Sponsors (8)
Need help making sense of this bill?
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Makes targeted updates to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act: changes the program’s advisory body name from “Council” to “Committee,” clarifies and expands definitions (including adding “meteorological”), strengthens regional data‑sharing and post‑storm evaluation requirements, and adjusts harmful‑algal‑bloom language to include resource and coastal management. It also authorizes $56 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 and requires the Secretary to allocate at least 7.5% of annual appropriations to each regional coastal observing system that existed on January 1, 2025 (with an exclusion for disaster supplemental funds).
In paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), strike the word "Council" and insert the word "Committee". This changes the referenced body name within Section 12302.
In paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), strike the phrase "and ocean observation" and insert the phrase ", ocean, and meteorological observations". This adds "meteorological" to the types of observations listed.
In paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), strike the phrase "and coastal information" and insert the phrase ", coastal, and meteorological information". This adds "meteorological" to the types of information listed.
In paragraph (4)(A), insert text after a period (the provided excerpt states "in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting after ." but does not show the text to be inserted). The specific insertion is not present in the excerpt.
In Section 12303, paragraph (2) heading: strike the word "Council" and insert "Committee".
Primary affected parties:
Regional coastal observing systems (operators and host organizations): Receive clearer statutory recognition, new regional data‑sharing requirements, and a guaranteed minimum share of funding (at least 7.5% of annual authorized funds per system as of Jan 1, 2025). That guaranteed share reduces uncertainty and should supply more stable baseline resources for regional operations and maintenance.
Federal implementing agencies (NOAA/Department of Commerce and the Secretary): Must update program documents, develop and implement regional data‑sharing requirements and processes, perform new post‑storm evaluations, and apply the new allocation formula. Administrative workload will increase for rulemaking/guidance, grant/contract distribution, reporting, and evaluations.
Coastal communities, emergency managers, and resource managers: Stand to benefit from improved regional data sharing, inclusion of meteorological observations, expanded HAB forecasting tied to resource and coastal management, and post‑storm assessments that can improve future forecast accuracy and response.
Researchers and academic institutions: Will likely see continued or increased support for regional observing activities and improved data availability across atmospheric, oceanographic, and coastal datasets.
Coastal industries (fishing, ports, tourism, shipping): Should benefit indirectly through better forecasts, earlier warnings, and improved coastal management information that supports operations and planning.
Potential tradeoffs and operational implications:
The 7.5% minimum allocation to each existing regional system may reduce the share of funding available for national‑level activities, new national priorities, or for supporting regions created after Jan 1, 2025. Program managers will need to evaluate budget tradeoffs between sustaining existing regional systems and investing in national coordination, research, or new capabilities.
The requirement for post‑storm evaluations and formal regional data‑sharing processes increases reporting and coordination costs for both federal offices and regional partners; implementation details (timing, methods, metrics) will shape the administrative burden.
Some excerpted parts refer to inserted language not shown; final impacts could change depending on that missing text.
Amends 33 U.S.C. 3603 by (1) altering subsection (b)(1) to change the System scope language from "national" to "regional, national"; (2) replacing references to the Council with references to the Committee in multiple places in subsection (c) and elsewhere; (3) redesignating clauses (vi)–(x) as (vii)–(xi) in paragraph (2)(B) and inserting a new clause (vi) requiring development of requirements and processes for regional associations and federally funded projects of agencies participating in the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to collaborate with regional coastal observing systems for data sharing at regional levels; (4) modifying clause (xiii) to add "resource and coastal management" alongside harmful algal bloom forecasting; and (5) adding a period at the end of subsection (d)(1).
Replaces the existing subsection (a) authorization amounts with $56,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026–2030 and adds a new subsection (b) requiring the Secretary to allocate not less than 7.5% of amounts appropriated under subsection (a) to each regional coastal observing system that was in existence on January 1, 2025, excluding amounts provided by supplemental disaster relief appropriations.
Amends 33 U.S.C. 3604(b) by replacing the phrase "the Council" with "the Committee."
Amends 33 U.S.C. 3607 by striking each occurrence of "the Council" and inserting "the Committee."
Amends 33 U.S.C. 3609 by striking each occurrence of "the Council" and inserting "the Committee."
Modifies subsection (b) by inserting a new paragraph (8) requiring a post-storm evaluation for all major storms in the United States that occurred during the year preceding submission of the report; redesignates existing paragraphs (8) and (9) as (9) and (10), respectively; and replaces each occurrence of the term "it" with "the Committee".
Amends the definitions in 33 U.S.C. 3602 by (1) changing the paragraph (2) heading from 'Council' to 'Committee' and replacing the paragraph (2) text (striking from 'term' through the end of that text and inserting 'established'); (2) replacing instances of 'Council' with 'Committee' in paragraphs (3) and (10) (the latter as redesignated); (3) redesignating existing paragraphs (8) and (9) as (9) and (10); (4) inserting a new paragraph (8) defining 'State' by reference to section 3501 of title 40, U.S. Code; and (5) making an insertion in paragraph (6) ('by inserting after ;') as shown.
Modifies the text of 33 U.S.C. 3601 (section 12302 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009): (1) in the paragraph (1) preface, replaces the term 'Council' with 'Committee', and inserts the word 'meteorological' into the lists of observations and information; and (2) inserts additional text into paragraph (4)(A) (the provided amendment text for this insertion is not included in the section excerpt).
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced June 18, 2025 by Roger F. Wicker · Last progress June 18, 2025
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate