[House Report 119-293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
119th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 119-293
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SNOW WATER SUPPLY FORECASTING REAUTHORIZATION
ACT OF 2025
----------------
September 15, 2025.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
----------------
Mr. Westerman, from the Committee on Natural Resources,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 3857]
The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 3857) to amend the Snow Water Supply Forecasting
Program Authorization Act, having considered the same, reports
favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that the
bill as amended do pass.
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 ``Snow Water Supply Forecasting
Reauthorization Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. SNOW WATER SUPPLY FORECASTING PROGRAM.
The Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act (43
U.S.C. 1477) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``culminating in
the report required under subsection (d)(3)'' and
inserting ``with an emphasis on deployment of
technologies that provide integration of snowpack
measuring and modeling''; and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``after
submitting the report required by subsection (d)(3),'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the heading, by adding ``with
integrated modeling'' after ``data'';
(ii) by striking ``emerging technologies for
snowpack measurement, such as'' and inserting
``technologies that provide complete
integration of accurate, timely, and spatially
complete snowpack measurements and models,
including the integration of''; and
(iii) by striking subparagraphs (A) through
(C) and inserting the following:
``(A) airborne laser altimetry;
``(B) imaging spectroscopy;
``(C) integrated physics-based snowpack and
hydrologic modeling; and
``(D) other technologies that the Secretary
determines are likely to provide more accurate or
timely snowpack measurement data commensurate with
operational water management needs.'';
(B) in paragraph (2) by inserting ``, including the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the
Natural Resources Conservation Service,'' after ``other
Federal agencies''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (3);
(3) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``After submitting
the report required under subsection (d)(3), the'' and
inserting ``The''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Focus.--The program shall focus on activities that will
maintain, establish, expand, or advance snowpack measurement
and integrated modeling, with an emphasis on--
``(A) enhancing activities to achieve improved snow
and water supply forecasting results that are more
responsive to changing weather and watershed
conditions;
``(B) real-time integration of activities described
in this section with water supply forecasts;
``(C) activities in river basins where activities
described in this section can produce snow and water
supply data to inform water management decisions,
including interstate water management decisions; and
``(D) building program partners' capacity to
implement and adapt to the new measurement and forecast
capabilities enabled under this program.'';
(4) in subsection (f)--
(A) by striking ``of this Act'' and inserting ``of
the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act
of 2025'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``and sub-basins'';
(ii) by striking ``technologies'' and
inserting ``and integrated modeling
technologies''; and
(iii) by striking ``technology used'' and
inserting ``application, outcome, and data
resources used''; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or sub-basin'';
and
(5) in subsection (g), by striking ``$15,000,000, in the
aggregate, for fiscal years 2022 through 2026'' and inserting
``$6,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031''.
Purpose of the Legislation
The purpose of H.R. 3857 is to amend the Snow Water Supply
Forecasting Program Authorization Act.
Background and Need for Legislation
H.R. 3857, introduced by Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO),
would reauthorize and modernize the existing Snow Water Supply
Forecasting Program (Program). Established in 2020 by the Snow
Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act,\1\ the
Program encourages the use of technologies to enhance snow
monitoring and subsequent water supply forecasts. It is
administered by the Bureau of Reclamation and provides cost-
sharing on a competitive basis for a broad range of
participants to conduct snow monitoring and water supply
forecasting projects. Technologies such as Light Detection and
Ranging (LiDAR) and the Snow Data Assimilation System (SNODAS)
provide up-to-date, accurate information for conducting snow
monitoring and water supply forecasting. This enables water
managers to make effective decisions and provides greater
certainty to end-users.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\H.R. 8041, 116th Congress, https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-
congress/house-bill/8041.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
An amendment was adopted to provide technical changes,
following discussions with the Bureau of Reclamation, and to
keep the authorization of appropriations at the current funding
level of $6.5 million per year through fiscal year (FY) 2031.
Committee Action
H.R. 3857 was introduced on June 10, 2025, by
Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO). The bill was referred to the
Committee on Natural Resources, and within the Committee to the
Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries. On June 24,
2025, the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries held a
hearing on the bill. On July 23, 2025, the Committee on Natural
Resources met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee on Water,
Wildlife and Fisheries was discharged from further
consideration of H.R. 3857 by unanimous consent. Representative
Jeff Hurd (R-CO) offered an Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute designated Hurd_026 ANS. The Amendment in the Nature
of a Substitute was agreed to by unanimous consent. The bill,
as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the House of
Representatives by unanimous consent.
Hearings
For the purposes of clause 3(c)(6) of House rule XIII, the
following hearing was used to develop or consider this measure:
hearing by the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries
held on June 24, 2025.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 establishes the short title of this act as the
``Snow Water Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025.''
Section 2. Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program
Section 2 reauthorizes the Snow Water Supply Forecasting
Program at $6.5 million per year through FY 2031. Section 2
also encourages the use of technologies that were studied under
the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program. The original
authorization for this program included a 2021 report to
Congress detailing emerging technologies that, at the time of
publication, were not widely used but were predicted to mature
enough to be usable in water supply forecasts within five
years. This section authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to
continue the development and implementation of these
technologies.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Natural Resources' oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.
Compliance With House Rule XIII and Congressional
Budget Act
1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act.
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of House rule XIII and section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, and pursuant to
clause 3(c)(3) of House rule XIII and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has requested
but not received from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office a budgetary analysis and a cost estimate of this bill.
2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to amend the Snow Water Supply
Forecasting Program Authorization Act.
Earmark Statement
This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined
under clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of
the House of Representatives.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act Statement
An estimate of federal mandates prepared by the Director of
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the
Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chair of
the Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the
Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee, if such
estimate is not publicly available on the Congressional Budget
Office website.
