[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 73 (Monday, April 29, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H2658-H2679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2023
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 6093) to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's weather research, support improvements in weather
forecasting and prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the
provision of weather data, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6093
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 ``Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of
2023'' or the ``Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING
INNOVATION ACT OF 2017
Sec. 101. Public safety priority.
Sec. 102. United States weather research and forecasting.
Sec. 103. Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes
Experiment (VORTEX).
Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program.
Sec. 105. Tsunami Warning and Education Act reauthorization.
Sec. 106. Observing system planning.
Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments.
Sec. 108. Computing resources prioritization.
Sec. 109. Earth prediction innovation center.
Sec. 110. Satellite architecture planning.
Sec. 111. Improving uncrewed activities.
Sec. 112. Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services.
Sec. 113. Ocean observations.
Sec. 114. Consolidation of reports.
Sec. 115. National Landslide Preparedness Act reauthorization.
Sec. 116. Amendments to Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and
Control Act of 1998.
TITLE II--ENHANCING FEDERAL WEATHER FORECASTING AND INNOVATION
Sec. 201. Weather innovation for the next generation.
Sec. 202. Next generation radar.
Sec. 203. Data voids in highly vulnerable areas of the United States.
Sec. 204. Atmospheric rivers forecast improvement program.
Sec. 205. Coastal flooding and storm surge forecast improvement
program.
Sec. 206. Aviation weather and data innovation.
Sec. 207. NESDIS joint venture partnership transition program.
Sec. 208. Advanced weather interactive processing system.
Sec. 209. Reanalysis and reforecasting.
Sec. 210. National Weather Service workforce.
TITLE III--COMMERCIAL WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATIONS
Sec. 301. Commercial Data Program.
Sec. 302. Commercial Data Pilot Program.
Sec. 303. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication.
Sec. 304. Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices.
Sec. 305. Clerical amendment.
TITLE IV--COMMUNICATING WEATHER TO THE PUBLIC
Sec. 401. Definitions.
Sec. 402. Hazardous weather or water event risk communication.
Sec. 403. Hazard communication research and engagement.
Sec. 404. National Weather Service communications improvement.
Sec. 405. NOAA Weather Radio modernization.
Sec. 406. Post-storm surveys and assessments.
Sec. 407. Government Accountability Office report on alert
dissemination for hazardous weather or water events.
Sec. 408. Data collection management and protection.
TITLE V--IMPROVING WEATHER INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND WATER
MANAGEMENT
Sec. 501. Weather and climate information in agriculture and water
management.
Sec. 502. National Integrated Drought Information System.
Sec. 503. National Mesonet Program.
Sec. 504. National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network.
Sec. 505. National water center.
Sec. 506. Satellite transfers report.
Sec. 507. Precipitation forecast improvement program.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) In General.--In this Act, the terms ``seasonal'',
``State'', ``subseasonal'', ``Under Secretary'', ``weather
enterprise'', ``weather data'', and ``weather industry'' have
the meanings given such terms in section 2 of the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C.
8501).
(b) Weather Data Defined.--Section 2 of the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C.
8501) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph:
``(5) Weather data.--The term `weather data' means
information used to track and predict weather conditions and
patterns, including forecasts, observations, and derivative
products from such information.''.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING
INNOVATION ACT OF 2017
SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.
Section 101 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8511) is amended by adding
at the end the following new sentence: ``The Under Secretary
shall ensure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration remains focused on providing accurate and
timely weather forecasts that protect lives and property and
enhance the national economy by disseminating to the public
and core partners through nimble, flexible, and mobile
methods critical weather information and impact-based
decision support services.''.
SEC. 102. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING.
Section 110 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8519) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research to carry out this title the following:
``(1) $155,000,000 for fiscal year 2024, of which--
``(A) $90,000,000 is authorized for weather laboratories
and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $30,000,000 is authorized for the United States
Weather Research Program;
``(C) $20,000,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm,
and next generation radar research; and
[[Page H2659]]
``(D) $15,000,000 is authorized for the joint technology
transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this
title.
``(2) $156,550,000 for fiscal year 2025, of which--
``(A) $90,900,000 is authorized for weather laboratories
and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $30,300,000 is authorized for the United States
Weather Research Program;
``(C) $20,200,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm,
and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $15,150,000 is authorized for the joint technology
transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this
title.
``(3) $158,116,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which--
``(A) $91,809,000 is authorized for weather laboratories
and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $30,603,000 is authorized for the United States
Weather Research Program;
``(C) $20,402,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm,
and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $15,302,000 is authorized for the joint technology
transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this
title.
``(4) $159,697,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which--
``(A) $92,727,000 is authorized for weather laboratories
and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $30,909,000 is authorized for the United States
Weather Research Program;
``(C) $20,606,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm,
and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $15,455,000 is authorized for the joint technology
transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this
title.
``(5) $161,294,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which--
``(A) $93,654,000 is authorized for weather laboratories
and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $31,218,000 is authorized for the United States
Weather Research Program;
``(C) $20,812,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm,
and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $15,609,000 is authorized for the joint technology
transfer initiative described in section 8512(b)(4) of this
title.
``(b) Limitation.--No additional funds are authorized to
carry out this title or the amendments made by this title.''.
SEC. 103. VERIFICATION OF THE ORIGINS OF ROTATION IN
TORNADOES EXPERIMENT (VORTEX).
(a) In General.--Section 103 of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8513) is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 103. VERIFICATION OF THE ORIGINS OF ROTATION IN
TORNADOES EXPERIMENT (VORTEX).
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration
with the United States weather industry and academic
partners, shall maintain a program for rapidly improving
tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings, including
forecaster training in radar interpretation and information
integration from new sources.
``(b) Goal.--The goal of the program under subsection (a)
shall be to develop and extend accurate tornado forecasts,
predictions, and warnings in order to reduce the loss of life
or property related to tornadoes, with a focus on the
following:
``(1) Improving the effectiveness and timeliness of tornado
forecasts, predictions, and warnings.
``(2) Optimizing lead time and providing actionable
information beyond one hour in advance.
``(3) Transitioning from warn-on-detection to warn-on-
forecast.
``(c) Innovative Observations.--The Under Secretary shall
ensure the program under subsection (a) periodically
examines, tests, and evaluates the value of incorporating
innovative observations, such as novel sensor technologies,
observation tools or networks, crewed or uncrewed systems,
and hosted instruments on commercial aircrafts, vessels, and
satellites, with respect to the improvement of tornado
forecasts, predictions, and warnings.
``(d) Activities.--The Under Secretary shall award grants
for research, including relating to the following:
``(1) Implementing key goals and achieving program
milestones to the maximum extent practicable as outlined by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2019
report, `Tornado Warning Improvement and Extension Program
Plan'.
``(2) In coordination with the National Science and
Technology Council's Social and Behavioral Sciences
Subcommittee, improving the social, behavioral, risk,
communication, and economic sciences regarding
vulnerabilities, risk communication, and delivery of
information critical for reducing the loss of life or
property related to tornadoes.
``(3) Improving the physical sciences, computer modeling,
and tools related to tornado formation, the impacts of
tornadoes on the built and natural environment, and the
interaction of tornadoes and hurricanes.
``(e) Warnings.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Under
Secretary, in coordination with the program established under
section 406, shall--
``(1) conduct and transition to operations the research
necessary to develop and deploy probabilistic weather
forecast guidance technology for tornadoes and related
weather phenomena;
``(2) incorporate into tornado modeling and forecasting, as
appropriate, social, behavioral, risk, communication, and
economic sciences;
``(3) enhance workforce training on radar interpretation
and use of tornado warning systems; and
``(4) expand computational resources to support higher-
resolution modeling to advance the capability for warn-on-
forecast.
``(f) Tornado Rating System.--The Under Secretary, in
collaboration with local communities and emergency managers,
shall--
``(1) evaluate the system used as of the date of the
enactment of this section to rate the severity of tornadoes;
``(2) determine whether updates to such system are required
to ensure such ratings accurately reflect the severity of
tornados; and
``(3) if determined necessary, update such system.
``(g) Annual Budget.--The Under Secretary shall, not less
frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed
budget corresponding with carrying out this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
of 2017 is amended by amending the item relating to section
103 to read as follows:
``Sec. 103. Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes
Experiment (VORTEX).''.
SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
Section 104 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8514) is amended to read as
follows:
``SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration
with the United States weather industry and academic
partners, shall maintain a program to improve hurricane
forecasting, predictions, and warnings.
``(b) Goal.--The goal of the program under subsection (a)
shall be to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts,
predictions, and warnings in order to reduce the loss of life
or property related to hurricanes, with a focus on the
following:
``(1) Improving the understanding and prediction of rapid
intensity change and projected path of hurricanes, including
probabilistic methods for hurricane hazard mapping.
``(2) Improving the forecast and impact-based communication
of inland flooding, compound flooding, and storm surges from
hurricanes, in coordination with the program established
under section 205 of the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of
2023.
``(3) Incorporating social, behavioral, risk,
communication, and economic sciences to clearly inform
response to prevent the loss of life or property, such as
evacuation or shelter in place.
``(4) Evaluating and incorporating, as appropriate,
innovative observations, such as novel sensor technologies,
observation tools or networks, crewed or uncrewed systems,
and hosted instruments on commercial aircrafts, vessels, and
satellites.
``(c) Activities.--The Under Secretary shall award grants
for research, including relating to the following:
``(1) Implementing key strategies and following priorities
and objectives outlined by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's 2019 report `Hurricane Forecast
Improvement Program'.
``(2) In coordination with the National Science and
Technology Council's Social and Behavioral Sciences
Subcommittee and other relevant interagency committees,
improving the social, behavioral, risk, communications, and
economic sciences related to vulnerabilities, risk
communication, and delivery of information critical for
reducing the loss of life or property related to hurricanes.
``(3) Improving the physical sciences, operational
modeling, and tools related to hurricane formation, the
impacts of wind and water-based hurricane hazards on the
built and natural environment, and the interaction of
hurricanes and tornadoes.
``(d) Warnings.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Under
Secretary, in coordination with the program established under
section 406, shall--
``(1) conduct and transition to operations the research
necessary to develop and deploy probabilistic weather
forecast guidance technology relating to hurricanes and
related weather phenomena;
``(2) incorporate into hurricane modeling and forecasting,
as appropriate, social, behavioral, risk, communication, and
economic sciences research; and
``(3) expand computational resources to support and improve
higher-resolution operational modeling of hurricanes and
related weather phenomena.
``(e) Annual Budget.--The Under Secretary shall, not less
frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed
budget corresponding with carrying out this section.''.
SEC. 105. TSUNAMI WARNING AND EDUCATION ACT REAUTHORIZATION.
(a) Title Heading.--The Tsunami Warning and Education Act
(enacted as title VIII of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006
(Public Law 109-479)) is amended in the title heading, by
inserting ``RESEARCH,'' after ``WARNING,''.
(b) Purposes.--Section 803 of the Tsunami Warning and
Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3202) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``timeliness and''
before ``accuracy'';
[[Page H2660]]
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(3) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(9) to ensure data and metadata are managed, archived,
and made available for operations, research, education, and
mitigation activities in accordance with section 305 of the
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.''.
(c) Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Program.--Section 804
of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3203) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``, using industry and
scientific best practices,'' after ``operational condition'';
(B) in paragraph (5)--
(i) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``global seismic
network'' and inserting ``Global Seismic Network'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (D), (E), (F), and (G),
as subparagraphs (E), (F), (G), and (H), respectively; and
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following new
subparagraph:
``(D) the global navigation satellite system (GNSS)
network;'';
(C) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
``(6) ensure data quality and management systems, support
data and metadata access and archiving, and support the
requirements of the program pursuant to the Foundations for
Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-435)
and chapter 31 of title 44, United States Code;'';
(D) in paragraph (7)--
(i) by amending the matter preceding subparagraph (A) to
read as follows: ``include a cooperative effort among the
Administration, the United States Geological Survey (USGS),
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and
the National Science Foundation (NSF) under which the
Director of USGS, the Director of the NSF, and the
Administrator of NASA shall--'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(C) provide reliable and real-time support for the GNSS
network data streams from NSF, NASA, and USGS maintained
networks, and supplement instrumentation coverage for rapid
earthquake assessment;
``(D) assess the data and information relating to warning
systems of collaborating agencies for potential utilization
in NOAA's warning system, taking into consideration
advancement in research and technology;
``(E) incorporate, as practicable, tsunami notifications
and warnings in the USGS Earthquake Early Warning System; and
``(F) incorporate, as practicable, preliminary analysis or
data from the National Earthquake Information Center
regarding the source and magnitude of an offshore earthquake
within five minutes of detection;'';
(E) in paragraph (8)--
(i) by inserting `` and decision support aides'' after
``graphical warning products,''; and
(ii) by inserting ``-prone'' after ``tsunami'';
(F) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(G) in paragraph (10), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(H) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(11) update tsunami inundation maps, models, or other
geographic products, in order to best support, as
appropriate, relevant agencies with tsunami mitigation and
recovery activities.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and redesignating paragraphs
(2) and (3) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; and
(B) in paragraph (1), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``the Atlantic Ocean, including the
Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, that are determined--'' and
inserting ``the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans,
including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, that are
determined to pose significant risks of tsunami for States
and United States territories along the coastal areas of such
regions; and''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(3) by redesignating subsections (d), (e), (f), and (g) as
subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively;
(4) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new
subsection:
``(d) Tsunami Warning Alert Level Evaluation.--The
Administrator, in collaboration with social scientists,
emergency personnel, and high-risk communities, shall--
``(1) evaluate tsunami alert levels terminology, timing,
and effectiveness;
``(2) determine if such alerts produce the desired response
and understanding from possible tsunami-prone communities;
and
``(3) if necessary, update the alert level system for
increased effectiveness.'';
(5) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``responsible for Alaska, the continental United States,
Hawaii, United States territories, and international entities
the Administrator determines appropriate'' before the period;
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``which is primarily
responsible for Alaska and the continental United States'';
and
(iii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``, which is
primarily responsible for Hawaii, the Caribbean, and other
areas of the Pacific not covered by the National Center'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``current,'' after
``sea level,'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and volcanic
eruptions'' and inserting ``volcanic eruptions, or other
sources'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``buoy data and
tidal'' and inserting ``and coastal'';
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``Integrated Ocean
Observing System of the Administration'' and inserting
``United States and global ocean and coastal observing
system'';
(v) in subparagraph (H), by inserting ``monitoring needs,''
after ``response,''; and
(vi) by amending subparagraph (I) to read as follows:
``(I) Providing a Tsunami Warning Coordinator to coordinate
with partners and stakeholders products and services of the
centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1).'';
(C) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows:
``(3) Fail-safe warning capability.--The Administrator
shall support and maintain fail-safe warning capability for
the tsunami warning centers supported or maintained under
paragraph (1), and such centers shall conduct at least one
service back up drill biannually.'';
(D) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by amending the matter preceding subparagraph (A) to
read as follows: ``The Administrator shall coordinate with
the weather forecast offices of the National Weather Service,
the centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1), and
such national and regional program offices of the
Administration as the Administrator or the coordinating
committee, as established in section 805(b), consider
appropriate to ensure that regional and local weather
forecast offices--'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) conduct education and outreach efforts to help
prepare coastal communities for tsunami hazards.'';
(E) in paragraph (5)--
(i) in the section heading, by striking ``Uniform'' and
inserting ``Standardized'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``uniform'' and
inserting ``standardized'';
(iii) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking ``uniform'' and
inserting ``standardized'';
(iv) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(v) in subparagraph (E), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(F) align the analytic techniques and methodologies of
the existing tsunami warning centers supported or maintained
under paragraph (1) to ensure seamless continuity of
operations and mitigate risk of operational failure by
prioritizing investments that include--
``(i) replacing end of life equipment;
``(ii) ensuring product consistency;
``(iii) enabling consistent operational process for backup
capabilities;
``(iv) mitigating existing operational security risks; and
``(v) meeting information security requirements specified
in chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code.''; and
(F) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(7) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this paragraph and annually thereafter until
such time as all relevant requirements have been satisfied,
the Administrator shall provide to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate an update briefing on the progress of the following:
``(A) Standardizing products and procedures under paragraph
(5), including tsunami assessments, forecast guidance, and
related products.
``(B) Migrating the message generation systems of the
centers supported or maintained under paragraph (1) to the
Advanced Weather Information Processing Systems, or successor
systems.
``(C) The structural reorganization effort, if necessary,
to align such centers' organizational charts.
``(D) The expected timeline for the full completion of
standardizing such centers' products and procedures.'';
(6) in subsection (f), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``detect, measure, and'' after ``used to'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and the Advanced
National Seismic System'' and inserting ``the Advanced
National Seismic System, and the global navigation satellite
system (GNSS); and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) ensure research is coordinated with tsunami warning
operations;''; and
(B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``according to industry
best practices'' before the period; and
[[Page H2661]]
(7) in subsection (h)(2)(A), as so redesignated, by
striking ``accuracy of the tsunami model used'' and inserting
``timeliness and accuracy of the forecast used to issue the
warning''.
(d) National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program.--Section
805(c) of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C.
3204(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), (F),
and (G) as subparagraphs (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), and (H),
respectively;
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraph:
``(B) Coastal digital elevation models (DEMs) to support
the development of inundation maps.''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(I) Evaluation of the variation of inundation impact
resulting from tsunami-driven sediment transport.
``(J) Evaluation of tsunami debris impact on critical
infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 1016(e) of
Public Law 107-56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))) and lifelines.
