[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S481-S485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. BARRASSO (for himself, Mr. King, Mr. Hickenlooper, and
Mrs. Hyde-Smith):
S. 290. A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to upgrade
existing emergency communications centers in units of the National Park
System to Next Generation 9-1-1 systems, and for other purposes; to the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 290
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Making National Parks Safer
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term
``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
(A) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Emergency communications center.--
(A) In general.--The term ``emergency communications
center'' means--
(i) a facility that--
(I) is designated to receive a 9-1-1 request for emergency
assistance; and
(II) performs 1 or more of the functions described in
subparagraph (B); or
(ii) a public safety answering point (as defined in section
222 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222)).
(B) Functions described.--The functions described in this
subparagraph are the following:
(i) Processing and analyzing 9-1-1 requests for emergency
assistance and information and data related to the requests.
(ii) Dispatching appropriate emergency response providers.
(iii) Transferring or exchanging 9-1-1 requests for
emergency assistance and information and data related to the
requests with 1 or more other emergency communications
centers and emergency response providers.
(iv) Analyzing any communications received from emergency
response providers.
(v) Supporting incident command functions.
(3) Interoperability.--The term ``interoperability'' means
the capability of emergency communications centers--
(A) to receive 9-1-1 requests for emergency assistance and
information and data related to the requests, such as
location information and callback numbers from a person
initiating the request; and
(B) to process and share 9-1-1 requests for emergency
assistance and information and
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data related to the requests with other emergency
communications centers and emergency response providers
without the need for proprietary interfaces and regardless of
jurisdiction, equipment, device, software, service provider,
or other relevant factors.
(4) Next generation 9-1-1 system.--The term ``Next
Generation 9-1-1 system'' has the meaning given the term
``Next Generation 911'' in section 9.28 of title 47, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).
(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National
Park Service.
SEC. 3. ASSESSMENT OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTERS
LOCATED IN UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall complete an
assessment of emergency communications centers located in
units of the National Park System to identify--
(1) the implementation status of Next Generation 9-1-1
systems at existing emergency communications centers in units
of the National Park System;
(2) estimated costs to purchase Next Generation 9-1-1
systems for emergency communications centers in units of the
National Park System that have not begun to implement Next
Generation 9-1-1 systems; and
(3) estimated costs to maintain and operate Next Generation
9-1-1 systems across all emergency communications centers in
units of the National Park System.
(b) Report.--On completion of the assessment under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress, and make available on the website of
the Department of the Interior, a report--
(1) describing the results of the assessment; and
(2) identifying issues that may affect the implementation
of Next Generation 9-1-1 systems across all emergency
communications centers in units of the National Park System,
including--
(A) jurisdictional issues;
(B) technological issues;
(C) issues relating to relevant authorities; and
(D) issues relating to legal agreements.
SEC. 4. PLAN TO INSTALL NEXT GENERATION 9-1-1 SYSTEMS IN
UNITS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the report under section 3(b) is submitted, the
Secretary shall develop a plan, based on the results of the
assessment completed under section 3(a) and subject to
subsection (c), to install Next Generation 9-1-1 systems at
identified emergency communications centers in units of the
National Park System.
(b) Consultation.--In developing the plan under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall consult with--
(1) State and local emergency operations officials to
ensure interoperability of the Next Generation 9-1-1 systems;
(2) State and local stakeholders that the superintendent of
the applicable unit of the National Park System determines to
be appropriate; and
(3) relevant Federal agencies, including--
(A) the Department of Commerce;
(B) the Department of Transportation; and
(C) the Federal Communications Commission.
(c) Limitation.--Notwithstanding subsection (a), a plan
developed under that subsection shall not be required to
address emergency communications centers in any unit of the
National Park System at which the superintendent of the unit
of the National Park System determines that sufficient Next
Generation 9-1-1 systems have already been installed or are
being installed, as applicable.
______
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Schiff, Ms.
Rosen, and Mr. Kelly):
S. 291. A bill to establish an interest-bearing account for the non-
Federal contributions to the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species
Conservation Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources.
Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Lower Colorado
River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025, which
would allow the Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado River
Multispecies Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) account to collect
interest.
In 2005, the LCR MSCP was developed through a collaborative
partnership with State leaders, local stakeholders, and the Federal
Government with the purpose of balancing the Lower Basin Colorado River
system operations and water uses with conservation of native species
and their habitats.
