prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal departments and agencies with respect to research on harmful algal blooms;

(G)

include regional chapters relating to the requirements described in this paragraph in order to highlight geographically and ecologically diverse locations with significant ecological, social, cultural, and economic impacts from harmful algal blooms; and

(H)

define methodology used to determine ecological, social, cultural and economic impacts from harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.

(1)

by striking the coastal;

(2)

by inserting and after Indian tribes,;

(3)

by inserting and after local governments,; and

(4)

by striking with expertise in coastal zone science and management and inserting with relevant expertise.

(1)

in subsection (a)—

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(3)

in subsection (d), by striking Except as provided in subsection (h), the and inserting The;

(4)

in subsection (e)—

(5)

by amending subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:

(f) Cooperative efforts

The Under Secretary shall work cooperatively with and avoid duplication of effort of other agencies on the Task Force, and with and of States, Indian tribes, and nongovernmental organizations concerned with marine and freshwater issues, and shall coordinate harmful algal bloom and hypoxia and related activities and research.

(g) Freshwater and estuarine program duties

(1) In general

The Administrator shall—

(A)

with respect to freshwater aspects of the Program, in coordination with the Task Force, carry out the duties under subsection (e) through the activities required under section 603C; and

(B)

with respect to estuarine aspects of the Program, coordinate with the Under Secretary to carry out activities required under this section.

(2) Nonduplication

The Administrator shall ensure that activities carried out under this subsection focus on new approaches to addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms and are not duplicative of existing research and development programs authorized under this Act or any other law.; and

(6)

by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:

(h) Anti-Deficiency Act applied to harmful algal bloom services

Any services by an officer or employee under this title relating to the immediate development and dissemination of the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System of the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be considered, for purposes of section 1342 of title 31, United States Code, services for emergencies involving the safety of human life or the protection of property. Such consideration shall only apply to areas with active harmful algal blooms during any lapse in appropriations beginning on or after the date of the enactment of this subsection.

(1) In general

Section 603B of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4003) is amended to read as follows:

603B. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration activities

(a) In general

The Under Secretary shall—

(1)

carry out marine, coastal, and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events response activities;

(2)

develop and enhance operational harmful algal bloom observing and forecasting programs, including operational observations and forecasting, monitoring, modeling, data management, and information dissemination;

(3)

maintain and enhance peer-reviewed, merit-based, competitive grant funding relating to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia to—

(A)

maintain and enhance baseline monitoring programs established by the Program;

(B)

support the projects maintained and established by the Program;

(C)

address the research and management needs and priorities identified in the Action Strategy under section 603(c);

(D)

accelerate the utilization of effective methods of intervention and mitigation to reduce the frequency, severity, and impacts of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events;

(E)

identify opportunities to improve monitoring of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia, with a particular focus on coastal waters that may affect fisheries, public health, or subsistence harvest;

(F)

examine the effects of other environmental stressors on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;

(G)

assess the effects of multiple environmental stressors on living marine resources and coastal ecosystems; and

(H)

evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the impacts of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;

(4)

enhance communication and coordination among Federal agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities and research;

(5)

to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing resources and expertise available from local research universities and institutions; and

(6)

use cost effective methods in carrying out this section.

(b) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System

The collection of monitoring and observing data under this section shall comply with all data standards and protocols developed pursuant to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.). Such data shall be made available through the system established under that Act.

(2) Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–383) is amended by amending the item relating to section 603B to read as follows:

(1) In general

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 603B of that Act (33 U.S.C. 4003), as amended by subsection (d), the following new section:

603C. Environmental Protection Agency activities

The Administrator shall—

(1)

carry out research on the ecology and human health impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms;

(2)

develop and maintain forecasting and monitoring of, and event response to, freshwater harmful algal blooms in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and estuaries (including tributaries thereof);

(3)

enhance communication and coordination among Federal agencies carrying out freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities and research;

(4)

to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing resources and expertise available from local research universities and institutions; and

(5)

use cost effective methods in carrying out this section.

(2) Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–383) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 603B, as amended by subsection (e), the following new item:

(1) In general

Section 606 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4005) is amended to read as follows:

606. National harmful algal bloom observing network

(a) In general

The Under Secretary, acting through the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (referred to in this section as NCCOS) and the Integrated Ocean Observing System (referred to in this section as IOOS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall integrate Federal, State, regional, and local observing capabilities to establish a national network of harmful algal bloom observing systems for the monitoring, detection, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms by leveraging the capacity of IOOS regional associations, including through the incorporation of emerging technologies and new data integration methods, such as artificial intelligence.

