Bill Summary
The "Tsunami Warning, Research, and Education Act of 2026" reauthorizes and enhances the existing Tsunami Warning and Education Act with a focus on improving tsunami preparedness, response, and research efforts in collaboration with indigenous communities. Key features of the legislation include updated definitions to include various tribal organizations, expanded purposes for timely and accurate tsunami warnings, and enhanced tsunami forecasting and warning programs.
The Act mandates the hiring of tsunami coordinators, conducting regular drills, and evaluating tsunami alert systems to ensure community readiness. It also emphasizes public education about tsunami hazards and the need for comprehensive research on tsunami detection and forecasting, while promoting inclusivity in partnerships with Native Hawaiian organizations.
Additionally, the legislation requires an annual report to Congress on progress made in standardizing procedures and updating systems, as well as a comprehensive assessment of the nation's tsunami preparedness, including impacts on critical infrastructure. This report will facilitate improved coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal entities, aiming to enhance overall tsunami risk management and disaster preparedness in the U.S.
Possible Impacts
The "Tsunami Warning, Research, and Education Act of 2026" will significantly affect various stakeholders in the following ways:
1. **Enhanced Community Preparedness**: The legislation mandates public education initiatives and community outreach programs focused on tsunami hazards. This will lead to increased awareness and preparedness among residents in tsunami-prone areas, particularly in rural communities. By emphasizing drills and educational resources, individuals and families will be better equipped to respond effectively in the event of a tsunami, potentially reducing the risk of loss of life and property.
2. **Collaboration with Indigenous Communities**: The Act requires government-to-government consultations with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, ensuring that these communities are actively involved in tsunami preparedness and response efforts. This collaboration will facilitate more tailored and culturally appropriate warning systems, data management, and mitigation strategies, ultimately leading to better outcomes for indigenous populations, who are often disproportionately affected by natural disasters.
3. **Improved Tsunami Warning Systems**: The legislation enhances the operational capabilities of tsunami warning systems by incorporating best practices and integrating behavioral sciences into preparedness efforts. With the hiring of dedicated Tsunami Warning Coordinators and the evaluation of alert systems, the effectiveness of tsunami warnings will improve, leading to faster and more accurate notifications. This will directly impact the safety of communities at risk, enabling quicker evacuations and better resource allocation during tsunami events.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3881 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3881
To reauthorize the Tsunami Warning and Education Act, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 12, 2026
Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Ms. Murkowski, and Mr. Sullivan) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the Tsunami Warning and Education Act, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Tsunami Warning, Research, and
Education Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF THE TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT.
(a) Definitions.--Section 802 of the Tsunami Warning and Education
Act (33 U.S.C. 3201) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) The term `Indian Tribe' has the meaning given the
term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
``(4) The term `Native Hawaiian organization' has the
meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517), except that
the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the
Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
``(5) The term `Tribal organization' has the meaning given
the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act.''.
(b) Purposes.--Section 803 of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act
(33 U.S.C. 3202) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``timeliness and''
before ``accuracy'';
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) in paragraph (8)--
(A) by inserting ``, and coordination with Indian
Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian
organizations,'' after ``coordination''; and
(B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and'';
and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) to ensure data and metadata are managed, archived,
and made fully available for operations, research, education,
and mitigation activities.''.
