119th Congress (2025-2026)

S 2126

Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025

Passed Committee

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Official source

Chamber

Senate

Session

119th Congress (2025-2026)

Jurisdiction

US Congress

Bill overview

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, which supports the collection and sharing of data about the ocean and coastal areas. The primary changes involve shifting the governing body from a ‘Council’ to a ‘Committee,’ updating definitions related to data management and observation, and increasing funding for the system. It also requires the system to conduct post-storm evaluations and prioritize data sharing among regional observing systems.

Key provisions

Renames the governing body from ‘Council’ to ‘Committee’ across multiple sections.
Expands the scope of ocean observations to include meteorological observations and coastal information.
Increases funding for the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System to $56 million per year from 2026-2030.
Requires the system to allocate at least 7.5% of funds to existing regional coastal observing systems.
Mandates post-storm evaluations to assess the system's impact on storm forecasts.
Establishes requirements for regional associations and federally funded projects to collaborate on data sharing.
Includes provisions for data management systems and cyber infrastructure.
Adds a requirement for the system to consider harmful algal bloom forecasting and resource management.

Who is affected

Federal Agencies
State Governments
Coastal Communities
Researchers
Environmental Organizations

Notable changes

Positions across the country

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments in favor

Reasons to support this legislation.

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Arguments opposed

Reasons to oppose this legislation.

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Legislative history

2025-06-18Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

2025-06-18

Introduced in Senate

2025-10-21Senate

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

2026-05-11Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 405.

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Jun 18, 2025XMLView source

119th CONGRESS — 1st Session

S. 2126

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

A BILL

To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, and for other purposes.

1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025

2.Purposes

Section 12302 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—

(A)

by striking Council and inserting Committee;

(B)

by striking and ocean observation and inserting , ocean, and meteorological observations; and

(C)

by striking and coastal information and inserting , coastal, and meteorological information; and

(2)

in paragraph (4)(A), by inserting data management systems and cyber infrastructure, after data gaps,.

3.Definitions

Section 12303 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

in the paragraph heading, by striking Council and inserting Committee; and

(B)

by striking term and all that follows through established and inserting term Committee means the Ocean Policy Committee established;

(2)

in paragraph (3), by striking Council and inserting Committee;

(3)

in paragraph (6), by inserting conduct operational oceanography measurements and after systems in order to;

(4)

by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively;

(5)

by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:

(8)State

The term State has the meaning given that term in section 3501 of title 40, United States Code.

; and

(6)

in paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (4), by striking Council and inserting Committee.

4.Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing System

Section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (b)(1)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking national and inserting regional, national,;

(B)

in subparagraph (C), by inserting and ocean after weather; and

(C)

in subparagraph (E)—

(i)

in clause (iv), by inserting and ocean after weather each place it appears; and

(ii)

in clause (v), by inserting and ocean after weather;

(2)

in subsection (c)—

(A)

in paragraph (1)—

(i)

in the paragraph heading, by striking Council and inserting Committee; and

(ii)

in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Council each place it appears and inserting Committee;

(B)

in paragraph (2)—

(i)in subparagraph (A), by striking The Council and inserting The Committee; and

(ii)

in subparagraph (B)—

(I)by redesignating clauses (vi) through (x) as clauses (vii) through (xi), respectively; and

(II)

by inserting after clause (v) the following:

(vi)

develop requirements and processes for regional associations and federally funded projects of the agencies participating in the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to collaborate with the regional coastal observing systems for data sharing at regional levels;

; and

(C)

in paragraph (3)(C)—

(i)in clause (iii)(I), by inserting as operational entities after associations;

(ii)

in clause (x), by inserting , cyber infrastructure, after data management; and

(iii)

in clause (xiii)—

(I)by inserting and ocean after weather; and

(II)

by striking and harmful algal bloom forecasting and inserting harmful algal bloom forecasting, and resource and coastal management;

(3)

in subsection (d)(1), by adding a period at the end; and

(4)by striking the Council each place it appears and inserting the Committee.

5.Report to Congress

Section 12307 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3606) is amended—

(1)in subsection (b)—

(A)by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs (9) and (10), respectively; and

(B)

by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:

(8)

a post-storm evaluation for all major storms in the United States that occurred during the year preceding submission of the report, to assess the impact of observations of the System and other products of the System with respect to storm forecast accuracy;

; and

(2)by striking the Council each place it appears and inserting the Committee.

6.Authorization of appropriations

Section 12311 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3610) is amended—

(1)by striking There are and inserting the following:

(a)In general

There are

;

(2)

by striking this subtitle and all that follows and inserting $56,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(b)Allocation of funds

(1)In generalExcept as provided by paragraph (2), the Secretary shall allocate not less than 7.5 percent of amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) to each regional coastal observing system that was in existence on January 1, 2025.

(2)Exclusion of disaster relief appropriationsParagraph (1) does not apply with respect to any amounts appropriated by an Act making supplemental appropriations for disaster relief.

7.Conforming amendments

(a)Interagency financing and agreements

Section 12305(b) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3604(b)) is amended by striking the Council and inserting the Committee.

(b)Public-Private use policy

Section 12308 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3607) is amended by striking the Council each place it appears and inserting the Committee.

(c)Intent of Congress

Section 12310 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3609) is amended by striking the Council each place it appears and inserting the Committee.

S 2126

Bill overview

Key provisions

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