Covering approximately 400 miles of the lower Colorado River, the LCR
MSCP is a 50-year plan to create at least 8,132 acres of new habitat
and restore habitat that has become degraded in order to recover 27
species, including 7 listed under the Endangered Species Act. To date,
the program has already succeeded in stocking thousands of native fish
and increasing numbers of breeding migratory birds within 5,000 acres
of new riparian habitat.
The Federal Government and water utility customers in Arizona,
California, and Nevada each contribute funding to support program
implementation.
This legislation would amend the law that created the LCR MSCP to
allow for its account to collect interest.
Although the program has a budget of $626 million for its 50-year
term, its value is eroded over time by inflation that results in higher
costs to implement projects. In the current interest rate environment,
the lack of reinvestment can cost the LCR MSCP millions annually that
could be used to fund future program work.
This bicameral, bipartisan bill has previously received supportive
testimony from the Bureau of Reclamation and passed through the Senate
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by voice vote last Congress.
I would like to thank Congressman Ken Calvert for introducing this
bill in the House of Representatives, and I look forward to working
with my colleagues to pass the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species
Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025 as quickly as possible.
______
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, and Mr. Booker):
S. 299. A bill to establish a competitive grant program to support
the establishment, expansion, or enhancement of youth mentoring
programs for eligible youth, and to provide for social and emotional
learning, employability skill development, career exploration, work-
based learning, and other youth workforce opportunities; to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of
the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 299
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mentoring to Succeed Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Subtitle D of title I of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3221 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating section 172 as section 173; and
(2) by inserting after section 171 the following:
``SEC. 172. YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to make
assistance available for mentoring programs for eligible
youth, in order to--
``(1) establish, expand, or support mentoring programs;
``(2) assist eligible youth enrolled in secondary schools
in developing cognitive and social-emotional skills; and
``(3) prepare eligible youth for success in high school,
postsecondary education, and the workforce.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Community-based organization.--The term `community-
based organization' means a youth-serving private nonprofit
organization (which may include a faith-based organization or
may be an affiliate of a national organization) that--
``(A) is representative of a community or a significant
segment of a community;
``(B) has demonstrated expertise and effectiveness in
workforce development; and
``(C) has demonstrated expertise--
``(i) in the planning and delivery of education, training,
and related activities that are included in a career pathway;
``(ii) in forging coordination and cooperation between
educators and other members of the community; and
``(iii) in development and implementation of data systems
that measure the progress of students and outcomes of career
pathways.
``(2) Covered institution of higher education.--The term
`covered institution of higher education' means--
``(A) an institution of higher education, as defined in
section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001); or
``(B) a postsecondary vocational institution, as defined in
section 102(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).
``(3) Covered partnership.--The term `covered partnership'
means a partnership between--
``(A) a community-based organization; and
``(B)(i) an industry or sector partnership;
``(ii) a local educational agency; or
``(iii) another public entity or private employer, as
appropriate.
``(4) Covered recognized postsecondary credential.--The
term `covered recognized
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postsecondary credential' means a recognized postsecondary
credential issued by a covered institution of higher
education.
``(5) Disability.--The term `disability' has the meaning
given the term for purposes of section 602(3) of the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C.
1401(3)).
``(6) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a
community-based organization or covered partnership that--
``(A) provides mentoring services; and
``(B) provides youth workforce readiness programming and
career exploration.
``(7) Eligible youth.--The term `eligible youth' means--
``(A) an in-school youth;
``(B) a youth who meets all requirements to be an in-school
youth, except that--
``(i) in lieu of meeting the requirements of section
129(a)(1)(C)(ii), the youth is in secondary school; or
``(ii) in lieu of meeting the requirements of section
129(a)(1)(C)(iv), the youth--
``(I) is failing academically or at risk of dropping out of
school, is chronically absent, is enrolled in fewer classes
or for fewer credit hours than a typical full-time student,
has changed schools 3 or more times in the past 180 days, or
has a history of multiple suspensions; or
``(II)(aa) is a gang member or resides in a community with
high rates of, and prevalence of risk factors associated
with, violence-related injuries and deaths, and with other
relevant health and safety risks (including high rates of
poverty, suicide, or substance use disorder (including opioid
use disorder)) or has a parent or guardian who is struggling
with substance use disorder;
``(bb) has 1 or both parents incarcerated; or
``(cc) has experienced 1 or more adverse childhood
experiences, traumatic events, or toxic stressors, as
assessed through an evidence-based screening;
``(C) an out-of-school youth; or
``(D) a youth who meets all requirements to be an out-of-
school youth, except that--
``(i) in lieu of meeting the requirements of section
129(a)(1)(B)(ii), the youth would be placed in secondary
school if the youth were attending school; or
``(ii) in lieu of meeting the requirements of section
129(a)(1)(B)(iii), the youth is described in subparagraph
(B)(ii)(II).
