[Senate Report 118-138]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 258
118th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 118-138
_______________________________________________________________________
TORNADO OBSERVATIONS RESEARCH AND NOTIFICATION ASSESSMENT FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATIONS ACT
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
on
S. 1284
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
December 13, 2023.--Ordered to be printed
_________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
49-010 WASHINGTON : 2024
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
one hundred eighteenth congress
first session
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington, Chair
AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota TED CRUZ, Texas
BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts ROGER WICKER, Mississippi
GARY C. PETERS, Michigan DEB FISCHER, Nebraska
TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin JERRY MORAN, Kansas
TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska
JON TESTER, Montana MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee
KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona TODD C. YOUNG, Indiana
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada TED BUDD, North Carolina
BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri
JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia
RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming
PETER WELCH, Vermont J.D. VANCE, Ohio
Lila Helms, Staff Director
Brad Grantz, Minority Staff Director
Calendar No. 258
118th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 118-138
======================================================================
TORNADO OBSERVATIONS RESEARCH AND NOTIFICATION ASSESSMENT FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATIONS ACT
_______
December 13, 2023.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Ms. Cantwell, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 1284]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the bill (S. 1284) to improve forecasting
and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather, and
for other purposes, having considered the same, reports
favorably thereon with an amendment, in the nature of a
substitute, and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of S. 1284, the Tornado Observations Research
and Notification Assessment for Development of Operations Act
(TORNADO Act), is to require the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to update its methods for
predicting tornadoes and other hazardous weather and
communicating severe weather alerts to the public, and for
other purposes.
Background and Needs
Between January 1 and August 17, 2023, alone, tornadoes
have claimed the lives of approximately 75 individuals, a
number almost three times greater than the total number of
fatalities in 2022, and have caused nearly $529.75 million in
damages.\1\ Tornadoes are a particularly deadly type of natural
disaster because they can form quickly with little to no
warning time and may be visibly obscured by rain or clouds.
While a tornado is on the ground, winds can reach up to 300
miles per hour, with damage tracks more than 1 mile wide and 50
miles long.\2\ Around 1,200 tornadoes affect the United States
annually, but this is likely an underestimation due to
discrepancies in reporting methods.\3\ Tornadoes are present in
all 50 States and can happen at any time of year.\4\ Tornadoes
are just as common in the Deep South as they are in the Great
Plains.\5\ Overall, regions with greater population density,
urban sprawl, and manufactured homes are particularly
vulnerable to tornadoes.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\``2023 US Tornadoes,'' Center for Disaster Philanthropy, updated
August 17, 2023 (https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/2023-us-
tornadoes/).
\2\``Tornado Definition,'' NOAA, National Weather Service, accessed
August 28, 2023 (https://www.weather.gov/phi/TornadoDefinition).
\3\``Severe Weather 101--Tornadoes: Tornado Basics,'' NOAA National
Severe Storms Laboratory, accessed August 28, 2023 (https://
www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/tornadoes/).
\4\Ibid.
\5\Matthew Cappucci, ``Tornado Alley in the Plains Is an Outdated
Concept. The South Is Even More Vulnerable, Research Shows,'' The
Washington Post, May 16, 2020 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/
2020/05/16/tornado-alley-flawed-concept/).
\6\Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tornadoes remain one of the most challenging extreme
weather events to predict and warn against. On December 10,
2021, a cluster of tornadoes swept across eight States from
Arkansas to Ohio, killing 90 people and bringing devastating
damage to communities.\7\ The fact that tornadoes of this
strength struck in the December, rather than in the spring and
summer when thunderstorms and tornadoes are more common, also
made it a notable event. These types of events underscore the
need to improve tornado forecasting and risk communication to
better inform the public about hazardous weather events. As of
June 26, 2023, there have been 199 tornadoes in the United
States.\8\ Tornadoes occurring on June 15, 2023, in Perrytown,
Texas, and on June 22, 2023, in Matador, Texas, killed seven
people.\9\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\Jacob Feuerstein and Ian Livingston, ``December Tornado Record
Crushed by Historic Onslaught of Storms in U.S.,'' The Washington Post,
December 22, 2021 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/12/22/
december-tornado-record-crushed-by-historic-
onslaught-storms-us/).
