[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 10, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4729-H4731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NOAA WEATHER RADIO MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2021
Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 5324) 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, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5324
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;
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(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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Ms. Stevens) and the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Michigan.
General Leave
Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H.R. 5324, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I voice my support for this bipartisan legislation led by Ranking
Member Bice and Chairwoman Sherrill of the Science, Space, and
Technology Committee's Environment Subcommittee. The NWR Modernization
Act of 2021 will direct NOAA to undertake various updates to the NOAA
Weather Radio. NOAA Weather Radio serves as a consistent and reliable
source of weather forecasts, warnings, and watches from the National
Weather Service to communities across America--something that is all
too palpable to Americans today given the rise of extreme weather
incidents.
Because of its broad reach and continuous coverage, NOAA Weather
Radio also provides information related to natural disasters and other
hazardous, nonweather events. In order to ensure that NOAA Weather
Radio can continue to provide reliable, life-saving information, it is
vital to ensure the system is upgraded to reflect the modern era. This
bill requires NOAA to require more transmitters and update vital
software and telecommunications infrastructure to support operation of
NOAA Weather Radio and enhance its transmission of nonweather emergency
messages. These updates should help to expand NOAA Weather Radio
coverage to ensure all communities, especially underserved rural
communities, receive these critical alerts.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will provide benefits to many across this
incredible country. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its
passage, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5324, the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act, is
dedicated to supporting, upgrading, and modernizing one of the best
alert systems we have for extreme weather and other dangerous events.
The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards system, known as NWR, is a highly
successful, nationwide network of stations that broadcasts natural,
environmental, and safety alerts to the public through radio broadcast
frequencies.
Whether it is an earthquake, tornado, chemical release, oil spill, or
AMBER Alert, the NWR broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to 95
percent of the U.S. population. It is lifesaving and informative to
everyone, no matter their location. Simply put, NWR is the single
source for comprehensive weather and emergency information.
Many of my constituents in Oklahoma heard alerts through their
National Weather Radio receiver last week when severe weather and
tornadoes struck Seminole County in the late evening. Thankfully, there
have been no reported casualties, and that is due in large part to
citizens heeding the warnings of the NWR.
The NWR is consistent, as it operates even when the power goes out
and cell service is down. It is also trusted because of its accuracy
and long track record of saving lives. But as with all technology, it
needs to be upgraded and modernized to remain just as effective in the
future as well as ensure current outages are short and infrequent.
It was almost three decades ago, in the late 1990s, that the NWR
network received its last upgrade. Since that time, operations and
maintenance costs related to transmitters and antennas have increased.
It should be obvious that technology has greatly advanced, as the very
first iPhone wasn't available when these upgrades took place.
As the world becomes more digitalized, we must ensure that older
systems like this that protect lives and property don't get lost in the
shuffle. That is why I introduced this legislation. H.R. 5324
authorizes upgrades to the existing system through timely repairs and
ensures that the reliable infrastructure in place is not abandoned.
This will help outages become less common.
Mr. Speaker, to give you an idea of this need, right before coming
down here, I checked the NWR's website to see that 19 transmitters are
currently out of service, and nine are experiencing degraded signal.
That means 28 areas and surrounding communities are at risk of severe
events with minimal warning.
This legislation also establishes a modernization initiative for
broadcasts to transmit to IP-based communications and develop options
for backup capabilities and enhanced signal transmission. This paves
the way for future development and provides failsafe options, so NWR is
never down for an extended period of time.
Last but not least, H.R. 5324 requires NOAA to conduct an assessment
of NWR access. This will ensure that the modernization efforts are
effective and people across the country have easy, reliable access in a
manner that is in line with modern technology.
The benefits of the National Weather Radio right now are numerous.
The signal can easily reach and educate vulnerable communities. It can
cover both land and marine warnings. And when a disaster is over, NWR
can issue an all-
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clear for a community that might be battered, but whose people are
safe. Therefore, we should ensure its continued use by supporting its
reliability and efforts to bring the system into the 21st century. I am
proud to have introduced this legislation that does exactly that and
will protect the lives of Oklahomans, as well as communities across the
Nation.
