[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4343 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 4343

  To establish and maintain a coordinated program within the National 
  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that improves wildfire, fire 
weather, fire risk, and smoke related forecasting, detection, modeling, 
observations, and service delivery, and to address growing needs in the 
           wildland-urban interface, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 15, 2024

   Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Sullivan, Ms. 
   Rosen, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Schatz, and Mr. Padilla) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                 Commerce, Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To establish and maintain a coordinated program within the National 
  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that improves wildfire, fire 
weather, fire risk, and smoke related forecasting, detection, modeling, 
observations, and service delivery, and to address growing needs in the 
           wildland-urban interface, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Fire Ready Nation 
Act of 2024''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Establishment of fire weather services program.
Sec. 4. Fire weather testbed.
Sec. 5. Data management and technology modernization.
Sec. 6. Surveys and assessments.
Sec. 7. Incident Meteorologist Service.
Sec. 8. Emergency response activities.
Sec. 9. Submissions to Congress regarding the fire weather services 
                            program, incident meteorologist workforce 
                            needs, and National Weather Service 
                            workforce support.
Sec. 10. Fire Science and Technology Working Group; strategic plan.
Sec. 11. Fire weather rating system.
Sec. 12. Government Accountability Office reports.
Sec. 13. Cooperation and coordination.
Sec. 14. General provisions.
Sec. 15. Authorization of appropriations.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (2) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
        ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
                of the House of Representatives.
            (3) Earth system model.--The term ``Earth system model'' 
        means a mathematical model containing all relevant components 
        of the Earth, namely the atmosphere, oceans, land, cryosphere, 
        and biosphere.
            (4) Fire environment.--The term ``fire environment'' 
        means--
                    (A) the environmental conditions, such as soil 
                moisture, vegetation, topography, snowpack, atmospheric 
                temperature, moisture, and wind, that influence--
                            (i) fuel and fire behavior; and
                            (ii) the emission, chemical evolution, and 
                        transport of smoke from wildfires; and
                    (B) the associated environmental impacts occurring 
                during and after fire events.
            (5) Fire weather.--The term ``fire weather'' means the 
        weather conditions that influence the start, spread, character, 
        or behavior of wildfires or fires at the wildland-urban 
        interface and relevant meteorological and chemical phenomena, 
        including air quality, smoke, and meteorological parameters 
        such as relative humidity, air temperature, wind speed and 
        direction, and atmospheric composition and chemistry, including 
        emissions and mixing heights.
            (6) Impact-based decision support services.--The term 
        ``impact-based decision support services'' means scientific 
        advice and interpretative services the Administration provides 
        to help core partners, such as emergency personnel and public 
        safety officials, make decisions when the information impacts 
        the lives and livelihoods of the people of the United States.
            (7) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            (8) Native hawaiian community.--The term ``Native Hawaiian 
        Community'' means the distinct Native Hawaiian indigenous 
        political community that Congress, exercising its plenary power 
        over Native American affairs, has recognized and with which 
        Congress has implemented a special political and trust 
        relationship pursuant to the Constitution of the United States.
            (9) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native 
        Hawaiian organization'' has the meaning given that term in 
        section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517), including the Department of Hawaiian 
        Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
            (10) Seasonal.--The term ``seasonal'' has the meaning given 
        that term in section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting 
        Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501).
            (11) Smoke.--The term ``smoke'' means emissions, including 
        the gases and particles released into the air as a result of 
        wildfire.
            (12) State.--The term ``State'' means a State, the District 
        of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American 
        Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the 
        United State Virgin Islands, the Federated States of 
        Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the 
        Republic of Palau.
            (13) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization'' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian 
        Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
        5304).
            (14) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means 
        the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
            (15) Wildfire.--The term ``wildfire'' means any non-
        structure fire that occurs in vegetation or natural fuels, 
        originating from an unplanned ignition.
            (16) Wildland-urban interface.--The term ``wildland-urban 
        interface'' means the area, zone, or region of transition 
        between unoccupied or undeveloped land and human development 
        where structures and other human development meet or 
        intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRE WEATHER SERVICES PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall establish and maintain a 
coordinated fire weather services program among the offices of the 
Administration in existence as of the date of the enactment of this 
Act.
    (b) Program Functions.--The functions of the program established 
under subsection (a), consistent with the priorities described in 
section 101 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
2017 (15 U.S.C. 8511), shall be--
            (1) to support readiness, responsiveness, understanding, 
        and resilience of the United States to wildfires, fire weather, 
        smoke from wildfires, post-fire flooding and debris flows, and 
        associated hazards and impacts in built and natural 
        environments and at the wildland-urban interface;
            (2) to collaboratively develop and disseminate accurate, 
        precise, effective, and timely risk communications, forecasts, 
        watches, and warnings relating to wildfires, fire weather, 
        smoke, post-fire flooding and debris flows, and other 
        associated conditions, hazards, and impacts, as applicable, 
        with Federal land management agencies;
            (3) to partner with and support the public, Federal and 
        State government entities, Indian tribes, the Native Hawaiian 
        Community, and academic and local partners through the 
        development of capabilities, impact-based decision support 
        services, and overall service delivery and utility related to 
        fire weather;
            (4) to conduct and support research and development of new 
        and innovative models, technologies, techniques, products, 
        systems, processes, and procedures to predict and improve 
