,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cjia ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #d1 #bjai,mr4 ,loebsack introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to establish a ,national ,flood ,research and ,education ,center to provide research1 data1 and recommendations on physical science1 social science1 economic analysis1 policy analysis1 risk analysis1 monitoring1 predicting1 and planning as they relate to flooding and flood-related issues4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,national ,flood ,research and ,education ,center ,act4 #b4 ,national ,flood ,research and ,education ,center establishment and purpose 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established within the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration a ,national ,flood ,research and ,education ,center 7in this ,act referred to as ,,nfrec7 which shall consist of-- 7#a7 an office within the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration2 7#b7 one public university or college selected by the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration 7in this ,act referred to as the ,administrator71 which shall serve as the lead partner institution with the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration2 and 7#c7 a consortium of other public universities or colleges selected by the ,administrator and the lead partner institution based on their ability to fulfill specific purposes of ,,nfrec4 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of ,,nfrec are as follows3 7#a7 ,to plan1 conduct1 and arrange for competent public research1 data1 education1 and recommendations within the following categories as they relate to flooding issues nationwide1 regionally1 and locally3 7,a7 ,physical sciences1 including engineering1 hydrology1 environmental1 and atmospheric sciences1 of flooding and flood-related events4 7,b7 ,social science of flooding and flood-related events focused on increasing community resilience4 7,c7 ,economic analysis of flooding and flood-related events in addition to analysis of a variety of existing and new strategies and techniques to reduce1 manage1 and prevent flooding and flood-related events4 7,d7 ,policy analysis and recommendations on flooding-related policy on a ,federal1 ,state1 and local governmental basis4 7,e7 ,risk analysis and risk management of flooding and flood-related events4 7,f7 ,improvement of existing1 and testing of new1 risk assessment tools1 methods1 and models for flooding and flood risks used by ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments and other interested organizations4 7,g7 ,improvement of existing1 and testing of new1 monitoring and predicting strategies and techniques of flooding and flood-related events4 7,h7 ,improvement of existing1 and testing of new1 flood management and prevention strategies and techniques4 7#b7 ,to carry out this ,act within a variety of regions in the ,united ,states which are identified and categorized by ,,nfrec based on their specific flooding and flood-related issues1 hydrology1 weather1 and related issues so that diverse flood situations are represented and examined through ,,nfrec's work4 7#c7 ,to identify opportunities for increased efficiency in allocation of resources1 coordination1 cooperation1 and consolidation of efforts as they relate to local1 statewide1 regional1 and ,federal flood-related efforts with respect to ,,nfrec's purposes4 7#d7 ,to develop or improve undergraduate and graduate degree programs and other programs at the consortium-member public universities and colleges to advance the entry of new talent into flooding-related fields4 7#e7 ,to collaborate with other colleges and universities in the region that have demonstrated capability for research1 information dissemination1 and graduate training in order to develop regional networks that are knowledgeable on regional flooding issues4 #c4 ,consortium selection and collaboration 7a7 ,selection of the lead partner institution ,the ,administrator1 within #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 shall select the lead partner institution described in section #b7;a77#b74 ,the ,administrator shall select a public university or college which-- 7#a7 has demonstrated and proven expertise in physical and environmental science1 flooding1 hydraulic research1 hydroscience1 engineering1 and meteorological issues2 7#b7 is located in a ,state which frequently experiences inland flooding2 7#c7 has previously partnered with1 or received funds from1 ,federal and international agencies for flooding1 hydrology1 and watershed issues1 including the ,army ,corps of ,engineers1 the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 the ,department of ,agriculture1 the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 the ,national ,science ,foundation1 the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 and the ,united ,nations ,educational1 ,scientific1 and ,cultural ,organization2 7#d7 has the capacity to develop and submit a plan on how it will operate as the lead partner institution1 the type of research1 activities1 and collaboration it would undertake1 and how it would incorporate its previous work on issues related to the purposes of ,,nfrec into its new mission as the lead partner institution2 7#e7 can demonstrate an ability to take the leading role of coordinating and fulfilling the purposes of ,,nfrec2 7#f7 can demonstrate an ability to provide technical assistance and demonstration project management and oversight both of grantees demonstration projects and of demonstration projects initiated through consortium members2 7#g7 can demonstrate an ability to incorporate ,,nfrec work into undergraduate and graduate educational programs within the public university or college2 and 7#h7 can demonstrate an ability to contribute the required non-,federal matching funding to maintain a lead partner institution center4 7b7 ,selection of consortium members ,the ,administrator1 in partnership with the lead partner institution1 shall select1 within #ij days after the selection of the lead partner institution1 additional universities and colleges to participate in a consortium through criteria as determined by the ,administrator and the lead partner institution which shall1 among other criteria determined by the ,administrator and lead partner institution1 prioritize institutions that-- 7#a7 have a focus or expertise in at least one of the