115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 353 
AN ACT 
To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration’s weather research through a focused program 
of investment on affordable and attainable advances in 
observational, computing, and modeling capabilities to 
support substantial improvement in weather forecasting 
and prediction of high impact weather events, to expand 
commercial opportunities for the provision of weather 
data, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 
2017’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Definitions. 
TITLE I—UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND 
FORECASTING IMPROVEMENT 
Sec. 101. Public safety priority. 
Sec. 102. Weather research and forecasting innovation. 
Sec. 103. Tornado warning improvement and extension program. 
Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program. 
Sec. 105. Weather research and development planning. 
Sec. 106. Observing system planning. 
Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments. 
Sec. 108. Annual report on computing resources prioritization. 
Sec. 109. United States Weather Research program. 
Sec. 110. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE II—SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTING 
INNOVATION 
Sec. 201. Improving subseasonal and seasonal forecasts. 
TITLE III—WEATHER SATELLITE AND DATA INNOVATION 
Sec. 301. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite and data 
management. 
Sec. 302. Commercial weather data. 
Sec. 303. Unnecessary duplication. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL WEATHER COORDINATION 
Sec. 401. Environmental Information Services Working Group. 
Sec. 402. Interagency weather research and forecast innovation coordination. 
Sec. 403. Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and National Weather 
Service exchange program. 
Sec. 404. Visiting fellows at National Weather Service. 
Sec. 405. Warning coordination meteorologists at weather forecast offices of 
National Weather Service. 
Sec. 406. Improving National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration commu-
nication of hazardous weather and water events. 
Sec. 407. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Ready All 
Hazards Award Program. 
Sec. 408. Department of Defense weather forecasting activities. 
Sec. 409. National Weather Service; operations and workforce analysis.
Sec. 410. Report on contract positions at National Weather Service. 
Sec. 411. Weather impacts to communities and infrastructure. 
Sec. 412. Weather enterprise outreach. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) SEASONAL.—The term ‘‘seasonal’’ means 
the time range between 3 months and 2 years. 
(2) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means a State, 
a territory, or possession of the United States, in-
cluding a Commonwealth, or the District of Colum-
bia. 
(3) SUBSEASONAL.—The term ‘‘subseasonal’’ 
means the time range between 2 weeks and 3 
months. 
(4) UNDER
SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Under 
Secretary’’ means the Under Secretary of Commerce 
for Oceans and Atmosphere. 
(5) WEATHER INDUSTRY AND WEATHER EN-
TERPRISE.—The terms ‘‘weather industry’’ and 
‘‘weather enterprise’’ are interchangeable in this Act, 
and include individuals and organizations from pub-
lic, private, and academic sectors that contribute to 
the research, development, and production of weath-
er forecast products, and primary consumers of 
these weather forecast products.
TITLE 
I—UNITED 
STATES 
WEATHER 
RESEARCH 
AND 
FORECASTING 
IMPROVE-
MENT 
SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY. 
In conducting research, the Under Secretary shall 
prioritize improving weather data, modeling, computing, 
forecasting, and warnings for the protection of life and 
property and for the enhancement of the national econ-
omy. 
SEC. 102. WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNO-
VATION. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Assistant Administrator for the 
Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall conduct 
a program to develop improved understanding of and fore-
cast capabilities for atmospheric events and their impacts, 
placing priority on developing more accurate, timely, and 
effective warnings and forecasts of high impact weather 
events that endanger life and property. 
(b) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The program described 
in subsection (a) shall focus on the following activities: 
(1) Improving the fundamental understanding 
of weather consistent with section 101, including the 
boundary layer and other processes affecting high 
impact weather events.
(2) Improving the understanding of how the 
public receives, interprets, and responds to warnings 
and forecasts of high impact weather events that en-
danger life and property. 
(3) Research and development, and transfer of 
knowledge, technologies, and applications to the Na-
tional Weather Service and other appropriate agen-
cies and entities, including the United States weath-
er industry and academic partners, related to— 
(A) advanced radar, radar networking 
technologies, and other ground-based tech-
nologies, including those emphasizing rapid, 
fine-scale sensing of the boundary layer and 
lower troposphere, and the use of innovative, 
dual-polarization, phased-array technologies; 
(B) aerial weather observing systems; 
(C) high performance computing and infor-
mation technology and wireless communication 
networks; 
(D) advanced numerical weather prediction 
systems and forecasting tools and techniques 
that improve the forecasting of timing, track, 
intensity, and severity of high impact weather, 
including through—
(i) the development of more effective 
mesoscale models; 
(ii) more effective use of existing, and 
the development of new, regional and na-
tional cloud-resolving models; 
(iii) enhanced global weather models; 
and 
(iv) integrated assessment models; 
(E) quantitative assessment tools for meas-
uring the impact and value of data and observ-
ing systems, including Observing System Sim-
ulation Experiments (as described in section 
107), Observing System Experiments, and 
Analyses of Alternatives; 
(F) atmospheric chemistry and interactions 
essential to accurately characterizing atmos-
pheric composition and predicting meteorolog-
ical processes, including cloud microphysical, 
precipitation, and atmospheric electrification 
processes, to more effectively understand their 
role in severe weather; and 
(G) additional sources of weather data and 
information, including commercial observing 
systems.
(4) A technology transfer initiative, carried out 
jointly and in coordination with the Director of the 
National Weather Service, and in cooperation with 
the United States weather industry and academic 
partners, to ensure continuous development and 
transition of the latest scientific and technological 
advances into operations of the National Weather 
Service and to establish a process to sunset outdated 
and expensive operational methods and tools to en-
able cost-effective transfer of new methods and tools 
into operations. 
(c) EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the program 
under this section, the Assistant Administrator for 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research shall collaborate 
with and support the non-Federal weather research 
community, which includes institutions of higher 
education, private entities, and nongovernmental or-
ganizations, by making funds available through com-
petitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agree-
ments. 
(2) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that not less than 30 percent of the funds 
for weather research and development at the Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research should be
made available for the purpose described in para-
graph (1). 
(d) ANNUAL REPORT.—Each year, concurrent with 
the annual budget request submitted by the President to 
Congress under section 1105 of title 31, United States 
Code, for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
description of current and planned activities under this 
section. 
SEC. 103. TORNADO WARNING IMPROVEMENT AND EXTEN-
SION PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in collabo-
ration with the United States weather industry and aca-
demic partners, shall establish a tornado warning improve-
ment and extension program. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of such program shall be to re-
duce the loss of life and economic losses from tornadoes 
through the development and extension of accurate, effec-
tive, and timely tornado forecasts, predictions, and warn-
ings, including the prediction of tornadoes beyond 1 hour 
in advance. 
