[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1331 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 455
114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1331

                          [Report No. 114-248]

 To help enhance commerce through improved seasonal forecasts, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 13, 2015

 Mr. Thune (for himself and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; 
    which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

                              May 9, 2016

                Reported by Mr. Thune, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To help enhance commerce through improved seasonal forecasts, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Seasonal Forecasting 
Improvement Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. IMPROVING SEASONAL FORECASTS FOR AGRICULTURE AND 
              COMMERCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 1762 of title XVII of Public Law 99-198 (15 U.S.C. 
313 note) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a)'' and 
        inserting ``(a) Findings.--'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``(b)'' and 
        inserting ``(b) Policy.--''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Functions.--The Under Secretary, through the 
National Weather Service and other appropriate programs in the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) collect and utilize information in order to 
        make usable, reliable, and timely forecasts of seasonal 
        temperature and precipitation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) leverage existing research and models from 
        the academic sector to improve the forecasts under paragraph 
        (1);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) determine and provide information on how the 
        forecasted conditions under paragraph (1) may impact--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the number and severity of droughts, 
                tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, or other 
                relevant natural disasters;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) snowpack; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) sea ice conditions;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) provide the forecasts under paragraph (1) 
        and the information under paragraphs (1) and (3) on both 
        national and regional levels; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) develop an Internet clearinghouse with the 
        forecasts of seasonal temperature and precipitation and other 
        relevant seasonal forecasts and products produced by the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other Federal 
        and State departments and agencies, and the academic 
        sector.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Communication.--The Under Secretary shall provide 
the forecasts and the information on their impacts under subsection (c) 
to the public, including public and private entities engaged in 
planning and preparedness, including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) decisionmakers at the Federal, regional, 
        State, tribal, and local levels of government;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the private sector; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) the public.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Cooperation.--The Under Secretary shall build upon 
existing forecasting and assessment programs and partnerships, 
including--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) by designating research and monitoring 
        activities related to seasonal forecasts as a priority in 1 or 
        more Cooperative Institute solicitations;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) by contributing to the interagency Earth 
        System Prediction Capability; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) by consulting with the Secretary of Defense 
        and the Secretary of Homeland Security to determine the highest 
        priority seasonal forecast needs to enhance national 
        security.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Forecast Communication Coordinators.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall 
        provide grants to States, including territories, for each State 
        to have a forecast communication coordinator to receive and 
        disseminate the forecasts and information under subsection (c). 
        Applications for grants under this subsection shall be 
        submitted in such form and manner, and contain such 
        information, as the Under Secretary prescribes.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Requirements.--For each State that requests 
        assistance under this subsection, the Under Secretary shall--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) provide funds to support an 
                individual in that State to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) serve as a liaison among the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration, other Federal departments and 
                        agencies, the academic sector, the State, and 
                        relevant interests within that State; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) receive the forecasts and 
                        information under subsection (c) and 
                        disseminate the forecasts and information 
                        throughout the State, including county and 
                        tribal governments;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) provide 1 grant for the purpose 
                described in paragraph (1); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) require matching funds from the 
                State, a university, a non-governmental organization, 
                trade association, or the private sector.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Limitation.--Each grant under this 
        subsection shall not exceed $100,000.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Cooperation From Other Federal Agencies.--Each 
Federal department and agency shall cooperate as appropriate with the 
Under Secretary in carrying out this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Reports.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after 
        the date of enactment of the Seasonal Forecasting Improvement 
        Act, the Under Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on 
        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives a report, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) an analysis of the how information 
                from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration on seasonal forecasts, as provided under 
                subsection (c), is utilized in public planning and 
                preparedness;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) specific plans and goals for the 
                continued development of the seasonal forecasts and 
                related products described in subsection (c); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) an identification of research, 
                monitoring, observing, and forecasting requirements to 
                meet the goals described in subparagraph (B).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Consultation.--In developing the report 
        under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall consult with 
        relevant Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local government 
        agencies, research institutions, and the private 
        sector.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $26,500,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2015 through 2020.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(j) Definitions.--In this section:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Seasonal.--The term `seasonal' means the 
        time range between 2 weeks and 2 years.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' 
        means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
        Atmosphere.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 108 of the Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 313 
note) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection (a)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; 
                and'' and inserting a semicolon;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the 
                period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the 
                following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) provide to the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
        an annual report, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a list of on-going research 
                projects, including project goals and a point of 
                contact for each project; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the 5 projects related to 
                observations, weather, or seasonal-scale forecasts 
                within the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 
                that are closest to operationalization, including for 
                each project--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the potential 
                        benefit;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) any barrier to 
                        operationalization; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the plan for 
                        operationalization, including which line office 
                        will financially support the project and how 
                        much the line office intends to 
                        spend;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) establish teams with staff from the Office 
        of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather 
        Service to oversee the operationalization of research products 
        developed by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 
        within the National Weather Service;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) develop mechanisms for the Office of Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Research's research priorities to be informed 
        by both the relevant line offices within the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration, the relevant user community, 
