Title: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
This bill authorizes a number of programs to enhance weather forecasting and alerts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research must conduct a program to improve forecasting of weather events and their effects, with a special focus on high impact weather events.
The National Weather Service must collect and utilize information to make reliable and timely foundational forecasts of subseasonal and seasonal temperature and precipitation. Subseasonal forecasting is forecasting weather between two weeks and three months and seasonal forecasting is between three months and two years.
The bill provides for technology transfers between the National Weather Service and private sector weather companies and universities to improve forecasting.
NOAA must complete and operationalize the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (a weather satellite program which develops observational techniques using global navigation systems).
Additionally, NOAA may contract with the private sector to obtain data for weather forecasting.
NOAA must continue its Environmental Information Services Working Group, which advises NOAA on weather research and opportunities to improve communications between weather stakeholders.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 570 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 570

   To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration'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.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 8, 2017

 Mr. Thune (for himself and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; 
    which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
                      Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration'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 Representatives 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 
                            communication 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, including a Commonwealth, 
        or the District of Columbia.
            (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 enterprise.--The terms 
        ``weather industry'' and ``weather enterprise'' are 
        interchangeable in this Act, 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.

  TITLE I--UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING IMPROVEMENT

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 economy.

SEC. 102. WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION.

    (a) Program.--The Assistant Administrator for the Office of Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Research shall conduct a program to develop improved 
understanding of and forecast 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 endanger life and property.
            (3) Research and development, and transfer of knowledge, 
        technologies, and applications to the National Weather Service 
        and other appropriate agencies and entities, including the 
        United States weather industry and academic partners, related 
        to--
                    (A) advanced radar, radar networking technologies, 
                and other ground-based technologies, 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 information 
                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 national 
                        cloud-resolving models;
                            (iii) enhanced global weather models; and
                            (iv) integrated assessment models;
                    (E) quantitative assessment tools for measuring the 
                impact and value of data and observing systems, 
                including Observing System Simulation Experiments (as 
                described in section 107), Observing System 
                Experiments, and Analyses of Alternatives;
                    (F) atmospheric chemistry and interactions 
                essential to accurately characterizing atmospheric 
                composition and predicting meteorological 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 enable 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 organizations, by making funds available 
        through competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative 
        agreements.
            (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 paragraph 
        (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 
Administration, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
description of current and planned activities under this section.

SEC. 103. TORNADO WARNING IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry and academic partners, shall establish a 
tornado warning improvement and extension program.
    (b) Goal.--The goal of such program shall be to reduce the loss of 
life and economic losses from tornadoes through the development and 
extension of accurate, effective, and timely tornado forecasts, 
predictions, and warnings, 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 Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research, in coordination with the Director of the National 
Weather Service, shall develop a program plan that details the specific 
research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as 
corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve the program 
goal.
    (d) Annual Budget for Plan Submittal.--Following completion of the 
plan, the Under Secretary, acting through the Assistant Administrator 
for Oceanic and Atmospheric 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 budget corresponding 
with the activities identified in the plan.

SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the 
United States weather industry and such academic entities as the 
Administrator considers appropriate, shall maintain a project to 
improve hurricane forecasting.
    (b) Goal.--The goal of the project maintained under subsection (a) 
shall be to develop and extend accurate hurricane 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 intensification 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 technology transfer 
activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary 
to achieve the goal set forth in subsection (b).

SEC. 105. WEATHER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING.

    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 Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research and in coordination with the Director of the 
National Weather Service and the Assistant Administrator for Satellite 
and Information Services, shall issue a research and development and 
research to operations plan to restore and maintain United States 
leadership in numerical weather prediction and forecasting that--
            (1) describes the forecasting skill and technology goals, 
        objectives, and progress of the National 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 National 
        Science Foundation, the United States weather industry, and 
        academic partners, research necessary to enhance the 
        integration of social science knowledge into weather forecast 
        and warning processes, including to improve the communication 
        of threat information necessary to enable improved severe 
        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 Observing System 
        Simulation Experiments, Observing System Experiments, Analyses 
        of Alternatives, and other appropriate assessment tools to 
        ensure continuous systemic evaluations of the observing 
        systems, data, and information needed to meet the requirements 
        of paragraph (1), including options to maximize observational 
        capabilities and their cost-effectiveness;
            (3) identify current and potential future data gaps in 
        observing capabilities related to the requirements 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 assessments as the Assistant Administrator considers 
appropriate, to quantitatively assess the relative value and benefits 
of observing capabilities and systems. Technical and scientific 
Observing System Simulation Experiment evaluations--
            (1) may include assessments of the impact of observing 
        capabilities on--
                    (A) global weather prediction;
                    (B) hurricane track and intensity forecasting;
                    (C) tornado warning lead times and accuracy;
                    (D) prediction of mid-latitude severe local storm 
                outbreaks; and
                    (E) prediction of storms that have the potential to 
                cause extreme precipitation and flooding 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 Experiments or other appropriate quantitative 
        assessment methodologies.
    (b) Requirements.--Observing System Simulation Experiments shall 
quantitatively--
            (1) determine the potential impact of proposed space-based, 
        suborbital, and in situ observing systems on analyses and 
        forecasts, including potential impacts on extreme weather 
        events across all parts of the Nation;
            (2) evaluate and compare observing system design options; 
        and
            (3) assess the relative capabilities and costs of various 
        observing systems and combinations of observing systems in 
        providing data necessary to protect life and property.
    (c) Implementation.--Observing System Simulation Experiments--
            (1) shall be conducted prior to the acquisition of major 
        Government-owned or Government-leased operational observing 
        systems, including polar-orbiting 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 Experiments.--
            (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 
        Research shall complete an Observing System Simulation 
        Experiment to assess the value of data from Global Navigation 
        Satellite System Radio Occultation.
            (2) Geostationary hyperspectral sounder global 
        constellation.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric 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 Administrator shall make available to the 
public the results an assessment of related private and public sector 
weather data sourcing options, including their availability, 
affordability, 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 Atmospheric Administration and in coordination with the 
Assistant 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 generation 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 improve advanced 
        research and operational weather prediction.

