Summary: Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to set forth as the purposes of such Act: (1) to provide for the development and coordination of a comprehensive and integrated national program to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; (2) to provide for the assessment of environmental, socio-economic, and human health impacts of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia and to integrate that assessment into marine and freshwater resource decisions; and (3) to facilitate efforts to develop and implement harmful algal bloom and hypoxia response plans, strategies, and tools. (Sec. 5) Revises requirements concerning membership of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia. (Sec. 6) Requires: (1) the President, acting through the Committee on Natural Resources of the National Science and Technology Council, to establish the National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program (the Program) to integrate efforts to address harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research, monitoring, prediction, control, mitigation, prevention, and outreach; and (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to be the lead federal agency for implementing and administering the Program. Requires the Task Force: (1) to develop, publish in the Federal Register, submit to Congress, and review a national harmful algal blooms and hypoxia action strategy; (2) to be the oversight body for the development and implementation of the Program; and (3) to appoint a general advisory committee to provide recommendations on the development of such strategy. Requires the Program to: (1) promote a national strategy to help communities understand, detect, predict, control, and mitigate freshwater and marine harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events; (2) prepare work and spending plans for implementing the Program's activities and developing and implementing the Regional Research and Action Plans; (3) administer merit-based, competitive grant funding to support the Program's projects and to address the research and management needs and priorities identified in the Action Plans; (4) coordinate interagency programs that address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia and other ocean and Great Lakes science and management programs and centers that address the chemical, biological, and physical components of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; (5) coordinate with the State Department to support international efforts on harmful algal bloom and hypoxia information sharing, research, mitigation, and control; (6) coordinate an outreach, education, and training program that integrates and augments existing programs to improve public education about and awareness of the causes, impacts, and mitigation efforts for harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; (7) facilitate and provide resources for training of state, tribal, and local coastal and water resource managers in the methods and technologies for monitoring, controlling, and mitigating harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; (8) support regional efforts to control and mitigate outbreaks through communication of the contents of the Action Plans, maintenance of online data portals for information about harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and oversight of the development, review, and updating of such Plans; (9) convene at least one Task Force meeting annually; (10) oversee the development and implementation of Action Plans and identify regions and sub-regions to be addressed by each Plan; (11) convene regional panels of experts; and (12) report to specified congressional committees on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia every two years. Requires each panel to develop a Regional Research and Action Plan that identifies appropriate elements for the region, including: (1) priorities for ecological and socioeconomic research on issues related to, and impacts of, harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; (2) research needed to develop and advance technologies for improving capabilities to predict, monitor, prevent, control, and mitigate harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; (3) state and local government actions that may be implemented to monitor, minimize, reduce, and address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia; and (4) pilot projects to address the research priorities and response actions. Requires the Program to ensure such regional plans are: (1) completed and approved within 12 months of the date on which a panel is convened; and (2) updated at least once ever five years. Requires NOAA to maintain and enhance the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms Program, the Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms Program, the Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems and Hypoxia Assessment Program, the Coastal Hypoxia Research Program, and the Prevention, Control, and Mitigation of Harmful Algal Blooms Program. Requires NOAA to establish: (1) an Event Response Program to coordinate and enhance event response activities; and (2) an Infrastructure Program to develop and enhance the critical observations, monitoring, modeling, data management, information dissemination, and operational forecasts required to provide for development of the Program and to facilitate regional, state, tribal, and local efforts to develop harmful algal bloom and hypoxia response plans. Requires the Program, if an intermediate review is necessary to address emergent needs in harmful algal blooms and hypoxia under a Regional Research and Action Plan, to reconvene a regional panel to revise such plan and notify the Task Force about the review. Requires the Task Force to report to specified congressional committees no less than every five years on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. (Sec. 9) Requires the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force to report to Congress and the President on the progress made by Task Force-directed activities toward attainment of the Coastal Goal of the Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan of 2008 for each of 2009 through 2013. Requires the Task Force in 2013 to submit to Congress and the President a five-year report on such progress, including progress made toward nutrient load reductions, the response of the hypoxic zone and water quality throughout the Mississippi/Atchafalaya River Basin, and the economic and social effects. (Sec. 10) Requires the Task Force to: (1) establish a collaborative pilot program to examine harmful algal blooms and hypoxia occurring in freshwater systems, including the Great Lakes; and (2) assess and publish a report on the effectiveness of such program in improving freshwater habitat quality. (Sec. 11) Authorizes appropriations for the Program for FY2010-FY2014 and authorizes additional funding for the pilot program.

hypoxia_research control amendments act sec amends harmful algal bloom hypoxia_research control act set forth purposes act provide development coordination comprehensive integrated national program address harmful algal blooms hypoxia provide assessment environmental economic human health impacts harmful algal blooms hypoxia integrate assessment marine freshwater resource decisions facilitate efforts develop implement harmful algal bloom hypoxia response plans strategies tools sec revises requirements concerning membership hypoxia sec requires president acting establish program integrate efforts address harmful algal bloom hypoxia research monitoring prediction control mitigation prevention outreach national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa lead federal agency implementing administering program requires task force develop publish federal_register submit congress review national harmful algal blooms hypoxia action strategy oversight body development implementation program appoint general advisory committee provide recommendations development strategy requires program promote national strategy help communities understand detect predict control mitigate freshwater marine harmful algal bloom hypoxia events prepare work spending plans implementing program activities developing implementing plans administer merit based competitive grant funding support program projects address research management needs priorities identified action plans coordinate interagency programs address harmful algal blooms hypoxia ocean great_lakes science management programs centers address chemical biological physical components harmful algal blooms hypoxia coordinate state_department support international efforts harmful algal bloom hypoxia information sharing research mitigation control coordinate outreach education training program integrates existing programs improve public education awareness causes impacts mitigation efforts harmful algal blooms hypoxia facilitate provide resources training state tribal local coastal water resource managers methods technologies monitoring controlling mitigating harmful algal blooms hypoxia support regional efforts control mitigate outbreaks communication contents action plans maintenance online data portals information harmful algal blooms hypoxia oversight development review updating plans convene task force meeting annually oversee development implementation action plans identify regions sub regions addressed plan convene regional panels experts report specified congressional committees harmful algal blooms hypoxia years requires panel develop identifies appropriate elements region including priorities ecological socioeconomic research issues related impacts harmful algal blooms hypoxia research needed develop advance technologies improving capabilities predict monitor prevent control mitigate harmful algal blooms hypoxia state local government actions implemented monitor minimize reduce address harmful algal blooms hypoxia pilot projects address research priorities response actions requires program ensure regional plans completed approved months date panel convened updated years requires noaa maintain enhance ecology harmful algal blooms program prevention control mitigation harmful algal blooms program establish event response program coordinate enhance event response activities infrastructure program develop enhance critical observations monitoring modeling data management information dissemination operational forecasts required provide development program facilitate regional state tribal local efforts develop harmful algal bloom hypoxia response plans requires program intermediate review necessary address emergent needs harmful algal blooms hypoxia regional research action plan regional panel revise plan notify task force review requires task force report specified congressional committees years harmful algal blooms hypoxia sec requires report congress president progress task force directed activities attainment coastal goal requires task force submit congress president year report progress including progress nutrient load reductions response zone water quality mississippi river_basin economic social effects sec requires task force establish collaborative pilot program examine harmful algal blooms hypoxia occurring freshwater systems including great lakes assess publish report effectiveness program improving freshwater habitat quality sec authorizes appropriations program fy2010 fy2014 authorizes additional funding pilot program


Summary: Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to authorize FY2012 appropriations to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for use to acquire: (1) hydrographic data, provide hydrographic services, and conduct coastal change analyses necessary to ensure safe navigation, and to improve the management of coastal change in the Arctic; and (2) hydrographic data and provide hydrographic services in the Arctic necessary to delineate the U.S. extended continental shelf.