``(8) Mentoring.--The term `mentoring' means a structured,
managed activity--
``(A) in which eligible youth are appropriately matched
with screened and trained adult or peer volunteer mentors for
consistent relationships;
``(B) that provides direct one-on-one, group, or peer
mentoring services that focus on--
``(i) providing enrichment;
``(ii) promoting educational or workforce success;
``(iii) minimizing risk behaviors;
``(iv) promoting social skills and healthy relationships;
or
``(v) any combination of objectives described in clauses
(i) through (iv);
``(C) that involves meetings, events, and activities on a
regular basis, for a period of not less than 1 year; and
``(D) that is intended to meet, in part, the social and
emotional development needs of an eligible youth, the need of
the eligible youth for involvement with a caring and
supportive adult, and the need of the eligible youth for
positive role models, connections, and stability.
``(9) High school.--The term `high school' has the meaning
given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
``(10) Youth workforce readiness programming.--The term
`youth workforce readiness programming' means job training,
or a workforce development program providing an employment
and training activity, such as mentoring, an activity to
promote communication and problem-solving skills, career
exploration, a job readiness activity and certification, a
summer job, or a year-round job opportunity or
apprenticeship, provided to eligible youth.
``(c) Program Authorized.--
``(1) In general.--From amounts made available for this
section, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive
basis, to eligible entities to establish, expand, or support
mentoring programs in accordance with subsection (d).
``(2) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall
be for a period not to exceed 3 years.
``(d) Authorized Activities.--
``(1) In general.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section shall use grant funds to establish,
expand, or support not less than 1 mentoring program that--
``(A) is designed to assist eligible youth in developing
cognitive and social-emotional skills to prepare the eligible
youth for success in high school, postsecondary education,
and the workforce by linking the eligible youth with mentors
who--
``(i) have received mentor training, including training on
trauma-informed practices, youth engagement, cultural
competency, and social-emotional learning; and
``(ii) have been screened using appropriate reference
checks and criminal background checks, in accordance with the
requirements of subsection (e)(2)(F)(ii);
``(B) serves a population that includes eligible youth
living in or from underserved communities or communities with
employment disparities;
``(C) provides coaching and technical assistance to mentors
participating in the mentoring program;
``(D) seeks to--
``(i) reduce juvenile justice involvement of eligible
youth;
``(ii) foster positive relationships between eligible youth
and their peers, other adults, and family members;
``(iii) develop the workforce readiness skills of eligible
youth by exploring paths to employment, including encouraging
students with disabilities to explore transition services;
and
``(iv) increase the participation of eligible youth in
community service activities;
``(E) encourages eligible youth to set goals and plan for
their futures, including making plans and identifying goals
for postsecondary education and participation in the
workforce;
``(F) develops and carries out regular training for
mentors, including training on--
``(i) the impact of adverse childhood experiences;
``(ii) trauma-informed practices and interventions;
``(iii) cultural competency;
``(iv) social and emotional learning;
``(v) positive youth development and engagement practices;
and
``(vi) disability inclusion practices to ensure access and
participation by students with disabilities;
``(G) works in coordination with a private employer and a
local educational agency with not less than 1 high-need
school (as defined in section 2211(b) of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6631(b));
``(H) recruits, screens, matches, trains, and, as
necessary, compensates mentors;
``(I) hires staff, as necessary, to perform or support the
objectives of the program; and
``(J) provides inclusive and accessible youth engagement
activities, such as--
``(i) career awareness activities, including job site
visits, informational interviews, resume writing, interview
preparation, and networking;
``(ii) academic or postsecondary education preparation
activities, including trade or vocational school visits,
visits to institutions of higher education, and assistance in
applying to institutions of higher education;
``(iii) support for the use of career pathways;
``(iv) paid and unpaid work experiences that have as a
component academic and occupational education, which may
include--
``(I) paid employment opportunities;
``(II) pre-apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship
programs;
``(III) paid internships;
``(IV) job shadowing; and
``(V) on-the-job training opportunities;
``(v) work-based learning (as defined in section 3 of the
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006
(20 U.S.C. 2302)) that provides opportunities for the
application of employability skills and hands-on work
experiences through partnerships among eligible entities;
``(vi) occupational skill training, which shall include
priority consideration for training programs that lead to
covered recognized postsecondary credentials that are aligned
with in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the local
area involved, if the local board determines that the
programs meet the quality criteria described in section
123(a);
``(vii) activities that help youth prepare for and
transition to postsecondary education and training; and
``(viii) services to help prepare eligible youth for the
workforce, such as--
``(I) leadership development opportunities;
``(II) workforce or workforce readiness opportunities;
``(III) financial literacy education;
``(IV) entrepreneurial skills training;
``(V) services that provide labor market and employment
information about in-demand industry sectors or occupations
available in the local area;
``(VI) activities to develop fundamental workforce
readiness skills or to develop employability skills (such as
communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical
thinking) that support social-emotional development through
every developmental stage; and
``(VII) career exposure offered by local industry or sector
partnerships to provide career assessments, education, and
career planning.