(c) Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Program.--
(1) In general.--Section 804 of the Tsunami Warning and
Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203) is amended--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``,
using scientific and industry best practices,''
after ``operational condition'';
(ii) in paragraph (5)--
(I) by redesignating subparagraphs
(D) through (F) and subparagraph (G) as
subparagraphs (E) through (G) and
subparagraph (I), respectively;
(II) by inserting after
subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) the global navigation satellite system
network;'';
(III) in subparagraph (G), as so
redesignated, by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon; and
(IV) by inserting after
subparagraph (G), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(H) tidal gauges, water level gauges (including
the National Water Level Observation Network and the
National Water Monitoring Network), and buoys; and'';
(iii) in paragraph (6), by inserting before
the semicolon ``and support data access and
archiving pursuant to the Foundations for
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public
Law 115-435) and chapter 31 of title 44, United
States Code'';
(iv) in paragraph (7)--
(I) in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``and the
National Science Foundation'' and all
that follows through ``shall--'' and
inserting ``the National Science
Foundation, and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration
under which the Director of the United
States Geological Survey, the Director
of the National Science Foundation, and
the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration
shall--'';
(II) in subparagraph (A), by
striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(III) by amending subparagraph (B)
to read as follows:
``(B) support, including with continued financial
assistance, operators of seismic stations installed
before the date of enactment of the Tsunami Warning,
Research, and Education Act of 2026 that supplement
coverage areas of sparse instrumentation, with a focus
on the most seismically active States and on stations
with multi-State benefits;''; and
(IV) by adding at the end the
following:
``(C) provide reliable and real-time support for
the global navigation satellite system network data
streams from the networks maintained by the National
Science Foundation, the United States Geological
Survey, and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration and supplement instrumentation coverage
for rapid earthquake assessment; and
``(D) assess data and information of the National
Science Foundation, the United States Geological
Survey, and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration for potential utilization in the warning
system of the Administration, taking into consideration
advancements in research and technology;'';
(v) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through
(10) as paragraphs (9) through (11),
respectively;
(vi) by inserting after paragraph (7) the
following:
``(8) include a cooperative effort among the Administration
and the United States Geological Survey under which the
Director of the United States Geological Survey shall
incorporate tsunami notifications and warnings in the United
States Geological Survey Earthquake Early Warning System;'';
(vii) in paragraph (9), as so redesignated,
by striking ``graphical warning products, to
at-risk States, territories, and tsunami
communities'' and inserting ``graphical warning
products and decision support aids, to at-risk
States, territories, Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations,
and tsunami-prone communities'';
(viii) in paragraph (10), as so
redesignated, by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(ix) in paragraph (11), as so redesignated,
by striking the period and inserting ``; and'';
and
(x) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) initiate updates to maps, models, and other
geographic products to support Federal agencies, State and
local governments, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and
Native Hawaiian organizations with tsunami mitigation and
recovery activities.'';
(B) in subsection (c)--
(i) by striking paragraph (1) and
redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as
paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and
(ii) in paragraph (1), as so redesignated--
(I) by inserting ``timely and''
before ``adequate warnings'';
(II) by striking ``and inundation
models'' and inserting ``, inundation
models, and alert levels'';
(III) by striking ``Atlantic Ocean,
including'' and inserting ``Pacific,
Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans,
including''; and
(IV) by striking ``that are
determined--'' and all that follows
through ``; and'' at the end of
subparagraph (B) and inserting ``that
are determined to pose significant
risks of tsunami for the United States
(including territories of the United
States) along the coastal areas of the
Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans;
and'';
(C) in subsection (d)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking
``subsection (c).'' and inserting
``subsection (c), which centers shall
be responsible for geographic areas of
the United States (including
territories of the United States), and
international entities as the
Administrator determines
appropriate.'';
(II) in subparagraph (A), by
striking ``, which is primarily
responsible for Alaska and the
continental United States''; and
(III) in subparagraph (B), by
striking ``, which is primarily
responsible for Hawaii, the Caribbean,
and other areas of the Pacific not
covered by the National Center'';
(ii) in paragraph (2)--
(I) in subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``current, water level''
after ``sea level,'';
(II) in subparagraph (B), by
striking ``and volcanic eruptions'' and
inserting ``weather events, volcanic
eruptions, and other sources'';
(III) in subparagraph (C), by
striking ``buoy data and tidal'' and
inserting ``and coastal'';
(IV) in subparagraph (F), by
striking ``Federal, State, tribal, and
local government officials'' and
inserting ``Federal, State, and local
government officials, Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian
organizations,'';
(V) by redesignating subparagraphs
(G) and (H) and subparagraphs (I) and
(J) as subparagraphs (H) and (I) and
subparagraphs (K) and (L),
respectively;
(VI) by inserting after
subparagraph (F) the following:
``(G) Providing a Tsunami Warning Coordinator at
each center supported or maintained under paragraph (1)
to coordinate with Federal, State, and local partners,
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian
organizations, and emergency managers and to facilitate
the use of products and services provided by each such
center.'';
(VII) in subparagraph (I), as so
redesignated, by inserting ``monitoring
needs,'' after ``response,''; and
(VIII) by inserting after
subparagraph (I), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(J) In coordination with State and local
partners, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and
Native Hawaiian organizations, updating, as the
Administrator considers appropriate, forecast points,
breakpoints, and special procedure areas.'';
(iii) by amending paragraph (3) to read as
follows:
``(3) Fail-safe warning capability.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall support
and maintain fail-safe warning capability for the
tsunami warning centers supported or maintained under
paragraph (1).