amends improvement act authorize fy2012 appropriations administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa use acquire hydrographic data provide hydrographic services conduct coastal change analyses necessary ensure safe navigation improve management coastal change arctic hydrographic data provide hydrographic services arctic necessary delineate extended continental shelf


Summary: Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Improvement Act of 2011 - Amends the Tsunami Warning and Education Act to direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the National Weather Service, to establish or maintain a Caribbean Tsunami Warning Center in Puerto Rico.

tsunami forecasting warning improvement act amends tsunami warning education act direct administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa national_weather_service establish maintain caribbean tsunami warning center puerto_rico


Summary: Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2011 - Amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 to revise research, management, and program provisions of the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). States that the Director of the Office shall be responsible for the administration and operation of the Office and implementation of such Act. Requires the Director to: (1) implement the program activities of the Chesapeake Executive Council, (2) ensure that projects have scientific and technical merit and have undergone appropriate peer review, (3) consult with the Council, and (4) report biennially to Congress and to the Secretary of Commerce regarding activities to protect the Chesapeake Bay. Authorizes the Director to: (1) collaborate with scientific and academic institutions, state and federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other constituents to support an integrated observations system for the Chesapeake Bay; (2) support the establishment and implementation of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail; (3) incorporate the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System into the Integrated Ocean Observing System regional network of observatories; (4) establish a Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program (authorizes related grants); (5) establish a Chesapeake Bay coastal living resources management and habitat program to support management of priority Chesapeake Bay habitats and living resources, including oysters, blue crabs, and submerged aquatic vegetation; and (6) accept donations of funds, property, and services.

education ecosystem enhancement act amends national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration authorization act revise research management program provisions national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa states director office shall responsible administration operation office implementation act requires director implement program activities chesapeake_executive_council ensure projects scientific technical merit undergone appropriate peer review consult council report biennially congress secretary commerce activities protect chesapeake_bay authorizes director collaborate scientific academic institutions state federal agencies nongovernmental organizations constituents support integrated observations system chesapeake_bay support establishment implementation captain chesapeake national historic trail incorporate regional network establish chesapeake_bay watershed education training program authorizes related grants establish chesapeake_bay coastal living resources management habitat program support management priority chesapeake_bay habitats living resources including oysters blue submerged aquatic vegetation accept donations funds property services


Summary: Fishery Management Transparency and Accountability Act - Amends the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to direct each Regional Fishery Management Council to make available on the Internet website of the Council: (1) a live broadcast of each meeting of the Council, the science and statistical committee, and the coordination committee that is not closed for certain national security, employment, or litigation briefing matters; and (2) complete audio, complete video if the meeting was in person or by video conference, and a complete transcript of each such meeting for a specified period.

fishery management transparency accountability act amends magnuson stevens fishery conservation management act direct regional_fishery_management_council available internet website council live broadcast meeting council science statistical committee coordination committee closed certain national security employment litigation briefing matters complete audio complete video meeting person video conference complete transcript meeting specified period


Summary: Deficit Reduction, Job Creation, and Energy Security Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct oil and gas lease sales under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act for an additional 10% of acreage of the outer Continental Shelf proposed to be leased under the Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2012-2017. Requires: (1) such additional acreage to be known as the Deficit Reduction Acreage, and (2) the Secretary to lease at least 20% of such Deficit Reduction Acreage in each such year. Establishes the Deficit Reduction Energy Security Fund. Requires all sums due under Deficit Reduction Acreage lease sales during the 15 fiscal years beginning when sums are first received from such sales to be deposited into such Fund. Establishes the Coastal and Ocean Sustainability and Health Fund to be administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for: (1) the Coastal and Ocean Disaster Grant Program for restoring, mitigating, monitoring, or otherwise managing coastal and ocean natural resources in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida impacted by coastal or ocean disasters; and (2) the National Grant Program for Coastal and Ocean Sustainability and Health for restoring, protecting, maintaining, managing, or understanding marine resources and their habitats and resources in coastal and ocean water. Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to reinstate expired producible leases in the offshore Gulf or Mexico upon the petition of a prior leaseholder if such reinstatement furthers the purposes and objectives of such Act. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) an Office of Energy Employment and Training to oversee the efforts of the Department of the Interior's energy planning, permitting, and regulatory activities to carry out the purposes, objectives, and requirements of this Act; and (2) an Office of Minority and Women Inclusion to be responsible for all matters of the Department of the Interior relating to diversity in management, employment, and business activities. Requires the Secretary to take affirmative steps to seek diversity in all levels of such Department.

deficit reduction job creation energy security act requires secretary interior conduct oil gas lease sales outer_continental_shelf_lands_act additional acreage outer continental_shelf proposed leased proposed outer continental shelf oil gas leasing program requires additional acreage known deficit reduction acreage secretary lease deficit reduction acreage year establishes deficit reduction energy security fund requires sums deficit reduction acreage lease sales fiscal years beginning sums received sales deposited fund establishes administered national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa coastal ocean disaster grant program restoring mitigating monitoring managing coastal ocean natural resources texas louisiana mississippi alabama florida impacted coastal ocean disasters coastal restoring protecting maintaining managing understanding marine resources habitats resources coastal ocean water amends outer_continental_shelf lands act authorize secretary interior reinstate expired producible leases offshore gulf mexico petition prior leaseholder reinstatement furthers purposes objectives act requires secretary establish training oversee efforts department_of_the_interior energy planning permitting regulatory activities carry purposes objectives requirements act responsible matters department_of_the_interior relating diversity management employment business activities requires secretary affirmative steps seek diversity levels department


Summary: Map It Once, Use It Many Times Act - Establishes the National Geospatial Technology Administration in the Department of the Interior. Directs the Administrator of the National Geospatial Technology Administration to: (1) establish a National Geospatial Database of all U.S. owned or managed lands (including public lands), Indian trust parcels, and non-federal lands in each state; and (2) determine whether any U.S. owned or managed property may be better managed through ownership by a non-federal entity. Requires the Administrator to implement the recommendations of the National Geospatial Data Plan developed by the National Geospatial Policy Commission established by this Act. Requires the Administrator to promulgate standards for ensuring the interoperability of geospatial data collected by or with the support of the federal government. Transfers to the Administrator all geospatial functions vested by law in the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) with respect to the National Forest System, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Sets forth provisions for the acquisition of geospatial data, as specified, from public and commercial sources. Requires the Commission to identify in the Plan each geospatial activity performed by the federal government that: (1) is unnecessary and provide for its elimination, or (2) may be converted to performance by a private geospatial firm or a state or local government. Specifies, subject to stated exceptions, that all federal contracts for the performance of a geospatial activity include: (1) a condition that the activity be performed in the United States, and (2) a written certification that the funding will not be used for activities performed outside the United States. Directs the Administrator to develop: (1) a strategy for encouraging the use of private geospatial firms by federal agencies and other entities that receive federal funding, including foreign governments; (2) a Geospatial Research Plan to provide for U.S. investment in geospatial research and development activities; and (3) policy directives for the implementation of such activities.

map use times act establishes department_of_the_interior directs administrator establish national geospatial database owned managed lands including public lands indian trust parcels non federal lands state determine owned managed property better managed ownership non federal entity requires administrator implement recommendations developed established act requires administrator promulgate standards ensuring interoperability geospatial data collected support federal government transfers administrator geospatial functions vested law department_of_the_interior department_of_agriculture usda respect national_forest_system national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa sets forth provisions acquisition geospatial data specified public commercial sources requires commission identify plan geospatial activity performed federal government unnecessary provide elimination converted performance private geospatial firm state local government specifies subject stated exceptions federal contracts performance geospatial activity include condition activity performed united_states written certification funding activities performed outside united_states directs administrator develop strategy encouraging use private geospatial firms federal agencies entities receive federal funding including foreign governments geospatial research plan provide investment geospatial research development activities policy directives implementation activities


