HR5089-119

110. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to carry out this title the following: $163,794,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which— $91,058,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes; $39,491,000 is authorized for the United States Weather Research Program; $21,125,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and $12,120,000 is authorized for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this title. $165,432,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which— $91,968,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes; $39,866,000 is authorized for the United States Weather Research Program; $21,336,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and $12,241,000 is authorized for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this title. $167,086,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which— $92,888,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes; $40,285,000 is authorized for the United States Weather Research Program; $21,550,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and $12,364,000 is authorized for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this title. $168,757,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which— $93,817,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes; $40,688,000 is authorized for the United States Weather Research Program; $21,765,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and $12,487,000 is authorized for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this title. $170,444,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which— $94,755,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes; $41,094,000 is authorized for the United States Weather Research Program; $21,983,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and $12,612,000 is authorized for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section 8512(b)(4) of this title. No additional funds are authorized to carry out this title or the amendments made by this title.

809. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this title $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, of which— not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year shall be for activities conducted at the State level under the national tsunami hazard mitigation program under section 805; and not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated shall be for the tsunami research program under section 806.

117. Amendments to Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 Section 603 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001) is amended— in subsection (a)— by redesignating paragraphs (13) and (14) as paragraphs (14) and (15); and by inserting after paragraph (12) the following new paragraph: the Department of Energy; by striking subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), and (i) and redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (b) and (c), respectively; in subsection (b), as so redesignated— in paragraph (1), by striking coastal waters including the Great Lakes and inserting marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems; and in paragraph (2)— by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows: examine the causes and ecological consequences of hypoxia on marine and aquatic species in their natural environments, and socio-cultural or economic costs of hypoxia, including impacts on food safety and security; by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs (D) through (F), respectively; by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new subparagraphs: examine the effect of other environmental stressors on hypoxia; evaluate alternatives for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia and its environmental impacts; in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by inserting , social, after ecological; and in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, by striking hypoxia modeling and monitoring data and inserting hypoxia modeling, forecasting, and monitoring and observation data; and in subsection (c), as so redesignated, to read as follows: 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. Each Action Strategy under this subsection shall— examine the causes and ecological consequences, and the socio-cultural or economic costs, including impacts food safety and security, of harmful algal blooms; examine the effect of other environmental stressors on harmful algal blooms; 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; 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; evaluate progress made by, and the needs of, Task Force activities and actions to prevent, control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms; identify ways to improve coordination and prevent unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal departments and agencies with respect to research on harmful algal blooms; 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 define methodology used to determine ecological, social, cultural and economic impacts from harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. Section 102 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 (33 U.S.C. 4001a) is amended— by striking the coastal; by inserting and after Indian tribes,; by inserting and after local governments,; and by striking with expertise in coastal zone science and management and inserting with relevant expertise. Section 603A of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4002) is amended— in subsection (a)— in paragraph (1)— by striking predicting, and inserting monitoring, observing, forecasting,; and by striking and after the semicolon; in paragraph (2)— by striking comprehensive research plan and action strategy under section 603B and inserting Action Strategy, including scientific assessment, under section 603(c); and by striking the period and inserting ; and; and by adding at the end the following new paragraph: the scientific assessment under section 603(b). in subsection (c)— in paragraph (3), by striking ocean and Great Lakes and inserting marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems; and in paragraph (5), by inserting while recognizing each agency is acting under its own independent mission and authority before the semicolon; in subsection (d), by striking Except as provided in subsection (h), the and inserting The; in subsection (e)— by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows: examine, in collaboration with State and local entities and Indian Tribes, including island communities, low-population rural communities, Indigenous communities, subsistence communities, fisheries, and recreation industries that are most dependent on coastal and water resources that may be impacted by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, the causes, ecological consequences, cultural impacts, and social and economic costs of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; by striking paragraph (3); by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively; in paragraph (3), as so redesignated— by striking to, regional and inserting to regional; and by striking agencies and inserting entities, and regional coastal observing systems (as such term is defined in section 12330(6) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602(6))); in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by inserting and communities after ecosystems; by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new paragraph: support sustained observations, including through peer-reviewed, merit-based, competitive grant funding, to provide State and local entities, Indian Tribes, and others access to real-time or near real-time observation data for decision-making to protect human and ecological health and local economies; in paragraph (8), by striking State and local and inserting State, local, and Tribal; and in paragraph (9)(A), by striking tribal and inserting Tribal; by amending subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows: 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. The Administrator shall— 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 with respect to estuarine aspects of the Program, coordinate with the Under Secretary to carry out activities required under this section. 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. by amending subsection (h) to read as follows: 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. 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: The Under Secretary shall— carry out marine, coastal, and Great Lakes harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events response activities; develop and enhance operational harmful algal bloom observing and forecasting programs, including operational observations and forecasting, monitoring, modeling, data management, and information dissemination; maintain and enhance peer-reviewed, merit-based, competitive grant funding relating to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia to— maintain and enhance baseline monitoring programs established by the Program; support the projects maintained and established by the Program; address the research and management needs and priorities identified in the Action Strategy under section 603(c); accelerate the utilization of effective methods of intervention and mitigation to reduce the frequency, severity, and impacts of harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; 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; examine the effects of other environmental stressors on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; assess the effects of multiple environmental stressors on living marine resources and coastal ecosystems; and evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the impacts of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; enhance communication and coordination among Federal agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities and research; to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing resources and expertise available from local research universities and institutions; and use cost effective methods in carrying out this section. 