[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5324 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 228
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5324
[Report No. 117-308]
To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
All Hazards network, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 22, 2021
Mrs. Bice of Oklahoma (for herself and Ms. Sherrill) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology
May 6, 2022
Additional sponsors: Mr. Kilmer, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Ellzey, and Mr.
LaTurner
May 6, 2022
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on
September 22, 2021]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
All Hazards network, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act
of 2021'' or ``NWR Modernization Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(b) NOAA Weather Radio.--The term ``NOAA Weather Radio'' means the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio All
Hazards network.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of
transmitters that are critical to protecting life and property
by broadcasting weather and other hazard alerts.
(2) NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts currently reach 95
percent of the United States population.
(3) NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts originate from all
National Weather Service Offices, but are only available via a
receiver located in sufficient proximity to a radio
transmitting tower.
(4) There are limited options to obtain NOAA Weather Radio
broadcasts via the Internet or mobile device application, which
are provided by volunteer mechanisms obtaining the audio feed
in an ad hoc manner.
(5) NOAA Weather Radio should provide equal access and
availability to unimpeded broadcasts of weather and non-weather
hazards to every person located within the United States, its
territories, and tribal lands.
SEC. 4. UPGRADING EXISTING SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, expand coverage of the NOAA Weather Radio and ensure its
reliability. In doing so, the Administrator shall--
(1) maintain support for existing systems serving areas not
covered by or having poor quality cellular service;
(2) ensure consistent maintenance and operations
monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site
equipment and antennas; and
(3) enhance the ability to amplify Non-Weather Emergency
Messages via NOAA Weather Radio as necessary.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 to remain available
until expended.
(c) Expanding Access.--As part of the activities in this section,
the Administrator shall acquire additional transmitters as required to
expand coverage to rural and underserved communities, national parks,
and recreation areas.
SEC. 5. MODERNIZATION INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--In parallel to the activities under section 4, the
Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enhance NOAA
Weather Radio to ensure its capabilities and coverage remain valuable
to the public. In carrying out these activities, the Administrator
shall--
(1) upgrade the telecommunications infrastructure to
accelerate the transition of broadcasts to Internet Protocol-
based communications over non-copper media;
(2) accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced Weather
Interactive Processing System, or the relevant system
successors, in order to implement partial county notifications
and alerts;
(3) consult with relevant stakeholders, including the
private sector, to enhance accessibility and usability of NOAA
Weather Radio data and feeds;
(4) develop options, including, but not limited to,
satellite backup capability and commercial provider
partnerships for NOAA Weather Radio continuity in the event of
Weather Forecast Office outages;
(5) research and develop alternative options, including,
but not limited to, microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA
Weather Radio signals to transmitters that are remote or do not
have IP capability; and
(6) transition critical applications to the Integrated
Dissemination Program, or the relevant program successors.
(b) Priority.--In carrying out the objectives described in
subsection (a), the Administrator shall prioritize practices,
capabilities, and technologies recommended by the assessment in
subsection (c), to maximize accessibility, particularly in remote and
underserved areas of the country.
(c) Assessment for Management and Distribution.--Not later than 12
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
complete an assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio. In conducting
such an assessment, the Administrator shall take into consideration and
provide recommendations on--
(1) the need for continuous, adequate, and operational
real-time broadcasts of the NOAA Weather Radio in both urban
and rural areas;
(2) solicited inputs from relevant stakeholders on the
compatibility of NOAA Weather Radio data for third party
platforms that provide online services, such as websites and
mobile device applications, or deliver NOAA Weather Radio
access;
(3) existing or new management systems, which promote
consistent, efficient, and compatible access to NOAA Weather
Radio;
(4) the ability of NOAA to aggregate real time broadcast
feeds at one or more central locations;
(5) effective interagency coordination;
(6) the potential effects of an electromagnetic pulse or
geomagnetic disturbance on NOAA Weather Radio; and
(7) any other function the Administrator deems necessary.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 to remain available
until expended.
Union Calendar No. 228
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5324
[Report No. 117-308]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
All Hazards network, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
May 6, 2022
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed