{
  "id": "R44838",
  "type": "CRS Report",
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  "number": "R44838",
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  "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov, EveryCRSReport.com",
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      "title": "The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017: Congressional Direction to NOAA in P.L. 115-25",
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      "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov",
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    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 586584,
      "date": "2017-05-10",
      "retrieved": "2020-01-02T14:34:08.101834",
      "title": "The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017: Congressional Direction to NOAA in P.L. 115-25",
      "summary": "Congress provides direction on a broad range of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA\u2019s) weather-related activities in Titles I through IV of P.L. 115-25, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, signed into law on April 18, 2017. The legislation aims to improve NOAA\u2019s weather forecasts and warnings, both for the protection of lives and property and for the enhancement of the national economy. The act also covers topics such as future weather satellite data needs, gaps in the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) coverage, and improvements in the transfer of advances in research and development to National Weather Service (NWS) operations. Title V of P.L. 115-25 covers NOAA\u2019s tsunami program activities and is addressed in CRS Report R44834, The U.S. Tsunami Program Reauthorization in P.L. 115-25: Section-by-Section Comparison to P.L. 109-479, Title VIII.\nCongress began holding hearings on many of the issues addressed in P.L. 115-25 nearly four years ago, and the final law incorporates components of various bills introduced in the House and Senate since the 113th Congress. For example, the issue of improving seasonal forecasts, reflected in Title II of P.L. 115-25, was introduced in S. 1331 in the 114th Congress. Congress also has held hearings on how NOAA could use commercially provided satellite weather data, and NOAA has responded by initiating a preliminary program on the use of commercial data. P.L. 115-25 codifies NOAA\u2019s authority to purchase commercial weather data and requires the agency to deliver a strategic plan for commercial data acquisition within 180 days of enactment. Members also have expressed interest in improving coordination and communication throughout the weather enterprise, topics both addressed in Title IV of P.L. 115-25. \nThis report provides an overview of each title in P.L. 115-25. \nAmong other topics, Title I addresses the transfer of research and development (R&D) advances from NOAA\u2019s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) to operations at NWS. Title I also includes a sense of Congress that not less than 30% of the funding for weather R&D at NOAA should be made available to the nonfederal weather research community; \nTitle II focuses on improving forecasts at NWS; \nTitle III addresses the future of weather satellites and NOAA\u2019s use of commercially provided weather data ; and\nTitle IV provides congressional direction to NOAA on coordinating weather data and observations; improving the exchange of expertise among NOAA entities; enhancing communication of watches and warnings of hazardous weather events; and conducting outreach to the nonfederal and federal entities in the broader weather enterprise, among other topics. \nP.L. 115-25 also includes requirements for various reports to Congress and other goals and deliverables, many of which are due during the 115th Congress. As a result, Congress is expected to have many opportunities to track NOAA\u2019s progress in implementing P.L. 115-25. Ongoing questions include if appropriated amounts will be sufficient to meet authorized activities and priorities expressed in the law and to what degree NOAA will implement the activities and priorities provided in P.L. 115-25.",
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      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4839,
          "name": "Earth Sciences & Natural Hazards"
        },
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4916,
          "name": "Technology & Innovation"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Energy Policy",
    "Science and Technology Policy"
  ]
}