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. 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: 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: The Administrator shall— carry out research on the ecology and human health impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms; develop and maintain forecasting and monitoring of, and event response to, freshwater harmful algal blooms in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and estuaries (including tributaries thereof); enhance communication and coordination among Federal agencies carrying out freshwater harmful algal bloom and hypoxia activities and research; to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing resources and expertise available from local research universities and institutions; and use cost effective methods in carrying out this section. 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: 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: 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. In carrying out subsection (a), the IOOS Program Office shall— coordinate with NCCOS regarding observations, data integration, and information dissemination; and establish a Harmful Algal Bloom Data Assembly Center to integrate, disseminate, and provide a central architecture to support ecological forecasting. 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: Section 609 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4008) is amended— 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); in paragraph (3), to read as follows: The term appropriate Federal official means— in the case of marine systems or Great Lakes hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, including those in estuarine areas, the Under Secretary; and in the case of a freshwater hypoxia or harmful algal bloom event, the Administrator, in consultation with the Under Secretary. by striking paragraph (9); by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (10), and (11); by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraphs: 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. 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. 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. in paragraph (6), as so redesignated— by striking aquatic and inserting marine or freshwater; and by striking resident and inserting marine or freshwater; and by inserting after paragraph (8), as so redesignated, the following new paragraph: 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. Section 610 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4009) is amended— in subsection (a), to read as follows: 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. by adding at the end the following new subsection: 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. In carrying out the incubator established under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall prioritize proposed activities that would, to the maximum extent practicable— protect key habitats for fish and wildlife; maintain biodiversity; protect public health; protect coastal resources of national, historical, and cultural significance; or seek to partially or fully benefit communities of color, low-income communities, Indian Tribes or Indigenous communities, and rural communities. 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: Section 9(g) of the National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4010(g)) is amended— in paragraph (1)— in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the following new sentence: The appropriate Federal official may waive the non-Federal share requirements of this subsection if such official determines no reasonable means are available through which the recipient of the Federal share can meet the non-Federal share requirement.; and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere may enter into agreements and grants with States, Indian Tribes, local governments, or other entities to pay for or reimburse costs incurred for the purposes of supporting the determination of and assessing the environmental, economic, social, subsistence use, and public health effects of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance. 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 by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 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. Section 128 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 610 note) is amended— by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and by inserting after subsection (d) the following new subsection: 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. (13)the Department of Energy;; (A)examine the causes and ecological consequences of hypoxia on marine and aquatic species in their natural environments, and socio-cultural or economic costs of hypoxia, including impacts on food safety and security;; (B)examine the effect of other environmental stressors on hypoxia; (C)evaluate alternatives for reducing, mitigating, and controlling hypoxia and its environmental impacts;; (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.. (3)the scientific assessment under section 603(b).; (2)examine, in collaboration with State and local entities and Indian Tribes, including island communities, low-population rural communities, Indigenous communities, subsistence communities, fisheries, and recreation industries that are most dependent on coastal and water resources that may be impacted by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, the causes, ecological consequences, cultural impacts, and social and economic costs of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; ; (6)support sustained observations, including through peer-reviewed, merit-based, competitive grant funding, to provide State and local entities, Indian Tribes, and others access to real-time or near real-time observation data for decision-making to protect human and ecological health and local economies;; (f)Cooperative effortsThe 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 generalThe 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)NonduplicationThe 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 (h)Anti-Deficiency Act applied to harmful algal bloom servicesAny 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.. 603B.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration activities (a)In generalThe 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 SystemThe 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.. Sec. 603B. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration activities.. 603C.Environmental Protection Agency activitiesThe 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.. Sec. 603C. Environmental Protection Agency activities.. 606.National harmful algal bloom observing network (a)In generalThe 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)CoordinationIn 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.. Sec. 606. National harmful algal bloom observing network.. (3)Appropriate Federal officialThe 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.; (4)Harmful algal bloom; harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event (A)Harmful algal bloomThe 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 eventThe 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 significanceThe 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.; (9)Subsistence useThe 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.. (a)In generalThere 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 (c)Transfer authorityThe 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.. 611.National level incubator program (a)In generalThe 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)OperationThe 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)DatabaseThe 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)PrioritizationIn 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.. Sec. 611. National level incubator program.. (D)Contract, grant, and cooperative agreement authorityThe Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere may enter into agreements and grants with States, Indian Tribes, local governments, or other entities to pay for or reimburse costs incurred for the purposes of supporting the determination of and assessing the environmental, economic, social, subsistence use, and public health effects of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of significance.; (4)Funding authorityTo 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.. (e)Harmful algal bloom technologiesIn 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..