I thank the Environment Subcommittee Chairwoman Sherrill for leading
this bill with me and for her efforts to work across the aisle for its
passage. I also thank Representatives Kilmer, LaTurner, Bonamici, and
Ellzey for cosponsoring it.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bipartisan
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I will to take a moment to reflect. The Congresswoman
from Oklahoma mentioned something that I believe is important to
reiterate, which is that the technology adoptions occurred before the
iPhone. Last June, in Oakland County, Michigan, the city of Farmington
and Farmington Hills experienced an extreme weather event otherwise
known as a supercell. This is rapid winds at a high level, multiple--
hundreds of feet, sometimes up in the air, ripping large trees from
their roots. It was very destructive. There was no warning. It
terrified residents of my district.
We also reflect that in Mason City, Iowa, just last month, there was
a major tornado that blew through, again, without warning. So this is
very real and palpable to the American people.
I again recognize the leadership of the Congresswoman from New Jersey
(Ms. Sherrill), who is the subcommittee chair of the Environment
Subcommittee, for her leadership, along with the Congresswoman from
Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice) for bringing us this very critical bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas), who is the
distinguished ranking member of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology and dean of the Oklahoma delegation.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Oklahoma for
yielding and for introducing this legislation.
H.R. 5324, the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act of 2021, is a
straightforward, lifesaving bill introduced by my esteemed colleague
from Oklahoma, Representative Stephanie Bice, who is the ranking member
of the Environment Subcommittee.
Last week, nearly the entire State of Oklahoma experienced an
outbreak in severe weather and a number of confirmed tornadoes. That is
not uncommon for this time of year, and our citizens were well
prepared.
While there was significant damage and widespread power outages,
there have been no confirmed deaths at this point. That is because of
the lifesaving efforts of NOAA, the National Weather Service, and
warning capabilities like the NOAA Weather Radio, also known as NWR.
Day or night, power or no power, in a rural area or in the heart of
the city, an NWR device loudly alerts you and your family to severe
weather nearby. Most Oklahomans have grown up listening to these
announcements, and we know to act when we hear them. That saves lives.
But since NWR was designated as the sole government provider of direct
warnings to private homes in 1975, the system has gone through few
upgrades other than broadly expanding access across the country.
The NWR's aging infrastructure has led to increased maintenance costs
and more frequent outages. The copper wiring that connects broadcast
transmitters to Weather Service stations has become obsolete and
expensive. More powerful storms require backup options and stronger
signals in case of extensive damage to mission critical facilities.
The NWR Modernization Act addresses these challenges and gives NOAA
the authority and resources to ensure the NWR is as useful in the 21st
century as it has been for the last four decades. This legislation
continues to expand access to NWR, but does so while ensuring the
system does not become obsolete with out-of-date technology.
{time} 1445
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership of the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology's Environment Subcommittee, Ranking
Member Bice and Chairwoman Sherrill, for leading on this critical
issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
I would simply note that we pass lots of pieces of legislation in
this body every session. But every so often, we address a piece of
legislation that makes a real difference in the lives of people, a
piece of legislation that deserves to move as swiftly as possible
through the process to enable its implementation.
Mr. Speaker, again, I thank all of my colleagues, and I urge a yes
vote.
Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, the NWR Modernization Act of 2021
will ensure the continued safety of all Americans when experiencing
severe weather and other emergency events. We have seen examples as
recent as the past month of the NOAA Weather Radio saving lives in
Oklahoma, Iowa, and Colorado.
Although the National Weather Radio coverage is currently available
to 95 percent of the U.S. population, I see no reason why we shouldn't
strive for 100 percent. Every citizen, no matter how remote or isolated
their location, deserves equal access to this lifesaving service.
Additionally, because we have seen just how effective NWR is, we need
to support its modernization and continued use for decades to come.
Many services across different industries have used technology to adapt
to a more modern age, and our country's emergency alert system should
be no different. This bill allows NOAA to achieve both of those goals.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, NOAA Weather Radio is absolutely essential.
We have a bill to modernize it. The American people need it now.
H.R. 5324, the NWR Modernization Act of 2021, has my full support. I
urge my colleagues to support it.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5324, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
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