Summary: Digital Coast Act of 2012 - Defines "Digital Coast" as a constituent-driven effort led by the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to provide an enabling platform integrating geospatial data, decision support tools, training, and best practices to address coastal and emergency management issues and enhance coastal economies and ecosystem services by helping communities with cost-effective and participatory solutions. Directs NOAA to establish and implement the Digital Coast to: (1) collect data concerning coastal elevations, land use and cover, habitat and submerged aquatic vegetation, parcels, planimetrics, socioeconomics, and human use; and (2) integrate other data sources for the broadest measure of coastal resource management constituents and applications. Directs NOAA to: (1) make such data and resulting products accessible via the Digital Coast and other related Internet technologies, (2) provide training on decision support tools developed under this Act, (3) document data to Federal Geographic Data Committee standards, and (4) archive the raw data at appropriate NOAA or federal data centers. Requires coordination and data sharing with states, U.S. territories, local governments, nongovernmental entities, and other federal efforts. Requires the establishment of NOAA Coastal Services Centers to facilitate the development of products and services addressing the needs of local, state, and regional entities involved with coastal and ocean decisionmaking and to lead development and maintenance of the Digital Coast.

defines digital coast constituent driven effort led secretary commerce national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa provide enabling platform integrating geospatial data decision support tools training best practices address coastal emergency management issues enhance coastal economies ecosystem services helping communities cost effective solutions directs noaa establish implement digital_coast collect data concerning coastal land use cover habitat submerged aquatic vegetation parcels human use integrate data sources broadest measure coastal resource management constituents applications directs noaa data resulting products accessible digital_coast related internet technologies provide training decision support tools developed act document data standards archive raw data appropriate noaa federal data centers requires coordination data sharing states territories local governments nongovernmental entities federal efforts requires establishment facilitate development products services addressing needs local state regional entities involved coastal ocean decisionmaking lead development maintenance digital_coast


Summary: Public Access to Historical Records Act - Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to establish an official dataset on the historical temperature record. Requires NASA to utilize the raw data related to temperature that is collected by applicable stations and vessels and to quantify the statistical uncertainty of each temperature observation and any subsequent products based on that observation. Requires the gaps that exist in temperature station and temperature reading data to be clearly and fully identified. Creates a panel to assist the Administrator in the establishment of the dataset. Requires the Administrator, at least once every three years, to contract with an appropriate independent entity to perform a verification and validation of the dataset and requires the publication of any algorithms utilized, and any determinations made, in verifying and validating the dataset. Requires persons and entities engaged in global climate research funded by the federal government to utilize the dataset as a source of data on the historical temperature record. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to provide for the immediate release of: (1) all raw temperature station data from cooperative observers and automated stations collected by the National Climatic Data Center, and (2) an analysis of the differences between raw and final temperature datasets collected by the Center.

public access historical records act directs administrator national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa establish official historical temperature record requires nasa utilize raw data related temperature collected applicable stations vessels quantify statistical uncertainty temperature observation subsequent products based observation requires gaps exist temperature station temperature reading data clearly fully identified creates panel assist administrator establishment requires administrator years contract appropriate independent entity perform verification validation requires publication utilized determinations verifying validating requires persons entities engaged global climate research funded federal government utilize source data historical temperature record directs secretary commerce provide immediate release raw temperature station data cooperative observers automated stations collected analysis differences raw final temperature datasets collected center


Summary: Arctic Ocean Research, Monitoring, and Observing Act of 2012 - Establishes the Arctic Ocean Research, Monitoring, and Observation Program to be administered by the North Pacific Research Board with input and assistance from the Arctic Research Commission. Requires the Program to include marine, coastal, and estuarine: (1) research of fisheries, ecosystem food webs, and spatial distributions of fish and other wildlife; (2) monitoring and observation, including expansion of the Alaska Ocean Observing System in the Arctic; (3) research, monitoring, observation, and modeling to support planning, environmental review, decisionmaking, evaluation, impact and natural resources damage assessment, and adaptive management with respect to industrial and other human activities in the Arctic, environmental change, and the interactive and cumulative effects in the Arctic. Directs: (1) the Board and Commission to jointly prepare an Arctic Ocean science plan, and (2) the Board to submit the plan to the National Research Council. Requires that the plan be reviewed and updated at least once every five years. Establishes a grant program to award grants for research, monitoring, and observation under the science plan. Directs the Commission to annually review and recommend to the Board ongoing and future strategies and priorities.

monitoring observing act establishes monitoring observation program administered input assistance requires program include marine coastal estuarine research fisheries ecosystem food spatial distributions fish wildlife monitoring observation including expansion alaska ocean observing system arctic research monitoring observation modeling support planning environmental review decisionmaking evaluation impact natural resources damage assessment adaptive management respect industrial human activities arctic environmental change interactive cumulative effects arctic directs jointly prepare arctic_ocean science plan board submit plan national_research_council requires plan reviewed updated years establishes grant program award grants research monitoring observation science plan directs commission annually review recommend board ongoing future strategies priorities


Summary: Arctic Science Endowment Act - Establishes the Arctic Ocean Research, Monitoring, and Observation Program to be administered by the North Pacific Research Board with input and assistance from the Arctic Research Commission. Requires the Program to include marine, coastal, and estuarine: (1) research of fisheries, ecosystem food webs, and spatial distributions of fish and other wildlife; (2) monitoring and observation, including expansion of the Alaska Ocean Observing System in the Arctic; (3) research, monitoring, observation, and modeling to support planning, environmental review, decisionmaking, evaluation, impact and natural resources damage assessment, and adaptive management with respect to industrial and other human activities in the Arctic, environmental change, and the interactive and cumulative effects in the Arctic. Directs: (1) the Board and Commission to jointly prepare an Arctic Ocean science plan, and (2) the Board to submit the plan to the National Research Council. Requires that the plan be reviewed and updated at least once every five years. Establishes a grant program to award grants for research, monitoring, and observation under the science plan. Directs the Commission to annually review and recommend to the Board ongoing and future strategies and priorities. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish in the Treasury the Arctic Ocean Research, Monitoring, and Observation Trust Fund to carry out the Program.

arctic science endowment act establishes arctic ocean research monitoring observation program administered input assistance requires program include marine coastal estuarine research fisheries ecosystem food spatial distributions fish wildlife monitoring observation including expansion alaska ocean observing system arctic research monitoring observation modeling support planning environmental review decisionmaking evaluation impact natural resources damage assessment adaptive management respect industrial human activities arctic environmental change interactive cumulative effects arctic directs jointly prepare arctic_ocean science plan board submit plan national_research_council requires plan reviewed updated years establishes grant program award grants research monitoring observation science plan directs commission annually review recommend board ongoing future strategies priorities amends internal revenue code establish treasury monitoring carry program