(b) Coordination

In carrying out subsection (a), the IOOS Program Office shall—

(1)

coordinate with NCCOS regarding observations, data integration, and information dissemination; and

(2)

establish a Harmful Algal Bloom Data Assembly Center to integrate, disseminate, and provide a central architecture to support ecological forecasting.

(2) Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–383) is amended by amending the item relating to section 606 to read as follows:

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking means the comprehensive research plan and action strategy established under section 603B and inserting means the action strategy, including scientific assessment, for marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms established under section 603(c);

(2)

in paragraph (3), to read as follows:

(3) Appropriate Federal official

The term appropriate Federal official means—

(A)

in the case of marine systems or Great Lakes hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, including those in estuarine areas, the Under Secretary; and

(B)

in the case of a freshwater hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, the Administrator, in consultation with the Under Secretary.;

(3)

by striking paragraph (9);

(4)

by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (10), and (11);

(5)

by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraphs:

(4) Harmful algal bloom; harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event

(A) Harmful algal bloom

The term harmful algal bloom means marine or freshwater algae or macroalgae, including Sargassum, that proliferate to high concentrations, resulting in nuisance conditions or harmful impacts on marine and freshwater ecosystems, communities, or human health through the production of toxic compounds or other biological, chemical, or physical impacts of the algae outbreak.

(B) Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event

The term harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event means the occurrence of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia as a result of a natural, anthropogenic, or undetermined cause.

(5) Harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance

The term harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance means a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event that has had or will likely have significant detrimental environmental, economic, social, subsistence use, or public health impacts.;

(6)

in paragraph (6), as so redesignated—

(7)

by inserting after paragraph (8), as so redesignated, the following new paragraph:

(9) Subsistence use

The term subsistence use means the customary and traditional use of fish, wildlife, or other freshwater, coastal, or marine resources by any individual or community to meet personal or family needs, including essential economic, nutritional, or cultural applications.

(1)

in subsection (a), to read as follows:

(a) In general

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary to carry out this title $27,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(c) Transfer authority

The Under Secretary is authorized to make a direct non-expenditure transfer of funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) to the head of any Federal department or agency, with the concurrence of such head, to carry out, as appropriate, relevant provisions of this title.

(1) In general

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

611. National level incubator program

(a) In general

The Under Secretary, in collaboration with research universities and institutions, shall establish a national level incubator program to increase the number of available control strategies and technologies relating to harmful algal blooms. Such incubator shall establish a framework for preliminary assessments of novel harmful algal bloom prevention, mitigation, and control technologies in order to determine the potential for effectiveness and scalability.

(b) Operation

The incubator established under subsection (a) shall provide merit-based funding for harmful algal bloom control strategies and technologies that eliminate or reduce through biological, chemical, or physical means the levels of harmful algae and associated toxins.

(c) Database

The incubator established under subsection (a) shall include a database to catalog the licensing and permitting requirements, economic costs, feasibility, effectiveness, and scalability of both novel and established prevention, control, and mitigation measures.

(d) Prioritization

In carrying out the incubator established under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall prioritize proposed activities that would, to the maximum extent practicable—

(1)

protect key habitats for fish and wildlife;

(2)

maintain biodiversity;

(3)

protect public health;

(4)

protect coastal resources of national, historical, and cultural significance; or

(5)

seek to partially or fully benefit communities of color, low-income communities, Indian Tribes or Indigenous communities, and rural communities.

(2) Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 2 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–383) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 610 the following new item:

(1)

in paragraph (1)—

(2)

in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting , leadership official of an affected Indian Tribe, the executive official of the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the United States, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa, if affected after State; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(4) Funding authority

To carry out this subsection, notwithstanding any other provision of law, there is authorized to be appropriated from the amounts made available to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere $2,000,000, to remain available until expended.

(1)

by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and

(2)

by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection:

(e) Harmful algal bloom technologies

In carrying out the demonstration program under subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into agreements with water and irrigation districts located in the focus areas described in subsections (c) and (d) for the use or sale of any new technologies developed under the program to expedite the removal of harmful algal blooms in such areas.

