National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014
PL 113-86 (H.R.2431), enacted 03/06/2014

[113th Congress Public Law 86]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 128 STAT. 1015]]

Public Law 113-86
113th Congress

                                 An Act


 
       To reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information 
             System. <<NOTE: Mar. 6, 2014 -  [H.R. 2431]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: National 
Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014. 15 
USC 311 note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Integrated Drought 
Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. NIDIS PROGRAM AMENDMENTS.

    Section 3 of the National Integrated Drought Information System Act 
of 2006 (15 U.S.C. 313d) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting before the period at the 
        end the following: ``to better inform and provide for more 
        timely decisionmaking to reduce drought related impacts and 
        costs'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:

    ``(b) System Functions.--The National Integrated Drought Information 
System shall--
            ``(1) provide an effective drought early warning system 
        that--
                    ``(A) collects and integrates information on the key 
                indicators of drought and drought impacts in order to 
                make usable, reliable, and timely forecasts of drought, 
                including assessments of the severity of drought 
                conditions and impacts; and
                    ``(B) provides such information, forecasts, and 
                assessments on both national and regional levels;
            ``(2) communicate drought forecasts, drought conditions, and 
        drought impacts on an ongoing basis to public and private 
        entities engaged in drought planning and preparedness, 
        including--
                    ``(A) decisionmakers at the Federal, regional, 
                State, tribal, and local levels of government;
                    ``(B) the private sector; and
                    ``(C) the public;
            ``(3) provide timely data, information, and products that 
        reflect local, regional, and State differences in drought 
        conditions;
            ``(4) coordinate, and integrate as practicable, Federal 
        research and monitoring in support of a drought early warning 
        system;
            ``(5) build upon existing forecasting and assessment 
        programs and partnerships, including through the designation of

[[Page 128 STAT. 1016]]

        one or more cooperative institutes to assist with National 
        Integrated Drought Information System functions; and
            ``(6) continue ongoing research and monitoring activities 
        related to drought, including research activities relating to 
        length, severity, and impacts of drought and the role of extreme 
        weather events and climate variability in drought.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:

    ``(e) Report.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date 
        of enactment of the National Integrated Drought Information 
        System Reauthorization Act of 2014, the Under Secretary shall 
        transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
        the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
        Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that 
        contains--
                    ``(A) an analysis of the implementation of the 
                National Integrated Drought Information System program, 
                including how the information, forecasts, and 
                assessments are utilized in drought policy planning and 
                response activities;
                    ``(B) specific plans for continued development of 
                such program, including future milestones; and
                    ``(C) an identification of research, monitoring, and 
                forecasting needs to enhance the predictive capability 
                of drought early warnings that include--
                          ``(i) the length and severity of droughts;
                          ``(ii) the contribution of weather events to 
                      reducing the severity or ending drought 
                      conditions; and
                          ``(iii) regionally specific drought impacts.
            ``(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.''.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 4 of such Act (15 U.S.C. 313d note) is amended to read as 
follows:
``SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$13,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.''.

    Approved March 6, 2014.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 2431:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 113-348 (Comm. on Science, Space, and Technology).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 160 (2014):
            Feb. 10, considered and passed House.
            Feb. 25, considered and passed Senate.

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