Summary: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2012 - Reauthorizes and amends authorities relating to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps). (Sec. 2) Sets forth the commissioned grades of the NOAA Corps in relative rank with Navy officers, beginning with vice admiral, rear admiral, and rear admiral (lower half). Maintains the existing distribution percentages of officers on the lineal list in grades of captain, commander, and lieutenant commander. Amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to prescribe distribution percentages applicable to grades of lieutenant, lieutenant (junior grade), and ensign. Directs the Secretary to compute at least annually the number of officers on the lineal list authorized to serve in each grade. (Sec. 3) Prohibits officers serving in positions of importance and responsibility and officers recalled from retired status from being counted in or against the Secretary's computation of authorized strengths or the total number of authorized commissioned officers on the lineal list. (Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to prescribe obligated service requirements for appointments, training, promotions, separations, continuations, and retirement of officers not otherwise covered by law. (Sec. 5) Authorizes officer training programs and correspondence courses. Requires the Secretary to ensure that officers maintain a physical state of readiness in preparation for functioning as a service in the Navy during times of war. (Sec. 6) Revises original appointment and reappointment requirements. Authorizes the reappointment of individuals who previously served in the NOAA Corps to the grade the individual held prior to separation. Permits reappointments to certain designated positions of importance and responsibility to be made only by the President. Directs the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promote and streamline inter-service transfers, give preference to such inter-service transfers for recruitment purposes, and reappoint such inter-service transfers to the equivalent grade in the NOAA Corps. (Sec. 7) Establishes membership criteria for personnel boards. (Sec. 8) Modifies temporary appointment requirements. Permits temporary appointments in the grade of ensign, lieutenant junior grade, or lieutenant to be made by the President. (Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to determine the number of appointments of officer candidates and to prescribe regulations for such appointments. Establishes guidelines for the appointment, dismissal, and pay of officer candidate appointments. Establishes a basic officer training program. (Sec. 10) Permits deferment of a consenting officer's retirement or separation when evaluation of a medical condition requires hospitalization or observation that cannot be completed before the officer would otherwise be required to retire or be separated. Prohibits such a deferment from extending for more than 30 days after completion of the evaluation requiring hospitalization or medical observation. (Sec. 11) Excludes an officer discharged for twice failing selection for promotion to the next higher grade (if the officer expresses a desire not to be selected for promotion or requests removal from the list of selectees) from certain separation pay entitlements. (Sec. 12) Applies specified rights and benefits of the Armed Forces to the NOAA Corps, including benefits and services for members being separated or recently separated, military family programs, advanced education assistance, active duty agreements, and reimbursement requirements. (Sec. 13) Establishes an education loan repayment program in exchange for active duty service obligations of certain students enrolled at accredited educational institutions and other eligible persons. (Sec. 14) Establishes a student loan interest payment program for specified loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eligible active duty officers who have not completed more than three years of active duty service. (Sec. 15) Establishes a pre-commissioning education assistance program for certain students enrolled at accredited educational institutions who agree to accept appointment as active duty officers. (Sec. 16) Directs the Secretary to limit the amount expended for such educational assistance each fiscal year to a specified amount based on a formula relating to the total pay of officer candidates. (Sec. 17) Expands various pay and allowances requirements of the Armed Forces to the NOAA Corps. (Sec. 18) Extends the application of certain competitive service position consideration requirements to applicants honorably separated from the NOAA Corps. (Sec. 19) Extends eligibility for the Legion of Merit award to all members of the uniformed services. (Sec. 20) Applies uniformed service civilian employment and reemployment rights to the NOAA Corps. (Sec. 21) Expands to the NOAA Corps certain laws protecting communications of members of the Armed Forces with Members of Congress and the Inspector General and prohibiting retaliatory personnel actions for specified communications. (Sec. 22) Expands the criminal penalty for wearing a uniform without authority to include NOAA Corps uniforms. (Sec. 24) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the current status and projected needs of the NOAA Corps (including attrition rates, recruitment, and areas of duplication) to operate sufficiently through FY2017. (Sec. 25) Requires specified provisions of this Act to take effect 90 days after the Secretary submits such report to Congress.

reauthorizes amends authorities relating national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration sec sets forth commissioned grades relative rank navy officers beginning vice admiral rear admiral rear admiral lower half maintains existing distribution percentages officers lineal list grades captain commander lieutenant commander amends officer corps act direct secretary commerce prescribe distribution percentages applicable grades lieutenant lieutenant junior grade ensign directs secretary compute annually number officers lineal list authorized serve grade sec prohibits officers serving positions importance responsibility officers recalled retired status counted secretary computation authorized strengths total number authorized commissioned officers lineal list sec directs secretary prescribe obligated service requirements appointments training promotions separations retirement officers covered law sec authorizes officer training programs correspondence courses requires secretary ensure officers maintain physical state readiness preparation functioning service navy times war sec revises original appointment reappointment requirements authorizes reappointment individuals previously served grade individual held prior separation permits reappointments certain designated positions importance responsibility president directs secretary coordinate secretary defense dod secretary department coast_guard operating promote streamline inter service transfers preference inter service transfers recruitment purposes inter service transfers equivalent grade sec establishes membership criteria personnel boards sec modifies temporary appointment requirements permits temporary appointments grade ensign lieutenant junior grade lieutenant president sec directs secretary determine number appointments officer candidates prescribe regulations appointments establishes guidelines appointment dismissal pay officer candidate appointments establishes basic officer training program sec permits deferment consenting officer retirement separation evaluation medical condition requires hospitalization observation completed officer required retire separated prohibits deferment extending days completion evaluation requiring hospitalization medical observation sec excludes officer discharged twice failing selection promotion higher grade officer expresses desire selected promotion requests removal list certain separation pay entitlements sec applies specified rights benefits including benefits services members separated recently separated military family programs advanced education assistance active duty agreements reimbursement requirements sec establishes education loan repayment program exchange active duty service obligations certain students enrolled accredited educational institutions eligible persons sec establishes student loan interest payment program specified loans higher education act eligible active duty officers completed years active duty service sec establishes pre commissioning education assistance program certain students enrolled accredited educational institutions agree accept appointment active duty officers sec directs secretary limit expended educational assistance fiscal year specified based formula relating total pay officer candidates sec expands pay allowances requirements sec extends application certain competitive service position consideration requirements applicants honorably separated sec extends eligibility award members uniformed services sec applies uniformed service civilian employment reemployment rights sec expands certain laws protecting communications members armed_forces members congress inspector general prohibiting retaliatory personnel actions specified communications sec expands criminal penalty wearing uniform authority include uniforms sec directs secretary report congress current status projected needs including attrition rates recruitment areas duplication operate sufficiently fy2017 sec requires specified provisions act effect days secretary submits report congress


Summary: Arctic Research, Monitoring, and Observing Act of 2012 - Amends the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984 to direct the Arctic Research Commission to provide merit-based grants to federal, state, local, or tribal governments and academic and private organizations to conduct research on or related to the Arctic in accordance with the national Arctic research program plan. Authorizes the Commission to enter into agreements with appropriate agencies or organizations to administer grants made pursuant to this Act for Arctic research, including reimbursement from funds of the Commission to administer such grants. Revises the requirements for compensation of Commission members not presently employed by the federal government or any state or local government. Instructs the Commission to adopt conflict of interest and recusal provisions that apply to decisions of the Commission and to all Commission members as if each member is an affected individual within the meaning of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Includes disclosure of any financial interest in or relationship to a party that is applying for funding from the Commission held by the Commission member. Amends the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, with respect to the North Pacific Research Board, to: (1) increase the maximum percentage of funds provided to the Secretary of Commerce for grants to conduct marine research in the north Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean that may be used for support for the Board and to administer such grants; and (2) direct the Board to adopt conflict of interest provisions similar to those required of the Commission by this Act. Revises the administration of the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund to: (1) reduce by half the amount of interest earned and covered into the Fund and make available such amount without further appropriation to the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Forest Service for high priority deferred maintenance and modernization of facilities to enhance visitors' experience; (2) increase to 25% the amount made available to carry out marine research activities in the North Pacific; and (3) require 25% of such amounts to be made available to the Commission to carry out Arctic research and monitoring and 10% to fund the Alaska Ocean Observing System as provided in this Act. Requires the North Pacific Research Board, the Commission, and the Alaska Ocean Observing System to meet at least once annually to promote coordination among research programs and projects and report annually on the status of the research conducted pursuant to this Act.

