,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #egj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #h1 #bjag,mr4 ,thune 7for himself and ,mr4 ,schatz7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation ,a ,,bill ,to improve the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration's weather research through a focused program of investment on affordable and attainable advances in observational1 computing1 and modeling capabilities to support substantial improvement in weather forecasting and prediction of high impact weather events1 to expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,weather ,research and ,forecasting ,innovation ,act of #bjag4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4 ,,title ,i--,united ,states ,weather ,research and ,forecasting ,improvement ,sec4 #aja4 ,public safety priority4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,weather research and forecasting innovation4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,tornado warning improvement and extension program4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,hurricane forecast improvement program4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,weather research and development planning4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,observing system planning4 ,sec4 #ajg4 ,observing system simulation experiments4 ,sec4 #ajh4 ,annual report on computing resources prioritization4 ,sec4 #aji4 ,united ,states ,weather ,research program4 ,sec4 #aaj4 ,authorization of appropriations4 ,,title ,,ii--,subseasonal and ,seasonal ,forecasting ,innovation ,sec4 #bja4 ,improving subseasonal and seasonal forecasts4 ,,title ,,iii--,weather ,satellite and ,data ,innovation ,sec4 #cja4 ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration satellite and data management4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,commercial weather data4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,unnecessary duplication4 ,,title ,,iv--,federal ,weather ,coordination ,sec4 #dja4 ,environmental ,information ,services ,working ,group4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,interagency weather research and forecast innovation coordination4 ,sec4 #djc4 ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and ,national ,weather ,service exchange program4 ,sec4 #djd4 ,visiting fellows at ,national ,weather ,service4 ,sec4 #dje4 ,warning coordination meteorologists at weather forecast offices of ,national ,weather ,service4 ,sec4 #djf4 ,improving ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration communication of hazardous weather and water events4 ,sec4 #djg4 ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,weather ,ready ,all ,hazards ,award ,program4 ,sec4 #djh4 ,department of ,defense weather forecasting activities4 ,sec4 #dji4 ,national ,weather ,service2 operations and workforce analysis4 ,sec4 #daj4 ,report on contract positions at ,national ,weather ,service4 ,sec4 #daa4 ,weather impacts to communities and infrastructure4 ,sec4 #dab4 ,weather enterprise outreach4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,seasonal ,the term seasonal means the time range between #c months and #b years4 7#b7 ,state ,the term ,state means a ,state1 a territory1 or possession of the ,united ,states1 including a ,commonwealth1 or the ,district of ,columbia4 7#c7 ,subseasonal ,the term subseasonal means the time range between #b weeks and #c months4 7#d7 ,under ,secretary ,the term ,under ,secretary means the ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere4 7#e7 ,weather industry and weather enterprise ,the terms weather industry and weather enterprise are interchangeable in this ,act1 and include individuals and organizations from public1 private1 and academic sectors that contribute to the research1 development1 and production of weather forecast products1 and primary consumers of these weather forecast products4 ,i ,united ,states ,weather ,research and ,forecasting ,improvement #aja4 ,public safety priority ,in conducting research1 the ,under ,secretary shall prioritize improving weather data1 modeling1 computing1 forecasting1 and warnings for the protection of life and property and for the enhancement of the national economy4 #ajb4 ,weather research and forecasting innovation 7a7 ,program ,the ,assistant ,administrator for the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research shall conduct a program to develop improved understanding of and forecast capabilities for atmospheric events and their impacts1 placing priority on developing more accurate1 timely1 and effective warnings and forecasts of high impact weather events that endanger life and property4 7b7 ,program elements ,the program described in subsection 7a7 shall focus on the following activities3 7#a7 ,improving the fundamental understanding of weather consistent with section #aja1 including the boundary layer and other processes affecting high impact weather events4 7#b7 ,improving the understanding of how the public receives1 interprets1 and responds to warnings and forecasts of high impact weather events that endanger life and property4 7#c7 ,research and development1 and transfer of knowledge1 technologies1 and applications to the ,national ,weather ,service and other appropriate agencies and entities1 including the ,united ,states weather industry and academic partners1 related to-- 7,a7 advanced radar1 radar networking technologies1 and other ground-based technologies1 including those emphasizing rapid1 fine-scale sensing of the boundary layer and lower troposphere1 and the use of innovative1 dual-polarization1 phased-array technologies2 7,b7 aerial weather observing systems2 7,c7 high performance computing and information technology and wireless communication networks2 7,d7 advanced numerical weather prediction systems and forecasting tools and techniques that improve the forecasting of timing1 track1 intensity1 and severity of high impact weather1 including through-- 7i7 the development of more effective mesoscale models2 7ii7 more effective use of existing1 and the development of new1 regional and national cloud-resolving models2 7iii7 enhanced global weather models2 and 7iv7 integrated assessment models2 7,e7 quantitative assessment tools for measuring the impact and value of data and observing systems1 including ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiments 7as described in section #ajg71 ,observing ,system ,experiments1 and ,analyses of ,alternatives2 7,f7 atmospheric chemistry and interactions essential to accurately characterizing atmospheric composition and predicting meteorological processes1 including cloud microphysical1 precipitation1 and atmospheric electrification processes1 to more effectively understand their role in severe weather2 and 7,g7 additional sources of weather data and information1 including commercial observing systems4 7#d7 ,a technology transfer initiative1 carried out jointly and in coordination with the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service1 and in cooperation with the ,united ,states weather industry and academic partners1 to ensure continuous development and transition of the latest scientific and technological advances into operations of the ,national ,weather ,service and to establish a process to sunset outdated and expensive operational methods and tools to enable cost-effective transfer of new methods and tools into operations4 7c7 ,extramural research 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program under this section1 the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research shall collaborate with and support the non-,federal weather research community1 which includes institutions of higher education1 private entities1 and nongovernmental organizations1 by making funds available through competitive grants1 contracts1 and cooperative agreements4 7#b7 ,sense of ,congress ,it is the sense of ,congress that not less than #cj percent of the funds for weather research and development at the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research