        understanding of wildfires, fire weather, related air quality, 
        post-fire flooding and debris flows, and the fire environment;
            (5) to develop strong research-to-operations and 
        operations-to-research transitions, in order to facilitate 
        delivery of products, services, and tools to operational users 
        and platforms related to fire weather; and
            (6) to develop, in coordination with Federal land 
        management agencies, impact-based decision support services 
        that operationalize and integrate the functions described in 
        paragraphs (1) through (5) in order to provide comprehensive 
        impact-based decision support services that encompass the fire 
        environment.
    (c) Program Priorities.--In developing and implementing the program 
established under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall 
prioritize--
            (1) development of a fire weather-enabled Earth system 
        model and data assimilation systems that--
                    (A) are capable of prediction and forecasting 
                across relevant spatial and temporal scales;
                    (B) include variables associated with fire weather 
                and the fire environment;
                    (C) improve understanding of the connections 
                between fire weather and modes of climate variability;
                    (D) incorporate emerging techniques such as 
                artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud 
                computing; and
                    (E) use a rapidly deployable network of rain gauges 
                for post-fire hazard monitoring;
            (2) advancement of existing and new observational 
        capabilities, including satellite-, airborne-, air-, and 
        ground-based systems and technologies, and social networking 
        and other public information-gathering applications that--
                    (A) identify--
                            (i) high-risk pre-ignition conditions;
                            (ii) conditions that influence fire 
                        behavior and spread including those conditions 
                        that suppress active fire events; and
                            (iii) fire risk values;
                    (B) support real-time notification and monitoring 
                of ignitions;
                    (C) support observations and data collection of 
                fire weather and fire environment variables, including 
                vegetation state and profiles of smoke, winds, 
                temperature, and humidity, for development of the model 
                and systems under paragraph (1); and
                    (D) support forecasts and research that mitigate 
                the impacts of wildfires on human life, health, and the 
                economy; and
            (3) development and implementation of advanced and user-
        oriented impact-based decision tools, science, and technologies 
        that--
                    (A) ensure real-time and retrospective data, 
                products, and services are findable, accessible, 
                interoperable, usable, inform further research, and are 
                analysis- and decision-ready;
                    (B) provide targeted information throughout the 
                fire lifecycle including pre-ignition, detection, 
                forecasting, post-fire, and monitoring phases; and
                    (C) support early assessment of post-fire hazards, 
                such as air quality, debris flows, mudslides, and 
                flooding.
    (d) Program Activities.--In developing and implementing the program 
established under subsection (a), the Under Secretary may--
            (1) conduct relevant physical and social science research 
        activities in support of the functions described in subsection 
        (b) and the priorities described in subsection (c);
            (2) conduct relevant activities, in coordination with 
        Federal land management agencies and Federal science agencies, 
        to assess fuel characteristics, including moisture, loading, 
        and other parameters used to determine fire risk levels and 
        outlooks;
            (3) support and conduct research that assesses impacts to 
        marine, riverine, watershed, and other relevant ecosystems, 
        which may include forest and rangeland ecosystems, resulting 
        from activities associated with mitigation of and response to 
        wildfires;
            (4) support and conduct attribution science research 
        relating to wildfires, fire weather, fire risk, smoke, and 
        associated conditions, risks, and impacts;
            (5) develop smoke and air quality forecasts, forecast 
        guidance, and prescribed burn weather forecasts, and conduct 
        research on the impact of such forecasts on response behavior 
        that minimizes health-related impacts from smoke exposure;
            (6) use, in coordination with Federal land management 
        agencies, wildland fuels information and fire resource 
        intelligence to inform fire environment impact-based decision 
        support services and products for safety;
            (7) work with Federal agencies to provide data, tools, and 
        services to support determinations by such agencies for the 
        implementation of mitigation measures;
            (8) provide training and support to ensure effective media 
        utilization of impact-based decision support services and 
        products to the public regarding actions needing to be taken;
            (9) provide comprehensive training to ensure staff of the 
        program established under subsection (a) is properly equipped 
        to deliver the impact-based decision support services and 
        products described in paragraphs (1) through (6); and
            (10) acquire, through contracted purchase, private sector-
        produced observational data to fill identified gaps, as needed.
    (e) Collaboration.--The Under Secretary shall, as the Under 
Secretary considers appropriate, collaborate with partners in the 
weather and climate enterprises, academic institutions, States, Indian 
tribes, Tribal organizations, the Native Hawaiian Community, Native 
Hawaiian organizations, local partners, and Federal agencies, including 
land and fire management agencies, in the development and 
implementation of the program established under subsection (a).
    (f) Agreements.--In carrying out the activities under this Act and 
the amendments made by this Act, the Under Secretary may provide 
support to non-Federal entities by making funds and resources available 
through--
            (1) competitive grants;
            (2) contracts under the mobility program under subchapter 
        VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code (commonly 
        referred to as the ``Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility 
        Program'');
            (3) cooperative agreements; and
            (4) co-location agreements as described in section 502 of 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
        Commissioned Officer Corps Amendments Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 
        851 note prec.).
    (g) Program Administration Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to 
        the appropriate committees of Congress a plan that details how 
        the program established under subsection (a) will be 
        administered and governed within the Administration.
            (2) Elements.--The plan required by paragraph (1) should 
        include a description of--
                    (A) how the functions described in subsection (b), 
                the priorities described in subsection (c), and the 
                activities described in subsection (d) will be 
                distributed among the line offices of the 
                Administration; and
                    (B) the mechanisms in place to ensure seamless 
                coordination among those offices.