monitoring observing act amends arctic research policy act direct provide merit based grants federal state local tribal governments academic private organizations conduct research related arctic accordance national arctic research program plan authorizes commission enter agreements appropriate agencies organizations administer grants pursuant act arctic research including reimbursement funds commission administer grants revises requirements compensation commission members presently employed federal government state local government instructs commission adopt conflict interest recusal provisions apply decisions commission commission members member affected individual meaning magnuson stevens fishery conservation management act includes disclosure financial interest relationship party applying funding commission held commission member amends department_of_the_interior_and_related_agencies_appropriations_act respect increase maximum percentage funds provided secretary commerce grants conduct marine research north pacific_ocean bering_sea arctic_ocean support board administer grants direct board adopt conflict interest provisions similar required commission act revises administration reduce half interest earned covered fund available appropriation national_park_service fish wildlife service bureau_of_land_management blm forest_service high priority deferred maintenance modernization facilities enhance visitors experience increase available carry marine research activities require amounts available commission carry arctic research monitoring fund provided act requires commission alaska ocean observing system meet annually promote coordination research programs projects report annually status research conducted pursuant act


Summary: Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Tsunami Warning and Education Act to direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the National Weather Service, to establish or maintain a Caribbean Tsunami Warning Center in Puerto Rico. (The responsibilities of tsunami warning centers include monitoring and evaluating earthquakes, disseminating forecasts and tsunami warning bulletins to federal, state, and local governments as well as the public, and ensuring information sharing between forecasters and emergency management officials.)

tsunami forecasting warning improvement act amends tsunami warning education act direct administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa national_weather_service establish maintain caribbean tsunami warning center puerto_rico responsibilities tsunami warning centers include monitoring evaluating earthquakes disseminating forecasts tsunami warning federal state local governments public ensuring information sharing emergency management officials


Summary:
Digital Coast Act of 2013 - Defines "Digital Coast" as a constituent-driven effort led by the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to provide an enabling platform integrating geospatial data, decision support tools, training, and best practices to address coastal and emergency management issues and enhance coastal economies and ecosystem services by helping communities with cost-effective and participatory solutions.

Directs NOAA to establish and implement the Digital Coast to: (1) collect data concerning coastal elevations, land use and cover, habitat and submerged aquatic vegetation, parcels, planimetrics, socioeconomics, and human use; and (2) integrate other data sources for the broadest measure of coastal resource management constituents and applications.

Directs NOAA to: (1) make such data and resulting products accessible via the Digital Coast and other related Internet technologies, (2) provide training on decision support tools developed under this Act, (3) document data to Federal Geographic Data Committee standards, and (4) archive the raw data at appropriate NOAA or federal data centers.

Requires coordination and data sharing with states, U.S. territories, local governments, nongovernmental entities, and other federal efforts.

Requires the establishment of NOAA Coastal Services Centers to facilitate the development of products and services addressing the needs of local, state, and regional entities involved with coastal and ocean decisionmaking and to lead development and maintenance of the Digital Coast.


Summary: Sandy Disaster Fisheries Relief Act - Makes supplemental appropriations of $193 billion, to remain available until September 30, 2014, to the Department of Commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for operations, research, and facilities for necessary expenses related to fishery disasters during 2012 declared by the Secretary of Commerce as a direct result of impacts from Hurricane Sandy, provided that Congress designates such amount as an emergency requirement pursuant to discretionary spending limit adjustment procedures under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

sandy disaster fisheries supplemental appropriations billion remain available september department_of_commerce national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa operations research facilities necessary expenses related fishery disasters declared secretary commerce direct result impacts hurricane sandy provided congress designates emergency requirement pursuant discretionary spending limit adjustment procedures balanced_budget emergency deficit control act


Summary:
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

Defines the "Director" of the Program to mean the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (currently, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy).

(Sec. 3) Designates NIST as the entity with primary responsibility for Program planning and coordination and expands the responsibilities of the other Program agencies, which include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Requires NIST to: (1) ensure that the Program includes the necessary components to promote implementation of windstorm risk reduction measures, (2) support the development of performance-based engineering tools, (3) request the assistance of federal agencies other than the Program agencies as necessary, (4) coordinate all federal post-windstorm investigations, and (5) issue recommendations to assist in informing the development of model codes.

Requires NSF to support research in economic and social factors influencing windstorm risk reduction measures.

Requires FEMA to: (1) promote the adoption of windstorm preparedness and mitigation measures, including for households, businesses, and communities; and (2) work closely with national standards and model building code organizations to promote the implementation of research results and promote better building practices within the building design and construction industry.

Requires the Directors of the Program agencies to each include in their agency's annual budget request a description of their agency's projected activities under the Program and an assessment of what they plan to spend on those activities.

Replaces provisions establishing an Interagency Working Group with provisions establishing the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which shall be composed of the heads of the Program agencies and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Directs the Committee to oversee Program planning and coordination and to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan, progress report, and coordinated budget for the Program.

(Sec. 4) Revises provisions providing for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction (currently, the National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction), which shall: (1) be composed of at least seven non-federal members, (2) provide recommendations to be considered by federal agencies in implementing the Program, and (3) offer assessments of the priorities of the Program's strategic plan, coordination of the Program, and Program revisions. Terminates the Committee on September 30, 2016.

Authorizes appropriations to the Program agencies for FY2014-FY2015 for carrying out the Program.

national windstorm impact reduction act reauthorization sec amends revise provisions governing national_windstorm_impact_reduction_program defines director program mean director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist currently director office_of_science_and_technology_policy sec designates nist entity primary responsibility program planning coordination expands responsibilities program agencies include national_science_foundation nsf federal_emergency_management_agency fema national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa requires nist ensure program includes necessary components promote implementation windstorm risk reduction measures support development performance based engineering tools request assistance federal agencies program agencies necessary coordinate federal post windstorm investigations issue recommendations assist informing development model codes requires nsf support research economic social factors influencing windstorm risk reduction measures requires fema promote adoption windstorm preparedness mitigation measures including households businesses communities work closely national standards model building code organizations promote implementation research results promote better building practices building design construction industry requires directors program agencies include agency annual budget request description agency projected activities program assessment plan spend activities replaces provisions establishing interagency_working_group provisions establishing interagency_coordinating_committee windstorm impact reduction shall composed heads program agencies office_of_management_and_budget omb directs committee oversee program planning coordination develop submit congress strategic plan progress report coordinated budget program sec revises provisions providing establishment currently windstorm impact reduction shall composed seven non federal members provide recommendations considered federal agencies implementing program offer assessments priorities program strategic plan coordination program program revisions terminates committee september authorizes appropriations program agencies fy2014 fy2015 carrying program


Summary:
Weather Forecasting Improvement Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (who is also the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration [NOAA]) to prioritize weather-related activities, including the provision of improved weather data, forecasts, and warnings for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy, in all relevant line offices.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) to conduct a program to develop an improved understanding of forecast capabilities for atmospheric events and their impacts, placing priority on developing more accurate, timely, and effective warnings and forecasts of high impact weather events that endanger life and property.

Requires such program to focus on: (1) improving the fundamental understanding of weather, including boundary layer and other atmospheric processes affecting high impact weather events; (2) improving the understanding of how the public receives, interprets, and responds to warnings and forecasts of high impact weather events that endanger life and property; and (3) research and development (R&D), and the transfer of knowledge, technologies, and applications to the National Weather Service (NWS) and other appropriate agencies and entities; and (4) a technology transfer initiative carried out jointly and in coordination with the Assistant Administrator for NWS, and in cooperation with the American weather industry and academic partners, to ensure continuous development and transition of the latest scientific and technological advances into NWS operations and establish a process to sunset outdated and expensive operational methods and tools to enable cost-effective transfer of new methods and tools into operations.

Requires the Assistant Administrator for the OAR to collaborate with and support the non-federal weather research community by making funds available through competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

Expresses the sense of Congress that at least 30% of the funds authorized for R&D at OAR by this Act should be made available for this purpose.

 (Sec. 4) Requires the Under Secretary, in collaboration with the American weather industry and academic partners, to establish a tornado warning improvement and extension program, with the goal of reducing the loss of life and economic losses from tornadoes through the development and extension of accurate, effective, and timely tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings, including the prediction of tornadoes beyond one hour in advance.