``(B) Drills.--
``(i) Service back-up drills.--Not less
than biannually, such centers shall conduct a
service back-up drill to ensure they are able
to perform back-up duties for each other.
``(ii) Annual drills.--Not less than
annually, such centers shall conduct a tsunami
warning drill with Federal, State, and local
emergency managers, and emergency managers of
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations.'';
(iv) in paragraph (4)--
(I) in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A)--
(aa) by inserting
``weather'' before ``forecast
offices'' each place it
appears;
(bb) by inserting
``national and regional''
before ``program offices''; and
(cc) by striking ``805(d)''
and inserting ``805(b)'';
(II) in subparagraph (B), by
striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(III) in subparagraph (C), by
striking the period and inserting ``;
and''; and
(IV) by adding at the end the
following:
``(D) conduct education and outreach efforts to
help prepare coastal communities for tsunami
hazards.'';
(v) in paragraph (5)--
(I) in the paragraph heading, by
striking ``Uniform'' and inserting
``Standardized'';
(II) in subparagraph (B), by
redesignating clauses (i) through (iii)
as subclauses (I) through (III),
respectively, and adjusting the margins
accordingly;
(III) in subparagraph (C), by
redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as
subclauses (I) and (II), respectively,
and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(IV) by redesignating subparagraphs
(A) through (E) as clauses (i) through
(v), respectively, and adjusting the
margins accordingly;
(V) by striking ``The
Administrator'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) In general.--The Administrator'';
(VI) in clause (i), as so
redesignated, by striking ``uniform''
and inserting ``standardized'';
(VII) in clause (ii), as so
redesignated--
(aa) in subclause (II), as
so redesignated, by striking
``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(bb) in subclause (III), as
so redesignated, by striking
the semicolon and inserting ``;
and''; and
(cc) by adding at the end
the following:
``(VI) are consistent across all
tsunami warning centers supported or
maintained under paragraph (1);'';
(VIII) in clause (iii)(II), as so
redesignated, by striking ``uniform
manner across such warning system'' and
inserting ``standardized manner across
such warning system and across the
tsunami warning centers supported or
maintained under paragraph (1)''; and
(IX) by adding at the end the
following:
``(B) Regional differences.--Notwithstanding
subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall allow for
regional differences with respect to the communication
methods and decision support tools used by the centers
supported or maintained under paragraph (1) in order to
meet the unique needs of the community served by such
centers.'';
(vi) in paragraph (6), in the second
sentence, by striking ``ensuring
supercomputing'' and all that follows through
the period at the end and inserting
``ensuring--
``(A) supercomputing resources are available to
run, as rapidly as possible, such computer models as
are needed for purposes of the tsunami warning system
operated under subsection (c); and
``(B) adequate staff capacity is maintained.''; and
(vii) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this paragraph and annually thereafter, the
Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
a report and briefing on the progress and expected timelines of
the following:
``(A) Standardizing procedures, processes,
products, and protocols under paragraph (5), including
tsunami assessments, forecast guidance, and related
products.
``(B) Migrating the message generation systems of
the centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1)
to the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System,
or a successor system.
``(C) Compliance with paragraph (1), including any
structural reorganization and updated organizational
charts as may be necessary following the amendments to
such paragraph by the Tsunami Warning, Research, and
Education Act of 2026.
``(D) Hiring for such centers of Tsunami Warning
Coordinators under paragraph (2)(G) and other
additional employees.
