(ii) improvements needed in observa-
tions within the planetary boundary layer, 
including mixing height; 
(iii) improvements needed in public 
accessibility of observational data; 
(iv) improvements needed to reduce 
latency in reporting of observational data; 
(v) relevant data to be collected for 
the production of forecasts or forecast 
guidance relating to atmospheric composi-
tion, including particulate and air quality 
data, and aviation safety; 
(vi) areas of concern regarding oper-
ational continuity and reliability of the sys-
tem, which may include needs for on-night 
staff, particularly in remote and rural 
areas and areas where system failure 
would have the greatest negative impact to 
the community; 
(vii) stewardship, data handling, data 
distribution, and product generation needs 
arising from upgrading and changing the 
automated surface observation systems; 
(viii) possible solutions for areas of 
concern identified under clause (vi), includ-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
ing with respect to the potential use of 
backup systems, power and communication 
system reliability, staffing needs and per-
sonnel location, and the acquisition of crit-
ical component backups and proper storage 
location to ensure rapid system repair nec-
essary to ensure system operational con-
tinuity; and 
(ix) research, development, and transi-
tion to operations needed to develop ad-
vanced data collection, quality control, and 
distribution so that the data are provided 
to models, users, and decision support sys-
tems in a timely manner; and 
(B) develop and implement a plan that ad-
dresses the findings of the assessment con-
ducted under subparagraph (A), including by 
seeking and allocating resources necessary to 
ensure that system upgrades are standardized 
across the Administration, the Federal Aviation 
Administration, and the Department of Defense 
to the extent practicable. 
(2) STANDARDIZATION.—Any system standard-
ization implemented under paragraph (1)(B) shall 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
not impede activities to upgrade or improve indi-
vidual units of the system. 
(3) REMOTE
AUTOMATIC
WEATHER
STATION 
COORDINATION.—The Under Secretary, in collabora-
tion with relevant Federal agencies and the National 
Interagency Fire Center, shall assess and develop co-
operative agreements to improve coordination, inter-
operability standards, operations, and placement of 
remote automatic weather stations for the purpose 
of improving utility and coverage of remote auto-
matic weather stations, automated surface observa-
tion systems, and other similar stations and systems 
for weather and climate operations. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under 
Secretary, in collaboration with the Administrator of 
the Federal Aviation Administration and the Sec-
retary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report that— 
(A) details the findings of the assessment 
required by subparagraph (A) of subsection 
(a)(1); and 
(B) the plan required by subparagraph (B) 
of such subsection. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required by para-
graph (1) shall include a detailed assessment of ap-
propriations required— 
(A) to address the findings of the assess-
ment required by subparagraph (A) of sub-
section (a)(1); and 
(B) to implement the plan required by sub-
paragraph (B) of such subsection. 
(c) GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE RE-
PORT.—Not later than 4 years after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall submit to Congress a report that— 
(1) evaluates the functionality, utility, reli-
ability, and operational status of the automated sur-
face observing system across the Administration, the 
Federal Aviation Administration, and the Depart-
ment of Defense; 
(2) evaluates the progress, performance, and 
implementation of the plan required by subsection 
(a)(1)(B); 
(3) assesses the efficacy of cross-agency collabo-
ration and stakeholder engagement in carrying out 
the plan and provides recommendations to improve 
such activities; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(4) evaluates the operational continuity and re-
liability of the system, particularly in remote and 
rural areas and areas where system failure would 
have the greatest negative impact to the community, 
and provides recommendations to improve such con-
tinuity and reliability; 
(5) assesses Federal coordination regarding the 
remote automatic weather station network, air re-
source advisors, and other Federal observing assets 
used for weather and climate modeling and response 
activities, and provides recommendations for im-
provements; and 
(6) includes such other recommendations as the 
Comptroller General determines are appropriate to 
improve the system. 
SEC. 12. EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVITIES. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) BASIC PAY.—The term ‘‘basic pay’’ includes 
any applicable locality-based comparability payment 
under section 5304 of title 5, United States Code, 
any applicable special rate supplement under section 
5305 of such title, or any equivalent payment under 
a similar provision of law. 