Requires the Assistant Administrator for the OAR to develop a program plan detailing the research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve the program goal.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Under Secretary, in collaboration with the American weather industry and academic partners, to establish a hurricane warning improvement program, with the goal of developing and extending accurate hurricane forecasts and warnings.

Requires the OAR Assistant Administrator to develop a program plan detailing the research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve such program's goal.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Assistant Administrator for the OAR, in coordination with the Assistant Administrators for the NWS and the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), to issue a plan for restoring U.S. leadership in numerical weather prediction, and forecasting that: (1) describes the forecasting skill and technology goals, objectives, and progress of NOAA in carrying out the weather research and forecasting innovation program; (2) identifies and prioritizes R&D activities, and performance metrics, weighted to meet the operational NWS weather mission; (3) describes how the program will collaborate with stakeholders; and (4) identifies research necessary to enhance the integration of social science knowledge into weather forecast and warning processes.

(Sec. 7) Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) develop a prioritized list of observation data requirements necessary to ensure weather forecasting capabilities to protect life and property; (2) use Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs), Observing System Experiments (OSEs), Analyses of Alternatives (AOAs), and other appropriate assessment tools to undertake ongoing systematic evaluations of observing systems, data, and information needed to meet the requirements listed; (3) identify current and potential future data gaps in observing capabilities related to such requirements; and (4) determine a range of options to address the gaps identified.

(Sec. 8) Directs the Assistant Administrator for the OAR to undertake OSSEs to assess the relative value and benefits of observing capabilities and systems. Allows technical and scientific OSSE evaluations to include assessments of the impact of observing capabilities on: (1) global weather prediction, (2) hurricane track and intensity forecasting, (3) tornado warning lead times and accuracy, (4) prediction of mid-latitude severe local storm outbreaks; and (5) prediction of storms that have the potential to cause extreme precipitation and flooding lasting from six hours to one week. Requires such evaluations to be conducted in cooperation with other appropriate entities within NOAA, other federal agencies, the American weather industry, and academic partners to ensure the technical and scientific merit of OSSE results.

Requires OSSEs to: (1) determine the potential impact of proposed space-based, sub-orbital, and in-situ observing systems on analyses and forecasts, including potential impacts on extreme weather events across all parts of the nation; (2) evaluate and compare observing system design options; and (3) assess the relative capabilities and costs of various and combinations of observing systems in providing data necessary for the protection of life and property.

Requires OSSEs to be conducted: (1) before the acquisition of major government-owned or government-leased operational observing systems, including polar-orbiting and geostationary satellite systems, with a lifecycle cost of more than $500 million; and (2) before the purchase of any major new commercially provided data with a lifecycle cost of more than $500 million.

Requires the Assistant Administrator for the OAR, by June 30, 2014, to: (1) complete OSSEs to assess the value of data from both global Positioning System radio occultation and a geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation, and (2) publish the results.

(Sec. 9) Requires the NOAA Chief Information Officer, in coordination with the Assistant Administrator for OAR and the Assistant Administrator for NWS, to produce and make publicly available a report explaining how NOAA intends to: (1) pursue the newest, fastest, and most cost-effective high performance computing technologies in support of its weather prediction mission; (2) ensure a balance between the research requirements to develop the next generation of regional and global models and its highly reliable operational models; (3) take advantage of advanced development concepts to make its next generation weather prediction models available in beta-test mode to its operational forecasters, the American weather industry, and its partners in academic and government research; (4) identify opportunities to reallocate existing advanced computing resources from lower priority uses to improve advanced research and operational weather prediction; and (5) harness new computing power in the OAR and NWS for immediate improvement in forecasting and experimentation.

(Sec. 10) Declares that the prohibition against the lease, sale, or transfer to the private sector, or the commercialization of, any part of the weather satellite systems operated by the Department of Commerce or any successor agency shall not extend to: (1) the purchase of weather data through contracts with commercial providers, or (2) the placement of weather satellite instruments on co-hosted government or private payloads.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to transmit to Congress a strategy to enable the procurement of quality commercial weather data. Requires such strategy to: (1) assess the range and expected cost-effectiveness of commercial opportunities, including public-private partnerships, for obtaining both surface-based and space-based weather observations; and (2) make a plan for procuring data, including an expected implementation timeline, from such nongovernmental sources, as appropriate.

(Sec. 11) Directs the Under Secretary to establish a Federal Advisory Committee to: (1) advise about prioritizing weather research initiatives at NOAA to produce real improvement in weather forecasting; (2) review and comment on existing or emerging technologies or techniques that can be found in private industry or the research community that could be incorporated into forecasting at the NWS to improve forecasting; (3) identify opportunities to improve communications between weather forecasters, emergency management personnel, and the public; and (4) address any other matters that would improve innovation in weather forecasting.

Prohibits the Under Secretary from appointing a majority of the 12 members of the Advisory Committee from among employees of NOAA-funded research centers.

(Sec. 12) Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish an Inter-agency Committee for Advancing Weather Services to improve the coordination of relevant weather research and forecast innovation activities across the federal government.

Requires such Committee to: (1) include participation by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NOAA and its constituent elements, the NSF, and other appropriate agencies involved in weather forecasting research; (2) identify and prioritize top forecast needs and coordinate them against budget requests and program initiatives across participating offices and agencies; and (3) share information regarding operational needs and forecasting improvements across relevant agencies.

Requires the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology to serve as a co-chair of such panel.

(Sec. 13) Authorizes the Assistant Administrator for the OAR and the Assistant Administrator for NWS to establish a program for detailing OAR personnel to the NWS and NWS personnel to OAR to enhance forecasting innovation through regular, direct interaction between OAR scientists and NWS operational staff.

Requires the program to allow up to 10 OAR staff and NWS staff to spend up to a year on detail.

(Sec. 14) Authorizes the Assistant Administrator for NWS to establish a program to host competitively selected postdoctoral fellows and academic researchers for a year at any of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction to provide direct interaction between forecasters and academic and private sector researchers in an effort to bring innovation to forecasting tools and techniques available to the NWS.

(Sec. 16) Authorizes appropriations through FY2017, as well as alternative funding amounts for FY2014 if the Budget Control Act of 2011 is repealed or replaced with an Act increasing allocations.

Prohibits any additional funds from being authorized to carry out this Act and the amendments made by it.