206. Aviation weather and data innovation The Under Secretary shall maintain an airborne observation program (in this section referred to as the program) for the acquisition of atmospheric sensor data and the deployment of critical atmospheric sensors, including in partnership with the weather enterprise. The program shall include activities that carry out the following: Procurement of weather data available from commercial aircraft, as determined by the Under Secretary. Acquisition of additional vertical profile observations that provide spatial and temporal density, as determined by the Under Secretary. 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. The Under Secretary shall, not less frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed budget corresponding with the activities described in subsection (b), including and analysis of activities that can be complemented by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration aircraft. From amounts made available to the Commercial Data Program under section 302 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, there is authorized to be appropriated up to $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the program. The Director of the National Weather Service shall include turbulence events, icing conditions, or other phenomena in the forecasting capabilities of the National Weather Service’s Aviation Weather Center, and deliver operational forecasts with consistent, timely, and accurate weather and turbulence information for the airspace system and the protection of lives and property. In carrying out subsection (e), the Director of the National Weather Service shall give consideration to recommendations from the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration in furtherance of section 44720 of title 49, United States Code, and improve weather and turbulence forecasting capabilities by— 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; identifying current and future potential data gaps related to turbulence events or phenomena that can— identify or inform route specific flight planning; and be supplemented or filled by commercial aviation tools; 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; developing and deploying improved probabilistic aviation weather forecast guidance technology; and updating interagency agreements as appropriate, including to address reimbursable agreements. Paragraph (3) of section 102(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512(b)), is amended— by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new subparagraph: aviation weather phenomena, including atmospheric composition and turbulence, to improve scientific understanding and forecast capabilities for the airspace system; The Under Secretary shall ensure the Aviation Weather Center is able, to the maximum extent possible, to disseminate in a timely manner full resolution aviation weather data, forecasts, and information to meet the needs of aviation users. (F)aviation weather phenomena, including atmospheric composition and turbulence, to improve scientific understanding and forecast capabilities for the airspace system;.

207. NESDIS joint venture partnership transition program The Assistant Administrator of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall administer broad agency announcements and other transactional authority or contracting mechanisms, on an annual or more frequent basis, to support a joint venture partnership program that allows the Service to prioritize engagement with the private sector, academia, and other Federal departments and agencies. To support the development of next-generation technologies, missions, data systems, spacecraft, and instrument design, the Assistant Administrator of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, in consultation with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall maintain a program to transition selected awards from research and study phases into demonstration. In selecting awardees for demonstrations, the Assistant Administrator shall consider technologies, missions, data systems, spacecraft, and instrument design that— improve upon the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s satellite architecture; 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 meet current or future mission requirements. In carrying out the transition program under subsection (b), the Assistant Administrator of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service shall monitor demonstration phase progress and plan for promising results that meet mission requirements to be transitioned into National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s operational satellite architecture. The Assistant Administrator of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation an annual plan that outlines the progress made in the joint venture partnership program under subsection (a), the transition program for demonstrations under section (b), and transition to operational architecture planning under subsection (c). From amounts authorized to be appropriated to the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, there is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out to this section.