``(K) High-resolution and high-quality digital elevation
models needed for at-risk coastlines, ports, and harbors,
particularly for regions not covered by existing inundation
maps.''; and
(2) in paragraph (7)(C), by inserting ``and behavioral''
after ``social'';
(e) Tsunami Research Program.--Section 806 of the Tsunami
Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3205) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``section 805(d)'' and inserting ``section
805(b)''; and
(B) by inserting ``and management'' after ``data
collection'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``deployment and'' after
``may include'';
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``social science
research'' and inserting ``social and behavioral science
research, including data collection,'';
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (7); and
(E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraphs:
``(5) develop decision support tools;
``(6) leverage and prioritize research opportunities;
and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Research and Development Plan.--Not later than 12
months after the date of the enactment of this subsection and
not less frequently than every 36 months thereafter, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Interagency Council
for Advancing Meteorological Services, shall develop a
research and development and research to operations plan to
improve tsunami detection and forecasting capabilities that--
``(1) identifies and prioritizes research and development
priorities to satisfy section 804;
``(2) identifies key research needs for better detecting
tsunamis that may occur in open ocean and along the
coastlines of the United States and its territories, improve
forecasting of tsunamis that are not seismically driven, and
other opportunities determined appropriate;
``(3) develops plans for transitioning research to
operations; and
``(4) identifies collaboration opportunities that may
further and align tsunami research, development, warnings,
and operations between the centers supported or maintained
under section 804, the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation
Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Center for Tsunami Research, the National Science Foundation,
the United States Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, institutions of higher education, private
entities, stakeholders, and others determined appropriate.'';
(f) Global Tsunami Warning and Mitigation Network.--Section
807(d) of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C.
3206(d)) is amended by inserting ``and management'' after
``data sharing'';
(g) Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel.--Section
808(b)(1) of the Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C.
3206a(b)(1)) is amended by inserting ``and behavioral'' after
``social'';
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 809 of the
Tsunami Warning and Education Act (33 U.S.C. 3207) is amended
to read as follows:
``SEC. 809. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Administrator to carry out this title $30,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2024 through 2028, of which--
``(1) not less than 27 percent of the amount appropriated
for each fiscal year shall be for activities conducted at the
State level under the national tsunami hazard mitigation
program under section 805; and
``(2) not less than 8 percent of the amount appropriated
shall be for the tsunami research program under section
806.''.
SEC. 106. OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING.
Section 106 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8516) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by inserting ``Federal'' before ``observing
capabilities''; and
(B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(2) in paragraph (4)--
(A) by inserting ``, including private sector partnerships
or commercial acquisition,'' after ``options''; and
(B) by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(5) compare costs and schedule, including cost-benefit
analysis, of Federal and private sector supplemental options
to fill the observation data requirements under paragraph (1)
and gaps identified pursuant to paragraph (3); and
``(6) not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this paragraph, submit to Congress a report that
provides an analysis of the technical, schedule, cost, and
cost benefit analyses to place an operational polar-orbiting
environmental satellite capability in the early morning orbit
to support the weather enterprise and the Administration's
mission.''.
SEC. 107. OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS.
Section 107 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8517) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``providing data''
and inserting ``comparison to current or experimental
commercial system capabilities that provide data'';
(2) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``, including polar-
orbiting and geostationary satellite systems,'';
(3) by striking subsection (d); and
(4) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d).
SEC. 108. COMPUTING RESOURCES PRIORITIZATION.
Section 108 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8518) is amended by
striking subsection (a)(3)(C) and all that follows through
subsection (b)(7) and inserting the following new
subsections:
``(b) Computing Research Initiative.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration
with the Secretary of Energy, shall carry out an initiative,
which may leverage Department of Energy high performance
computers, cloud computing, or expertise, to run advanced
coupled models in order to conduct proof of concept scenarios
in comparison with current issued forecasts and models. The
Under Secretary and Secretary of Energy shall carry out the
initiative through a competitive, merit-reviewed process, and
consider applications from Federal agencies, National
Laboratories, institutions of higher education (as such term
is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1001)), nonprofit institutions, and other
appropriate entities (or a consortia thereof).
``(2) Components.--In carrying out the initiative under
paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall prevent duplication
and coordinate research efforts in artificial intelligence,
high performance computing, cloud computing, quantum
computing, modeling and simulation, machine learning, data
assimilation, large scale data analytics, and predictive
analysis across the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and may--
``(A) conduct research to compare National Weather Service
forecast and model outputs to predictions and model outputs
developed through such initiative;
``(B) share relevant modeling system and applications
innovations developed through such initiative, including
Unified Forecast System-based applications, through
community-based activities, in accordance with section 10601
of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2023 (15 U.S.C. 8512a);
``(C) leverage coordinating activities managed by the
National Science and Technology Council, the Interagency
Council for Advancing Meteorological Services, and other
relevant interagency entities;
``(D) provide sufficient capacity for long-term archive and
access of model output to support research and long-term
study;
``(E) determine computing decisions based on an agile
requirements framework; and
``(F) support the training, recruitment, and retention of
the next generation weather, water, and climate computing
workforce through incentives and pathways for career
development and employment opportunities.
``(3) Research security.--The activities authorized under
this section shall be applied in a manner consistent with
subtitle D of title VI of the Research and Development,
Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of
Public Law 117-167; 42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).
``(4) Termination.--The authority under this subsection
shall terminate five years after the date of the enactment of
this subsection.
``(c) Artificial Intelligence Investments.--The Under
Secretary shall leverage artificial intelligence and machine
learning technologies to facilitate, optimize, and further
leverage advanced computing to accomplish critical missions
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by
enhancing existing and forthcoming high-performance and cloud
computing infrastructure or systems.
``(d) Centers of Excellence.--The Under Secretary may
expand, and where applicable establish, centers of excellence
to aid the adoption of next-generation artificial
intelligence and machine learning enabled advanced computing
capabilities. Each such center may carry out activities that
include the following:
``(1) Leveraging robust public-private partnership models
to provide access to training,
[[Page H2662]]
experience, and long-term development of workforce and
infrastructure.
``(2) Developing and optimizing tools, libraries,
algorithms, data structures, and other supporting software
necessary for specific applications on high performance
computing systems.
``(3) Applying modern artificial intelligence, deep
machine-learning, and advanced data analysis technologies to
address current and future mission challenges.
``(4) To the maximum extent practicable, explore quantum
computing and related application partnerships with public,
private, and academic entities to improve the accuracy and
resolution of weather predictions.
``(e) Multi-Year Contracts.--The Under Secretary may enter
into multi-year contracts in accordance with section 3903 of
title 41, United States Code, and shall ensure compliance
with all clauses provided in such section to support
operations, research, and development related to high
performance and cloud computing infrastructure or systems
with an unfunded contingent liability in the event of
cancellation.
``(f) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of
the enactment of this subsection, the Under Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate a report evaluating the
following:
``(1) The effectiveness of the initiative required under
subsection (b), including applied research discoveries and
advanced modeling improvements achieved.
``(2) A best estimate of the overall value of high-
resolution probabilistic forecast guidance for hazardous
weather or water events (as such term is defined in section
406) using a next-generation weather forecast and warning
framework.
``(3) The needs for cloud computing, quantum computing, or
high-performance computing, visualization, and dissemination
collaboration between the Department of Energy and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
``(4) A timeline and guidance for implementation of the
following:
``(A) High-resolution numerical weather prediction models.
``(B) Methods for meeting the cloud computing, quantum
computing, or high-performance computing, visualization, and
dissemination needs identified under paragraph (3).''.
SEC. 109. EARTH PREDICTION INNOVATION CENTER.
Paragraph (5) of section 102(b) of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512(b)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the
following new subparagraphs:
``(E) developing community weather research modeling
systems that--
``(i) are accessible by the public in accordance with
section 10601 of the James M. Inhofe National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (15 U.S.C. 8512a) and
available for archive and long-term study;
``(ii) meet basic end-user requirements for running on
public computers and networks located outside of secure
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration information
and technology systems;
``(iii) utilize, whenever appropriate and cost-effective,
innovative strategies and methods, including cloud-based
computing capabilities, for hosting and management of part or
all of the system described in this subparagraph;
``(iv) utilize modeling systems that allow for
interoperability with new model components, modules, and
next-generation software and coding languages;
``(v) allow for open testing and integration of promising
operational model improvements from the broader community;
``(vi) access as close to a real-time basis as possible
operational data and metadata, including commercially
purchased data for use in Earth Prediction Innovation Center
research and development testing grounds pursuant to
redistribution restrictions, licensing agreements, and
applicable existing laws and regulations; and
``(vii) provide supported and portable versions of the
unified forecast system, including applications for
hurricane, space weather, ocean, cryosphere, air quality, and
coastal models, that can reproduce current operational global
and regional model prediction; and
``(F) establishing a National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Data Lake, to be maintained by the
Administration, a commercial partner, or non-profit entity,
that consolidates and maintains a publicly available and
continuously updated collection of data and metadata used in
numerical weather prediction for use in the Earth Prediction
Innovation Center's model testing, pursuant to redistribution
restrictions, licensing agreements, and applicable existing
laws and regulations.''.
SEC. 110. SATELLITE ARCHITECTURE PLANNING.
Section 301 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8531) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and
redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (1),
(2), and (3), respectively;
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Satellite Systems and Data.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall maintain a
fleet of Administration space-based observation platforms
that provide critical operations-focused data and information
to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's mission to monitor the global environment in
order to protect lives and property from extreme weather and
other natural phenomena.
``(2) Collaboration.--The Under Secretary shall implement
recommendations from the NOAA Observing Systems Council to
ensure an appropriate mix of government, academic, commercial
sector, and international partnerships in the provision of
data and information, including a broadened effort on data
acquisition through the Commercial Data Program under section
302 when cost effective and beneficial to the Administration.
``(3) Priority.--The Under Secretary shall ensure that
Administration platforms maintained under paragraph (1)
prioritize the development of products and services that are
tailored to meet the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's mission.
``(4) National centers for environmental information.--The
Under Secretary shall maintain the National Centers for
Environmental Information to provide a long-term archive and
access to the Administration's national and global data and
metadata.''; and
(3) in subsection (f)(1), by striking ``2023'' and
inserting ``2030''.
SEC. 111. IMPROVING UNCREWED ACTIVITIES.
Subparagraph (G) of section 102(b)(3) of the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C.
8512(b)(3)) is amended by striking ``, including commercial
observing systems'' and inserting ``, including stationary
and mobile commercial observing systems, such as uncrewed
aircraft and marine systems, to provide observations of the
atmosphere and ocean, and other observations, in cooperation
with the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations''.
SEC. 112. INTERAGENCY COUNCIL FOR ADVANCING METEOROLOGICAL
SERVICES.
(a) In General.--Section 402 of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8542) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``Advancing Weather Services'' and
inserting ``Advancing Meteorological Services (in this
section referred to as the `Interagency Council')''; and
(B) by striking ``Committee'' each place it appears and
inserting ``Council'';
(2) by amending subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:
``(b) Co-Chairs.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy and the Under Secretary shall serve as co-
chairs of the Interagency Council. The Under Secretary shall
serve as the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology.
``(c) Further Coordination.--The Director of the Office of
Science and Technology Policy shall take such steps as are
necessary to coordinate the activities of the Federal
Government with stakeholders in the United States weather
industry, academic partners, State governments, and emergency
managers, including by implementing mechanisms to encourage
and enable the participation of non-Federal employees in the
functions of the Interagency Council.'';
(3) by adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(d) Functions.--The Interagency Council shall be the
formal mechanism by which all relevant Federal departments
and agencies coordinate implementation of policy and
practices to ensure United States global leadership in
meteorological services. In doing so, the Interagency Council
shall review programs and support relevant weather research
and forecast innovation activities, as well as other related
implementation activities, related to Federal meteorological
services, including by carrying out the following:
``(1) Identifying and helping prioritize meteorological
research and service delivery needs, including relating to
observations, operational systems, communications, and
infrastructure.
``(2) Providing recommendations to streamline or
consolidate activities and develop greater efficiencies in
cross-agency activities.
``(3) Leveraging Earth system science research outcomes of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other
relevant Federal departments and agencies, including research
outcomes related to the relevant recommended key science and
applications questions and priorities in the National
Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's 2018
report `Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy
for Earth Observation from Space', to understand and predict
high-impact weather phenomena.
``(4) Facilitating the expansion and strengthening of
partnerships with private sector entities to advance
meteorological research, communications, and computing in
collaboration with the Earth system science, service, and
stakeholder communities.
``(5) Sharing information regarding meteorological research
improvement needs and science opportunities across relevant
Federal departments and agencies.
``(6) Providing advice to all relevant Federal departments
and agencies regarding potential collaborations and expected
level of
[[Page H2663]]
resources needed to maintain and operate the Interagency
Council.
``(7) Enhancing communication and coordination and
promoting sharing within relevant Federal departments and
agencies and across the Interagency Council.
``(8) Developing, recruiting, and sustaining a professional
and diverse workforce for meteorological research and
services.
``(e) Data Inventory.--The Interagency Council, in
coordination and avoidance of duplication with the United
States Group on Earth Observations, shall promote data and
metadata access and archive activities to increase
accessibility, interoperability, and reusability by
maintaining a data inventory of meteorological observations.
Not less frequently than annually for a period of five years
beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection,
the Interagency Council shall solicit updated information
from private sector entities identifying current and near
future sources of such data. Such data shall be made
available to member departments and agencies under subsection
(a).
``(f) Coordination Office.--The Interagency Meteorological
Coordination Office shall provide to the Interagency Council
such administrative and logistical support as the Interagency
Council may require, as determined by the co-chairs.
``(g) Cost Share.--Member departments and agencies of the
Interagency Council under subsection (a) may provide
reimbursable financial support to the Interagency
Meteorological Coordinating Office to enhance cost-sharing
and collaboration related to weather research and forecast
innovation activities.
``(h) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter, the
Interagency Council shall publish a report which identifies
among member agencies the following:
``(1) Federal programs that use meteorological
observations, data sources, and capabilities.
``(2) Federal programs that acquire such data from private
sector entities.
``(3) Advancements in meteorological data collection,
assimilation, and forecasting that could improve Federal
programmatic operational capabilities.
``(4) Barriers to acquiring meteorological observations,
data sources, and capabilities that could be used to better
meet Federal programmatic needs.''.
(b) References.--Any reference to the Interagency Committee
for Advancing Weather Services in any law, rule, regulation,
paper, record, map, or other such document of the United
States shall be deemed to be a reference to the Interagency
Council for Advancing Meteorological Services.
SEC. 113. OCEAN OBSERVATIONS.
Subsection (b) of section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal
and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3603) is
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) Ships of opportunity pilot program.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the heads of relevant Federal departments and agencies,
shall, subject to relevant regulations and certifications,
maintain pilot programs or projects to contract with research
or commercial ship operators for data collection and assess
the potential costs, benefits, and viability of a global
network of ocean and atmospheric observing instruments
operating on research or commercial ocean vessels, including
in the Arctic, in order to supplement the Integrated Coastal,
Great Lakes, and Ocean Observation System in improving
understanding of coastal and ocean systems and their
relationships to human activities.
``(B) Standards and specifications.--The Administrator
shall ensure that data acquired through the pilot program
established pursuant to subparagraph (A) meets the most
recent standards and specifications required for observation
services and data as published pursuant to subsection (c) of
section 302 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017.
``(C) Report.--Not later than five years after the date of
the enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator, in
consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall
submit to Congress a report on the requirements for a global
network of ocean and atmospheric instruments operating on
research or commercial ocean vessels for measurement and data
transmission.
``(D) Sunset.--This paragraph shall terminate on the
earlier of--
``(i) September 30, 2029; or
``(ii) one year after the date on which the report required
under subparagraph (B) is submitted by the Administrator.''.
SEC. 114. CONSOLIDATION OF REPORTS.
(a) Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of
2017.--
(1) In general.--The Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 is amended--
(A) in section 102 (15 U.S.C. 8512), by striking subsection
(d);
(B) by amending section 105 (15 U.S.C. 8515) to read as
follows:
``SEC. 105. WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.
``Not later than two years after the date of the enactment
of this section and not less frequently than semiannually
thereafter, the Under Secretary, acting through the Assistant
Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and in
coordination with the Director of the National Weather
Service and the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and
Information Services, shall issue a research and development
and research to operations plan to maintain United States
leadership in numerical weather prediction and forecasting
that--
``(1) describes the forecasting skill and technology goals,
objectives, expected budget, and progress of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in carrying out the
program conducted under section 102;
``(2) identifies and prioritizes specific research and
development activities, data collection and analysis,
predictive modeling, demonstration of potential operational
forecast application, education, training, and performance
metrics, weighted to meet the operational weather and flood-
event mission of the National Weather Service to achieve a
weather-ready Nation;
``(3) describes how the program conducted under section 102
will collaborate with Federal agencies and departments,
international partners, and stakeholders, including the
United States weather industry and academic partners, and the
role of each in advancing weather forecasting and
communication;
``(4) identifies, through consultation with the National
Science Foundation, the United States weather industry, and
academic partners, research necessary to advance the
scientific understanding of weather processes and provide
information to improve weather warning and forecast systems
in the United States most effectively; and
``(5) describes how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration is advancing community weather modeling.'';
(C) in section 403 (15 U.S.C. 8543)--
(i) in subsection (a), by inserting ``the'' after
``Director of''; and
(ii) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(d) Annual Briefing.--Not less frequently than once each
year, the Under Secretary shall brief the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives on participation in the program under
subsection (a) and shall highlight any innovations that come
from the interaction described in subsection (b).''; and
(D) by striking sections 408 through 411 and section 414
and redesignating sections 412 and 413 as sections 408 and
409, respectively.
