S. 5509 — Introduced in Senate

II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5509 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 12, 2024Mr. Welch (for himself and Mr. Markey) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide support to State governments in the production by those governments of quadrennial State climate assessments, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the State Climate Assessment Act of 2024. 2. Support by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of State climate assessments (a) In general The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall provide support to State governments, and entities and institutions partnering or collaborating with State governments under subsection (e), in the production by those governments, at the election of those governments, of quadrennial State climate assessments. (b) Support required In providing support under subsection (a), the Administrator shall provide technical assistance and data. (c) Climate assessment coordination officer (1) In general The Director of the National Weather Service shall designate not fewer than one climate assessment coordination officer at each weather forecast office of the National Weather Service to coordinate the support required under subsection (a). (2) Responsibilities The officer designated under paragraph (1) shall liaise and collaborate with State and local governments and entities and institutions partnering or collaborating with State governments under subsection (e) to facilitate the sharing of information and the development of quadrennial State climate assessments. (d) Elements of assessment A State government that elects to produce a quadrennial State climate assessment under subsection (a) shall, as a condition of the receipt of support under that subsection, ensure that the assessment— (1) includes an analysis of the effects of global change on the natural environment, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, human social systems, and biological diversity in that State; (2) includes an analysis of current trends in global change, both human-induced and natural, and how those trends impact that State, and a projection of major trends for the next 25 to 100 years in that State; and (3) integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the assessment and discusses the scientific uncertainties associated with such findings. (e) Collaboration (1) In general A State government that elects to produce a quadrennial State climate assessment under subsection (a) may collaborate or partner with private entities and institutions of higher education (or a consortia thereof) in developing and producing such quadrennial State climate assessment. (2) Institution of higher education defined In this subsection, the term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).