should be made available for the purpose described in paragraph 7#a74 7d7 ,annual report ,each year1 concurrent with the annual budget request submitted by the ,president to ,congress under section #aaje of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 for the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a description of current and planned activities under this section4 #ajc4 ,tornado warning improvement and extension program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary1 in collaboration with the ,united ,states weather industry and academic partners1 shall establish a tornado warning improvement and extension program4 7b7 ,goal ,the goal of such program shall be to reduce the loss of life and economic losses from tornadoes through the development and extension of accurate1 effective1 and timely tornado forecasts1 predictions1 and warnings1 including the prediction of tornadoes beyond #a hour in advance4 7c7 ,program plan ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research1 in coordination with the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service1 shall develop a program plan that details the specific research1 development1 and technology transfer activities1 as well as corresponding resources and timelines1 necessary to achieve the program goal4 7d7 ,annual budget for plan submittal ,following completion of the plan1 the ,under ,secretary1 acting through the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and in coordination with the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service1 shall1 not less frequently than once each year1 submit to ,congress a proposed budget corresponding with the activities identified in the plan4 #ajd4 ,hurricane forecast improvement program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary1 in collaboration with the ,united ,states weather industry and such academic entities as the ,administrator considers appropriate1 shall maintain a project to improve hurricane forecasting4 7b7 ,goal ,the goal of the project maintained under subsection 7a7 shall be to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts and warnings in order to reduce loss of life1 injury1 and damage to the economy1 with a focus on-- 7#a7 improving the prediction of rapid intensification and track of hurricanes2 7#b7 improving the forecast and communication of storm surges from hurricanes2 and 7#c7 incorporating risk communication research to create more effective watch and warning products4 7c7 ,project plan ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary1 acting through the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and in consultation with the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service1 shall develop a plan for the project maintained under subsection 7a7 that details the specific research1 development1 and technology transfer activities1 as well as corresponding resources and timelines1 necessary to achieve the goal set forth in subsection 7b74 #aje4 ,weather research and development planning ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and not less frequently than once each year thereafter1 the ,under ,secretary1 acting through the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and in coordination with the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service and the ,assistant ,administrator for ,satellite and ,information ,services1 shall issue a research and development and research to operations plan to restore and maintain ,united ,states leadership in numerical weather prediction and forecasting that-- 7#a7 describes the forecasting skill and technology goals1 objectives1 and progress of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration in carrying out the program conducted under section #ajb2 7#b7 identifies and prioritizes specific research and development activities1 and performance metrics1 weighted to meet the operational weather mission of the ,national ,weather ,service to achieve a weather-ready ,nation2 7#c7 describes how the program will collaborate with stakeholders1 including the ,united ,states weather industry and academic partners2 and 7#d7 identifies1 through consultation with the ,national ,science ,foundation1 the ,united ,states weather industry1 and academic partners1 research necessary to enhance the integration of social science knowledge into weather forecast and warning processes1 including to improve the communication of threat information necessary to enable improved severe weather planning and decisionmaking on the part of individuals and communities4 #ajf4 ,observing system planning ,the ,under ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 develop and maintain a prioritized list of observation data requirements necessary to ensure weather forecasting capabilities to protect life and property to the maximum extent practicable2 7#b7 consistent with section #ajg1 utilize ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiments1 ,observing ,system ,experiments1 ,analyses of ,alternatives1 and other appropriate assessment tools to ensure continuous systemic evaluations of the observing systems1 data1 and information needed to meet the requirements of paragraph 7#a71 including options to maximize observational capabilities and their cost-effectiveness2 7#c7 identify current and potential future data gaps in observing capabilities related to the requirements listed under paragraph 7#a72 and 7#d7 determine a range of options to address gaps identified under paragraph 7#c74 #ajg4 ,observing system simulation experiments 7a7 ,in general ,in support of the requirements of section #ajf1 the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research shall undertake ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiments1 or such other quantitative assessments as the ,assistant ,administrator considers appropriate1 to quantitatively assess the relative value and benefits of observing capabilities and systems4 ,technical and scientific ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiment evaluations-- 7#a7 may include assessments of the impact of observing capabilities on-- 7,a7 global weather prediction2 7,b7 hurricane track and intensity forecasting2 7,c7 tornado warning lead times and accuracy2 7,d7 prediction of mid-latitude severe local storm outbreaks2 and 7,e7 prediction of storms that have the potential to cause extreme precipitation and flooding lasting from #f hours to #a week2 and 7#b7 shall be conducted in cooperation with other appropriate entities within the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 other ,federal agencies1 the ,united ,states weather industry1 and academic partners to ensure the technical and scientific merit of results from ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiments or other appropriate quantitative assessment methodologies4 7b7 ,requirements ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiments shall quantitatively-- 7#a7 determine the potential impact of proposed space-based1 suborbital1 and in situ observing systems on analyses and forecasts1 including potential impacts on extreme weather events across all parts of the ,nation2 7#b7 evaluate and compare observing system design options2 and 7#c7 assess the relative capabilities and costs of various observing systems and combinations of observing systems in providing data necessary to protect life and property4 7c7 ,implementation ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiments-- 7#a7 shall be conducted prior to the acquisition of major ,government-owned or ,government-leased operational observing systems1 including polar-orbiting and geostationary satellite systems1 with a lifecycle cost of more than #ejj1jjj1jjj2 and 7#b7 shall be conducted prior to the purchase of any major new commercially provided data with a lifecycle cost of more than #ejj1jjj1jjj4 7d7 ,priority ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiments 7#a7 ,global navigation satellite system radio occultation ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research shall complete an ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiment to assess the value of data from ,global ,navigation ,satellite ,system ,radio ,occultation4 7#b7 ,geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation ,not later than #abj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research shall complete an ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiment to assess the value of data from a geostationary hyperspectral sounder global constellation4 7e7 ,results ,upon completion of all ,observing ,system ,simulation ,experiments1 the ,assistant ,administrator shall make available to the public the results an assessment of related private and public sector weather data sourcing options1 including their availability1 affordability1 and cost-effectiveness4 ,such assessments shall be developed in accordance with section #ejejc of title #ea1 ,united ,states ,code4 #ajh4 ,annual report on computing resources prioritization ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act and not less frequently than once each year thereafter1 the ,under ,secretary1 acting through the ,chief ,information ,officer of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and in coordination with the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service1 shall produce and make publicly available a report that explains how the ,under ,secretary intends-- 7#a7 to continually support upgrades to pursue the fastest1 most powerful1 and cost-effective high performance computing technologies in support of its weather prediction mission2 7#b7 to ensure a balance between the research to operations requirements to develop the next generation of regional and global models as well as highly reliable operational models2 7#c7 to take advantage of advanced development concepts to1 as appropriate1 make next generation weather prediction models available in beta-test mode to operational forecasters1 the ,united ,states weather industry1 and partners in academic and ,government research2 and 7#d7 to use existing computing resources to improve advanced research and operational weather prediction4 #aji4 ,united ,states ,weather ,research program ,section #ajh of the ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,authorization ,act of #aiib 7,public ,law #ajb-efg2 #ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cac note7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7,c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#d7 the following3 7#e7 submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives1 not less frequently than once each year1 a report1 including-- 7,a7 a list of ongoing research projects2 7,b7 project goals and a point of contact for each project2 7,c7 the five projects related to weather observations1 short-term weather1 or subseasonal forecasts within ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research that are closest to operationalization2 7,d7 for each project referred to in subparagraph 7,c7-- 7i7 the potential benefit2 7ii7 any barrier to operationalization2 and 7iii7 the plan for operationalization1 including which line office will financially support the project and how much the line office intends to spend2 7#f7 establish teams with staff from the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and the ,national ,weather ,service to oversee the operationalization of research products developed by the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research2 7#g7 develop mechanisms for research priorities of the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research to be informed by the relevant line offices within the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 the relevant user community1 and the weather enterprise2 7#h7 develop an internal mechanism to track the progress of each research project within the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and mechanisms to terminate a project that is not adequately progressing2 7#i7 develop and implement a system to track whether extramural research grant goals were accomplished2 7#aj7 provide facilities for products developed by the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research to be tested in operational simulations1 such as test beds2 and 7#aa7 encourage academic collaboration with the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and the ,national ,weather ,service by facilitating visiting scholars4 2 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the and inserting ,the2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new subsection3 7c7 ,subseasonal defined ,in this section1 the term subseasonal means the time range between #b weeks and #c months4 4 #aaj4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,fiscal years #bjag and #bjah ,for each of fiscal years #bjag and #bjah1 there are authorized to be appropriated to ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research-- 7#a7 #aaa1eaf1jjj to carry out this title1 of which-- 7,a7 #he1geh1jjj is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes2 and 7,b7 #be1geh1jjj is authorized for weather and air chemistry research programs2 and 7#b7 an additional amount of #bj1jjj1jjj for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section #ajb7;b77#d74 7b7 ,limitation ,no additional funds are authorized to carry out this title and the amendments made by this title4 ,,ii ,subseasonal and ,seasonal ,forecasting ,innovation #bja4 ,improving subseasonal and seasonal forecasts ,section #agfb of the ,food ,security ,act of #aihe 7,public ,law #ii-aih2 #ae ,u4,s4,c4 #cac note7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking 7a7 and inserting 7a7 ,findings4--2 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking 7b7 and inserting 7b7 ,policy4--2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,functions ,the ,under ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service and the heads of such other programs of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration as the ,under ,secretary considers appropriate1 shall-- 7#a7 collect and utilize information in order to make usable1 reliable1 and timely foundational forecasts of subseasonal and seasonal temperature and precipitation2 7#b7 leverage existing research and models from the weather enterprise to improve the forecasts under paragraph 7#a72 7#c7 determine and provide information on how the forecasted conditions under paragraph 7#a7 may impact-- 7,a7 the number and severity of droughts1 fires1 tornadoes1 hurricanes1 floods1 heat waves1 coastal inundation1 winter storms1 high impact weather1 or other relevant natural disasters2 7,b7 snowpack2 and 7,c7 sea ice conditions2 and 7#d7 develop an ,internet clearinghouse to provide the forecasts under paragraph 7#a7 and the information under paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#c7 on both national and regional levels4 7d7 ,communication ,the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service shall provide the forecasts under paragraph 7#a7 of subsection 7c7 and the information on their impacts under paragraph 7#c7 of such subsection to the public1 including public and private entities engaged in planning and preparedness1 such as ,national ,weather ,service ,core partners at the ,federal1 regional1 ,state1 tribal1 and local levels of government4 7e7 ,cooperation ,the ,under ,secretary shall build upon existing forecasting and assessment programs and partnerships1 including-- 7#a7 by designating research and monitoring activities related to subseasonal and seasonal forecasts as a priority in one or more solicitations of the ,cooperative ,institutes of the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research2 7#b7 by contributing to the interagency ,earth ,system ,prediction ,capability2 and 7#c7 by consulting with the ,secretary of ,defense and the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security to determine the highest priority subseasonal and seasonal forecast needs to enhance national security4 7f7 ,forecast communication coordinators 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary shall foster effective