Reauthorize Integrated Coastal Ocean Observations

Full Title:
To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.

Summary#

This bill amends the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009. It replaces the word "Council" with "Committee" throughout the statute. It changes the name "National Ocean Research Leadership Council" to "Ocean Policy Committee" in one section. It adds the phrase "conduct operational oceanography measurements and" in a list of authorized activities. It adds the word "ocean" after "weather" where that word appears. It requires regional offices and federally funded projects of the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to collaborate with regional coastal observing systems for regional data sharing. It also adds a funding line of $56,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

What it means for you#

  • The bill updates terms used in the existing ocean observation law and adds explicit mention of ocean measurements.
  • Regional coastal observing systems and federal regional offices are directed to develop collaboration and data-sharing processes.
  • Federal agencies involved in the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee are affected by the new collaboration requirement.

Expenses#

The legislation adds a specific funding amount: $56,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. No publicly available information on other costs or budget effects is included in the provided text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.