\8\NOAA, National Centers for Environmental Information, ``Tornado
Statistics for the Contiguous U.S.,'' accessed August 28, 2023 (https:/
/www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/
tornadoes/).
\9\Livia Albeck-Ripka and Mike Ives, ``Tornado Kills 3 in Texas and
Injures Dozens,'' The New York Times, June 15, 2023 (https://
www.nytimes.com/2023/06/15/us/texas-tornado-power-
outages.html#::text=The%20tornado%20destroyed%20a%20trailer,were%20
injured%2C%20the%20authorities%20said); Jayme Lozano Carver, ``At Least
Four People Killed After Tornado Hits Matador, a Small Town Outside
Lubbock,'' The Texas Tribune, June 22, 2023 (https://
www.texastribune.org/2023/06/22/texas-tornado-matador/).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TORNADO FORECASTING AND RISK COMMUNICATION
Enhanced tornado prediction and early warning systems
reduce casualty rates because longer lead times on warnings
provide extra opportunities to alert residents who can then
take precautions.\10\ Tornadoes continue to have deadly
consequences, in part due to short lead times of 15-18 minutes
on average and the lack of risk-based and statistically
reliable hazard information to inform effective responses.\11\
Overnight tornadoes are 2.5 times more likely to kill than
daytime tornadoes.\12\ Ample warning time and effective public
communications are critical in these situations since people
may be asleep or unable to see funnel formation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\10\Kevin M. Simmons and Daniel Sutter, ``Tornado Warnings, Lead
Times, and Tornado Casualties: An Empirical Investigation,'' Weather
and Forecasting, vol. 23: no. 2 (April 1, 2008) (https://
journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/wefo/23/2/2007waf2006027_1.xml).
\11\Thomas Fuller and Tariro Mzezewa, ``They Said the Tornado Would
Hit at 9:30. It Hit at 9:30,'' The New York Times, updated June 22,
2023 (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/us/tornado-warnings.html).
\12\Ibid.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center monitors tornado-prone
regions and provides daily forecasts.\13\ The NWS Weather
Forecast Offices use these forecasts to issue tornado warnings
to local constituents to help the public prepare. However,
there are delays between the time the NWS issues warning and
when the public can access them. In March 2022, three
supercells swept across Iowa, producing 17 tornadoes that
killed seven people and destroyed property across the
State.\14\ Because of dissemination issues related to computing
infrastructure, there was a 7-minute delay between when the NWS
issued warnings and the public could access them.\15\
Addressing these inefficiencies is critical to improving
information delivery related to tornadoes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\``Storm Prediction Center,'' NOAA, accessed August 28, 2023
(https://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/about.php).
\14\Eduardo Medina and Vimal Patel, ``Tornadoes Rampage Across
Iowa, Killing 7, Officials Say,'' The New York Times, March 5, 2022
(https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/us/iowa-
tornado-deaths.html).
\15\Matthew Cappucci, ``Weather Service's Tornado Warnings Were
Delayed During Deadly Iowa Outbreak,'' The Washington Post, March 7,
2022 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/
weather/2022/03/06/nws-tornado-warning-dissemination-iowa/).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Improvements to radar technology will continue to advance
severe weather warning systems for tracking tornadoes, strong
wind gusts, blizzards, smoke, hail, and locally heavy rains
responsible for flash floods and mudslides. Recent research has
shown that detection of infrasound through low-frequency audio
acoustic sensors can help identify directional movement,
bearing, and the intensity of tornadoes as well as expand the
distance of detection to over 50 miles.\16\ Because public
perception of tornado risk affects how people prepare for and
behave during tornado events, incorporating social, behavioral,
risk, and communication science into risk communications
systems is essential to ensure people can react in ways that
can save lives. Additional work is needed to fill data gaps in
weather prediction, improve observational capacity, update
tornado rating systems, and improve communication of hazardous
weather events to the public. It is particularly important to
fill observational gaps in geographic regions where current
infrastructure (cellular, internet, and radar coverage)
constrain abilities to rapidly ascertain and communicate the
impacts of severe weather events.\17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\16\Maddie Stone, ``Scientists are Using Nuclear Weapons
Surveillance Tech to `Hear' Tornadoes,'' The Washington Post, February
23, 2020 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/02/23/scientists-
are-using-nuclear-weapons-surveillance-tech-hear-tornadoes).