communication1 understanding1 and use of the forecasts by the intended users of the information described in subsection 7d74 ,this may include assistance to ,states for forecast communication coordinators to enable local interpretation and planning based on the information4 7#b7 ,requirements ,for each ,state that requests assistance under this subsection1 the ,under ,secretary may-- 7,a7 provide funds to support an individual in that ,state-- 7i7 to serve as a liaison among the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 other ,federal departments and agencies1 the weather enterprise1 the ,state1 and relevant interests within that ,state2 and 7ii7 to receive the forecasts and information under subsection 7c7 and disseminate the forecasts and information throughout the ,state1 including to county and tribal governments2 and 7,b7 require matching funds of at least #ej percent1 from the ,state1 a university1 a nongovernmental organization1 a trade association1 or the private sector4 7#c7 ,limitation ,assistance to an individual ,state under this subsection shall not exceed #ajj1jjj in a fiscal year4 7g7 ,cooperation from other ,federal agencies ,each ,federal department and agency shall cooperate as appropriate with the ,under ,secretary in carrying out this section4 7h7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of the ,weather ,research and ,forecasting ,innovation ,act of #bjag1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report1 including-- 7,a7 an analysis of the how information from the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration on subseasonal and seasonal forecasts1 as provided under subsection 7c71 is utilized in public planning and preparedness2 7,b7 specific plans and goals for the continued development of the subseasonal and seasonal forecasts and related products described in subsection 7c72 and 7,c7 an identification of research1 monitoring1 observing1 and forecasting requirements to meet the goals described in subparagraph 7,b74 7#b7 ,consultation ,in developing the report under paragraph 7#a71 the ,under ,secretary shall consult with relevant ,federal1 regional1 ,state1 tribal1 and local government agencies1 research institutions1 and the private sector4 7i7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,foundational forecast ,the term foundational forecast means basic weather observation and forecast data1 largely in raw form1 before further processing is applied4 7#b7 ,national ,weather ,service core partners ,the term ,national ,weather ,service core partners means government and nongovernment entities which are directly involved in the preparation or dissemination of1 or discussions involving1 hazardous weather or other emergency information put out by the ,national ,weather ,service4 7#c7 ,seasonal ,the term seasonal means the time range between #c months and #b years4 7#d7 ,state ,the term ,state means a ,state1 a territory1 or possession of the ,united ,states1 including a ,commonwealth1 or the ,district of ,columbia4 7#e7 ,subseasonal ,the term subseasonal means the time range between #b weeks and #c months4 7#f7 ,under ,secretary ,the term ,under ,secretary means the ,under ,secretary of ,commerce for ,oceans and ,atmosphere4 7#g7 ,weather industry and weather enterprise ,the terms weather industry and weather enterprise are interchangeable in this section and include individuals and organizations from public1 private1 and academic sectors that contribute to the research1 development1 and production of weather forecast products1 and primary consumers of these weather forecast products4 7j7 ,authorization of appropriations ,for each of fiscal years #bjag and #bjah1 there are authorized out of funds appropriated to the ,national ,weather ,service1 #bf1ejj1jjj to carry out the activities of this section4 4 ,,iii ,weather ,satellite and ,data ,innovation #cja4 ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration satellite and data management 7a7 ,short-,term management of environmental observations 7#a7 ,microsatellite constellations 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary shall complete and operationalize the ,constellation ,observing ,system for ,meteorology1 ,ionosphere1 and ,climate-#a and ,climate-#b 7,,cosmic7 in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of this ,act-- 7i7 by deploying constellations of microsatellites in both the equatorial and polar orbits2 7ii7 by integrating the resulting data and research into all national operational and research weather forecast models2 and 7iii7 by ensuring that the resulting data of ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration's ,,cosmic-#a and ,,cosmic-#b programs are free and open to all communities4 7,b7 ,annual reports ,not less frequently than once each year until the ,under ,secretary has completed and operationalized the program described in subparagraph 7,a7 pursuant to such subparagraph1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the status of the efforts of the ,under ,secretary to carry out such subparagraph4 7#b7 ,integration of ocean and coastal data from the integrated ocean observing system ,in ,national ,weather ,service ,regions where the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service determines that ocean and coastal data would improve forecasts1 the ,director1 in consultation with the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and the ,assistant ,administrator of the ,national ,ocean ,service1 shall-- 7,a7 integrate additional coastal and ocean observations1 and other data and research1 from the ,integrated ,ocean ,observing ,system 7,,ioos7 into regional weather forecasts to improve weather forecasts and forecasting decision support systems2 and 7,b7 support the development of real-time data sharing products and forecast products in collaboration with the regional associations of such system1 including contributions from the private sector1 academia1 and research institutions to ensure timely and accurate use of ocean and coastal data in regional forecasts4 7#c7 ,existing monitoring and observation-capability ,the ,under ,secretary shall identify degradation of existing monitoring and observation capabilities that could lead to a reduction in forecast quality4 7#d7 ,specifications for new satellite systems or data determined by operational needs ,in developing specifications for any satellite systems or data to follow the ,joint ,polar ,satellite ,system1 ,geostationary ,operational ,environmental ,satellites1 and any other satellites1 in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary shall ensure the specifications are determined to the extent practicable by the recommendations of the reports under subsection 7b7 of this section4 7b7 ,independent study on future of ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration satellite systems and data 7#a7 ,agreement 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the ,national ,academy of ,sciences to perform the services covered by this subsection4 7,b7 ,timing ,the ,under ,secretary shall seek to enter into the agreement described in subparagraph 7,a7 before ,september #cj1 #bjah4 7#b7 ,study 7,a7 ,in general ,under an agreement between the ,under ,secretary and the ,national ,academy of ,sciences under this subsection1 the ,national ,academy of ,sciences shall conduct a study on matters concerning future satellite data needs4 7,b7 ,elements ,in conducting the study under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,national ,academy of ,sciences shall-- 7i7 develop recommendations on how to make the data portfolio of the ,administration more robust and cost-effective2 7ii7 assess the costs and benefits of moving toward a constellation of many small satellites1 standardizing satellite bus design1 relying more on the purchasing of data1 or acquiring data from other sources or methods2 7iii7 identify the environmental observations that are essential to the performance of weather models1 based on an assessment of ,federal1 academic1 and private sector weather research1 and the cost of obtaining