        and the weather enterprise, including by exchanging detailees 
        between the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the 
        line offices;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) develop an internal mechanism to track the 
        progress of each research project within the Office of Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Research and mechanisms to terminate a project 
        that is not adequately progressing;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) for extramural research funded, the Office 
        of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall develop and implement 
        a system to track whether the grant's goals were 
        accomplished;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) provide facilities for products developed 
        by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to be tested 
        in operational simulations, such as test beds; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(11) encourage academic collaboration with the 
        Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National 
        Weather Service by facilitating visiting scholars.''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding 
        paragraph (1), by striking ``Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the'' and inserting 
        ``The''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to carry out section 108 of the Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 313 note), as 
amended by subsection (a) of this section, $10,000,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2015 through 2020.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 
              SATELLITE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Short-Term Management of Environmental Observations.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Administrator of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall take immediate 
        action to manage the expense of environmental observations--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by improving the procurement practices 
                of the Administration with respect to polar and 
                geostationary satellites; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by assessing the operational viability 
                of alternate observation platforms, such as 
                microsatellite constellations and ocean observing 
                systems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Procurement and acquisition of polar and 
        geostationary satellites.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Use of established competitive 
                processes.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) In general.--Except as 
                        provided in clause (ii) and notwithstanding any 
                        other provision of law, the Administrator of 
                        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration and the Administrator of the 
                        National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
                        shall use the process established under section 
                        3306 of title 41, United States Code, to 
                        acquire all the polar and geostationary weather 
                        satellites for use by the National Oceanic and 
                        Atmospheric Administration in a program phase 
                        via a single procurement action.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Applicability.--Clause (i) 
                        shall apply to procurement and acquisition 
                        occurring in program phases beginning after the 
                        date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) Definition of program 
                        phase.--In this subparagraph, the term 
                        ``program phase'' means the planned acquisition 
                        of a series of satellites sharing a common 
                        architecture.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Assessment of procurement and 
                acquisition opportunities.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) In general.--The Administrator 
                        of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration shall ensure that in procuring 
                        or acquiring polar and geostationary weather 
                        satellites that the Administrator only procures 
                        or acquires such satellites in a manner that 
                        secures the best value for each polar and 
                        geostationary program of the 
                        Administration.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Best value.--In determining 
                        whether a procurement or acquisition secures 
                        the best value for a program, the Administrator 
                        shall consider--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) integration with 
                                current ground systems for receiving, 
                                processing, and disseminating 
                                data;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) integration of 
                                spacecraft and sensing 
                                instruments;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) capacity to respond 
                                to changes in requirements and 
                                credibility of risk management; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) continuity and 
                                consistency of capability.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Microsatellite constellations.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall 
                complete and operationalize the radio occultation 
                program of record in effect on the day before the date 
                of the enactment of this Act--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by deploying constellations of 
                        microsatellites in both the equatorial and 
                        polar orbits;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by integrating the resulting 
                        data and research into all national operational 
                        weather forecast models; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by ensuring that the 
                        resulting data is free and open to all 
                        communities.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Annual reports.--Not less frequently 
                than once each year until the Administrator has 
                completed and operationalized the program described in 
                subparagraph (A) pursuant to such subparagraph, the 
                Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the 
                status of the efforts of the Administrator to carry out 
                such subparagraph.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Integration of data and research from 
        integrated ocean observing system into operational forecast 
        models.--As soon as practicable, the Administrator shall 
        integrate data and research from the Integrated Ocean Observing 
        System (IOOS) of the Administration into such operational 
        forecast models as the Administrator considers 
        appropriate.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Limitation on procurement of additional polar 
        orbiting satellites.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Administrator may not 
                procure any future program phase of the Joint Polar 
                Satellite System program of record if the aggregate 
                cost for such future program phase that would be 
                incurred by the Administration exceeds the aggregate 
                cost that was incurred by the Administration in 
                procuring the Joint Polar Satellite System 1 and 
                2.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Adjustment for inflation.--In 
                determining aggregate costs under subparagraph (A), the 
                Administrator may adjust the aggregate costs for 
                inflation.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Specifications for new satellite systems 
        determined by operational needs.--In developing specifications 
        for any satellite systems of the Administration to follow after 
        the Joint Polar Satellite System, Geostationary Operational 
        Environmental Satellites, and any other satellites of the 
        Administration in effect on the day before the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ensure the 
        specifications are determined to the extent practicable by the 
        recommendations of the reports under subsection (b) of this 
        section and section 6(d).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Independent Study on Future of National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Satellite Systems.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Agreement.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall 
                enter into an agreement with the National Academy of 
                Sciences to perform the services covered by this 
                subsection.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Timing.--The Administrator shall enter 
                into the agreement described in subparagraph (A) before 
                September 30, 2018.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Study.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Under an agreement 
                between the Administrator and the National Academy of 
                Sciences under this subsection, the National Academy of 
                Sciences shall conduct a study on matters concerning 
                the future of the satellite systems of the 
                Administration.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Elements.--In conducting the study 
                under subparagraph (A), the National Academy of 
                Sciences shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) review the report of the 
