S 141 — Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act

``(5) the Department of the Interior;

``(6) the Department of Homeland Security;

``(7) the Department of Energy;

``(8) the Department of Transportation, including the Federal Aviation Administration;

and ``(9) the Department of State.

``(e) Interagency Agreements.-- ``(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the interagency collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on terrestrial weather observations provides-- ``(A) an effective mechanism for improving weather and climate data collection while avoiding unnecessary duplication of capabilities across Federal agencies;

and ``(B) an agency collaboration model that could benefit space weather observations.

``(2) Interagency agreements.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall enter into one or more interagency agreements providing for cooperation and collaboration in the development of space weather spacecraft, instruments, and technologies in accordance with this chapter.

60702.60602.

ObservationsSpace andweather forecastingcoordination ``(a) Policy.--ItSense of Congress.-- ``(1) National space council.--It is the policysense of Congress that-- ``(A) members of the UnitedNational StatesSpace toCouncil establishare andkey sustainstakeholders aof baselinethe capabilityFederal forGovernment spacewith weatherrespect observations.to space weather;

``(b)``(B) Integrated Strategy.-- ``(1) In general.--The Director of the OfficeUsers' ofAdvisory ScienceGroup and Technology Policy, in coordination with the Administrator of the National OceanicSpace andCouncil Atmosphericshould Administration,effectively theand Administratorefficiently ofrepresent the National Aeronautics and Spaceadvocate Administration,on thebehalf Director of thenongovernmental Nationalorganizations Science Foundation, and the Secretary of Defense, and in consultation with the academic andcommunity commercialwithin communities, shall develop an integrated strategy for solar and solar wind observations beyond the lifetimeNation's of current assets, that considers-- ``(A) the provision of solar wind measurements and other measurements essential to space weather forecasting;enterprise;

and ``(B)``(C) the provisionNational ofSpace solarCouncil andis spacethe weatherappropriate measurementsFederal importantentity forto scientificreview, purposes.establish, and coordinate the Nation's space weather priorities.

``(2) Considerations.--InOffice developingof thescience strategyand undertechnology paragraphpolicy.--It (1),is the Directorsense of Congress that the Office of Science and Technology PolicyPolicy-- shall``(A) considerefficiently smalland satelliteeffectively options,identifies hostedopportunities payloads,and commercialavenues options,to internationaladvance options,the andleadership prizeof authority.the United States in science and technology;

``(c)and Critical``(B) Observations.--Inis orderwell positioned to sustainidentify currentopportunities space-for basedadvancement observational capabilities, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall-- ``(1) in cooperationcoordination with the European Space Agency, maintain operations of thespace Solarweather andresearch-to-operations Heliospheric Observatory/ Large Angle and Spectrometricoperations-to-research. Coronagraph (referred to in this section as `SOHO/LASCO') for as long as the satellite continues to deliver quality observations;

``(b) Coordinating Authority.--The National Space Council shall oversee efforts and ``(2)activities prioritizeof the receptionFederal ofGovernment-- LASCO``(1) data.to implement the Nation's space weather priorities;

``(d)and Additional``(2) Capabilityto forprepare Solarfor, Imaging.--avoid, ``(1)mitigate, In general.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmosphericrespond Administrationto shallspace secureweather reliableevents. secondary capability for near real-time coronal mass ejection imagery.

``(2)``(c) Options.--TheNational AdministratorCommittee offor theSpace NationalWeather OceanicObservation and AtmosphericForecasting.-- Administration,``(1) inEstablishment.--In coordinationorder withto address the SecretaryNation's ofspace Defenseweather priorities and further coordinate efforts to monitor, prepare for, avoid, mitigate, and respond to space weather events, the AdministratorPresident shall, in consultation with the Chair of the National AeronauticsSpace andCouncil-- Space``(A) Administration,establish shalla developcommittee optionswith respect to buildspace weather observation and deployforecasting oneto orbe moreknown instrumentsas the `National Committee for nearSpace real-timeWeather coronalObservation massand ejectionForecasting' imagery.(in this chapter referred to as the `National Committee');

``(3)and Considerations.--In``(B) developingestablish optionsone underadvisory paragraphcommittee (2),for the Administratorpurpose ofspecified thein Nationalparagraph Oceanic(3)(B), andthe Atmosphericcomposition Administrationof which shall considerbe commercialdetermined solutions,by prizethe authority,Co-Chairs academicof andthe internationalNational partnerships,Committee microsatellites,and ground-basedshall instruments,include andequal opportunitiesrepresentation tofrom deploy the instrumentacademic orcommunity, instrumentscommercial assector, aand secondaryspace payloadweather onend anusers. upcoming planned launch.