SEC. 109. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH PROGRAM.

    Section 108 of the Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
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 period 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 subseasonal 
                forecasts within Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Research that are closest to operationalization;
                    ``(D) for each project referred to in subparagraph 
                (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 National Weather Service to 
        oversee the operationalization 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 enterprise;
            ``(8) develop an internal mechanism to track the progress 
        of each research project within the Office of Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Research and mechanisms to terminate a project that 
        is not adequately progressing;
            ``(9) develop and implement a system to track whether 
        extramural research grant goals were accomplished;
            ``(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 inserting ``The''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(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 fiscal years 2017 and 
2018, there are authorized to be appropriated to Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research--
            (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 INNOVATION

SEC. 201. IMPROVING SUBSEASONAL AND SEASONAL FORECASTS.

    Section 1762 of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-198; 
15 U.S.C. 313 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``(a)'' and inserting 
        ``(a) Findings.--'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``(b)'' and inserting 
        ``(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 forecasts 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 provide the 
        forecasts under paragraph (1) and the information under 
        paragraphs (1) and (3) on both national and regional levels.
    ``(d) Communication.--The Director of the National 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, tribal, 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 activities 
        related to subseasonal and seasonal forecasts as a priority in 
        one or more solicitations of the Cooperative Institutes of the 
        Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research;
            ``(2) by contributing to the interagency Earth System 
        Prediction Capability; and
            ``(3) by consulting with the Secretary of Defense and the 
        Secretary of Homeland Security to determine the highest 
        priority subseasonal and seasonal 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 information described in 
        subsection (d). This may include assistance to States for 
        forecast communication coordinators to enable local 
        interpretation and planning based on the information.
            ``(2) Requirements.--For each State that requests 
        assistance under this subsection, the Under Secretary may--
                    ``(A) provide funds to support an individual in 
                that State--
                            ``(i) to serve as a liaison among the 
                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                        Administration, other Federal departments and 
                        agencies, the weather enterprise, the State, 
                        and relevant interests within that State; and
                            ``(ii) to receive the forecasts and 
                        information under subsection (c) and 
                        disseminate 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 
                nongovernmental 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 Agencies.--Each Federal 
department and agency shall cooperate 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 Research and Forecasting 
        Innovation Act of 2017, 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, including--
                    ``(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 continued 
                development of the subseasonal and seasonal forecasts 
                and related products described in subsection (c); and
                    ``(C) an identification of research, monitoring, 
                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 consult 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 observation and forecast data, 
        largely in raw form, before further processing is applied.
            ``(2) National weather service core partners.--The term 
        `National Weather Service core partners' means government and 
        nongovernment entities which are directly involved in the 
        preparation or dissemination of, or discussions involving, 
        hazardous 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, including a Commonwealth, 
        or the District of Columbia.
            ``(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 enterprise.--The terms 
        `weather industry' and `weather enterprise' are interchangeable 
        in this section 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 Service, $26,500,000 to carry out the activities of 
this section.''.

            TITLE III--WEATHER SATELLITE AND DATA INNOVATION

SEC. 301. NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION SATELLITE AND 
              DATA MANAGEMENT.