SEC. 4. FIRE WEATHER TESTBED.

    (a) Establishment of Fire Weather Testbed.--The Under Secretary 
shall establish a fire weather testbed that enables engagement across 
the Federal Government, State and local governments, academia, private 
and federally funded research laboratories, the private sector, and 
end-users in order to evaluate the accuracy and usability of 
technology, models, fire weather products and services, and other 
research to accelerate the implementation, transition to operations, 
and use of new capabilities by the Administration, Federal and land 
management agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.
    (b) Uncrewed Systems.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall--
                    (A) establish and carry out a research and 
                development program to support the application of 
                uncrewed systems technologies to improve data 
                collection in support of modeling, observations, 
                predictions, forecasts, and impact-based decision 
                support services, and for other purposes of the 
                Administration;
                    (B) transition uncrewed systems technologies from 
                research to operations as the Under Secretary considers 
                appropriate; and
                    (C) coordinate with other Federal agencies that may 
                be developing uncrewed systems and related technologies 
                to meet the challenges of wildland fire management.
            (2) Pilots required.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Under Secretary shall conduct pilots of uncrewed systems for 
        fire weather and fire environment observations, including--
                    (A) testing of uncrewed systems in approximations 
                of real-world scenarios;
                    (B) assessment of the utility of meteorological 
                data collected from fire response and assessment 
                aircraft;
                    (C) input of the collected data into appropriate 
                models to predict fire behavior, including coupled 
                atmosphere and fire models; and
                    (D) collection of best management practices for 
                deployment of uncrewed systems and other remote data 
                technology, including for communication and 
                coordination between the stakeholders described in 
                subsection (a).
            (3) Savings clause.--
                    (A) In general.--In carrying out activities under 
                this subsection, the Under Secretary shall ensure that 
                any testing or deployment of uncrewed systems follow 
                procedures, restrictions, and protocols established by 
                the heads of the Federal agencies with statutory or 
                regulatory jurisdiction over any airspace in which 
                wildfire response activities are conducted during an 
                active wildfire event.
                    (B) Consultation and coordination.--The Under 
                Secretary shall consult and coordinate with relevant 
                Federal land management agencies, Federal science 
                agencies, and the Federal Aviation Administration to 
                develop processes for the appropriate deployment of the 
                systems described in subparagraph (A).
    (c) Additional Pilot Projects.--The Under Secretary shall establish 
additional pilot projects relating to the fire weather testbed that may 
include the following elements:
            (1) Advanced products to detect fire from satellites.
            (2) Procurement and use of commercial data.
            (3) Investigation and evaluation of information needs of 
        users and decision makers.
    (d) Report.--Section 108(a)(5) of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (15 U.S.C. 
8520(a)(5)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
            (2) in subparagraph (D)--
                    (A) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'';
                    (B) in clause (iii), by adding ``and'' at the end; 
                and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iv) a description of the research that 
                        has been transitioned into operations, 
                        including research at the fire weather testbed 
                        established under section 4(a) of the Fire 
                        Ready Nation Act of 2024;''.

SEC. 5. DATA MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION.

    (a) Data Availability and Management.--Section 301 of the Weather 
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8531) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections 
        (g) and (h), respectively; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:
    ``(f) Data Availability and Management.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) make data and metadata generated or collected 
                by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
                that the Under Secretary has the legal right to 
                redistribute fully and openly available, in accordance 
                with chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, and 
                the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 
                2018 (Public Law 115-435; 132 Stat. 5529) and the 
                amendments made by that Act, and preserve and curate 
                such data and metadata, in accordance with chapter 31 
                of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the 
                `Federal Records Act of 1950'), in order to maximize 
                use of such data and metadata; and
                    ``(B) manage and steward the access, archival, and 
                retrieval activities for the data and metadata 
                described in subparagraph (A) by--
                            ``(i) using--
                                    ``(I) enterprise-wide 
                                infrastructure, emerging technologies, 
                                commercial partnerships, and the 
                                skilled workforce needed to provide 
                                appropriate data management from 
                                collection to broad access; and
                                    ``(II) associated information 
                                services; and
                            ``(ii) pursuing the maximum 
                        interoperability of data and information by--
                                    ``(I) leveraging data, information, 
                                knowledge, and tools from across the 
                                Federal Government to support equitable 
                                access, cross-sectoral collaboration 
                                and innovation, and local planning and 
                                decision-making; and
                                    ``(II) developing standards and 
                                practices for the adoption and citation 
                                of digital object identifiers for 
                                datasets, models, and analytical tools.
            ``(2) Collaboration.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
        Under Secretary shall collaborate with such Federal partners 
        and stakeholders as the Under Secretary considers relevant--
                    ``(A) to develop standards to pursue maximum 
                interoperability of data, information, knowledge, and 
                tools across the Federal Government, convert historical 
                records into common digital formats, and improve access 
                and usability of data by partners and stakeholders;
                    ``(B) to identify and solicit relevant data from 
                Federal and international partners and other relevant 
                stakeholders, as the Under Secretary considers 
                appropriate; and
                    ``(C) to develop standards and practices for the 
                adoption and citation of digital object identifiers for 
                datasets, models, and analytical tools.''.
    (b) Wildland Fire Commission.--The Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58; 135 Stat. 429) is amended--
            (1) in section 70202--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (J), by striking ``; 
                        and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (K), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
                        and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(L) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate; and
                    ``(M) the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                Technology of the House of Representatives.''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (6)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; 
                        and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
                Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
                Atmosphere.''; and
            (2) in section 70203(b)(1)(B)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
                ``9'' and inserting ``not fewer than 10'';
                    (B) in clause (i)--
                            (i) in subclause (IV), by striking ``; 
                        and'' and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) in subclause (V), by adding ``and'' at 
                        the end; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(VI) the National Oceanic and 
                                Atmospheric Administration;'';
                    (C) in clause (iv), by striking ``; and'' and 
                inserting a semicolon; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(vi) if the Secretaries determine it to 
                        be appropriate, 1 or more representatives from 
                        the relevant line offices of the National 
                        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and''.
    (c) Wildfire Technology Modernization.--Section 1114 of the John D. 
Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (43 U.S.C. 
1748b-1) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(3), by inserting ``the National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,'' after ``Federal 
        Aviation Administration,'';
            (2) in subsection (e)(2)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
                subparagraph (C); and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the 
                following:
                    ``(B) Consultation.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In carrying out 
                        subparagraph (A), the Secretaries shall consult 
                        with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans 
                        and Atmosphere regarding any development of 
                        impact-based decision support services that 
                        relate to wildlife-related activities of the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration.
                            ``(ii) Definition of impact-based decision 
                        support services.--In this subparagraph, the 
                        term `impact-based decision support services' 
                        means scientific advice and interpretative 
                        services the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration provides to help core partners, 
                        such as emergency personnel and public safety 
                        officials, make decisions when the information 
                        impacts the lives and livelihoods of the people 
                        of the United States.''; and
            (3) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and moving 
                such subparagraphs, as so redesignated, 2 ems to the 
                right;
                    (B) by striking ``The Secretaries'' and inserting 
                the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretaries''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Collaboration.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Secretaries shall collaborate with the Under Secretary of 
        Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to improve coordination, 
        utility of systems and assets, and interoperability of data for 
        smoke prediction, forecasting, and modeling.''.
    (d) Digital Presence.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall develop and 
        maintain a comprehensive, centralized, and publicly accessible 
        digital presence designed to promote findability, 
        accessibility, interoperability, usability, and utility of the 
        services, tools, data, and information produced by the program 
        established under section 3(a).
            (2) Digital platform and tools.--In carrying out paragraph 
        (1), the Under Secretary shall seek to ensure the digital 
        platform and tools of the Administration integrate geospatial 
        data, decision support tools, training, and best practices to 
        provide real-time fire weather forecasts and address fire-
        related issues and needs.
    (e) High-Performance Computing.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall seek to acquire 
        sufficient high-performance computing resources and capacity 
        for research, operations, and data storage in support of the 
        program established under section 3(a).
            (2) Considerations.--In acquiring high-performance 
        computing capacity under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary 
        shall consider requirements needed for--
                    (A) conducting research, development, and testbed 
                experiments;
                    (B) the transition of research and testbed 
                developments into operations;
                    (C) sustaining capabilities in operations;
                    (D) capabilities existing in other Federal agencies 
                and the commercial sector; and
                    (E) skilled workforce development.