                        Weather Commission described in section 6(d), 
                        and the 2017 update to the 2007 report by the 
                        National Research Council entitled ``Earth 
                        Science and Applications From 
                        Space'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) develop recommendations on 
                        how to make the satellite portfolio of the 
                        Administration more robust and cost-
                        effective;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) assess the costs and 
                        benefits of moving toward a constellation of 
                        many small satellites, standardizing satellite 
                        bus design, relying more on the purchasing of 
                        data, or acquiring data from other sources or 
                        methods;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) identify the environmental 
                        observations that are essential to the 
                        performance of weather models, based on an 
                        assessment of Federal, academic, and private 
                        sector weather research, and the cost of 
                        obtaining the environmental data;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) identify environmental 
                        observations that improve the quality of 
                        weather forecasts, but are not essential for 
                        the generation of weather models in effect on 
                        the day before the date of enactment of this 
                        Act; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) develop recommendations on a 
                        portfolio of environmental observations that 
                        balances essential and quality-improving data, 
                        private and nonprivate sources, and space- and 
                        Earth-based instruments.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Deadline and report.--In carrying out 
                the study under subparagraph (A), the National Academy 
                of Sciences shall complete and transmit to the 
                Administrator a report containing the findings of the 
                National Academy of Sciences with respect to the study 
                not later than 2 years after the date on which the 
                Administrator enters into an agreement with the 
                National Academy of Sciences under paragraph 
                (1)(A).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Coordination of efforts.--In order to 
                avoid duplication, the National Academy of Sciences may 
                coordinate its efforts to draft the report under 
                subparagraph (C) with the preparation of the 2017 study 
                entitled ``Earth Science and Applications from 
                Space''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Alternate contract organization.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--If the Administrator is 
                unable before the date prescribed in paragraph (1)(B) 
                to enter into an agreement described in paragraph 
                (1)(A) with the National Academy of Sciences on terms 
                acceptable to the Administrator, the Administrator 
                shall seek to enter into such an agreement with another 
                appropriate organization that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) is not part of the 
                        Government;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) operates as a not-for-profit 
                        entity; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) has expertise and 
                        objectivity comparable to that of the National 
                        Academy of Sciences.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Treatment.--If the Administrator 
                enters into an agreement with another organization as 
                described in subparagraph (A), any reference in this 
                section to the National Academy of Sciences shall be 
                treated as a reference to the other 
                organization.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration to carry out this subsection 
        $1,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2017 through 
        2019.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF FEDERAL COORDINATOR FOR 
              METEOROLOGY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy shall designate a Federal Coordinator for Meteorology.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF WEATHER COMMISSION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Federal Coordinator for 
        Meteorology, designated under section 5, shall establish, and 
        the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration acting through the United States Weather 
        Research Program of the Administration shall support, a 
        commission--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to assess the weather forecasts and 
                forecast products provided by the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to provide advice to Congress on 
                matters relating to the highest priority weather 
                forecast needs of the community of users of the 
                forecasts and products described in subparagraph 
                (A).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Designation.--The commission established under 
        paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Weather Commission'' (in 
        this section referred to as the ``Commission'').</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Membership.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Composition.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The Commission shall be 
                composed of individuals selected by the Federal 
                Coordinator from among leading experts and innovators 
                from each relevant stakeholder group described in 
                clauses (i) through (vii) of subparagraph 
                (B).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Number.--The Commission shall be 
                composed of no fewer than 14 members, including--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) 2 representatives from State 
                        emergency management agencies;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) 2 representatives from State 
                        agriculture agencies;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) 1 representative from the 
                        Native American, Alaskan Native, or Native 
                        Hawaiian community;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) 2 representatives from the 
                        private aerospace industry;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) 2 representatives from the 
                        operational forecasting community;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) 2 representatives from the 
                        academic community;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vii) 1 representative from a 
                        professional society that focuses on 
                        meteorology;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (viii) the chair of the Science 
                        Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and 
                        Atmospheric Administration;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ix) the chair of the National 
                        Science Board;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (x) the Director of the Office of 
                        Science and Technology Policy, ex officio; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (xi) the Administrator of the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration, ex officio.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Co-chair.--The Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy and the Administrator of the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall serve as 
        co-chairs of the Commission.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are as 
follows:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) To assess the weather forecasts and forecast 
        products of the Administration as described in subsection 
        (a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) To provide advice to Congress as described in 
        subsection (a).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) To obtain public comment on the weather 
        forecasts and products of the Administration that the 
        Administrator determines are the highest priority for users of 
        such forecasts and products.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Report.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
        Congress and make available to the public on an Internet 
        website a report on matters relating to the activities of the 
        Commission.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Contents.--The report submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall include the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) The findings of the Commission with 
                respect to the review conducted under paragraph (3) of 
                subsection (c).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) The findings of the Commission with 
                respect to the public comments obtained under paragraph 
                (4) of such subsection.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) The recommendations developed under 
                paragraph (5) of such subsection.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Exemption From FACA.--The Commission shall not be 
subject to the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate on the 
date that is 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to carry out this section $1,000,000 for the period of 
fiscal years 2015 through 2019.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Seasonal Forecasting Improvement 
Act''.

