Weather Modification
Research & Technology
Act Of 2005
9-2-5
(Introduced in Senate)
S 517 IS
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 517
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
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,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Weather Modification Research and
Technology Transfer 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 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 Advisory
and Research Board.
(2) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR- The term `Executive Director' means the
Executive Director of the Weather Modification Advisory and Research
Board.
(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.
(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.
SEC. 4. WEATHER MODIFICATION ADVISORY AND RESEARCH BOARD ESTABLISHED.
(a) IN GENERAL- There is established in the Department of Commerce the
Weather Modification Advisory and Research Board.
(b) MEMBERSHIP-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Board shall consist of 11 members appointed by the
Secretary of Commerce, of whom--
(A) at least 1 shall be a representative of the American
Meteorological Society;
(B) at least 1 shall be a representative of the American Society of
Civil Engineers;
(C) at least 1 shall be a representative of the National Academy of
Sciences;
(D) at least 1 shall be a representative of the National Center for
Atmospheric Research of the National Science Foundation;
(E) at least 2 shall be representatives of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce;
(F) at least 1 shall be a representative of institutions of higher
education or research institutes; and
(G) at least 1 shall be a representative of a State that is currently
supporting operational weather modification projects.
(2) TENURE- A member of the Board serves at the pleasure of the
Secretary of Commerce.
(3) VACANCIES- Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the same
manner as the original appointment.
(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.
(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.
SEC. 5. DUTIES OF THE BOARD.
(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--
(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
(2) assessments and evaluations of the efficacy of weather
modification, both purposeful (including cloud-seeding operations) and
inadvertent (including downwind effects and anthropogenic effects).
(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--
(1) to pay its expenses in the administration of this Act, and
(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.
(c) REPORT- The Board shall submit to the Secretary biennially a
report on its findings and research results.
SEC. 6. POWERS OF THE BOARD.
(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.
(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.
(c) COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES- The Board may cooperate with
public or private agencies to promote the purposes of this Act.
(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.
(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.
SEC. 7. COOPERATION WITH THE WEATHER MODIFICATION OPERATIONS AND
RESEARCH BOARD.
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.
SEC. 8. FUNDING.
(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).
(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.
(c) GIFTS- The Board may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or
donations of services or property.
SEC. 9. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect on October 1, 2005.
.
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