\17\NOAA Science Advisory Board, A Report on Priorities for Weather
Research, p. 64, December 2021 (http://ncas-m.org/wp-content/uploads/
2022/01/PWR-Report_ Final_12-9-21.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) is
responsible for conducting forecast research to better
understand the location and timing of tornadoes and other
severe weather events.\18\ The NSSL administers NOAA's
Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment
(VORTEX) program, Warn-on-Forecast program, and Targeted
Observation by Radars and UAS of Supercells (TORUS) program,
which together seek to improve tornado detection accuracy and
warning lead-times.\19\ The Warn-on-Forecast system aims to
utilize advanced models to issue storm warnings, which have
traditionally relied on radar detection. NSSL is also
leveraging unmanned aerial vehicles, which can be deployed
immediately following tornadoes to collect high resolution
imagery for post-storm damage assessments. This work has the
potential to advance tornado forecasts and warning through
better documentation of severe weather events.\20\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\18\``About NSSL,'' NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory,
accessed August 28, 2023 (https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/about/).
\19\``NSSL Research: Tornadoes,'' NOAA National Severe Storms
Laboratory, accessed August 28, 2023 (https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/
research/tornadoes/).
\20\``Uncrewed Aircraft @ NSSL,'' NOAA, accessed August 28, 2023
(https://
inside.nssl.noaa.gov/uas/).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TORNADO RATING SYSTEMS
The Fujita Scale (F-Scale), which is used to assign a
tornado rating, was originally developed based on the damage
intensity of tornadoes. However, this method did not account
for wind speed. Since 2007, the NWS has applied the Enhanced
Fujita Scale (EF Scale) to assign a rating based on wind speeds
and estimated damages associated with tornadoes.\21\ A large
number of tornadoes move across rural areas with little
infrastructure, meaning their recorded damage may not reflect
their true strength.\22\ The EF Scale lacks a definitive
correlation between damage and wind speed, which cause
inconsistent tornado ratings.\23\ Both scales are rated from 0
(weak; 65-85 mph winds) to 5 (violent; 200-plus mph winds).\24\
The TORNADO Act would require NOAA to evaluate and update the
tornado rating system to ensure it more accurately reflects the
severity of tornadoes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\21\``The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale),'' NOAA, National
Weather Service, accessed August 28, 2023 (https://www.weather.gov/oun/
efscale).
\22\Joshua Wurman et al., ``Supercell Tornadoes Are Much Stronger
and Wider Than Damage-based Ratings Indicate,'' Proceedings of the
National Academies of Sciences, vol. 118: no. 14 (March 22, 2021)
(https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2021535118).
\23\Wind Science and Engineering Center, A Recommendation for an
Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale), National Wind Institute at Texas Tech
University, submitted to NOAA's National Weather Service, June 2004
(https://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/ef-ttu.pdf).
\24\``The Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale),'' NOAA, National
Weather Service, accessed August 28, 2023 (https://www.weather.gov/oun/
efscale).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
When the NWS determines severe weather, including
tornadoes, may cause a threat to life or property, it alerts
the public through a watch or warning system. Yet public
understanding of the watch/warning system is low, with only 36
percent of people in tornado prone areas understanding the
difference.\25\ This lack of understanding of tornado warnings
increases the risk for inappropriate safety actions by the
public.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\25\Jason Samenow, ``The Problematic Confusion About Difference
Between Tornado Watches and Warnings,'' The Washington Post, May 2,
2011 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/
confusion-about-difference-between-tornado-watch-and-tornado-
warnings-thats-a-problem/2011/05/02/AFW53ZaF_blog.html).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary of Provisions
If enacted, S. 1284 would amend the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to do the following:
Establish or designate a hazard risk communication
Office within NOAA to improve the communication of
severe weather alerts to more clearly inform action and
increase the likelihood that the public takes
appropriate action to prevent the loss of lives or
property.