SEC. 2. IMPROVING SEASONAL FORECASTS FOR AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE.

    Section 1762 of title XVII of Public Law 99-198 (15 U.S.C. 313 
note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a)'' and inserting 
        ``(a) Findings.--'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``(b)'' and inserting 
        ``(b) Policy.--''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Functions.--The Under Secretary, through the National Weather 
Service and other appropriate programs in the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, shall--
            ``(1) collect and utilize information in order to make 
        usable, reliable, and timely forecasts of seasonal temperature 
        and precipitation;
            ``(2) leverage existing research and models from the 
        academic sector to improve the forecasts under paragraph (1);
            ``(3) determine and provide information on how the 
        forecasted conditions under paragraph (1) may impact--
                    ``(A) the number and severity of droughts, fires, 
                tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, coastal 
                inundation, winter storms, high impact weather, or 
                other relevant natural disasters;
                    ``(B) snowpack; and
                    ``(C) sea ice conditions;
            ``(4) provide the forecasts under paragraph (1) and the 
        information under paragraphs (1) and (3) on both national and 
        regional levels; and
            ``(5) develop an Internet clearinghouse with the forecasts 
        of seasonal temperature and precipitation and other relevant 
        seasonal forecasts and products produced by the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other Federal and State 
        departments and agencies, and the academic sector.
    ``(d) Communication.--The Under Secretary shall provide the 
forecasts and the information on their impacts under subsection (c) to 
the public, including public and private entities engaged in planning 
and preparedness, including--
            ``(1) decisionmakers at the Federal, regional, State, 
        tribal, and local levels of government;
            ``(2) the private sector; and
            ``(3) the public.
    ``(e) Cooperation.--The Under Secretary shall build upon existing 
forecasting and assessment programs and partnerships, including--
            ``(1) by designating research and monitoring activities 
        related to seasonal forecasts as a priority in 1 or more 
        Cooperative Institute solicitations;
            ``(2) by contributing to the interagency Earth System 
        Prediction Capability; and
            ``(3) by consulting with the Secretary of Defense and the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security to determine the highest 
        priority seasonal forecast needs to enhance national security.
    ``(f) Forecast Communication Coordinators.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall provide grants 
        to States, including territories, for each State to have a 
        forecast communication coordinator to receive and disseminate 
        the forecasts and information under subsection (c). 
        Applications for grants under this subsection shall be 
        submitted in such form and manner, and contain such 
        information, as the Under Secretary prescribes.
            ``(2) Requirements.--For each State that requests 
        assistance under this subsection, the Under Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) provide funds to support an individual in 
                that State to--
                            ``(i) serve as a liaison among the National 
                        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, other 
                        Federal departments and agencies, the academic 
                        sector, the State, and relevant interests 
                        within that State; and
                            ``(ii) receive the forecasts and 
                        information under subsection (c) and 
                        disseminate the forecasts and information 
                        throughout the State, including county and 
                        tribal governments;
                    ``(B) provide 1 grant for the purpose described in 
                paragraph (1); and
                    ``(C) require matching funds from the State, a 
                university, a non-governmental organization, trade 
                association, or the private sector.
            ``(3) Limitation.--Each grant under this subsection shall 
        not exceed $100,000.
    ``(g) Cooperation From Other Federal Agencies.--Each Federal 
department and agency shall cooperate as appropriate with the Under 
Secretary in carrying out this section.
    ``(h) Reports.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
        of enactment of the Seasonal Forecasting Improvement Act, the 
        Under Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 
        a report, including--
                    ``(A) an analysis of the how information from the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on 
                seasonal forecasts, as provided under subsection (c), 
                is utilized in public planning and preparedness;
                    ``(B) specific plans and goals for the continued 
                development of the seasonal forecasts and related 
                products described in subsection (c); and
                    ``(C) an identification of research, monitoring, 
                observing, and forecasting requirements to meet the 
                goals described in subparagraph (B).
            ``(2) Consultation.--In developing the report under 
        paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall consult with relevant 
        Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local government 
        agencies, research institutions, and the private sector.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $26,500,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2015 through 2020.
    ``(j) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Seasonal.--The term `seasonal' means the time range 
        between 2 weeks and 2 years.
            ``(2) Under secretary.--The term `Under Secretary' means 
        the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.''.

