S 2126 — Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025

changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

 INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION 
 SYSTEM ACT OF 2009 

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 TITLE XII--OCEANS

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 PART II--NOAA UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM ACT OF 2009

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 Subtitle C--Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
 System Act of 2009

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 [33 U.S.C. 3601-3610]

SEC. 12302. PURPOSES.

 The purposes of this subtitle are--
 (1) to establish and sustain a national integrated 
 System of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing 
 systems, comprised of Federal and non-Federal 
 components coordinated at the national level by the 
 [Council] Ocean Policy Committee and at the regional 
 level by a network of regional coastal observing 
 systems, and that includes in situ, remote, and other 
 coastal [and ocean observation], ocean, and 
 meteorological observations and modeling capabilities, 
 technologies, data management systems, communication 
 systems, and product development systems, and is 
 designed to address regional and national needs for 
 ocean [and coastal information], coastal, and 
 meteorological information, to gather specific data on 
 key ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes variables, and to 
 ensure timely and sustained dissemination and 
 availability of these data--
 (A) * * *
 (B) * * *
 (C) * * *
 (D) * * *
 (E) * * *
 (F) * * *
 (2) * * *
 (3) * * *
 (4) to authorize activities--
 (A) to promote basic and applied research to 
 develop, test, and deploy innovations and 
 improvements in coastal and ocean observation 
 technologies, including advanced observing 
 technologies such as unmanned maritime systems 
 needed to address critical data gaps, data 
 management systems and cyber infrastructure, 
 modeling systems, other scientific and 
 technological capabilities to improve the 
 understanding of weather and climate, ocean-
 atmosphere dynamics, [global climate change,] 
 and the physical, chemical, and biological 
 dynamics of the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
 environments; and
 (B) to conserve healthy and restore degraded 
 coastal ecosystems.

SEC. 12303. DEFINITIONS.

 In this subtitle:
 (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means 
 the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
 Atmosphere in the Under Secretary's capacity as 
 Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
 Administration.
 [(2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the 
 National Ocean Research Leadership Council established 
 by section 8932 of title 10, United States Code.]
 [(3)](2) Federal assets.--The term ``Federal assets'' 
 means all relevant non-classified civilian coastal and 
 ocean observations, technologies, and related modeling, 
 research, data management, basic and applied technology 
 research and development, and public education and 
 outreach programs, that are managed by member agencies 
 of the [Council] Ocean Policy Committee.
 [(4)](3) Interagency ocean observation committee.--
 The term ``Interagency Ocean Observation Committee'' 
 means the committee established under section 
 3603(c)(2) of this title.
 [(5)](4) Non-federal assets.--The term ``non-Federal 
 assets'' means all relevant coastal and ocean 
 observation technologies, related basic and applied 
 technology research and development, and public 
 education and outreach programs that are managed 
 through States, regional organizations, universities, 
 nongovernmental organizations, or the private sector 
 and integrated into the System by a regional coastal 
 observing system, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
 Administration, or the agencies participating in the 
 Interagency Ocean Observation Committee.
 (5) Ocean policy committee.--The term ``Ocean Policy 
 Committee'' means the Ocean Policy Committee 
 established by section 8932 of title 10, United States 
 Code.
 (6) Regional coastal observing system.--The term 
 ``regional coastal observing system'' means an 
 organizational body that is certified or established by 
 contract or memorandum by the lead Federal agency 
 designated in section 12304(c)(3) of this subtitle and 
 coordinates State, Federal, local, tribal, and private 
 interests at a regional level with the responsibility 
 of engaging the private and public sectors in 
 designing, operating, and improving regional coastal 
 observing systems in order to conduct operational 
 oceanography measurements and ensure the provision of 
 data and information that meet the needs of user groups 
 from the respective regions.
 (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
 Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
 Administrator.
 (8) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given 
 that term in section 3501 of title 40, United States 
 Code.
 [(8)](9) System.--The term ``System'' means the 
 National Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation 
 System established under section 3603 of this title.
 [(9)](10) System plan.--The term ``System Plan'' 
 means the plan contained in the document entitled 
 ``Ocean. US Publication No. 9, The First Integrated 
 Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Development Plan'', as 
 updated by the [Council] Ocean Policy Committee under 
 this subtitle.