``(E) Such centers conducting the drills required
clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (3)(B).'';
(D) in subsection (e)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by inserting
``detect, measure, and'' after ``used
to''; and
(II) in subparagraph (C), by
striking ``and the Advanced National
Seismic System'' and inserting ``the
Advanced National Seismic System, and
the global navigation satellite
system''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``in
accordance with scientific and industry best
practices'' before the period; and
(E) in subsection (g)(2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``accuracy of the tsunami model used'' and
inserting ``accuracy and timeliness of the
tsunami model and forecast used to issue the
warning''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``local, and tribal partners'' and inserting
``and local partners, Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, and Native Hawaiian
organizations''.
(2) Tsunami warning alert level evaluation.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in
collaboration with social scientists, Federal, State,
and local emergency personnel, Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and high-
risk communities, shall initiate a study to--
(i) evaluate terminology, timing, and
effectiveness with respect to tsunami alert
levels of the tsunami warning system under
section 804(c) of the Tsunami Warning and
Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203(c)); and
(ii) determine if tsunami alerts of such
system produce the desired response and
understanding from possible tsunami-prone
communities.
(B) Updates and report to congress.--Not later than
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator shall--
(i) update the alert level system of the
tsunami warning system under section 804(c) of
the Tsunami Warning and Education Act for
increased effectiveness; and
(ii) provide to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives a briefing on
the findings of the study under subparagraph
(A).
(3) Review of noaa weather radio coverage.--The
Administrator shall--
(A) not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, initiate a review of the extent
to which coverage by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio All Hazards
Program extends to areas at risk of tsunami; and
(B) not later than 1 year after such date of
enactment--
(i) develop recommendations for increasing
coverage by such Program in areas at risk of
tsunami;
(ii) make the results of the review under
subparagraph (A) available to the public; and
(iii) provide to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives a briefing on
the findings of the review required under
subparagraph (A) and the recommendations
required under clause (i).
(4) Use of ipaws to deliver tsunami alerts.--
(A) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation
with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the Federal Communications
Commission, shall clarify and document the
responsibilities and decision-making processes of the
Administration, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, and the Federal Communications Commission with
respect to the use of the Integrated Public Alert and
Warning System to deliver tsunami alerts to the
Emergency Alert System and the Wireless Emergency
Alerts system.
(B) Memorandum of understanding.--Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator shall--
(i) update its memorandum of understanding
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency
and the Federal Communications Commission to
reflect the responsibilities and processes
clarified under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) provide the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
of the House of Representatives with a copy of
such updated memorandum of understanding.
(5) GAO tsunami coordination study.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
of the United States shall initiate a comprehensive
study to assess the coordination efforts between the
tsunami programs under the Tsunami Warning and
Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.) and the relevant
Federal agencies, State and local governments, Indian
Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian
organizations that could be affected by tsunamigenic
events regarding tsunami forecasting and warning
systems. Such study shall identify--
(i) the effectiveness of the internal
collaboration, information sharing, and
communication protocols between--
(I) the tsunami forecasting and
warning program under section 804 of
such Act (33 U.S.C. 3203);
(II) the tsunami hazard mitigation
program under section 805 of such Act
(33 U.S.C. 3204);
(III) the tsunami research program
under section 806 of such Act (33
U.S.C. 3025);
(IV) the global tsunami warning and
mitigation network under section 807 of
such Act (33 U.S.C. 3206);
(V) the Tsunami Science and
Technology Advisory Panel under section
808 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3206a); and
(VI) any other programs of the
Administration relevant to the
functions of the tsunami programs under
the Tsunami Warning and Education Act;
(ii) the effectiveness of the
collaboration, information sharing, and
communication protocols between the tsunami
programs described in clause (i) and the United
States Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Coast Guard, the
National Science Foundation, the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, and any
other Federal agencies, institutions of higher
education, including Tribal Colleges or
Universities, and other research institutions,
determined relevant by the Comptroller General
to the functions of such tsunami programs;
(iii) the effectiveness of the
collaboration, information sharing, and
communication protocols between such tsunami
programs and the State and local governments,
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations in tsunami-prone areas,
with a focus on outreach activities, warning
dissemination, and evacuation guidance; and
(iv) recommendations for enhancing
coordination efforts to strengthen the tsunami
warning capabilities of the United States.