SEC. 3. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 108 of the Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 313 note) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting a semicolon; and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
            ``(5) provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
        Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives an annual 
        report, including--
                    ``(A) a list of on-going research projects, 
                including project goals and a point of contact for each 
                project; and
                    ``(B) the 5 projects related to observations, 
                weather, or seasonal-scale forecasts within the Office 
                of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research that are closest to 
                operationalization, including for each project--
                            ``(i) the potential benefit;
                            ``(ii) any barrier to operationalization; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) the plan for operationalization, 
                        including which line office will financially 
                        support the project and how much the line 
                        office intends to spend;
            ``(6) establish teams with staff from the Office of Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather Service to 
        oversee the operationalization of research products developed 
        by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research within the 
        National Weather Service;
            ``(7) develop mechanisms for the Office of Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Research's research priorities to be informed by 
        both the relevant line offices within the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration, the relevant user community, and 
        the weather enterprise, including by exchanging detailees 
        between the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the 
        line offices;
            ``(8) develop an internal mechanism to track the progress 
        of each research project within the Office of Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Research and mechanisms to terminate a project that 
        is not adequately progressing;
            ``(9) for extramural research funded, the Office of Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Research shall develop and implement a system 
        to track whether the grant's goals were accomplished;
            ``(10) provide facilities for products developed by the 
        Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to be tested in 
        operational simulations, such as test beds; and
            ``(11) encourage academic collaboration with the Office of 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather 
        Service by facilitating visiting scholars.''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph 
        (1), by striking ``Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the'' and inserting ``The''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
carry out section 108 of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Authorization Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 313 note), as amended by 
subsection (a) of this section, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2015 through 2020.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION SATELLITE 
              DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Short-Term Management of Environmental Observations.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration shall take immediate action to 
        manage the expense of environmental observations--
                    (A) by improving the procurement practices of the 
                Administration with respect to polar and geostationary 
                satellites; and
                    (B) by assessing the operational viability of 
                alternate observation platforms, such as microsatellite 
                constellations and ocean observing systems.
            (2) Procurement and acquisition of polar and geostationary 
        satellites.--
                    (A) Use of established competitive processes.--
                            (i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii) and notwithstanding any other 
                        provision of law, the Administrator of the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                        and the Administrator of the National 
                        Aeronautics and Space Administration may--
                                    (I) acquire all the polar weather 
                                satellites for use by the National 
                                Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                                in a program phase via a single 
                                procurement action; and
                                    (II) acquire all the geostationary 
                                weather satellites for use by the 
                                National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                                Administration in a program phase via a 
                                single procurement action.
                            (ii) Applicability.--Clause (i) shall apply 
                        to procurement and acquisition occurring in 
                        program phases beginning after the date of 
                        enactment of this Act.
                            (iii) Definition of program phase.--In this 
                        subparagraph, the term ``program phase'' means 
                        the planned acquisition of a series of 
                        satellites sharing a common architecture.
                    (B) Assessment of procurement and acquisition 
                opportunities.--
                            (i) In general.--The Administrator of the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                        shall ensure that in procuring or acquiring 
                        polar and geostationary weather satellites that 
                        the Administrator only procures or acquires 
                        such satellites in a manner that secures the 
                        best value for each polar and geostationary 
                        program of the Administration.
                            (ii) Best value.--In determining whether a 
                        procurement or acquisition secures the best 
                        value for a program, the Administrator shall 
                        consider--
                                    (I) integration with current ground 
                                systems for receiving, processing, and 
                                disseminating data;
                                    (II) integration of spacecraft and 
                                sensing instruments;
                                    (III) capacity to respond to 
                                changes in requirements and credibility 
                                of risk management; and
                                    (IV) continuity and consistency of 
                                capability.
            (3) Microsatellite constellations.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall complete 
                and operationalize the radio occultation program of 
                record in effect on the day before the date of the 
                enactment of this Act--
                            (i) by deploying constellations of 
                        microsatellites in both the equatorial and 
                        polar orbits;
                            (ii) by integrating the resulting data and 
