H.R. 6093 · 118th Congress · House

Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023

In Congress· Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced
Oct 26, 23
Passed House
Apr 30, 24
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive 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. 

Previous Versions

07Dec 11, 2023

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. 

00Oct 26, 2023

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 Timeline

17
  1. MAY 01, 2024IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

  2. APR 30, 2024Floor

    Considered as unfinished business

    (consideration: CR H2714)

  3. APR 30, 2024Floor

    Passed/agreed to in House

    Roll Call #158

    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)

    394Yea
    19Nay
    0NV
  4. APR 30, 2024Floor

    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)

    Roll Call #158
    394Yea
    19Nay
    0NV
  5. APR 30, 2024Floor

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  6. APR 29, 2024Floor

    Mr

    Lucas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  7. APR 29, 2024Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules

    (consideration: CR H2658-2679)

    2658Yea
    2679Nay
    0NV
  8. APR 29, 2024Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6093.

  9. APR 29, 2024Floor

    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.

  10. DEC 11, 2023Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-306.

    118Yea
    306Nay
    0NV
  11. DEC 11, 2023Committee

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-306.

    118Yea
    306Nay
    0NV
  12. DEC 11, 2023Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 247.

  13. NOV 08, 2023Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  14. NOV 08, 2023Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 31 - 0.

    31Yea
    0Nay
    0NV
  15. OCT 26, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  16. OCT 26, 2023IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  17. OCT 26, 2023IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Committees

4

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

sscm00

Referred: May 1, 2024

Active

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

hssy00

Referred: Dec 11, 2023

Active

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

hssy00

Referred: Nov 8, 2023

Active

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

hssy00

Referred: Oct 26, 2023

Active