Pub. L. 107–253, § 3, Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1731, provided that: “There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for carrying out this Act [see Short Title of 2002 Amendment note set out under section 311 of this title] $1,250,000 for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2005, of which $100,000 for each fiscal year shall be available for competitive merit-reviewed grants to institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) to carry out the activities described in section 2 (5) [15 U.S.C. 313c (5)], and $1,150,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 and 2007. Of the amounts authorized under this section, $250,000 for each fiscal year shall be available for competitive merit-reviewed grants to institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) to develop models that can improve the ability to forecast the coastal and estuary-inland flooding that is influenced by tropical cyclones. The models should incorporate the interaction of such factors as storm surges, soil saturation, and other relevant phenomena.”

Pub. L. 107–253, § 4, Oct. 29, 2002, 116 Stat. 1732, provided that: “Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 29, 2002], and annually thereafter through fiscal year 2007, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on its activities under this Act [see Short Title of 2002 Amendment note set out under section 311 of this title] and the success and acceptance of the inland flood warning index developed under section 2 (2) [15 U.S.C. 313c (2)] by the public and emergency management professionals. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall also, not later than January 1, 2006, transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report on the likely long-term trends in inland flooding, the results of which shall be used in outreach activities conducted under section 2 (4) [15 U.S.C. 313c (4)], especially to alert the public and builders to flood hazards.”