SEC. 6. SURVEYS AND ASSESSMENTS.

    (a) Post-Fire Surveys and Assessments .--
            (1) Annual post-fire-weather-season survey and 
        assessment.--
                    (A) In general.--During the second winter following 
                the enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, 
                the Under Secretary shall conduct a post-fire-weather-
                season survey and assessment.
                    (B) Elements.--After conducting a post-fire-
                weather-season survey and assessment under subparagraph 
                (A), the Under Secretary shall--
                            (i) investigate any gaps in data collected 
                        during the assessment;
                            (ii) identify and implement strategies and 
                        procedures to improve program services and 
                        information dissemination;
                            (iii) update systems, processes, 
                        strategies, and procedures to enhance the 
                        efficiency and reliability of data obtained 
                        from the assessment;
                            (iv) evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of 
                        physical fire weather forecasting information 
                        for each incident included in the survey and 
                        assessment; and
                            (v) assess and refine performance measures, 
                        as needed.
            (2) Surveys and assessments following individual wildfire 
        events.--The Under Secretary may conduct surveys and 
        assessments following individual wildfire events as the Under 
        Secretary determines necessary.
            (3) Goal.--In carrying out activities under this 
        subsection, the Under Secretary shall seek to increase the 
        number of post-wildfire community impact studies, including by 
        surveying individual and collective responses and incorporating 
        other applicable topics of social science research.
            (4) Annual briefing.--Not less frequently than once each 
        year, the Under Secretary shall provide a briefing to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress that provides--
                    (A) an overview of the fire season; and
                    (B) an outlook for the fire season for the coming 
                year.
            (5) Coordination.--In conducting any survey or assessment 
        under this subsection, the Under Secretary shall coordinate 
        with Federal, State, and local partners, Indian tribes, the 
        Native Hawaiian Community, private entities, and such 
        institutions of higher education as the Under Secretary 
        considers relevant in order to--
                    (A) improve operations and collaboration; and
                    (B) optimize data collection, sharing, integration, 
                assimilation, and dissemination.
            (6) Data availability.--The Under Secretary shall make the 
        data and findings obtained from each assessment conducted under 
        this subsection available to the public in an accessible 
        digital format as soon as practicable after conducting the 
        assessment.
            (7) Service improvements.--The Under Secretary shall make 
        best efforts to incorporate the results and recommendations of 
        each assessment conducted under this subsection into the 
        research and development plan and operations of the 
        Administration.
    (b) Joint Assessment and Plan for Automated Surface Observing 
System.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with 
        the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration and 
        the Secretary of Defense, shall--
                    (A) conduct an assessment of resources, personnel, 
                procedures, and activities necessary to maximize the 
                functionality and utility of the automated surface 
                observing system of the United States that identifies--
                            (i) key system upgrades needed to improve 
                        observation quality and utility for weather 
                        forecasting, aviation safety, and other users;
                            (ii) improvements needed in observations 
                        within the planetary boundary layer, including 
                        mixing height;
                            (iii) improvements needed in public 
                        accessibility of observational data;
                            (iv) improvements needed to reduce latency 
                        in reporting of observational data;
                            (v) relevant data to be collected for the 
                        production of forecasts or forecast guidance 
                        relating to atmospheric composition, including 
                        particulate and air quality data related to 
                        wildfires, and aviation safety;
                            (vi) areas of concern regarding operational 
                        continuity and reliability of the system, which 
                        may include needs for on-night staff, 
                        particularly in remote and rural areas and 
                        areas where system failure would have the 
                        greatest negative impact to the community;
                            (vii) stewardship, data handling, data 
                        distribution, and product generation needs 
                        arising from upgrading and changing the 
                        automated surface observation systems;
                            (viii) possible solutions for areas of 
                        concern identified under clause (vi), including 
                        with respect to the potential use of backup 
                        systems, power and communication system 
                        reliability, staffing needs and personnel 
                        location, and the acquisition of critical 
                        component backups and proper storage location 
                        to ensure rapid system repair necessary to 
                        ensure system operational continuity; and
                            (ix) research, development, and transition 
                        to operations needed to develop advanced data 
                        collection, quality control, and distribution 
                        so that the data are provided to models, users, 
                        and decision support systems in a timely 
                        manner; and
                    (B) develop and implement a plan that addresses the 
                findings of the assessment conducted under subparagraph 
                (A), including by seeking and allocating resources 
                necessary to ensure that system upgrades are 
                standardized across the Administration, the Federal 
                Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense 
                to the extent practicable.
            (2) Standardization.--Any system standardization 
        implemented under paragraph (1)(B) shall not impede activities 
        to upgrade or improve individual units of the system.
            (3) Remote automatic weather station coordination.--The 
        Under Secretary, in collaboration with relevant Federal 
        agencies and the National Interagency Fire Center, shall assess 
        and develop cooperative agreements to improve coordination, 
        interoperability standards, operations, and placement of remote 
        automatic weather stations for the purpose of improving utility 
        and coverage of remote automatic weather stations, automated 
        surface observation systems, smoke monitoring platforms, and 
        other similar stations and systems for weather and climate 
        operations.
            (4) Report to congress.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, 
                in collaboration with the Administrator of the Federal 
                Aviation Administration and the Secretary of Defense, 
                shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
                a report that--
                            (i) details the findings of the assessment 
                        required by subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1); 
                        and
                            (ii) the plan required by subparagraph (B) 
                        of such paragraph.
                    (B) Elements.--The report required by subparagraph 
                (A) shall include a detailed assessment of 
                appropriations required--
                            (i) to address the findings of the 
                        assessment required by subparagraph (A) of 
                        paragraph (1); and
                            (ii) to implement the plan required by 
                        subparagraph (B) of such paragraph.