SEC. 12304. INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM.

 (a) Establishment.-- * * *
 (b) System Elements.--
 (1) In general.--In order to fulfill the purposes of 
 this subtitle, the System shall be national in scope 
 and consist of--
 (A) Federal assets to fulfill [national] 
 regional, national, and international 
 observation missions and priorities;
 (B) non-Federal assets, including a network 
 of regional coastal observing systems 
 identified under subsection (c)(4), to fulfill 
 regional and national observation missions and 
 priorities;
 (C) observing, modeling, data management, and 
 communication systems for the timely 
 integration and dissemination of data and 
 information products from the System, including 
 reviews of data collection procedures across 
 regions and programs to make recommendations 
 for data collection standards across the System 
 to meet national ocean, coastal, and Great 
 Lakes observation, applied research, and 
 weather and ocean forecasting needs;
 (D) a product development system to transform 
 observations into products in a format that may 
 be readily used and understood; and
 (E) a research and development program 
 conducted under the guidance of the Council, 
 consisting of--
 (i) basic and applied research and 
 technology development--
 (I) to improve understanding 
 of coastal and ocean systems 
 and their relationships to 
 human activities; and
 (II) to ensure improvement of 
 operational assets and 
 products, including related 
 infrastructure, observing 
 technologies such as unmanned 
 maritime systems, and 
 information and data processing 
 and management technologies;
 (ii) an advanced observing technology 
 development program to fill gaps in 
 technology;
 (iii) large scale computing resources 
 and research to advance modeling of 
 ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes 
 processes;
 (iv) models to improve regional 
 weather and ocean forecasting 
 capabilities and regional weather and 
 ocean forecasting products; and
 (v) reviews of data collection 
 procedures across regions and programs 
 to make recommendations for data 
 collection standards across the System 
 to meet national ocean, coastal, and 
 Great Lakes observation, applied 
 research, and weather and ocean 
 forecasting needs.
 (2) Enhancing administration and management.--The 
 head of each Federal agency that has administrative 
 jurisdiction over a Federal asset shall support the 
 purposes of this subtitle and may take appropriate 
 actions to enhance internal agency administration and 
 management to better support, integrate, finance, and 
 utilize observation data, products, and services 
 developed under this section to further its own agency 
 mission and responsibilities.
 (3) Availability of data.--The head of each Federal 
 agency that has administrative jurisdiction over a 
 Federal asset shall make available data that are 
 produced by that asset and that are not otherwise 
 restricted for integration, management, and 
 dissemination by the System for research and for use in 
 the development of products to address societal needs.
 (4) Non-federal assets.--Non-Federal assets shall be 
 coordinated, as appropriate, by the Interagency Ocean 
 Observing Committee or by regional coastal observing 
 systems.
 (c) Policy Oversight, Administration, and Regional 
Coordination.--
 (1) [Council] Ocean policy committee functions.--The 
 [Council] Ocean Policy Committee shall serve as the 
 policy and coordination oversight body for all aspects 
 of the System. In carrying out its responsibilities 
 under this subtitle, the [Council] Ocean Policy 
 Committee shall--
 (A) approve and adopt comprehensive System 
 budgets developed and maintained by the 
 Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to 
 support System operations, including operations 
 of both Federal and non-Federal assets;
 (B) ensure coordination of the System with 
 other domestic and international earth 
 observing activities including the Global Ocean 
 Observing System and the Global Earth Observing 
 System of Systems, and provide, as appropriate, 
 support for and representation on United States 
 delegations to international meetings on 
 coastal and ocean observing programs; and
 (C) encourage coordinated intramural and 
 extramural research and technology development, 
 and a process to transition developing 
 technology and methods into operations of the 
 System.
 (2) Interagency ocean observation committee.--
 (A) Establishment.--[The Council] The Ocean 
 Policy Committee shall establish or designate 
 a committee, which shall be known as the 
 ``Interagency Ocean Observation Committee''.
 (B) Duties.--The Interagency Ocean 
 Observation Committee shall--
 (i) prepare annual and long-term 
 plans for consideration and approval by 
 the Council for the integrated design, 
 operation, maintenance, enhancement, 
 and expansion of the System to meet the 