(2) COVERED EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘‘covered 
employee’’ means an employee of— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(A) the Department of Commerce; 
(B) the Department of the Interior; or 
(C) the Department of Agriculture. 
(3) COVERED
SERVICES.—The term ‘‘covered 
services’’ means services performed by a covered em-
ployee while— 
(A) serving— 
(i) as an incident meteorologist ac-
companying a wildland firefighter crew; or 
(ii) in a role that is determined by the 
Secretary concerned to be primarily relat-
ing to emergency wildland fire suppression 
activities; 
(B) serving— 
(i) on an incident management team; 
(ii) as an emergency response spe-
cialist; 
(iii) at the National Interagency Fire 
Center; 
(iv) at a Geographic Area Coordina-
tion Center; or 
(v) at an operations center; or 
(C) serving in a capacity determined by the 
Secretary, or the Under Secretary acting on be-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) by inserting ‘‘, the Department of Com-
merce,’’ after ‘‘Interior’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘the United States Forest Serv-
ice in’’. 
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section and the amend-
ment made by this section shall take effect as if enacted 
on January 1, 2020. 
(f) DERIVATION OF FUNDS.—Any amounts used to 
pay covered employees for covered services shall not be 
derived from amounts made available to the Administra-
tion or amounts saved by reducing the number of full- 
time-equivalent employees of the Administration. 
(g) POLICIES
AND
PROCEDURES
FOR
HEALTH, 
SAFETY, AND WELL-BEING.—The Under Secretary shall 
maintain policies and procedures that ensure that the de-
ployment of a covered employee to perform a covered serv-
ice will not compromise the health, safety, and well-being 
of the covered employee. 
SEC. 13. GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REPORT 
ON INTERAGENCY WILDFIRE FORECASTING, 
PREVENTION, PLANNING, AND MANAGEMENT 
BODIES. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to Congress a report that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) identifies all Federal interagency bodies es-
tablished for the purpose of wildfire forecasting, pre-
vention, planning, and management (such as wildfire 
councils, commissions, and workgroups), including— 
(A) the Wildland Fire Leadership Council; 
(B) the National Interagency Fire Center; 
(C) the Wildland Fire Management Policy 
Committee; 
(D) the Wildland Fire Mitigation and 
Management Commission; 
(E) the National Interagency Fire Center; 
(F) the National Interagency Coordination 
Center; 
(G) the National Predictive Services Over-
sight Group; 
(H) the Interagency Council for Advancing 
Meteorological Services; 
(I) the National Wildfire Coordinating 
Group; 
(J) the National Multi-Agency Coordi-
nating Group; and 
(K) the Mitigation Framework Leadership 
Group; 
(2) evaluates the roles, functionality, and utility 
of such interagency bodies; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(3) evaluates the progress, performance, and 
implementation of such interagency bodies; 
(4) assesses efficacy and identifies potential 
overlap and duplication of such interagency bodies in 
carrying out interagency collaboration with respect 
to wildfire prevention, planning, and management; 
and 
(5) includes such other recommendations as the 
Comptroller General determines are appropriate to 
streamline and improve wildfire forecasting, preven-
tion, planning, and management, including rec-
ommendations regarding the interagency bodies for 
which the addition of the Administration is nec-
essary to improve wildfire forecasting, prevention, 
planning, and management. 
SEC. 14. AMENDMENTS TO INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT 
AND JOBS ACT RELATING TO WILDFIRE MITI-
GATION. 
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public 
Law 117–58; 135 Stat. 429) is amended— 
(1) in section 70202— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in subparagraph (J), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(ii) in subparagraph (K), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting a semi-
colon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(L) 
the 
Committee 
on 
Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate; 
and’’; 
‘‘(M) the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representa-
tives.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (6)— 
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking 
the period at the end and inserting ‘‘; 
and’’; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(D) The Secretary of Commerce, acting 
through the Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere.’’; and 
(2) in section 70203(b)(1)(B)— 
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by 
striking ‘‘9’’ and inserting ‘‘not fewer than 10’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(B) in clause (i)— 
(i) in subclause (IV), by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(ii) in subclause (V), by adding ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(VI) the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.’’; 
(C) in clause (iv), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and 
inserting a semicolon; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(vi) if the Secretaries determine it to 
be appropriate, 1 or more representatives 
from the relevant line offices of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration; and’’. 
