[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 517 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 319
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 517
[Report No. 109-202]
To establish the Weather Modification Operations and Research Board,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 3, 2005
Mrs. Hutchison introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
December 8, 2005
Reported under authority of the order of the Senate of November 18,
2005, by Mr. Stevens, with an amendment and an amendment to the title
[Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in
italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Weather Modification Operations and Research Board,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Weather Modification
Research and Technology Transfer Authorization Act of 2005''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. PURPOSE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> It is the purpose of this Act to develop and implement a
comprehensive and coordinated national weather modification policy and
a national cooperative Federal and State program of weather
modification research and development.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> In this Act:</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Weather
Modification Advisory and Research Board.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Executive director.--The term ``Executive
Director'' means the Executive Director of the Weather
Modification Advisory and Research Board.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Research and development.--The term ``research
and development'' means theoretical analysis, exploration,
experimentation, and the extension of investigative findings
and theories of scientific or technical nature into practical
application for experimental and demonstration purposes,
including the experimental production and testing of models,
devices, equipment, materials, and processes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) Weather modification.--The term ``weather
modification'' means changing or controlling, or attempting to
change or control, by artificial methods the natural
development of atmospheric cloud forms or precipitation forms
which occur in the troposphere.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. WEATHER MODIFICATION ADVISORY AND RESEARCH BOARD
ESTABLISHED.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--There is established in the Department of
Commerce the Weather Modification Advisory and Research
Board.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Membership.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) In general.--The Board shall consist of 11
members appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, of whom--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (A) at least 1 shall be a representative
of the American Meteorological Society;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (B) at least 1 shall be a representative
of the American Society of Civil Engineers;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (C) at least 1 shall be a representative
of the National Academy of Sciences;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (D) at least 1 shall be a representative
of the National Center for Atmospheric Research of the
National Science Foundation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (E) at least 2 shall be representatives of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of
the Department of Commerce;</DELETED>
<DELETED> (F) at least 1 shall be a representative
of institutions of higher education or research
institutes; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (G) at least 1 shall be a representative
of a State that is currently supporting operational
weather modification projects.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) Tenure.--A member of the Board serves at the
pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Board shall be
filled in the same manner as the original
appointment.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Advisory Committees.--The Board may establish advisory
committees to advise the Board and to make recommendations to the Board
concerning legislation, policies, administration, research, and other
matters.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the
date on which all members of the Board have been appointed, the Board
shall hold its first meeting.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at the call of the
Chair.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold
hearings.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (f) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Board shall select a Chair
and Vice Chair from among its members.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. DUTIES OF THE BOARD.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Promotion of Research and Development.--In order to
assist in expanding the theoretical and practical knowledge of weather
modification, the Board shall promote and fund research and
development, studies, and investigations with respect to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) improved forecast and decision-making
technologies for weather modification operations, including
tailored computer workstations and software and new observation
systems with remote sensors; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) assessments and evaluations of the efficacy of
weather modification, both purposeful (including cloud-seeding
operations) and inadvertent (including downwind effects and
anthropogenic effects).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Financial Assistance.--Unless the use of the money is
restricted or subject to any limitations provided by law, the Board
shall use amounts in the Weather Modification Research and Development
Fund--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) to pay its expenses in the administration of
this Act, and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) to provide for research and development with
respect to weather modifications by grants to, or contracts or
cooperative arrangements, with public or private
agencies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Report.--The Board shall submit to the Secretary
biennially a report on its findings and research results.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE BOARD.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Studies, Investigations, and Hearings.--The Board may
make any studies or investigations, obtain any information, and hold
any hearings necessary or proper to administer or enforce this Act or
any rules or orders issued under this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Personnel.--The Board may employ, as provided for in
appropriations Acts, an Executive Director and other support staff
necessary to perform duties and functions under this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Cooperation With Other Agencies.--The Board may
cooperate with public or private agencies to promote the purposes of
this Act.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (d) Cooperative Agreements.--The Board may enter into
cooperative agreements with the head of any department or agency of the
United States, an appropriate official of any State or political
subdivision of a State, or an appropriate official of any private or
public agency or organization for conducting weather modification
activities or cloud-seeding operations.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (e) Conduct and Contracts for Research and Development.--
The Executive Director, with the approval of the Board, may conduct and
may contract for research and development activities relating to the
purposes of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 7. COOPERATION WITH THE WEATHER MODIFICATION OPERATIONS
AND RESEARCH BOARD.</DELETED>
<DELETED> The heads of the departments and agencies of the United
States and the heads of any other public or private agencies and
institutions that receive research funds from the United States shall,
to the extent possible, give full support and cooperation to the Board
and to initiate independent research and development programs that
address weather modifications.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 8. FUNDING.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--There is established within the Treasury
of the United States the Weather Modification Research and Development
Fund, which shall consist of amounts appropriated pursuant to
subsection (b) or received by the Board under subsection (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Board for the purposes of carrying out the
provisions of this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005
through 2014. Any sums appropriated under this subsection shall remain
available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (c) Gifts.--The Board may accept, use, and dispose of
gifts or donations of services or property.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act shall take effect on October 1, 2005.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Weather Modification Research and
Development Policy Authorization Act of 2005''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of this Act to develop and implement a
comprehensive and coordinated national weather modification research
policy and a national cooperative Federal and State program of weather
modification research and development.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Weather
Modification Research Advisory Board.
(2) Research and development.--The term ``research and
development'' means theoretical analysis, exploration,
experimentation, and the extension of investigative findings
and theories of a scientific or technical nature into practical
application for experimental and demonstration purposes,
including the experimental production and testing of models,
devices, equipment, materials, and processes.
