S.Amdt. 6308

SA 6308, submitted by Mr. Cruz, aims to add a new section (SEC. 320C) to bill S. 4784. The purpose of this amendment is to create a process for the Department of Defense to share environmental observational data with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The goal is to use this data to improve space weather, ocean, and weather forecasting, or other NOAA mission areas as determined by the Secretary of Defense.

Key Changes and Requirements

• Data Sharing Process: The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Commerce must establish a process within 18 months to review and share data on a recurring or continual basis.

• Eligible Data: Data must be in standard machine-readable formats with metadata, be free from redistribution restrictions, and be able to be released in a declassified or unclassified form.

• Security Measures: The Secretary of Defense must create procedures to protect sensitive sources, methods, and ongoing operations during the declassification review.

• National Security Limits: The Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Commerce must establish ways to limit data distribution during war or a national security crisis to stop adversaries from using the data while still allowing access for non-adversarial nations and U.S. civil agencies.

• Congressional Reporting: Within two years, a joint report must be sent to Congress detailing the categories of data identified for sharing, any barriers to releasing that data, and recommendations to improve how agencies share data.