(1)

partner with the private sector, academia, Federal, State, and local government entities, and any other entity the Under Secretary considers appropriate;

(2)

identify, evaluate, and test existing or near-commercial technologies and solutions that improve radar coverage and performance, including by mitigating the potential impact of interferences on weather radar;

(3)

to the maximum extent practicable, research additional solutions that could mitigate the effects of interferences on weather radar, such as—

(4)

develop, support, or partner with developers to provide commercially viable technical mitigation solutions for interferences to weather radar capabilities that are compatible with the operational requirements of the weather radar systems.

(1)

Phased array weather radar systems.

(2)

Supplementing or replacing contaminated data with commercial radar data.

(3)

The utilization of data from private sector associated meteorological towers or similar capabilities.

(4)

The display on local forecasting equipment of wind farm boundaries and consolidated wind farm areas.

(5)

The installation and provision of access to rain gauges.

(6)

Any other technology-based mitigation solution the Under Secretary determines could improve radar coverage by overcoming interferences, beam blockage, or ghost echoes.

(1) In general

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter until the Program terminates pursuant to subsection (e), the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the Program, including an evaluation of each technology-based mitigation solution identified for priority consideration pursuant to subsection (c), and a recommendation regarding additional identification and testing of new technologies based on such consideration.

(2) Final recommendation

Not later than five years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall provide to Congress a recommendation on whether additional research, testing, and development through the Program established under subsection (a) is needed, and a determination of whether a cessation of field research, testing, development and evaluation is appropriate.

(1)

September 30, 2030; or

(2)

one year after the date on which the final recommendation required under subsection (d)(2) is submitted by the Under Secretary.

(1) Beam blockage

The term beam blockage means a signal that is partially or fully blocked due to an interference.

(2) Ghost echo

The term ghost echo means radar signal reflectivity or velocity return errors in radar data due to the proximity of an interference.

(3) Interference

The term interference includes the following:

(1)

Estimates of quantifiable improvements in radar performance and service delivery, including coverage and accuracy, to be made from replacement of the NEXRAD system referred to in such subsection.

(2)

Development of a digital phased array radar test article designed to test and determine the specifications and requirements for such replacement.

(3)

Establishment of a weather surveillance radar testbed for the following:

(4)

Consultation and input solicited from meteorologists, emergency managers, and public safety officials regarding the specifications and requirements for the replacement of the NEXRAD system referred in such subsection.

(5)

Prioritized locations for initial deployment of the replacement system described in subsection (a) that will replace the NEXRAD system.

(6)

Expected locations of such replacement system described in subsection (a), including sites located more than 75 miles away from an existing NEXRAD station and additional appropriate locations.

(1) In general

In order to supplement data voids in radar coverage in existence as of the date of the enactment of this section and ensure the continued performance of weather radar capabilities, the Under Secretary may utilize and contract with third party entities to fill such low-level and wide-area radar data voids using diverse weather radars and data assimilation technologies to better detect significant precipitation and severe weather over a greater area across the population.

(2) Considerations

In carrying out the activities under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary may consider—

(1)

Reviewing areas in the continental United States and the territories that are considered under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable for weather phenomenon, including urban and offshore regions, and identifying associated challenges to providing such coverage.

(2)

Increasing weather observations and developing new weather observational capabilities, such as urban heat island mapping campaigns, with respect to under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable regions.

(3)

Establishing or supporting testbeds to develop and integrate new weather, water, and climate observation or emergency information sharing tools, such as next generational or supplemental radars for weather observations, in under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable regions.

(4)

To the maximum extent practicable, advancing weather and water forecasting and climate modeling capabilities for under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable regions.

(5)

Undertaking workforce development efforts for emergency management officials and meteorologists in under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable areas, including urban regions, of the United States.

(6)

Using data void filling observations to better resolve extreme rainfall in complex topography.

(7)

Contributing to a national integrated heat health information systems.