the environmental data2 7iv7 identify environmental observations that improve the quality of operational and research weather models in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act2 7v7 identify and prioritize new environmental observations that could contribute to existing and future weather models2 and 7vi7 develop recommendations on a portfolio of environmental observations that balances essential1 quality-improving1 and new data1 private and nonprivate sources1 and space-based and ,earth-based sources4 7,c7 ,deadline and report ,in carrying out the study under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,national ,academy of ,sciences shall complete and transmit to the ,under ,secretary a report containing the findings of the ,national ,academy of ,sciences with respect to the study not later than #b years after the date on which the ,administrator enters into an agreement with the ,national ,academy of ,sciences under paragraph 7#a77;,a74 7#c7 ,alternate organization 7,a7 ,in general ,if the ,under ,secretary is unable within the period prescribed in subparagraph 7,b7 of paragraph 7#a7 to enter into an agreement described in subparagraph 7,a7 of such paragraph with the ,national ,academy of ,sciences on terms acceptable to the ,under ,secretary1 the ,under ,secretary shall seek to enter into such an agreement with another appropriate organization that-- 7i7 is not part of the ,federal ,government2 7ii7 operates as a not-for-profit entity2 and 7iii7 has expertise and objectivity comparable to that of the ,national ,academy of ,sciences4 7,b7 ,treatment ,if the ,under ,secretary enters into an agreement with another organization as described in subparagraph 7,a71 any reference in this subsection to the ,national ,academy of ,sciences shall be treated as a reference to the other organization4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated1 out of funds appropriated to ,national ,environmental ,satellite1 ,data1 and ,information ,service1 to carry out this subsection #a1jjj1jjj for the period encompassing fiscal years #bjah through #bjai4 #cjb4 ,commercial weather data 7a7 ,data and hosted satellite payloads ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,secretary of ,commerce may enter into agreements for-- 7#a7 the purchase of weather data through contracts with commercial providers2 and 7#b7 the placement of weather satellite instruments on cohosted government or private payloads4 7b7 ,strategy 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,commerce1 in consultation with the ,under ,secretary1 shall submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a strategy to enable the procurement of quality commercial weather data4 ,the strategy shall assess the range of commercial opportunities1 including public-private partnerships1 for obtaining surface-based1 aviation-based1 and space-based weather observations4 ,the strategy shall include the expected cost-effectiveness of these opportunities as well as provide a plan for procuring data1 including an expected implementation timeline1 from these nongovernmental sources1 as appropriate4 7#b7 ,requirements ,the strategy shall include-- 7,a7 an analysis of financial or other benefits to1 and risks associated with1 acquiring commercial weather data or services1 including through multiyear acquisition approaches2 7,b7 an identification of methods to address planning1 programming1 budgeting1 and execution challenges to such approaches1 including-- 7i7 how standards will be set to ensure that data is reliable and effective2 7ii7 how data may be acquired through commercial experimental or innovative techniques and then evaluated for integration into operational use2 7iii7 how to guarantee public access to all forecast-critical data to ensure that the ,united ,states weather industry and the public continue to have access to information critical to their work2 and 7iv7 in accordance with section #ejejc of title #ea1 ,united ,states ,code1 methods to address potential termination liability or cancellation costs associated with weather data or service contracts2 and 7,c7 an identification of any changes needed in the requirements development and approval processes of the ,department of ,commerce to facilitate effective and efficient implementation of such strategy4 7#c7 ,authority for agreements ,the ,assistant ,administrator for ,national ,environmental ,satellite1 ,data1 and ,information ,service may enter into multiyear agreements necessary to carry out the strategy developed under this subsection4 7c7 ,pilot program 7#a7 ,criteria ,not later than #cj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary shall publish data and metadata standards and specifications for space-based commercial weather data1 including radio occultation data1 and1 as soon as possible1 geostationary hyperspectral sounder data4 7#b7 ,pilot contracts 7,a7 ,contracts ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary shall1 through an open competition1 enter into at least one pilot contract with one or more private sector entities capable of providing data that meet the standards and specifications set by the ,under ,secretary for providing commercial weather data in a manner that allows the ,under ,secretary to calibrate and evaluate the data for its use in ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration meteorological models4 7,b7 ,assessment of data viability ,not later than the date that is #c years after the date on which the ,under ,secretary enters into a contract under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,under ,secretary shall assess and submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives the results of a determination of the extent to which data provided under the contract entered into under subparagraph 7,a7 meet the criteria published under paragraph 7#a7 and the extent to which the pilot program has demonstrated-- 7i7 the viability of assimilating the commercially provided data into ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration meteorological models2 7ii7 whether1 and by how much1 the data add value to weather forecasts2 and 7iii7 the accuracy1 quality1 timeliness1 validity1 reliability1 usability1 information technology security1 and cost-effectiveness of obtaining commercial weather data from private sector providers4 7#c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,for each of fiscal years #bjag through #bjbj1 there are authorized to be appropriated for procurement1 acquisition1 and construction at ,national ,environmental ,satellite1 ,data1 and ,information ,service1 #f1jjj1jjj to carry out this subsection4 7d7 ,obtaining future data ,if an assessment under subsection 7c77#b77;,b7 demonstrates the ability of commercial weather data to meet data and metadata standards and specifications published under subsection 7c77#a71 the ,under ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 where appropriate1 cost-effective1 and feasible1 obtain commercial weather data from private sector providers2 7#b7 as early as possible in the acquisition process for any future ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration meteorological space system1 consider whether there is a suitable1 cost-effective1 commercial capability available or that will be available to meet any or all of the observational requirements by the planned operational date of the system2 7#c7 if a suitable1 cost-effective1 commercial capability is or will be available as described in paragraph 7#b71 determine whether it is in the national interest to develop a governmental meteorological space system2 and 7#d7 submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report detailing any determination made under paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c74 7e7 ,data sharing practices ,the ,under ,secretary shall continue to meet the international meteorological agreements into which the ,under ,secretary has entered1 including practices set forth through ,world ,meteorological ,organization ,resolution #dj4 #cjc4 ,unnecessary duplication ,in meeting