Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-6093
Sponsor: Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]
Introduced: 2023-10-26 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Atmospheric science and weather
Aviation and airports
Computers and information technology
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency communications systems
Hydrology and hydrography
Natural disasters
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Spacecraft and satellites
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2023-10-26
text: 

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2023 or the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes, revises, and establishes several programs related to weather forecasting, monitoring, and research. 

For example, the bill reauthorizes through FY2028 programs that are administered by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including the U.S. Weather Research Program. It also provides statutory authority for NOAA's Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (known as VORTEX-USA).

The bill also requires NOAA to establish programs that support weather forecasting technology, including improvements to radar accuracy, weather forecasting in underserved areas, and coastal flooding forecasting. NOAA must also contract with the private sector to obtain weather-related data and establish a pilot program to test the compatibility of this data with NOAA infrastructure. 

In addition, NOAA must improve weather-related communication systems, including those related to hazardous weather events, through system upgrades that use more modern technology (e.g., cloud-based services) and that allow for expanded coverage (e.g., in rural areas).

Finally, NOAA must administer programs that support weather forecasting for agricultural and water management, including pilot programs to improve precipitation forecasts in the western and central states and a soil moisture monitoring network. 

action_date: 2023-12-11
text: 

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2023 or the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes, revises, and establishes several programs related to weather forecasting, monitoring, and research. 

For example, the bill reauthorizes through FY2028 programs that are administered by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including the U.S. Weather Research Program. It also provides statutory authority for NOAA's Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (known as VORTEX-USA).

The bill also requires NOAA to establish programs that support weather forecasting technology, including improvements to radar accuracy, weather forecasting in underserved areas, and coastal flooding forecasting. NOAA must also contract with the private sector to obtain weather-related data and establish a pilot program to test the compatibility of this data with NOAA infrastructure. 

In addition, NOAA must improve weather-related communication systems, including those related to hazardous weather events, through system upgrades that use more modern technology (e.g., cloud-based services) and that allow for expanded coverage (e.g., in rural areas).

Finally, NOAA must administer programs that support weather forecasting for agricultural and water management, including pilot programs to improve precipitation forecasts in the western and central states and a soil moisture monitoring network. 

action_date: 2024-04-30
text: 

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2023 or the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes, revises, and establishes several programs related to weather forecasting, monitoring, and research. 

For example, the bill reauthorizes through FY2028 programs that are administered by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including the U.S. Weather Research Program. It also provides statutory authority for NOAA's Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (known as VORTEX-USA).

The bill also requires NOAA to establish programs that support weather forecasting technology, including improvements to radar accuracy, weather forecasting in underserved areas, and coastal flooding forecasting. NOAA must also contract with the private sector to obtain weather-related data and establish a pilot program to test the compatibility of this data with NOAA infrastructure. 

In addition, NOAA must improve weather-related communication systems, including those related to hazardous weather events, through system upgrades that use more modern technology (e.g., cloud-based services) and that allow for expanded coverage (e.g., in rural areas).

Finally, NOAA must administer programs that support weather forecasting for agricultural and water management, including pilot programs to improve precipitation forecasts in the western and central states and a soil moisture monitoring network. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-05-01
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2024-04-30
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-04-30
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 19 (Roll no. 158). (text: 04/29/2024 CR H2658-2676)
action_date: 2024-04-30
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 19 (Roll no. 158). (text: 04/29/2024 CR H2658-2676)
action_date: 2024-04-30
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2714)
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6093.
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2658-2679)
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Mr. Lucas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2023-12-11
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 247.
action_date: 2023-12-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-306.
action_date: 2023-12-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-306.
action_date: 2023-11-08
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 31 - 0.
action_date: 2023-11-08
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-10-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2023-10-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-10-26
text: Introduced in House