[House Report 117-304]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress    }                                    {     Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session       }                                    {     117-304

======================================================================



 
    PROVIDING RESEARCH AND ESTIMATES OF CHANGES IN PRECIPITATION ACT

                                _______
                                

  May 3, 2022.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, from the Committee on Science, 
             Space, and Technology, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1437]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 1437) to amend the Weather Research 
and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to direct the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide comprehensive 
and regularly updated Federal precipitation information, and 
for other purposes, having considered the same, reports 
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the 
bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Amendment.......................................................2
  II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................4
 III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................4
  IV. Committee Hearings..............................................5
   V. Committee Consideration and Votes...............................5
  VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................6
 VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (by Title and Section)..............6
VIII. Committee Views.................................................7
  IX. Cost Estimate...................................................7
   X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................7
  XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)............8
 XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................8
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives...........8
 XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................8
  XV. Duplication of Federal Programs.................................9
 XVI. Earmark Identification..........................................9
XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch.........................9
XVIII.Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law..........9

 XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported...........9
  XX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup...........................14

                              I. Amendment

    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Research and Estimates of 
Changes In Precipitation Act'' or the ``PRECIP Act''.

SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION 
                    ACT OF 2017.

  (a) In General.--The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act 
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8521) is amended by adding at the end the following:

        ``TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION

``SEC. 601. STUDY ON PRECIPITATION ESTIMATION.

  ``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of the PRECIP Act, the Administrator, in consultation with other 
Federal agencies as appropriate, shall seek to enter an agreement with 
the National Academies--
          ``(1) to conduct a study on the state of practice and 
        research needs for precipitation estimation, including probable 
        maximum precipitation estimation; and
          ``(2) to submit, not later than 24 months after the date on 
        which such agreement is finalized, to the Committee on Science, 
        Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
        Senate, and make publicly available on a website, a report on 
        the results of the study under paragraph (1).
  ``(b) Study.--The report under subsection (a) shall include the 
following:
          ``(1) An examination of the current state of practice for 
        precipitation estimation at scales appropriate for 
        decisionmaker needs, and rationale for further evolution of 
        this field.
          ``(2) An evaluation of best practices for precipitation 
        estimation that are based on the best-available science, 
        include assumptions of non-stationarity, and can be utilized by 
        the user community.
          ``(3) A framework for--
                  ``(A) the development of a National Guidance Document 
                for estimating extreme precipitation in future 
                conditions; and
                  ``(B) evaluation of the strengths and challenges of 
                the full spectrum of approaches, including for probable 
                maximum precipitation studies.
          ``(4) A description of existing research needs in the field 
        of precipitation estimation in order to modernize current 
        methodologies and incorporate assumptions of non-stationarity.
          ``(5) A description of in-situ, airborne, and space-based 
        observation requirements, that could enhance precipitation 
        estimation and development of models, including an examination 
        of the use of geographic information systems and geospatial 
        technology for integration, analysis, and visualization of 
        precipitation data.
          ``(6) A recommended plan for a Federal research and 
        development program, including specifications for costs, 
        timeframes, and responsible agencies for addressing identified 
        research needs.
          ``(7) An analysis of the respective roles in precipitation 
        estimation of various Federal agencies, academia, State, 
        tribal, territorial, and local governments, and other public 
        and private stakeholders.
          ``(8) Recommendations for data management to promote long-
        term needs such as enabling retrospective analyses and data 
        discoverability, interoperability, and reuse.
          ``(9) Recommendations for how data and services from the 
        entire enterprise can be best leveraged by the Federal 
        Government.
          ``(10) A description of non-Federal precipitation data, its 
        accessibility by the Federal Government, and ways for National 
        Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve or expand 
        such datasets.
          ``(11) Such other topics as the Administrator or National 
        Academies consider appropriate.
  ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
$1,500,000 to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
carry out this study.

``SEC. 602. IMPROVING PRECIPITATION FREQUENCY ESTIMATES.

  ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
          ``(1) not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of 
        this title and not less frequently than every 5 years 
        thereafter, update precipitation frequency estimates for the 
        United States, such that each update includes at least one 
        precipitation frequency atlas that incorporates assumptions of 
        non-stationarity;
          ``(2) develop products targeted at users of this data in 
        support of the mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration;
          ``(3) make publicly available, in a searchable, interoperable 
        format, all precipitation frequency estimate studies developed 
        by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that the 
        Administrator has the legal right to redistribute and that are 
        deemed to be at an appropriate stage of development on an 
        internet website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration; and
          ``(4) ensure all precipitation frequency estimate data, 
        products, and supporting documentation and metadata are 
        preserved, curated, and served by the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration, as appropriate.
  ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
carry out this section $3,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 
2030.

``SEC. 603. IMPROVING PROBABLE MAXIMUM PRECIPITATION ESTIMATES.

  ``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which the 
National Academies makes public the report under section 601, the 
Administrator, in consideration of the report recommendations, shall 
consult with relevant partners, including users of the data, on the 
development of a plan to--
          ``(1) not later than 6 years after the completion of the 
        National Academies report under section 601 and not less than 
        every 10 years thereafter, update probable maximum 
        precipitation estimates for the United States, such that each 
        update includes estimates that incorporate assumptions of non-
        stationarity;
          ``(2) coordinate with partners to conduct research in the 
        field of extreme precipitation estimation, in accordance with 
        the research needs identified by the National Academies report 
        under section 601;
          ``(3) make publicly available, in a searchable, interoperable 
        format, all probable maximum precipitation studies developed by 
        the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that the 
        Administrator has the legal right to redistribute and deemed to 
        be at an appropriate state of development on an internet 
        website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; 
        and
          ``(4) ensure all probable maximum precipitation estimate 
        data, products, and supporting documentation and metadata 
        developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration are preserved, curated, and served by the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as 
        appropriate.
  ``(b) National Guidance Document for the Development of Probable 
Maximum Precipitation Estimates.--The Administrator, in collaboration 
with Federal agencies, State, territorial, tribal and local 
governments, academia and other partners the Administrator deems 
appropriate, shall develop a National Guidance Document that--
          ``(1) provides best practices that can be followed by Federal 
        and State regulatory agencies, private meteorological 
        consultants, and other users that perform probable maximum 
        precipitation studies;
          ``(2) considers the recommendations provided in the National 
        Academies study in section 601;
          ``(3) facilitates review of probable maximum precipitation 
        studies by regulatory agencies;
          ``(4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific 
        probable maximum precipitation estimates; and
          ``(5) includes such other topics as the Administrator deems 
        appropriate.
  ``(c) Publication.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which 
the National Academies makes public the report under section 601, the 
Administrator shall make publicly available the National Guidance 
Document under subsection (b) on an internet website of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  ``(d) Updates.--The Administrator shall update the National Guidance 
Document not less than once every 10 years after the publication of the 
National Guidance Document under subsection (c) and publish such 
updates in accordance with such subsection.
  ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
carry out this section:
          ``(1) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
          ``(2) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.
          ``(3) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
          ``(4) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
          ``(5) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
          ``(6) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.

``SEC. 604. DEFINITIONS.

  `` In this title:
          ``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the 
        Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and 
        Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration.
          ``(2) National academies.--The term `National Academies' 
        means the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
        Medicine.
          ``(3) Precipitation frequency atlas.--The term `precipitation 
        frequency atlas' means a geographical atlas, such as the NOAA 
        Atlas 14, that contains precipitation frequency estimates for 
        the United States with associated lower and upper bounds of a 
        determined confidence interval and supplementary information on 
        temporal distribution of heavy precipitation, analysis of 
        seasonality, and trends in annual maximum series data.
          ``(4) Precipitation frequency estimate.--The term 
        `precipitation frequency estimate' means the magnitude 
        associated with specific average recurrence interval or annual 
        exceedance probability for a given duration.
          ``(5) United states.--The term `United States' means, 
        collectively, each State of the United States, the District of 
        Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, 
        Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the 
        Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory or 
        possession of the United States.''.
  (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1(b) of the Weather Research and 
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 note) is amended in 
the table of contents by adding at the end the following:

        ``TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION

``Sec. 601. Study on precipitation estimation.
``Sec. 602. Improving precipitation frequency estimates.
``Sec. 603. Improving probable maximum precipitation estimates.
``Sec. 604. Definitions.''.