                        research into all national operational weather 
                        forecast models; and
                            (iii) by ensuring that the resulting data 
                        is free and open to all communities.
                    (B) Annual reports.--Not less frequently than once 
                each year until the Administrator has completed and 
                operationalized the program described in subparagraph 
                (A) pursuant to such subparagraph, the Administrator 
                shall submit to Congress a report on the status of the 
                efforts of the Administrator to carry out such 
                subparagraph.
            (4) Integration of ocean and coastal data from the 
        integrated ocean observing system.--In the National Weather 
        Service Regions where the Administrator determines that ocean 
        and coastal data would improve forecasts, the Administrator, in 
        consultation with the National Weather Service and Office of 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, shall--
                    (A) integrate additional coastal and ocean 
                observations, and other data and research, from the 
                Integrated Ocean Observing System of the Administration 
                (referred to in this section as ``IOOS'') into regional 
                weather forecasts to improve weather forecasts and 
                forecasting decision support systems; and
                    (B) support the development of real time data 
                sharing products and forecast products in collaboration 
                with the IOOS regional associations, including 
                contributions from the private sector, academia, and 
                research institutions to ensure timely and accurate use 
                of ocean and coastal data in regional forecasts.
            (5) Existing monitoring and observation infrastructure.--
        The Administrator shall identify degradation of existing 
        monitoring and observation infrastructure that could lead to a 
        reduction in forecast quality.
            (6) Specifications for new satellite systems determined by 
        operational needs.--In developing specifications for any 
        satellite systems of the Administration to follow after the 
        Joint Polar Satellite System, Geostationary Operational 
        Environmental Satellites, and any other satellites of the 
        Administration in effect on the day before the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall ensure the 
        specifications are determined to the extent practicable by the 
        recommendations of the reports under subsection (b) of this 
        section and section 6(d).
    (b) Independent Study on Future of National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Satellite Systems.--
            (1) Agreement.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall enter into 
                an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to 
                perform the services covered by this subsection.
                    (B) Timing.--The Administrator shall enter into the 
                agreement described in subparagraph (A) before 
                September 30, 2018.
            (2) Study.--
                    (A) In general.--Under an agreement between the 
                Administrator and the National Academy of Sciences 
                under this subsection, the National Academy of Sciences 
                shall conduct a study on matters concerning the future 
                of the satellite systems of the Administration.
                    (B) Elements.--In conducting the study under 
                subparagraph (A), the National Academy of Sciences 
                shall--
                            (i) review the report of the Weather 
                        Commission described in section 6(d), and the 
                        2017 update to the 2007 report by the National 
                        Research Council entitled ``Earth Science and 
                        Applications From Space'';
                            (ii) develop recommendations on how to make 
                        the satellite portfolio of the Administration 
                        more robust and cost-effective;
                            (iii) assess the costs and benefits of 
                        moving toward a constellation of many small 
                        satellites, standardizing satellite bus design, 
                        relying more on the purchasing of data, or 
                        acquiring data from other sources or methods;
                            (iv) identify the environmental 
                        observations that are essential to the 
                        performance of weather models, based on an 
                        assessment of Federal, academic, and private 
                        sector weather research, and the cost of 
                        obtaining the environmental data;
                            (v) identify environmental observations 
                        that improve the quality of weather forecasts, 
                        but are not essential for the generation of 
                        weather models in effect on the day before the 
                        date of enactment of this Act; and
                            (vi) develop recommendations on a portfolio 
                        of environmental observations that balances 
                        essential and quality-improving data, private 
                        and nonprivate sources, and space- and Earth-
                        based instruments.
                    (C) Deadline and report.--In carrying out the study 
                under subparagraph (A), the National Academy of 
                Sciences shall complete and transmit to the 
                Administrator a report containing the findings of the 
                National Academy of Sciences with respect to the study 
                not later than 2 years after the date on which the 
                Administrator enters into an agreement with the 
                National Academy of Sciences under paragraph (1)(A).
                    (D) Coordination of efforts.--In order to avoid 
                duplication, the National Academy of Sciences may 
                coordinate its efforts to draft the report under 
                subparagraph (C) with the preparation of the 2017 study 
                entitled ``Earth Science and Applications from Space''.
            (3) Alternate contract organization.--
                    (A) In general.--If the Administrator is unable 
                before the date prescribed in paragraph (1)(B) to enter 
                into an agreement described in paragraph (1)(A) with 
                the National Academy of Sciences on terms acceptable to 
                the Administrator, the Administrator shall seek to 
                enter into such an agreement with another appropriate 
                organization that--
                            (i) is not part of the Government;
                            (ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; 
                        and
                            (iii) has expertise and objectivity 
                        comparable to that of the National Academy of 
                        Sciences.
                    (B) Treatment.--If the Administrator enters into an 
                agreement with another organization as described in 
                subparagraph (A), any reference in this section to the 
                National Academy of Sciences shall be treated as a 
                reference to the other organization.
            (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for the 
        period of fiscal years 2017 through 2019.