(1)

establishing quantitative atmospheric river forecast skill metrics that include quantifying the benefits of dynamical modeling, data assimilation, and machine learning improvements in the probabilistic forecasts of landfall location, extreme wind and precipitation, and cascading impacts;

(2)

developing an atmospheric river forecast system within the unified forecast system, and advancing next-generation coupled modeling systems, with the capability of providing seasonal to short-range atmospheric river forecasts that include forecast of snow accumulation and other hydrologic components;

(3)

advancing scientific understanding of the roles of atmospheric rivers in subseasonal to seasonal precipitation and probabilistic predictions at subseasonal and seasonal scales;

(4)

developing tools and improved forecast products to predict periods of active or inactive atmospheric river landfalls and inland penetration over the western United States with a focus on addressing stakeholder and public needs related to perceiving, comprehending, and responding to atmospheric river forecast improvements; and

(5)

enhancing research transition to operations through the Administration’s testbeds, including the evaluation of physical and social science, technology, and other research to develop products and services for implementation and use by relevant stakeholders.

(1)

Improving understanding and capacity for real-time operational prediction of the ocean’s role in coastal flooding, including high tide flooding, and storm surge events.

(2)

Improving the capacity to mitigate or prevent the impacts of coastal flooding, including high tide flooding, and storm surge events, including by improving the understanding and capacity of coastal communities to perceive, comprehend, and respond to forecast information.

(3)

Incorporating data from in situ distributed sensors into models.

(4)

Developing probabilistic coastal flooding, including high tide flooding, and storm surge estimates to complement worst-case scenario estimates, including for use in long-term planning and risk management by States, Tribal governments, localities, and emergency managers in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as appropriate.

(5)

Establishing skill metrics for coastal inundation forecasting that quantify the benefits of dynamical modeling, data assimilation, and machine learning improvements in the probabilistic forecast of coastal flooding, including high tide flooding, and storm surge risk and impacts.

(6)

Improving operational regional storm surge and wave prediction models to enhance probabilistic guidance and messaging.

(1)

Procurement of weather data available from commercial aircraft, as determined by the Under Secretary.

(2)

Acquisition of additional vertical profile observations that provide spatial and temporal density, as determined by the Under Secretary.

(3)

Analysis of procured data when incorporated into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s unified forecast system in order to provide improved forecast information for aircraft.

(1)

designating or establishing within the Federal Government an interagency working group to determine weather and environmental data or observation requirements, needs, and potential solutions related to aviation weather and turbulence modeling or forecasting;

(2)

identifying current and future potential data gaps related to turbulence events or phenomena that can—

(3)

transitioning research initiatives and pilot programs, including a pilot program of instrumentation for observing greenhouse gases and other atmospheric factors deployed on commercial aircraft and supporting the evaluation of a sustained observing network using such platforms, into operations that improve the forecasting missions of the Aviation Weather Center;

(4)

developing and deploying improved probabilistic aviation weather forecast guidance technology; and

(5)

updating interagency agreements as appropriate, including to address reimbursable agreements.

(1)

by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and

(2)

by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new subparagraph:

(F)

aviation weather phenomena, including atmospheric composition and turbulence, to improve scientific understanding and forecast capabilities for the airspace system;

(1)

improve upon the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s satellite architecture;

(2)

have a direct impact on implementing the recommendations of the Administration’s 2018 Satellite Observing System Architecture Study, Building a Plan for NOAA’s 21st Century Satellite Observing System; and

(3)

meet current or future mission requirements.

(1)

Integrating and displaying forecast data, including meteorological, hydrological, climate, ocean, satellite, and radar data, for National Weather Service field offices and national centers.

(2)

Acquiring and processing observational data from sensors and local sources.

(3)

Providing an interactive communications system, including the satellite broadcast network, to connect relevant National Weather Service employees and sites.

(4)

Initiating the dissemination of weather, water, marine, ecological, climate, aviation, and space warnings and forecasts in a rapid and highly reliable manner.

(1)

Establishment or support of testbeds, pilot projects, and functional testing activities to facilitate remote evaluation and automated testing.

(2)

Coordinated training efforts needed for Federal and non-Federal users and operators of the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System in an operational cloud-based environment referred to in subsection (a).

(3)

Evaluation of bandwidth requirements to achieve a quality user experience.

(4)

Installation of circuits to reduce lapses in network operations and support backup functions.

(5)

Establishment of a cloud-based, remotely accessible repository for data referred to in subsection (b)(2).

(6)

Development and deployment of virtualized systems to replace physical hardware at operational sites.

(7)

Evaluation of commercial cloud providers, including hybrid approaches, to meet mission needs.