(c) PROGRAM PLAN.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Ad-
ministrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, in co-
ordination with the Director of the National Weather
Service, shall develop a program plan that details the spe-
cific research, development, and technology transfer activi-
ties, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, nec-
essary to achieve the program goal. 
(d) ANNUAL BUDGET FOR PLAN SUBMITTAL.—Fol-
lowing completion of the plan, the Under Secretary, acting 
through the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and At-
mospheric 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 budg-
et corresponding with the activities identified in the plan. 
SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in collabo-
ration with the United States weather industry and such 
academic entities as the Administrator considers appro-
priate, shall maintain a project to improve hurricane fore-
casting. 
(b) GOAL.—The goal of the project maintained under 
subsection (a) shall be to develop and extend accurate hur-
ricane forecasts and warnings in order to reduce loss of 
life, injury, and damage to the economy, with a focus on— 
(1) improving the prediction of rapid inten-
sification and track of hurricanes;
(2) improving the forecast and communication 
of storm surges from hurricanes; and 
(3) incorporating risk communication research 
to create more effective watch and warning products. 
(c) PROJECT PLAN.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary, 
acting through the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research and in consultation with the 
Director of the National Weather Service, shall develop 
a plan for the project maintained under subsection (a) 
that details the specific research, development, and tech-
nology transfer activities, as well as corresponding re-
sources and timelines, necessary to achieve the goal set 
forth in subsection (b). 
SEC. 105. WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN-
NING. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, and not less frequently than once each year 
thereafter, the Under Secretary, acting through the As-
sistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Re-
search and in coordination with the Director of the Na-
tional Weather Service and the Assistant Administrator 
for Satellite and Information Services, shall issue a re-
search and development and research to operations plan
to restore and maintain United States leadership in nu-
merical weather prediction and forecasting that— 
(1) describes the forecasting skill and tech-
nology goals, objectives, and progress of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in 
carrying out the program conducted under section 
102; 
(2) identifies and prioritizes specific research 
and development activities, and performance metrics, 
weighted to meet the operational weather mission of 
the National Weather Service to achieve a weather- 
ready Nation; 
(3) describes how the program will collaborate 
with stakeholders, including the United States 
weather industry and academic partners; and 
(4) identifies, through consultation with the Na-
tional Science Foundation, the United States weath-
er industry, and academic partners, research nec-
essary to enhance the integration of social science 
knowledge into weather forecast and warning proc-
esses, including to improve the communication of 
threat information necessary to enable improved se-
vere weather planning and decisionmaking on the 
part of individuals and communities.
SEC. 106. OBSERVING SYSTEM PLANNING. 
The Under Secretary shall— 
(1) develop and maintain a prioritized list of 
observation data requirements necessary to ensure 
weather forecasting capabilities to protect life and 
property to the maximum extent practicable; 
(2) consistent with section 107, utilize Observ-
ing System Simulation Experiments, Observing Sys-
tem Experiments, Analyses of Alternatives, and 
other appropriate assessment tools to ensure contin-
uous systemic evaluations of the observing systems, 
data, and information needed to meet the require-
ments of paragraph (1), including options to maxi-
mize observational capabilities and their cost-effec-
tiveness; 
(3) identify current and potential future data 
gaps in observing capabilities related to the require-
ments listed under paragraph (1); and 
(4) determine a range of options to address 
gaps identified under paragraph (3). 
SEC. 107. OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In support of the requirements of 
section 106, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research shall undertake Observing System 
Simulation Experiments, or such other quantitative as-
sessments as the Assistant Administrator considers appro-
priate, to quantitatively assess the relative value and bene-
fits of observing capabilities and systems. Technical and 
scientific Observing System Simulation Experiment eval-
uations— 
(1) may include assessments of the impact of 
observing capabilities on— 
(A) global weather prediction; 
(B) hurricane track and intensity fore-
casting; 
(C) tornado warning lead times and accu-
racy; 
(D) prediction of mid-latitude severe local 
storm outbreaks; and 
(E) prediction of storms that have the po-
tential to cause extreme precipitation and flood-
ing lasting from 6 hours to 1 week; and 
(2) shall be conducted in cooperation with other 
appropriate entities within the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, other Federal agencies, 
the United States weather industry, and academic 
partners to ensure the technical and scientific merit 
of results from Observing System Simulation Ex-
periments or other appropriate quantitative assess-
ment methodologies.
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—Observing System Simulation 
Experiments shall quantitatively— 
(1) determine the potential impact of proposed 
space-based, suborbital, and in situ observing sys-
tems on analyses and forecasts, including potential 
impacts on extreme weather events across all parts 
of the Nation; 
(2) evaluate and compare observing system de-
sign options; and 
(3) assess the relative capabilities and costs of 
various observing systems and combinations of ob-
serving systems in providing data necessary to pro-
tect life and property. 
(c) IMPLEMENTATION.—Observing System Simula-
tion Experiments— 
(1) shall be conducted prior to the acquisition 
of major Government-owned or Government-leased 
operational observing systems, including polar-orbit-
ing and geostationary satellite systems, with a 
lifecycle cost of more than $500,000,000; and 
(2) shall be conducted prior to the purchase of 
any major new commercially provided data with a 
lifecycle cost of more than $500,000,000. 
(d) PRIORITY OBSERVING SYSTEM SIMULATION EX-
PERIMENTS.—
(1) GLOBAL
NAVIGATION
SATELLITE
SYSTEM 
RADIO OCCULTATION.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant 
Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Re-
search shall complete an Observing System Simula-
tion Experiment to assess the value of data from 
Global Navigation Satellite System Radio Occulta-
tion. 
(2) GEOSTATIONARY HYPERSPECTRAL SOUND-
ER GLOBAL CONSTELLATION.—Not later than 120 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Research shall complete an Observing System 
Simulation Experiment to assess the value of data 
from a geostationary hyperspectral sounder global 
constellation. 
(e) RESULTS.—Upon completion of all Observing 
System Simulation Experiments, the Assistant Adminis-
trator shall make available to the public the results an 
assessment of related private and public sector weather 
data sourcing options, including their availability, afford-
ability, and cost-effectiveness. Such assessments shall be 
developed in accordance with section 50503 of title 51, 
United States Code.
