tion policy and a national cooperative Federal and State 
program of weather mitigation research and development. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) BOARD.—The term ‘‘Board’’ means the 
Weather Mitigation Advisory and Research Board. 
(2) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Execu-
tive Director’’ means the Executive Director of the 
Weather Mitigation 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 MITIGATION.—The term ‘‘weath-
er mitigation’’ means changing or controlling, or at-
tempting to change or control, by artificial methods 
the natural development of atmospheric cloud forms 
or precipitation forms which occur in the tropo-
sphere. 
Examples 
include 
rain 
enhancement, 
snowpack augmentation, and hail suppression. 
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SEC. 4. WEATHER MITIGATION ADVISORY AND RESEARCH 
BOARD ESTABLISHED. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the De-
partment of Commerce the Weather Mitigation 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 
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(G) at least 1 shall be a representative of 
a State that is currently supporting operational 
weather mitigation 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 
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and practical knowledge of weather mitigation, the Board 
shall promote and fund research and development, studies, 
and investigations with respect to— 
(1) improved forecast and decisionmaking tech-
nologies for weather mitigation operations, including 
tailored computer workstations and software and 
new observation systems with remote sensors; and 
(2) assessments and evaluations of the efficacy 
of weather mitigation, 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 Miti-
gation 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 mitigation by grants to, or 
contracts or cooperative arrangements with, public 
or private agencies. 
(c) REPORT.—The Board shall submit to the Sec-
retary of Commerce biennially a report on its findings and 
research results. 
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SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE BOARD. 
(a) STUDIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND HEARINGS.— 
The Board may make any studies or investigations, obtain 
any information, and hold any hearings necessary or prop-
er to administer or enforce this Act or any rules or orders 
issued under this Act. 
(b) PERSONNEL.—The Board may employ, as pro-
vided for in appropriations Acts, an Executive Director 
and other support staff necessary to perform duties and 
functions under this Act. 
(c) COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.—The 
Board may cooperate with public or private agencies to 
promote the purposes of this Act. 
(d) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Board may 
enter into cooperative agreements with the head of any 
department or agency of the United States, an appropriate 
official of any State or political subdivision of a State, or 
an appropriate official of any private or public agency or 
organization for conducting weather mitigation activities 
or cloud-seeding operations. 
(e) CONDUCT AND CONTRACTS FOR RESEARCH AND 
DEVELOPMENT.—The Executive Director, with the ap-
proval of the Board, may conduct and may contract for 
research and development activities relating to the purpose 
described in section 2. 
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