SEC. 7. INCIDENT METEOROLOGIST SERVICE.

    (a) Establishment.--The Under Secretary shall establish and 
maintain an Incident Meteorologist Service within the National Weather 
Service (in this section referred to as the ``Service'').
    (b) Inclusion of Existing Incident Meteorologists.--The Service 
shall include--
            (1) the incident meteorologists of the Administration as of 
        the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (2) such incident meteorologists of the Administration as 
        may be appointed after such date.
    (c) Functions.--The Service shall provide--
            (1) on-site impact-based decision support services to 
        Federal, State, and local government emergency response 
        agencies, Indian tribes, and the Native Hawaiian Community 
        preceding, during, and following significant weather-related 
        events, such as wildland fires, that threaten human life, 
        property, or the economy; and
            (2) support to Federal, State, and local government 
        decision makers, partners, and stakeholders, Indian tribes, 
        Tribal organizations, the Native Hawaiian Community, and Native 
        Hawaiian organizations for seasonal planning and pre-fire 
        mitigation activities.
    (d) Deployment.--The Service shall be deployed--
            (1) as determined by the Under Secretary; or
            (2) at the request of the head of another Federal agency 
        and with the approval of the Under Secretary.
    (e) Staffing and Resources.--In establishing and maintaining the 
Service, the Under Secretary shall identify, acquire, and maintain 
adequate levels of staffing and resources to meet user needs.
    (f) Support for Incident Meteorologists.--The Under Secretary shall 
provide resources, access to real-time fire weather forecasts, 
training, administrative and logistical support, and access to 
professional counseling or other forms of support as the Under 
Secretary considers appropriate for the betterment of the emotional and 
mental health and well-being of incident meteorologists and other 
employees of the Administration so long as the need for such resources, 
training, access, or support is due to the response of such employees 
to high-impact and extreme fire weather events.