SEC. 15. WILDFIRE TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION AMEND-
MENTS. 
Section 1114 of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conserva-
tion, Management, and Recreation Act (43 U.S.C. 1748b– 
1) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)(3), by inserting ‘‘the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,’’ 
after ‘‘Federal Aviation Administration,’’; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(2) in subsection (e)(2)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as 
subparagraph (C); and 
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) 
the following: 
‘‘(B) CONSULTATION.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out 
subparagraph (A), the Secretaries shall 
consult with the Under Secretary of Com-
merce for Oceans and Atmosphere regard-
ing any development of impact-based deci-
sion support services that relate to wildlife- 
related activities of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration. 
‘‘(ii) DEFINITION
OF
IMPACT-BASED 
DECISION
SUPPORT
SERVICES.—In this 
subparagraph, the term ‘impact-based deci-
sion support services’ means forecast ad-
vice and interpretative services the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration provides to help core partners, such 
as emergency personnel and public safety 
officials, make decisions when weather, 
water, and climate impact the lives and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
livelihoods of the people of the United 
States.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and 
(2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, 
and moving such subparagraphs, as so redesig-
nated, 2 ems to the right; 
(B) by striking ‘‘The Secretaries’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretaries’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) COLLABORATION.—In carrying out para-
graph (1), the Secretaries shall collaborate with the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and At-
mosphere to improve coordination, utility of systems 
and assets, and interoperability of data for smoke 
prediction, forecasting, and modeling.’’. 
SEC. 16. COOPERATION; COORDINATION; SUPPORT TO NON- 
FEDERAL ENTITIES. 
(a) COOPERATION.—Each Federal agency shall co-
operate and coordinate with the Under Secretary, as ap-
propriate, in carrying out this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act. 
(b) COORDINATION.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) IN GENERAL.—In meeting the requirements 
under this Act and the amendments made by this 
Act, the Under Secretary shall coordinate, and as 
appropriate, establish agreements with Federal and 
external partners to fully use and leverage existing 
assets, systems, networks, technologies, and sources 
of data. 
(2) INCLUSIONS.—Coordination carried out 
under paragraph (1) shall include coordination 
with— 
(A) the National Interagency Fire Center, 
including the Predictive Services Program that 
provides impact-based decision support services 
to the wildland fire community at the Geo-
graphic Area Coordination Center and the Na-
tional Interagency Coordination Center; 
(B) the National Wildfire Coordinating 
Group; and 
(C) relevant interagency bodies identified 
in the report required by section 13. 
(3) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this sub-
section, the Under Secretary shall consult with Fed-
eral partners including— 
(A) the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(B) the Department of the Interior; 
(C) the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency; 
(D) the National Science Foundation; 
(E) the United States Geological Survey; 
(F) the Department of Agriculture; 
(G) the Environmental Protection Agency; 
(H) the Department of Energy; 
(I) the Department of Defense; 
(J) the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology; and 
(K) such other departments and agencies 
as the Under Secretary considers relevant. 
(c) COORDINATION
WITH
NON-FEDERAL
ENTI-
TIES.—Not later than 540 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall develop and 
submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a proc-
ess for annual coordination with Tribal, State, and local 
governments to assist the development of improved fire 
weather products and services. 
(d) SUPPORT TO NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES.—In car-
rying out the activities under this Act and the amend-
ments made by this Act, the Under Secretary may provide 
support to non-Federal entities by making funds and re-
sources available through— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
(1) competitive grants; 
(2) contracts under the mobility program under 
subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States 
Code (commonly referred to as the ‘‘Intergovern-
mental Personnel Act Mobility Program’’); 
(3) cooperative agreements; and 
(4) colocation agreements as described in sec-
tion 502 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Amend-
ments Act of 2020 (33 U.S.C. 851 note prec.). 
