Bice Cosponsors Life Saving Weather Bill
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee marked up H.R. 6093, the Weather Act Reauthorization, legislation that Congresswoman Bice cosponsors. This legislation reauthorizes the critical research programs currently operating at NOAA, but also establishes new programs to advance forecasting, expands commercial data partnerships, strengthens emergency preparedness, and advances tools for farmers, ranchers, and resource managers. Importantly, it contains three of Congresswoman Bice’s Bills: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Modernization Act, the National Mesonet Authorization Act, and the Weather Innovation for Next Generation (WING) Act. This legislation will provide necessary resources and technology to help keep Oklahomans and Americans safe during severe weather.
Congresswoman Bice issued the following statement:
“Americans across the country, and especially Oklahomans, rely on accurate weather forecasting in order to protect their life and property. The Weather Act Reauthorization ensures we have the resources we need when critical weather events strike. I am grateful that this legislation includes my bills the NOAA Weather Radio Act, the National Mesonet Authorization Act, and the WING Act. I was proud to support this bill and want to thank Chairman Lucas for his leadership and for his focus on protecting Oklahomans.”
Congressman Lucas issued the following statement:
“I’m grateful to Rep. Bice for her support of the Weather Act Reauthorization and for her leadership on multiple bills that have been included in this legislation. Her bill to modernize NOAA’s weather radio will help save lives by updating our emergency alert system. And her bill to codify the National Mesonet Program for the first time ever ensures other states will look to Oklahoma as the gold standard and model of critical, real-time weather and climate services. I appreciate all she’s done to help make the Weather Act Reauthorization a comprehensive, forward-thinking bill to strengthen American forecasting.”
More information on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Modernization Act below:
- Directs NOAA to replace the outdated technology currently in use throughout its weather radio system.
- Establishes an initiative for broadcasts to transition to IP-based communications and develop options for backup capabilities and enhanced signal transmission.
- Paves the way for future development and provides failsafe options, so the National Weather Radio (NWR) is never down for an extended period and outages will be less frequent.
- This legislation passed the House last Congress.
More information on the National Mesonet Authorization Act can be found below:
- This legislation would increase the overall coverage and accuracy of the National Mesonet Program (NMP) which provides reliable, real-time data and observations for weather prediction, severe weather warnings, and emergency response.
- This legislation seeks to increase the number of public-private partnerships across the country, as well as expand and improve the quality and quantity of data collected by established systems.
More information on the WING Act can be found below:
- Requires the National Weather Service to coordinate with the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and establish an R&D program to improve weather radar detection and prediction capabilities when physical structures like wind turbines obstruct radar line of sight.