302. Commercial Data Program The Under Secretary, in coordination with the heads of appropriate offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall maintain a Commercial Data Program to coordinate and execute acquisition of weather and environmental data and services from private sector entities for operational use. The Under Secretary shall acquire satellite, ground-based, airborne, or marine-based in situ, remote sensing, or crowd-sourced data and services for operational use relating to weather and environmental forecasting and modeling. The Under Secretary shall ensure the Commercial Data Program coordinates, collaborates, and ensures access to data across the Administration, including among the following: The National Mesonet Program. The Aircraft Based Observation Program. The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observation Program, including existing regional associations. The National Integrated Drought Information System, including the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network. The Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program. The National Data Buoy Center. The Uncrewed Systems Operation Center. The Ocean Exploration Program. Any other program or office the Under Secretary determines appropriate. Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section and on a continuous basis thereafter, the Under Secretary shall publish data, metadata, and service standards and specifications required for acquired observation services and data for use, licensing, and attribution to ensure quality, impact, and compatibility of such services and data with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration modeling capabilities, meteorological situational awareness, and forecasting. In acquiring commercial data and services, the Under Secretary shall prioritize obtaining surface-based, airborne-based, space-based, and coastal- and ocean-based data, metadata, and services for operational use that participate in the Commercial Data Pilot Program or other programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that acquire commercial data or observations. The Under Secretary shall maintain the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Observing Systems Council and the NOAA Fleet Council (in this subsection referred to as the Councils) to provide strategic recommendations and guidance regarding the prioritization, design, development, acquisition, upgrading, lifecycle, performance monitoring, and retiring of major observing systems portfolio components, including related to the acquisition of commercial weather and environmental data and services. The Councils shall ensure coordination and adherence to uniform policies by providing guidance to all line offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration engaged in observing systems portfolio design, technology, development, execution, and operation. The Under Secretary shall maintain a Committee within the Councils to develop and approve procedural directives, guides, or handbooks relevant to management of data and information, including commercial data, and coordinate data governance and management practices across the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to promote consistent processes. There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this section. It is the sense of Congress that the Under Secretary should seek to enter into contracts or other appropriate agreements that enable the expenditure, to the maximum extent practicable, of amounts authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available in a fiscal year to carry out this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Commerce may enter into agreements relating to the following: The purchase of weather and environmental data and services through contracts with commercial data and service providers. The placement of weather instruments on co-hosted Federal, international, or private space, airborne, maritime, or ground platforms. The Under Secretary shall establish or designate at least one Ombudsman position within the Commercial Data Program to implement the recommendations of the Observing System Council under subsection (e) related to commercial weather and environmental data and services acquisitions. Such an Ombudsman shall act as the liaison between commercial data and service providers and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with respect to receiving recommendations and resolving issues related to engagement, testing, contracting, or other areas related to the Administration’s efforts to acquire commercial weather and environmental data and services. Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall 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 evaluating the activities and needed authorities related to data governance and management practices, including acquisition, collection, documentation, quality control, validation, reprocessing, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and long-term preservation activities across all National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration line, staff, and corporate offices.

305. Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the weather enterprise, shall seek to establish consistent and open data and metadata standards to support open science, including simple cloud-optimized data formats and application programming interfaces that support findability, accessibility, usability, and preservability. The Under Secretary, in consultation with the Chief Information Officer and appropriate program heads, shall consolidate and arrange data infrastructure needs to ensure efficient and effective data transfer between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices by considering the use of commercial cloud technologies, or similar hybrid structures, to host and transmit data and metadata. In carrying out paragraph (1), the Under Secretary may partner with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Energy, the United States Space Force, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Navy, the Federal Aviation Administration, the United States Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Geological Survey, to collocate data with joint utility and support a transition to cloud architectures, including commercial cloud networks. The Under Secretary shall ensure the long-term management, maintenance, and stewardship of archival data and metadata acquired through the Commercial Data Program under section 302 is conducted within the National Centers for Environmental Information. To the greatest extent practicable, the Under Secretary shall make accessible to members of the weather enterprise that are United States persons data not subject to redistribution contract permissions and purchased through the Commercial Data Program under section 302 or shared through international government partners. If purchased data must be assimilated into numerical weather prediction models or automated forecast guidance to satisfy redistribution contract permissions, the Under Secretary shall make accessible without delay to members of the weather enterprise that are United States persons the numerical weather prediction model or automated forecast guidance output, as the case may be. The Under Secretary, in coordination with the Commercial Data Program under section 302, the National Centers for Environmental Information, and any other offices within the Administration, shall establish a program to test, advance, and implement data assimilation methods, which may include artificial intelligence, machine learning, data pre- and post-processing, efficient input and output, and next-generation algorithms. Through the program established pursuant to paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall establish a consortium consisting of 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 address critical research challenges for data assimilation and foster a growing data assimilation workforce. The consortium shall seek to— solve critical research issues for data assimilation through innovative research; increase significantly the number of students, including graduate level and Ph.D. candidates, in data assimilation; utilize modern software and frameworks, such as the Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration, to conduct data assimilation research and development and facilitate research to operations efforts; identify and prioritize critical research areas in data assimilation and facilitate operations to research efforts; establish and enable an effective collaboration infrastructure between National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facilities, such as labs, centers, or joint agency institutes, and the research community, including a mechanism for external partners to host Administration employees; and establish mechanisms to enable all members of the consortium to archive and access data required to support the work under this subsection. In carrying out this subsection, the Under Secretary shall ensure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its associated activities focus on research to operations and operations to research, including by coordinating and collaborating with the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation. The activities authorized under this subsection shall be applied in a manner consistent with subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117–167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.). Not later than 90 days after the data of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with a non-Federal entity to conduct a study on matters concerning data practices and management needs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In conducting the study, the outside entity shall— assess the costs and benefits of current data management needs for observational and operational mission requirements; develop recommendations regarding how to make more robust and cost-effective the data portfolio of the Administration; identify data infrastructure technologies and needs that are essential to the performance of modeling systems of the Administration; assess the sharing needs and practices of the Administration for both internal and external sharing dissemination; and develop recommendations for methods of data infrastructure sharing, including data purchased from the commercial sector. From amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Commercial Data Program under section 302, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the study under paragraph (1) $1,000,000, to remain available until expended.