SEC. 17. INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary may develop 
collaborative relationships and agreements with foreign 
partners and counterparts to address transboundary 
issues pertaining to wildfires, fire weather, smoke, air 
quality, and associated conditions and hazards or other 
relevant meteorological phenomena, as appropriate, to fa-
cilitate full and open exchange of data and information. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out activities under 
this section, the Under Secretary shall consult with the 
Department of State and such other Federal partners as 
the Under Secretary considers relevant. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
SEC. 18. SUBMISSIONS TO CONGRESS REGARDING THE 
FIRE WEATHER SERVICES PROGRAM, INCI-
DENT METEOROLOGIST WORKFORCE NEEDS, 
AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WORK-
FORCE SUPPORT. 
(a) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 540 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under 
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
Congress— 
(1) the plan described in subsection (b); 
(2) the assessment described in subsection (c); 
and 
(3) the assessment described in subsection (d). 
(b) FIRE WEATHER SERVICES PROGRAM PLAN.— 
(1) ELEMENTS.—The plan submitted under 
subsection (a)(1) shall detail— 
(A) the observational data, modeling re-
quirements, ongoing computational needs, re-
search, development, and technology transfer 
activities, data management, skilled-personnel 
requirements, engagement with relevant Federal 
emergency and land management agencies and 
partners, and corresponding resources and 
timelines necessary to achieve the functions de-
scribed in subsection (b) of section 3 and the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
priorities described in subsection (c) of such 
section; and 
(B) plans and needs for all other activities 
and requirements under this Act and the 
amendments made by this Act. 
(2) SUBMITTAL
OF
ANNUAL
BUDGET
FOR 
PLAN.—Following completion of the plan submitted 
under subsection (a)(1), the Under Secretary shall, 
not less frequently than once each year concurrent 
with the submission of the budget by the President 
to Congress under section 1105 of title 31, submit 
to Congress a proposed budget corresponding with 
the elements detailed in the plan. 
(c) INCIDENT METEOROLOGIST WORKFORCE NEEDS 
ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall 
conduct a workforce needs assessment on the cur-
rent and future demand for additional incident me-
teorologists for wildfires and other high-impact fire 
weather events. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The assessment required by 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) A description of staffing levels as of 
the date on which the assessment is submitted 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
under subsection (a)(2) and projected future 
staffing levels. 
(B) An assessment of the state of the in-
frastructure of the National Weather Service as 
of the date on which the assessment is sub-
mitted and future needs of such infrastructure 
in order to meet current and future demands, 
including with respect to information technology 
support and logistical and administrative oper-
ations. 
(3) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the as-
sessment required by paragraph (1), the Under Sec-
retary shall consider factors including projected cli-
mate conditions, infrastructure, all hazard meteoro-
logical response system equipment, user needs, and 
feedback from relevant stakeholders. 
(d) SUPPORT SERVICES ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall 
conduct a workforce support services assessment 
with respect to employees of the National Weather 
Service engaged in emergency response. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The assessment required by 
paragraph (1) shall include the following: 
(A) An assessment of need for further sup-
port of employees of the National Weather 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
Service engaged in emergency response through 
services provided by the Public Health Service. 
(B) A detailed assessment of appropria-
tions required to secure the level of support 
services needed as identified in the assessment 
described in subparagraph (A). 
(3) ADDITIONAL
SUPPORT
SERVICES.—Fol-
lowing the completion of the assessment required by 
paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall seek to ac-
quire additional support services to meet the needs 
identified in the assessment. 
SEC. 19. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Admin-
istration to carry out this Act and the amendments made 
by this Act— 
(1) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; 
(2) $125,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; 
(3) $135,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; 
(4) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and 
(5) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2027. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
16:40 Jul 25, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H8449.IH
H8449
pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS