What changed between these versions
A complete substitute amendment. v2 reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, formalizing references to the "Ocean Policy Committee" and removing "global climate change" from the stated purposes. The authorization of appropriations was also modified from a specific dollar amount in v1 to a reauthorization of existing levels for fiscal years 2026-2030.
Overview
Extensive changes throughout the bill, as v2 is a complete substitute for v1. · v2 restructures the bill by replacing the entire text of v1, formalizing administrative entities, removing a specific policy focus, and adjusting the appropriations mechanism, while retaining many of the operational updates proposed in v1.
v2 is a complete substitute for v1, replacing the entire text of the introduced bill. Key changes include formalizing the reference to the "Committee" as the "Ocean Policy Committee" and providing its statutory definition, removing "global climate change" from the Act's stated purposes, and altering the authorization of appropriations from a fixed sum to a reauthorization of existing levels for fiscal years 2026-2030. Many other technical and operational updates proposed in v1, such as expanding observation types and adding cyber infrastructure, are retained in v2.
Major additions
This new paragraph defines the term "Ocean Policy Committee" as the Ocean Policy Committee established by section 8932 of title 10, United States Code. This provides a specific statutory reference for the governing body.
This addition clarifies the specific entity responsible for oversight and coordination of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System, moving from a generic 'Committee' to a formally established body. This formalization provides a clearer governance structure for the system.
Deletions
v1 proposed to amend Section 12302(4)(A) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 by inserting 'data management systems and cyber infrastructure,' after 'data gaps,'. v2 further modifies this by striking 'global climate change,' from the existing text of Section 12302(4)(A).
The deletion of 'global climate change,' from the purposes section in v2 removes an explicit mention of climate change as a driver for the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System. This could be interpreted as a narrowing of the system's explicitly stated policy focus or mandate regarding climate change issues, potentially affecting how priorities are set or how data is utilized for climate-related research and policy development.
v1 amended paragraph (2) of Section 12303 to redefine 'Committee' by striking 'term' and all that follows through 'established' and inserting 'term 'Committee' means the Ocean Policy Committee established'. This was an initial attempt to redefine the governing body.
The deletion of v1's proposed redefinition of 'Committee' in Section 3(2) is significant because v2 replaces it with a more comprehensive approach. Instead of merely redefining 'Committee', v2 strikes the entire paragraph (2) and introduces a new, distinct paragraph (5) to define 'Ocean Policy Committee' with a specific statutory reference. This indicates a more thorough restructuring of the definitional framework for the governing body, ensuring clarity and avoiding potential conflicts with other definitions.
v1 proposed to strike the existing authorization of appropriations language and insert '$56,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.' This would have set a specific, new funding level.
The deletion of the specific $56,000,000 appropriation amount proposed in v1 means that v2 does not establish a new, fixed funding level for the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System. Instead, v2's approach to appropriations (as detailed in modifications) reauthorizes existing levels, which could result in different funding outcomes compared to v1's proposal. This impacts the financial planning and resource availability for the system, potentially maintaining status quo funding rather than a proposed increase.
Modifications
This modification clarifies the administrative structure by explicitly naming the 'Ocean Policy Committee' as the coordinating body, rather than a generic 'Committee'. This provides a more precise and formal designation, ensuring that the roles and responsibilities are tied to a specific, established entity, which affects all agencies and personnel involved in the system's governance and operations.
Before
v1 consistently changed references from 'Council' to 'Committee' throughout the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.
After
v2 consistently changes references from 'Council' to 'Ocean Policy Committee' throughout the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.
This modification impacts the funding certainty and potential growth of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System. v1 would have established a new, fixed annual budget of $56 million, potentially representing an increase or a new baseline. v2's approach reauthorizes the existing funding levels, meaning the actual appropriated amount would depend on prior authorizations and subsequent appropriations acts, which could be different from v1's proposed fixed sum.
Before
v1 proposed to strike the existing authorization language and insert a specific appropriation of '$56,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.'
After
v2 strikes the existing appropriation language that specified fiscal years and amounts, and then amends the remaining text to reauthorize appropriations for 'each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030' without specifying a new dollar amount.
Scope
Complete substitute — Changes are scattered throughout the bill, impacting the Act's purposes, definitions, the structure and functions of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing System, reporting requirements, and authorization of appropriations. — v2 represents a refinement and formalization of the administrative structure and a subtle shift in emphasis by removing the explicit 'global climate change' reference. While maintaining the core reauthorization and operational updates, the policy direction is slightly adjusted in terms of explicit mandates and governance clarity. — The changes in committee nomenclature affect all instances where the 'Council' was previously referenced, now formalizing it to the 'Ocean Policy Committee'. The appropriations change affects the funding mechanism for the entire system, and the removal of 'global climate change' from purposes could influence future program priorities.
Impact analysis
Agencies and entities involved in the governance and operation of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (IOOS)
Procedural clarification and formalization of governance.
The governing body's designation is formalized from a generic 'Committee' (as proposed in v1) to the specific 'Ocean Policy Committee' established by 10 U.S.C. 8932. This includes explicit definitional clarity.
Researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders focused on global climate change within the context of coastal and ocean observation
Narrowing of explicit policy focus.
The explicit mention of 'global climate change' is removed from the stated purposes of the Act.
Regional coastal observing systems and the overall IOOS program
Procedural change in funding mechanism, potentially affecting resource availability and growth compared to v1's proposal.
The authorization of appropriations was modified. v1 proposed a specific annual appropriation of $56,000,000 for fiscal years 2026-2030. v2 reauthorizes appropriations for the same fiscal years but without specifying a new dollar amount, effectively continuing existing authorization levels.