                        II. Purpose of the Bill

    This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) to support a study to understand best 
practices to support precipitation estimation, to regularly 
update out-of-date precipitation data in the U.S., and 
authorizes funding for the study and for the precipitation 
estimates outlined in this bill.

              III. Background and Need for the Legislation

    NOAA provides precipitation estimates in the form of 
precipitation frequency estimates, commonly known as a 
precipitation frequency atlas, and probable maximum 
precipitation estimates, or PMPs. Such precipitation 
information is useful for local governments, dam safety 
officials, floodplain managers, and everyday Americans. It is 
crucial for making life-and-death decisions, like the issuance 
of evacuation orders, and for long-term decisions, like zoning 
restrictions or the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood 
maps and corresponding flood insurance requirements.
    However, much of the precipitation data currently used was 
last updated in the 1960s and 1970s. As climate change impacts 
precipitation intensity and frequency, updated information is 
increasingly important. For years, NOAA has lacked the 
necessary dedicated funding to collect precipitation data and 
produce precipitation frequency estimates or probable maximum 
precipitation estimates.
    The Providing Research on Estimates of Changes in 
Precipitation (PRECIP) Act addresses the issue of outdated 
precipitation data by directing NOAA to update its 
precipitation frequency estimates at least every five years and 
its PMP estimates at least every 10 years (for the continental 
US). It also ensures that NOAA considers the effects of climate 
change on precipitation as it develops estimates and engages in 
best practices as determined by the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Additionally, this 
bill authorizes appropriations for NOAA to carry out the 
directives of the legislation on a regular timeframe to ensure 
precipitation estimates remain current and useful.

                         IV. Committee Hearings

    Pursuant to House Rule XIII clause 3(c)(6), Committee 
designates the following hearings as having been used to 
develop or consider the legislation:
    On April 21, 2021, the Subcommittee on the Environment held 
a hearing titled ``Working Towards Climate Equity: The Case for 
a Federal Climate Service.'' The purpose of the hearing was to 
highlight the need for a strengthened Federal role in climate 
risk information. The hearing showcased the diverse 
constituencies urging improved investment in and coordination 
of Federal climate risk information, with a spotlight on local 
community planners, frontline communities, and adaptation 
professionals. The hearing was an opportunity to discuss the 
availability of climate information that impacts local 
decision-making, such as designing new roads, bridges, and 
dams, and implementing flood control projects. It also examined 
the current, fragmented landscape of Federal programs and 
nonfederal services that translate global climate data and 
model outputs to decision-relevant information for adaptation 
and resilience planning. The witnesses included Richard Moss, 
PhD, Senior Scientist, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's 
Joint Global Change Research Institute at the University of 
Maryland, Chair, Convening Board, SCAN, and Non-resident 
Fellow, Andlinger Center, Princeton University; Beth Gibbons, 
Executive Director, American Society of Adaptation 
Professionals; Jeffrey B. Basara, PhD Director, Kessler 
Atmospheric and Ecological Field Station, Executive Associate 
Director, Hydrology and Water Security Program, University of 
Oklahoma; and Liz Williams Russell, Climate Justice Program 
Director, Foundation for Louisiana.
    During the hearing, Chairwoman Mikie Sherrill discussed 
H.R. 1437, the PRECIP Act and how it would update nationwide, 
authoritative precipitation studies, and incorporate future 
climate risk into the studies, in order to improve local flood 
mapping, weather prediction, and resilience planning.
    Additionally, Chairwoman Sherill questioned NOAA 
Administrator Spinrad about the importance of having long-term 
and accurate precipitation data during the September 23, 2021 
Subcommittee on the Environment hearing with NOAA Administrator 
Richard Spinrad titled ``Advancing Earth System Science and 
Stewardship at NOAA.''

                  V. Committee Consideration and Votes

    On February 26, 2021, Chairwoman Sherrill, along with 
Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Representatives Deborah Ross, 
Bill Pascrell, Charlie Crist, Brian Fitzpatrick, Albio Sires, 
Gwen Moore, and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced the 
bill. The bill was referred solely to the House Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology.
    On November 16, 2021, the full Committee met to consider 
H.R. 1437. Chairwoman Sherrill offered an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute that made a few changes to provide 
further clarity on the activities authorized in the bill and to 
better align with the Senate companion. The amendment passed by 
voice vote, and the underlying bill was voice voted out of 
Committee.

              VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

    H.R. 1437 directs the NOAA Administrator to enter into an 
agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, 
and Medicine to conduct a consensus study on best practices for 
estimating precipitation. The bill directs NOAA to update its 
precipitation frequency estimates at least once every five 
years, and its probable maximum precipitation estimates at 
least once every ten years. The bill directs NOAA take into 
account the effects of climate change on such estimates. It 
also authorizes appropriations from fiscal year 2022 through 
fiscal year 2027 to carry out the directives of the bill.

        VII. Section-by-Section Analysis (by Title and Section)


Sec 1. Short title

Sec 2. Amendment to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act 
        of 2017

    This section amends the Weather Act by adding a Title VI--
Improving Federal Precipitation Information
            Sec. 601. Study on Precipitation Estimation
    This section directs the NOAA Administrator to enter into 
an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a consensus 
study on best practices for estimating precipitation, including 
probable maximum precipitation estimates, and provide 
recommendations for improvement. The Academies are directed to 
produce a report within 24 months after entering into the 
agreement. This section authorizes appropriations of $1,500,000 
to carry out the study.
            Sec. 602. Improving Precipitation Frequency Estimates
    This section directs the NOAA Administrator to publish 
updated frequency estimates for the U.S. along with a 
precipitation frequency atlas that incorporates assumptions of 
non-stationarity (no less than) every five years. The 
Administrator is further directed to develop related data 
products and make the information publicly accessible and 
usable. This section also authorizes appropriations of 
$3,500,000 to carry out this section for each fiscal year (FY) 
from 2022 through 2030.
            Sec. 603. Improving Probable Maximum Precipitation 
                    Estimates
    This section directs the NOAA Administrator to update 
probable maximum precipitation (PMP) estimates for the U.S. 
that includes assumptions of non-stationarity within 6 years of 
the completion of the NASEM report, and not less frequently 
than every 10 years thereafter. The Administrator is directed 
to make all PMP studies and related data accessible and usable 
by the public. The Administrator is also directed to work with 
partners to conduct precipitation research and develop a 
National Guidance Document on precipitation estimation 
methodologies, both informed by the recommendations from the 
NASEM study. This section authorizes appropriations of $13 
million for FY 2022, $14 million for each FY 2023 and FY 2024, 
and $2 million for each FY 2025 through 2027.
            Sec. 604. Definitions

                         VIII. Committee Views

    In carrying out the activities authorized in the Act, it is 
the view of the Committee that NOAA should not delay updating 
the precipitation frequency and PMP estimates while the NASEM 
study is under way. The Committee views updated precipitation 
estimates as critical and time-sensitive, and any findings that 
arise from the study authorized in Section 601 should be 
incorporated as available and when practicable. The Committee 
also emphasizes that the frequency at which precipitation 
estimates are to be updated according to the Act are minimum 
frequencies and welcomes estimates that are updated on a more 
frequent basis.

                           IX. Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the 
estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax 
expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate 
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974.

             X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate 

	
		[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


    H.R. 1437 would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) to improve precipitation estimates for 
the United States. The bill would authorize the appropriation 
of specific amounts for each fiscal year through 2030, totaling 
$80 million, for the following activities:
           $47 million to create unified guidance for 
        federal agencies and private entities on best practices 
        for producing precipitation estimates,
           $31.5 million to produce improved estimates 
        of precipitation frequency and volume, and
           $1.5 million to contract with the National 
        Academy of Sciences to produce a report on current 
        precipitation estimate practices, their shortcomings, 
        and ways they can be improved.
    The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-
58) provided NOAA with advance appropriations totaling $492 
million over the 2022 to 2026 period for flood mapping and 
water modeling activities, including modernized studies of 
precipitation frequency and volume. The authorization of 
appropriations in H.R. 1437 would be in addition to the funds 
already provided.
    For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 1437 will be 
enacted near the end of fiscal year 2022. Using historical 
spending patterns for similar research and activities, CBO 
estimates that implementing H.R. 1437 would cost $50 million 
over the 2022-2026 period and $80 million over the 2022-2031 
period.
    The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall 
within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).

