[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).

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                        [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.]

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