(8)

Development, testing, demonstration, evaluation, and operationalization of forecast and warning products, consistent with the mission and scientific expertise of the Administration.

(1)

Recommendations to outsource hiring to any entity other than the National Weather Service in order to meet such milestones, timelines, and service level expectations.

(2)

Determinations of the number of staff and designated positions required at each forecasting office to provide services to protect lives and property in the geographic region of responsibility.

(1) In general

The Director of the National Weather Service may designate at least one service hydrologist at each Weather Forecast Office of the National Weather Service.

(2) Limitation

Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize or require a change in the authorized number of full time equivalent employees of the National Weather Service or otherwise result in the employment of any additional employees.

(3) Performance by other employees

Notwithstanding paragraphs (4) and (5), the Director of the National Weather Service may assign the performance of the responsibilities described in this subsection to such other staff of the National Weather Service as the Director considers appropriate.

(4) Responsibilities

In order to increase impact-based decision support services, each service coordination hydrologist designated under paragraph (1) shall, with respect to hydrology, carry out the following:

(5) Additional responsibilities

A service coordination hydrologist designated under this subsection may, with respect to hydrology—

(1)

be hosted on the public cloud; and

(2)

satisfy requirements set forth by the Director to ensure such solution—

(1)

maintain support for existing systems serving areas not covered by or having poor quality cellular service;

(2)

ensure consistent maintenance and operations monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site equipment and antennas;

(3)

enhance the ability to amplify Non-Weather Emergency Messages via NOAA Weather Radio as necessary; and

(4)

acquire additional transmitters as required to expand coverage to rural and underserved communities, units of the National Park System, and National Recreation Areas.

(1)

upgrade telecommunications infrastructure of NOAA Weather Radio to accelerate the transition of broadcasts to internet protocol-based communications over non-copper media;

(2)

accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System, or the relevant system successors, to implement partial county notifications and alerts;

(3)

consult with relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, to enhance accessibility and usability of NOAA Weather Radio data and feeds;

(4)

develop options, including satellite backup capability and commercial provider partnerships, for NOAA Weather Radio continuity in the event of Weather Forecast Office outages;

(5)

research and develop alternative options, including microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA Weather Radio signals to transmitters that are remote or do not have internet protocol capability; and

(6)

transition critical applications to the Integrated Dissemination Program, or the relevant program successors.

(1)

The need for continuous, adequate, and operational real-time broadcasts of the NOAA Weather Radio in both urban and rural areas.

(2)

Solicited inputs from relevant stakeholders on the compatibility of NOAA Weather Radio data for third party platforms that provide online services, such as websites and mobile device applications, or deliver NOAA Weather Radio access.

(3)

Existing or new management systems that promote consistent, efficient, and compatible access to NOAA Weather Radio.

(4)

The ability of NOAA to aggregate real time broadcast feeds at one or more central locations.

(5)

Effective interagency coordination.

(6)

The potential effects of an electromagnetic pulse or geomagnetic disturbance on NOAA Weather Radio.

(7)

Any other function the Under Secretary determines necessary.

(1)

examine the role of uncrewed aerial and marine systems in data collection during post-storm surveys and assessments conducted under this section;

(2)

identify gaps in and update tactics and procedures to enhance the efficiency and reliability of data obtained from post-storm surveys and assessments;

(3)

to the maximum extent practicable, increase the number of post-storm community impact studies, particularly among under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable populations, including—

(4)

as appropriate, integrate community-based, social, behavioral, risk, communication, and economic sciences elements into existing post-storm surveys and assessments, including relating to efficacy of forecast and warning information, barriers to action, and messaging challenges.

(1)

An analysis of the information technology infrastructure of the National Weather Service, including software and hardware capabilities and limitations, including an examination of server and data storage methods, broadband, data management, and data sharing.

(2)

An identification of secondary and tertiary fail-safes for the timely distribution to the public of notifications via alerts and updates regarding hazardous weather or water events.

(3)

A process analysis to determine the source and extent to which public notifications via alerts and updates regarding hazardous weather or water events have been delayed and an identification of possible improvements or corrective measures to address latency in the notification process.

(4)

An assessment of whether collaboration with other Federal offices, States, or private entities could reduce delays in notifications to the public.

(5)

A description of actions being undertaken to better identify critical steps in public notification via alerts and updates for hazardous weather or water events that may be vulnerable to disruption or failure in the event of communication, technologic, or computational failure.