``(2) Additional activities.--An eligible entity receiving
a grant under this section may use grant funds to--
``(A) provide professional development (as defined in
section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302)) for training
educators and other providers of educational services who
participate in the mentoring program;
``(B) develop assets and resources that assist an employer
or groups of employers or sectors in working with eligible
youth;
``(C) in the case of an eligible entity that seeks to
implement the program through a partnership with another
eligible entity, establish the partnership; and
``(D) conduct program evaluation, including acquiring and
analyzing the data described in subsection (g).
``(3) Subgrants.--An eligible entity receiving a grant
under this section may, with the approval of the Secretary,
use grant funds to award subgrants to eligible organizations
to carry out activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
``(e) Application.--An eligible entity desiring a grant
under this section shall submit
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an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may
require, including--
``(1) a needs assessment that includes baseline data on the
measures described in subsection (g)(1)(B); and
``(2) a plan to establish, expand, or support a mentoring
program that meets the requirements of subsection (d)(1),
including--
``(A) the targeted outcomes, mentor type, and meeting
frequency for the program;
``(B) a description of and data regarding the eligible
youth who will participate as mentees in the program,
including--
``(i) any age ranges to be served or any other eligibility
criteria; and
``(ii) how the eligible entity will ensure that the program
serves eligible youth living in or from underserved
communities or communities with employment disparities, in
accordance with subsection (d)(1)(B);
``(C) the number of mentor-mentee matches proposed to be
established and maintained annually under the program;
``(D) the capacity and expertise of the program to serve
eligible youth in a way that is responsive to children and
youth of color, expectant and parenting youth, indigenous
youth, youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or
queer, and youth with disabilities;
``(E) actions taken to ensure that the design of the
program reflects input from eligible youth;
``(F) an assurance that mentors supported under the program
are appropriately screened and have demonstrated a
willingness to comply with aspects of the mentoring program,
including--
``(i) a written screening plan that includes all of the
policies and procedures used to screen and select mentors,
including eligibility requirements and preferences for such
applicants;
``(ii) a description of the methods to be used to conduct
criminal background checks on all prospective mentors and the
methods in place to exclude mentors with convictions directly
related to child safety that occur during the mentor's
participation in the program or in the 7-year period
preceding the mentor's participation; and
``(iii) a description of the methods to be used to ensure
that the mentors are willing and able to serve as a mentor on
a long-term, consistent basis as defined in the application;
``(G) a description of--
``(i) the community-based organizations or the covered
partnerships through which the eligible entity will implement
the program; and
``(ii) if a covered partnership will assist in implementing
the program, the collaboration and coordination that the
community-based organization in the partnership has carried
out or will carry out with other entities in the partnership,
related to that implementation;
``(H) in the case of a program that includes an opportunity
to earn a covered recognized postsecondary credential, a
description of the activities leading to the covered
recognized postsecondary credential; and
``(I) a budget detailing program activities and
administrative costs.
``(f) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that--
``(1) prior to receiving a grant, serve eligible youth with
the greatest need who reside in--
``(A) a high-poverty community;
``(B) a rural area; or
``(C) a community with high rates of, and prevalence of
risk factors associated with, violence-related injuries and
deaths, and with other relevant health and safety risks
(including high rates of poverty, suicide, or substance use
disorder (including opioid use disorder));
``(2) provide eligible youth participating in the mentoring
program supported under this section with opportunities for
postsecondary education preparation and career development,
including--
``(A) job training, professional development, work
shadowing, internships, networking, resume writing and
review, interview preparation, transition or vocational
rehabilitation services for students with disabilities,
application assistance and visits to institutions of higher
education, and leadership development through community
service, and relevant program elements described in section
129(c)(2)); and
``(B) partnerships with the private sector and local
businesses to provide internship and career exploration
activities and resources; and
``(3) consult and engage eligible youth in the development,
design, and implementation of the mentoring program,
including by demonstrating such consultation and engagement
in the application submitted under subsection (e) and
agreeing to continue such consultation after receiving the
grant.