(B) Completion.--Not later than 15 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
shall complete the study under this paragraph.
(C) Report to congress; public availability.--Not
later than 180 days after completion of the study under
this paragraph, the Comptroller General shall--
(i) submit a detailed report of the
findings of the study to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives; and
(ii) make such findings publicly available.
(D) Recommendations.--Not later than 1 year after
completion of the study under this paragraph, the
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives a report that outlines for
each recommendation in such study under subparagraph
(A)(iv)--
(i) a description of the actions taken, or
to be taken, to implement such recommendation;
or
(ii) an explanation for why the
Administrator considers the implementation of
such recommendation as infeasible or
inadvisable.
(d) National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.--Section 805 of the
Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3204) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``and maintain'' after
``establish'' each place it appears; and
(ii) by striking ``Federal, State, local,
and tribal government officials'' and inserting
``Federal, State, local, and Tribal government
officials and representatives of Native
Hawaiian organizations''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the
semicolon ``, including vertical evacuation structures,
sirens, and other potentially life-saving measures to
ensure that communities designated as TsunamiReady have
sufficient tsunami response options'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``tribes,'' and
inserting ``Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and
Native Hawaiian organizations,'';
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking ``tribal, and
local governments'' and inserting ``and local
governments, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations,
Native Hawaiian organizations,'';
(C) in paragraph (5)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``for
seismic and non-seismic sources, including
subduction zones, crustal faults, landslides,
meteotsunamis, and volcanic activity'' before
the period;
(ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) and
subparagraphs (C) through (G) as subparagraph
(C) and subparagraphs (E) through (I),
respectively;
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A)
the following:
``(B) Coastal digital elevation models to support
the development of inundation maps.'';
(iv) by inserting after subparagraph (C),
as so redesignated, the following:
``(D) Probabilistic tsunami hazard analysis
maps.''; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) Evaluation of the variation of inundation
impact resulting from tsunami-driven sediment
transport.
``(K) Evaluation of tsunami debris impact on
critical infrastructure (as defined in subsection (e)
of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001
(42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))) and lifelines.
``(L) High-resolution and high-quality digital
elevation models needed for at-risk waterways, ports,
and harbors, particularly for regions with outdated or
low-quality data, not covered by existing inundation
maps, or identified as a priority by the
Administrator.'';
(D) in paragraph (7)--
(i) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``and
behavioral'' after ``social''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) The development and continued maintenance of
a user-friendly and up-to-date repository of inundation
and evacuation maps for States, local governments,
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations on the website of the program
conducted under subsection (a).
``(F) The development of regularly updated
standardized evacuation mapping guidelines using social
and behavioral science and current best practices.'';
and
(E) in paragraph (8)(A)--
(i) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii)
as clauses (iii) and (iv), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after clause (i) the
following:
``(ii) tsunami source parameters;'';
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``tribal'' and
inserting ``Tribal''; and
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking ``tribal, and
territorial governments and agencies,'' and inserting
``and territorial governments and agencies, Indian
Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian
organizations,''; and
(4) in subsection (e), by striking ``tribes,'' and
inserting ``Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native
Hawaiian organizations,''.