(2) Clerical amendments.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
of 2017 is amended by striking the items relating to sections
408 through 414 and inserting the following new items:
``Sec. 408. Weather enterprise outreach.
``Sec. 409. Hurricane hunter aircraft.''.
(b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Authorization Act of 1992.--The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (Public
Law 102-567) is amended--
(1) in section 106, by striking subsection (c) (15 U.S.C.
1537); and
(2) in section 108 (15 U.S.C. 8520)--
(A) by striking subsection (b); and
(B) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
SEC. 115. NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT
REAUTHORIZATION.
The National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3101 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 3 (43 U.S.C. 3102)--
(A) in subsection (a)(3), by striking ``protect'' and
inserting ``contribute to protecting'';
(B) in subsection (b)(1)(C)(ii), by striking ``implement''
and inserting ``disseminate'';
(C) in subsection (c)(2), by adding at the end the
following:
``(J) The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.''; and
(D) in subsection (h), by striking ``2024'' and inserting
``2029''; and
(2) in section 5 (43 U.S.C. 3104)--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``and derivative''
after ``3D elevation''; and
(ii) in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting ``, process, and
integrate'' after ``acquire'';
(B) in subsection (b)(3)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as
subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and
(ii) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) the 3D Hydrography Program Working Group;'';
(C) in subsection (d)(3), by striking ``publically'' and
inserting ``publicly''; and
(D) in subsection (e), by striking ``2024'' and inserting
``2029''.
SEC. 116. AMENDMENTS TO HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA
RESEARCH AND CONTROL ACT OF 1998.
(a) Assessments.--Section 603 of the Harmful Algal Bloom
and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (13) and (14) as paragraphs
(14) and (15); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following new
paragraph:
``(13) the Department of Energy;'';
(2) by striking subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), (h), and
(i) and redesignating subsections (f) and (g) as subsections
(b) and (c), respectively;
(3) in subsection (b), as so redesignated--
[[Page H2664]]
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``coastal waters
including the Great Lakes'' and inserting ``marine,
estuarine, and freshwater systems''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) examine the causes and ecological consequences of
hypoxia on marine and aquatic species in their natural
environments, and socio-cultural or economic costs of
hypoxia, including impacts on food safety and security;'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as
subparagraphs (D) through (F), respectively;
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraphs:
``(B) examine the effect of other environmental stressors
on hypoxia;
``(C) evaluate alternatives for reducing, mitigating, and
controlling hypoxia and its environmental impacts;'';
(iv) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by inserting
``, social,'' after ``ecological''; and
(v) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, by striking
``hypoxia modeling and monitoring data'' and inserting
``hypoxia modeling, forecasting, and monitoring and
observation data''; and
(4) in subsection (c), as so redesignated, to read as
follows:
``(c) Action Strategy and Scientific Assessment for Marine
and Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms.--
``(1) Not less often than once every 5 years, the Task
Force shall complete and submit to Congress an action
strategy, including a scientific assessment, of harmful algal
blooms in the United States (in this Act referred to as the
`Action Strategy'). Each such Action Strategy, including
scientific assessment, shall examine both marine and
freshwater harmful algal blooms, including those in the Great
Lakes and upper reaches of estuaries, those in freshwater
lakes and rivers, and those that originate in freshwater
lakes or rivers and migrate to coastal waters.
``(2) Each Action Strategy under this subsection shall--
``(A) examine the causes and ecological consequences, and
the socio-cultural or economic costs, including impacts food
safety and security, of harmful algal blooms;
``(B) examine the effect of other environmental stressors
on harmful algal blooms;
``(C) examine potential methods to prevent, control, and
mitigate harmful algal blooms and the potential ecological,
social, cultural, and economic costs and benefits of such
methods;
``(D) identify priorities for research needed to advance
techniques and technologies to detect, predict, monitor,
respond to, and minimize the occurrence, duration, and
severity of harmful algal blooms, including recommendations
to eliminate significant gaps in harmful algal bloom
forecasting, monitoring, and observation data;
``(E) evaluate progress made by, and the needs of, Task
Force activities and actions to prevent, control, and
mitigate harmful algal blooms;
``(F) identify ways to improve coordination and prevent
unnecessary duplication of effort among Federal departments
and agencies with respect to research on harmful algal
blooms;
``(G) include regional chapters relating to the
requirements described in this paragraph in order to
highlight geographically and ecologically diverse locations
with significant ecological, social, cultural, and economic
impacts from harmful algal blooms; and
``(H) define methodology used to determine ecological,
social, cultural and economic impacts from harmful algal
blooms and hypoxia.''.
(b) Consultations.--Section 102 of the Harmful Algal Bloom
and Hypoxia Amendments Act of 2004 (33 U.S.C. 4001a) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``the coastal'';
(2) by inserting ``and'' after ``Indian tribes,'';
(3) by inserting ``and'' after ``local governments,''; and
(4) by striking ``with expertise in coastal zone science
and management'' and inserting ``with relevant expertise''.
(c) National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program.--
Section 603A of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research
and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4002) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``predicting,'' and inserting ``monitoring,
observing, forecasting,''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``comprehensive research plan and action
strategy under section 603B'' and inserting ``Action
Strategy, including scientific assessment, under section
603(c)''; and
(ii) by striking the period and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(3) the scientific assessment under section 603(b).'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``ocean and Great Lakes''
and inserting ``marine, estuarine, and freshwater systems'';
and
(B) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``while recognizing each
agency is acting under its own independent mission and
authority'' before the semicolon;
(3) in subsection (d), by striking ``Except as provided in
subsection (h), the'' and inserting ``The'';
(4) in subsection (e)--
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) examine, in collaboration with State and local
entities and Indian Tribes, including island communities,
low-population rural communities, Indigenous communities,
subsistence communities, fisheries, and recreation industries
that are most dependent on coastal and water resources that
may be impacted by marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms
and hypoxia, the causes, ecological consequences, cultural
impacts, and social and economic costs of harmful algal
blooms and hypoxia;'';
(B) by striking paragraph (3);
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) as
paragraphs (3), (4), and (5), respectively;
(D) in paragraph (3), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``to, regional'' and inserting ``to
regional''; and
(ii) by striking ``agencies'' and inserting ``entities, and
regional coastal observing systems (as such term is defined
in section 12330(6) of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean
Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3602(6)))'';
(E) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by inserting
``and communities'' after ``ecosystems'';
(F) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new
paragraph:
``(6) support sustained observations, including through
peer-reviewed, merit-based, competitive grant funding, to
provide State and local entities, Indian Tribes, and others
access to real-time or near real-time observation data for
decision-making to protect human and ecological health and
local economies;'';
(G) in paragraph (8), by striking ``State and local'' and
inserting ``State, local, and Tribal''; and
(H) in paragraph (9)(A), by striking ``tribal'' and
inserting ``Tribal'';
(5) by amending subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:
``(f) Cooperative Efforts.--The Under Secretary shall work
cooperatively with and avoid duplication of effort of other
agencies on the Task Force, and with and of States, Indian
tribes, and nongovernmental organizations concerned with
marine and freshwater issues, and shall coordinate harmful
algal bloom and hypoxia and related activities and research.
``(g) Freshwater and Estuarine Program Duties.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall--
``(A) with respect to freshwater aspects of the Program, in
coordination with the Task Force, carry out the duties under
subsection (e) through the activities required under section
603C; and
``(B) with respect to estuarine aspects of the Program,
coordinate with the Under Secretary to carry out activities
required under this section.
``(2) Nonduplication.--The Administrator shall ensure that
activities carried out under this subsection focus on new
approaches to addressing freshwater harmful algal blooms and
are not duplicative of existing research and development
programs authorized under this Act or any other law.''; and
(6) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
``(h) Anti-Deficiency Act Applied to Harmful Algal Bloom
Services.--Any services by an officer or employee under this
title relating to the immediate development and dissemination
of the Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System of the
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be considered,
for purposes of section 1342 of title 31, United States Code,
services for emergencies involving the safety of human life
or the protection of property. Such consideration shall only
apply to areas with active harmful algal blooms during any
lapse in appropriations beginning on or after the date of the
enactment of this subsection.''.
(d) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Activities.--
(1) In general.--Section 603B of the Harmful Algal Bloom
and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4003)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 603B. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
ACTIVITIES.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall--
``(1) carry out marine, coastal, and Great Lakes harmful
algal bloom and hypoxia events response activities;
``(2) develop and enhance operational harmful algal bloom
observing and forecasting programs, including operational
observations and forecasting, monitoring, modeling, data
management, and information dissemination;
``(3) maintain and enhance peer-reviewed, merit-based,
competitive grant funding relating to harmful algal blooms
and hypoxia to--
``(A) maintain and enhance baseline monitoring programs
established by the Program;
``(B) support the projects maintained and established by
the Program;
``(C) address the research and management needs and
priorities identified in the Action Strategy under section
603(c);
``(D) accelerate the utilization of effective methods of
intervention and mitigation to
[[Page H2665]]
reduce the frequency, severity, and impacts of harmful algal
bloom and hypoxia events;
``(E) identify opportunities to improve monitoring of
harmful algal bloom and hypoxia, with a particular focus on
coastal waters that may affect fisheries, public health, or
subsistence harvest;
``(F) examine the effects of other environmental stressors
on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
``(G) assess the effects of multiple environmental
stressors on living marine resources and coastal ecosystems;
and
``(H) evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies to
address the impacts of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia;
``(4) enhance communication and coordination among Federal
agencies carrying out marine and freshwater harmful algal
bloom and hypoxia activities and research;
``(5) to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing
resources and expertise available from local research
universities and institutions; and
``(6) use cost effective methods in carrying out this
section.
``(b) Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.--The
collection of monitoring and observing data under this
section shall comply with all data standards and protocols
developed pursuant to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean
Observation System Act of 2009 (33 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.). Such
data shall be made available through the system established
under that Act.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
383) is amended by amending the item relating to section 603B
to read as follows:
``Sec. 603B. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
activities.''.
(e) Environmental Protection Agency Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia
Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) is
amended by inserting after section 603B of that Act (33
U.S.C. 4003), as amended by subsection (d), the following new
section:
``SEC. 603C. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACTIVITIES.
``The Administrator shall--
``(1) carry out research on the ecology and human health
impacts of freshwater harmful algal blooms;
``(2) develop and maintain forecasting and monitoring of,
and event response to, freshwater harmful algal blooms in
lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and estuaries (including
tributaries thereof);
``(3) enhance communication and coordination among Federal
agencies carrying out freshwater harmful algal bloom and
hypoxia activities and research;
``(4) to the greatest extent practicable, leverage existing
resources and expertise available from local research
universities and institutions; and
``(5) use cost effective methods in carrying out this
section.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
383) is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 603B, as amended by subsection (e), the following new
item:
``Sec. 603C. Environmental Protection Agency activities.''.
(f) National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Observing
Network.--
(1) In general.--Section 606 of the Harmful Algal Bloom and
Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4005) is
amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 606. NATIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM OBSERVING NETWORK.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, acting through the
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (referred to in
this section as `NCCOS') and the Integrated Ocean Observing
System (referred to in this section as `IOOS') of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall
integrate Federal, State, regional, and local observing
capabilities to establish a national network of harmful algal
bloom observing systems for the monitoring, detection, and
forecasting of harmful algal blooms by leveraging the
capacity of IOOS regional associations, including through the
incorporation of emerging technologies and new data
integration methods, such as artificial intelligence.
``(b) Coordination.-- In carrying out subsection (a), the
IOOS Program Office shall--
``(1) coordinate with NCCOS regarding observations, data
integration, and information dissemination; and
``(2) establish a Harmful Algal Bloom Data Assembly Center
to integrate, disseminate, and provide a central architecture
to support ecological forecasting.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
383) is amended by amending the item relating to section 606
to read as follows:
``Sec. 606. National harmful algal bloom observing network.''.
(g) Definitions.--Section 609 of the Harmful Algal Bloom
and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4008)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``means the comprehensive
research plan and action strategy established under section
603B'' and inserting ``means the action strategy, including
scientific assessment, for marine and freshwater harmful
algal blooms established under section 603(c)'';
(2) in paragraph (3), to read as follows:
``(3) Appropriate federal official.--The term `appropriate
Federal official' means--
``(A) in the case of marine systems or Great Lakes hypoxia
or harmful algal bloom event, including those in estuarine
areas, the Under Secretary; and
``(B) in the case of a freshwater hypoxia or harmful algal
bloom event, the Administrator, in consultation with the
Under Secretary.'';
(3) by striking paragraph (9);
(4) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), (7), and (8)
as paragraphs (6), (7), (8), (10), and (11);
(5) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraphs:
``(4) Harmful algal bloom; harmful algal bloom and hypoxia
event.--
``(A) Harmful algal bloom.--The term `harmful algal bloom'
means marine or freshwater algae or macroalgae, including
Sargassum, that proliferate to high concentrations, resulting
in nuisance conditions or harmful impacts on marine and
freshwater ecosystems, communities, or human health through
the production of toxic compounds or other biological,
chemical, or physical impacts of the algae outbreak.
``(B) Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event.--The term
`harmful algal bloom and hypoxia event' means the occurrence
of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia as a result of a natural,
anthropogenic, or undetermined cause.
``(5) Harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of
significance.--The term `harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event
of significance' means a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event
that has had or will likely have significant detrimental
environmental, economic, social, subsistence use, or public
health impacts.'';
(6) in paragraph (6), as so redesignated--
(A) by striking ``aquatic'' and inserting ``marine or
freshwater''; and
(B) by striking ``resident'' and inserting ``marine or
freshwater''; and
(7) by inserting after paragraph (8), as so redesignated,
the following new paragraph:
``(9) Subsistence use.--The term `subsistence use' means
the customary and traditional use of fish, wildlife, or other
freshwater, coastal, or marine resources by any individual or
community to meet personal or family needs, including
essential economic, nutritional, or cultural applications.''.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 610 of the
Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of
1998 (33 U.S.C. 4009) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), to read as follows:
``(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated
to the Under Secretary to carry out this title $27,500,000
for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Transfer Authority.--The Under Secretary is
authorized to make a direct non-expenditure transfer of funds
authorized to be appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) to
the head of any Federal department or agency, with the
concurrence of such head, to carry out, as appropriate,
relevant provisions of this title.''.
(i) National Level Incubator Program; Harmful Algal Bloom
or Hypoxia Event of Significance.--
(1) In general.--The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia
Research and Control Act of 1998 (33 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 611. NATIONAL LEVEL INCUBATOR PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration
with research universities and institutions, shall establish
a national level incubator program to increase the number of
available control strategies and technologies relating to
harmful algal blooms. Such incubator shall establish a
framework for preliminary assessments of novel harmful algal
bloom prevention, mitigation, and control technologies in
order to determine the potential for effectiveness and
scalability.
``(b) Operation.--The incubator established under
subsection (a) shall provide merit-based funding for harmful
algal bloom control strategies and technologies that
eliminate or reduce through biological, chemical, or physical
means the levels of harmful algae and associated toxins.
``(c) Database.--The incubator established under subsection
(a) shall include a database to catalog the licensing and
permitting requirements, economic costs, feasibility,
effectiveness, and scalability of both novel and established
prevention, control, and mitigation measures.
``(d) Prioritization.--In carrying out the incubator
established under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall
prioritize proposed activities that would, to the maximum
extent practicable--
``(1) protect key habitats for fish and wildlife;
``(2) maintain biodiversity;
``(3) protect public health;
``(4) protect coastal resources of national, historical,
and cultural significance; or
``(5) seek to partially or fully benefit communities of
color, low-income communities, Indian Tribes or Indigenous
communities, and rural communities.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 2
of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-
383) is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 610 the following new item:
[[Page H2666]]
``Sec. 611. National level incubator program.''.
(j) Harmful Algal Bloom or Hypoxia Event of Significance.--
Section 9(g) of the National Integrated Drought Information
System Reauthorization Act of 2018 (33 U.S.C. 4010(g)) is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by adding at the end the following
new sentence: ``The appropriate Federal official may waive
the non-Federal share requirements of this subsection if such
official determines no reasonable means are available through
which the recipient of the Federal share can meet the non-
Federal share requirement.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) Contract, grant, and cooperative agreement
authority.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere may enter into agreements and grants with States,
Indian Tribes, local governments, or other entities to pay
for or reimburse costs incurred for the purposes of
supporting the determination of and assessing the
environmental, economic, social, subsistence use, and public
health effects of a harmful algal bloom or hypoxia event of
significance.'';
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``, leadership
official of an affected Indian Tribe, the executive official
of the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of
the United States, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the
Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, and American Samoa,
if affected'' after ``State''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) Funding authority.--To carry out this subsection,
notwithstanding any other provision of law, there is
authorized to be appropriated from the amounts made available
to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
$2,000,000, to remain available until expended.''.
(k) Protect Families From Toxic Algal Blooms.--Section 128
of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 610
note) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following new
subsection:
``(e) Harmful Algal Bloom Technologies.--In carrying out
the demonstration program under subsection (a), the Secretary
may enter into agreements with water and irrigation districts
located in the focus areas described in subsections (c) and
(d) for the use or sale of any new technologies developed
under the program to expedite the removal of harmful algal
blooms in such areas.''.