404. National Weather Service communications improvement The Director of the National Weather Service shall improve the instant messaging service used by personnel of the National Weather Service by implementing, not later than October 1, 2027, a commercial off-the-shelf communications solution that replaces the instant messaging service commonly referred to as NWSChat. The communications solution implemented under this section shall— be hosted on the public cloud; and satisfy requirements set forth by the Director to ensure such solution— best accommodates future growth; performs successfully with increased numbers of users; is easy to use for the majority of users; and is similar to systems already in commercial use. From amounts made available for Operations, Research, and Facilities, the Director of the National Weather Service shall allocate up to $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this section.

501. Weather and climate information in agriculture and water management Section 1762 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (15 U.S.C. 8521) is amended— by amending subsection (h) to read as follows: The Under Secretary shall establish not fewer than two pilot projects, in accordance with paragraph (2), within the U.S. Weather Research Program of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support improved subseasonal to seasonal precipitation forecasts for the following: Water management in the western United States. Agriculture in the central United States. In carrying out this subsection, the Under Secretary shall ensure the following: A pilot project under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) addresses key science challenges to improving forecasts and developing related products for water management in the western United States, including the following: Improving operational model resolution, both horizontal and vertical, to resolve issues associated with mountainous terrain, such as intensity of precipitation and relative fraction of rain versus snow precipitation. Improving fidelity in the operational modeling of the atmospheric boundary layer in mountainous regions. Resolving challenges in predicting winter atmospheric circulation and storm tracks, including periods of blocked versus unblocked flow over the eastern North Pacific Ocean and western United States. Utilizing outcomes from the Atmospheric Rivers Forecast Improvement Program as authorized in section 204 of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 to produce operational tools and services. Improving the quality and temporal and spatial resolution of observations and accurate operational modeling of air-sea interactions, and the influence of oceans on subseasonal and seasonal forecasting. A pilot project under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) addresses key science challenges to improving forecasts and developing related products for agriculture in the central United States, including the following: Improving the quality and temporal and spatial resolution of observations and accurate operational modeling of the land surface and hydrologic cycle, including soil moisture and flash drought processes. Improving fidelity in the operational modeling of warm season precipitation processes. Understanding and predicting large-scale upper-level dynamical flow anomalies that occur in spring and summer. A pilot project under this subsection shall include activities that carry out the following: Best implement recommendations of the National Weather Service’s 2020 Report, entitled Subseasonal and Seasonal Forecasting Innovation: Plans for the Twenty-First Century. Achieve measurable objectives for operational forecast improvement. Engage with, and leverage the resources of, institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), or a consortia thereof, and entities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in existence as of the date of the enactment of this subsection, including Regional Climate Centers and the National Centers for Environmental Information. Are carried out in coordination with the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National Weather Service. The authority under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this subsection. by amending subsection (j) to read as follows: There are authorized to be appropriated $50,300,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the activities under this section. (h)Subseasonal to seasonal forecasting pilot projects (1)EstablishmentThe Under Secretary shall establish not fewer than two pilot projects, in accordance with paragraph (2), within the U.S. Weather Research Program of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support improved subseasonal to seasonal precipitation forecasts for the following: (A)Water management in the western United States. (B)Agriculture in the central United States. (2)ObjectivesIn carrying out this subsection, the Under Secretary shall ensure the following: (A)A pilot project under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) addresses key science challenges to improving forecasts and developing related products for water management in the western United States, including the following: (i)Improving operational model resolution, both horizontal and vertical, to resolve issues associated with mountainous terrain, such as intensity of precipitation and relative fraction of rain versus snow precipitation. (ii)Improving fidelity in the operational modeling of the atmospheric boundary layer in mountainous regions. (iii)Resolving challenges in predicting winter atmospheric circulation and storm tracks, including periods of blocked versus unblocked flow over the eastern North Pacific Ocean and western United States. (iv)Utilizing outcomes from the Atmospheric Rivers Forecast Improvement Program as authorized in section 204 of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 to produce operational tools and services. (v)Improving