SEC. 8. EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVITIES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Basic pay.--The term ``basic pay'' includes any 
        applicable locality-based comparability payment under section 
        5304 of title 5, United States Code, any applicable special 
        rate supplement under section 5305 of such title, or any 
        equivalent payment under a similar provision of law.
            (2) Covered employee.--The term ``covered employee'' means 
        an employee of the Department of Commerce, the Department of 
        Agriculture, or the Department of the Interior.
            (3) Covered services.--The term ``covered services'' means 
        services that are performed by a covered employee while 
        serving--
                    (A) as a wildland firefighter or a fire management 
                response official, including a regional fire director, 
                a deputy regional fire director, and a fire management 
                officer;
                    (B) as an incident meteorologist accompanying a 
                wildland firefighter crew; or
                    (C) on an incident management team, at the National 
                Interagency Fire Center, at a Geographic Area 
                Coordinating Center, or at an operations center.
            (4) Premium pay.--The term ``premium pay'' means premium 
        pay paid under a provision of law described in the matter 
        preceding paragraph (1) of section 5547(a) of title 5, United 
        States Code.
            (5) Relevant congressional committees.--The term ``relevant 
        congressional committees'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate;
                    (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
                    (C) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
                Forestry of the Senate;
                    (D) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
                    (E) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources 
                of the Senate;
                    (F) the Committee on Oversight and Reform of the 
                House of Representatives;
                    (G) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House 
                of Representatives;
                    (H) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
                of the House of Representatives;
                    (I) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
                Representative; and
                    (J) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives.
            (6) Secretary concerned.--The term ``Secretary concerned'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Secretary of Commerce, with respect to an 
                employee of the Department of Commerce;
                    (B) the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to 
                an employee of the Department of Agriculture; and
                    (C) the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to 
                an employee of the Department of the Interior.
    (b) Waiver.--
            (1) In general.--Any premium pay received by a covered 
        employee for covered services shall be disregarded in 
        calculating the aggregate of the basic pay and premium pay for 
        the covered employee for purposes of applying the limitation on 
        premium pay under section 5547(a) of title 5, United States 
        Code.
            (2) Calculation of aggregate pay.--Any pay that is 
        disregarded under paragraph (1) shall be disregarded in 
        calculating the aggregate pay of the applicable covered 
        employee for purposes of applying the limitation under section 
        5307 of title 5, United States Code, during calendar year 2025.
            (3) Limitation.--A covered employee may not be paid premium 
        pay under this subsection if, or to the extent that, the 
        aggregate of the basic pay and premium pay (including premium 
        pay for covered services) of the covered employee for a 
        calendar year would exceed the rate of basic pay payable for a 
        position at level II of the Executive Schedule under section 
        5313 of title 5, United States Code, as in effect at the end of 
        that calendar year.
            (4) Treatment of additional premium pay.--If the 
        application of this subsection results in the payment of 
        additional premium pay to a covered employee of a type that is 
        normally creditable as basic pay for retirement or any other 
        purpose, that additional premium pay shall not be--
                    (A) considered to be basic pay of the covered 
                employee for any purpose; or
                    (B) used in computing a lump-sum payment to the 
                covered employee for accumulated and accrued annual 
                leave under section 5551 or 5552 of title 5, United 
                States Code.
            (5) Effective period.--This subsection shall be in effect 
        during calendar year 2024 and apply to premium pay payable 
        during that year.
    (c) Amendment.--Section 5542(a)(5) of title 5, United States Code, 
is amended by inserting ``, the Department of Commerce,'' after 
``Interior''.
    (d) Plan To Address Needs.--
            (1) Development and implementation.--Not later than March 
        30, 2025, the Secretaries referred to in subsection (a)(6), in 
        consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and 
        Budget and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, 
        shall jointly develop and implement a plan that addresses the 
        needs of the Department of Commerce, the Department of 
        Agriculture, and the Department of the Interior, as applicable, 
        to hire, appoint, promote, or train additional covered 
        employees who carry out covered services such that sufficient 
        covered employees are available throughout each fiscal year, 
        beginning in fiscal year 2025, without the need for waivers of 
        premium pay limitations.
            (2) Submittal.--Not later than 30 days before the date on 
        which the Secretaries implement the plan developed under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretaries shall submit the plan to the 
        relevant congressional committees.
            (3) Limitation.--The plan developed under paragraph (1) 
        shall not be contingent on any Secretary receiving amounts 
        appropriated for fiscal years beginning in fiscal year 2025 in 
        amounts greater than amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2023.
    (e) Policies and Procedures for Health, Safety, and Well-Being.--
The Secretary concerned shall maintain policies and procedures to 
promote the health, safety, and well-being of covered employees.

SEC. 9. SUBMISSIONS TO CONGRESS REGARDING THE FIRE WEATHER SERVICES 
              PROGRAM, INCIDENT METEOROLOGIST WORKFORCE NEEDS, AND 
              NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WORKFORCE SUPPORT.

    (a) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress--
            (1) the plan described in subsection (b);
            (2) the assessment described in subsection (c); and
            (3) the assessment described in subsection (d).
    (b) Fire Weather Services Program Plan.--
            (1) Elements.--The plan submitted under subsection (a)(1) 
        shall detail--
                    (A) the observational data, modeling requirements, 
                ongoing computational needs, research, development, and 
                technology transfer activities, data management, 
                skilled-personnel requirements, engagement with 
                relevant Federal emergency and land management agencies 
                and partners, and corresponding research, development, 
                and operational resources and timelines necessary to 
                achieve the functions described in subsection (b) of 
                section 3 and the priorities described in subsection 
                (c) of such section; and
                    (B) plans and needs for all other activities and 
                requirements under this Act and the amendments made by 
                this Act.
            (2) Submittal of annual budget for plan.--Following 
        completion of the plan submitted under subsection (a)(1), the 
        Under Secretary shall, not less frequently than once each year 
        concurrent with the submission of the budget by the President 
        to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, 
        submit to Congress a proposed budget corresponding with the 
        elements detailed in the plan.
    (c) Incident Meteorologist Workforce Needs Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall conduct a 
        workforce needs assessment on the current and future demand for 
        additional incident meteorologists for wildfires and other 
        high-impact fire weather events.
            (2) Elements.--The assessment required by paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) A description of staffing levels as of the date 
                on which the assessment is submitted under subsection 
                (a)(2) and projected future staffing levels.
                    (B) An assessment of the state of the research, 
                development, and operational infrastructure of the 
                National Weather Service as of the date on which the 
                assessment is submitted and future needs of such 
                infrastructure in order to meet current and future 
                demands, including with respect to information 
                technology support and logistical and administrative 
                operations.
            (3) Considerations.--In conducting the assessment required 
        by paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall consider user needs 
        and feedback from relevant stakeholders.
    (d) Support Services Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall conduct a 
        workforce support services assessment with respect to employees 
        of the National Weather Service engaged in emergency response.
            (2) Elements.--The assessment required by paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    (A) An assessment of need for further support of 
                employees of the National Weather Service engaged in 
                emergency response through services provided by the 
                Public Health Service.
                    (B) A detailed assessment of appropriations 
                required to secure the level of support services needed 
                as identified in the assessment described in 
                subparagraph (A).
            (3) Additional support services.--Following the completion 
        of the assessment required by paragraph (1), the Under 
        Secretary shall seek to acquire additional support services to 
        meet the needs identified in the assessment.

SEC. 10. FIRE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP; STRATEGIC PLAN.

