Fire Weather Development Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-4866
Sponsor: Rep. Garcia, Mike [R-CA-27]
Introduced: 2023-07-25 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Aviation and airports
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Emergency communications systems
Emergency planning and evacuation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Fires
Intergovernmental relations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: 

Fire Weather Development Act of 2023

This bill establishes several programs and requirements to address wildfire forecasting, detection, and management, particularly with respect to interagency collaboration.

For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must establish a program to improve collaboration between federal, state, and local entities with respect to wildfire management. Program goals include improving communication about wildfire spread, earlier detection of wildfires, and better understanding of the impact of climate change on fire weather environments. Authorized activities include research and development of communication tools, modeling systems, and other relevant technology to help with wildfire management, as well as education and training for researchers and enhancing data sharing capabilities between agencies.

NOAA may also (1) contract with private sector entities to obtain additional airborne and space-based data to support wildfire prediction and monitoring, and (2) conduct pilot programs to test the use of unmanned aircraft systems for fire weather observations.

The bill also establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Wildfires (to assist state and local agencies with wildfire management while avoiding duplication of activities) and the National Advisory Committee on Wildfires (to advise the coordinating committee and other relevant entities on wildfire management).

action_date: 2023-09-22
text: 

Fire Weather Development Act of 2023

This bill establishes several programs and requirements to address wildfire forecasting, detection, and management, particularly with respect to interagency collaboration.

For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must establish a program to improve collaboration between federal, state, and local entities with respect to wildfire management. Program goals include improving communication about wildfire spread, earlier detection of wildfires, and better understanding of the impact of climate change on fire weather environments. Authorized activities include research and development of communication tools, modeling systems, and other relevant technology to help with wildfire management, as well as education and training for researchers and enhancing data sharing capabilities between agencies.

NOAA may also (1) contract with private sector entities to obtain additional airborne and space-based data to support wildfire prediction and monitoring, and (2) conduct pilot programs to test the use of unmanned aircraft systems for fire weather observations.

The bill also establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Wildfires (to assist state and local agencies with wildfire management while avoiding duplication of activities) and the National Advisory Committee on Wildfires (to advise the coordinating committee and other relevant entities on wildfire management).

Finally, the bill exempts incident meteorologists of the National Weather Service from premium pay limitations when responding to emergency wildfires. It also requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to recommend ways to improve the standards of communication between wildfire first responders and fire management response officials.
 
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: 

Fire Weather Development Act of 2024

This bill establishes several programs and requirements to address wildfire forecasting, detection, and management, particularly with respect to interagency collaboration.

For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must establish a program to improve collaboration between federal, state, and local entities with respect to wildfire management. Program goals include improving communication about wildfire spread, earlier detection of wildfires, and better understanding of the impact of climate change on fire weather environments. Authorized activities include research and development of communication tools, modeling systems, and other relevant technology to help with wildfire management, as well as education and training for researchers and enhancing data sharing capabilities between agencies.

NOAA may also (1) contract with private sector entities to obtain additional airborne and space-based data to support wildfire prediction and monitoring, and (2) conduct pilot programs to test the use of unmanned aircraft systems for fire weather observations.

The bill also establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Wildfires (to assist state and local agencies with wildfire management while avoiding duplication of activities) and the National Advisory Committee on Wildfires (to advise the coordinating committee and other relevant entities on wildfire management).

Finally, the bill exempts incident meteorologists of the National Weather Service from premium pay limitations when responding to emergency wildfires. It also requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to recommend ways to improve the standards of communication between wildfire first responders and fire management response officials.
 

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-04-30
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 341 - 48 (Roll no. 153). (text: CR H2646-2649)
action_date: 2024-04-29
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): 341 - 48 (Roll no. 153). (text: CR H2646-2649)
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2687-2688)
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. 4866.
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2646-2651)
action_date: 2024-04-29
text: Mr. Lucas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2023-09-22
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 174.
action_date: 2023-09-22
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-214.
action_date: 2023-09-22
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-214.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 33 - 2.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-07-25
text: Introduced in House