The bill amends the Digital Coast Act to ensure that the data of the Digital Coast program is fully and freely accessible. It expands the types of data included in the program to encompass underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities. The bill also extends the program's timeline from 2025 to 2030. Additionally, it restricts trainings to technical instruction in the use of data and tools provided under the program.
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.