    (a) Fire Science and Technology Working Group.--
            (1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, the Executive Director of the 
        Interagency Committee for Advancing Weather Services 
        established under section 402 of the Weather Research and 
        Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8542) (in this 
        section referred to as the ``Interagency Committee'') shall 
        establish a working group, to be known as the ``Fire Science 
        and Technology Working Group'' (in this section referred to as 
        the ``Working Group'').
            (2) Chair.--The Working Group shall be chaired by the Under 
        Secretary, or designee.
            (3) General duties.--
                    (A) In general.--The Working Group shall seek to 
                build efficiencies among the agencies listed under 
                section 12(c)(1) and coordinate the planning and 
                management of science, research, technology, and 
                operations related to science and support services for 
                wildland fire prediction, detection, forecasting, 
                modeling, resilience, response, management, and 
                assessments.
                    (B) Input.--The Working Group shall solicit input 
                from non-Federal stakeholders.
    (b) Strategic Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Interagency Committee shall 
        prepare and submit to Congress a strategic plan for interagency 
        coordination, research, and development that will improve the 
        assessment of fire environments and the understanding and 
        prediction of wildland fires, associated smoke, and the impacts 
        of such fires and smoke, including--
                    (A) at the wildland-urban interface;
                    (B) on communities, buildings, and other 
                infrastructure;
                    (C) on ecosystem services and watersheds;
                    (D) social and economic impacts;
                    (E) by developing and encouraging the adoption of 
                science-based and cost-effective measures--
                            (i) to enhance community resilience to 
                        wildland fires;
                            (ii) to address and mitigate the impacts of 
                        wildland fires and associated smoke; and
                            (iii) to restore natural fire regimes in 
                        fire-dependent ecosystems;
                    (F) by improving the understanding and mitigation 
                of the effects of weather and long-term drought on 
                wildland fire risk, frequency, and severity;
                    (G) through integrations of social and behavioral 
                sciences in public safety fire communication;
                    (H) by improving the forecasting and understanding 
                of prescribed fires and the impacts of such fires, and 
                how those impacts may differ from impacts of wildland 
                fires that originate from an unplanned ignition; and
                    (I) consideration and adoption of any 
                recommendations included in the report required by 
                section 12(c).
            (2) Plan elements.--The strategic plan required by 
        paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    (A) A description of the priorities and needs of 
                vulnerable populations.
                    (B) A description of high-performance computing, 
                visualization, and dissemination needs.
                    (C) A timeline and guidance for implementation of--
                            (i) an interagency data sharing system for 
                        data relevant to performing fire assessments 
                        and modeling fire risk and fire behavior;
                            (ii) a system for ensuring that the fire 
                        prediction models of relevant agencies can be 
                        interconnected; and
                            (iii) to the maximum extent practicable, 
                        any recommendations included in the report 
                        required by section 12(c).
                    (D) A plan for incorporating and coordinating 
                research and operational observations, including from 
                infrared technologies, microwave, radars, satellites, 
                mobile weather stations, and uncrewed aerial systems.
                    (E) A flexible framework to communicate clear and 
                simple fire event information to the public.
                    (F) Integration of social, behavioral, risk, and 
                communication research to improve the fire operational 
                environment and societal information reception and 
                response.

SEC. 11. FIRE WEATHER RATING SYSTEM.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall, in collaboration with 
the Chief of the United States Forest Service, the Director of the 
United States Geological Survey, the Director of the National Park 
Service, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
and such stakeholders as the Under Secretary considers appropriate--
            (1) evaluate the system used as of the date of the 
        enactment of this Act to rate the risk of wildfire; and
            (2) determine whether updates to that system are required 
        to ensure that the ratings accurately reflect the severity of 
        fire risk.
    (b) Update Required.--If the Under Secretary determines under 
subsection (a) that updates to the system described in paragraph (1) of 
such subsection are necessary, the Under Secretary shall update that 
system.

SEC. 12. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORTS.

    (a) Report on Fire Weather Services Program.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
        United States shall submit to Congress a report on the program 
        established under section 3(a).
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall--
                    (A) evaluate the performance of the program by 
                establishing initial baseline capabilities and tracking 
                progress made toward fully operationalizing the 
                functions described in section 3(b); and
                    (B) include such other recommendations as the 
                Comptroller General determines are appropriate to 
                improve the program.
    (b) Report on Interagency Bodies for Wildfire Forecasting, 
Prevention, Planning, and Management.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit to Congress a report that--
            (1) identifies all Federal interagency bodies established 
        for the purpose of wildfire forecasting, prevention, planning, 
        and management (such as wildfire councils, commissions, and 
        workgroups), including--
                    (A) the Wildland Fire Leadership Council;
                    (B) the White House Wildfire Resilience Interagency 
                Group;
                    (C) the Wildland Fire Management Policy Committee;
                    (D) the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management 
                Commission;
                    (E) the Joint Science Fire Program;
                    (F) the National Interagency Coordination Center;
                    (G) the National Predictive Services Oversight 
                Group;
                    (H) the Interagency Council for Advancing 
                Meteorological Services;
                    (I) the National Wildfire Coordinating Group;
                    (J) the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group; 
                and
                    (K) the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group;
            (2) evaluates the roles, functionality, and utility of such 
        interagency bodies;
            (3) evaluates the progress, performance, and implementation 
        of such interagency bodies;
            (4) assesses efficacy and identifies potential overlap and 
        duplication of such interagency bodies in carrying out 
        interagency collaboration with respect to wildfire prevention, 
        planning, and management; and
            (5) includes such other recommendations as the Comptroller 
        General determines are appropriate to streamline and improve 
        wildfire forecasting, prevention, planning, and management, 
        including recommendations regarding the interagency bodies for 
        which the addition of the Administration is necessary to 
        improve wildfire forecasting, prevention, planning, and 
        management.
    (c) Report on Interagency Coordination.--Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
the United States shall submit to Congress a report that identifies--
            (1) the authorities, roles, and science and support 
        services relating to wildland fire prediction, detection, 
        forecasting, modeling, resilience, response, management, and 
        assessment provided by--
                    (A) the Department of Commerce, including the 
                Administration and the National Institute of Standards 
                and Technology;
                    (B) the National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration;
                    (C) the Department of the Interior;
                    (D) the Department of Agriculture;
                    (E) the National Science Foundation;
                    (F) the Department of Energy;
                    (G) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
                    (H) the Department of Transportation;
                    (I) the Environmental Protection Agency; and
                    (J) the Department of Defense; and
            (2) recommended areas in and mechanisms by which the 
        agencies listed under paragraph (1) could support and improve--
                    (A) coordination between Federal agencies, State 
                and local governments, Indian tribes, Tribal 
                organizations, the Native Hawaiian Community, Native 
                Hawaiian organizations, and other relevant 
                stakeholders, including through examination of possible 
                public-private partnerships;
                    (B) research and development, including 
                interdisciplinary research, related to fire 
                environments, wildland fires, associated smoke, and the 
                impacts of such environments, fires, and smoke, in 
                furtherance of a coordinated interagency effort to 
                address wildland fire risk reduction;
                    (C) data management and stewardship, the 
                development and coordination of data systems and 
                computational tools, and the creation of a centralized, 
                integrated data collaboration environment for agency 
                data, including historical data, relating to weather, 
                fire environments, wildland fires, associated smoke, 
                and the impacts of such environments, fires, and smoke, 
                and the assessment of wildland fire risk mitigation 
                measures;
                    (D) interoperability, usability, and accessibility 
                of the scientific data, data systems, and computational 
                and information tools of the agencies listed under 
                paragraph (1);
                    (E) coordinated public safety communications 
                relating to fire weather events, fire hazards, and 
                wildland fire and smoke risk reduction strategies; and
                    (F) secure and accurate real-time data, alerts, and 
                advisories to wildland firefighters and other decision 
                support tools for wildland fire incident command posts.
    (d) Report on Automated Surface Observing System.--Not later than 4 
years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that--
            (1) evaluates the functionality, utility, reliability, and 
        operational status of the automated surface observing system 
        across the Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, 
        and the Department of Defense;
            (2) evaluates the progress, performance, and implementation 
        of the plan required by section 6(b)(1)(B);
            (3) assesses the efficacy of cross-agency collaboration and 
        stakeholder engagement in carrying out the plan and provides 
        recommendations to improve such activities;
            (4) evaluates the operational continuity and reliability of 
        the system, particularly in remote and rural areas and areas 
        where system failure would have the greatest negative impact to 
        the community, and provides recommendations to improve such 
        continuity and reliability;
            (5) assesses Federal coordination regarding the remote 
        automatic weather station network, air resource advisors, and 
        other Federal observing assets used for weather and climate 
        modeling and response activities, and provides recommendations 
        for improvements; and
            (6) includes such other recommendations as the Comptroller 
        General determines are appropriate to improve the system.