(6)

The geographical differences in availability and effectiveness of rural systems, including an estimated number of rural areas affected by unreliable or unavailable accurate systems and barriers to obtain or upgrade such systems.

(1)

in subsection (b)—

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(3)

by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f) Modeling update

The Under Secretary, in partnership with National Integrated Drought Information System and the Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service, shall undertake an effort to transition existing drought products to probabilistic forecasts and incorporate new and improved dynamical and statistical forecast modeling tools.

(1)

obtain observations in all geographic environments to improve understanding of and forecast capabilities for atmospheric and water events, with a prioritization on leveraging available commercial, academic, and other non-Federal environmental data to enhance coordination across the private, public, and academic sectors of the United States weather enterprise; and

(2)

establish memoranda of understanding with networks outside of the scope of the Program.

(1)

Improve environmental observations used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service to support baseline forecasts, including nowcasts, and warnings that protect the Nation’s citizens, businesses, military, and government agencies, and enable such individuals and entities to operate in safe, efficient, and orderly manners.

(2)

When demonstrably cost effective and meeting or exceeding agency data quality standards, leverage existing networks of environmental monitoring stations, including supplemental radar systems, to increase the quantity and density of environmental observations and data available to the Administration.

(3)

Establish means to integrate greater density and type of environmental observations into the Program on an annual basis, including by encouraging local and regional networks of environmental monitoring stations, in situ sensor networks and satellite constellations to participate in the Program.

(4)

Yield increased quantities of boundary-layer data to improve numerical weather prediction performance, including regarding subseasonal to seasonal timescales.

(5)

Provide the critical technical and administrative infrastructure needed to facilitate rapid integration and sustained use of new and emerging networks of environmental monitoring stations anticipated in coming years from non-Federal sources.

(6)

Expand and enhance environmental observational networks in the roadway environment to provide real-time road weather and surface conditions for surface transportation and related economic sectors.

(7)

Identify available terrestrial or marine environmental data, or quantifiable gaps in such data, to improve the understanding of air-sea interactions.

(8)

Support the National Weather Service in reaching its target of a 30-minute warning time for severe weather through better predictive model algorithms driven by increasingly effective observations.

(9)

Coordinate with existing Administration data used for forecasts, including data from the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, the Integrated Ocean Observing System, the Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program, the National Data Buoy Center, and the National Ocean Service.

(10)

Identify and communicate to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and other partners priorities of research and development needed to advance observations in the Program.

(11)

Support the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network in acquiring soil moisture and related data to support the development of decision-support products and other information services.

(1) In general

In furtherance of the Program, the Under Secretary may, to the extent amounts are made available, award up to 15 percent of the Program’s annual appropriations for financial assistance to State, Tribal, private, and academic entities seeking to build, expand, or upgrade equipment and capacity of mesonet systems. Financial assistance under this subsection may be made in coordination with and in addition to awards from other Federal agencies.

(2) Agreements

Before receiving financial assistance under paragraph (1), the State, Tribal, private, or academic entity seeking financial assistance under this subsection shall enter into an agreement with the Under Secretary to provide data to the Program, subject to verification by the Program of the relative operational value and evaluation of the cost of such data, for use in weather prediction, severe weather warnings, and emergency response.

(3) Assistance and other support

The Under Secretary may provide technical assistance, project implementation support, and guidance to State, Tribal, private, and academic entities seeking financial assistance under this subsection. The Under Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance for maintenance of monitoring stations in underrepresented or remote areas of the country where it is financially unfeasible for one entity to operate such stations without such assistance.

(4) Terms

In providing financial assistance under this subsection, the Under Secretary shall establish terms to ensure that each State, Tribal, private, or academic entity that receives financial assistance under this subsection receives a level of Federal support commensurate with the quality and other characteristics of the data to be provided.

(5) Determination

A State, Tribal, private, or academic entity may receive financial assistance under this subsection only if the Under Secretary determines such entity shall provide sufficient non-Federal financial support and full maintenance to maintain the quality of the mesonet system and associated data standards required by the Program for a period of not less than five years.

(6) Priority

The Under Secretary shall prioritize providing assistance under paragraph (1) to at least one entity in an underrepresented or remote area.

