[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.

                          ____________________