SEC. 108. ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPUTING RESOURCES 
PRIORITIZATION. 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act and not less frequently than once each year 
thereafter, the Under Secretary, acting through the Chief 
Information Officer of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration and in coordination with the Assist-
ant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 
and the Director of the National Weather Service, shall 
produce and make publicly available a report that explains 
how the Under Secretary intends— 
(1) to continually support upgrades to pursue 
the fastest, most powerful, and cost-effective high 
performance computing technologies in support of 
its weather prediction mission; 
(2) to ensure a balance between the research to 
operations requirements to develop the next genera-
tion of regional and global models as well as highly 
reliable operational models; 
(3) to take advantage of advanced development 
concepts to, as appropriate, make next generation 
weather prediction models available in beta-test 
mode to operational forecasters, the United States 
weather industry, and partners in academic and 
Government research; and
(4) to use existing computing resources to im-
prove advanced research and operational weather 
prediction. 
SEC. 109. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
Section 108 of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–567; 
15 U.S.C. 313 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the 
following: 
‘‘(5) 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, not less frequently than 
once each year, a report, including— 
‘‘(A) a list of ongoing research projects; 
‘‘(B) project goals and a point of contact 
for each project; 
‘‘(C) the five projects related to weather 
observations, short-term weather, or subsea-
sonal forecasts within Office of Oceanic and At-
mospheric Research that are closest to opera-
tionalization; 
‘‘(D) for each project referred to in sub-
paragraph (C)— 
‘‘(i) the potential benefit; 
‘‘(ii) any barrier to operationalization; 
and 
‘‘(iii) the plan for operationalization, 
including which line office will financially 
support the project and how much the line 
office intends to spend; 
‘‘(6) establish teams with staff from the Office 
of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Na-
tional Weather Service to oversee the operationaliza-
tion of research products developed by the Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; 
‘‘(7) develop mechanisms for research priorities 
of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 
to be informed by the relevant line offices within the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
the relevant user community, and the weather enter-
prise; 
‘‘(8) develop an internal mechanism to track 
the progress of each research project within the Of-
fice of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and
mechanisms to terminate a project that is not ade-
quately progressing; 
‘‘(9) develop and implement a system to track 
whether extramural research grant goals were ac-
complished; 
‘‘(10) provide facilities for products developed 
by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research 
to be tested in operational simulations, such as test 
beds; and 
‘‘(11) encourage academic collaboration with 
the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and 
the National Weather Service by facilitating visiting 
scholars.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding 
paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the’’ and in-
serting ‘‘The’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(c) SUBSEASONAL DEFINED.—In this section, the 
term ‘subseasonal’ means the time range between 2 weeks 
and 3 months.’’. 
SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) FISCAL YEARS 2017 AND 2018.—For each of fis-
cal years 2017 and 2018, there are authorized to be ap-
propriated to Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Re-
search— 
(1) $111,516,000 to carry out this title, of 
which— 
(A) $85,758,000 is authorized for weather 
laboratories and cooperative institutes; and 
(B) $25,758,000 is authorized for weather 
and air chemistry research programs; and 
(2) an additional amount of $20,000,000 for 
the joint technology transfer initiative described in 
section 102(b)(4). 
(b) LIMITATION.—No additional funds are authorized 
to carry out this title and the amendments made by this 
title. 
TITLE 
II—SUBSEASONAL 
AND 
SEASONAL FORECASTING IN-
NOVATION 
SEC. 201. IMPROVING SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORE-
CASTS. 
Section 1762 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Pub-
lic Law 99–198; 15 U.S.C. 313 note) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘(a)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘(b)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘(b) POLICY.—’’; and
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS.—The Under Secretary, acting 
through the Director of the National Weather Service and 
the heads of such other programs of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration as the Under Secretary 
considers appropriate, shall— 
‘‘(1) collect and utilize information in order to 
make usable, reliable, and timely foundational fore-
casts of subseasonal and seasonal temperature and 
precipitation; 
‘‘(2) leverage existing research and models from 
the weather enterprise to improve the forecasts 
under paragraph (1); 
‘‘(3) determine and provide information on how 
the forecasted conditions under paragraph (1) may 
impact— 
‘‘(A) the number and severity of droughts, 
fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, heat waves, 
coastal inundation, winter storms, high impact 
weather, or other relevant natural disasters; 
‘‘(B) snowpack; and 
‘‘(C) sea ice conditions; and 
‘‘(4) develop an Internet clearinghouse to pro-
vide the forecasts under paragraph (1) and the in-
formation under paragraphs (1) and (3) on both na-
tional and regional levels. 
‘‘(d) COMMUNICATION.—The Director of the Na-
tional Weather Service shall provide the forecasts under 
paragraph (1) of subsection (c) and the information on 
their impacts under paragraph (3) of such subsection to 
the public, including public and private entities engaged 
in planning and preparedness, such as National Weather 
Service Core partners at the Federal, regional, State, trib-
al, and local levels of government. 
‘‘(e) COOPERATION.—The Under Secretary shall 
build upon existing forecasting and assessment programs 
and partnerships, including— 
‘‘(1) by designating research and monitoring ac-
tivities related to subseasonal and seasonal forecasts 
as a priority in one or more solicitations of the Co-
operative Institutes of the Office of Oceanic and At-
mospheric Research; 
‘‘(2) by contributing to the interagency Earth 
System Prediction Capability; and 
‘‘(3) by consulting with the Secretary of De-
fense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to de-
termine the highest priority subseasonal and sea-
sonal forecast needs to enhance national security. 
‘‘(f) FORECAST COMMUNICATION COORDINATORS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall 
foster effective communication, understanding, and 
use of the forecasts by the intended users of the in-
formation described in subsection (d). This may in-
clude assistance to States for forecast communica-
tion coordinators to enable local interpretation and 
planning based on the information. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—For each State that re-
quests assistance under this subsection, the Under 
Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) provide funds to support an indi-
vidual in that State— 
‘‘(i) to serve as a liaison among the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration, other Federal departments and 
agencies, the weather enterprise, the State, 
and relevant interests within that State; 
and 
‘‘(ii) to receive the forecasts and infor-
mation under subsection (c) and dissemi-
nate 
the 
forecasts 
and 
information 
throughout the State, including to county 
and tribal governments; and 
‘‘(B) require matching funds of at least 50 
percent, from the State, a university, a non-
governmental organization, a trade association, 
or the private sector. 
‘‘(3) LIMITATION.—Assistance to an individual 
State under this subsection shall not exceed 
$100,000 in a fiscal year. 