(1) In general

The Under Secretary shall ensure the Program has an active advisory committee of subject matter experts to make recommendations to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the identification, implementation, procurement, and tracking of data needed to supplement the Program, and recommend improvements, expansions, and acquisitions of available data. The Under Secretary may designate an existing Federal advisory committee, subcommittee, or working group, including, if appropriate, the Science Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to carry out this subsection.

(2) Academic expertise

The advisory committee under paragraph (1), in consultation with the Program, shall include expertise from one or more institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) to assist the advisory committee to identify, evaluate, and recommend potential partnerships, regional or subregional consortia, and collaborative methods that would expand the number of participants and volume of data in the Program.

(1)

Efforts to implement the activities described in subsection (b).

(2)

Any financial or technical assistance provided pursuant to subsection (c).

(3)

Efforts to address recommendations received from the advisory committee under subsection (d).

(4)

The potential need and associated benefits of a coastal and ocean mesonet, or other emerging areas of weather data needs.

(5)

Progress toward eliminating gaps in weather observation data by States and regions of the United States.

(6)

Any other topic the Under Secretary determines relevant.

(1)

$50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.

(2)

$55,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.

(3)

$61,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.

(4)

$68,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.

(5)

$70,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.

(1)

Establishing a visible, user-friendly website.

(2)

Developing a set of criteria for high-quality data sources.

(3)

Supporting research necessary to develop or improve soil moisture monitoring products at a national scale.

(4)

Increasing the number of long-term, high-quality, in situ and remote sensing soil moisture monitoring stations across the United States.

(5)

Sharing methodologies and validation protocols with the private sector.

(6)

Engaging with the citizen science community.

(7)

Developing, releasing, and promoting new, nationwide point-based and gridded soil moisture data products that meet the needs of diverse end-user groups.

(8)

Supporting community building and outreach to the network of individuals engaged with soil moisture information delivery, from data provision to end-user decision making.

(A)

in paragraph (1)(A)—

(B)

in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(F)

Serving as the primary Center for collaboration and coordination of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s water research and operational activities with existing Federal centers and networks, including the Department of Agriculture, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Geological Survey, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.;

(1)

by redesignating section 603 as section 604; and

(2)

by inserting after section 602 the following new section:

603. Precipitation forecast improvement program

(a) In general

The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the United States weather industry, other Federal agencies, and academic partners, shall maintain a program to improve precipitation forecasting across timescales.

(b) Goal

The goal of the program under subsection (a) shall be to provide more accurate, reliable, and timely precipitation forecasts across timescales through the development and application of a fully coupled Earth system prediction model in order to reduce the loss of life or property related to precipitation extremes, with a focus on the following:

(1)

Improving the understanding and prediction of precipitation extremes from a variety of weather systems, including atmospheric rivers.

(2)

Evaluating and incorporating, as appropriate, innovative observations into operational monitoring and forecast systems to improve precipitation forecasts.

(3)

Improving earth system model predictions of precipitation extremes from atmospheric rivers, tropical cyclones, summer-time thunderstorms, winter storms, and other phenomena, in coordination with relevant programs.

(4)

Enhancing research transition to operations through testbeds, including the evaluation of physical and social science, technology, and other research to develop products and services for implementation and use by relevant stakeholders.

(5)

Incorporating social, behavioral, and economic sciences best practices into operations for more effective and actionable watch and warning products that help drive public safety and damage mitigation decisions in coordination with the programs established in accordance with this Act.

(6)

Ensuring data and metadata management processes are in place to support data access and archive for long term research and operations among multiple partners.

(c) Activities

In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall support research-to-operations work, including relating to the following:

(1)

Implementing key strategies and following priorities and objectives outlined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Precipitation Prediction Grand Challenge Strategy.

(2)

Improving the physical science, operational modeling and tools, and technology related to better forecasting precipitation extremes across timescales.

(3)

Improving the social, behavioral, risk, communications, and economic sciences related to vulnerabilities, risk communication, and delivery of information critical for reducing the loss of life or property related to extreme precipitation.

(4)

Conducting the research necessary to develop and deploy probabilistic weather forecast guidance technology relating to precipitation extremes in operational practice.

(5)

Enhancing the operational capacity of the National Weather Service to deliver decision support for increasing precipitation extremes.

(6)

Expanding computational resources to improve precipitation modeling.

(d) Annual budget

The Under Secretary shall, not less frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed budget corresponding with carrying out this section.