the quality and temporal and spatial resolution of observations and accurate operational modeling of air-sea interactions, and the influence of oceans on subseasonal and seasonal forecasting. (B)A pilot project under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) addresses key science challenges to improving forecasts and developing related products for agriculture in the central United States, including the following: (i)Improving the quality and temporal and spatial resolution of observations and accurate operational modeling of the land surface and hydrologic cycle, including soil moisture and flash drought processes. (ii)Improving fidelity in the operational modeling of warm season precipitation processes. (iii)Understanding and predicting large-scale upper-level dynamical flow anomalies that occur in spring and summer. (3)ActivitiesA pilot project under this subsection shall include activities that carry out the following: (A)Best implement recommendations of the National Weather Service’s 2020 Report, entitled Subseasonal and Seasonal Forecasting Innovation: Plans for the Twenty-First Century. (B)Achieve measurable objectives for operational forecast improvement. (C)Engage with, and leverage the resources of, institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), or a consortia thereof, and entities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in existence as of the date of the enactment of this subsection, including Regional Climate Centers and the National Centers for Environmental Information. (D)Are carried out in coordination with the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National Weather Service. (4)SunsetThe authority under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this subsection.; and (j)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated $50,300,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the activities under this section..

4. Authorization of appropriations From amounts made available to Operations, Research, and Facilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section the following: $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026. $15,500,000 for fiscal year 2027. $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2029. $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.

503. National Mesonet Program The Under Secretary shall maintain the National Mesonet Program (in this section referred to as the Program). The Program shall— 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 establish memoranda of understanding with networks outside of the scope of the Program. The Program shall carry out the following activities: 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. 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. 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. Yield increased quantities of boundary-layer data to improve numerical weather prediction performance, including regarding subseasonal to seasonal timescales. 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. 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. Identify available terrestrial or marine environmental data, or quantifiable gaps in such data, to improve the understanding of air-sea interactions. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Under Secretary shall prioritize providing assistance under paragraph (1) to at least one entity in an underrepresented or remote area. 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. 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. The Under Secretary shall provide regular briefings, not less than twice annually, to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on all Program activities. Such briefings shall include information relating to the following: Efforts to implement the activities described in subsection (b). Any financial or technical assistance provided pursuant to subsection (c). Efforts to address recommendations received from the advisory committee under subsection (d). The potential need and associated benefits of a coastal and ocean mesonet, or other emerging areas of weather data needs. Progress toward eliminating gaps in weather observation data by States and regions of the United States. Any other topic the Under Secretary determines relevant. From amounts made available to the National Weather Service, the Under Secretary, to carry out this section, shall allocate up to the following amounts for each specified fiscal year: $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026. $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2027. $61,000,000 for fiscal year 2028. $68,000,000 for fiscal year 2029. $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.

505. National water center Section 301 of the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 10371) is amended— in subsection (a)— in paragraph (1)(A)— in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting as a component of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction after center; in clause (i), by striking and after the semicolon; in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and by adding at the end the following new clause: to provide service backup capabilities and additional mission support services for River Forecast Centers. in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 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. by striking subsection (b) and redesignating subsections (c) through (e) as subsections (b) through (d) respectively; and by amending subsection (c), as so redesignated, to read as follows: There is authorized to be appropriated $46,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this section. (iii)to provide service backup capabilities and additional mission support services for River Forecast Centers.; and (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.; (c)Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated $46,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this section..