Digital Coast Program Improvement Bill

Official: A bill to amend the Digital Coast Act to improve the acquisition, integration, and accessibility of data of the Digital Coast program and to extend the program.

IntroducedN/A

Science, Technology, CommunicationsState and local government operationsEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesComputers and information technologyInternet, web applications, social mediaIntergovernmental relations

Why This Matters

This bill updates the Digital Coast program to improve how data is collected and shared, making it more accessible for everyone. It also extends the program's funding and operation for several more years.

If you live near the coast, you could gain better access to important data about your area.

Affects: Coastal communities, researchers, and anyone needing access to coastal data will benefit from this bill.

Summary

This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the Digital Coast program managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and makes other changes to the program. Through the program, NOAA administers a digital platform with data, tools, training, and other information to support coastal management needs. The bill requires NOAA to ensure that data and resulting integrated products developed under the program are fully and freely available on the program website and via other sources. Further, NOAA must support existing efforts to acquire and integrate data related to underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities. Finally, NOAA must limit trainings carried out under the program to technical instruction on the use of data and tools provided by the program.

What changes is this bill making?

1. This bill makes data from the Digital Coast program easier to access and use. 2. It requires new data to include information about underground infrastructure. 3. The bill extends the Digital Coast program's operation until 2030. 4. It limits training to technical instruction on using the provided data and tools. 5. The bill ensures data is fully and freely available to the public.

Who is affected?