‘‘(g) COOPERATION FROM OTHER FEDERAL AGEN-
CIES.—Each Federal department and agency shall cooper-
ate as appropriate with the Under Secretary in carrying 
out this section. 
‘‘(h) REPORTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of the Weather Re-
search and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, the 
Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Sen-
ate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives a report, in-
cluding— 
‘‘(A) an analysis of the how information 
from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration on subseasonal and seasonal 
forecasts, as provided under subsection (c), is 
utilized in public planning and preparedness; 
‘‘(B) specific plans and goals for the con-
tinued development of the subseasonal and sea-
sonal forecasts and related products described 
in subsection (c); and 
‘‘(C) an identification of research, moni-
toring, observing, and forecasting requirements 
to meet the goals described in subparagraph 
(B). 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATION.—In developing the report 
under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall con-
sult with relevant Federal, regional, State, tribal, 
and local government agencies, research institutions, 
and the private sector. 
‘‘(i) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) FOUNDATIONAL
FORECAST.—The term 
‘foundational forecast’ means basic weather observa-
tion and forecast data, largely in raw form, before 
further processing is applied. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORE PART-
NERS.—The term ‘National Weather Service core 
partners’ means government and nongovernment en-
tities which are directly involved in the preparation 
or dissemination of, or discussions involving, haz-
ardous weather or other emergency information put 
out by the National Weather Service. 
‘‘(3) SEASONAL.—The term ‘seasonal’ means 
the time range between 3 months and 2 years.
‘‘(4) STATE.—The term ‘State’ means a State, 
a territory, or possession of the United States, in-
cluding a Commonwealth, or the District of Colum-
bia. 
‘‘(5) SUBSEASONAL.—The term ‘subseasonal’ 
means the time range between 2 weeks and 3 
months. 
‘‘(6) UNDER
SECRETARY.—The term ‘Under 
Secretary’ means the Under Secretary of Commerce 
for Oceans and Atmosphere. 
‘‘(7) WEATHER INDUSTRY AND WEATHER EN-
TERPRISE.—The terms ‘weather industry’ and 
‘weather enterprise’ are interchangeable in this sec-
tion and include individuals and organizations from 
public, private, and academic sectors that contribute 
to the research, development, and production of 
weather forecast products, and primary consumers 
of these weather forecast products. 
‘‘(j) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—For 
each of fiscal years 2017 and 2018, there are authorized 
out of funds appropriated to the National Weather Serv-
ice, $26,500,000 to carry out the activities of this sec-
tion.’’.
TITLE III—WEATHER SATELLITE 
AND DATA INNOVATION 
SEC. 301. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMIN-
ISTRATION SATELLITE AND DATA MANAGE-
MENT. 
(a) SHORT-TERM
MANAGEMENT
OF
ENVIRON-
MENTAL OBSERVATIONS.— 
(1) MICROSATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary 
shall complete and operationalize the Constella-
tion 
Observing 
System 
for 
Meteorology, 
Ionosphere, and Climate–1 and Climate–2 
(COSMIC) in effect on the day before the date 
of the enactment of this Act— 
(i) by deploying constellations of 
microsatellites in both the equatorial and 
polar orbits; 
(ii) by integrating the resulting data 
and research into all national operational 
and research weather forecast models; and 
(iii) by ensuring that the resulting 
data of National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration’s COSMIC–1 and COS-
MIC–2 programs are free and open to all 
communities.
(B) ANNUAL
REPORTS.—Not less fre-
quently than once each year until the Under 
Secretary has completed and operationalized the 
program described in subparagraph (A) pursu-
ant to such subparagraph, the Under Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on the status 
of the efforts of the Under Secretary to carry 
out such subparagraph. 
(2) INTEGRATION
OF
OCEAN
AND
COASTAL 
DATA FROM THE INTEGRATED OCEAN OBSERVING 
SYSTEM.—In National Weather Service Regions 
where the Director of the National Weather Service 
determines that ocean and coastal data would im-
prove forecasts, the Director, in consultation with 
the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Research and the Assistant Administrator of 
the National Ocean Service, shall— 
(A) integrate additional coastal and ocean 
observations, and other data and research, from 
the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) 
into regional weather forecasts to improve 
weather forecasts and forecasting decision sup-
port systems; and 
(B) support the development of real-time 
data sharing products and forecast products in
collaboration with the regional associations of 
such system, including contributions from the 
private sector, academia, and research institu-
tions to ensure timely and accurate use of ocean 
and coastal data in regional forecasts. 
(3) EXISTING MONITORING AND OBSERVATION- 
CAPABILITY.—The Under Secretary shall identify 
degradation of existing monitoring and observation 
capabilities that could lead to a reduction in forecast 
quality. 
(4) SPECIFICATIONS FOR NEW SATELLITE SYS-
TEMS
OR
DATA
DETERMINED
BY
OPERATIONAL 
NEEDS.—In developing specifications for any sat-
ellite systems or data to follow the Joint Polar Sat-
ellite System, Geostationary Operational Environ-
mental Satellites, and any other satellites, in effect 
on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Under Secretary shall ensure the specifications 
are determined to the extent practicable by the rec-
ommendations of the reports under subsection (b) of 
this section. 
(b) INDEPENDENT STUDY ON FUTURE OF NATIONAL 
OCEANIC
AND
ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION
SAT-
ELLITE SYSTEMS AND DATA.— 
(1) AGREEMENT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary 
shall seek to enter into an agreement with the 
National Academy of Sciences to perform the 
services covered by this subsection. 
(B) TIMING.—The Under Secretary shall 
seek to enter into the agreement described in 
subparagraph (A) before September 30, 2018. 
(2) STUDY.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Under an agreement 
between the Under Secretary and the National 
Academy of Sciences under this subsection, the 
National Academy of Sciences shall conduct a 
study on matters concerning future satellite 
data needs. 
(B) ELEMENTS.—In conducting the study 
under subparagraph (A), the National Academy 
of Sciences shall— 
(i) develop recommendations on how 
to make the data portfolio of the Adminis-
tration more robust and cost-effective; 
(ii) assess the costs and benefits of 
moving toward a constellation of many 
small satellites, standardizing satellite bus 
design, relying more on the purchasing of
data, or acquiring data from other sources 
or methods; 
(iii) identify the environmental obser-
vations that are essential to the perform-
ance of weather models, based on an as-
sessment of Federal, academic, and private 
sector weather research, and the cost of 
obtaining the environmental data; 
(iv) identify environmental observa-
tions that improve the quality of oper-
ational and research weather models in ef-
fect on the day before the date of enact-
ment of this Act; 
(v) identify and prioritize new envi-
ronmental observations that could con-
tribute to existing and future weather 
models; and 
(vi) develop recommendations on a 
portfolio of environmental observations 
that balances essential, quality-improving, 
and new data, private and nonprivate 
sources, and space-based and Earth-based 
sources. 