TITLE II--ENHANCING FEDERAL WEATHER FORECASTING AND INNOVATION
SEC. 201. WEATHER INNOVATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall
establish a Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Program (in this section referred to as the ``Program'') to
ensure the continued performance of weather radar
capabilities, including systems currently being developed,
with interferences in the line of sight of such radar.
(b) Requirements.--In carrying out the Program, the Under
Secretary, in consultation with the Interagency Council for
Advancing Meteorological Services, shall--
(1) partner with the private sector, academia, Federal,
State, and local government entities, and any other entity
the Under Secretary considers appropriate;
(2) identify, evaluate, and test existing or near-
commercial technologies and solutions that improve radar
coverage and performance, including by mitigating the
potential impact of interferences on weather radar;
(3) to the maximum extent practicable, research additional
solutions that could mitigate the effects of interferences on
weather radar, such as--
(A) signal processing algorithms;
(B) short-term forecasting algorithms to replace
contaminated data;
(C) the use of dual polarization characteristics in
mitigating the effects of wind turbines on weather radar; and
(D) gap filling radars to provide supplemental or
replacement observations in impacted areas; and
(4) develop, support, or partner with developers to provide
commercially viable technical mitigation solutions for
interferences to weather radar capabilities that are
compatible with the operational requirements of the weather
radar systems.
(c) Priority.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Under
Secretary shall prioritize consideration of the following
technology-based mitigation solutions:
(1) Phased array weather radar systems.
(2) Supplementing or replacing contaminated data with
commercial radar data.
(3) The utilization of data from private sector associated
meteorological towers or similar capabilities.
(4) The display on local forecasting equipment of wind farm
boundaries and consolidated wind farm areas.
(5) The installation and provision of access to rain
gauges.
(6) Any other technology-based mitigation solution the
Under Secretary determines could improve radar coverage by
overcoming interferences, beam blockage, or ghost echoes.
(d) Report; Recommendation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than two years after the date of
the enactment of this section and annually thereafter until
the Program terminates pursuant to subsection (e), the Under
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the
implementation of the Program, including an evaluation of
each technology-based mitigation solution identified for
priority consideration pursuant to subsection (c), and a
recommendation regarding additional identification and
testing of new technologies based on such consideration.
(2) Final recommendation.--Not later than five years after
the date of the enactment of this section, the Under
Secretary shall provide to Congress a recommendation on
whether additional research, testing, and development through
the Program established under subsection (a) is needed, and a
determination of whether a cessation of field research,
testing, development and evaluation is appropriate.
(e) Termination.--The authority of the Under Secretary to
carry out the Program shall terminate on the earlier of--
(1) September 30, 2029; or
(2) one year after the date on which the final
recommendation required under subsection (d)(2) is submitted
by the Under Secretary.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Beam blockage.--The term ``beam blockage'' means a
signal that is partially or fully blocked due to an
interference.
(2) Ghost echo.--The term ``ghost echo'' means radar signal
reflectivity or velocity return errors in radar data due to
the proximity of an interference.
(3) Interference.--The term ``interference'' includes the
following:
(A) a wind turbine that could limit the effectiveness of a
weather radar system;
(B) any building that disrupts or limits the effectiveness
of a weather radar system; or
(C) any other natural or human built structure that affects
a weather radar system.
SEC. 202. NEXT GENERATION RADAR.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall develop a plan
to replace the Next Generation Weather Radar of the National
Weather Service (``NEXRAD'') system in existence as of the
date of the enactment of this section.
(b) Procurement Deadline.--The Under Secretary shall take
such actions as may be necessary to ensure the replacement
described in subsection (a) is completed by not later than
September 30, 2040.
(c) Elements.--The plan developed pursuant to subsection
(a) shall include the following:
(1) Estimates of quantifiable improvements in radar
performance and service delivery, including coverage and
accuracy, to be made from replacement of the NEXRAD system
referred to in such subsection.
(2) Development of a digital phased array radar test
article designed to test and determine the specifications and
requirements for such replacement.
(3) Establishment of a weather surveillance radar testbed
for the following:
(A) Evaluation of commercial radars with the potential to
replace or supplement the NEXRAD system.
(B) Providing technical assistance for commercial
replacement or supplemental radars, including data void
filling radars in regions where geographical topography
prevents full utilization of conventional systems.
(4) Consultation and input solicited from meteorologists,
emergency managers, and public safety officials regarding the
specifications and requirements for the replacement of the
NEXRAD system referred in such subsection.
(5) Prioritized locations for initial deployment of the
replacement system described in subsection (a) that will
replace the NEXRAD system.
(6) Expected locations of such replacement system described
in subsection (a), including sites located more than 75 miles
away from an existing NEXRAD station and additional
appropriate locations.
(d) Radar-as-a-Service.--
(1) In general.--In order to supplement data voids in radar
coverage in existence as of the date of the enactment of this
section and ensure the continued performance of weather radar
capabilities, the Under Secretary may utilize and contract
with third party entities to fill such low-level and wide-
area radar data voids using diverse weather radars and data
assimilation technologies to better detect significant
precipitation and severe weather over a greater area across
the population.
(2) Considerations.--In carrying out the activities under
paragraph (1), the Under Secretary may consider--
(A) utilizing and contracting with third-party entities
that have participated in the testbed established in
accordance with subsection (c)(3), the National Mesonet
Program, or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements;
and
(B) weather camera systems and services, including systems
and services in consultation with the Federal Aviation
Administration, as viable technologies to supplement weather
forecasting and prediction needs.
(e) Updates to Congress.--The Under Secretary shall provide
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate periodic updates on
the implementation of this section.
[[Page H2667]]
SEC. 203. DATA VOIDS IN HIGHLY VULNERABLE AREAS OF THE UNITED
STATES.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in coordination with
the Director of the National Weather Service and the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in
consultation with the United States weather industry,
academic partners, and in accordance with activities
implemented through existing regional atmospheric, coastal,
ocean, and Great Lakes observing systems, shall carry out
activities to ensure equitable and comprehensive weather
observation coverage and emergency information sharing in the
United States, including relating to the following:
(1) Reviewing areas in the continental United States and
the territories that are considered under-observed,
underserved, or highly vulnerable for weather phenomenon,
including urban and offshore regions, and identifying
associated challenges to providing such coverage.
(2) Increasing weather observations and developing new
weather observational capabilities, such as urban heat island
mapping campaigns, with respect to under-observed,
underserved, or highly vulnerable regions.
(3) Establishing or supporting testbeds to develop and
integrate new weather, water, and climate observation or
emergency information sharing tools, such as next
generational or supplemental radars for weather observations,
in under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable regions.
(4) To the maximum extent practicable, advancing weather
and water forecasting and climate modeling capabilities for
under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable regions.
(5) Undertaking workforce development efforts for emergency
management officials and meteorologists in under-observed,
underserved, or highly vulnerable areas, including urban
regions, of the United States.
(6) Using data void filling observations to better resolve
extreme rainfall in complex topography.
(7) Contributing to a national integrated heat health
information systems.
(b) Pilot Program.--In carrying out this section, the Under
Secretary, acting through the Director of the National
Weather Service and the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, shall establish an interagency
partnership to support pilot projects that accelerate
coordination and use of localized weather, water, and climate
data and impact-based communications in infrastructure and
emergency management decisions by Federal, State, and local
officials.
(c) Priority.--At least one pilot project under subsection
(b) shall address key science challenges to using mesonet
data in local decision making and development of new tools
and training for owners and operators of critical
infrastructure (as such term is defined in section 1016(e) of
Public Law 107-56 (42 U.S.C. 5195c(e))), such as dams, energy
generation and distribution facilities, nuclear power plants,
and transportation networks.
SEC. 204. ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with
the United States weather industry and academic partners,
shall establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement
program (in this section referred to as the ``program'').
(b) Goal.--The goal of the program shall be to reduce
through the development and extension of accurate, effective,
and actionable forecasts and warnings the loss of life or
property from atmospheric rivers, including by--
(1) establishing quantitative atmospheric river forecast
skill metrics that include quantifying the benefits of
dynamical modeling, data assimilation, and machine learning
improvements in the probabilistic forecasts of landfall
location, extreme wind and precipitation, and cascading
impacts;
(2) developing an atmospheric river forecast system within
the unified forecast system, and advancing next-generation
coupled modeling systems, with the capability of providing
seasonal to short-range atmospheric river forecasts that
include forecast of snow accumulation and other hydrologic
components;
(3) advancing scientific understanding of the roles of
atmospheric rivers in subseasonal to seasonal precipitation
and probabilistic predictions at subseasonal and seasonal
scales;
(4) developing tools and improved forecast products to
predict periods of active or inactive atmospheric river
landfalls and inland penetration over the western United
States with a focus on addressing stakeholder and public
needs related to perceiving, comprehending, and responding to
atmospheric river forecast improvements; and
(5) enhancing research transition to operations through the
Administration's testbeds, including the evaluation of
physical and social science, technology, and other research
to develop products and services for implementation and use
by relevant stakeholders.
(c) Innovative Observations and Modeling.--The Under
Secretary shall ensure the program periodically examines,
tests, and evaluates the value of incorporating innovative
observations, such as novel sensor technologies, observation
networks, soil moisture monitoring systems, reservoir storage
data, observations from crewed or uncrewed systems, and
hosted instruments on commercial aircrafts, vessels, and
satellites, and data assimilation tools, with respect to the
improvement of atmospheric river forecasts, predictions, and
warnings.
(d) Program Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall
develop a plan that details the specific research,
development, data acquisition, and technology transfer
activities, as well as corresponding resources, limitations,
and timelines, necessary to achieve the goal of the program
under subsection (b).
(e) Annual Budget for Plan Submittal.--After the
development of the plan pursuant to subsection (d), the Under
Secretary shall, not less frequently than annually, submit to
Congress a proposed budget corresponding with the activities
identified in such plan.
SEC. 205. COASTAL FLOODING AND STORM SURGE FORECAST
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with
the Integrated Ocean Observing System, the United States
weather industry, and academic partners, shall establish a
coastal flooding and storm surge forecast improvement program
(in this section referred to as the ``program'').
(b) Goal.--The goal of the program shall be to reduce
through the development and extension of accurate, effective,
actionable, and probable forecasts and warnings the loss of
life or property from coastal flooding, including high tide
flooding, and storm surge events.
(c) Priority.--In implementing the program, the Under
Secretary shall prioritize activities that carry out the
following:
(1) Improving understanding and capacity for real-time
operational prediction of the ocean's role in coastal
flooding, including high tide flooding, and storm surge
events.
(2) Improving the capacity to mitigate or prevent the
impacts of coastal flooding, including high tide flooding,
and storm surge events, including by improving the
understanding and capacity of coastal communities to
perceive, comprehend, and respond to forecast information.
(3) Incorporating data from in situ distributed sensors
into models.
(4) Developing probabilistic coastal flooding, including
high tide flooding, and storm surge estimates to complement
worst-case scenario estimates, including for use in long-term
planning and risk management by States, Tribal governments,
localities, and emergency managers in coordination with the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, as appropriate.
(5) Establishing skill metrics for coastal inundation
forecasting that quantify the benefits of dynamical modeling,
data assimilation, and machine learning improvements in the
probabilistic forecast of coastal flooding, including high
tide flooding, and storm surge risk and impacts.
(6) Improving operational regional storm surge and wave
prediction models to enhance probabilistic guidance and
messaging.
(d) Innovative Observations and Modeling.--The Under
Secretary shall ensure the program periodically examines,
tests, and evaluates the value of incorporating enhanced
model physics, hybrid dynamical or machine learning based
prediction systems, and innovative observations, such as
novel sensor technologies, observation networks, crewed or
uncrewed systems, and hosted instruments on commercial
aircrafts, vessels, and satellites, with respect to the
improvement of coastal flooding, including high tide
flooding, and storm surge forecasts, predictions, and
warnings.
(e) Program Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall
develop a plan that details the specific research,
development, data acquisition, and technology transfer
activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines,
necessary to achieve the goal of the program under subsection
(b).
(f) Annual Budget for Plan Submittal.--After the
development of the plan pursuant to subsection (e), the Under
Secretary shall, not less frequently than annually, submit to
Congress a proposed budget corresponding with the activities
identified in such plan.
SEC. 206. AVIATION WEATHER AND DATA INNOVATION.
(a) Program.--The Under Secretary shall maintain an
airborne observation program (in this section referred to as
the ``program'') for the acquisition of atmospheric sensor
data and the deployment of critical atmospheric sensors,
including in partnership with the weather enterprise.
(b) Activities.--The program shall include activities that
carry out the following:
(1) Procurement of weather data available from commercial
aircraft, as determined by the Under Secretary.
(2) Acquisition of additional vertical profile observations
that provide spatial and temporal density, as determined by
the Under Secretary.
(3) Analysis of procured data when incorporated into the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's unified
forecast system in order to provide improved forecast
information for aircraft.
(c) Budget.--The Under Secretary shall, not less frequently
than annually, submit to Congress a proposed budget
corresponding with the activities described in subsection
(b), including and analysis of activities that can be
complemented by National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration aircraft.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts made
available to the Commercial Data Program under section 302 of
the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017,
there is authorized to be
[[Page H2668]]
appropriated up to $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through 2028 to carry out the program.
(e) Aviation Weather and Turbulence Forecasting.--The
Director of the National Weather Service shall include
turbulence events, icing conditions, or other phenomena in
the forecasting capabilities of the National Weather
Service's Aviation Weather Center, and deliver operational
forecasts with consistent, timely, and accurate weather and
turbulence information for the airspace system and the
protection of lives and property.
(f) Coordination.--In carrying out subsection (e), the
Director of the National Weather Service shall give
consideration to recommendations from the Administrator of
the Federal Aviation Administration in furtherance of section
44720 of title 49, United States Code, and improve weather
and turbulence forecasting capabilities by--
(1) designating or establishing within the Federal
Government an interagency working group to determine weather
and environmental data or observation requirements, needs,
and potential solutions related to aviation weather and
turbulence modeling or forecasting;
(2) identifying current and future potential data gaps
related to turbulence events or phenomena that can--
(A) identify or inform route specific flight planning; and
(B) be supplemented or filled by commercial aviation tools;
(3) transitioning research initiatives and pilot programs,
including a pilot program of instrumentation for observing
greenhouse gases and other atmospheric factors deployed on
commercial aircraft and supporting the evaluation of a
sustained observing network using such platforms, into
operations that improve the forecasting missions of the
Aviation Weather Center;
(4) developing and deploying improved probabilistic
aviation weather forecast guidance technology; and
(5) updating interagency agreements as appropriate,
including to address reimbursable agreements.
(g) Next Generation Aviation Research.--Paragraph (3) of
section 102(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8512(b)), is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) and (G) as
subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following new
subparagraph:
``(F) aviation weather phenomena, including atmospheric
composition and turbulence, to improve scientific
understanding and forecast capabilities for the airspace
system;''.
(h) Aviation Information Dissemination.--The Under
Secretary shall ensure the Aviation Weather Center is able,
to the maximum extent possible, to disseminate in a timely
manner full resolution aviation weather data, forecasts, and
information to meet the needs of aviation users.
SEC. 207. NESDIS JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIP TRANSITION
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Assistant Administrator of the
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information
Service, in consultation with the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall
administer broad agency announcements and other transactional
authority or contracting mechanisms, on an annual or more
frequent basis, to support a joint venture partnership
program that allows the Service to prioritize engagement with
the private sector, academia, and other Federal departments
and agencies.
(b) Transition Program.--To support the development of
next-generation technologies, missions, data systems,
spacecraft, and instrument design, the Assistant
Administrator of the National Environmental Satellite, Data,
and Information Service, in consultation with the
Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, shall maintain a program to transition
selected awards from research and study phases into
demonstration. In selecting awardees for demonstrations, the
Assistant Administrator shall consider technologies,
missions, data systems, spacecraft, and instrument design
that--
(1) improve upon the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's satellite architecture;
(2) have a direct impact on implementing the
recommendations of the Administration's 2018 Satellite
Observing System Architecture Study, ``Building a Plan for
NOAA's 21st Century Satellite Observing System''; and
(3) meet current or future mission requirements.
(c) Operational Planning.--In carrying out the transition
program under subsection (b), the Assistant Administrator of
the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information
Service shall monitor demonstration phase progress and plan
for promising results that meet mission requirements to be
transitioned into National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's operational satellite architecture.
(d) Annual Plan.--The Assistant Administrator of the
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information
Service shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation an annual plan that outlines the progress made
in the joint venture partnership program under subsection
(a), the transition program for demonstrations under section
(b), and transition to operational architecture planning
under subsection (c).
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts
authorized to be appropriated to the National Environmental
Satellite, Data, and Information Service, there is authorized
to be appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal years 2024 through
2028 to carry out to this section.
SEC. 208. ADVANCED WEATHER INTERACTIVE PROCESSING SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, acting through the
Director of the National Weather Service, shall develop a
strategy to transition operations of the Advanced Weather
Interactive Processing System to an operational cloud-based
environment in order to enable a more nimble, flexible, and
mobile workforce.
(b) Services.--The Under Secretary shall ensure that the
Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System in an
operational cloud-based environment referred to in subsection
(a) provides impact-based decision support services to
emergency managers at the Federal, State, local, and Tribal
levels, and continues to provide the following services:
(1) Integrating and displaying forecast data, including
meteorological, hydrological, climate, ocean, satellite, and
radar data, for National Weather Service field offices and
national centers.
(2) Acquiring and processing observational data from
sensors and local sources.
(3) Providing an interactive communications system,
including the satellite broadcast network, to connect
relevant National Weather Service employees and sites.
