Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023

5/24/2024, 1:35 PM

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. 

Congress
118

Number
HR - 6093

Introduced on
2023-10-26

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

5/1/2024

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

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. 

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Science, Technology, Communications

Potential Impact
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

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary5/6/2024

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, monitor...


Latest Action5/1/2024
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.