    (a) Short-Term Management of Environmental Observations.--
            (1) Microsatellite constellations.--
                    (A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall complete 
                and operationalize the Constellation 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 COSMIC-2 programs 
                        are free and open to all communities.
                    (B) Annual reports.--Not less frequently than once 
                each year until the Under Secretary has completed and 
                operationalized the program described in subparagraph 
                (A) pursuant 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 improve forecasts, 
        the Director, in consultation with the Assistant Administrator 
        for Oceanic and Atmospheric 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 support 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 institutions 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 systems or data 
        determined by operational needs.--In developing specifications 
        for any satellite systems or data to follow the Joint Polar 
        Satellite System, Geostationary Operational Environmental 
        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 recommendations of the reports under 
        subsection (b) of this section.
    (b) Independent Study on Future of National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Satellite 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 Administration 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 
                        observations that are essential to the 
                        performance of weather models, based on an 
                        assessment of Federal, academic, and private 
                        sector weather research, and the cost of 
                        obtaining the environmental data;
                            (iv) identify environmental observations 
                        that improve the quality of operational and 
                        research weather models in effect on the day 
                        before the date of enactment of this Act;
                            (v) identify and prioritize new 
                        environmental observations that could 
                        contribute 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 National Academy of 
                Sciences shall complete and transmit to the Under 
                Secretary a report containing the findings of the 
                National Academy of Sciences with respect to the study 
                not later than 2 years after the date on which the 
                Administrator 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 subparagraph (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 
                Secretary, the Under Secretary shall seek to enter into 
                such an agreement with another appropriate organization 
                that--
                            (i) is not part of the Federal Government;
                            (ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; 
                        and
                            (iii) has expertise and objectivity 
                        comparable to that of the National Academy of 
                        Sciences.
                    (B) Treatment.--If the Under Secretary enters into 
                an agreement with another organization as described in 
                subparagraph (A), any reference in this subsection to 
                the National Academy of Sciences shall be treated as a 
                reference to the other organization.
            (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated, out of funds appropriated to National 
        Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, to 
        carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for the period 
        encompassing 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 contracts with 
        commercial providers; and
            (2) the placement of weather satellite instruments 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 Secretary of Commerce, in 
        consultation with 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 strategy to enable the 
        procurement of quality commercial weather data. The strategy 
        shall assess the range of commercial opportunities, including 
        public-private partnerships, 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 include--
                    (A) an analysis of financial or other benefits 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 execution 
                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 integration 
                        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 information 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 Assistant 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 weather data, including radio occultation data, and, 
        as soon as possible, geostationary hyperspectral sounder 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 competition, 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 meteorological 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 Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation 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, acquisition, and construction at 
        National Environmental 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 feasible, obtain 
        commercial weather data from private sector providers;
            (2) as early as possible in the acquisition process for any 
        future National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
        meteorological space system, consider whether there is a 
        suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability available or 
        that will be available to meet any or all of the observational 
        requirements by the planned operational date of the system;
            (3) if a suitable, cost-effective, commercial capability is 
        or will be available as described in paragraph (2), determine 
        whether it is in the national interest 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 determination made under paragraphs (2) and (3).
    (e) Data Sharing Practices.--The Under Secretary shall continue to 
meet the international meteorological agreements into which the Under 
Secretary has entered, including practices set forth through World 
Meteorological Organization Resolution 40.

SEC. 303. UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION.

    In meeting the requirements under this title, the Under Secretary 
shall avoid unnecessary duplication between public and private sources 
of data and the corresponding expenditure of funds and employment of 
personnel.

                 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 research 
        initiatives at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration to produce real improvement in weather 
        forecasting;
            (2) to provide advice on existing or emerging technologies 
        or techniques that can be found in private 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 forecasters, 
                Federal, State, local, tribal, and other emergency 
                management personnel, and the public; 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, meteorology, hydrology, social science, 
        risk communications, 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 Secretary 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 Representatives a copy of such report.

SEC. 402. INTERAGENCY WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECAST INNOVATION 
              COORDINATION.

    (a) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science and 
Technology Policy shall establish an Interagency Committee for 
Advancing Weather Services to improve coordination of relevant weather 
research and forecast innovation activities across the Federal 
Government. The Interagency Committee shall--
            (1) include participation by the National Aeronautics and 
        Space Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric 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 Meteorology 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 managers, 
and academic researchers.

