I 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2995 
To establish the Weather Modification Operations and Research Board, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 20, 2005 
Mr. UDALL of Colorado introduced the following bill; which was referred to 
the Committee on Science 
A BILL 
To establish the Weather Modification Operations and 
Research Board, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Weather Modification 
Research and Technology Transfer Authorization Act of 
2005’’. 
SEC. 2. PURPOSE. 
It is the purpose of this Act to develop and implement 
a comprehensive and coordinated national weather modi-
fication policy and a national cooperative Federal and
State program of weather modification research and devel-
opment. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the 
Weather Modification Advisory and Research Board. 
(2) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Execu-
tive Director’’ means the Executive Director of the 
Weather Modification Advisory and Research Board. 
(3) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.—The term 
‘‘research and development’’ means theoretical anal-
ysis, exploration, experimentation, and the extension 
of investigative findings and theories of scientific or 
technical nature into practical application for experi-
mental and demonstration purposes, including the 
experimental production and testing of models, de-
vices, equipment, materials, and processes. 
(4) 
WEATHER
MODIFICATION.—The 
term 
‘‘weather modification’’ means changing or control-
ling, or attempting to change or control, by artificial 
methods the natural development of atmospheric 
cloud forms or precipitation forms which occur in 
the troposphere.
SEC. 4. WEATHER MODIFICATION ADVISORY AND RE-
SEARCH BOARD ESTABLISHED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the De-
partment of Commerce the Weather Modification Advisory 
and Research Board. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Board shall consist of 
11 members appointed by the Secretary of Com-
merce, of whom— 
(A) at least 1 shall be a representative of 
the American Meteorological Society; 
(B) at least 1 shall be a representative of 
the American Society of Civil Engineers; 
(C) at least 1 shall be a representative of 
the National Academy of Sciences; 
(D) at least 1 shall be a representative of 
the National Center for Atmospheric Research 
of the National Science Foundation; 
(E) at least 2 shall be representatives of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration of the Department of Commerce; 
(F) at least 1 shall be a representative of 
institutions of higher education or research in-
stitutes; and
(G) at least 1 shall be a representative of 
a State that is currently supporting operational 
weather modification projects. 
(2) TENURE.—A member of the Board serves 
at the pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce. 
(3) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy on the Board 
shall be filled in the same manner as the original ap-
pointment. 
(b) ADVISORY COMMITTEES.—The Board may estab-
lish advisory committees to advise the Board and to make 
recommendations to the Board concerning legislation, poli-
cies, administration, research, and other matters. 
(c) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date on which all members of the Board have been 
appointed, the Board shall hold its first meeting. 
(d) MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet at the call of 
the Chair. 
(e) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the 
Board shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of 
members may hold hearings. 
(f) CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.—The Board shall select 
a Chair and Vice Chair from among its members. 
SEC. 5. DUTIES OF THE BOARD. 
(a) PROMOTION
OF
RESEARCH
AND
DEVELOP-
MENT.—In order to assist in expanding the theoretical
and practical knowledge of weather modification, the 
Board shall promote and fund research and development, 
studies, and investigations with respect to— 
(1) improved forecast and decisionmaking tech-
nologies for weather modification operations, includ-
ing tailored computer workstations and software and 
new observation systems with remote sensors; and 
(2) assessments and evaluations of the efficacy 
of weather modification, both purposeful (including 
cloud-seeding operations) and inadvertent (including 
downwind effects and anthropogenic effects). 
(b) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—Unless the use of the 
money is restricted or subject to any limitations provided 
by law, the Board shall use amounts in the Weather Modi-
fication Research and Development Fund— 
(1) to pay its expenses in the administration of 
this Act; and 
(2) to provide for research and development 
with respect to weather modifications by grants to, 
or contracts or cooperative arrangements with, pub-
lic or private agencies. 
(c) REPORT.—The Board shall submit to the Sec-
retary of Commerce biennially a report on its findings and 
research results.