Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB5490

Caption

A bill to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain a communications program to communicate with the general public about patterns and trends with respect to changing weather and climate, and for other purposes.

Impact

The bill's impact extends to state laws concerning disaster preparedness and climate communication. By requiring the dissemination of climate assessments and utilizing existing resources from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), SB5490 aims to facilitate a uniform approach to climate education across various jurisdictions. This can lead to improved resource management at the local level and a more informed public regarding climate-related risks.

Summary

SB5490, known as the Natural Disaster Education and Outreach Act of 2024, mandates the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish a communications program aimed at informing the public about changing weather patterns and climate trends. The initiative is designed to provide communities and local governments with actionable climate-related information that aids in resource allocation and preparedness ahead of weather events, thereby enhancing public safety and community resilience.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding SB5490 may include debates about the adequacy of funding and the effectiveness of governmental communication strategies. With an authorization of $3,000,000 allocated for fiscal years 2025 through 2028, questions may arise concerning the sufficiency of this budget relative to the expansive goals of effective climate education and outreach. Additionally, the establishment of a working group to identify effective communication methods may draw scrutiny regarding its composition and operational efficiency, which are crucial for the success of the proposed initiatives.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB5522

A bill to require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to carry out a grant and revolving loan program to provide funding for projects to increase the resiliency and energy efficiency of communications networks, and for other purposes.

US SB5601

A bill to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other purposes.

US SB5599

A bill to require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to conduct a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog.

US SB794

A bill to require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to audit Federal spectrum.

US SB5509

A bill to require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide support to State governments in the production by those governments of quadrennial State climate assessments, and for other purposes.

US HB10491

To require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a Blue Carbon Program to conserve and restore blue carbon ecosystems, and for other purposes.

US HB4913

To establish in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a program to improve precipitation forecasts, and for other purposes.

US SB5617

A bill to provide for debt reduction for developing countries for purposes of climate adaptation, and for other purposes.

US SB5469

A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Climate Adaptation Science Center and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers to respond to the effects of extreme weather events and climate trends, and for other purposes.

US SB322

Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts ActThis bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement program.In carrying out the program, NOAA must seek to reduce loss of life and property and other economic losses caused by atmospheric river events through research and development on accurate, effective, and actionable forecasting and warnings. The program must generally involve the establishment of quantitative atmospheric river forecast skill metrics, the development of an atmospheric river forecast system within a unified forecast system, and the development of tools and products to predict periods of active or inactive atmospheric river landfalls and inland penetration, among other activities. The program must periodically test and evaluate the value of incorporating innovative observations (e.g., observations from radar, aircraft, ocean buoys, and other sources) to facilitate the improvement of modeling and forecasting. The program must also consider the development of best practices for communicating the existence and severity of atmospheric river events, as well as other information about atmospheric rivers. The program may seek to improve precipitation modeling, with an emphasis on forecasting for complex terrain. The bill also requires NOAA to acquire and sustain adequate crewed and uncrewed aircraft (i.e., drones), equipment, and personnel necessary to meet air reconnaissance mission requirements annually during the expected atmospheric river season (November through March). 

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.