(C) DEADLINE AND REPORT.—In carrying 
out the study under subparagraph (A), the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences shall complete and 
transmit to the Under Secretary a report con-
taining the findings of the National Academy of 
Sciences with respect to the study not later 
than 2 years after the date on which the Ad-
ministrator enters into an agreement with the 
National Academy of Sciences under paragraph 
(1)(A). 
(3) ALTERNATE ORGANIZATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—If the Under Secretary 
is unable within the period prescribed in sub-
paragraph (B) of paragraph (1) to enter into 
an agreement described in subparagraph (A) of 
such paragraph with the National Academy of 
Sciences on terms acceptable to the Under Sec-
retary, the Under Secretary shall seek to enter 
into such an agreement with another appro-
priate organization that— 
(i) is not part of the Federal Govern-
ment; 
(ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; 
and 
(iii) has expertise and objectivity com-
parable to that of the National Academy of 
Sciences.
(B) TREATMENT.—If the Under Secretary 
enters into an agreement with another organi-
zation as described in subparagraph (A), any 
reference in this subsection to the National 
Academy of Sciences shall be treated as a ref-
erence to the other organization. 
(4) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There are authorized to be appropriated, out of 
funds appropriated to National Environmental Sat-
ellite, Data, and Information Service, to carry out 
this subsection $1,000,000 for the period encom-
passing fiscal years 2018 through 2019. 
SEC. 302. COMMERCIAL WEATHER DATA. 
(a) DATA AND HOSTED SATELLITE PAYLOADS.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary 
of Commerce may enter into agreements for— 
(1) the purchase of weather data through con-
tracts with commercial providers; and 
(2) the placement of weather satellite instru-
ments on cohosted government or private payloads. 
(b) STRATEGY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary of Commerce, in consultation with the Under 
Secretary, shall submit to the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives a strategy to 
enable the procurement of quality commercial weath-
er data. The strategy shall assess the range of com-
mercial opportunities, including public-private part-
nerships, for obtaining surface-based, aviation-based, 
and space-based weather observations. The strategy 
shall include the expected cost-effectiveness of these 
opportunities as well as provide a plan for procuring 
data, including an expected implementation timeline, 
from these nongovernmental sources, as appropriate. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The strategy shall in-
clude— 
(A) an analysis of financial or other bene-
fits to, and risks associated with, acquiring 
commercial weather data or services, including 
through multiyear acquisition approaches; 
(B) an identification of methods to address 
planning, programming, budgeting, and execu-
tion challenges to such approaches, including— 
(i) how standards will be set to ensure 
that data is reliable and effective; 
(ii) how data may be acquired through 
commercial experimental or innovative
techniques and then evaluated for integra-
tion into operational use; 
(iii) how to guarantee public access to 
all forecast-critical data to ensure that the 
United States weather industry and the 
public continue to have access to informa-
tion critical to their work; and 
(iv) in accordance with section 50503 
of title 51, United States Code, methods to 
address potential termination liability or 
cancellation costs associated with weather 
data or service contracts; and 
(C) an identification of any changes needed 
in the requirements development and approval 
processes of the Department of Commerce to 
facilitate effective and efficient implementation 
of such strategy. 
(3) AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENTS.—The As-
sistant Administrator for National Environmental 
Satellite, Data, and Information Service may enter 
into multiyear agreements necessary to carry out the 
strategy developed under this subsection. 
(c) PILOT PROGRAM.— 
(1) CRITERIA.—Not later than 30 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under
Secretary shall publish data and metadata standards 
and specifications for space-based commercial weath-
er data, including radio occultation data, and, as 
soon as possible, geostationary hyperspectral sound-
er data. 
(2) PILOT CONTRACTS.— 
(A) CONTRACTS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Under Secretary shall, through an open com-
petition, enter into at least one pilot contract 
with one or more private sector entities capable 
of providing data that meet the standards and 
specifications set by the Under Secretary for 
providing commercial weather data in a manner 
that allows the Under Secretary to calibrate 
and evaluate the data for its use in National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration mete-
orological models. 
(B) ASSESSMENT
OF
DATA
VIABILITY.— 
Not later than the date that is 3 years after the 
date on which the Under Secretary enters into 
a contract under subparagraph (A), the Under 
Secretary shall assess and submit to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives the results of a determination 
of the extent to which data provided under the 
contract entered into under subparagraph (A) 
meet the criteria published under paragraph (1) 
and the extent to which the pilot program has 
demonstrated— 
(i) the viability of assimilating the 
commercially provided data into National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
meteorological models; 
(ii) whether, and by how much, the 
data add value to weather forecasts; and 
(iii) the accuracy, quality, timeliness, 
validity, reliability, usability, information 
technology security, and cost-effectiveness 
of obtaining commercial weather data from 
private sector providers. 
(3) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For 
each of fiscal years 2017 through 2020, there are 
authorized to be appropriated for procurement, ac-
quisition, and construction at National Environ-
mental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, 
$6,000,000 to carry out this subsection.
(d) OBTAINING FUTURE DATA.—If an assessment 
under subsection (c)(2)(B) demonstrates the ability of 
commercial weather data to meet data and metadata 
standards and specifications published under subsection 
(c)(1), the Under Secretary shall— 
(1) where appropriate, cost-effective, and fea-
sible, obtain commercial weather data from private 
sector providers; 
(2) as early as possible in the acquisition proc-
ess for any future National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration meteorological space system, 
consider whether there is a suitable, cost-effective, 
commercial capability available or that will be avail-
able to meet any or all of the observational require-
ments by the planned operational date of the system; 
(3) if a suitable, cost-effective, commercial ca-
pability is or will be available as described in para-
graph (2), determine whether it is in the national in-
terest to develop a governmental meteorological 
space system; and 
(4) 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 detailing any de-
termination made under paragraphs (2) and (3).
(e) DATA SHARING PRACTICES.—The Under Sec-
retary shall continue to meet the international meteorolog-
ical agreements into which the Under Secretary has en-
tered, including practices set forth through World Mete-
orological Organization Resolution 40. 