                                   TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 1437
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               2022   2023   2024   2025   2026   2027   2028   2029   2030   2031  2022-2026  2022-2031
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorization...............................................     18     18     17      6      5      5      4      4      3      0        64         80
Estimated Outlays...........................................      *      5      9     21     15     11      8      5      4      2        50         80
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*= between zero and $500,000.

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Robert Reese. 
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Director of Budget Analysis.

                     XI. Federal Mandates Statement

    H.R. 1437 contains no unfunded mandates.

         XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    The Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in the body of this report.

      XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to House rule XIII clause (3)(c)(4), the goals and 
objectives of H.R. 1437 are to provide guidance for and fund 
investment in the research and development activities to 
improve the accuracy and frequency of precipitation estimates.

               XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 1437 does not create any advisory committees.

                  XV. Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 1437 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the 
federal government known to be duplicative of another federal 
program, including any program that was included in a report to 
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the 
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                      XVI. Earmark Identification

    Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 1437 contains no earmarks, limited 
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

             XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that H.R. 1437 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

     XVIII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law

    This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or 
tribal law.

       XIX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported

    In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is 
printed in italics and existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

        WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION ACT OF 2017



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Weather 
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017''.
  (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is 
as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
     * * * * * * *

          TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION

Sec. 601. Study on precipitation estimation.
Sec. 602. Improving precipitation frequency estimates.
Sec. 603. Improving probable maximum precipitation estimates.
Sec. 604. Definitions.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


         TITLE VI--IMPROVING FEDERAL PRECIPITATION INFORMATION

SEC. 601. STUDY ON PRECIPITATION ESTIMATION.

  (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of the PRECIP Act, the Administrator, in consultation 
with other Federal agencies as appropriate, shall seek to enter 
an agreement with the National Academies--
          (1) to conduct a study on the state of practice and 
        research needs for precipitation estimation, including 
        probable maximum precipitation estimation; and
          (2) to submit, not later than 24 months after the 
        date on which such agreement is finalized, to the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the 
        House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and make 
        publicly available on a website, a report on the 
        results of the study under paragraph (1).
  (b) Study.--The report under subsection (a) shall include the 
following:
          (1) An examination of the current state of practice 
        for precipitation estimation at scales appropriate for 
        decisionmaker needs, and rationale for further 
        evolution of this field.
          (2) An evaluation of best practices for precipitation 
        estimation that are based on the best-available 
        science, include assumptions of non-stationarity, and 
        can be utilized by the user community.
          (3) A framework for--
                  (A) the development of a National Guidance 
                Document for estimating extreme precipitation 
                in future conditions; and
                  (B) evaluation of the strengths and 
                challenges of the full spectrum of approaches, 
                including for probable maximum precipitation 
                studies.
          (4) A description of existing research needs in the 
        field of precipitation estimation in order to modernize 
        current methodologies and incorporate assumptions of 
        non-stationarity.
          (5) A description of in-situ, airborne, and space-
        based observation requirements, that could enhance 
        precipitation estimation and development of models, 
        including an examination of the use of geographic 
        information systems and geospatial technology for 
        integration, analysis, and visualization of 
        precipitation data.
          (6) A recommended plan for a Federal research and 
        development program, including specifications for 
        costs, timeframes, and responsible agencies for 
        addressing identified research needs.
          (7) An analysis of the respective roles in 
        precipitation estimation of various Federal agencies, 
        academia, State, tribal, territorial, and local 
        governments, and other public and private stakeholders.
          (8) Recommendations for data management to promote 
        long-term needs such as enabling retrospective analyses 
        and data discoverability, interoperability, and reuse.
          (9) Recommendations for how data and services from 
        the entire enterprise can be best leveraged by the 
        Federal Government.
          (10) A description of non-Federal precipitation data, 
        its accessibility by the Federal Government, and ways 
        for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to 
        improve or expand such datasets.
          (11) Such other topics as the Administrator or 
        National Academies consider appropriate.
  (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
$1,500,000 to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to carry out this study.

SEC. 602. IMPROVING PRECIPITATION FREQUENCY ESTIMATES.

  (a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
          (1) not later than 5 years after the date of 
        enactment of this title and not less frequently than 
        every 5 years thereafter, update precipitation 
        frequency estimates for the United States, such that 
        each update includes at least one precipitation 
        frequency atlas that incorporates assumptions of non-
        stationarity;
          (2) develop products targeted at users of this data 
        in support of the mission of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration;
          (3) make publicly available, in a searchable, 
        interoperable format, all precipitation frequency 
        estimate studies developed by the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration that the Administrator has 
        the legal right to redistribute and that are deemed to 
        be at an appropriate stage of development on an 
        internet website of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration; and
          (4) ensure all precipitation frequency estimate data, 
        products, and supporting documentation and metadata are 
        preserved, curated, and served by the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration, as appropriate.
  (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to carry out this section $3,500,000 for each of 
fiscal years 2022 through 2030.

SEC. 603. IMPROVING PROBABLE MAXIMUM PRECIPITATION ESTIMATES.

  (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date on 
which the National Academies makes public the report under 
section 601, the Administrator, in consideration of the report 
recommendations, shall consult with relevant partners, 
including users of the data, on the development of a plan to--
          (1) not later than 6 years after the completion of 
        the National Academies report under section 601 and not 
        less than every 10 years thereafter, update probable 
        maximum precipitation estimates for the United States, 
        such that each update includes estimates that 
        incorporate assumptions of non-stationarity;
          (2) coordinate with partners to conduct research in 
        the field of extreme precipitation estimation, in 
        accordance with the research needs identified by the 
        National Academies report under section 601;
          (3) make publicly available, in a searchable, 
        interoperable format, all probable maximum 
        precipitation studies developed by the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration that the Administrator 
        has the legal right to redistribute and deemed to be at 
        an appropriate state of development on an internet 
        website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration; and
          (4) ensure all probable maximum precipitation 
        estimate data, products, and supporting documentation 
        and metadata developed by the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration are preserved, curated, and 
        served by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration, as appropriate.
  (b) National Guidance Document for the Development of 
Probable Maximum Precipitation Estimates.--The Administrator, 
in collaboration with Federal agencies, State, territorial, 
tribal and local governments, academia and other partners the 
Administrator deems appropriate, shall develop a National 
Guidance Document that--
          (1) provides best practices that can be followed by 
        Federal and State regulatory agencies, private 
        meteorological consultants, and other users that 
        perform probable maximum precipitation studies;
          (2) considers the recommendations provided in the 
        National Academies study in section 601;
          (3) facilitates review of probable maximum 
        precipitation studies by regulatory agencies;
          (4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific 
        probable maximum precipitation estimates; and
          (5) includes such other topics as the Administrator 
        deems appropriate.
  (c) Publication.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
which the National Academies makes public the report under 
section 601, the Administrator shall make publicly available 
the National Guidance Document under subsection (b) on an 
internet website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.
  (d) Updates.--The Administrator shall update the National 
Guidance Document not less than once every 10 years after the 
publication of the National Guidance Document under subsection 
(c) and publish such updates in accordance with such 
subsection.
  (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to carry out this section:
          (1) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
          (2) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.
          (3) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.
          (4) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.
          (5) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
          (6) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.

SEC. 604. DEFINITIONS.

   In this title:
          (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means 
        the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
        Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration.
          (2) National academies.--The term ``National 
        Academies'' means the National Academies of Sciences, 
        Engineering, and Medicine.
          (3) Precipitation frequency atlas.--The term 
        ``precipitation frequency atlas'' means a geographical 
        atlas, such as the NOAA Atlas 14, that contains 
        precipitation frequency estimates for the United States 
        with associated lower and upper bounds of a determined 
        confidence interval and supplementary information on 
        temporal distribution of heavy precipitation, analysis 
        of seasonality, and trends in annual maximum series 
        data.
          (4) Precipitation frequency estimate.--The term 
        ``precipitation frequency estimate'' means the 
        magnitude associated with specific average recurrence 
        interval or annual exceedance probability for a given 
        duration.
          (5) United states.--The term ``United States'' means, 
        collectively, each State of the United States, the 
        District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
        American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
        Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands of the United 
        States, and any other territory or possession of the 
        United States.

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