categories described in section #b7;b77#a72 7#b7 have the ability to plan1 conduct1 and arrange for competent public research1 data1 education1 and recommendations as they relate to flooding in diverse regions of the ,united ,states identified and in the categories described in section #b7;b77#a7 and meet the purposes of ,,nfrec2 7#c7 can demonstrate an ability to provide technical assistance and demonstration project management and oversight2 7#d7 can demonstrate an ability to incorporate ,,nfrec work into undergraduate and graduate educational programs within the university or college2 and 7#e7 can demonstrate an ability to contribute the required non-,federal matching funding to maintain a consortium member center4 7c7 ,consortium partnerships ,the member institutions of ,,nfrec shall partner for the purposes of this ,act in the following ways3 7#a7 ,,noaa ,partnership ,the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration shall partner directly with the lead partner institution for the purposes of ,,nfrec4 7#b7 ,lead ,partner ,institution ,partnership ,the lead partner institution shall partner directly with the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and the consortium members for the purposes of ,,nfrec4 7#c7 ,consortium ,member ,partnership ,the consortium members shall partner with the lead partner institution for the purposes of ,,nfrec4 #d4 ,partnerships and collaboration with ,federal1 regional1 ,state1 and local governments and organizations 7a7 ,partnerships ,,nfrec shall partner with the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey and the ,army ,corps of ,engineers for the purposes of this ,act4 7b7 ,collaboration ,,nfrec shall-- 7#a7 collaborate on ,federal flood-related issues with ,federal agencies such as the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 the ,national ,science ,foundation1 and the ,department of ,agriculture2 7#b7 collaborate and share best practices on regional1 ,state1 and locally specific flooding and flood-related issues with-- 7,a7 ,state1 county1 and local governments2 7,b7 local councils of governments or regional planning organizations2 7,c7 ,state agriculture1 natural resource1 environment1 economic development1 and water agencies2 7,d7 floodplain managers2 7,e7 ,state ,homeland ,security personnel1 county disaster recovery coordinators1 emergency management personnel1 and first responders2 7,f7 resource conservation and development councils2 7,g7 watershed organizations and boards2 7,h7 agriculture and commodity organizations and farmers2 7,i7 environmental organizations2 and 7,j7 business and development organizations2 and 7#c7 explore opportunities to collaborate1 when appropriate1 on ,federal flood-related issues with other ,federal agencies such as the ,bureau of ,reclamation1 the ,tennessee ,valley ,authority1 the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 the ,national ,park ,service1 the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 the ,public ,health ,administration1 the ,national ,science ,foundation1 the ,department of ,defense1 the ,department of the ,interior1 the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 and various national laboratories4 #e4 ,information collection and dissemination 7a7 ,,noaa 7#a7 ,annual report ,the ,administrator shall publish annually a report containing the activities1 partnerships and collaborations1 ,federal policy recommendations1 previous and continuing budgets1 findings1 and any other applicable information from the consortium members1 and shall provide each report to ,congress and the ,president and make it available to the public in an easily accessible electronic format on the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration's website4 7#b7 ,review of reports from consortium members ,the ,administrator shall review the reports from the consortium members to ensure that funds are being spent properly according to the purposes of this ,act and that the consortium members are producing competent public research1 data1 education1 and recommendations in regard to flooding and flood-related issues4 7#c7 ,review of consortium operations ,the ,administrator shall periodically review the operation of consortium members to ensure that funds are being spent properly according to the purposes of this ,act and that the consortium members are producing competent public research1 data1 education1 and recommendations in regard to flooding and flood-related issues4 7b7 ,lead partner institution 7#a7 ,compilation of annual consortium member reports ,the lead partner institution shall compile annually reports from consortium members1 along with its own report1 containing the activities1 partnerships and collaborations1 ,federal policy recommendations1 previous and continuing budgets1 findings1 and any other applicable information from consortium members1 and shall provide this information to the ,administrator annually by a date determined by the ,administrator4 7#b7 ,annual lead partner institution report ,in addition1 the lead partner institution shall publish annually a report specific to its activities1 partnerships and collaborations1 ,state and local policy recommendations1 previous and continuing budgets1 findings1 and other applicable information by a date determined by the ,administrator which shall also be made available to the public in an easily accessible electronic format on the lead partner institution's website4 7c7 ,consortium members ,the consortium members shall each publish annually a report containing the activities1 partnerships and collaborations1 ,state and local policy recommendations1 previous and continuing budgets1 findings1 and other applicable information by a date determined by the lead partner institution which shall also be made available to the public in an easily accessible electronic format on the consortium members' websites4 7d7 ,national flood research and education center website ,,nfrec shall establish a website which shall contain at least the following information3 7#a7 ,key findings and best practices4 7#b7 ,collaborations and partnerships4 7#c7 ,annual reports and other pertinent information on its purposes4 7#d7 ,the location and contact information for the consortium members4 7#e7 ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and regionally specific public research1 data1 education1 and policy recommendations which shall be updated in a timely manner with new