[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 10, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4736-H4738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PROVIDING RESEARCH AND ESTIMATES OF CHANGES IN PRECIPITATION ACT
Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1437) to amend the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to provide comprehensive and regularly updated Federal
precipitation information, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 1437
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 ``Providing Research and
Estimates of Changes In Precipitation Act'' or the ``PRECIP
Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING
INNOVATION ACT OF 2017 RELATING TO IMPROVING
FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION.
(a) In General.--The Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION
``SEC. 601. STUDY ON PRECIPITATION ESTIMATION.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of the PRECIP Act, the Administrator, in
consultation with other Federal agencies as appropriate,
shall seek to enter an agreement with the National
Academies--
``(1) to conduct a study on the state of practice and
research needs for precipitation estimation, including
probable maximum precipitation estimation; and
``(2) to submit, not later than 24 months after the date on
which such agreement is finalized, to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly available on
a website, a report on the results of the study under
paragraph (1).
``(b) Study.--The report under subsection (a) shall include
the following:
``(1) An examination of the current state of practice for
precipitation estimation at scales appropriate for
decisionmaker needs, and rationale for further evolution of
this field.
``(2) An evaluation of best practices for precipitation
estimation that are based on the best-available science,
include assumptions of non-stationarity, and can be utilized
by the user community.
``(3) A framework for--
``(A) the development of a National Guidance Document for
estimating extreme precipitation in future conditions; and
``(B) evaluation of the strengths and challenges of the
full spectrum of approaches, including for probable maximum
precipitation studies.
``(4) A description of existing research needs in the field
of precipitation estimation in order to modernize current
methodologies and incorporate assumptions of non-
stationarity.
``(5) A description of in-situ, airborne, and space-based
observation requirements, that could enhance precipitation
estimation and development of models, including an
examination of the use of geographic information systems and
geospatial technology for integration, analysis, and
visualization of precipitation data.
``(6) A recommended plan for a Federal research and
development program, including specifications for costs,
timeframes, and responsible agencies for addressing
identified research needs.
``(7) An analysis of the respective roles in precipitation
estimation of various Federal agencies, academia, State,
tribal, territorial, and local governments, and other public
and private stakeholders.
[[Page H4737]]
``(8) Recommendations for data management to promote long-
term needs such as enabling retrospective analyses and data
discoverability, interoperability, and reuse.
``(9) Recommendations for how data and services from the
entire enterprise can be best leveraged by the Federal
Government.
``(10) A description of non-Federal precipitation data, its
accessibility by the Federal Government, and ways for
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve or
expand such datasets.
``(11) Such other topics as the Administrator or National
Academies consider appropriate.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
$1,500,000 to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to carry out this study.
``SEC. 602. IMPROVING PROBABLE MAXIMUM PRECIPITATION
ESTIMATES.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date on
which the National Academies makes public the report under
section 601, the Administrator, in consideration of the
report recommendations, shall consult with relevant partners,
including users of the data, on the development of a plan
to--
``(1) not later than 6 years after the completion of such
report and not less than every 10 years thereafter, update
probable maximum precipitation estimates for the United
States, such that each update includes estimates that
incorporate assumptions of non-stationarity;
``(2) coordinate with partners to conduct research in the
field of extreme precipitation estimation, in accordance with
the research needs identified in such report;
``(3) make publicly available, in a searchable,
interoperable format, all probable maximum precipitation
studies developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration that the Administrator has the legal right to
redistribute and deemed to be at an appropriate state of
development on an internet website of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration; and
``(4) ensure all probable maximum precipitation estimate
data, products, and supporting documentation and metadata
developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration are preserved, curated, and served by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as
appropriate.
``(b) National Guidance Document for the Development of
Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates.--The Administrator,
in collaboration with Federal agencies, State, territorial,
Tribal and local governments, academia, and other partners
the Administrator deems appropriate, shall develop a National
Guidance Document that--
``(1) provides best practices that can be followed by
Federal and State regulatory agencies, private meteorological
consultants, and other users that perform probable maximum
precipitation studies;
``(2) considers the recommendations provided in the
National Academies study under section 601;
``(3) facilitates review of probable maximum precipitation
studies by regulatory agencies;
``(4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific
probable maximum precipitation estimates; and
``(5) includes such other topics as the Administrator deems
appropriate.
``(c) Publication.--Not later than 2 years after the date
on which the National Academies makes public the report under
section 601, the Administrator shall make publicly available
the National Guidance Document under subsection (b) on an
internet website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(d) Updates.--The Administrator shall update the National
Guidance Document not less than once every 10 years after the
publication of the National Guidance Document under
subsection (c) and publish such updates in accordance with
such subsection.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to carry out this section:
``(1) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
``(2) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.
``(3) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
``(4) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
``(5) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
``(6) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
``SEC. 603. DEFINITIONS.
`` In this title:
``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(2) National academies.--The term `National Academies'
means the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine.
``(3) United states.--The term `United States' means,
collectively, each State of the United States, the District
of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa,
Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory
or possession of the United States.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C.
8501 note) is amended in the table of contents by adding at
the end the following:
``TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION
``Sec. 601. Study on precipitation estimation.
``Sec. 602. Improving probable maximum precipitation estimates.
``Sec. 603. Definitions.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Dingell). 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. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and to include extraneous material on H.R. 1437, 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. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1437, the Providing
Research and Estimates of Changes in Precipitation, or PRECIP Act.
I commend Environment Subcommittee Chairwoman Sherrill of the Science
Committee on her work to bring the PRECIP Act to the House floor today.
This bipartisan bill is the result of significant stakeholder
engagement led by Congresswoman Sherrill of New Jersey.
Precipitation data is used by decisionmakers like dam safety
officials, flood plain managers, civil engineers, and Federal, State,
and local officials, to build resilient infrastructure, something we
care a lot about in this body, for communities.
{time} 1515
The precipitation data is extremely important for Michiganians. This
is a huge reality for us, particularly in southeastern Michigan, after
record, record rainfall over the last year.
The Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments organization
found that changes in precipitation in the Great Lakes region will lead
to more extreme precipitation events in the State of Michigan,
otherwise known as flooding, a reality all too probable to the Speaker
and myself, both hailing from southeast Michigan.
These extreme precipitation events can cause flooding and can also
affect lake levels, which could have severe economic and ecological
impacts across my home State of Michigan and certainly across the
country.
The PRECIP Act would help to modernize outdated precipitation data
across the country, and the bill also directs NOAA to update
precipitation data on a regular cadence. This will not only address
many precipitation estimates that are currently years, and sometimes
decades, out of date, it will also help local responders act when their
residents need them to. It will also help local elected officials
coordinate with the Federal agencies in responding to extreme
precipitation events. It will also ensure consistency in precipitation
estimates across the United States; as we know, precipitation events do
not respect State or regional boundaries.
As we are also anticipating an increase in frequency and intensity of
precipitation events due to the reality of climate change, it is
critical that this bill also requires NOAA to consider future climate
change while updating these precipitation estimates. This will ensure
that this data remains relevant for the future.
I am deeply proud to cosponsor this bill that has both bipartisan and
bicameral support. Its passage will positively impact all Americans,
and I urge my colleagues in this Chamber on both sides of the aisle to
support this bill.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1437, the PRECIP Act. This
legislation, sponsored by the Chairwoman of the Environmental
Subcommittee, the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill), would
amend the Weather Act to enhance precipitation estimates and improve
how NOAA works with stakeholder groups to best utilize this data.
This precipitation data is crucial to our forecasting abilities.
Accurate precipitation estimates not only inform
[[Page H4738]]
our decisions on agriculture and water resources but also help us
better predict and protect ourselves from natural disasters like
flooding and landslides. To improve these estimates, this bill directs
NOAA to partner with the National Academies to review current practices
for estimating precipitation and identifying research needs in order to
improve these forecasts.
Additionally, the legislation requires NOAA to update its maximum
precipitation estimates within 6 years of the National Academies report
and every 10 years afterward.
Finally, this bill directs NOAA to develop and publish a national
guidance document for Federal and State agencies, meteorologists, and
other users to follow when performing probable maximum precipitation
studies.
The commonsense steps in this bill will provide tremendous benefits
across the country. Communities will benefit from access to better data
as they make key decisions about creating and updating infrastructure
to address extreme weather events, including flooding.
This will make a real difference across America. My home State of
Oklahoma is home to thousands of dams. Many of these structures are in
need of repair and modernization, and the communities responsible for
these dams rely on accurate data to ensure we are prepared for future
rainfall. Too often, we have had to rely on out-of-date data to make
these critical decisions, which will not be the case if the PRECIP Act
becomes law.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of the legislation, and I will thank
Chairwoman Sherrill for her work on this important topic. I urge my
colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, I have seen Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
of Michigan's 12th District, in her waders, moving around her district,
including Dearborn, in flood-ridden neighborhoods. This is a crisis.
It is important to pass the PRECIP Act, as introduced by the
gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill), co-led by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Fitzpatrick).
This is a remarkable piece of legislation that will make a huge
difference to this country.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BICE of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I once again thank
Representative Sherrill for sponsoring this important legislation.
Better precipitation estimates will improve the way we do business,
manage infrastructure, and prevent losses during natural disasters.
This is a smart and practical bill that ensures we have accurate data
from NOAA on precipitation. It also ensures NOAA will update its
estimates more frequently so communities can use timely data to make
crucial decisions.
I appreciate my colleagues' work on this important topic, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. STEVENS. Madam Speaker, in closing, H.R. 1437, the PRECIP Act, is
of great merit. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join
me in its passage, and 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. 1437, 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. Madam 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.
____________________