H.R. 4073 — Tsunami Warning, Research, and Education Act of 2025

This section revises the Tsunami Warning and Education Act by inserting "Research," into the title heading (to "Tsunami Warning, Research, and Education Act"); amending the purposes (33 U.S.C. 3202) to emphasize "timeliness and" accuracy of forecasts and warnings and to add a ninth purpose of ensuring data and metadata are managed, archived, and made fully available for operations, research, education, and mitigation activities; and expanding the tsunami forecasting and warning program (33 U.S.C. 3203). Among other changes to the program, the section (1) requires maintaining detection assets in operational condition using industry and scientific best practices; (2) incorporates the Global Seismic Network and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) network into detection capabilities; (3) mandates data quality and management systems that support access, archiving, and requirements under the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-435) and chapter 31 of title 44, U.S. Code; (4) expands interagency cooperation with USGS, NASA, and NSF to include real-time GNSS support, assessment of warning data from other agencies, and incorporation of tsunami notifications into USGS's Earthquake Early Warning System; (5) requires graphical warning products, decision support aids, and updates to tsunami inundation maps, models, and geographic products; (6) extends coverage determinations to the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans (including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico) for areas posing significant tsunami risks to states and territories; (7) adds requirements to evaluate and potentially update tsunami alert level terminology, timing, and effectiveness in collaboration with social scientists, emergency personnel, and high-risk communities; and (8) directs a review of NOAA Weather Radio coverage in populated tsunami-prone areas, with public availability of results. (Thus, these changes enhance detection (e.g., via GNSS), data handling, interagency coordination, warning products, and public alert systems for NOAA's tsunami program, which detects tsunamis primarily through deep-ocean buoys, coastal water-level stations, and seismic networks to issue forecasts and warnings protecting U.S. coastal populations.)