weather forecasting improvement act sec requires secretary commerce oceans atmosphere administrator noaa prioritize weather related activities including provision improved weather data forecasts warnings protection life property enhancement national economy relevant line offices sec directs assistant administrator conduct program develop improved understanding forecast capabilities atmospheric events impacts placing priority developing accurate timely effective warnings forecasts high impact weather events endanger life property requires program focus improving fundamental understanding weather including boundary layer atmospheric processes affecting high impact weather events improving understanding public receives interprets responds warnings forecasts high impact weather events endanger life property research development transfer knowledge technologies applications national_weather_service nws appropriate agencies entities technology transfer initiative carried jointly coordination assistant administrator nws cooperation american weather industry academic partners ensure continuous development transition latest scientific technological advances nws operations establish process sunset outdated expensive operational methods tools enable cost effective transfer new methods tools operations requires assistant administrator collaborate support non federal weather research community making funds available competitive grants contracts cooperative agreements expresses sense congress funds authorized act available purpose sec requires secretary collaboration american weather industry academic partners establish tornado warning improvement extension program goal reducing loss life economic losses development extension accurate effective timely tornado forecasts warnings including prediction hour advance requires assistant administrator develop program plan detailing research development technology transfer activities corresponding resources timelines necessary achieve program goal sec directs secretary collaboration american weather industry academic partners establish hurricane warning improvement program goal developing extending accurate hurricane forecasts warnings requires assistant administrator develop program plan detailing research development technology transfer activities corresponding resources timelines necessary achieve program goal sec requires assistant administrator coordination assistant administrators nws data issue plan restoring leadership numerical weather prediction forecasting describes forecasting skill technology goals objectives progress noaa carrying weather research forecasting innovation program identifies prioritizes activities performance metrics weighted meet operational nws weather mission describes program collaborate stakeholders identifies research necessary enhance integration social science knowledge weather forecast warning processes sec requires secretary develop prioritized list observation data requirements necessary ensure weather forecasting capabilities protect life property use appropriate assessment tools undertake ongoing systematic evaluations observing systems data information needed meet requirements listed identify current potential future data gaps observing capabilities related requirements determine range options address gaps identified sec directs assistant administrator undertake assess relative value benefits observing capabilities systems allows technical scientific evaluations include assessments impact observing capabilities global weather prediction hurricane track intensity forecasting tornado warning lead times accuracy prediction mid latitude severe local storm outbreaks prediction storms potential cause extreme precipitation flooding lasting hours week requires evaluations conducted cooperation appropriate entities noaa federal agencies american weather industry academic partners ensure technical scientific merit results requires determine potential impact proposed space based sub observing systems analyses forecasts including potential impacts extreme weather events parts nation evaluate compare observing system design options assess relative capabilities costs combinations observing systems providing data necessary protection life property requires conducted acquisition major government owned government leased operational observing systems including polar satellite systems lifecycle cost million purchase major new commercially provided data lifecycle cost million requires assistant administrator june complete assess value data global radio global constellation publish results sec requires noaa chief information officer coordination assistant administrator assistant administrator nws produce publicly available report explaining noaa intends pursue cost effective high performance computing technologies support weather prediction mission ensure balance research requirements develop generation regional global models highly reliable operational models advantage advanced development concepts generation weather prediction models available beta test mode operational american weather industry partners academic government research identify opportunities reallocate existing advanced computing resources lower priority uses improve advanced research operational weather prediction harness new computing power nws immediate improvement forecasting experimentation sec declares prohibition lease sale transfer private sector commercialization weather satellite systems operated department_of_commerce successor agency shall extend purchase weather data contracts commercial providers placement weather satellite instruments government private directs secretary commerce transmit congress strategy enable procurement quality commercial weather data requires strategy assess range expected cost effectiveness commercial opportunities including public private partnerships obtaining surface based space based weather observations plan procuring data including expected implementation timeline nongovernmental sources appropriate sec directs secretary establish federal_advisory_committee advise prioritizing weather research initiatives noaa produce real improvement weather forecasting review comment existing emerging technologies techniques found private industry research community incorporated forecasting nws improve forecasting identify opportunities improve communications weather emergency management personnel public address matters improve innovation weather forecasting prohibits secretary appointing majority members advisory_committee employees noaa funded research centers sec requires director office_of_science_and_technology_policy ostp establish improve coordination relevant weather research forecast innovation activities federal government requires committee include participation national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa federal_aviation_administration faa noaa constituent elements nsf appropriate agencies involved weather forecasting research identify prioritize forecast needs coordinate budget requests program initiatives participating offices agencies share information operational needs forecasting improvements relevant agencies requires serve chair panel sec authorizes assistant administrator assistant administrator nws establish program detailing personnel nws nws personnel enhance forecasting innovation regular direct interaction scientists nws operational staff requires program allow staff nws staff spend year detail sec authorizes assistant administrator nws establish program host competitively selected postdoctoral fellows academic researchers year provide direct interaction academic private sector researchers effort bring innovation forecasting tools techniques available nws sec authorizes appropriations fy2017 alternative funding amounts fy2014 budget_control_act repealed replaced act increasing allocations prohibits additional funds authorized carry act amendments


Summary: Stockman Effect Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study the impact that a shift in the Earth's magnetic field could have on the weather.

effect act requires director national_science_foundation nsf study impact shift earth magnetic field weather


Summary: Extreme Weather Prevention and Resilience Act - Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should: (1) promote investment to ensure resilience to extreme weather and disasters; (2) promote investment in clean energy infrastructure; (3) promote the development of clean energy technologies; and (4) ensure that the federal government is a leader in reducing pollution, promoting the use of clean energy sources, and improving energy efficiency.

extreme weather prevention resilience act expresses sense senate congress promote investment ensure resilience extreme weather disasters promote investment clean energy infrastructure promote development clean energy technologies ensure federal government leader reducing pollution promoting use clean energy sources improving energy efficiency


Summary:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2013 - Reauthorizes and amends authorities relating to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps).

Title I: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Sets forth the commissioned grades of the NOAA Corps in relative rank with Navy officers, beginning with vice admiral, rear admiral, and rear admiral (lower half). Maintains the existing distribution percentages of officers on the lineal list in grades of captain, commander, and lieutenant commander.

Amends the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to prescribe distribution percentages applicable to grades of lieutenant, lieutenant (junior grade), and ensign.

Directs the Secretary to compute at least annually the number of officers on the lineal list authorized to serve in each grade.

(Sec. 102) Prohibits officers serving in positions of importance and responsibility, and officers recalled from retired status, from being counted in or against the Secretary's computation of authorized strengths or the total number of authorized commissioned officers on the lineal list.

(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to prescribe obligated service requirements for appointments, training, promotions, separations, continuations, and retirement of officers not otherwise covered by law.

(Sec. 104) Authorizes officer training programs and correspondence courses.

Requires the Secretary to establish physical fitness standards for officers that are substantially equivalent to those prescribed for Coast Guard officers.

Title II: Appointments and Promotion of Officers - (Sec. 201) Revises original appointment and reappointment requirements. Authorizes the reappointment of individuals who previously served in the NOAA Corps to the grade the individual held prior to separation.

Permits reappointments to certain designated positions of importance and responsibility to be made only by the President.

Directs the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to promote and streamline inter-service transfers, give preference to such inter-service transfers for recruitment purposes, and reappoint such inter-service transfers to the equivalent grade in the NOAA Corps.

(Sec. 202) Establishes membership criteria for personnel boards.

(Sec. 203) Requires the President, during a period in which the position of the Secretary is vacant, to transfer to the Deputy Secretary of Commerce or the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere any authority that had been delegated to the Secretary to make appointments or promotions to certain permanent or temporary grades.

(Sec. 204) Modifies temporary appointment requirements. Permits temporary appointments in the grade of ensign, lieutenant junior grade, or lieutenant to be made by the President.

(Sec. 205) Directs the Secretary to determine the number of appointments of officer candidates and to prescribe regulations for such appointments. Establishes guidelines for the appointment, dismissal, and pay of officer candidate appointments.

Establishes a basic officer training program.

(Sec. 206) Permits the Secretary to make such expenditures as necessary to obtain recruits for the NOAA Corps, including advertising.

Title III: Separation and Retirement of Officers - (Sec. 301) Permits deferment of a consenting officer's retirement or separation when evaluation of a medical condition requires hospitalization or observation that cannot be completed before the officer would otherwise be required to retire or be separated.

Prohibits such a deferment from extending for more than 30 days after completion of the evaluation requiring hospitalization or medical observation.

(Sec. 302) Excludes an officer discharged for twice failing selection for promotion to the next higher grade (if the officer expresses a desire not to be selected for promotion or requests removal from the list of selectees) from certain separation pay entitlements.

Title IV: Rights and Benefits - (Sec. 401) Establishes an education loan repayment program in exchange for active duty service obligations of certain students enrolled at accredited educational institutions and other eligible persons.

(Sec. 402) Establishes a student loan interest payment program for specified loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eligible active duty officers who have not completed more than three years of active duty service.

(Sec. 403) Establishes a pre-commissioning education assistance program for certain students enrolled at accredited educational institutions who agree to accept appointment as active duty officers.