(4) Initiating the dissemination of weather, water, marine,
ecological, climate, aviation, and space warnings and
forecasts in a rapid and highly reliable manner.
(c) Elements.--The transition strategy developed pursuant
to subsection (a) may include the following:
(1) Establishment or support of testbeds, pilot projects,
and functional testing activities to facilitate remote
evaluation and automated testing.
(2) Coordinated training efforts needed for Federal and
non-Federal users and operators of the Advanced Weather
Interactive Processing System in an operational cloud-based
environment referred to in subsection (a).
(3) Evaluation of bandwidth requirements to achieve a
quality user experience.
(4) Installation of circuits to reduce lapses in network
operations and support backup functions.
(5) Establishment of a cloud-based, remotely accessible
repository for data referred to in subsection (b)(2).
(6) Development and deployment of virtualized systems to
replace physical hardware at operational sites.
(7) Evaluation of commercial cloud providers, including
hybrid approaches, to meet mission needs.
(8) Development, testing, demonstration, evaluation, and
operationalization of forecast and warning products,
consistent with the mission and scientific expertise of the
Administration.
(d) Transition Deadline.--The Under Secretary shall take
such actions as may be necessary to ensure the transition
strategy described in subsection (a) is completed by not
later than September 30, 2030.
(e) Updates to Congress.--The Under Secretary shall submit
to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate periodic updates on
the implementation of this section.
(f) Continued Innovation.--Nothing in this section may be
construed as prohibiting the development of new forecast
capabilities, sub-systems, or implementing modeling
advancements on the operational computing systems of the
Administration.
SEC. 209. REANALYSIS AND REFORECASTING.
The Under Secretary may support reanalysis and
reforecasting activities within the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, including through the hazardous
weather testbed of the Administration, for improving weather
forecasts, extreme weather predictions, and weather and
climate datasets.
SEC. 210. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WORKFORCE.
(a) Hiring.--The Director of the National Weather Service
shall annually submit to the Under Secretary and Congress an
assessment of the milestones, timelines, and service level
expectations required for the expeditious hiring and timely
on-boarding of employees of the National Weather Service.
Each such assessment may include the following:
(1) Recommendations to outsource hiring to any entity other
than the National Weather Service in order to meet such
milestones, timelines, and service level expectations.
(2) Determinations of the number of staff and designated
positions required at each forecasting office to provide
services to protect lives and property in the geographic
region of responsibility.
(b) Health and Morale Assessment.--The Director of the
National Weather Service shall contract or continue to
partner with an entity other than the National Weather
Service to conduct an assessment of medical impacts,
including stress and long-term health impacts, on National
Weather Service employees related to required rotating shift
[[Page H2669]]
work. Such assessment may include options for mitigating such
impacts on employees and recommendations for improving
benefits related to required rotating shift work.
(c) Designation of Service Hydrologist.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather
Service may designate at least one service hydrologist at
each Weather Forecast Office of the National Weather Service.
(2) Limitation.--Nothing in this section may be construed
to authorize or require a change in the authorized number of
full time equivalent employees of the National Weather
Service or otherwise result in the employment of any
additional employees.
(3) Performance by other employees.--Notwithstanding
paragraphs (4) and (5), the Director of the National Weather
Service may assign the performance of the responsibilities
described in this subsection to such other staff of the
National Weather Service as the Director considers
appropriate
(4) Responsibilities.--In order to increase impact-based
decision support services, each service coordination
hydrologist designated under paragraph (1) shall, with
respect to hydrology, carry out the following:
(A) Be responsible for providing service to the geographic
area of responsibility covered by the Weather Forecast Office
at which the service coordination hydrologist is employed to
help ensure that users of products and services of the
National Weather Service can respond effectively to improve
outcomes from flood events.
(B) Liaise with users of products and services of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, such as
emergency managers, the public, academia, media outlets,
users in the hydropower, transportation, recreation, and
agricultural communities, and forestry, land, fisheries, and
water management interests, to evaluate the adequacy and
usefulness of the products and services referred to in
subparagraph (A), including extended range streamflow
forecasts, water supply forecasts, drought outlooks, flood
inundation mapping, coastal inundation, and flood warnings.
(C) Collaborate with the National Water Center, River
Forecast Centers, other Weather Forecast Offices, the
National Integrate Drought Information System, Administration
offices, and Federal, State, local, and Tribal government
agencies, as the Director considers appropriate, in
developing, proposing, and implementing plans to develop,
modify, or tailor such products and services to improve the
usefulness of such products and services.
(D) Engage in interagency partnerships with Federal, State,
local, and Tribal government agencies to explore the use of
forecast-informed reservoir operations to reduce flood risk
and inform decisions related to water resources management.
(E) Ensure the maintenance and accuracy of flooding and
water resource management partner call lists, appropriate
office hydrologic service policy or procedures, and other
hydrologic information or dissemination methodologies or
strategies.
(F) Work closely with Federal, State, local, and Tribal
emergency and floodplain management agencies, and other
agencies relating to disaster management, to ensure a
planned, coordinated, and effective preparedness and response
effort.
(5) Additional responsibilities.--A service coordination
hydrologist designated under this subsection may, with
respect to hydrology--
(A) work with a State agency to develop plans for promoting
more effective use of products and services of the National
Weather Service throughout the State concerned;
(B) identify priority community preparedness objectives;
(C) develop plans to carry out the responsibilities
described in paragraph (4); and
(D) conduct flooding event preparedness planning and
citizen education efforts with and through various State,
local, and Tribal government agencies and other disaster
management-related organizations.
TITLE III--COMMERCIAL WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATIONS
SEC. 301. COMMERCIAL DATA PROGRAM.
The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
is amended by striking section 302 (15 U.S.C. 8532) and
inserting the following new section:
``SEC. 302. COMMERCIAL DATA PROGRAM.
``(a) Program Establishment.--The Under Secretary, in
coordination with the heads of appropriate offices of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall
maintain a Commercial Data Program to coordinate and execute
acquisition of weather and environmental data and services
from private sector entities for operational use.
``(b) Program Elements.--The Under Secretary shall acquire
satellite, ground-based, airborne, or marine-based in situ,
remote sensing, or crowd-sourced data and services for
operational use relating to weather and environmental
forecasting and modeling. The Under Secretary shall ensure
the Commercial Data Program coordinates, collaborates, and
ensures access to data across the Administration, including
among the following:
``(1) The National Mesonet Program.
``(2) The Aircraft Based Observation Program.
``(3) The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observation Program,
including existing regional associations.
``(4) The National Integrated Drought Information System,
including the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring
Network.
``(5) The Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program.
``(6) The National Data Buoy Center.
``(7) The Uncrewed Systems Operation Center.
``(8) The Ocean Exploration Program.
``(9) Any other program or office the Under Secretary
determines appropriate.
``(c) Standards and Specifications.--Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this section and on a
continuous basis thereafter, the Under Secretary shall
publish data, metadata, and service standards and
specifications required for acquired observation services and
data for use, licensing, and attribution to ensure quality,
impact, and compatibility of such services and data with
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration modeling
capabilities, meteorological situational awareness, and
forecasting.
``(d) Prioritization.--In acquiring commercial data and
services, the Under Secretary shall prioritize obtaining
surface-based, airborne-based, space-based, and coastal- and
ocean-based data, metadata, and services for operational use
that participate in the Commercial Data Pilot Program or
other programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration that acquire commercial data or observations.
``(e) NOAA Observing Systems and Fleet Councils.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall maintain the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Observing
Systems Council and the NOAA Fleet Council (in this
subsection referred to as the `Councils') to provide
strategic recommendations and guidance regarding the
prioritization, design, development, acquisition, upgrading,
lifecycle, performance monitoring, and retiring of major
observing systems portfolio components, including related to
the acquisition of commercial weather and environmental data
and services.
``(2) Line office coordination.--The Councils shall ensure
coordination and adherence to uniform policies by providing
guidance to all line offices of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration engaged in observing systems
portfolio design, technology, development, execution, and
operation.
``(3) Committee.--The Under Secretary shall maintain a
Committee within the Councils to develop and approve
procedural directives, guides, or handbooks relevant to
management of data and information, including commercial
data, and coordinate data governance and management practices
across the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to
promote consistent processes.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to
carry out this section.
``(2) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
the Under Secretary should seek to enter into contracts or
other appropriate agreements that enable the expenditure, to
the maximum extent practicable, of amounts authorized to be
appropriated or otherwise made available in a fiscal year to
carry out this section.
``(g) Data and Hosted Payloads.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Secretary of Commerce may enter into
agreements relating to the following:
``(1) The purchase of weather and environmental data and
services through contracts with commercial data and service
providers.
``(2) The placement of weather instruments on co-hosted
Federal, international, or private space, airborne, maritime,
or ground platforms.
``(h) Ombudsman.--The Under Secretary shall establish or
designate at least one Ombudsman position within the
Commercial Data Program to implement the recommendations of
the Observing System Council under subsection (e) related to
commercial weather and environmental data and services
acquisitions. Such an Ombudsman shall act as the liaison
between commercial data and service providers and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with respect
to receiving recommendations and resolving issues related to
engagement, testing, contracting, or other areas related to
the Administration's efforts to acquire commercial weather
and environmental data and services.
``(i) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report evaluating
the activities and needed authorities related to data
governance and management practices, including acquisition,
collection, documentation, quality control, validation,
reprocessing, storage, retrieval, dissemination, and long-
term preservation activities across all National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration line, staff, and corporate
offices.''.
SEC. 302. COMMERCIAL DATA PILOT PROGRAM.
The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
is amended by striking section 303 (15 U.S.C. 8533) and
inserting the following new section:
``SEC. 303. COMMERCIAL DATA PILOT PROGRAM.
``(a) Program Establishment.--Within the Commercial Data
Program under section 302,
[[Page H2670]]
there shall be a Commercial Data Pilot Program to engage with
external partners and providers to test and develop shared
standards and methodologies for quality, use, licensing, and
attribution of observation services and data, and to ensure
quality, impact, and compatibility of such services and data
with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration modeling
capabilities, meteorological situational awareness, and
forecasting. The Program is authorized to test and evaluate
all sources and types of observation services, imagery,
products, and data from private sector entities, including
new and innovative surface-based, airborne-based, space-
based, and coastal- and ocean-based data, metadata, and model
components.
``(b) Criteria.--The Under Secretary shall ensure that data
acquired through the Commercial Data Pilot Program described
in subsection (a) meets the most recent standards and
specifications required for observation services and data as
published pursuant to section 302(c).
``(c) Pilot Contracts.--The Under Secretary shall, through
an open competition, regularly enter into pilot contracts
with private sector entities capable of providing observation
services and data referred to in subsection (a) that meet the
standards and specifications published pursuant to section
302(c) for so providing such services and data in a manner
that allows the Under Secretary to calibrate and evaluate
such services and data for use in National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration activities.
``(d) Assessment of Viability.--The Under Secretary shall
annually assess and submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a summary of the pilot contracts entered into
pursuant to subsection (c), the extent to which such
contracts meet the standards and specifications published
pursuant to section 302(c), and any additional information
determined necessary related to the following:
``(1) The viability of assimilating observation services
and data from private sector entities into National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration forecasts and models.
``(2) The expected value added or improvements from such
services and data so assimilated into National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration forecasts and models.
``(3) The accuracy, quality, timeliness, validity,
reliability, usability, information technology security, and
cost-effectiveness of obtaining observation services and data
from private sector entities.
``(4) Steps to integrate within one year such services and
data into operational use by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration or any associated challenges in
doing so.
``(e) Obtaining Future Data.--If an assessment under
subsection (d) demonstrates the ability of commercial
services and data to meet the standards and specifications
published pursuant to section 302(c), the Under Secretary
shall--
``(1) when cost-effective and feasible, obtain observation
services and data from private sector entities through the
Commercial Data Program under section 302;
``(2) as early as possible in the acquisition process for
any future National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
satellite system, determine whether there is a suitable,
cost-effective, commercial capability available or that will
be available to meet applicable instrument, spacecraft, or
system requirements before completion of the critical design
phase of such planned satellite system;
``(3) if a suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability
is or will be available as described in paragraph (2),
determine whether and how such capability is in the national
interest if developed as a solely governmental system; and
``(4) submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a
report detailing any determinations made under paragraphs (2)
and (3).
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts
authorized to be appropriated pursuant to section 302 to
carry out such section, not less than 15 percent of such
amounts each fiscal year are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section.''.
SEC. 303. CONTRACTING AUTHORITY AND AVOIDANCE OF DUPLICATION.
Title III of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``SEC. 304. CONTRACTING AUTHORITY AND AVOIDANCE OF
DUPLICATION.
``(a) In General.--Consistent with other Federal agencies
that contract and partner with private sector entities, the
Under Secretary is authorized to use contracting mechanisms
and enter into agreements that utilize multiyear contract
options. In carrying out sections 302 and 303, the Under
Secretary shall, to the greatest extent possible--
``(1) enter into year-long or multiyear contract options
using contracting mechanisms that foster resiliency of
datatypes purchased;
``(2) partner and contract with multiple observation
service and data providers simultaneously to reduce risks of
data gaps and improve mission robustness; and
``(3) utilize authorities, such as additional forms of
transaction agreements under section 301, that allow for
innovative partnerships with private sector entities.
``(b) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this title may be
construed as infringing on the acquisition authority or
strategy of Federal entities authorized under title 10,
United States Code.
``(c) Unnecessary Duplication.--In meeting the requirements
under this title, the Under Secretary shall avoid unnecessary
duplication between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, other Federal departments and agencies, and
private sector entities, including relating to corresponding
expenditures of funds and employment of personnel by--
``(1) coordinating existing activities with other civilian
Federal departments and agencies which provide, contract, or
partner with private sector entities to acquire, weather and
environmental observations and data; and
``(2) coordinating and soliciting weather and environmental
observations and data requirements and needs from other
civilian Federal departments and agencies to be acquired by
the Commercial Data Program under section 302.
``(d) Fair Compensation for Interagency Needs.--The Under
Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, shall ensure
that Federal departments and agencies utilizing services and
data under sections 302 and 303 fairly compensate the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or the non-
Federal entities providing such services or data, as
appropriate, for use.''.
SEC. 304. DATA ASSIMILATION, MANAGEMENT, AND SHARING
PRACTICES.
Title III of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017, as amended by section 303 of this
Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
``SEC. 305. DATA ASSIMILATION, MANAGEMENT, AND SHARING
PRACTICES.
``(a) Data Standards.--The Under Secretary, in
collaboration with the weather enterprise, shall seek to
establish consistent and open data and metadata standards to
support open science, including simple cloud-optimized data
formats and application programming interfaces that support
findability, accessibility, usability, and preservability.
``(b) Data Infrastructure.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in consultation
with the Chief Information Officer and appropriate program
heads, shall consolidate and arrange data infrastructure
needs to ensure efficient and effective data transfer between
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offices by
considering the use of commercial cloud technologies, or
similar hybrid structures, to host and transmit data and
metadata.
``(2) Federal partnerships.--In carrying out paragraph (1),
the Under Secretary may partner with the heads of other
Federal departments and agencies, including the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of
Energy, the United States Space Force, the United States
Coast Guard, the United States Navy, the Federal Aviation
Administration, the United States Forest Service, the
Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science
Foundation, and the United States Geological Survey, to
collocate data with joint utility and support a transition to
cloud architectures, including commercial cloud networks.
``(3) Long term data archive.--The Under Secretary shall
ensure the long-term management, maintenance, and stewardship
of archival data and metadata acquired through the Commercial
Data Program under section 302 is conducted within the
National Centers for Environmental Information.
``(c) Data Sharing With the Weather Enterprise.--To the
greatest extent practicable, the Under Secretary shall make
accessible to members of the weather enterprise that are
United States persons data not subject to redistribution
contract permissions and purchased through the Commercial
Data Program under section 302 or shared through
international government partners. If purchased data must be
assimilated into numerical weather prediction models or
automated forecast guidance to satisfy redistribution
contract permissions, the Under Secretary shall make
accessible without delay to members of the weather enterprise
that are United States persons the numerical weather
prediction model or automated forecast guidance output, as
the case may be.
``(d) Data Assimilation.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary, in coordination
with the Commercial Data Program under section 302, the
National Centers for Environmental Information, and any other
offices within the Administration, shall establish a program
to test, advance, and implement data assimilation methods,
which may include artificial intelligence, machine learning,
data pre- and post-processing, efficient input and output,
and next-generation algorithms.
``(2) Data assimilation university consortium.--Through the
program established pursuant to paragraph (1), the Under
Secretary shall establish a consortium consisting of
institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)) to address critical research challenges for data
assimilation and foster a growing data assimilation
workforce. The consortium shall seek to--
``(A) solve critical research issues for data assimilation
through innovative research;
[[Page H2671]]
``(B) increase significantly the number of students,
including graduate level and Ph.D. candidates, in data
assimilation;
``(C) utilize modern software and frameworks, such as the
Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration, to conduct
data assimilation research and development and facilitate
research to operations efforts;
``(D) identify and prioritize critical research areas in
data assimilation and facilitate operations to research
efforts;
``(E) establish and enable an effective collaboration
infrastructure between National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration facilities, such as labs, centers, or joint
agency institutes, and the research community, including a
mechanism for external partners to host Administration
employees; and
``(F) establish mechanisms to enable all members of the
consortium to archive and access data required to support the
work under this subsection.
``(3) Coordination.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Under Secretary shall ensure the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and its associated activities
focus on research to operations and operations to research,
including by coordinating and collaborating with the Joint
Center for Satellite Data Assimilation.