SEC. 303. UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION. 
In meeting the requirements under this title, the 
Under Secretary shall avoid unnecessary duplication be-
tween public and private sources of data and the cor-
responding expenditure of funds and employment of per-
sonnel. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL WEATHER 
COORDINATION 
SEC. 
401. 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
INFORMATION 
SERVICES 
WORKING GROUP. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration Science Advisory Board shall 
continue to maintain a standing working group named the 
Environmental Information Services Working Group (in 
this section referred to as the ‘‘Working Group’’)— 
(1) to provide advice for prioritizing weather re-
search initiatives at the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration to produce real improve-
ment in weather forecasting;
(2) to provide advice on existing or emerging 
technologies or techniques that can be found in pri-
vate industry or the research community that could 
be incorporated into forecasting at the National 
Weather Service to improve forecasting skill; 
(3) to identify opportunities to improve— 
(A) communications between weather fore-
casters, Federal, State, local, tribal, and other 
emergency management personnel, and the pub-
lic; and 
(B) 
communications 
and 
partnerships 
among the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration and the private and academic 
sectors; and 
(4) to address such other matters as the 
Science Advisory Board requests of the Working 
Group. 
(b) COMPOSITION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Working Group shall be 
composed of leading experts and innovators from all 
relevant fields of science and engineering including 
atmospheric chemistry, atmospheric physics, meteor-
ology, hydrology, social science, risk communica-
tions, electrical engineering, and computer sciences.
In carrying out this section, the Working Group may 
organize into subpanels. 
(2) NUMBER.—The Working Group shall be 
composed of no fewer than 15 members. Nominees 
for the Working Group may be forwarded by the 
Working Group for approval by the Science Advisory 
Board. Members of the Working Group may choose 
a chair (or co-chairs) from among their number with 
approval by the Science Advisory Board. 
(c) ANNUAL REPORT.—Not less frequently than once 
each year, the Working Group shall transmit to the 
Science Advisory Board for submission to the Under Sec-
retary a report on progress made by National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration in adopting the Working 
Group’s recommendations. The Science Advisory Board 
shall transmit this report to the Under Secretary. Within 
30 days of receipt of such report, 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 Rep-
resentatives a copy of such report. 
SEC. 402. INTERAGENCY WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORE-
CAST INNOVATION COORDINATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy shall establish an Inter-
agency Committee for Advancing Weather Services to im-
prove coordination of relevant weather research and fore-
cast innovation activities across the Federal Government. 
The Interagency Committee shall— 
(1) include participation by the National Aero-
nautics and Space Administration, the Federal Avia-
tion Administration, National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration and its constituent elements, 
the National Science Foundation, and such other 
agencies involved in weather forecasting research as 
the President determines are appropriate; 
(2) identify and prioritize top forecast needs 
and coordinate those needs against budget requests 
and program initiatives across participating offices 
and agencies; and 
(3) share information regarding operational 
needs and forecasting improvements across relevant 
agencies. 
(b) CO-CHAIR.—The Federal Coordinator for Meteor-
ology shall serve as a co-chair of this panel. 
(c) FURTHER COORDINATION.—The Director of the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy shall take such 
other steps as are necessary to coordinate the activities 
of the Federal Government with those of the United States
weather industry, State governments, emergency man-
agers, and academic researchers. 
SEC. 403. OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RE-
SEARCH AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE 
EXCHANGE PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Assistant Administrator for 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of 
National Weather Service may establish a program to de-
tail Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research personnel 
to the National Weather Service and National Weather 
Service personnel to the Office of Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric 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 Na-
tional Weather Service staff to spend up to 1 year on de-
tail. 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 Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives a report on partici-
pation in such program and shall highlight any innova-
tions that come from this interaction. 
SEC. 404. VISITING FELLOWS AT NATIONAL WEATHER 
SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Weather Service may establish a program to host 
postdoctoral fellows and academic researchers at any of 
the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. 
(b) GOAL.—This program shall be designed to pro-
vide direct interaction between forecasters and talented 
academic and private sector researchers in an effort to 
bring innovation to forecasting tools and techniques to the 
National Weather Service. 
(c) SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT.—Such fellows 
shall be competitively selected and appointed for a term 
not to exceed 1 year. 
SEC. 405. WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGISTS AT 
WEATHER FORECAST OFFICES OF NATIONAL 
WEATHER SERVICE. 
(a) DESIGNATION OF WARNING COORDINATION ME-
TEOROLOGISTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Weather Service shall designate at least one warning 
coordination meteorologist at each weather forecast 
office of the National Weather Service. 
(2) NO
ADDITIONAL
EMPLOYEES
AUTHOR-
IZED.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
authorize or require a change in the authorized 
number of full time equivalent employees in the Na-
tional Weather Service or otherwise result in the em-
ployment of any additional employees. 
(3) PERFORMANCE BY OTHER EMPLOYEES.— 
Performance of the responsibilities outlined in this 
section is not limited to the warning coordination 
meteorologist position. 
(b) PRIMARY ROLE
OF WARNING COORDINATION 
METEOROLOGISTS.—The primary role of the warning co-
ordination meteorologist shall be to carry out the respon-
sibilities required by this section. 
(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 
consistent with the analysis described in section 409, 
and in order to increase impact-based decision sup-
port services, each warning coordination meteorolo-
gist designated under subsection (a) shall—
(A) be responsible for providing service to 
the geographic area of responsibility covered by 
the weather forecast office at which the warning 
coordination meteorologist is employed to help 
ensure that users of products of the National 
Weather Service can respond effectively to im-
prove outcomes from weather events; 
(B) liaise with users of products and serv-
ices of the National Weather Service, such as 
the public, media outlets, users in the aviation, 
marine, and agricultural communities, and for-
estry, land, and water management interests, to 
evaluate the adequacy and usefulness of the 
products and services of the National Weather 
Service; 
(C) collaborate with such weather forecast 
offices and State, local, and tribal government 
agencies as the Director considers appropriate 
in developing, proposing, and implementing 
plans to develop, modify, or tailor products and 
services of the National Weather Service to im-
prove the usefulness of such products and serv-
ices; 
(D) ensure the maintenance and accuracy 
of severe weather call lists, appropriate office
severe weather policy or procedures, and other 
severe weather or dissemination methodologies 
or strategies; and 
(E) work closely with State, local, and trib-
al emergency management agencies, and other 
agencies related to disaster management, to en-
sure a planned, coordinated, and effective pre-
paredness and response effort. 