Require NOAA to develop an action plan for the
national implementation of high-resolution
probabilistic guidance for tornado forecasting and
prediction.
Require NOAA to evaluate and update the tornado
rating system.
Require NOAA to provide training, resources, and
access to professional counseling to support the mental
health of employees conducting post-storm assessments.
Codify the VORTEX-USA program and authorize funding
consistent with current appropriations for the program.
Require a strategic plan for hazardous weather
forecasting and warning frameworks, emphasizing a focus
on the needs of vulnerable communities.
Legislative History
S. 1284, the TORNADO Act, was introduced on April 25, 2023,
by Senator Wicker (for himself and Senators Cruz, Thune,
Grassley, Hyde-Smith, Young, Blackburn, Boozman, Peters, Moran,
and Warnock) and was referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. On May 10, 2023, the
Committee met in open Executive Session and, by voice vote,
ordered S. 1284 reported favorably with an amendment (in the
nature of a substitute with an amendment).
In the 117th Congress, S. 3817, the TORNADO Act, was
introduced on March 10, 2022, by Senator Wicker (for himself
and Senators Grassley, Hyde-Smith, Thune, Ernst, Duckworth,
Cruz, and Peters) and was referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. On March
22, 2022, the Committee met in open Executive Session and, by
voice vote, ordered S. 3817 reported favorably with an
amendment (in the nature of a substitute).
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
S. 1284 would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) to improve forecasting of and warnings
about hazardous weather. The bill also would have NOAA initiate
a pilot program for communicating tornado hazards. Finally, the
bill would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
to report on the National Weather Service's information
technology infrastructure.
In total, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would
cost $60 million over the 2023-2028 period, as described below.
VORTEX-USA: The bill would authorize the appropriation of
$11 million annually over the 2023-2030 period for VORTEX-USA
(Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes
Experiment) to develop accurate and timely tornado forecasts,
predictions, and warnings. For this estimate, CBO assumes that
S. 1284 will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2023 and
that the authorized amounts will be provided in each year
beginning in 2024. (In 2023, NOAA allocated $12 million to the
project; because funds have been allocated for VORTEX-USA in
2023, CBO estimates no budgetary effect for that year.) Based
on historical spending patterns for VORTEX-USA, CBO estimates
that implementing this provision would cost $49 million over
the 2023-2028 period and $28 million after 2028, assuming
appropriation of the authorized amounts.
Other activities: Using information from NOAA, CBO
estimates that the pilot program would require four full-time
employees and one cooperative agreement with a research
university at a total cost of $11 million over the 2023-2028
period. Most of that cost would be for the cooperative
agreement. CBO also estimates that the GAO report would cost
less than $500,000. Any spending would be subject to the
availability of appropriated funds.
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 S. 1284
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
----------------------------------------------------
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2023-2028
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VORTEX-USA:
Authorization.......................................... 0 11 11 11 11 11 55
Estimated Outlays...................................... 0 7 9 11 11 11 49
Other Activities:
Estimated Authorization................................ 0 2 2 2 2 3 11
Estimated Outlays...................................... 0 2 2 2 2 3 11
Total Changes:
Estimated Authorization............................ 0 13 13 13 13 14 66
Estimated Outlays.................................. 0 9 11 13 13 14 60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VORTEX-USA = Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment.
The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Kelly Durand
and Aurora Swanson. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel
Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the
legislation, as reported:
NUMBER OF PERSONS COVERED
S. 1284, as reported, would not subject individuals to new
regulations.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
S. 1284, as reported, is not expected to have any
significant adverse impacts on the Nation's economy. The bill
will likely have a positive economic impact by reducing loss of
lives and property.
PRIVACY
S. 1284, as reported, would not have any adverse impact on
the personal privacy of individuals.
PAPERWORK
S. 1284, as reported, would not require additional
paperwork.
Congressionally Directed Spending
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the
rule.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title; table of contents.
This section would provide that the bill may be cited as
the ``TORNADO Act''.
Section 2. Definitions.
This section would include definitions of the terms
``hazardous weather and water events'', ``historically Black
college or university'', ``institution of higher education'',
``National Laboratory'', ``Indian Tribe'', and ``Under
Secretary''.
Section 3. Hazardous weather and water event risk communication.
This section would direct the Under Secretary of Commerce
for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain and improve NOAA's
systems of hazardous weather and water event communications. It
would establish or designate an office for the purposes of
simplifying and improving the communication of hazardous
weather and water event risks. The office would develop
recommendations to account for the needs of various
populations; respond to the needs of including Federal, State,
and local partners; and consider different types of weather and
water hazards. To improve hazard communications and better
understand their effectiveness, the office would collaborate
with historically Black colleges or universities or
institutions of higher education. Data obtained from the office
on risk communication would be available through a NOAA central
repository system for use and reference.
Section 4. Warn-on-forecast strategic plan.
This section would require a strategic plan for developing
and implementing a high-resolution forecast and warning system
for tornadic conditions. The plan would include priorities of
vulnerable populations such as Indian Tribes, and high-
performance computing needs.
Section 5. Tornado rating system.
This section would direct NOAA to evaluate the tornado
rating system and determine whether updates are required to
ensure that the ratings accurately reflect the severity of
tornadoes. If NOAA determines that the tornado rating system
could be improved, NOAA would be required to update the tornado
rating system.
Section 6. Post-storm surveys and assessments.
This section would require post-storm surveys following
significant hazardous weather or water events. Surveys would be
coordinated with Federal, State, and local governments,
institutes of higher education, Indian Tribes, and private
entities to optimize data collection and sharing.
Section 7. VORTEX-USA program.
This section would change the name of NOAA's Tornado
Warning Improvement and Extension program to the VORTEX-USA
program and require the program to continue research to develop
weather forecast guidance for tornadoes and incorporate hazards
communication research. It would require the program to award
grants for social and behavioral research that improves risk
communication, and scientific research related to tornadoes,
prioritizing research completed at minority-serving
universities. It would authorize funds for grants that would
total $11 million for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2030,
of which not less than $2 million each fiscal year would be for
competitive research grants that focus on improving tornado
forecasting and communication.
Section 8. Reports.
This section would eliminate an annual report on the
participation in the NWS in an exchange program with NOAA
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
Section 9. Government Accountability Office report on hazardous weather
and water alert dissemination.
This section would require the Government Accountability
Office to submit a report to Congress on the information
technology infrastructure of the NWS of NOAA, specifically
regarding the system for timely public notification of
hazardous weather alerts. The report would include an analysis
of the information technology infrastructure of the NWS, an
evaluation of hazard weather communication information gaps,
and an assessment of interagency collaboration.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION ACT OF 2017
* * * * * * *
[15 U.S.C. 8513]
SEC. 103. [TORNADO WARNING IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION] VORTEX-USA
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with
the United States weather industry and academic partners, shall
[establish a tornado warning improvement and extension program]
maintain a program for rapidly improving tornado forecast and
warnings.
(b) Goal.--The goal of such program shall be to reduce the
loss of life and economic losses from tornadoes through the
development and extension of accurate, effective, and timely
tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings, including the
prediction of tornadoes beyond 1 hour in advance.
(c) Innovative Observations.--The Under Secretary shall
ensure that the program periodically examines the value of
incorporating innovative observations, such as acoustic or
infrasonic measurements, observations from phased array radars,
and observations from mesonets, with respect to the improvement
of tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings.
(d) Warnings.--The program required by subsection (a)
shall--
(1) continue the research necessary to develop and
deploy probabilistic weather forecast guidance
technology for tornadoes; and
(2) incorporate, as appropriate, hazard
communication research.
(e) Research.--
(1) In general.--The Under Secretary shall, through
the program required by subsection (a), award grants
for research that focuses on improving--
(A) the social, behavioral, risk,
communication, and economic sciences related to
vulnerabilities, risk communication, and
delivery of information critical for saving
lives and property related to tornadoes; and
(B) the physical sciences, engineering, and
technology related to tornado formation, the
interactions of tornadoes with the built and
natural environment, and the interaction of
tornadoes and hurricanes.
(2) Priority institutions.--
(A) In general.--In awarding grants under
paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall
prioritize awarding grants to minority-serving
institutions.