SEC. 403. OFFICE OF OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH 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 detail Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research personnel to the National Weather Service and National Weather 
Service personnel to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 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 National Weather Service staff to 
spend up to 1 year on detail. 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 Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives a report on participation in 
such program and shall highlight any innovations 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 provide 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 Meteorologists.--
            (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 authorized.--Nothing in this 
        section shall be construed to authorize or require a change in 
        the authorized number of full time equivalent employees in the 
        National Weather Service or otherwise result in the employment 
        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 coordination meteorologist shall be to 
carry out the responsibilities 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 support services, each warning 
        coordination meteorologist 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 improve outcomes from 
                weather events;
                    (B) liaise with users of products and services of 
                the National Weather Service, such as the public, media 
                outlets, users in the aviation, marine, and 
                agricultural communities, and forestry, 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 improve the usefulness of such products and 
                services;
                    (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 tribal 
                emergency management agencies, and other agencies 
                related to disaster management, to ensure a planned, 
                coordinated, and effective preparedness 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 products and services 
                of the National Weather Service throughout the State;
                    (B) identify priority community preparedness 
                objectives;
                    (C) develop plans to meet the objectives identified 
                under paragraph (2); and
                    (D) conduct severe weather event preparedness 
                planning and citizen education efforts with and through 
                various State, local, and tribal government agencies 
                and other disaster management-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 Emergency Managers.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the Director 
        of the National Weather Service may place a warning 
        coordination meteorologist designated under subsection (a) with 
        a State or local emergency manager if the Director considers 
        doing so is necessary or convenient to carry out this section.
            (2) Treatment.--If the Director determines that the 
        placement of a warning coordination meteorologist 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 ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION 
              COMMUNICATION OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER AND WATER EVENTS.

    (a) Purpose of System.--For purposes of the assessment 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 Atmospheric 
                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 system 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 action 
                        to improve the system described in paragraph 
                        (1)(A); and
                            (ii) such research as the Under Secretary 
                        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 assessment required by 
        paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall--
                    (A) consult with such line offices within the 
                National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the 
                Under Secretary considers relevant, including the the 
                National Ocean Service, the National Weather Service, 
                and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research;
                    (B) consult with individuals in the academic 
                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 communication 
                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, including the Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, 
                the Coast Guard, and such other Federal agencies as the 
                Under Secretary determines rely on watches and warnings 
                for operational decisions; and
                    (F) make use of the services of the National 
                Academy of Sciences, as the Under Secretary considers 
                necessary and practicable, including contracting with 
                the National Research Council to review the scientific 
                and technical soundness of the assessment required by 
                paragraph (1)(A), including the recommendations 
                developed under paragraph (2)(B).
            (5) Methodologies.--In conducting the assessment 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 considers 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 recommendations.--In carrying 
        out paragraph (1)(A), the Under Secretary shall ensure that any 
        recommendation 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 demographics, 
                vulnerable populations, and geographic 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 Federally 
                operated watch and warning propagation and 
                dissemination infrastructure and protocols.
    (d) Watches and Warnings Defined.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
        this section, the terms ``watch'' and ``warning'', with respect 
        to a hazardous weather and water event, mean products issued by 
        the Administration, 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 prevent 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 ADMINISTRATION WEATHER READY 
              ALL HAZARDS AWARD PROGRAM.

    (a) Program.--The Director of the National Weather Service is 
authorized to establish the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Weather Ready All Hazards Award Program. This award 
program shall provide annual awards to honor individuals or 
organizations that use or provide National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or transmitters to 
save lives and protect property. Individuals or organizations that 
utilize other early warning tools or applications also qualify for this 
award.
    (b) Goal.--This award program draws attention to the life-saving 
work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather 
Ready All Hazards Program, as well as emerging tools and applications, 
that provide 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 application 
        developers, emergency managers, and public safety officials may 
        nominate individuals or organizations 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 
        Administration Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or 
        transmitters or other early warning tools and applications, 
        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 FORECASTING ACTIVITIES.

    Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment 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 analyzing 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 forecasts;
                    (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 Forecasting Model; and
            (2) such other analysis relating to the divestiture 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 baseline 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 completed 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 duties.
            (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 General Schedule that most closely 
        approximates the duties of such positions.
            (5) Of the positions identified under paragraph (4), the 
        percentage of full-time equivalent contractors in those 
        positions that have held a prior position at the National 
        Weather Service or another entity in National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration.
            (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 Service.
            (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 Commerce regarding the hiring of 
        former National Oceanic 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 subsection (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 
described in paragraphs (1) through (8) of subsection (b) for such 
fiscal year.

SEC. 411. WEATHER IMPACTS TO COMMUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) Review.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather 
        Service shall review existing research, products, and services 
        that meet the specific needs of the urban environment, given 
        its unique physical characteristics and forecasting challenges.
            (2) Elements.--The review required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include research, products, and services with the potential to 
        improve modeling and forecasting capabilities, taking into 
        account factors including varying building heights, impermeable 
        surfaces, 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, products, and services of the National Weather 
Service, including 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 establish mechanisms for 
outreach to the weather enterprise--
            (1) to assess the weather forecasts and forecast products 
        provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Administration; and
            (2) to determine the highest priority weather forecast 
        needs of the community described in subsection (b).
    (b) Outreach Community.--In conducting outreach under subsection 
(a), the Under Secretary shall contact leading experts and innovators 
from relevant stakeholders, including the representatives from the 
following:
            (1) State or local emergency management agencies.
            (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 defined in section 6207 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary 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 meteorology.
            (9) Such other stakeholder groups as the Under Secretary 
        considers appropriate.
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