information4 7#f7 ,the variety of regions in the ,united ,states which are identified and categorized by ,,nfrec1 based on their specific flooding and flood-related issues1 hydrology1 weather1 and related issues4 7#g7 ,approved demonstration projects and their progress in addition to information on applying for demonstration project assistance4 7#h7 ,tools for monitoring1 predicting1 and modeling flooding as they become available4 #f4 ,technical assistance and demonstration projects 7a7 ,technical assistance and demonstration projects ,,nfrec may provide technical assistance and demonstration project grant assistance to eligible entities on a competitive basis to assist with implementing recommendations of ,,nfrec or testing new or improved strategies or technologies for the categories described in section #b7;b77#a74 7b7 ,eligible entities ,the following are eligible entities for purposes of this section3 7#a7 ,state governments4 7#b7 ,county governments4 7#c7 ,local governments4 7c7 ,technical assistance ,consortium members may provide technical assistance at their discretion to eligible entities that have limited capacity for developing an application for demonstration project grants4 ,consortium members may also provide technical assistance at their discretion in implementing demonstration projects approved by the ,administrator4 7d7 ,competitive criteria ,the ,administrator1 in partnership with the lead partner institution1 shall develop criteria required for submitting a competitive demonstration project grant application and for the approval of such an application4 7e7 ,eligible activities ,grantees may use funds only for flooding-related projects which implement recommendations of ,,nfrec or for testing of-- 7#a7 improved existing and or new risk analysis and risk management of flooding and flood-related events2 7#b7 improved existing and or new risk assessment tools1 methods1 and models for flooding and flood risks used by ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments and other interested organizations2 7#c7 improved existing and or new monitoring and predicting strategies and techniques of flooding and flood-related events2 or 7#d7 improved existing and or new flood management and prevention strategies and techniques4 7f7 ,subcontracting ,eligible entities may subcontract a portion of grant funds received for necessary construction-related costs to pursue an eligible activity4 7g7 ,applications 7#a7 ,consortium review and approval ,within #fj days of receiving a completed application1 the consortium member in whose region the project will take place and the lead partner institution shall review and approve or disapprove the application4 7#b7 ,administrator approval ,within #cj days of receiving an application that has been approved by the applicable consortium members1 the ,administrator shall determine whether to provide the project final approval4 7h7 ,grant size 7#a7 ,in general ,demonstration project grant awards under this section shall not exceed #bej1jjj per project4 7#b7 ,waiver of grant size limitation ,the ,administrator may waive such grant size limitation if-- 7,a7 all consortium members approve of such a waiver2 7,b7 the eligible entity has the expertise1 or will work with partners that have the expertise1 to manage the proposed project2 and 7,c7 the eligible entity can show that a project involves multiple watersheds or jurisdictions1 benefits multiple communities1 has broad community support1 and incorporates multiple aspects of ,,nfrec's work in the project4 7i7 ,matching funds ,entities receiving a demonstration project grant under this section shall be required to provide a #cj-percent non-,federal cost share4 7j7 ,total demonstration project grant amount available ,there shall be not more than #b1jjj1jjj available annually for demonstration project grants under this section nationwide4 7k7 ,monitoring and reporting ,for a demonstration project that receives a grant under this section1 the applicable regional consortium member shall monitor the effectiveness1 efficiency1 and progress of the project and report on these factors and their involvement periodically to the lead partner institution4 ,the applicable regional consortium member shall make this information available through its website and additionally provide this information in its annual reports4 #g4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,in general ,for each of the fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbe1 there are authorized for ,,nfrec1 #aj1jjj1jjj1 of which-- 7#a7 not more than #b1jjj1jjj each fiscal year shall be for the operation of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration's center2 and 7#b7 not more than #c1jjj1jjj each fiscal year shall be for the operation of the lead partner institution's center1 matched by a #bj-percent non-,federal cost share4 7b7 ,additional authorization 7#a7 ,lead partner institution ,there are authorized such sums as may be necessary for the lead partner institution to improve its facilities to a level that meets the requirements of the role of lead partner institution4 7#b7 ,plan ,before the lead partner institution receives any funding under this subsection1 a plan detailing what type of facility construction or improvements will take place must first be approved by the ,administrator4 ,such plan shall include any land acquisition1 engineering1 design1 and staffing and equipment needs1 in addition to other information as required by the ,administrator4 7#c7 ,non-,federal cost share ,there shall be a non-,federal cost share of #bj percent for facility improvement or construction projects pursued by the lead partner institution4 7#d7 ,wage rate requirements ,any authorized and funded construction activity shall meet ,federal prevailing wage requirements as determined by the ,secretary of ,labor in accordance with subchapter ,,iv of chapter #ca of part ,a of subtitle ,,ii of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,davis-,bacon ,act74 7c7 ,consortium ,member ,centers 7#a7 ,in general ,not more than #c1jjj1jjj each fiscal year shall be for the operation of all consortium members' centers1 matched by a #bj-percent non-,federal cost share4 7#b7 ,limitation ,any one consortium member shall not receive more than #ejj1jjj in ,federal funds in one fiscal year4 7d7 ,grants ,not more than #b1jjj1jjj each fiscal year shall be made available for demonstration project grants nationwide4