the requirements under this title1 the ,under ,secretary shall avoid unnecessary duplication between public and private sources of data and the corresponding expenditure of funds and employment of personnel4 ,,iv ,federal ,weather ,coordination #dja4 ,environmental ,information ,services ,working ,group 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,science ,advisory ,board shall continue to maintain a standing working group named the ,environmental ,information ,services ,working ,group 7in this section referred to as the ,working ,group7-- 7#a7 to provide advice for prioritizing weather research initiatives at the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration to produce real improvement in weather forecasting2 7#b7 to provide advice on existing or emerging technologies or techniques that can be found in private industry or the research community that could be incorporated into forecasting at the ,national ,weather ,service to improve forecasting skill2 7#c7 to identify opportunities to improve-- 7,a7 communications between weather forecasters1 ,federal1 ,state1 local1 tribal1 and other emergency management personnel1 and the public2 and 7,b7 communications and partnerships among the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and the private and academic sectors2 and 7#d7 to address such other matters as the ,science ,advisory ,board requests of the ,working ,group4 7b7 ,composition 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,working ,group shall be composed of leading experts and innovators from all relevant fields of science and engineering including atmospheric chemistry1 atmospheric physics1 meteorology1 hydrology1 social science1 risk communications1 electrical engineering1 and computer sciences4 ,in carrying out this section1 the ,working ,group may organize into subpanels4 7#b7 ,number ,the ,working ,group shall be composed of no fewer than #ae members4 ,nominees for the ,working ,group may be forwarded by the ,working ,group for approval by the ,science ,advisory ,board4 ,members of the ,working ,group may choose a chair 7or co-chairs7 from among their number with approval by the ,science ,advisory ,board4 7c7 ,annual report ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,working ,group shall transmit to the ,science ,advisory ,board for submission to the ,under ,secretary a report on progress made by ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration in adopting the ,working ,group's recommendations4 ,the ,science ,advisory ,board shall transmit this report to the ,under ,secretary4 ,within #cj days of receipt of such report1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a copy of such report4 #djb4 ,interagency weather research and forecast innovation coordination 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy shall establish an ,interagency ,committee for ,advancing ,weather ,services to improve coordination of relevant weather research and forecast innovation activities across the ,federal ,government4 ,the ,interagency ,committee shall-- 7#a7 include participation by the ,national ,aeronautics and ,space ,administration1 the ,federal ,aviation ,administration1 ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and its constituent elements1 the ,national ,science ,foundation1 and such other agencies involved in weather forecasting research as the ,president determines are appropriate2 7#b7 identify and prioritize top forecast needs and coordinate those needs against budget requests and program initiatives across participating offices and agencies2 and 7#c7 share information regarding operational needs and forecasting improvements across relevant agencies4 7b7 ,co-,chair ,the ,federal ,coordinator for ,meteorology shall serve as a co-chair of this panel4 7c7 ,further coordination ,the ,director of the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy shall take such other steps as are necessary to coordinate the activities of the ,federal ,government with those of the ,united ,states weather industry1 ,state governments1 emergency managers1 and academic researchers4 #djc4 ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and ,national ,weather ,service exchange program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and the ,director of ,national ,weather ,service may establish a program to detail ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research personnel to the ,national ,weather ,service and ,national ,weather ,service personnel to the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research4 7b7 ,goal ,the goal of this program is to enhance forecasting innovation through regular1 direct interaction between the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research's world-class scientists and the ,national ,weather ,service's operational staff4 7c7 ,elements ,the program shall allow up to #aj ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research staff and ,national ,weather ,service staff to spend up to #a year on detail4 ,candidates shall be jointly selected by the ,assistant ,administrator for ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research and the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service4 7d7 ,annual report ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report on participation in such program and shall highlight any innovations that come from this interaction4 #djd4 ,visiting fellows at ,national ,weather ,service 7a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service may establish a program to host postdoctoral fellows and academic researchers at any of the ,national ,centers for ,environmental ,prediction4 7b7 ,goal ,this program shall be designed to provide direct interaction between forecasters and talented academic and private sector researchers in an effort to bring innovation to forecasting tools and techniques to the ,national ,weather ,service4 7c7 ,selection and appointment ,such fellows shall be competitively selected and appointed for a term not to exceed #a year4 #dje4 ,warning coordination meteorologists at weather forecast offices of ,national ,weather ,service 7a7 ,designation of warning coordination meteorologists 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service shall designate at least one warning coordination meteorologist at each weather forecast office of the ,national ,weather ,service4 7#b7 ,no additional employees authorized ,nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize or require a change in the authorized number of full time equivalent employees in the ,national ,weather ,service or otherwise result in the employment of any additional employees4 7#c7 ,performance by other employees ,performance of the responsibilities outlined in this section is not limited to the warning coordination meteorologist position4 7b7 ,primary role of warning coordination meteorologists ,the primary role of the warning coordination meteorologist shall be to carry out the responsibilities required by this section4 7c7 ,responsibilities 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 consistent with the analysis described in section #dji1 and in order to increase impact-based decision support services1 each warning coordination meteorologist designated under subsection 7a7 shall-- 7,a7 be responsible for providing service to the geographic area of responsibility covered by the weather forecast office at which the warning coordination meteorologist is employed to help ensure that users of products of the ,national ,weather ,service can respond effectively to improve outcomes from weather events2 7,b7 liaise with users of products and services of the ,national ,weather ,service1 such as the public1 media outlets1 users in the aviation1 marine1 and agricultural communities1 and forestry1 land1 and water management interests1 to evaluate the adequacy and usefulness of the products and services of the ,national ,weather ,service2 7,c7 collaborate with such weather forecast offices and ,state1 local1 and tribal government agencies as the ,director considers appropriate in