``(4)``(2) Costs.--InNational implementingcommittee paragraphcomposition.--The (1),National Committee shall-- ``(A) be co-chaired by the Administrator of the National OceanicAeronautics and AtmosphericSpace AdministrationAdministration, shallthe prioritizeSecretary aof cost-effectiveDefense, solution.and the Secretary of Commerce, or their designated representatives, provided that such designated representatives are of the Under Secretary or Assistant Secretary level or higher;

``(5)``(B) Operationalinclude planning.--Theas Administratorpermanent ofvoting themembers Nationalall OceanicFederal anddepartments Atmosphericor Administrationagencies shalldetermined developto anbe operationalkey contingencyspace planweather tostakeholders provideor continuousotherwise spacenecessary weatherfor forecastinginclusion inas such permanent voting members by the eventPresident, with the agreement of athe SOHO/LASCOChair failure.of the National Space Council;

``(6)and Briefing.--Not``(C) laterbe thanempowered, 120with days after the dateapproval of enactment of the SpaceChair Weather Research and Forecasting Act, the Administrator of the National OceanicSpace andCouncil, Atmosphericto Administrationallow shall provide a briefingrelevant, tonon-member theFederal Committeedepartment onor Commerce,agency Science,to andparticipate Transportationin meetings of the SenateNational and the Committee onas Science,either Space,a andnon- Technologypermanent ofobserver the House of Representatives on the options for building and deploying the instrument or instrumentssemi-permanent describedliaison into paragraph (2) and the operationalNational contingencyCommittee. plan developed under paragraph (5).

``(e)``(3) Follow-OnDuties.-- Space-Based``(A) Observations.--TheNational Administratorcommittee.--The duties of the National OceanicCommittee andare Atmospheric Administration, in coordination with the Secretaryfollowing: of Defense, shall develop requirements and a plan for follow-on space-based observations for operational purposes, in accordance with the integrated strategy developed under subsection (b).

``(f)``(i) Report.--NotTo latereffectively thanand 180efficiently dayspromote aftercoordination thebetween dateFederal ofagencies, enactment of the Spaceacademic Weathercommunity, Research and Forecasting Act, the Directorcommercial ofsector the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to theadvance Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the SenateNation's andspace theenterprise. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on the integrated strategy under subsection (b), including the plans for follow-on space-based observations under subsection (e).

``(g)``(ii) Ground-BasedTo Observations.--Thecoordinate National Science Foundation, the Airimplementation Force, and where practicable in support of the Airnational Force,space theweather Navyplan shalldeveloped each--under ``(1)section maintain60603(b) andacross improve,the asFederal necessaryGovernment, andin advisable,partnership ground-basedwith observations of the Sunacademic incommunity, orderinternational topartners, helpand meet the prioritiescommercial identifiedsector. in section 60703(a);

and``(iii) ``(2)To providecollaborate spacewith weatherthe dataDirector by means of itsthe setOffice of ground-basedScience facilities,and includingTechnology radars,Policy lidars,to magnetometers,identify radioopportunities receivers,for aurorathe academic community and airglowcommercial imagers,sectors spectrometers,to interferometers,advance andthe solarunderstanding observatories.of space weather.

``(h)``(B) Ground-BasedAdvisory Observationscommittees.--The Data.--Theduty Nationalof Sciencethe Foundationadvisory shall--committee ``(1)established providepursuant keyto dataparagraph streams(1)(B) fromshall be to advise the platformsNational describedCommittee inwith subsectionrespect (g)to-- for``(i) researchthe development and toimplementation supportof the national space weather modelplan development;established under section 60603(b);

``(2)and develop``(ii) experimentalthe modelscapabilities forof scientificthe purposes;academic community and the commercial sector to meet the national space weather priorities identified under section 60603(a).

``(d) User Survey.-- ``(1) In general.--The Chair of the National Space Council, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, the academic community, and ``(3)the supportcommercial sector, shall direct the transitionUsers' Advisory Group of the experimentalCouncil modelsto conduct a comprehensive survey to operationsidentify wherethe appropriate.space weather observation, research, modeling, forecasting, and prediction needs of the space weather user community.

``(2) Survey considerations.--The survey conducted under paragraph (1) shall-- ``(A) assess the adequacy of current Federal Government goals for lead time, accuracy, coverage, timeliness, data rate, and data quality for space weather observations and forecasting;

``(B) identify options and methods to, in consultation with the academic community and the commercial sector, improve the goals specified in subparagraph (A);

``(C) identify opportunities for the generation of new data to address the needs of the space weather user community;

``(D) identify methods to increase coordination of, with respect to space weather, research-to-operations and operations-to-research;

``(E) identify the most efficient and effective formal mechanism or mechanisms for the sharing of space weather data, operational forecasting needs, research needs, findings, models, and capabilities between the Federal Government, the academic community, the commercial sector, and the space weather user community;

``(F) identify opportunities for new technologies, research, and instrumentation to aid in research, understanding, monitoring, modeling, prediction, and forecasting of space weather;

and ``(G) identify methods and technologies to improve preparedness for potential space weather events.

``(e) Special Authority.--In order to better understand space weather, the National Space Council may leverage expertise from any Federal agency or partner, as deemed appropriate by the Chair of the National Space Council, including through the use of-- ``(1) interagency agreements;

``(2) memoranda of understanding;

and ``(3) shared personnel.

60703.60603.

ResearchSpace andweather technologypriorities, ``(a)plan, Userand Needs.--research ``(1)roadmap In``(a) general.--TheNational AdministratorSpace ofWeather thePriorities.--The National OceanicSpace andCouncil, Atmospheric Administration, the Secretary of the Air Force, and where practicable in supportconsultation ofwith the AirUsers' Force,Advisory theGroup Secretary of the Navy,National inSpace conjunctionCouncil, with the headsacademic ofcommunity, other relevant Federal agencies, shall conduct a comprehensive survey to identify and prioritize the needscommercial ofsector, spaceshall weatherestablish forecastnational users,priorities includingfor space weatherweather, datawith andrespect spaceto-- weather``(1) forecastthe dataprotection neededof tolife improve services and informproperty; research priorities and technology needs.

``(2) Contents.--In conducting the comprehensivesupport survey under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the Nationalleadership, Oceaniceconomic anddevelopment, Atmospheric Administration, the Secretary of the Air Force, and wherenational practicablesecurity in support of the AirUnited Force,States; the Secretary of the Navy, at a minimum, shall-- ``(A) consider the goals for forecast lead time, accuracy, coverage, timeliness, data rate, and data quality for space weather observations;

``(B)and identify``(3) opportunities to address the needsspace identifiedweather underprediction paragraph (1) through collaborations with academia, the private sector, and theforecasting internationalneeds community;of end-users.

``(C)``(b) identifyNational opportunitiesSpace forWeather newPlan.--The technologiesNational andCommittee instrumentationshall develop a national space weather plan to addressimplement the needspriorities identifiedestablished under paragraphsubsection (1);(a).

andSuch ``(D)plan publishshall, awith reportrespect onto theactivities findingscarried underout subparagraphsto (A)meet throughsuch (C).priorities-- ``(1) delineate appropriate roles among Federal agencies;

``(3)``(2) Publication.--Notconsider latersmall thansatellite 1options, yearhosted afterpayloads, thepublic-private datepartnerships, of enactment of the Space Weather Research and Forecastingcommercial Act,options thesuch Administratoras ofdata-buys, the National Oceanic and Atmosphericother Administration,acquisition theapproaches, Secretarythat ofmaximize theFederal Airinvestment Force, and whereminimize practicableoverall incosts supportto of the AirFederal Force,Government; the Secretary of the Navy, shall-- ``(A) make the results of the comprehensive survey publicly available;

and``(3) ``(B)identify notifyknowledge thegaps Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportationtheir ofresolution thethrough Senatespecific andresearch the Committee on Science, Space, and Technologydevelopment ofactivities theto Houseimprove ofoperational Representativesspace ofweather theforecasting; publication under subparagraph (A).