SEC. 13. COOPERATION AND COORDINATION.

    (a) Cooperation.--Each Federal agency shall cooperate and 
coordinate with the Under Secretary, as appropriate, in carrying out 
this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
    (b) Coordination.--
            (1) In general.--In meeting the requirements under this Act 
        and the amendments made by this Act, the Under Secretary shall 
        coordinate, and as appropriate, establish agreements with 
        Federal and external partners to fully use and leverage 
        existing assets, systems, networks, technologies, and sources 
        of data.
            (2) Inclusions.--Coordination carried out under paragraph 
        (1) shall include coordination with--
                    (A) the agencies represented at the National 
                Interagency Fire Center;
                    (B) the Predictive Services Program of the National 
                Interagency Coordination Center;
                    (C) the National Wildfire Coordinating Group; and
                    (D) relevant interagency bodies identified in the 
                report required by section 12(b).
            (3) Consultation.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
        Under Secretary shall consult with Federal partners including--
                    (A) the National Aeronautics and Space 
                Administration;
                    (B) the Department of the Interior;
                    (C) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
                    (D) the National Science Foundation;
                    (E) the United States Geological Survey;
                    (F) the Department of Agriculture;
                    (G) the Environmental Protection Agency;
                    (H) the Department of Energy;
                    (I) the Department of Defense;
                    (J) the National Institute of Standards and 
                Technology; and
                    (K) such other departments and agencies as the 
                Under Secretary considers relevant.
    (c) Process for Annual Coordination With Non-Federal Entities.--Not 
later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Under Secretary shall develop and submit to the appropriate committees 
of Congress a process for annual coordination with State and local 
governments, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and the Native 
Hawaiian Community to assist the development of improved fire weather 
products and services.
    (d) International Coordination.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary may develop 
        collaborative relationships and agreements with foreign 
        partners and counterparts to address transboundary issues 
        pertaining to wildfires, fire weather, smoke, air quality, and 
        associated conditions and hazards or other relevant 
        meteorological phenomena, as appropriate, to facilitate full 
        and open exchange of data and information.
            (2) Consultation.--In carrying out activities under this 
        subsection, the Under Secretary shall consult with the 
        Department of State and such other Federal partners as the 
        Under Secretary considers relevant.

SEC. 14. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

    (a) Avoidance of Duplication.--
            (1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall ensure, to the 
        greatest extent practicable, that activities carried out under 
        this Act and the amendments made by this Act are not 
        duplicative of activities supported by other parts of the 
        Administration or other relevant Federal agencies.
            (2) Coordination.--In carrying out activities under this 
        Act and the amendments made by this Act, the Under Secretary 
        shall coordinate with the Administration and heads of other 
        Federal research agencies--
                    (A) to ensure those activities enhance and 
                complement, but do not constitute unnecessary 
                duplication of, efforts; and
                    (B) to ensure the responsible stewardship of funds.
    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed--
            (1) to satisfy any requirement for government-to-government 
        consultation with Indian tribes; or
            (2) to affect or modify any treaty or other right of any 
        Indian tribe.

SEC. 15. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Administration to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this 
Act--
            (1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;
            (2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
            (3) $27,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
            (4) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
            (5) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2029.
    (b) Prohibition.--None of the amounts authorized to be appropriated 
by subsection (a) may be used to unnecessarily duplicate activities 
funded under title VIII of division D of the Infrastructure Investment 
and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58; 135 Stat. 1094).
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