 objectives of this subtitle and the 
 System Plan;
 (ii) develop and transmit to 
 Congress, along with the budget 
 submitted by the President to Congress 
 pursuant to section 1105(a) of title 
 31, an annual coordinated, 
 comprehensive budget--
 (I) to operate all elements 
 of the System identified in 
 subsection (b); and
 (II) to ensure continuity of 
 data streams from Federal and 
 non-Federal assets;
 (iii) establish requirements for 
 observation data variables to be 
 gathered by both Federal and non-
 Federal assets and identify, in 
 consultation with regional coastal 
 observing systems, priorities for 
 System observations;
 (iv) establish and define protocols 
 and standards for System data 
 processing, management, collection, 
 configuration standards, formats, and 
 communication for new and existing 
 assets throughout the System network;
 (v) develop contract requirements for 
 each regional coastal observing 
 system--
 (I) to establish eligibility 
 for integration into the 
 System;
 (II) to ensure compliance 
 with all applicable standards 
 and protocols established by 
 the Council; and
 (III) to ensure that regional 
 observations are integrated 
 into the System on a sustained 
 basis;
 (vi) develop requirements and 
 processes for regional associations and 
 federally funded projects of the 
 agencies participating in the 
 Interagency Ocean Observation Committee 
 to collaborate with the regional 
 coastal observing systems for data 
 sharing at regional levels;
 [(vi)](vii) identify gaps in 
 observation coverage or needs for 
 capital improvements of both Federal 
 assets and non-Federal assets;
 [(vii)](viii) subject to the 
 availability of appropriations, 
 establish through 1 or more Federal 
 agencies participating in the 
 Interagency Ocean Observation 
 Committee, in consultation with the 
 System advisory committee established 
 under subsection (d), a competitive 
 matching grant or other programs--
 (I) to promote intramural and 
 extramural research and 
 development of new, innovative, 
 and emerging observation 
 technologies including testing 
 and field trials; and
 (II) to facilitate the 
 migration of new, innovative, 
 and emerging scientific and 
 technological advances from 
 research and development to 
 operational deployment;
 [(viii)](ix) periodically--
 (I) review the System Plan; 
 and
 (II) submit to the Council 
 such recommendations as the 
 Interagency Ocean Observation 
 Committee may have for 
 improvements to the System 
 Plan;
 [(ix)](x) ensure collaboration among 
 Federal agencies participating in the 
 Interagency Ocean Observation 
 Committee; and
 [(x)](xi) perform such additional 
 duties as the Council may delegate.
 (3) Lead federal agency.--
 (A) * * *
 (B) * * *
 (C) Requirements.--In carrying out this 
 paragraph, the Administrator shall--
 (i) establish and operate an 
 Integrated Ocean Observing System 
 Program Office within the National 
 Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
 that--
 (I) utilizes, to the extent 
 necessary, personnel from 
 Federal agencies participating 
 in the Interagency Ocean 
 Observation Committee; and
 (II) oversees daily 
 operations and coordination of 
 the System;
 (ii) implement policies, protocols, 
 and standards approved by the Council 
 and delegated by the Interagency Ocean 
 Observation Committee;
 (iii) promulgate program guidelines--
 (I) to certify and integrate 
 regional associations as 
 operational entities into the 
 System; and
 (II) to provide regional 
 coastal and ocean observation 
 data that meet the needs of 
 user groups from the respective 
 regions;
 (iv) * * *
 (v) * * *
 (vi) * * *
 (vii) * * *
 (viii) * * *
 (ix) * * *
 (x) develop and be responsible for a 
 data management, cyber infrastructure, 
 and communication system, in accordance 
 with standards and protocols 
 established by the Interagency Ocean 
 Observation Committee, by which all 
 data collected by the System regarding 
 ocean and coastal waters of the United 
 States including the Great Lakes, are 
 processed, stored, integrated, and made 
 available to all end-user communities;
 (xi) * * *
 (xii) * * *
 (xiii) work with users and regional 
 associations to develop products to 
 enable real-time data sharing for 
 decision makers, including with respect 
 to weather and ocean forecasting and 
 modeling, search and rescue operations, 
 corrosive seawater forecasts, water 
 quality monitoring and communication, 
 [and harmful algal bloom forecasting] 
 harmful algal bloom forecasting, and 
 resource and coastal management.
 (4) * * *
 (d) System Advisory Committee.--
 (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish or 
 designate a System advisory committee, which shall 
 provide advice as may be requested by the Administrator 
 or the [Council] the Ocean Policy Committee under this 
 subtitle.
 (2) * * *
 (3) * * *
 (4) * * *
 (e) * * *
 (f) * * *

SEC. 12305. INTERAGENCY FINANCING AND AGREEMENTS.