SEC. 5. DESIGNATION OF FEDERAL COORDINATOR FOR METEOROLOGY.

    The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall 
designate a Federal Coordinator for Meteorology.

SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WEATHER COMMISSION.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration shall establish and support a 
        commission--
                    (A) to assess the weather forecasts and forecast 
                products provided by the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration; and
                    (B) to provide advice to the Federal Government, 
                including Congress, on matters relating to the highest 
                priority weather forecast needs of the community of 
                users of the forecasts and products described in 
                subparagraph (A).
            (2) Designation.--The commission established under 
        paragraph (1) shall be known as the ``Weather Commission''.
            (3) Interaction with federal agencies and departments.--
                    (A) Securing information.--In carrying out its 
                functions under this section, the Weather Commission 
                may secure directly from any Federal agency or 
                department any information it considers necessary to 
                carry out its functions under this Act.
                    (B) Cooperation.--Each such agency or department is 
                authorized to cooperate with the Weather Commission 
                and, to the extent otherwise permitted by law, to 
                furnish such information (other than information 
                described in section 552(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United 
                States Code) to the Weather Commission, upon the 
                request of the Weather Commission.
    (b) Membership.--
            (1) Composition.--
                    (A) In general.--The Weather Commission shall be 
                composed of individuals appointed by the Administrator 
                of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                from among leading experts and innovators from each 
                relevant stakeholder group described in clauses (i) 
                through (vii) of subparagraph (B).
                    (B) Number.--The Weather Commission shall be 
                composed of no fewer than 14 members, including--
                            (i) 2 representatives from State or local 
                        emergency management agencies;
                            (ii) 2 representatives from State 
                        agriculture agencies;
                            (iii) 1 representative of Native Americans, 
                        including Indians, as the term is defined in 
                        section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
                        Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b) 
                        (including Alaska Natives within the meaning of 
                        that term), and Native Hawaiians (as defined in 
                        section 7207 of the Elementary and Secondary 
                        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517));
                            (iv) 2 representatives from the private 
                        aerospace industry;
                            (v) 2 representatives from the operational 
                        forecasting community;
                            (vi) 2 representatives from the academic 
                        community; and
                            (vii) 1 representative from a professional 
                        society that focuses on meteorology.
            (2) Chair.--The Weather Commission shall select a 
        chairperson from among its members.
    (c) Duties.--The duties of the Weather Commission are as follows:
            (1) To assess the weather forecasts and forecast products 
        of the Administration as described in subsection (a)(1).
            (2) To provide advice to the Federal government, including 
        Congress, as described in subsection (a)(1).
            (3) To obtain public comment on the weather forecasts and 
        products of the Administration that the Administrator 
        determines are the highest priority for users of such forecasts 
        and products.
    (d) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Weather Commission shall submit 
        to Congress and make available to the public on an Internet 
        website a report on matters relating to the activities of the 
        Weather Commission.
            (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) The findings of the Weather Commission with 
                respect to the assessment conducted under paragraph (1) 
                of subsection (c).
                    (B) The findings of the Weather Commission with 
                respect to the public comments obtained under paragraph 
                (3) of such subsection
                    (C) Such recommendations as the Weather Commission 
                may have for legislative or administrative action.
    (e) Exemption From FACA.--The Weather Commission shall not be 
subject to the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.).
    (f) Termination.--The Weather Commission shall terminate on the 
date that is 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $1,000,000 
for the period of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.

