Reauthorization of Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009

Floor Speech

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Mr. WITTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2294) to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 2294

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM ACT OF 2009.

The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended--

(1) by striking ``Council'' each place it appears and inserting ``Committee'';

(2) in section 12303 (33 U.S.C. 3602)--

(A) in paragraph (2)--

(i) in the heading, by striking ``Council'' and inserting ``Committee''; and

(ii) by striking ``National Ocean Research Leadership Council'' and inserting ``Ocean Policy Committee''; and

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

(3) in section 12304 (33 U.S.C. 3603)--

(A) by inserting ``and ocean'' after ``weather'' each place it appears; and

(B) in subsection (c)--

(i) in the heading of paragraph (1), by striking ``Council'' and inserting ``Committee''; and

(ii) in paragraph (2)(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 offices and federally funded projects of the agencies of the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee to collaborate with the regional coastal observing systems for data sharing at regional levels;''; and

(4) in section 12311 (33 U.S.C. 3610)--

(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the end;

(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

``(6) $47,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.

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Mr. WITTMAN. 2294, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2294, to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, sponsored by Representative Ezell from Mississippi.

The Integrated Ocean Observing System, or IOOS, is a public-private partnership of coastal observation systems that provide local decisionmakers with the latest science to prepare for and protect coastal communities from disasters, while also supporting numerous industries that operate in our marine waters.

The legislation before us would authorize the program through fiscal year 2030, ensuring continued support for fisheries, maritime industries, and coastal communities.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Representative Ezell for his leadership, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2294. I reserve the balance of my time.

This bill provides communities with real-time data and information about the ocean and coastal areas and the Great Lakes. This helps them remain strong and resilient even in the face of natural disasters.

Once again, I thank Mr. Ezell for his diligent work and attention to this issue. It is incredibly important to coastal communities and incredibly important to those who rely on the data and scientific information that comes from our great waterways.

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