 (a) * * *
 (b) Reciprocity.--Member Departments and agencies of [the 
Council] the Ocean Policy Committee shall have the authority 
to create, support, and maintain joint centers, and to enter 
into and perform such contracts, leases, grants, and 
cooperative agreements as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes of this subtitle and fulfillment of the System Plan.

SEC. 12306. * * *

SEC. 12307. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

 (a) * * *
 (b) Contents.--Each report required under subsection (a) 
shall include--
 (1) a description of activities carried out under 
 this subtitle and the System Plan;
 (2) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the System, 
 including an evaluation of progress made by [the 
 Council] the Ocean Policy Committee to achieve the 
 goals identified under the System Plan;
 (3) the identification of Federal and non-Federal 
 assets as determined by [the Council] the Ocean Policy 
 Committee that have been integrated into the System, 
 including assets essential to the gathering of required 
 observation data variables necessary to meet the 
 respective missions of Council agencies;
 (4) a review of procurements, planned or initiated, 
 by each department or agency represented on [the 
 Council] the Ocean Policy Committee to enhance, 
 expand, or modernize the observation capabilities and 
 data products provided by the System, including data 
 management and communication subsystems;
 (5) * * *
 (6) * * *
 (7) * * *
 (8) a post-storm evaluation for all major storms in 
 the United States that occurred during the year 
 preceding the submission of the report, to assess the 
 impact of observations of the System and other products 
 of the System with respect to storm forecast accuracy;
 [(8)](9) recommendations, if any, concerning--
 (A) modifications to the System; and
 (B) funding levels for the System in 
 subsequent fiscal years; and
 [(9)](10) the results of a periodic external 
 independent programmatic audit of the System.

SEC. 12308. PUBLIC-PRIVATE USE POLICY.

 The [Council] Ocean Policy Committee shall maintain a policy 
that defines processes for making decisions about the roles of 
the Federal Government, the States, regional coastal observing 
systems, the academic community, and the private sector in 
providing to end-user communities environmental information, 
products, technologies, and services related to the System. The 
Administrator shall ensure that the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration adheres to the decision making 
process developed by the [Council] Ocean Policy Committee 
regarding the roles of the Federal Government, the States, the 
regional coastal observing systems, the academic community, and 
the private sector in providing end-user communities 
environmental information, data products, technologies, and 
services related to the System.

SEC. 12309. [REPEALED]

SEC. 12310. INTENT OF CONGRESS.

 It is the intent of Congress that funding provided to 
agencies of [the Council] the Ocean Policy Committee to 
implement this subtitle shall supplement, and not replace, 
existing sources of funding for other programs. It is the 
further intent of Congress that agencies of [the Council] the 
Ocean Policy Committee shall not enter into contracts or 
agreements for the development or procurement of new Federal 
assets for the System that are estimated to be in excess of 
$250,000,000 in life-cycle costs without first providing 
adequate notice to Congress and opportunity for review and 
comment.

SEC. 12311. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

 [There are] (a) In General.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce to support the 
integrated oceans observations under this subtitle[--
 [(1) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
 [(2) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
 [(3) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
 [(4) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
 [(5)] $56,000,000 for [fiscal year 2025] each of 
 fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
 (b) Allocation of Funds.--
 (1) In general.--Except as provided by paragraph (2), 
 the Secretary shall allocate not less than 7.5 percent 
 of amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization 
 of appropriations under subsection (a) to each regional 
 coastal observing system that was in existence on 
 January 1, 2025.
 (2) Exclusion of disaster relief appropriations.--
 Paragraph (1) does not apply with respect to any 
 amounts appropriated by an Act making supplemental 
 appropriations for disaster relief.

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