(e) Tsunami Research Program.--Section 806 of the Tsunami Warning
and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3205) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``State, tribal, and territorial
governments, and academic institutions'' and inserting
``State and territorial governments, Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations,
and academic institutions (including Tribal Colleges or
Universities)'';
(B) by striking ``section 805(d)'' and inserting
``section 805(b)''; and
(C) by inserting ``and management'' after ``data
collection'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, which may
include'' and inserting ``for tsunamis with seismic and
non-seismic sources, which may include deployment
and'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``social science
research'' and inserting ``social and behavioral
science research, including data collection,'';
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
(7);
(E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) develop and maintain a data portal for advancing
research and model development;
``(6) develop decision support tools; and''; and
(F) in paragraph (7), as so redesignated, by
inserting before the period ``consistent with law and
policy''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Research and Development Plan.--Not later than 12 months
after the date of the enactment of this subsection and not less
frequently than every 36 months thereafter, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological
Services, shall develop a research plan to improve tsunami detection
and forecasting capabilities that--
``(1) identifies and prioritizes research and development
priorities to satisfy section 804;
``(2) identifies key research needs for better detecting
and monitoring tsunamis that may occur in open ocean and along
the coastlines of the United States and its territories,
improving forecasting of tsunamis that are not seismically
driven, and other opportunities determined appropriate by the
Administrator, in consultation with the Interagency Council for
Advancing Meteorological Services;
``(3) develops plans for transitioning research to
operations; and
``(4) identifies collaboration opportunities that may
further and align tsunami research, warnings, and operations
between the centers supported or maintained under section
804(d), the tsunami hazard mitigation program under section
805, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Center
for Tsunami Research, the National Science Foundation, the
United States Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, State and local governments, Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations,
institutions of higher education, private entities,
stakeholders, and others determined appropriate by the
Administrator, in consultation with the Interagency Council for
Advancing Meteorological Services.''.
(f) Global Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Network.--Section 807(d)
of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3206(d)) is amended
by inserting ``and management'' after ``data sharing''.
(g) Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel.--Section
808(b)(1) of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C.
3206a(b)(1)) is amended by inserting ``and behavioral'' after
``social''.
(h) Annual Reports; Government-to-Government Consultation With
Indian Tribes.--
(1) In general.--The Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33
U.S.C. 3201 et seq.) is amended--
(A) by redesignating section 809 as section 811;
and
(B) by inserting after section 808 the following:
``SEC. 809. ANNUAL REPORTS.
``Not later than September 30 of each fiscal year, the
Administrator shall provide the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the
Senate, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives a report with an accounting of funds spent in such
fiscal year for the programs authorized under this title, that
includes--
``(1) the amount of funds allocated for the tsunami hazard
mitigation program under section 805; and
``(2) the amount of funds allocated for the tsunami
research program under section 806.
``SEC. 810. GOVERNMENT-TO-GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION WITH INDIAN TRIBES.
``The Administrator shall conduct government-to-government
consultation with Indian Tribes in implementing this title.''.
(2) Table of contents amendment.--The table of contents in
section 1(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-479; 120
Stat. 3575) is amended by striking the item relating to section
809 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 809. Annual reports.
``Sec. 810. Government-to-government consultation with Indian Tribes.
``Sec. 811. Authorization of appropriations.''.
(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 811 of the Tsunami
Warning and Education Act, as redesignated by subsection (h), is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 811. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to
carry out this title $35,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through
2031, of which--
``(1) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami hazard mitigation program under
section 805; and
``(2) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami research program under section 806.''.
SEC. 3. OUTREACH RESPONSIBILITIES.
Section 511 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
of 2017 (33 U.S.C. 3208) is amended--
(1) in the manner preceding paragraph (1), by inserting
``and Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian
organizations (as such terms are defined for purposes of this
section in section 802 of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act
(33 U.S.C. 3201))'' after ``managers'';
(2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and emergency
managers'' and inserting ``, emergency managers, Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations'';
(3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(4) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting
a semicolon; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) working with tsunami-prone, rural communities to
assess and enhance emergency planning and response efforts; and
``(5) educating tsunami-prone communities about the
TsunamiReady program.''.
SEC. 4. REPORT ON CERTAIN TSUNAMI THREATS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered event.--The term ``covered event'' means a
tsunami or combined earthquake and tsunami event that impacts
the United States.
(2) Critical infrastructure.--The term ``critical
infrastructure'' has the meaning given such term in subsection
(e) of the Critical Infrastructures Protection Act of 2001 (42
U.S.C. 5195c(e)).
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States, in consultation with the entities described in
subsection (d), shall produce a report on how the United States
should prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, and recover
from each of the following types of covered events:
(A) A covered event in the Cascadia Subduction
Zone.
(B) A covered event that impacts Alaska, including
in the Alaska-Aleutian Subduction Zone.
(C) A covered event in the Kuril-Kamchatka
Subduction Zone.