(B) Definition of minority-serving
institution.--In this paragraph, the term
``minority-serving institution'' means--
(i) a part B institution (as
defined in section 322 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1061));
(ii) a Hispanic-serving institution
(as defined in section 502(a) of that
Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a)));
(iii) a Tribal College or
University (as defined in section
316(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C.
1059c(b)));
(iv) an Alaska Native-serving
institution (as defined in section
317(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C.
1059d(b)));
(v) a Native Hawaiian-serving
institution (as defined in section
317(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C.
1059d(b)));
(vi) a Predominantly Black
Institution (as defined in section
318(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C.
1059e(b)));
(vii) an Asian American and Native
American Pacific Islander-serving
institution (as defined in section
320(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C.
1059g(b))); or
(viii) a Native American-serving,
nontribal institution (as defined in
section 319(b) of that Act (20 U.S.C.
1059f(b))).
[(d)](f) Program Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator
for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, in coordination with the
Director of the National Weather Service, shall develop a
program plan that details the specific research, development,
and technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding
resources and timelines, necessary to achieve the program goal.
[(e)](g) Annual Budget for Plan Submittal.--Following
completion of the plan, the Under Secretary, acting through the
Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
and in coordination with the Director of the National Weather
Service, shall, not less frequently than once each year, submit
to Congress a proposed budget corresponding with the activities
identified in the plan.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Under Secretary to carry out this
section $11,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2030,
of which not less than $2,000,000 each fiscal year shall be
used for grants awarded under subsection (e).
* * * * * * *
[15 U.S.C. 8543 et seq.]
SEC. 403. OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH AND NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Assistant Administrator for Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National
Weather Service may establish a program to detail Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research personnel to the National
Weather Service and National Weather Service personnel to the
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
(b) Goal.--The goal of this program is to enhance
forecasting innovation through regular, direct interaction
between the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research's world-
class scientists and the National Weather Service's operational
staff.
(c) Elements.--The program shall allow up to 10 Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research staff and National Weather
Service staff to spend up to 1 year on detail. Candidates shall
be jointly selected by the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National
Weather Service.
[(d) Annual Report.--Not less frequently than once each
year, the Under Secretary 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 on participation in such program and
shall highlight any innovations that come from this
interaction.]
* * * * * * *
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF
1992
* * * * * * *
[Public Law 102-567; 106 Stat. 4274; 15 U.S.C. 1537]
SEC. 106. DATA AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
(a) * * *
(b) * * *
[(c) Needs Assessment for Data Management, Archival, and
Distribution.--(1) Not later than 12 months after the date of
enactment of this Act and at least biennially thereafter, the
Secretary of Commerce shall complete an assessment of the
adequacy of the environmental data and information systems of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In
conducting such an assessment, the Secretary shall take into
consideration the need to--
[(A) provide adequate capacity to manage, archive,
and disseminate environmental data and information
collected and processed, or expected to be collected
and processed, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and other appropriate departments and
agencies;
[(B) establish, develop, and maintain information
bases, including necessary management systems, which
will promote consistent, efficient, and compatible
transfer and use of data;
[(C) develop effective interfaces among the
environmental data and information systems of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and
other appropriate departments and agencies;
[(D) develop and use nationally accepted formats
and standards for data collected by various national
and international sources; and
[(E) integrate and interpret data from different
sources to produce information that can be used by
decisionmakers in developing policies that effectively
respond to national and global environmental concerns.
[(2) Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment
of this Act and biennially thereafter, the Secretary of
Commerce shall develop 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 comprehensive plan, based on the assessment under paragraph
(1), to modernize and improve the environmental data and
information systems of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. The report shall--
[(A) set forth modernization and improvement
objectives for the 10-year period beginning with the
year in which the plan is submitted, including facility
requirements and critical new technological components
that would be necessary to meet the objectives set
forth;
[(B) propose specific agency programs and
activities for implementing the plan;
[(C) identify the data and information management,
archival, and distribution responsibilities of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with
respect to other Federal departments and agencies and
international organizations, including the role of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration with
respect to large data systems like the Earth Observing
System Data and Information System; and
[(D) provide an implementation schedule and
estimate funding levels necessary to achieve
modernization and improvement objectives.]
* * * * * * *
[all]