Existing Programs
Directed Rule Making. This bill does not contain any
directed rule makings.
Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation 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.
Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law
Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or
tribal law is intended to be consistent with the bill's
purposes and text and the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the
U.S. Constitution.
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 (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no
change is proposed is shown in roman):
SNOW WATER SUPPLY FORECASTING PROGRAM
AUTHORIZATION ACT
SEC. 1111. SNOW WATER SUPPLY FORECASTING.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Snow
Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act''.
(b) Definition of Program.--In this Act, the term ``program''
means the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program established by
subsection (c).
(c) Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program.--
(1) Program establishment.--The Snow Water Supply
Forecasting Program is hereby established within the
Department of the Interior.
(2) Program implementation.--To implement the
program, the Secretary shall--
(A) develop the program framework in
coordination with other Federal agencies
pursuant to subsection (d), [culminating in the
report required under subsection (d)(3)] with
an emphasis on deployment of technologies that
provide integration of snowpack measuring and
modeling; and
(B) [after submitting the report required by
subsection (d)(3),] implement activities to
improve snowpack measurement in particular
watersheds pursuant to subsection (e).
(d) Development of Program Framework in Coordination With
Other Federal Agencies.--
(1) Snowpack measurement data with integrated
modeling.--When determining water supply forecasts or
allocations to Federal water contractors, the
Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of the
Bureau of Reclamation, shall incorporate, to the
greatest extent practicable, information from [emerging
technologies for snowpack measurement, such as]
technologies that provide complete integration of
accurate, timely, and spatially complete snowpack
measurements and models, including the integration of--
[(A) synthetic aperture radar;
[(B) laser altimetry; and
[(C) other emerging technologies that the
Secretary determines are likely to provide more
accurate or timely snowpack measurement data.]
(A) airborne laser altimetry;
(B) imaging spectroscopy;
(C) integrated physics-based snowpack and
hydrologic modeling; and
(D) other technologies that the Secretary
determines are likely to provide more accurate
or timely snowpack measurement data
commensurate with operational water management
needs.
(2) Coordination.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall coordinate data use and collection
efforts with other Federal agencies, including the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the
Natural Resources Conservation Service, that use or may
benefit from the use of emerging technologies for
snowpack measurement.
[(3) Emerging technologies report.--Not later than
October 1, 2021, the Secretary shall submit to Congress
a report that--
[(A) summarizes the use of emerging
technologies pursuant to this Act;
[(B) describes benefits derived from the use
of technologies summarized under subparagraph
(A) related to the environment and increased
water supply reliability; and
[(C) describes how Federal agencies will
coordinate to implement emerging technologies.]
(e) Program Implementation.--
(1) Activities implementing framework.--[After
submitting the report required under subsection (d)(3),
the] The Secretary shall participate with program
partners in implementing activities to improve snowpack
measurement in particular watersheds.
[(2) Focus.--The program shall focus on activities
that will maintain, establish, expand, or advance
snowpack measurement consistent with the report
required by subsection (d)(3), with an emphasis on--
[(A) enhancing activities in river basins to
achieve improved snow and water supply
forecasting results;
[(B) activities in river basins where snow
water supply forecasting related activities
described in this Act are not occurring on the
date of the enactment of this Act; and
[(C) demonstrating or testing new, or
improving existing, snow and water supply
forecasting technology.]
(2) Focus.--The program shall focus on activities
that will maintain, establish, expand, or advance
snowpack measurement and integrated modeling, with an
emphasis on--
(A) enhancing activities to achieve improved
snow and water supply forecasting results that
are more responsive to changing weather and
watershed conditions;
(B) real-time integration of activities
described in this section with water supply
forecasts;
(C) activities in river basins where
activities described in this section can
produce snow and water supply data to inform
water management decisions, including
interstate water management decisions; and
(D) building program partners' capacity to
implement and adapt to the new measurement and
forecast capabilities enabled under this
program.
(3) Information sharing.--The Secretary may provide
information collected and analyzed under this Act to
program partners through appropriate mechanisms,
including interagency agreements with Federal agencies,
States, State agencies, or a combination thereof,
leases, contracts, cooperative agreements, grants,
loans, and memoranda of understanding.
(4) Program partners.--Program partners with whom the
Secretary enters into cooperative agreements pursuant
to paragraph (5) may include water districts,
irrigation districts, water associations, universities,
State agencies, other Federal agencies, private sector
entities, non-governmental organizations, and other
entities, as determined by the Secretary.
(5) Cooperative agreements.--The Secretary may--
(A) enter into cooperative agreements with
program partners to allow the program to be
administered efficiently and cost effectively
through cost-sharing or by providing additional
in-kind resources necessary for program
implementation; and
(B) provide nonreimbursable matching funding
for programmatic and operational activities
under this Act in consultation with program
partners.
(6) Environmental laws.--Nothing in this Act shall
modify any obligation of the Secretary to comply with
applicable Federal and State environmental laws in
carrying out this Act.
(f) Program Implementation Report.--Not later than 4 years
after the date of the enactment [of this Act] of the Snow Water
Supply Forecasting Reauthorization Act of 2025, the Secretary
shall submit a report to the Committee on Natural Resources and
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, that includes--
(1) a list of basins [and sub-basins] for which
snowpack measurement [technologies] and integrated
modeling technologies are being used under the program,
including a description of each [technology used]
application, outcome, and data resources used; and
(2) a list of Federal agencies and program partners
participating in each basin [or sub-basin] listed in
paragraph (1).
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act
[$15,000,000, in the aggregate, for fiscal years 2022 through
2026] $6,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
[all]