(3) Weather modification.--The term ``weather
modification'' means the purposeful or inadvertent changing or
controlling, or attempting to change or control, by artificial
methods, the natural development of atmospheric cloud forms or
precipitation forms which occur in the troposphere.
SEC. 4. WEATHER MODIFICATION SUBCOMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall establish a Weather Modification Subcommittee
to coordinate a national research program on weather modification.
(b) Membership.--The Weather Modification Subcommittee shall
include representatives from appropriate Federal agencies, including
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National
Science Foundation, and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.
(c) Chairs of the Weather Modification Subcommittee.--A
representative from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
and a representative from the National Science Foundation shall serve
together as co-chairs of the Weather Modification Subcommittee.
(d) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy shall develop and submit to Congress a plan for
coordinated Federal activities under the national research program
under subsection (a) and the plan shall--
(1) for a 10-year period beginning in the year it is
submitted, establish the goals and priorities for Federal
research that most effectively advances scientific
understanding of weather modification;
(2) describe specific activities required to achieve such
goals and priorities, including funding of competitive research
grants, training and support for scientists, and participation
in international research efforts;
(3) identify and address, as appropriate, relevant programs
and activities of the Federal agencies and departments that
would contribute to the program;
(4) consider and use, as appropriate, reports and studies
conducted by Federal agencies and departments, and other expert
scientific bodies, including the National Research Council
report on Critical Issues in Weather Modification Research;
(5) make recommendations for the coordination of program
activities with weather modification activities of other
national and international organizations;
(6) incorporate recommendations from the Weather
Modification Research Advisory Board; and
(7) estimate Federal funding for research activities to be
conducted under the program described in subsection (a).
(e) Program Scope.--The national research program under subsection
(a) may include the following activities related to weather
modification:
(1) Interdisciplinary research and coordination of research
and activities to improve understanding of processes relating
to weather modification, including--
(A) cloud modeling;
(B) cloud seeding;
(C) improving forecast and decision-making
technologies;
(D) related severe weather research; and
(E) potential adverse affects of weather
modification.
(2) Coordination with relevant organizations that engage in
weather modification research.
(3) Development through partnerships among Federal
agencies, States, and academic institutions of new technologies
and approaches for weather modification.
(4) Scholarships and educational opportunities that
encourage an interdisciplinary approach to weather
modification.
(f) Annual Report on Activities.--Beginning with the first year
occurring more than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall
prepare and submit to the President and Congress not later than January
31st of each year an annual report on the activities conducted pursuant
to this section during the preceding fiscal year, including--
(1) a summary of the achievements of Federal weather
modification research, including Federally supported external
research, during the preceding fiscal year;
(2) an analysis of the progress made toward achieving the
goals and objectives of the plan developed under subsection
(d), including the identification of trends;
(3) a copy or summary of the plan and any changes made to
the plan;
(4) a summary of agency budgets for weather modification
activities for the preceding fiscal year;
(5) any recommendations regarding additional action or
legislation that may be required to assist in achieving the
purposes of this Act;
(6) a description of the relationship between research
conducted on weather modification and research conducted
pursuant to the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C.
2921 et seq.), as well as research on weather forecasting and
prediction; and
(7) a description of any potential adverse consequences on
life, property, or water resource availability from weather
modification efforts, and any suggested means of mitigating or
reducing such consequences if such efforts are undertaken.
SEC. 5. WEATHER MODIFICATION RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARD ESTABLISHED.
(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Office of Science
and Technology Policy the Weather Modification Research Advisory Board
to make recommendations to the Weather Modification Subcommittee on
matters related to weather modification.
(b) Membership.--
(1) Composition.--The Board shall consist of 9 members,
each with a field of expertise in atmospheric science or civil
engineering relevant to weather modification, and appointed by
the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy as
follows:
(A) At least 1 member shall be a representative of
the American Meteorological Society.
(B) At least 1 member shall be a representative of
the American Society of Civil Engineers.
(C) At least 1 member shall be a representative of
the National Academy of Sciences.
(D) At least 1 member shall be a representative of
institutions of higher education or research institutes
with experience in the field.
(E) At least 1 member shall be a representative of
a State organization that is currently supporting
operational weather modification projects.
(2) Tenure.--A member of the Board shall serve at the
pleasure of the Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
(3) Vacancies.--Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled in
the same manner as the original appointment.
(c) Initial Meeting.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which all members of the Board have been appointed, the Board shall
hold its first meeting.
(d) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at the call of the Chair.
(e) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
(f) Chair and Vice Chair.--The Board shall select a Chair and Vice
Chair from among its members.
(g) Duties of the Board.--The duties of the Board shall include the
following:
(1) Advising the Weather Modification Subcommittee on
recommendations concerning legislation, policies,
administration, research, and other matters related to weather
modification.
(2) In order to assist in expanding the theoretical and
practical knowledge of weather modification, the Board shall
advise the Weather Modification Subcommittee on the research
and development, studies, and investigations with respect to--
(A) potential uses of technologies and observation
systems for weather modification research; and
(B) assessments and evaluations of the efficacy of
weather modification, both purposeful, including cloud-
seeding operations, and inadvertent, including downwind
effects and anthropogenic effects.
(h) Powers of the Board.--The Board may conduct public meetings,
gather information, and issue reports.
SEC. 6. COOPERATION WITH THE WEATHER MODIFICATION SUBCOMMITTEE.
The heads of the departments and agencies of the United States and
the heads of any other public or private agencies and institutions that
receive research funds from the United States related to weather
modification shall, to the extent possible, give full support and
cooperation to the Weather Modification Subcommittee.
Amend the title so as to read: ``To establish a coordinated
national weather modification research and development program,
and for other purposes''.
Calendar No. 319
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 517
[Report No. 109-202]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Weather Modification Operations and Research Board,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 8, 2005
Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the titleD23/