``(b)``(4) Researchdescribe Activities.--collaborative ``(1)opportunities Basicwith research.--Thestakeholders, Directorincluding of the Nationalacademic Sciencecommunity, Foundation,nongovernmental Administratororganizations, of the Nationalcommercial Aeronauticssector, and Spaceforeign Administration,governments; and Secretary of Defense shall continue to carry out basic research activities on heliophysics, geospace science, and space weather and support competitive, merit- based, peer-reviewed proposals for research, modeling, and monitoring of space weather and its impacts, including science goals outlined in Solar and Space Physics Decadal surveys conducted by the National Academy of Sciences.

``(2)``(5) Multidisciplinaryleverage research.--the ``(A)work Findings.--Congressconducted findsthrough that the multidisciplinaryNational natureSpace ofWeather solarStrategy and spaceNational physicsSpace createsWeather fundingAction challengesPlan thatof requirethe coordinationNational acrossScience scientificand disciplinesTechnology andCouncil Federalbefore agencies.the date of the enactment of this section;

``(B)``(6) Multidisciplinaryinclude research.--Thea Directorformal ofmechanism theto Nationalshare Scienceoperational Foundation,needs the Administrator of thespace Nationalweather Oceanicforecasters andwith AtmosphericFederal Administration,agencies andengaged thein Administratorspace ofweather theresearch National Aeronautics and Spacedevelopment Administrationactivities, shallthe pursueacademic multidisciplinarycommunity, research in subjects that further our understanding of solar physics, space physics, and spacethe weather.commercial sector;

``(C) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space``(7) Administrationappropriately andprioritize Director of the Nationalcritical Scienceland-based, Foundationsea-based, shouldair-based, supportor competitivelyspace-based awardedobservation Heliophysicscapabilities. Science Centers.

``(c) ScienceNational Missions.--TheSpace AdministratorWeather Research Roadmap.--The Director of the NationalOffice Aeronauticsof Science and SpaceTechnology AdministrationPolicy shall seekissue toa implementnational missionsspace thatweather meetresearch theroadmap sciencethat-- objectives``(1) identifiedconsiders inthe Solarnational andspace Spaceweather Physicspriorities Decadalestablished surveysunder conductedsubsection by(a); the National Academy of Sciences.

``(d)``(2) Researchconsiders to Operations.-- ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Nationalnational Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Secretary of the Air Force, and where practicable in support of the Air Force, the Secretary of the Navy, shall-- ``(A) develop a formal mechanism to transition National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Science Foundation, Air Force, and Navy research findings, models, and capabilities, as appropriate, to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Department of Defense space weather operationalplan forecastingissued centers;under subsection (b);

and``(3) ``(B)considers enhancethe coordinationNational betweenAcademy researchof modelingSciences, centersEngineering, and forecastingMedicine's centers.decadal survey recommendations;

``(2)``(4) Operationalincludes needs.--Thea Administratorformal ofmechanism thethat Nationalprovides Oceanicfor and Atmospheric Administration and the Secretarysharing of Defense, in coordination with the Administratorresearch ofneeds, thefindings, Nationalmodels, Aeronautics and Spacecapabilities Administrationwith and the Director of the National Science Foundation, shall develop a formal mechanism to communicate the operational needs of space weather forecastersoperational toforecasting thecenters; research community.

``(e)and Technology``(5) Development.--enhances ``(1)coordination Findings.--Congressbetween findsresearch thatmodeling observationscenters, andforecasting measurementscenters, closer to the Sun and advanced instrumentation would provide for more advanced warning of space weather disturbances (as defined in section 3 of the Spacecommercial Weathersector. Research and Forecasting Act).

``(2) Technology and instrumentation development.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Director of the National Science Foundation shall support the development of technologies and instrumentation to improve space weather forecasting lead-time and accuracy to meet the needs identified by the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

60704.60604.

Space weather datareports ``(a) InSurvey General.--Theand AdministratorPriorities.--Not oflater than 180 days after the Nationaldate Aeronauticsof andenactment of the Space AdministrationWeather andCoordination Act, the DirectorChair of the National ScienceSpace FoundationCouncil shall--shall ``(1)submit maketo spacethe weatherCommittee relatedon dataScience, obtainedSpace, forand scientificTechnology researchof purposesthe availableHouse toof spaceRepresentatives weatherand forecastersthe Committee on Commerce, Science, and operationsTransportation centers;of the Senate, a report on-- ``(1) the findings of the user survey under section 60602(d);

and ``(2) supportthe modelrecommended developmentspace andweather modelpriorities applicationsunder tosection space60603(a). weather forecasting.