``(4) Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices
security.--The activities authorized under this subsection
shall be applied in a manner consistent with subtitle D of
title VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and
Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117-167;
42 U.S.C. 19231 et seq.).
``(e) Study on Data Management.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the data of
the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall seek
to enter into an agreement with a non-Federal entity to
conduct a study on matters concerning data practices and
management needs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. In conducting the study, the outside entity
shall--
``(A) assess the costs and benefits of current data
management needs for observational and operational mission
requirements;
``(B) develop recommendations regarding how to make more
robust and cost-effective the data portfolio of the
Administration;
``(C) identify data infrastructure technologies and needs
that are essential to the performance of modeling systems of
the Administration;
``(D) assess the sharing needs and practices of the
Administration for both internal and external sharing
dissemination; and
``(E) develop recommendations for methods of data
infrastructure sharing, including data purchased from the
commercial sector.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--From amounts
authorized to be appropriated to the Commercial Data Program
under section 302, there are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out the study under paragraph (1) $1,000,000, to remain
available until expended.''.
SEC. 305. CLERICAL AMENDMENT.
The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by
striking the items relating to sections 302 and 303 and
inserting the following new items:
``Sec. 302. Commercial Data Program.
``Sec. 303. Commercial Data Pilot Program.
``Sec. 304. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication.
``Sec. 305. Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices.''.
TITLE IV--COMMUNICATING WEATHER TO THE PUBLIC
SEC. 401. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Hazardous weather or water events.--The term
``hazardous weather or water events'' has the meaning given
such term in section 406 of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-25; 131
Stat. 109), as amended by section 402 of this Act.
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given
such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1001).
(3) NOAA weather radio.--The term ``NOAA Weather Radio''
means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Weather Radio All Hazards network.
(4) Public cloud.--The term ``public cloud'' means an
information technology model in which service providers make
computing services, including compute and storage and
develop-and-deploy environments and applications, available
on-demand to organizations and individuals over the public
internet or other means that allows for the widest
dissemination of information.
(5) Watch; warning.--The terms ``watch'' and ``warning''
have the meanings given such terms in section 406 of the
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
(Public Law 115-25; 131 Stat. 109), as amended by section 402
of this Act.
SEC. 402. HAZARDOUS WEATHER OR WATER EVENT RISK
COMMUNICATION.
(a) In General.--Section 406 of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-25; 131
Stat. 109) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 406. HAZARDOUS WEATHER OR WATER EVENT RISK
COMMUNICATION.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Hazardous weather or water events.--The term
`hazardous weather or water events' means weather or water
events that have a high risk of loss of life or property,
including the following:
``(A) Severe storms, such as hurricanes and short-fused,
small-scale hazardous weather or hydrologic events produced
by thunderstorms, including large hail, damaging winds,
tornadoes, and flash floods.
``(B) Winter storms, such as freezing or frozen
precipitation (including freezing rain, sleet, and snow), or
combined effects of freezing or frozen precipitation and
strong winds.
``(C) Other weather hazards, such as extreme heat or cold,
wildfire, drought, dense fog, high winds, and river, coastal,
or lakeshore flooding.
``(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given such
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
``(3) Watch; warning.--
``(A) In general.--The terms `watch' and `warning', with
respect to a hazardous weather or water event, mean products
issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, intended for consumption by the general
public, to alert the general public to the potential for or
presence of such event and to inform action to prevent loss
of life or property.
``(B) Exception.--The terms `watch' and `warning' do not
include technical or specialized meteorological or
hydrological forecasts, outlooks, or model guidance products.
``(b) System Communications.--The Under Secretary shall
maintain and improve the system of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration by which the risks of hazardous
weather or water events are communicated to the general
public, with the goal of informing response to prevent loss
of life or property.
``(c) Hazard Risk Communication Improvement and
Simplification.--
``(1) In general.--To carry out subsection (b), the Under
Secretary shall maintain a social, behavioral, risk,
communication, and economic sciences program (in this section
referred to as the `Program'), for the purpose of simplifying
and improving the communication of hazardous weather or water
events.
``(2) Terminology.--The Program, in coordination with
social, behavioral, risk, communication, and economic science
community and user feedback, shall identify, eliminate, or
modify unnecessary, redundant, or confusing terms for
communications regarding hazardous weather or water events
and add new terminology, as appropriate.
``(3) Communications improvement.--The Program shall
improve the form, content, and methods of communications
regarding hazardous weather or water events and associated
risks to more clearly inform response to prevent the loss of
life or property.
``(4) Evaluations.--The Program, in coordination with the
performance and evaluation branches of the National Weather
Service and Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, shall develop
metrics for such branches to track and evaluate the degree to
which communications regarding hazardous weather or water
events inform response.
``(5) Support plan.--The Program shall develop a plan for
the purpose of carrying out paragraph (3). Such plan shall be
periodically updated and informed by internal and extramural
research and the results of the evaluation of communications
regarding hazardous weather or water events and associated
risks under paragraph (4).
``(6) Methods.--In carrying out this section, the Program
shall develop and implement recommendations that--
``(A) are based on the best and most recent understanding
from social, behavioral, economic, risk, and communications
science research;
``(B) are validated by social, behavioral, risk, and
communications science, taking into account the importance of
methods that support reproduction and replication of
scientific studies, use of rigorous statistical analyses,
and, as applicable, data analysis supported by artificial
intelligence and machine learning technologies;
``(C) account for the needs of various demographics,
vulnerable populations, and geographic regions;
``(D) account for the differences between various types of
hazardous weather or water events;
``(E) respond to the needs of Federal, State, and local
government partners and media partners; and
``(F) account for necessary changes in the infrastructure,
technology, and protocols for developing and disseminating
watches and warnings.
``(7) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the
Program shall coordinate with the following:
``(A) Federal partners, including National Laboratories,
cooperative institutes, and regional integrated sciences and
assessments programs.
``(B) State and local government partners.
``(C) Tribal governments.
``(D) Institutions of higher education or a consortia
thereof.
``(E) Media partners.
``(8) Timeliness and consistency.--The Program shall
develop best practices and guidance for ensuring timely and
consistent communications across public facing platforms that
disseminate information related to hazardous weather or water
events.''.
(b) Table of Contents.--Section 1(b) of the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by
amending
[[Page H2672]]
the item relating to section 406 to read as follows:
``Sec. 406. Hazardous Weather or Water Event Risk Communication.''.
SEC. 403. HAZARD COMMUNICATION RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT.
Section 406 of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-25; 131 Stat. 109), as
amended by section 402 of this Act, is further amended by
adding at the end the following new subsections:
``(d) Hazard Communication Research and Engagement.--
``(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall maintain, as
appropriate, a program to--
``(A) modernize the development and communication of risk-
based, statistically reliable, probabilistic hazard
information, with the goal of informing appropriate responses
to hazardous weather or water events; and
``(B) improve the fundamental social, behavioral, economic,
risk, and communication science relating to communications,
including by means of collecting voluntary data, regarding
hazardous weather or water events.
``(2) Coordination.--In carrying out the program under
paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall coordinate and
communicate with States, Tribal governments, localities, and
emergency managers regarding research priorities and results.
``(3) Pilot program for tornado hazard communication
required.--To further research into communications regarding
hazardous weather or water events, the Under Secretary, in
coordination with the VORTEX program under section 103 and in
collaboration with one or more eligible institutions (or a
consortia thereof), shall establish a pilot program for
tornado hazard communication to test the effectiveness of
implementing research into operations with respect to
tornadoes.
``(4) Pilot study for hurricane hazard communication.--
``(A) In general.--To further research into communications
regarding hazardous weather or water events, the Under
Secretary, in coordination with the hurricane forecast
improvement program under section 104, shall seek to enter
into an agreement with an appropriate entity, as determined
by the Under Secretary, to conduct a pilot study using a
mixed methods approach, such as surveys, focus groups, and
interviews, to gather information from hurricane prone
population areas regarding the levels of preparedness of such
areas for hurricanes or in response to the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration's early forecasts and
warnings. Such study shall evaluate the following:
``(i) Possession of disaster supplies.
``(ii) Evacuation decisions.
``(iii) Levels of trust of tropical cyclone information and
hurricane path prediction from various sources.
``(iv) Access to tropical cyclone and hurricane warnings in
such study participant's first language.
``(v) Determination regarding such study participant's
reasoning that may hinder the ability of such a participant
to evacuate or willingness to evacuate.
``(B) Additional criteria.--The pilot study described in
subparagraph (A) shall define its methodology and be made
publicly available on a website of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.
``(5) Eligible institution defined.--In this subsection,
the term `eligible institution' means any of the following:
``(A) An institution of higher education, nonprofit
organization, or other institution located in a jurisdiction
eligible to participate in the program under section 113 of
the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988 (42
U.S.C. 1862g).
``(B) An institution of higher education, nonprofit
organization, or other institution located in proximity to a
Weather Forecast Office of the National Weather Service.
``(e) Hurricane Social, Behavioral, and Economic
Sciences.--As part of the program carried out under
subsection (d), the Under Secretary shall carry out research
and development activities to improve how the public
receives, interprets, responds to, and values hurricane
forecasts and warnings. In conducting such activities, the
Under Secretary shall--
``(1) conduct a comprehensive review of what is known about
how the public receives, interprets, responds to, and makes
decisions regarding hurricane forecasts and warnings,
including--
``(A) how the connections between weather observations,
downstream models, and processes affect the decision tools or
products derived from such hurricane forecasts and warnings;
``(B) how such hurricane forecasts and warnings generated
by decision tools and products are used by emergency
managers, governments, and other users to benefit the public
and stakeholder groups;
``(C) how past experiences with hurricanes impacts decision
making;
``(D) how the source of such hurricane forecasts and
warnings affects interpretation;
``(E) how tropical cyclone warnings and watches are
received and interpreted;
``(F) how understanding of and response to such hurricane
forecasts and warnings vary across demographic groups,
including the elderly, people with disabilities, and other
vulnerable populations;
``(G) language barriers; and
``(H) how understanding and response to such hurricane
forecasts and warnings varies across geographic areas,
including rural, urban, and suburban areas;
``(2) identify communication data gaps based on the review
conducted pursuant to paragraph (1);
``(3) carry out research, including data collection and
baseline assessments, in coordination with the hurricane
forecast improvement program under section 104 to evaluate
and quantify the economic value of extending lead times of
tropical cyclone and hurricane warnings and watches,
including identifying the most effected or vulnerable
populations and potential impacts to those populations;
``(4) as part of post-storm surveys and assessments
conducted under section 406 of the Weather Act
Reauthorization Act of 2023, conduct retrospective or ex ante
assessments of previous hurricane forecasts and warnings with
improvements to better understand the key components,
including expected actions or behavior changes, of the value
of the forecasts and warnings provided;
``(5) conduct cost benefit analysis of forecasts and
warnings improvement alternatives developed through the
hurricane forecast improvement program under section 104; and
``(6) conduct risk assessments for pre-, during, and post-
storm periods in regions and communities with significant
elderly populations, including retirement communities.''.
SEC. 404. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS
IMPROVEMENT.
(a) Improvement of NWS Instant Messaging Service.--The
Director of the National Weather Service shall improve the
instant messaging service used by personnel of the National
Weather Service by implementing, not later than October 1,
2027, a commercial off-the-shelf communications solution that
replaces the instant messaging service commonly referred to
as ``NWSChat''.
(b) Requirements.--The communications solution implemented
under this section shall--
(1) be hosted on the public cloud; and
(2) satisfy requirements set forth by the Director to
ensure such solution--
(A) best accommodates future growth;
(B) performs successfully with increased numbers of users;
(C) is easy to use for the majority of users; and
(D) is similar to systems already in commercial use.
(c) Funding.--From amounts made available for Operations,
Research, and Facilities, the Director of the National
Weather Service shall allocate up to $3,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2024 through 2027 to carry out this section.
SEC. 405. NOAA WEATHER RADIO MODERNIZATION.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, expand coverage of the NOAA Weather Radio
and ensure its reliability. In carrying out this subsection,
the Under Secretary shall--
(1) maintain support for existing systems serving areas not
covered by or having poor quality cellular service;
(2) ensure consistent maintenance and operations
monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site
equipment and antennas;
(3) enhance the ability to amplify Non-Weather Emergency
Messages via NOAA Weather Radio as necessary; and
(4) acquire additional transmitters as required to expand
coverage to rural and underserved communities, units of the
National Park System, and National Recreation Areas.
(b) Modernization Initiative.--To the maximum extent
practicable, the Under Secretary shall enhance NOAA Weather
Radio to ensure its capabilities and coverage remain valuable
to the public. In carrying out this section, the Under
Secretary shall--
(1) upgrade telecommunications infrastructure of NOAA
Weather Radio 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, 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 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
microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA Weather Radio
signals to transmitters that are remote or do not have
internet protocol capability; and
(6) transition critical applications to the Integrated
Dissemination Program, or the relevant program successors.
(c) Priority.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Under
Secretary shall prioritize practices, capabilities, and
technologies recommended in accordance with the assessment
under subsection (d) to maximize accessibility, particularly
in remote and underserved areas of the United States.
(d) Assessment for Management and Distribution.--Not later
than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Under Secretary shall complete an assessment of
[[Page H2673]]
access to NOAA Weather Radio. In conducting such assessment,
the Under Secretary shall take into consideration and provide
recommendations regarding the following:
(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 that 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.
(7) Any other function the Under Secretary determines
necessary.
SEC. 406. POST-STORM SURVEYS AND ASSESSMENTS.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall continue to
perform one or more post-storm surveys and assessments
following every hazardous weather or water event determined
by the Under Secretary to be of sufficient societal
importance to warrant a post-event survey and assessment.
(b) Coordination.--The Under Secretary shall coordinate
with Federal, State, local and Tribal governments, private
entities, and relevant institutions of higher education (or a
consortia thereof) when conducting post-storm surveys and
assessments under this section to optimize data collection,
sharing, integration, archiving, and access, as appropriate
for research needs.
(c) Data Availability.--The Under Secretary shall make the
appropriate data obtained from each post-storm survey and
assessment conducted under this section available to the
public as soon as practicable after conducting each such
survey and assessment.
(d) Improvement.--In carrying out this section, the Under
Secretary shall--
(1) examine the role of uncrewed aerial and marine systems
in data collection during post-storm surveys and assessments
conducted under this section;
(2) identify gaps in and update tactics and procedures to
enhance the efficiency and reliability of data obtained from
post-storm surveys and assessments;
(3) to the maximum extent practicable, increase the number
of post-storm community impact studies, particularly among
under-observed, underserved, or highly vulnerable
populations, including--
(A) surveying-individual responses;
(B) conducting review of the accuracy of prior risk
evaluations;
(C) evaluating the efficacy of prior mitigation activity;
and
(D) gathering survivability statistics; and
(4) as appropriate, integrate community-based, social,
behavioral, risk, communication, and economic sciences
elements into existing post-storm surveys and assessments,
including relating to efficacy of forecast and warning
information, barriers to action, and messaging challenges.
(e) Support for Employees.--The Under Secretary shall
provide training, resources, and access to professional
counseling to support the emotional and mental health and
well-being of employees conducting post-storm surveys and
assessments under this section.
(f) Exemption.--Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44,
United States Code, shall not apply to the collection of
information during the conduct of a survey or assessment
authorized under subsection (a).
SEC. 407. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT ON ALERT
DISSEMINATION FOR HAZARDOUS WEATHER OR WATER
EVENTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 540 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall submit to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report that examines the information
technology infrastructure of the National Weather Service of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
specifically regarding the system for timely public
notification via alerts and updates regarding hazardous
weather or water events.
(b) Elements.--The report required by subsection (a) shall
include the following:
(1) An analysis of the information technology
infrastructure of the National Weather Service, including
software and hardware capabilities and limitations, including
an examination of server and data storage methods, broadband,
data management, and data sharing.
(2) An identification of secondary and tertiary fail-safes
for the timely distribution to the public of notifications
via alerts and updates regarding hazardous weather or water
events.
(3) A process analysis to determine the source and extent
to which public notifications via alerts and updates
regarding hazardous weather or water events have been delayed
and an identification of possible improvements or corrective
measures to address latency in the notification process.
(4) An assessment of whether collaboration with other
Federal offices, States, or private entities could reduce
delays in notifications to the public.
(5) A description of actions being undertaken to better
identify critical steps in public notification via alerts and
updates for hazardous weather or water events that may be
vulnerable to disruption or failure in the event of
communication, technologic, or computational failure.
(6) The geographical differences in availability and
effectiveness of rural systems, including an estimated number
of rural areas affected by unreliable or unavailable accurate
systems and barriers to obtain or upgrade such systems.
SEC. 408. DATA COLLECTION MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION.
(a) Data Collection.--The Under Secretary may collect
social, behavioral, and economic data, including Federal
communication and related public response to hazardous
weather or water events. Where appropriate, the Under
Secretary shall encourage use of secondary data, purchase
data, or partner with the private sector.
(b) Data Management.--The Under Secretary shall establish a
central repository system for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration for social, behavioral, and
economic data related to the communication of and related
public response to hazardous weather or water events,
including data developed or received pursuant to this title.
(c) Protection of Data.--The Under Secretary shall ensure
that all data collected and managed by the Administration is
done within with all legal, regulatory, and contractual
obligations and in accordance with chapter 31 of title 44,
United States Code, and the Federal Evidence-Based
Policymaking Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-435).
