HR-1561 : Still Just a Bill

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2015

This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to:

• prioritize weather research to improve weather data, forecasts, and warnings for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy;
• establish a tornado warning improvement and extension program and a hurricane warning improvement program;
• maintain a prioritized list of observation data requirements necessary to ensure weather forecasting capabilities to protect life and property;
• evaluate the combination of observing systems, data, and information needed to meet the requirements developed under the list; and
• enter into at least one pilot contract with a private sector entity capable of providing space-based commercial weather data.

NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) must: (1) conduct a program to develop an improved understanding of forecast capabilities for atmospheric events; (2) issue a plan for restoring U.S. leadership in numerical weather prediction (processing weather data with computer models) and forecasting; and (3) undertake Observing System Simulation Experiments to assess the value and benefits of observing capabilities and systems.

The bill permits the purchase of weather data through contracts with commercial providers and the placement of weather satellite instruments on co-hosted government or private payloads.

The Office of Science and Technology Policy must establish an Inter-agency Committee for Advancing Weather Services.

The National Weather Service may: (1) establish a program to host postdoctoral fellows and academic researchers at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction; and (2) reestablish the Mark Trail Award, honoring individuals or organizations that use or provide NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards receivers or transmitters.