``(b) Research.--TheNational AdministratorSpace Weather Plan.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of the Space Weather Coordination Act, the Chair of the National OceanicSpace Council shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and AtmosphericTechnology Administrationof shallthe makeHouse spaceof weatherRepresentatives relatedand datathe obtainedCommittee fromon operationalCommerce, forecastingScience, availableand forTransportation scientificof research.''.the Senate, the national space weather plan developed under section 60603(b).

(b)``(c) TechnicalNational andSpace ConformingWeather Amendments.--Research (1)Roadmap.--Not Repeallater than one year after the date of sectionenactment 809.--Sectionof 809the Space Weather Coordination Act, the Director of the NationalOffice Aeronauticsof Science and SpaceTechnology AdministrationPolicy Authorizationshall Actsubmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 2010the (42House U.S.C.of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the national space weather research roadmap issued under section 60603(c).

``(d) Revaluation of Content.--Not later than one year after the date on which each Presidential term begins, as well as when determined to be necessary by the Chair of the National Space Council during the intervening years, the applicable entities shall review and assess the content previously developed under this section and update and resubmit such content when appropriate.

``Sec.

60605.

Pilot program for obtaining commercial sector space weather data ``(a) Pilot Program.-- ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Space Weather Coordination Act, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (in this section referred to as the `Secretary'), shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary will offer to enter into contracts with one or more entities in the commercial sector for the provision to the Secretary of space weather data generated by such an entity that meets the standards and specifications published under paragraph (2).

``(2) Data standards and specifications.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of the Space Weather Coordination Act, the Secretary shall publish standards and specifications for ground-based, ocean-based, air-based, and space-based commercial space weather data and metadata.

``(3) Contracts.-- ``(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of the Space Weather Coordination Act, the Secretary shall offer to enter, through an open competition, into at least one contract with one or more commercial sector entities capable of providing space weather data that-- ``(i) meets the standards and specifications established by the Secretary for providing such data;

and ``(ii) is provided in a manner that allows the Secretary to calibrate and evaluate the data for use in space weather research and forecasting models of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

``(B) Assessment.--Not later than the date that is years after the date on which the Secretary enters into a contract under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall assess, and submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on, the extent to which data provided under such contract meet the standards and specifications established 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 space weather research and forecasting models;

``(ii) whether, and by how much, the data so provided add value to space weather forecasts of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

and ``(iii) the accuracy, quality, timeliness, validity, reliability, usability, information technology security, and cost-effectiveness of obtaining commercial space weather data from commercial sector providers.

``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2022, to remain available until expended.

``(b) Data and Hosted Satellite Payloads.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may enter into agreements for-- ``(1) the purchase of space weather data through contracts with commercial providers;

and ``(2) the placement of space weather satellite instruments on payloads co-hosted by the Federal Government and the commercial sector.

``(c) Obtaining Future Data.--If an assessment under subsection (a)(3)(B) demonstrates the ability of commercial space weather data to meet data and metadata standards and specifications published under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall-- ``(1) where appropriate, cost-effective, and feasible, obtain space weather data from commercial sector providers;

``(2) as early as possible in the acquisition process for any future National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration space weather observational capability, consider whether a suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability is or will be available to meet 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 observational capability;

and ``(4) submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report detailing any determination made under paragraph (2) or (3).

``(d) Data Sharing Practices.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, leverage United States leadership in space weather observation and forecasting to incentivize international partners to increase their space weather observational and forecasting capabilities and contribute additional space weather observations, data, models, predictions, and forecasts.

The Under Secretary shall continue to meet international data sharing agreements entered into prior to the date of enactment of this Act.

``(2) NASA and nsf data.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Director of the National Science Foundation shall each make space weather related data obtained for scientific research purposes available to space weather forecasters, operations centers, and the commercial sector and support model development and model applications for space weather forecasting.

``(3) NOAA data.--The Secretary shall work with the academic community to make space weather related data obtained from operational forecasting available for scientific research.

``(e) Research for Improved Space Weather Forecasting.--The Secretary, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall support basic and applied research which could improve space weather forecasting lead time and accuracy.

``Sec.

60606.

Definitions ``In this chapter:

``(1) National space council.--The term `National Space Council' means the National Space Council established under Executive Order 13803, (82 Fed.

Reg.

31429, relating to establishment of National Space Council) or any successor entities as determined by the President.''.