(2) OTHER STAFF.—The Director may assign a 
responsibility set forth in paragraph (1) to such 
other staff as the Director considers appropriate to 
carry out such responsibility. 
(d) ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), a 
warning coordination meteorologist designated under 
subsection (a) may— 
(A) work with a State agency to develop 
plans for promoting more effective use of prod-
ucts and services of the National Weather Serv-
ice throughout the State; 
(B) identify priority community prepared-
ness objectives; 
(C) develop plans to meet the objectives 
identified under paragraph (2); and
(D) conduct severe weather event pre-
paredness planning and citizen education efforts 
with and through various State, local, and trib-
al government agencies and other disaster man-
agement-related organizations. 
(2) OTHER STAFF.—The Director may assign a 
responsibility set forth in paragraph (1) to such 
other staff as the Director considers appropriate to 
carry out such responsibility. 
(e) PLACEMENT WITH STATE AND LOCAL EMER-
GENCY MANAGERS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out this section, 
the Director of the National Weather Service may 
place a warning coordination meteorologist des-
ignated under subsection (a) with a State or local 
emergency manager if the Director considers doing 
so is necessary or convenient to carry out this sec-
tion. 
(2) TREATMENT.—If the Director determines 
that the placement of a warning coordination mete-
orologist placed with a State or local emergency 
manager under paragraph (1) is near a weather 
forecast office of the National Weather Service, such 
placement shall be treated as designation of the
warning coordination meteorologist at such weather 
forecast office for purposes of subsection (a). 
SEC. 406. IMPROVING NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOS-
PHERIC ADMINISTRATION COMMUNICATION 
OF 
HAZARDOUS 
WEATHER 
AND 
WATER 
EVENTS. 
(a) PURPOSE OF SYSTEM.—For purposes of the as-
sessment required by subsection (b)(1)(A), the purpose of 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration system 
for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous 
weather and water events shall be risk communication to 
the general public that informs action to prevent loss of 
life and property. 
(b) ASSESSMENT OF SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under 
Secretary shall— 
(A) assess the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration system for issuing 
watches and warnings regarding hazardous 
weather and water events; and 
(B) submit to Congress a report on the 
findings of the Under Secretary with respect to 
the assessment conducted under subparagraph 
(A).
(2) ELEMENTS.—The assessment required by 
paragraph (1)(A) shall include the following: 
(A) An evaluation of whether the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sys-
tem for issuing watches and warnings regarding 
hazardous weather and water events meets the 
purpose described in subsection (a). 
(B) 
Development 
of 
recommendations 
for— 
(i) legislative and administrative ac-
tion to improve the system described in 
paragraph (1)(A); and 
(ii) such research as the Under Sec-
retary considers necessary to address the 
focus areas described in paragraph (3). 
(3) FOCUS
AREAS.—The assessment required 
by paragraph (1)(A) shall focus on the following: 
(A) Ways to communicate the risks posed 
by hazardous weather or water events to the 
public that are most likely to result in action to 
mitigate the risk. 
(B) Ways to communicate the risks posed 
by hazardous weather or water events to the 
public as broadly and rapidly as practicable.
(C) Ways to preserve the benefits of the 
existing watches and warnings system. 
(D) Ways to maintain the utility of the 
watches and warnings system for Government 
and commercial users of the system. 
(4) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the assess-
ment required by paragraph (1)(A), the Under Sec-
retary shall— 
(A) consult with such line offices within 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration as the Under Secretary considers rel-
evant, including the the National Ocean Serv-
ice, the National Weather Service, and the Of-
fice of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; 
(B) consult with individuals in the aca-
demic sector, including individuals in the field 
of social and behavioral sciences, and other 
weather services; 
(C) consult with media outlets that will be 
distributing the watches and warnings; 
(D) consult with non-Federal forecasters 
that produce alternate severe weather risk com-
munication products; 
(E) consult with emergency planners and 
responders, including State and local emergency
management agencies, and other government 
users of the watches and warnings system, in-
cluding the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, 
the Coast Guard, and such other Federal agen-
cies as the Under Secretary determines rely on 
watches and warnings for operational decisions; 
and 
(F) make use of the services of the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences, as the Under Sec-
retary considers necessary and practicable, in-
cluding contracting with the National Research 
Council to review the scientific and technical 
soundness of the assessment required by para-
graph (1)(A), including the recommendations 
developed under paragraph (2)(B). 
(5) METHODOLOGIES.—In conducting the as-
sessment required by paragraph (1)(A), the Under 
Secretary shall use such methodologies as the Under 
Secretary considers are generally accepted by the 
weather enterprise, including social and behavioral 
sciences. 
(c) IMPROVEMENTS TO SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary shall, 
based on the assessment required by subsection
(b)(1)(A), make such recommendations to Congress 
to improve the system as the Under Secretary con-
siders necessary— 
(A) to improve the system for issuing 
watches and warnings regarding hazardous 
weather and water events; and 
(B) to support efforts to satisfy research 
needs to enable future improvements to such 
system. 
(2) REQUIREMENTS REGARDING RECOMMENDA-
TIONS.—In carrying out paragraph (1)(A), the 
Under Secretary shall ensure that any recommenda-
tion that the Under Secretary considers a major 
change— 
(A) is validated by social and behavioral 
science using a generalizable sample; 
(B) accounts for the needs of various de-
mographics, vulnerable populations, and geo-
graphic regions; 
(C) accounts for the differences between 
types of weather and water hazards; 
(D) responds to the needs of Federal, 
State, and local government partners and media 
partners; and
(E) accounts for necessary changes to Fed-
erally operated watch and warning propagation 
and dissemination infrastructure and protocols. 
(d) WATCHES AND WARNINGS DEFINED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), in this section, the terms ‘‘watch’’ and 
‘‘warning’’, with respect to a hazardous weather and 
water event, mean products issued by the Adminis-
tration, intended for consumption by the general 
public, to alert the general public to the potential for 
or presence of the event and to inform action to pre-
vent loss of life and property. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—ln this section, the terms 
‘‘watch’’ and ‘‘warning’’ do not include technical or 
specialized meteorological and hydrological forecasts, 
outlooks, or model guidance products. 
SEC. 407. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMIN-
ISTRATION WEATHER READY ALL HAZARDS 
AWARD PROGRAM. 