(2) Requirements.--The report under this subsection shall,
with respect to each type of covered event described in
paragraph (1)--
(A) consider the assessment required under section
(c); and
(B) include each of the following:
(i) A description of a command structure
plan, including the roles of Federal agencies,
State and local governments, Indian Tribes,
Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian
organizations for during and following the
covered event.
(ii) A description of how Federal agencies
can improve coordination to enhance the ability
to prepare and plan for, mitigate against,
provide warning of, respond to, and recover
from the covered event.
(iii) A strategy to ensure collaboration
between relevant Federal agencies for purposes
of--
(I) completing a risk assessment of
Federal facilities to identify such
facilities that may need improvements
to withstand the covered event; and
(II) developing a strategic plan
to--
(aa) support mitigation
efforts for and retrofitting of
Federal, State, local, and
Tribal critical infrastructure;
and
(bb) help save lives during
and immediately after the
covered event.
(iv) A strategy to improve Federal guidance
and assistance to State and local governments,
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations in developing and
implementing comprehensive plans to develop the
ability to prepare and plan for, mitigate
against, provide warning of, respond to, and
recover from the covered event.
(v) In the case the covered event is large
scale, an interagency search and rescue
strategy for such covered event, which strategy
shall include--
(I) a command structure plan,
including the roles of Federal
agencies, State and local governments,
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations,
and Native Hawaiian organizations if
such command structure would differ
from the structure under clause (i);
(II) the sources of personnel and
assets that can be utilized to support
search and rescue efforts;
(III) an estimation of the required
personnel and assets and an
identification of any gaps in personnel
and assets; and
(IV) an identification of and a
strategy to address the vulnerabilities
of existing infrastructure that will be
necessary for search and rescue
efforts.
(vi) A strategy for addressing the impacts
of the covered event to critical
infrastructure, including the responsibilities
of Federal agencies, State and local
governments, Indian Tribes, Tribal
organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations,
and private entities.
(vii) Recommendations on how Federal
agencies can develop a mitigation strategy,
including providing financial assistance to
State, local, and Tribal operators, for any
infrastructure that provides information to
support or issue warnings for the covered
event.
(viii) Recommendations on administrative or
legislative changes required to implement the
report for the covered event.
(3) Public availability.--Not later than 1 month after
completing the report under this subsection, the Comptroller
General shall make such report available to the public.
(c) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, to inform the report under section (b),
the Comptroller General, in consultation with the entities
described in subsection (d), shall conduct an assessment, with
respect to each type of covered event described in subsection
(b)(1), of the potential impact of the covered event on--
(A) the loss of life;
(B) critical infrastructure, including for
transportation, health care, energy, communication, and
search and rescue capacity;
(C) secondary events, such as landslides, dam and
levee failures, and fires;
(D) pollution or other discharges; and
(E) ports and navigational channels.
(2) Submission to congress.--Upon completion of the
assessment under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall
provide a copy of the assessment to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
(d) Entities Described.--The entities described in this subsection
are--
(1) the Administration, the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the United States Geological Survey, the National Guard
Bureau, the Coast Guard, the United States Transportation
Command, the Department of Transportation, and other Federal
agencies as determined appropriate by the Comptroller General;
(2) the States of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and
Washington;
(3) Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations;
(4) local governments;
(5) institutions of higher education and other research
institutions with relevant expertise; and
(6) private sector representatives that may be impacted by
the applicable type of covered event described in subsection
(b)(1).
(e) Strategy.--Not later than 6 months after the completion of the
report required under subsection (b), the Administrator, in
consultation with the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the
Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Commander of the United States
Transportation Command, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the Director of the United States Geological Survey,
the Secretary of Transportation, and other heads of Federal agencies as
determined appropriate by the Administrator, shall provide the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a written strategy and briefing on how the
Administration will implement such report with respect to each type of
covered event described in subsection (b)(1).
SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the terms ``Administration'', ``Administrator'',
``Indian Tribe'', ``Native Hawaiian organization'', and ``Tribal
organization'' have the meanings given such terms in section 802 of the
Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3201).
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