Noaa Weather Radio Modernization Act of 2021
Floor Speech
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Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (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, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5324
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 ``NWR Modernization Act of 2021''. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(b) 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 or having poor quality cellular service;
(2) ensure consistent maintenance and operations monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site equipment 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.
(c) Expanding Access.--As part of the activities in this section, the Administrator shall acquire additional transmitters as required to expand coverage to rural and underserved communities, national parks, and recreation areas. SEC. 5. MODERNIZATION INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--In parallel to the activities under section 4, the Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enhance NOAA Weather Radio to ensure its capabilities and coverage remain valuable to the public. In carrying out these activities, the Administrator shall--
(1) upgrade 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, or the relevant system successors, in order to implement partial county notifications and alerts;
(3) consult with relevant stakeholders, including the private sector, to enhance accessibility and usability of NOAA Weather Radio data and feeds;
(4) develop options, including, but not limited to, satellite backup capability and commercial provider partnerships for NOAA Weather Radio continuity in the event of Weather Forecast Office outages;
(5) research and develop alternative options, including, but not limited to, microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA Weather Radio signals to transmitters that are remote or do not have IP capability; and
(6) transition critical applications to the Integrated Dissemination Program, or the relevant program successors.
(b) Priority.--In carrying out the objectives described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall prioritize practices, capabilities, and technologies recommended by the assessment in subsection (c), to maximize accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved areas of the country.
(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) solicited inputs from relevant stakeholders on the compatibility of NOAA Weather Radio data for third party platforms that provide online services, such as websites and mobile device applications, or deliver 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 NOAA to aggregate real time broadcast feeds at one or more central locations;
(5) effective interagency coordination;
(6) the potential effects of an electromagnetic pulse or geomagnetic disturbance on NOAA Weather Radio; and
(7) 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.
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Ms. STEVENS. 5324, the bill now under consideration.
I voice my support for this bipartisan legislation led by Ranking Member Bice and Chairwoman Sherrill of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee's Environment Subcommittee. The NWR Modernization Act of 2021 will direct NOAA to undertake various updates to the NOAA Weather Radio. NOAA Weather Radio serves as a consistent and reliable source of weather forecasts, warnings, and watches from the National Weather Service to communities across America--something that is all too palpable to Americans today given the rise of extreme weather incidents.
Because of its broad reach and continuous coverage, NOAA Weather Radio also provides information related to natural disasters and other hazardous, nonweather events. In order to ensure that NOAA Weather Radio can continue to provide reliable, life-saving information, it is vital to ensure the system is upgraded to reflect the modern era. This bill requires NOAA to require more transmitters and update vital software and telecommunications infrastructure to support operation of NOAA Weather Radio and enhance its transmission of nonweather emergency messages. These updates should help to expand NOAA Weather Radio coverage to ensure all communities, especially underserved rural communities, receive these critical alerts.
Mr. Speaker, this bill will provide benefits to many across this incredible country.
Mr. Speaker, I will to take a moment to reflect. The Congresswoman from Oklahoma mentioned something that I believe is important to reiterate, which is that the technology adoptions occurred before the iPhone. Last June, in Oakland County, Michigan, the city of Farmington and Farmington Hills experienced an extreme weather event otherwise known as a supercell. This is rapid winds at a high level, multiple-- hundreds of feet, sometimes up in the air, ripping large trees from their roots. It was very destructive. There was no warning. It terrified residents of my district.
We also reflect that in Mason City, Iowa, just last month, there was a major tornado that blew through, again, without warning. So this is very real and palpable to the American people.
I again recognize the leadership of the Congresswoman from New Jersey (Ms. Sherrill), who is the subcommittee chair of the Environment Subcommittee, for her leadership, along with the Congresswoman from Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice) for bringing us this very critical bill.
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Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, NOAA Weather Radio is absolutely essential. We have a bill to modernize it. The American people need it now.
H.R. 5324, the NWR Modernization Act of 2021, has my full support. I urge my colleagues to support it.
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