(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.-- (1) Conforming repeal.--Section 809 of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C.

``607.``606.

Space weather........................................Weather........................................

60701''.60601''.

SEC.Amend the title so as to read:

3.``An Act to improve understanding and forecasting of space weather and promote coordination between stakeholders, and for other purposes.''.

SPACEUnion WEATHERCalendar METRICS.No.

(a)896 Definitions.--In115th thisCONGRESS section:2d Session S.

(1)141 Space[Report weatherNo. disturbance.--The term ``space weather disturbance'' includes geo-electric fields, ionizing radiation, ionospheric disturbances, solar radio bursts, and upper atmospheric expansion.

(2)115-1128, SpacePart weatherI] benchmark.--The_______________________________________________________________________ termAN ``spaceACT weatherTo benchmark''improve meansunderstanding the physical characteristics and conditionsforecasting describingof thespace nature,weather frequency,events, and intensityfor ofother spacepurposes. weather disturbances.

(b)_______________________________________________________________________ Benchmarks.--January (1)3, Preliminary.--Not2019 laterReported thanfrom 90 days after the dateCommittee ofon enactmentScience, ofSpace, thisand Act,Technology thewith Spaceamendments WeatherJanuary Interagency3, Working2019 Group,Committees establishedon underArmed sectionServices, 60701Transportation ofand titleInfrastructure, 51,Foreign UnitedAffairs, States Code, in consultation with academic and commercial experts, shall-- (A) assess existing data, the historicalPermanent record,Select models,Committee and peer-reviewed studies on spaceIntelligence weather;discharged;

andcommitted (B)to developthe preliminaryCommittee benchmarks,of basedthe onWhole currentHouse scientificon understandingthe andState of the historicalUnion record,and forordered measuringto solarbe disturbances.printed

(2) Final.--Not later than 18 months after the date the preliminary benchmarks are developed under paragraph (1), the Space Weather Interagency Working Group shall publish final benchmarks.

(3) Review.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences to review the benchmarks established under paragraph (2).

(4) Revisions.--The Space Weather Interagency Working Group shall update and revise the final benchmarks under paragraph (2), as necessary, based on-- (A) the results of the review under paragraph (3);

(B) any significant new data or advances in scientific understanding that become available;

or (C) the evolving needs of entities impacted by solar disturbances.

SEC.

4.

PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall provide information about space weather hazards to the Secretary of Homeland Security for purposes of this section.

(b) Critical Infrastructure.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with sector-specific agencies, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the heads of other relevant agencies, shall-- (1) include, in meeting national critical infrastructure reporting requirements, an assessment of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to space weather events, as described by the space weather benchmarks under section 3;

and (2) support critical infrastructure providers in managing the risks and impacts associated with space weather.

(c) Prohibition on New Regulatory Authority.--Nothing in subsection (b) may be construed to grant the Secretary of Homeland Security any authority to promulgate regulations that was not in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.

(d) Definition of Sector-Specific Agency.--In this section, the term ``sector-specific agency'' has the meaning given the term in Presidential Policy Directive-21 of February 12, 2013 (Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience), or any successor.

SEC.

5.

PROTECTION OF NATIONAL SECURITY ASSETS.

(a) In General.--The National Security Council, in consultation with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Secretary of Defense, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall-- (1) assess the vulnerability of the national security community to space weather events, as described by the space weather benchmarks under section 3;

and (2) develop national security mechanisms to protection national security assets from space weather threats.

(b) Cooperation.--The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall provide information about space weather hazards to the National Security Council, Director of National Intelligence, and heads of Defense Agencies for purposes of this section.

SEC.

6.

ENSURING THE SAFETY OF CIVIL AVIATION.

(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall-- (1) assess the safety implications and vulnerability of the national airspace system by space weather events, as described by the space weather benchmarks under section 3;

(2) assess methods to mitigate the safety implications and effects of space weather on aviation communication systems, aircraft navigation systems, satellite and ground-based navigation systems, and potential health effects of radiation exposure;

and (3) assess options for incorporating space weather into operational training for pilots, cabin crew, dispatchers, air traffic controllers, meteorologists, and engineers.

(b) Space Weather Communication.--The Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall develop methods to increase the interaction between the aviation community and the space weather research and service provider community.

Passed the Senate May 2, 2017.

Attest:

JULIE E.

ADAMS, Secretary.