developing1 proposing1 and implementing plans to develop1 modify1 or tailor products and services of the ,national ,weather ,service to improve the usefulness of such products and services2 7,d7 ensure the maintenance and accuracy of severe weather call lists1 appropriate office severe weather policy or procedures1 and other severe weather or dissemination methodologies or strategies2 and 7,e7 work closely with ,state1 local1 and tribal emergency management agencies1 and other agencies related to disaster management1 to ensure a planned1 coordinated1 and effective preparedness and response effort4 7#b7 ,other staff ,the ,director may assign a responsibility set forth in paragraph 7#a7 to such other staff as the ,director considers appropriate to carry out such responsibility4 7d7 ,additional responsibilities 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraph 7#b71 a warning coordination meteorologist designated under subsection 7a7 may-- 7,a7 work with a ,state agency to develop plans for promoting more effective use of products and services of the ,national ,weather ,service throughout the ,state2 7,b7 identify priority community preparedness objectives2 7,c7 develop plans to meet the objectives identified under paragraph 7#b72 and 7,d7 conduct severe weather event preparedness planning and citizen education efforts with and through various ,state1 local1 and tribal government agencies and other disaster management-related organizations4 7#b7 ,other staff ,the ,director may assign a responsibility set forth in paragraph 7#a7 to such other staff as the ,director considers appropriate to carry out such responsibility4 7e7 ,placement with ,state and local emergency managers 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out this section1 the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service may place a warning coordination meteorologist designated under subsection 7a7 with a ,state or local emergency manager if the ,director considers doing so is necessary or convenient to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,treatment ,if the ,director determines that the placement of a warning coordination meteorologist placed with a ,state or local emergency manager under paragraph 7#a7 is near a weather forecast office of the ,national ,weather ,service1 such placement shall be treated as designation of the warning coordination meteorologist at such weather forecast office for purposes of subsection 7a74 #djf4 ,improving ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration communication of hazardous weather and water events 7a7 ,purpose of system ,for purposes of the assessment required by subsection 7b77#a77;,a71 the purpose of ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration system for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events shall be risk communication to the general public that informs action to prevent loss of life and property4 7b7 ,assessment of system 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 assess the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration system for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events2 and 7,b7 submit to ,congress a report on the findings of the ,under ,secretary with respect to the assessment conducted under subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,elements ,the assessment required by paragraph 7#a77;,a7 shall include the following3 7,a7 ,an evaluation of whether the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration system for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events meets the purpose described in subsection 7a74 7,b7 ,development of recommendations for-- 7i7 legislative and administrative action to improve the system described in paragraph 7#a77;,a72 and 7ii7 such research as the ,under ,secretary considers necessary to address the focus areas described in paragraph 7#c74 7#c7 ,focus areas ,the assessment required by paragraph 7#a77;,a7 shall focus on the following3 7,a7 ,ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous weather or water events to the public that are most likely to result in action to mitigate the risk4 7,b7 ,ways to communicate the risks posed by hazardous weather or water events to the public as broadly and rapidly as practicable4 7,c7 ,ways to preserve the benefits of the existing watches and warnings system4 7,d7 ,ways to maintain the utility of the watches and warnings system for ,government and commercial users of the system4 7#d7 ,consultation ,in conducting the assessment required by paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,under ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 consult with such line offices within the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration as the ,under ,secretary considers relevant1 including the the ,national ,ocean ,service1 the ,national ,weather ,service1 and the ,office of ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,research2 7,b7 consult with individuals in the academic sector1 including individuals in the field of social and behavioral sciences1 and other weather services2 7,c7 consult with media outlets that will be distributing the watches and warnings2 7,d7 consult with non-,federal forecasters that produce alternate severe weather risk communication products2 7,e7 consult with emergency planners and responders1 including ,state and local emergency management agencies1 and other government users of the watches and warnings system1 including the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 the ,office of ,personnel ,management1 the ,coast ,guard1 and such other ,federal agencies as the ,under ,secretary determines rely on watches and warnings for operational decisions2 and 7,f7 make use of the services of the ,national ,academy of ,sciences1 as the ,under ,secretary considers necessary and practicable1 including contracting with the ,national ,research ,council to review the scientific and technical soundness of the assessment required by paragraph 7#a77;,a71 including the recommendations developed under paragraph 7#b77;,b74 7#e7 ,methodologies ,in conducting the assessment required by paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,under ,secretary shall use such methodologies as the ,under ,secretary considers are generally accepted by the weather enterprise1 including social and behavioral sciences4 7c7 ,improvements to system 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary shall1 based on the assessment required by subsection 7b77#a77;,a71 make such recommendations to ,congress to improve the system as the ,under ,secretary considers necessary-- 7,a7 to improve the system for issuing watches and warnings regarding hazardous weather and water events2 and 7,b7 to support efforts to satisfy research needs to enable future improvements to such system4 7#b7 ,requirements regarding recommendations ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a77;,a71 the ,under ,secretary shall ensure that any recommendation that the ,under ,secretary considers a major change-- 7,a7 is validated by social and behavioral science using a generalizable sample2 7,b7 accounts for the needs of various demographics1 vulnerable populations1 and geographic regions2 7,c7 accounts for the differences between types of weather and water hazards2 7,d7 responds to the needs of ,federal1 ,state1 and local government partners and media partners2 and 7,e7 accounts for necessary changes to ,federally operated watch and warning propagation and dissemination infrastructure and protocols4 7d7 ,watches and warnings defined 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 in this section1 the terms watch and warning1 with respect to a hazardous weather and water event1 mean products issued by the ,administration1 intended for consumption by the general public1 to alert the general public to the potential for or presence of the event and to inform action to prevent loss of life and property4 7#b7 ,exception ln this section1 the terms watch and warning do not include technical or specialized meteorological and