``(g) Reporting Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the end of
each year of the grant period, an eligible entity receiving a
grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a
report that--
``(A) includes--
``(i) the number of eligible youth and mentors, and the
demographics of eligible youth and mentors, who participated
in the mentoring program that was supported with grant funds;
``(ii) data on the academic achievement, dropout rates,
truancy, absenteeism, outcomes of arrests for violent crime,
full-time employment, part-time employment, and postsecondary
education enrollment of eligible youth participating in the
program; and
``(iii) data on social-emotional development of eligible
youth participating in the program, as assessed with a
validated social-emotional assessment tool;
``(B) may include indicators such as achievement of career
competencies, or successful completion of internships,
apprenticeships, or work-based learning opportunities, or
high school graduation; and
``(C) includes any other information that the Secretary may
require to evaluate the success of the mentoring program.
``(2) Student privacy.--An eligible entity shall ensure
that the report submitted under paragraph (1) is prepared in
a manner that protects the privacy rights of each eligible
youth in the same manner as is required for students under
section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20
U.S.C. 1232g; commonly known as the `Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974').
``(h) Mentoring Program Resources and Technical
Assistance.--The Secretary shall work with the Administrator
of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
and the Secretary of Education to--
``(1) refer eligible entities receiving grants under this
section to the National Mentoring Resource Center to obtain
resources on best practices and research related to mentoring
programs and to request no-cost training and technical
assistance; and
``(2) provide such eligible entities with information
regarding transitional services for eligible youth returning
from correctional facilities and transition services for
students with disabilities.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such
sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2026
through 2030.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is
amended by striking the item relating to section 172 and
inserting the following:
``Sec. 172. Youth mentoring programs.
``Sec. 173. Authorization of appropriations.''.
SEC. 3. STUDY ON MENTORING PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor, acting through the
Chief Evaluation Officer of the Department of Labor, shall
conduct a study to--
(1) identify successful mentoring programs and evidence-
based strategies for administering and monitoring such
programs;
(2) evaluate the role of mentors in promoting cognitive
development and social-emotional learning to enhance academic
achievement and to improve workforce readiness; and
(3) evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program under
section 172 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act,
as added by section 2, on student academic outcomes and youth
career development.
(b) Timing.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, acting through
the Chief Evaluation Officer, shall submit the results of the
study to the appropriate congressional committees.
______
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):
S. 322. A bill to improve the lead time, accuracy, and dissemination
of forecasts of atmospheric rivers throughout the United States, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation.
Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the bipartisan
Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts Act. This bill would require the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a new
program to improve prediction of these important storm systems.
This bill would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to establish a new program within the National Weather
Service to improve atmospheric river forecasts. This includes better
data acquisition, like new radar systems that can track the heart of
atmospheric rivers hours before storms hit. It also includes
implementing a quantitative scale for events on a scale of 1 to 5 to
better inform emergency managers and the public about the severity of
incoming AR events. The bill also requires the Agency to report back to
Congress on the plans for the program and anticipated costs.
As Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Marty Ralph said,
``Atmospheric rivers are the hurricanes of the west coast.'' Why then
are we not treating them with the same attention in forecasting? Like
the National Hurricane Center in Florida, the West Coast needs a
central hub for atmospheric river data acquisition, modeling,
prediction, and dissemination.
This bill will take a pivotal first step in bringing atmospheric
rivers to the same forecasting sophistication as hurricanes by
establishing a new program
[[Page S485]]
at NOAA to coordinate these efforts and create accurate, effective, and
actionable predictions to minimize loss of life and property.
These steps are especially necessary under a changing climate. As
temperatures increase, water bands in atmospheric rivers widen and
storms increase in duration. By 2090, NOAA predicts that atmospheric
river caused flood damages may increase to between $2.3 and $3.2
billion in annual impact.
I want to thank Senator Murkowski for introducing this important
legislation with me in the Senate. I hope all of our colleagues will
join us in supporting this bipartisan bill to improve our Nation's
resilience to atmospheric river events.
____________________