Sec. 406. IMPROVING NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION COMMUNICATION OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS

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## SEC. 406 IMPROVING NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION COMMUNICATION OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS ###

(a)Purpose of System For purposes of the assessment required by subsection (b)(1)(A), the purpose of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration system for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events shall be risk communication to the general public that informs action to prevent loss of life and property. ###

(b)Assessment of System ####

(1)In general Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall— #####

(A)assess the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration system for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events; and #####

(B)submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Under Secretary with respect to the assessment conducted under subparagraph (A). ####

(2)Elements The assessment required by paragraph (1)(A) shall include the following: #####

(A)An evaluation of whether the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration system for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events meets the purpose described in subsection (a). #####

(B)Development of recommendations for— ######

(i)legislative and administrative action to improve the system described in paragraph (1)(A); and ######

(ii)such research as the Under Secretary considers necessary to address the focus areas described in paragraph (3). ####

(3)Focus areas The assessment required by paragraph (1)(A) shall focus on the following: #####

(A)Ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous weather or water events to the public that are most likely to result in action to mitigate the risk. #####

(B)Ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous weather or water events to the public as broadly and rapidly as practicable. #####

(C)Ways to preserve the benefits of the existing watches and warnings system. #####

(D)Ways to maintain the utility of the watches and warnings system for Government and commercial users of the system. ####

(4)Consultation In conducting the assessment required by paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall— #####

(A)consult with such line offices within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the Under Secretary considers relevant, including the National Ocean Service, the National Weather Service, and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; #####

(B)consult with individuals in the academic sector, including individuals in the field of social and behavioral sciences, and other weather services; #####

(C)consult with media outlets that will be distributing the watches and warnings; #####

(D)consult with non-Federal forecasters that produce alternate severe weather risk communication products; #####

(E)consult with emergency planners and responders, including State and local emergency management agencies, and other government users of the watches and warnings system, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Coast Guard, and such other Federal agencies as the Under Secretary determines rely on watches and warnings for operational decisions; and #####

(F)make use of the services of the National Academy of Sciences, as the Under Secretary considers necessary and practicable, including contracting with the National Research Council to review the scientific and technical soundness of the assessment required by paragraph (1)(A), including the recommendations developed under paragraph (2)(B). ####

(5)Methodologies In conducting the assessment required by paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall use such methodologies as the Under Secretary considers are generally accepted by the weather enterprise, including social and behavioral sciences. ###

(c)Improvements to System ####

(1)In general The Under Secretary shall, based on the assessment required by subsection (b)(1)(A), make such recommendations to Congress to improve the system as the Under Secretary considers necessary— #####

(A)to improve the system for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events; and #####

(B)to support efforts to satisfy research needs to enable future improvements to such system. ####

(2)Requirements regarding recommendations In carrying out paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall ensure that any recommendation that the Under Secretary considers a major change— #####

(A)is validated by social and behavioral science using a generalizable sample; #####

(B)accounts for the needs of various demographics, vulnerable populations, and geographic regions; #####

(C)accounts for the differences between types of weather and water hazards; #####

(D)responds to the needs of Federal, State, and local government partners and media partners; and #####

(E)accounts for necessary changes to Federally operated watch and warning propagation and dissemination infrastructure and protocols. ###

(d)Watches and Warnings Defined ####

(1)In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), in this section, the terms “**watch**” and “**warning**”, with respect to a hazardous weather and water event, mean products issued by the Administration, intended for consumption by the general public, to alert the general public to the potential for or presence of the event and to inform action to prevent loss of life and property. ####

(2)Exception ln this section, the terms “**watch**” and “**warning**” do not include technical or specialized meteorological and hydrological forecasts, outlooks, or model guidance products.