NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act of 2021 or the NWR Modernization Act of 2021
This bill provides for the expansion of, and upgrades to, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio All Hazards network (NWR).
NOAA shall expand coverage of NWR and ensure its reliability by
NOAA shall complete an assessment of access to NWR.
NOAA shall enhance NWR to ensure its capabilities and coverage remain valuable to the public. In carrying out such activities, NOAA must prioritize practices, capabilities, and technologies recommended by the assessment to maximize accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved areas of the country.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5324 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5324
To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
All Hazards network, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 22, 2021
Mrs. Bice of Oklahoma (for herself and Ms. Sherrill) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
All Hazards network, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act
of 2021'' or the ``NWR Modernization Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(2) NOAA weather radio.--The term ``NOAA Weather Radio''
means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Weather Radio All Hazards network.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of
transmitters that are critical to protecting life and property
by broadcasting weather and other hazard alerts.
(2) NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts currently reach 95
percent of the United States population.
(3) NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts originate from all
National Weather Service Offices, but are only available via a
receiver located in sufficient proximity to a radio
transmitting tower.
(4) There are limited options to obtain NOAA Weather Radio
broadcasts via the Internet or mobile device application, which
are provided by volunteer mechanisms obtaining the audio feed
in an ad hoc manner.
(5) NOAA Weather Radio should provide equal access and
availability to unimpeded broadcasts of weather and non-weather
hazards to every person located within the United States, its
territories, and tribal lands.
SEC. 4. UPGRADING EXISTING SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, expand coverage of the NOAA Weather Radio and ensure its
reliability. In doing so, the Administrator shall--
(1) maintain support for existing systems serving areas not
covered by cellular service or having poor quality cellular
service;
(2) ensure consistent maintenance of, and timely repairs
to, broadcast towers and antennas; and
(3) enhance the ability to amplify Non-Weather Emergency
Messages via NOAA Weather Radio as necessary.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000, to remain available
until expended.
SEC. 5. MODERNIZATION INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--In parallel to the activities under section 4, the
Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide
upgrades to the NOAA Weather Radio to ensure its capabilities and
coverage remain valuable to the public. In carrying out these
activities, the Administrator shall--
(1) provide upgrades to the telecommunications
infrastructure to accelerate the transition of broadcasts to
Internet Protocol-based communications over non-copper media;
(2) accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced Weather
Interactive Processing System in order to implement partial
county notifications and alerts;
(3) consult with private sector entities to ensure that
NOAA Weather Radio data and feeds are easily accessible in a
format and manner most beneficial for use by third-party
products;
(4) develop options, including satellite backup capability,
for NOAA Weather Radio continuity in the event of Weather
Forecast Office outages;
(5) research and develop alternative options, including
microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA Weather Radio signals
to transmitters that are remote or that do not have Internet
Protocol capability; and
(6) transition critical applications to the Integrated
Dissemination Program.
(b) Priority.--In carrying out the objectives described in
subsection (a), the Administrator shall prioritize practices,
capabilities, and technologies most capable of making real-time warning
information and broadcasts available online.
(c) Assessment for Management and Distribution.--Not later than 12
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall
complete an assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio. In conducting
such an assessment, the Administrator shall take into consideration and
provide recommendations on--
(1) the need for continuous, adequate, and operational
real-time broadcasts of the NOAA Weather Radio in both urban
and rural areas;
(2) the availability of online services, such as websites
and mobile device applications, that require NOAA Weather Radio
access;
(3) existing or new management systems, which promote
consistent, efficient, and compatible access to NOAA Weather
Radio;
(4) the ability of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration to aggregate real time broadcast feeds at one or
more central locations;
(5) effective interagency coordination; and
(6) any other function the Administrator deems necessary.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000, to remain available
until expended.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 117-308.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 117-308.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 228.
Ms. Stevens moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4729-4731)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5324.
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.
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Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4832)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 20 (Roll no. 151).
Roll Call #151 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 20 (Roll no. 151). (text: 05/10/2022 CR H4729-4730)
Roll Call #151 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.