SEC. 7. WEATHER IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) Review.--The National Weather Service shall review existing 
research, products, and services that meet the specific needs of the 
urban environment, given its unique physical characteristics and 
forecasting challenges. The review should include research, products, 
and services with the potential to improve modeling and forecasting 
capabilities, by taking into account factors including varying building 
heights, impermeable surfaces, such as paved roads and parking lots, 
lack of tree canopy, traffic pollution, and inter-building wind 
effects.
    (b) Report.--Upon completion of the review under subsection (a), 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall submit 
to Congress a report, based on the review, public comment, and recent 
publications by the National Academy of Sciences, with a plan for how 
any unmet research, modeling, and forecasting needs can be addressed 
and improved for high density populations center end users.

SEC. 8. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WEATHER FORECASTING ACTIVITIES.

    Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives a report analyzing the impacts of the 
proposed Air Force divestiture in the United States Weather Research 
and Forecasting Model, including--
     (a) the impact on--
            (1) the United States weather forecasting capabilities;
            (2) the accuracy of civilian regional forecasts;
            (3) the civilian readiness for traditional weather and 
        extreme weather events in the United States; and
            (4) the research necessary to develop the United States 
        Weather Research and Forecasting Model; and
    (b) such other analysis relating to the divestiture as the 
Administrator considers appropriate.

SEC. 9. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE; OPERATIONS AND WORKFORCE ANALYSIS.

    The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration shall contract or continue to partner with an external 
organization to conduct a baseline analysis of the National Weather 
Service operations and workforce.

SEC. 10. WATER RESOURCES.

    (a) National Water Center.--
            (1) Establishment.--The Administrator of the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall maintain a 
        National Water Center.
            (2) Functions.--The National Water Center may--
                    (A) facilitate collaboration across Federal and 
                State departments and agencies, academia, and the 
                private sector to improve understanding of water 
                resources;
                    (B) make recommendations to water resource 
                managers;
                    (C) make recommendations to improve water resource 
                forecasts; and
                    (D) facilitate the transition of water research 
                into applications.
    (b) Total Water Prediction.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere, through the National Water Center, shall--
            (1) initiate research and development activities to develop 
        operational water resource prediction products;
            (2) collaborate with, and provide decision-support 
        regarding total water prediction to, other relevant Federal and 
        State agencies, including--
                    (A) Army Corps of Engineers;
                    (B) United States Geological Survey;
                    (C) Federal Emergency Management Agency;
                    (D) National Science Foundation;
                    (E) Environmental Protection Agency;
                    (F) State water resource agencies; and
                    (G) State emergency management agencies; and
            (3) in carrying out the responsibilities described in 
        paragraphs (1) and (2), develop capabilities necessary for 
        total water predictive capacity, including observations, 
        modeling, data management, supercomputing, social science, and 
        communications.
    (c) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the National Water Center shall submit 
        to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works a report 
        on total water predictive capabilities and products.
            (2) Contents.--The report may include recommendations to 
        improve engineering, design, operations, and management of 
        civil works projects, including the Central and Southern 
        Florida Project and any project in the Apalachicola-
        Chattahoochee-Flint River System, to optimize water management, 
        including the implications of total water predictive products 
        for--
                    (A) environmental protection and restoration, 
                including restoration of water quality, water flows, 
                fish and other aquatic species;
                    (B) reduced flood risk; and
                    (C) improved recreation.

SEC. 11. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, in collaboration with the American weather 
industry and such academic entities as the Administrator considers 
appropriate, shall maintain a project to improve hurricane forecasting.
    (b) Goal.--The goal of the project maintained under subsection (a) 
shall be to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts and 
warnings in order to reduce loss of life, injury, and damage to the 
economy, with a focus on--
            (1) improving the prediction of rapid intensification and 
        track of hurricanes;
            (2) improving the forecast and communication of storm 
        surges from hurricanes; and
            (3) incorporating risk communication research to create 
        more effective watch and warning products.
    (c) Project Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, acting through the Director 
of the National Weather Service and in consultation with the Assistant 
Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Assistant 
Administrator for the National Ocean Service, shall develop a plan for 
the project maintained under subsection (a) that details the specific 
research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as 
corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve the goal 
set forth in subsection (b).
                                                       Calendar No. 455

114th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1331

                          [Report No. 114-248]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To help enhance commerce through improved seasonal forecasts, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                              May 9, 2016

                       Reported with an amendment