(a) PROGRAM.—The Director of the National Weath-
er Service is authorized to establish the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration Weather Ready All Haz-
ards Award Program. This award program shall provide 
annual awards to honor individuals or organizations that 
use or provide National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or trans-
mitters to save lives and protect property. Individuals or 
organizations that utilize other early warning tools or ap-
plications also qualify for this award. 
(b) GOAL.—This award program draws attention to 
the life-saving work of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration Weather Ready All Hazards Pro-
gram, as well as emerging tools and applications, that pro-
vide real-time warning to individuals and communities of 
severe weather or other hazardous conditions. 
(c) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.— 
(1) 
NOMINATIONS.—Nominations 
for 
this 
award shall be made annually by the Weather Field 
Offices to the Director of the National Weather 
Service. Broadcast meteorologists, weather radio 
manufacturers and weather warning tool and appli-
cation developers, emergency managers, and public 
safety officials may nominate individuals or organi-
zations to their local Weather Field Offices, but the 
final list of award nominees must come from the 
Weather Field Offices. 
(2) SELECTION OF AWARDEES.—Annually, the 
Director of the National Weather Service shall 
choose winners of this award whose timely actions, 
based on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or 
transmitters or other early warning tools and appli-
cations, saved lives or property, or demonstrated 
public service in support of weather or all hazard 
warnings. 
(3) AWARD CEREMONY.—The Director of the 
National Weather Service shall establish a means of 
making these awards to provide maximum public 
awareness of the importance of National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio, 
and such other warning tools and applications as are 
represented in the awards. 
SEC. 408. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE WEATHER FORE-
CASTING ACTIVITIES. 
Not later than 60 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, 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 ana-
lyzing the impacts of the proposed Air Force divestiture 
in the United States Weather Research and Forecasting 
Model, including— 
(1) the impact on— 
(A) the United States weather forecasting 
capabilities;
(B) the accuracy of civilian regional fore-
casts; 
(C) the civilian readiness for traditional 
weather and extreme weather events in the 
United States; and 
(D) the research necessary to develop the 
United States Weather Research and Fore-
casting Model; and 
(2) such other analysis relating to the divesti-
ture as the Under Secretary considers appropriate. 
SEC. 409. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE; OPERATIONS AND 
WORKFORCE ANALYSIS. 
The Under Secretary shall contract or continue to 
partner with an external organization to conduct a base-
line analysis of National Weather Service operations and 
workforce. 
SEC. 410. REPORT ON CONTRACT POSITIONS AT NATIONAL 
WEATHER SERVICE. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the use 
of contractors at the National Weather Service for the 
most recently completed fiscal year.
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required by subsection 
(a) shall include, with respect to the most recently com-
pleted fiscal year, the following: 
(1) The total number of full-time equivalent 
employees 
at 
the 
National 
Weather 
Service, 
disaggregated by each equivalent level of the General 
Schedule. 
(2) The total number of full-time equivalent 
contractors at the National Weather Service, 
disaggregated by each equivalent level of the General 
Schedule that most closely approximates their du-
ties. 
(3) The total number of vacant positions at the 
National Weather Service on the day before the date 
of enactment of this Act, disaggregated by each 
equivalent level of the General Schedule. 
(4) The five most common positions filled by 
full-time equivalent contractors at the National 
Weather Service and the equivalent level of the Gen-
eral Schedule that most closely approximates the du-
ties of such positions. 
(5) Of the positions identified under paragraph 
(4), the percentage of full-time equivalent contrac-
tors in those positions that have held a prior posi-
tion at the National Weather Service or another en-
tity in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration. 
(6) The average full-time equivalent salary for 
Federal employees at the National Weather Service 
for each equivalent level of the General Schedule. 
(7) The average salary for full-time equivalent 
contractors performing at each equivalent level of 
the General Schedule at the National Weather Serv-
ice. 
(8) A description of any actions taken by the 
Under Secretary to respond to the issues raised by 
the Inspector General of the Department of Com-
merce regarding the hiring of former National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration employees as 
contractors at the National Weather Service such as 
the issues raised in the Investigative Report dated 
June 2, 2015 (OIG–12–0447). 
(c) ANNUAL PUBLICATION.—For each fiscal year 
after the fiscal year covered by the report required by sub-
section (a), the Under Secretary shall, not later than 180 
days after the completion of the fiscal year, publish on 
a publicly accessible Internet website the information de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) through (8) of subsection (b) 
for such fiscal year.
SEC. 411. WEATHER IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES AND IN-
FRASTRUCTURE. 
(a) REVIEW.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National 
Weather Service shall review existing research, prod-
ucts, and services that meet the specific needs of the 
urban environment, given its unique physical charac-
teristics and forecasting challenges. 
(2) ELEMENTS.—The review required by para-
graph (1) shall include research, products, and serv-
ices with the potential to improve modeling and fore-
casting capabilities, taking into account factors in-
cluding varying building heights, impermeable sur-
faces, lack of tree canopy, traffic, pollution, and 
inter-building wind effects. 
(b) REPORT AND ASSESSMENT.—Upon completion of 
the review required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary 
shall submit to Congress a report on the research, prod-
ucts, and services of the National Weather Service, includ-
ing an assessment of such research, products, and services 
that is based on the review, public comment, and recent 
publications by the National Academy of Sciences. 
SEC. 412. WEATHER ENTERPRISE OUTREACH. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary may estab-
lish mechanisms for outreach to the weather enterprise—
(1) to assess the weather forecasts and forecast 
products provided by the National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration; and 
(2) to determine the highest priority weather 
forecast needs of the community described in sub-
section (b). 
(b) OUTREACH COMMUNITY.—In conducting out-
reach under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall con-
tact leading experts and innovators from relevant stake-
holders, including the representatives from the following: 
(1) State or local emergency management agen-
cies. 
(2) State agriculture agencies. 
(3) Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) and Native Hawaiians (as de-
fined in section 6207 of the Elementary and Sec-
ondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517)). 
(4) The private aerospace industry. 
(5) The private earth observing industry. 
(6) The operational forecasting community. 
(7) The academic community. 
(8) Professional societies that focus on meteor-
ology.
(9) Such other stakeholder groups as the Under 
Secretary considers appropriate. 
Passed the House of Representatives January 9, 
2017. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 353 
AN ACT 
To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration’s weather research through a fo-
cused program of investment on affordable and 
attainable advances in observational, computing, 
and modeling capabilities to support substantial 
improvement in weather forecasting and pre-
diction of high impact weather events, to expand 
commercial opportunities for the provision of 
weather data, and for other purposes.