(d) Digital Watermarking.--The Under Secretary shall
develop methods to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized
tampering with online public notifications of hazardous
weather or water events, such as developing digital
watermarks.
(e) Policies and Procedures.--The Under Secretary shall
establish policies and procedures for the collection,
archiving, and stewardship of data on community response,
including the response of effected or vulnerable populations,
to hazardous weather or water events.
TITLE V--IMPROVING WEATHER INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND WATER
MANAGEMENT
SEC. 501. WEATHER AND CLIMATE INFORMATION IN AGRICULTURE AND
WATER MANAGEMENT.
Section 1762 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (15 U.S.C.
8521) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (h) to read as follows:
``(h) Subseasonal to Seasonal Forecasting Pilot Projects.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Under Secretary shall establish
not fewer than two pilot projects, in accordance with
paragraph (2), within the U.S. Weather Research Program of
the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research office of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support improved
subseasonal to seasonal precipitation forecasts for the
following:
``(A) Water management in the western United States.
``(B) Agriculture in the central United States.
``(2) Objectives.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Under Secretary shall ensure the following:
``(A) A pilot project under subparagraph (A) of paragraph
(1) addresses key science challenges to improving forecasts
and developing related products for water management in the
western United States, including the following:
``(i) Improving operational model resolution, both
horizontal and vertical, to resolve issues associated with
mountainous terrain, such as intensity of precipitation and
relative fraction of rain versus snow precipitation.
``(ii) Improving fidelity in the operational modeling of
the atmospheric boundary layer in mountainous regions.
``(iii) Resolving challenges in predicting winter
atmospheric circulation and storm tracks, including periods
of blocked versus unblocked flow over the eastern North
Pacific Ocean and western United States.
``(iv) Utilizing outcomes from the Atmospheric Rivers
Forecast Improvement Program as authorized in section 204 of
the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 to produce
operational tools and services.
``(v) Improving the quality and temporal and spatial
resolution of observations and accurate operational modeling
of air-sea interactions, and the influence of oceans on
subseasonal and seasonal forecasting.
``(B) A pilot project under subparagraph (B) of paragraph
(1) addresses key science challenges to improving forecasts
and developing related products for agriculture in the
central United States, including the following:
``(i) Improving the quality and temporal and spatial
resolution of observations and accurate operational modeling
of the land surface and hydrologic cycle, including soil
moisture and flash drought processes.
``(ii) Improving fidelity in the operational modeling of
warm season precipitation processes.
``(iii) Understanding and predicting large-scale upper-
level dynamical flow anomalies that occur in spring and
summer.
[[Page H2674]]
``(3) Activities.--A pilot project under this subsection
shall include activities that carry out the following:
``(A) Best implement recommendations of the National
Weather Service's 2020 Report, entitled `Subseasonal and
Seasonal Forecasting Innovation: Plans for the Twenty-First
Century'.
``(B) Achieve measurable objectives for operational
forecast improvement.
``(C) Engage with, and leverage the resources of,
institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)), or a consortia thereof, and entities within the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in existence
as of the date of the enactment of this subsection, including
Regional Climate Centers and the National Centers for
Environmental Information.
``(D) Are carried out in coordination with the Assistant
Administrator for the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research and the Director of the National Weather Service.
``(4) Sunset.--The authority under this subsection shall
terminate on the date that is five years after the date of
the enactment of this subsection.''; and
(2) by amending subsection (j) to read as follows:
``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated $45,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2024 through 2028 to carry out the activities under
this section.''.
SEC. 502. NATIONAL INTEGRATED DROUGHT INFORMATION SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--Section 3 of the National Integrated
Drought Information System Act of 2006 (15 U.S.C. 313d) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(C) incorporates flash drought research and tools to
enhance timely response;'';
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(C) in paragraph (6)--
(i) by inserting ``(including ecological drought)'' after
``drought'' each place it appears; and
(ii) by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
(D) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
``(7) advance and deploy next generation technologies
related to drought and related publicly available data, such
as monitoring, preparedness, and forecasting capabilities
utilizing artificial intelligence, machine learning, and
cloud technologies; and
``(8) utilize observational networks, including the
National Weather Service cooperative observer program and
State or regional hydrological monitoring projects, and
refine drought indicators across a variety of spatial and
temporal scales for decision-support products by optimizing
data and resources from across the Federal Government,
including snowpack, soil moisture, groundwater, and rapid
intensification data.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(4) in partnership with the National Mesonet Program,
establish memoranda of understanding to provide coordinated,
high-quality, nationwide drought information for the public
good, including integrated soil moisture information in
accordance with the 2021 report, `A Strategy for the National
Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network'.''; and
(3) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
``(f) Modeling Update.--The Under Secretary, in partnership
with National Integrated Drought Information System and the
Climate Prediction Center of the National Weather Service,
shall undertake an effort to transition existing drought
products to probabilistic forecasts and incorporate new and
improved dynamical and statistical forecast modeling
tools.''.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 4 of the
National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006
(15 U.S.C. 313d note) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``From amounts made available to Operations, Research, and
Facilities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, there are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this section the following:
``(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
``(2) $15,500,000 for fiscal year 2025.
``(3) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
``(4) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2027.
``(5) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.''.
SEC. 503. NATIONAL MESONET PROGRAM.
(a) Program.--The Under Secretary shall maintain the
National Mesonet Program (in this section referred to as the
``Program''). The Program shall--
(1) obtain observations in all geographic environments to
improve understanding of and forecast capabilities for
atmospheric and water events, with a prioritization on
leveraging available commercial, academic, and other non-
Federal environmental data to enhance coordination across the
private, public, and academic sectors of the United States
weather enterprise; and
(2) establish memoranda of understanding with networks
outside of the scope of the Program.
(b) Program Elements.--The Program shall carry out the
following activities:
(1) Improve environmental observations used by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National
Weather Service to support baseline forecasts, including
nowcasts, and warnings that protect the Nation's citizens,
businesses, military, and government agencies, and enable
such individuals and entities to operate in safe, efficient,
and orderly manners.
(2) When demonstrably cost effective and meeting or
exceeding agency data quality standards, leverage existing
networks of environmental monitoring stations, including
supplemental radar systems, to increase the quantity and
density of environmental observations and data available to
the Administration.
(3) Establish means to integrate greater density and type
of environmental observations into the Program on an annual
basis, including by encouraging local and regional networks
of environmental monitoring stations, in situ sensor networks
and satellite constellations to participate in the Program.
(4) Yield increased quantities of boundary-layer data to
improve numerical weather prediction performance, including
regarding subseasonal to seasonal timescales.
(5) Provide the critical technical and administrative
infrastructure needed to facilitate rapid integration and
sustained use of new and emerging networks of environmental
monitoring stations anticipated in coming years from non-
Federal sources.
(6) Expand and enhance environmental observational networks
in the roadway environment to provide real-time road weather
and surface conditions for surface transportation and related
economic sectors.
(7) Identify available terrestrial or marine environmental
data, or quantifiable gaps in such data, to improve the
understanding of air-sea interactions.
(8) Support the National Weather Service in reaching its
target of a 30-minute warning time for severe weather through
better predictive model algorithms driven by increasingly
effective observations.
(9) Coordinate with existing Administration data used for
forecasts, including data from the National Environmental
Satellite, Data, and Information Service, the Integrated
Ocean Observing System, the Global Ocean Monitoring and
Observing Program, the National Data Buoy Center, and the
National Ocean Service.
(10) Identify and communicate to the Office of Oceanic and
Atmospheric Research and other partners priorities of
research and development needed to advance observations in
the Program.
(11) Support the National Coordinated Soil Moisture
Monitoring Network in acquiring soil moisture and related
data to support the development of decision-support products
and other information services.
(c) Financial and Technical Assistance.--
(1) In general.--In furtherance of the Program, the Under
Secretary may, to the extent amounts are made available,
award up to 15 percent of the Program's annual appropriations
for financial assistance to State, Tribal, private, and
academic entities seeking to build, expand, or upgrade
equipment and capacity of mesonet systems. Financial
assistance under this subsection may be made in coordination
with and in addition to awards from other Federal agencies.
(2) Agreements.--Before receiving financial assistance
under paragraph (1), the State, Tribal, private, or academic
entity seeking financial assistance under this subsection
shall enter into an agreement with the Under Secretary to
provide data to the Program, subject to verification by the
Program of the relative operational value and evaluation of
the cost of such data, for use in weather prediction, severe
weather warnings, and emergency response.
(3) Assistance and other support.--The Under Secretary may
provide technical assistance, project implementation support,
and guidance to State, Tribal, private, and academic entities
seeking financial assistance under this subsection. The Under
Secretary may provide technical and financial assistance for
maintenance of monitoring stations in underrepresented or
remote areas of the country where it is financially
unfeasible for one entity to operate such stations without
such assistance.
(4) Terms.--In providing financial assistance under this
subsection, the Under Secretary shall establish terms to
ensure that each State, Tribal, private, or academic entity
that receives financial assistance under this subsection
receives a level of Federal support commensurate with the
quality and other characteristics of the data to be provided.
(5) Determination.--A State, Tribal, private, or academic
entity may receive financial assistance under this subsection
only if the Under Secretary determines such entity shall
provide sufficient non-Federal financial support and full
maintenance to maintain the quality of the mesonet system and
associated data standards required by the Program for a
period of not less than five years.
(6) Priority.--The Under Secretary shall prioritize
providing assistance under paragraph (1) to at least one
entity in an underrepresented or remote area.
(d) Advisory Committee.--
(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall ensure the
Program has an active advisory
[[Page H2675]]
committee of subject matter experts to make recommendations
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the
identification, implementation, procurement, and tracking of
data needed to supplement the Program, and recommend
improvements, expansions, and acquisitions of available data.
The Under Secretary may designate an existing Federal
advisory committee, subcommittee, or working group,
including, if appropriate, the Science Advisory Board of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to carry out
this subsection.
(2) Academic expertise.--The advisory committee under
paragraph (1), in consultation with the Program, shall
include expertise from one or more institutions of higher
education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)) to assist the
advisory committee to identify, evaluate, and recommend
potential partnerships, regional or subregional consortia,
and collaborative methods that would expand the number of
participants and volume of data in the Program.
(e) Regular Reporting.--The Under Secretary shall provide
regular briefings, not less than twice annually, to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate on all Program activities. Such
briefings shall include information relating to the
following:
(1) Efforts to implement the activities described in
subsection (b).
(2) Any financial or technical assistance provided pursuant
to subsection (c).
(3) Efforts to address recommendations received from the
advisory committee under subsection (d).
(4) The potential need and associated benefits of a coastal
and ocean mesonet, or other emerging areas of weather data
needs.
(5) Progress toward eliminating gaps in weather observation
data by States and regions of the United States.
(6) Any other topic the Under Secretary determines
relevant.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--From amounts made
available to the National Weather Service, the Under
Secretary, to carry out this section, shall allocate up to
the following amounts for each specified fiscal year:
(1) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
(2) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
(3) $61,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(4) $68,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.
(5) $70,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
SEC. 504. NATIONAL COORDINATED SOIL MOISTURE MONITORING
NETWORK.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with
the Secretary of Agriculture, the Director of the United
States Geological Survey, the Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the heads of other
relevant Federal agencies and departments, shall support the
development, deployment, and maintenance of soil moisture
monitoring networks by managing the National Coordinated Soil
Moisture Monitoring Network (in this section referred to as
the ``Network'') within the National Integrated Drought
Information System.
(b) Activities.--The Under Secretary shall ensure the
Network includes activities that carry out the following:
(1) Establishing a visible, user-friendly website.
(2) Developing a set of criteria for high-quality data
sources.
(3) Supporting research necessary to develop or improve
soil moisture monitoring products at a national scale.
(4) Increasing the number of long-term, high-quality, in
situ and remote sensing soil moisture monitoring stations
across the United States.
(5) Sharing methodologies and validation protocols with the
private sector.
(6) Engaging with the citizen science community.
(7) Developing, releasing, and promoting new, nationwide
point-based and gridded soil moisture data products that meet
the needs of diverse end-user groups.
(8) Supporting community building and outreach to the
network of individuals engaged with soil moisture information
delivery, from data provision to end-user decision making.
SEC. 505. NATIONAL WATER CENTER.
Section 301 of the Coordinated Ocean Observations and
Research Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 10371) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A)--
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting ``as a
component of the National Centers for Environmental
Prediction'' after ``center'';
(ii) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(iii) in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iii) to provide service backup capabilities and
additional mission support services for River Forecast
Centers.''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
``(F) Serving as the primary Center for collaboration and
coordination of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's water research and operational activities
with existing Federal centers and networks, including the
Department of Agriculture, the Army Corps of Engineers, the
Bureau of Reclamation, the United States Geological Survey,
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.'';
(2) by striking subsection (b) and redesignating
subsections (c) through (e) as subsections (b) through (d)
respectively; and
(3) by amending subsection (c), as so redesignated, to read
as follows:
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $46,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024
through 2028 to carry out this section.''.
SEC. 506. SATELLITE TRANSFERS REPORT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives a report describing the
Department of Commerce's authorities, policies, and Federal
Government-wide policies related to transferring any portion
of the weather satellite systems operated by the Department
of Commerce to any other Federal department or agency. The
report shall also include the following:
(1) A description of the process for decommissioning a
Department of Commerce operational weather satellite, any
existing agreements related to transfers of weather
satellites, whether decommissioned or not, and any
reimbursable agreements related to the transfer of physical
property or the operation of Department of Commerce weather
satellites on behalf of any other Federal department or
agency.
(2) A summary of any Department of Commerce plans for
potential transfer of existing or future weather satellite
systems to any other Federal department or agency.
SEC. 507. PRECIPITATION FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Title VI of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 603 as section 604; and
(2) by inserting after section 602 the following new
section:
``SEC. 603. PRECIPITATION FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration
with the United States weather industry, other Federal
agencies, and academic partners, shall maintain a program to
improve precipitation forecasting across timescales.
``(b) Goal.--The goal of the program under subsection (a)
shall be to provide more accurate, reliable, and timely
precipitation forecasts across timescales through the
development and application of a fully coupled Earth system
prediction model in order to reduce the loss of life or
property related to precipitation extremes, with a focus on
the following:
``(1) Improving the understanding and prediction of
precipitation extremes from a variety of weather systems,
including atmospheric rivers.
``(2) Evaluating and incorporating, as appropriate,
innovative observations into operational monitoring and
forecast systems to improve precipitation forecasts.
``(3) Improving earth system model predictions of
precipitation extremes from atmospheric rivers, tropical
cyclones, summer-time thunderstorms, winter storms, and other
phenomena, in coordination with relevant programs.
``(4) Enhancing research transition to operations through
testbeds, including the evaluation of physical and social
science, technology, and other research to develop products
and services for implementation and use by relevant
stakeholders.
``(5) Incorporating social, behavioral, and economic
sciences best practices into operations for more effective
and actionable watch and warning products that help drive
public safety and damage mitigation decisions in coordination
with the programs established in accordance with this Act.
``(6) Ensuring data and metadata management processes are
in place to support data access and archive for long term
research and operations among multiple partners.
``(c) Activities.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall support research-
to-operations work, including relating to the following:
``(1) Implementing key strategies and following priorities
and objectives outlined by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's `Precipitation Prediction Grand
Challenge Strategy'.
``(2) Improving the physical science, operational modeling
and tools, and technology related to better forecasting
precipitation extremes across timescales.
``(3) Improving the social, behavioral, risk,
communications, and economic sciences related to
vulnerabilities, risk communication, and delivery of
information critical for reducing the loss of life or
property related to extreme precipitation.
``(4) Conducting the research necessary to develop and
deploy probabilistic weather forecast guidance technology
relating to precipitation extremes in operational practice.
``(5) Enhancing the operational capacity of the National
Weather Service to deliver decision support for increasing
precipitation extremes.
``(6) Expanding computational resources to improve
precipitation modeling.
``(d) Annual Budget.--The Under Secretary shall, not less
frequently than annually, submit to Congress a proposed
budget
[[Page H2676]]
corresponding with carrying out this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
of 2017 is amended by striking the item relating to section
603 and inserting the following new items:
``Sec. 603. Precipitation forecast improvement program.
``Sec. 604. Definitions.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Lee)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oklahoma.
General Leave
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 6093, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oklahoma?
There was no objection.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6093, the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2023, simply known as the
Weather Act Reauthorization Act.
In 2017, I was proud to lead the first comprehensive weather
authorization in 25 years that resulted in the original Weather Act
being signed into law. The bill we are considering today, the Weather
Act Reauthorization Act, builds on previous accomplishments and makes
further advancements in weather forecasting and prediction of high-
impact weather events. It will undoubtedly save the lives of citizens
across our country.
In the simplest of terms: the Weather Act Reauthorization Act gives
Americans better forecasts.
What that means and how it is accomplished through this bill is so
much more than what meets the eye.
This bill improves the hurricane forecast accuracy and the tornado
warning lead time that started under the Weather Act through the
continuation of successful research programs. It also supports cutting-
edge forecasting by establishing new research and development programs
related to the next generation of radar, atmospheric rivers, coastal
flooding, storm surges, aviation weather, and more.
The Weather Act Reauthorization Act increases NOAA's access to
critical forecasting data by expanding its authority to contract with
the private sector to acquire commercial weather data and codifying the
Commercial Data Program to lead this work. Again, building on what we
started in 2017, NOAA will have more flexibility to purchase high-
quality data from trusted and verified industry partners instead of
building out expensive observation systems and satellite networks.