hydrological forecasts1 outlooks1 or model guidance products4 #djg4 ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,weather ,ready ,all ,hazards ,award ,program 7a7 ,program ,the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service is authorized to establish the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,weather ,ready ,all ,hazards ,award ,program4 ,this award program shall provide annual awards to honor individuals or organizations that use or provide ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,weather ,radio ,all ,hazards receivers or transmitters to save lives and protect property4 ,individuals or organizations that utilize other early warning tools or applications also qualify for this award4 7b7 ,goal ,this award program draws attention to the life-saving work of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,weather ,ready ,all ,hazards ,program1 as well as emerging tools and applications1 that provide real-time warning to individuals and communities of severe weather or other hazardous conditions4 7c7 ,program elements 7#a7 ,nominations ,nominations for this award shall be made annually by the ,weather ,field ,offices to the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service4 ,broadcast meteorologists1 weather radio manufacturers and weather warning tool and application developers1 emergency managers1 and public safety officials may nominate individuals or organizations to their local ,weather ,field ,offices1 but the final list of award nominees must come from the ,weather ,field ,offices4 7#b7 ,selection of awardees ,annually1 the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service shall choose winners of this award whose timely actions1 based on ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,weather ,radio ,all ,hazards receivers or transmitters or other early warning tools and applications1 saved lives or property1 or demonstrated public service in support of weather or all hazard warnings4 7#c7 ,award ceremony ,the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service shall establish a means of making these awards to provide maximum public awareness of the importance of ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration ,weather ,radio1 and such other warning tools and applications as are represented in the awards4 #djh4 ,department of ,defense weather forecasting activities ,not later than #fj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report analyzing the impacts of the proposed ,air ,force divestiture in the ,united ,states ,weather ,research and ,forecasting ,model1 including-- 7#a7 the impact on-- 7,a7 the ,united ,states weather forecasting capabilities2 7,b7 the accuracy of civilian regional forecasts2 7,c7 the civilian readiness for traditional weather and extreme weather events in the ,united ,states2 and 7,d7 the research necessary to develop the ,united ,states ,weather ,research and ,forecasting ,model2 and 7#b7 such other analysis relating to the divestiture as the ,under ,secretary considers appropriate4 #dji4 ,national ,weather ,service2 operations and workforce analysis ,the ,under ,secretary shall contract or continue to partner with an external organization to conduct a baseline analysis of ,national ,weather ,service operations and workforce4 #daj4 ,report on contract positions at ,national ,weather ,service 7a7 ,report required ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the use of contractors at the ,national ,weather ,service for the most recently completed fiscal year4 7b7 ,contents ,the report required by subsection 7a7 shall include1 with respect to the most recently completed fiscal year1 the following3 7#a7 ,the total number of full-time equivalent employees at the ,national ,weather ,service1 disaggregated by each equivalent level of the ,general ,schedule4 7#b7 ,the total number of full-time equivalent contractors at the ,national ,weather ,service1 disaggregated by each equivalent level of the ,general ,schedule that most closely approximates their duties4 7#c7 ,the total number of vacant positions at the ,national ,weather ,service on the day before the date of enactment of this ,act1 disaggregated by each equivalent level of the ,general ,schedule4 7#d7 ,the five most common positions filled by full-time equivalent contractors at the ,national ,weather ,service and the equivalent level of the ,general ,schedule that most closely approximates the duties of such positions4 7#e7 ,of the positions identified under paragraph 7#d71 the percentage of full-time equivalent contractors in those positions that have held a prior position at the ,national ,weather ,service or another entity in ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7#f7 ,the average full-time equivalent salary for ,federal employees at the ,national ,weather ,service for each equivalent level of the ,general ,schedule4 7#g7 ,the average salary for full-time equivalent contractors performing at each equivalent level of the ,general ,schedule at the ,national ,weather ,service4 7#h7 ,a description of any actions taken by the ,under ,secretary to respond to the issues raised by the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,commerce regarding the hiring of former ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration employees as contractors at the ,national ,weather ,service such as the issues raised in the ,investigative ,report dated ,june #b1 #bjae 7,,oig-#ab-jddg74 7c7 ,annual publication ,for each fiscal year after the fiscal year covered by the report required by subsection 7a71 the ,under ,secretary shall1 not later than #ahj days after the completion of the fiscal year1 publish on a publicly accessible ,internet website the information described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#h7 of subsection 7b7 for such fiscal year4 #daa4 ,weather impacts to communities and infrastructure 7a7 ,review 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service shall review existing research1 products1 and services that meet the specific needs of the urban environment1 given its unique physical characteristics and forecasting challenges4 7#b7 ,elements ,the review required by paragraph 7#a7 shall include research1 products1 and services with the potential to improve modeling and forecasting capabilities1 taking into account factors including varying building heights1 impermeable surfaces1 lack of tree canopy1 traffic1 pollution1 and inter-building wind effects4 7b7 ,report and assessment ,upon completion of the review required by subsection 7a71 the ,under ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the research1 products1 and services of the ,national ,weather ,service1 including an assessment of such research1 products1 and services that is based on the review1 public comment1 and recent publications by the ,national ,academy of ,sciences4 #dab4 ,weather enterprise outreach 7a7 ,in general ,the ,under ,secretary may establish mechanisms for outreach to the weather enterprise-- 7#a7 to assess the weather forecasts and forecast products provided by the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration2 and 7#b7 to determine the highest priority weather forecast needs of the community described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,outreach community ,in conducting outreach under subsection 7a71 the ,under ,secretary shall contact leading experts and innovators from relevant stakeholders1 including the representatives from the following3 7#a7 ,state or local emergency management agencies4 7#b7 ,state agriculture agencies4 7#c7 ,indian tribes 7as defined in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd77 and ,native ,hawaiians 7as defined in section #fbjg of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #geag774 7#d7 ,the private aerospace industry4 7#e7 ,the private earth observing industry4 7#f7 ,the operational forecasting community4 7#g7 ,the academic community4 7#h7 ,professional societies that focus on meteorology4 7#i7 ,such other stakeholder groups as the ,under ,secretary considers appropriate4