(Sec. 404) Directs the Secretary to limit the amount expended for such educational assistance each fiscal year to a specified amount based on a formula relating to the total pay of officer candidates.

 (Sec. 405) Applies specified rights and benefits of the Armed Forces to the NOAA Corps, including benefits and services for members being separated or recently separated, military family programs, advanced education assistance, active duty agreements, and reimbursement requirements.

(Sec. 406) Expands various pay and allowances requirements of the Armed Forces to the NOAA Corps.

 (Sec. 407) Extends the application of certain competitive service position consideration requirements to applicants honorably separated from the NOAA Corps.

(Sec. 408) Extends eligibility for the Legion of Merit award to all members of the uniformed services.

(Sec. 409) Applies uniformed service civilian employment and reemployment rights to the NOAA Corps.

(Sec. 410) Expands to the NOAA Corps certain laws protecting communications of members of the Armed Forces with Members of Congress and the Inspector General and prohibiting retaliatory personnel actions for specified communications.

(Sec. 411) Expands the criminal penalty for wearing a uniform without authority to include NOAA Corps uniforms.

(Sec. 412) Requires the Secretary, when accepting employment applications for positions for which consideration will be limited to certain individuals already serving within NOAA, to deem an officer who has served as a commissioned corps officer for at least three years to be serving in a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service within NOAA.

Title V: Other Matters - (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the current status and projected needs of the NOAA Corps (including attrition rates, recruitment, and areas of duplication) to operate sufficiently through FY2017.

(Sec. 503) Requires specified provisions of this Act to take effect 90 days after the Secretary submits such report to Congress.

reauthorizes amends authorities relating national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration title general provisions sec sets forth commissioned grades relative rank navy officers beginning vice admiral rear admiral rear admiral lower half maintains existing distribution percentages officers lineal list grades captain commander lieutenant commander amends officer corps act direct secretary commerce prescribe distribution percentages applicable grades lieutenant lieutenant junior grade ensign directs secretary compute annually number officers lineal list authorized serve grade sec prohibits officers serving positions importance responsibility officers recalled retired status counted secretary computation authorized strengths total number authorized commissioned officers lineal list sec directs secretary prescribe obligated service requirements appointments training promotions separations retirement officers covered law sec authorizes officer training programs correspondence courses requires secretary establish physical fitness standards officers substantially equivalent prescribed coast_guard officers title appointments promotion officers sec revises original appointment reappointment requirements authorizes reappointment individuals previously served grade individual held prior separation permits reappointments certain designated positions importance responsibility president directs secretary coordinate secretary defense dod secretary department coast_guard operating promote streamline inter service transfers preference inter service transfers recruitment purposes inter service transfers equivalent grade sec establishes membership criteria personnel boards sec requires president period position secretary vacant transfer deputy secretary commerce secretary oceans atmosphere authority delegated secretary appointments promotions certain permanent temporary grades sec modifies temporary appointment requirements permits temporary appointments grade ensign lieutenant junior grade lieutenant president sec directs secretary determine number appointments officer candidates prescribe regulations appointments establishes guidelines appointment dismissal pay officer candidate appointments establishes basic officer training program sec permits secretary expenditures necessary obtain recruits including advertising title iii separation retirement officers sec permits deferment consenting officer retirement separation evaluation medical condition requires hospitalization observation completed officer required retire separated prohibits deferment extending days completion evaluation requiring hospitalization medical observation sec excludes officer discharged twice failing selection promotion higher grade officer expresses desire selected promotion requests removal list certain separation pay entitlements title rights benefits sec establishes education loan repayment program exchange active duty service obligations certain students enrolled accredited educational institutions eligible persons sec establishes student loan interest payment program specified loans higher education act eligible active duty officers completed years active duty service sec establishes pre commissioning education assistance program certain students enrolled accredited educational institutions agree accept appointment active duty officers sec directs secretary limit expended educational assistance fiscal year specified based formula relating total pay officer candidates sec applies specified rights benefits including benefits services members separated recently separated military family programs advanced education assistance active duty agreements reimbursement requirements sec expands pay allowances requirements sec extends application certain competitive service position consideration requirements applicants honorably separated sec extends eligibility award members uniformed services sec applies uniformed service civilian employment reemployment rights sec expands certain laws protecting communications members armed_forces members congress inspector general prohibiting retaliatory personnel actions specified communications sec expands criminal penalty wearing uniform authority include uniforms sec requires secretary accepting employment applications positions consideration limited certain individuals serving noaa deem officer served commissioned corps officer years serving career career conditional position competitive service noaa title matters sec directs secretary report congress current status projected needs including attrition rates recruitment areas duplication operate sufficiently fy2017 sec requires specified provisions act effect days secretary submits report congress


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 11, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program and to reauthorize the Program through FY2017.

Defines the "Director" of the Program to mean the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (currently, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy). Revises the definition of "windstorm" to explicitly include a northeaster.

(Sec. 3) Designates NIST as the entity with primary responsibility for Program planning and coordination and expands the responsibilities of the other Program agencies, which include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Requires NIST to: (1) ensure that the Program includes the necessary components to promote implementation of windstorm risk reduction measures, (2) support the development of performance-based engineering tools, (3) request the assistance of federal agencies other than the Program agencies as necessary, (4) coordinate all federal post-windstorm investigations to the extent practicable, and (5) issue recommendations to assist in informing the development of model codes.

Requires NSF to support research in economic and social factors influencing windstorm risk reduction measures.

Requires FEMA to: (1) promote the adoption of windstorm preparedness and mitigation measures, including for households, businesses, and communities; and (2) work closely with national standards and model building code organizations to promote the implementation of research results and promote better building practices within the building design and construction industry.

Requires the Directors of the Program agencies to each include in their agency's annual budget request a description of their agency's projected activities under the Program and an assessment of what they plan to spend on those activities.

Replaces provisions establishing an Interagency Working Group with provisions establishing the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which shall be composed of the heads or designees of the Program agencies and the Office of Management and Budget. Directs the Committee to oversee Program planning and coordination and to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan, progress report, and coordinated budget for the Program.

(Sec. 4) Revises provisions providing for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction (currently, the National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction), which shall: (1) be composed of at least seven non-federal members; (2) provide recommendations to be considered by federal agencies in implementing the Program; and (3) offer assessments and recommendations on the priorities of the Program's strategic plan, coordination of the Program, effectiveness of the Program in meeting its purposes, and Program revisions. Terminates the Committee on September 30, 2017.

measure amended reported senate june summary version repeated national windstorm impact reduction act reauthorization sec amends revise provisions governing national_windstorm_impact_reduction_program reauthorize program fy2017 defines director program mean director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist currently director office_of_science_and_technology_policy revises definition windstorm explicitly include sec designates nist entity primary responsibility program planning coordination expands responsibilities program agencies include national_science_foundation nsf federal_emergency_management_agency fema national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration requires nist ensure program includes necessary components promote implementation windstorm risk reduction measures support development performance based engineering tools request assistance federal agencies program agencies necessary coordinate federal post windstorm investigations extent practicable issue recommendations assist informing development model codes requires nsf support research economic social factors influencing windstorm risk reduction measures requires fema promote adoption windstorm preparedness mitigation measures including households businesses communities work closely national standards model building code organizations promote implementation research results promote better building practices building design construction industry requires directors program agencies include agency annual budget request description agency projected activities program assessment plan spend activities replaces provisions establishing interagency_working_group provisions establishing interagency_coordinating_committee windstorm impact reduction shall composed heads designees program agencies office_of_management_and_budget directs committee oversee program planning coordination develop submit congress strategic plan progress report coordinated budget program sec revises provisions providing establishment currently windstorm impact reduction shall composed seven non federal members provide recommendations considered federal agencies implementing program offer assessments recommendations priorities program strategic plan coordination program effectiveness program meeting purposes program revisions terminates committee september