The Weather Act Reauthorization Act also ensures all this research
and progress doesn't result in overly complex products the public can't
understand. This bill strengthens the emergency preparedness of every
community by improving the communication of weather and water events to
the public. This ensures all Americans understand watches, warnings,
emergency information, and exactly how to respond.
This bill also provides farmers and ranchers with better tools and
services for agriculture and water management, including improvements
in subseasonal and seasonal research and forecasting. As perhaps the
most weather-dependent sector in our country, the agriculture industry
needs accurate forecasts for efficient crop planting and timely harvest
cycles because at the end of the day, this is what feeds and clothes
our country.
Finally, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act authorizes the
continuation of key public tools, including the National Integrated
Drought Information System, the National Mesonet Program, and the
National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network. NOAA is, after
all, a taxpayer-funded agency; therefore, it should continue to invest
in tools that benefit the taxpayers.
It is clear this bill is not a one-trick pony and will accomplish
many things, so it should come as no surprise to hear the widespread
support we have received. Mr. Speaker, 63 Republican and Democrat
Members have cosponsored bills that appear in this package. It has
letters of support from 50 stakeholders, representing groups as diverse
as recreational fishers to two-way radio suppliers. It is a bipartisan
bill with 29 cosponsors on both sides of the aisle.
The Weather Act Reauthorization Act ensures NOAA is modern and
reliable, which will secure the United States' global leadership in
weather forecasting, modeling, and prediction.
More importantly, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act ensures NOAA's
services equip Americans with timely warnings and support, providing
additional lifesaving resources to communities across the country.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my partner in this effort, Ranking Member Zoe
Lofgren, who has been essential in continuing the bipartisan successes
of the Science Committee in this Congress.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6093.
Sadly, this year is expected to set yet another record for global
temperatures according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Last year, the U.S. experienced 28 separate extreme weather and
climate disasters costing more than $1 billion each, surpassing the
previous record set in 2020.
Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and intensity
of severe storms. Just 2 weeks ago, Pittsburgh was inundated by a
severe storm that flooded many parts of the area. Daily rainfall
records for the Pittsburgh area were shattered, and there were numerous
road closures and water rescues across Allegheny County, Pennsylvania,
which I represent.
The science is clear. The need to act cannot be ignored. As we adapt
to this unfortunate new norm of severe weather events, our forecasting
capabilities and preparedness must substantially improve.
{time} 1730
H.R. 6093 will build upon the bipartisan 2017 Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act that led to critical research and
advancements in weather and climate forecasting. This bill before us
today will support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
in continuing to improve research, development, dissemination, and
communication of environmental forecasts, warnings, and information. We
must ensure that NOAA has access to every tool to improve the accuracy
and timeliness of weather and climate information to effectively meet
its mission in protecting people, property, and the economy.
Specifically, this bill modifies and extends key weather and climate
research programs for hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, drought, and
harmful algal blooms. It also establishes and codifies new forecasting
improvement programs for precipitation, atmospheric rivers, and coastal
flooding, including storm surges. Additionally, the bill authorizes
NOAA to expand its partnership with private industry in gathering more
data while solidifying its own role as the driver of the enterprise and
leverages the use of artificial intelligence to meet its mission.
Necessary improvements in data assimilation will be made so that our
weather models continue to be the gold standard. While the improvement
of all severe weather-related research programs is necessary, the
communication of the information is also a key element to an effective
forecast.
Under-observed, underserved, and highly vulnerable communities are
disproportionately affected by severe weather and climate events. To
better serve these communities, we must determine how to best
communicate important weather and climate information. Understanding
how the public receives, interprets, responds to, and values severe
weather information is necessary to produce better forecasts and
warnings. This bill aims to accomplish this by expanding NOAA's social,
behavioral, and economic science research program to simplify and
improve the communication of hazardous weather.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Lofgren for
their diligent work and cooperation
[[Page H2677]]
on this important legislation, and also many of my colleagues who made
significant contributions to this excellent piece of legislation. I
strongly support this sensible, bipartisan bill, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice) to speak on the bill.
Mrs. BICE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Weather Act
Reauthorization Act.
Over the weekend, we saw the terrible effects that weather can have
on our communities and States. Throughout the heartland, there were
more than 50 confirmed tornadoes, which left many injured and, sadly,
took the lives of four Oklahomans. This is why the Weather Act
Reauthorization Act is so important.
We must ensure that Americans have the resources they need when
critical weather events strike. This includes having access to accurate
weather forecasting and other necessary resources to protect life and
property.
I was pleased to see that my legislation, the NOAA Weather Radio
Modernization Act, the National Mesonet Authorization Act, and the WING
Act were included in this package.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
Modernization Act will help save lives by updating our emergency alert
system. Specifically, it paves the way for future development and
provides fail-safe options so that the national weather radio is never
down for an extended period and that outages will be less frequent.
Over the weekend, there were issues with receiving and transmitting
alerts from the national weather radio. My bill will help address the
aging infrastructure in these systems and prevent outages like these
from occurring in the future.
The National Mesonet Authorization Act will work to increase the
overall coverage and accuracy of the National Mesonet Program, which
provides reliable, real-time data and observations for weather
prediction, severe weather warnings, and emergency response.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lucas for his leadership on this
legislation and for his focus on protecting Oklahomans. I urge my
colleagues to support the legislation.
Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Frost).
Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the reauthorization
of the Weather Act. Since its passage in 2017, the Weather Act has been
the driving force behind faster and more precise hurricane and tornado
forecasting.
This reauthorization will build upon that research by updating
existing projects and adding new project programs focused on coastal
flooding, storm surge, and improving weather radar. I am also proud
that included in this package is my bipartisan bill, the Fixing Gaps in
Hurricane Preparedness Act, co-led by my colleague from Florida,
Congressman Daniel Webster.
Congressman Webster and I know that we need to do more to keep our
people and most at-risk communities safe during extreme weather events
that due to the climate crisis are continuing and happening more often
in Florida and across the entire country.
Our bill works to better protect the lives of seniors, folks with
disabilities, and non-English speakers during hurricanes. Our bill
instructs NOAA to evaluate the level of people's preparedness for
hurricane-prone areas; better understand how at-risk populations
receive, interpret, and react to emergency notifications, including
seniors, people with disabilities, communities with language barriers,
and rural, suburban, and urban populations; and, finally, examine the
unique risks for areas with large senior populations, like retirement
communities, before, during, and after a hurricane.
This bill was inspired by devastating national data and conversations
with my own constituents in central Florida who have experienced some
of the worst storms that our State has ever seen. Floridians speak to
me about living in neighborhoods that quickly flood, confusing
messaging from the media on whether they should evacuate or not, and
alerts that are usually just in English or Spanish.
While inspired by the needs of our constituents, this bill will help
folks far beyond just the State of Florida. When these storms come,
people with disabilities must undergo evacuations at far greater rates
than others, yet folks have told me that they feel like an afterthought
when it comes down to the accommodations.
Folks with disabilities and seniors oftentimes get stuck without
electricity. As a result, seniors are most likely to die during a
hurricane, making up two-thirds of the deaths from Hurricane Katrina,
Florence, and Ian.
As part of the Weather Act, the Fixing Gaps in Hurricane Preparedness
Act will save lives, reduce fear, and help Floridians and Americans. I
urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this critical legislative
package.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Mike Garcia) to speak on the bill.
Mr. MIKE GARCIA of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lucas
for introducing the reauthorization of the Weather Act, which includes
my bill, the Improving Atmospheric River Forecasting Act.
In my home State of California, we can experience devastating
flooding, wildfires, and droughts all in the same year, if not in the
same season. Needless to say, we have learned the value of being well
prepared. These past two winters, we have experienced a new threat
called atmospheric rivers. This past winter, 51 atmospheric rivers hit
California, dumping trillions of gallons of water on us, causing
flooding and damage to homes and businesses.
It is clear that we need to do more to improve our predictive
capabilities to give emergency coordinators as much of a heads-up as
possible. We also need to make sure that we are taking advantage of
this free water as much as possible. The problem in California isn't
that we don't have enough water, it is that we don't retain enough of
it. We don't have enough storage, we don't have enough capacity, and we
don't plan appropriately based on the predictions.
The L.A. Times recently reported that nearly 95 percent of the water
from the atmospheric rivers this last year flowed back into the ocean.
That is trillions of gallons of free water that could have been stored
for dry seasons. It is clear that Sacramento isn't going to build more
storage any time soon, so we need to be investing in infrastructure we
already have and improve the efficiency of our reservoirs.
That is why my bill increases research into what is called Forecast
Informed Reservoir Operations. If we can give water managers a heads-up
that these storms are coming, they can prepare reservoirs to capture
the water, helping us fight off droughts when the dry seasons come.
We got lucky this last time; we got so much water that even
California's terrible water policies weren't enough to keep us in a
prolonged drought. We can't keep relying on luck, and we can't wait
around for Sacramento to get its act together. If there was a zombie
apocalypse in Sacramento, Mr. Speaker, even the zombies would die
because there are not enough brains in our State's capital right now
when it comes to water policies, and this goes a long way in helping
them. We need improved prediction of atmospheric rivers moving forward,
and that is what this bill does.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.
Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. DelBene).
Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Weather Act
Reauthorization Act.
For the past 3 years, the National Landslide Preparedness Act has
been providing communities with the tools and resources that they need
to reduce the potential devastation of landslides.
Washington State knows this pain too well. A decade ago, the single
deadliest landslide in U.S. history destroyed a community between Oso
and Darrington and took 43 lives in mere minutes. I knew in the
aftermath of that that we have to do more to prevent future natural
disasters from becoming national tragedies.
The landslide law I championed is doing exactly that. The programs
established by the law are increasing preparedness and improving
mapping data so communities understand where vulnerabilities exist. We
cannot let these programs expire when they are just getting up and
running.
[[Page H2678]]
The landslide law passed this Chamber without opposition in 2020
because every State in this country has some form of landslide risk.
Each year, landslides kill between 20 and 50 people and cause over $3
billion in damage.
With a changing climate and more unpredictable weather, landslide
risks are only going to grow more frequent, more dangerous, and more
costly. I urge my colleagues to support the Weather Act Reauthorization
Act, which includes my legislation that extends these programs.
I also thank Congresswomen Schrier and Gluesenkamp Perez along with
Senators Cantwell and Murkowski for their support in reauthorizing the
landslide law.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Baird) to speak on the bill.
Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for all
the work that we did in the committee to include my bill, the
Precipitation Forecasting for Agriculture Act in the Weather Act's
reauthorization.
The Precipitation Forecasting for Agriculture Act is a simple piece
of legislation. This bill simply directs the United States Weather
Research Program to study seasonal precipitation forecasts for
agriculture.
Hoosier farmers rely on accurate forecasts to determine whether or
not their farms will have rain needed for their crops. This bill
supports that basic need through a collaboration between the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and our universities to create
measurable objectives in forecasting improvement.
This study will address the scientific challenges to improving
precipitation forecasting by enacting the National Weather Service's
recommendations for subseasonal and seasonal forecasting innovation in
the 21st century.
These recommendations will enable the Indiana State Climate Office at
Purdue University to produce operational models for land surfaces, soil
moisture, and flash drought processes. Our farmers need the most
accurate data available to guarantee a successful harvest. That is why
I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Jackson).
Mr. JACKSON of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, the week after I was
elected to Congress, a group of meteorologists from my district got in
touch with me, and they taught me something I didn't know, which is
that my district, which is the Charlotte area, is in the largest
weather radar gap in the country.
Our nearest NEXRAD radar is roughly 100 miles away, which makes it
very difficult to have accurate forecasts for especially low-altitude
storms and fast-moving tornadoes, so at the request of these
meteorologists, our office got to work on a piece of legislation to
address this. I am very grateful that it has been included in this
bill. It would address this by asking NOAA to have a plan to implement
the next generation of weather radar and specifically to prioritize
districts, like mine, that currently exist in these blind spots, in
these weather radar gaps.
This legislation isn't going to just help solve this problem, but it
is going to identify a number of these spots across the country and
prioritize those to make sure that we have accurate forecasts across
the country.
I am very grateful for its inclusion, and I ask all of my colleagues
to join me in supporting it.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. McCormick) to speak on the bill.
Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6093, the
Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023. The Weather Act
Reauthorization Act is sensible legislation that will strengthen the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting
capabilities and elevate the U.S. Weather Enterprise, greatly
benefiting communities across the country.
{time} 1745
As a former helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps, I know firsthand
the consideration you must give to the weather before taking to the
skies. Fog, high winds, turbulence, thunderstorms, ice, and snow are
all routine weather occurrences that can impact commercial and
recreational flights, as well as ground crew operations and maintenance
tasks.
Additionally, I think every Member of Congress here and many of our
constituents have experienced some type of flight delay or turbulence
in the last 6 months, as weather volatility is a consistent threat to
travel plans.
That is why I introduced H.R. 3915, the Aviation Weather Improvement
Act, which has been included in this larger legislative package.
This bill will improve all aspects of aviation weather forecasting
and prediction by authorizing the National Weather Service to acquire
readily available commercial data and partner with the U.S. weather
enterprise to deploy critical atmospheric sensors.
In addition to authorizing this public-private partnership on weather
data, H.R. 3915 also has an explicit focus on improving turbulence
forecasting and modeling.
The Aviation Weather Improvement Act codifies the inclusion of
turbulence events or phenomena in the operation forecasting
capabilities of the Aviation Weather Center. This will ensure that
recreational and commercial pilots have a definitive and accurate
source for turbulence information that can inform route-specific flight
planning.
Put simply, my bill will lower the over 5,000 flights per year that
encounter severe turbulence, as well as make a dent in the 30 percent
of annual delays caused by weather.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lucas, Ranking Member Lofgren, and my
colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for
supporting the efforts of all the Members who contributed to this
important Weather Act Reauthorization Act.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Kean) to speak on the bill.
Mr. KEAN of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R.
6093, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act, introduced by Chairman Lucas
and Ranking Member Lofgren. I thank the chairman and ranking member for
including my bill, H.R. 4069, the Protecting Coasts and Cities from
Severe Weather Act, in the overall package.
With the Weather Act Reauthorization Act and my legislation, we are
modernizing critical research programs to address weather observation
gaps in highly vulnerable areas, which will improve our ability to
protect lives and property from disasters and allow NOAA to continue
developing cutting-edge research and development.
As we have seen from the first comprehensive Weather Act, investing
in advanced weather research and forecasting technologies is crucial
for mitigating the risks posed by extreme weather events.
By expanding NOAA's authority to acquire commercial weather data, we
are not only improving the efficiency of weather data acquisition but
also fostering innovation in the private sector.
These measures underscore our commitment to protecting the safety and
well-being of the people of New Jersey, ensuring that they have the
information and resources needed to withstand and recover from weather-
related disasters.
This bill establishes new programs to improve forecasting models for
weather phenomena like atmospheric rivers and coastal flooding,
directly benefiting the residents of New Jersey's coastal areas. This
will lead to more reliable forecasts and better emergency preparedness
measures for the people back home in New Jersey.
Mr. Speaker, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act is about empowering
individuals and communities with the tools they need to mitigate the
risks of severe weather events. I encourage my colleagues to support
this impactful legislation.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa
(Mr. Feenstra) to speak on the bill.
Mr. FEENSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lucas for yielding.
This past Friday, horrible tornadoes struck parts of my district in
southwest Iowa. Minden, Iowa, a community of approximately 600, felt
the worst of these storms. Roughly 180 homes and businesses were either
devastated or destroyed, and a community member, sadly, passed away.
[[Page H2679]]
Even in our grief, Iowans are resilient. These tornadoes are a tragic
reminder that we need to use every tool available to keep our
communities safe.
I am glad that two of my bills are part of this package. My bills
help ensure that our weather radar can better detect serious storms,
especially low-hanging tornadoes, and the National Weather Service can
disseminate information more quickly.
These reforms will save lives, keep Iowans informed, and deliver
accurate and timely updates during storms.
When it comes to severe weather, seconds can make the difference
between life and death. That is why I urge my colleagues to support
this legislation so that we can protect our families and our
communities.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Oklahoma has 5\1/2\
minutes remaining.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Obernolte) to speak on the bill.
Mr. OBERNOLTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the
reauthorization of the Weather Act.
This bill includes, in section 115, my legislation to also
reauthorize the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program. This is a
critically important program for reducing landslide hazards in the
United States that will, absent reauthorization, expire at the end of
this year.
It is a little-known fact that landslides cause over a billion
dollars in property damage every year in the United States, as well as
costing countless lives. This is particularly true in my district in
southern California.
My district has experienced substantial wildfire damage in the last
several years, and last August, we experienced the first tropical storm
in 83 years in California. This resulted in the liquefaction of the
soil beneath the burn scars in the San Bernardino Mountains. The
resulting landslides erased an entire community. Houses were uprooted
and displaced, and many residents were trapped and had to be lifted by
helicopter to safety.
Mr. Speaker, the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program is a
critical program for identifying hazards that exist with landslides and
improving coordination with local emergency responders and agencies to
make sure that those hazards are addressed.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Lucas and my colleagues on the Science,
Space, and Technology and the Natural Resources Committees for
including my legislation in the Weather Act Reauthorization Act, and I
urge its adoption.
Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of
my time.
Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the Democratic staff who were the
driving force behind this bill: Kristi Parrott, Noah Hunt, and Dahlia
Sokolov. I thank them for their work on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6093, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Again, I express my sincere thanks to Ranking Member Lofgren for her
willingness to work together on this critical issue. I also thank the
29 bipartisan cosponsors, along with the 63 Members who contributed
language found in this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting the
Weather Act Reauthorization Act, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 6093, 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. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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