Chairman Lucas, Rep. Miller introduce legislation to improve weather prediction

Washington, DC – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas and Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) introduced H.R. 9219, the Weather Data Taxpayer Protection Act. This legislation is a critical step in improving the accuracy and reliability of weather prediction by ensuring weather tools, purchased with taxpayer funds, are more accurate, standardized, and able to account for ever-changing weather risks.

The Weather Data Taxpayer Protection Act would establish a commission to ensure the quality, reliability, usability, timeliness, and accuracy of weather risk data and models utilized or purchased by Federal departments and agencies.

“For millions of Americans, accurate weather predictions can make or break one’s livelihood. Whether you work in the agricultural industry, the oil and gas industry, or on Main Street, rapidly changing weather patterns have increasingly affected our day-to-day lives,” said Congressman Frank Lucas. “We’ve accomplished so much in enhancing weather predictions, but there is still work to be done. That is why I’m proud to join Rep. Miller in introducing the Weather Data Taxpayer Protection Act.” 

“Ensuring the proper use of taxpayer dollars will always be a priority of mine,” said Congressman Miller. “I am proud to support this legislation to protect our communities by improving the accuracy of data used to predict the weather. We have all been impacted by severe weather at some point. By seeking the input of experts from a variety of industries, this legislation is a positive step forward in ensuring the proper use of American tax dollars in one of the most unpredictable aspects of life—the weather.” 

BACKGROUND: 

· Unlike weather modeling, in which the NOAA Climate Prediction Center routinely scrutinizes the accuracy of short-term and medium-term weather forecasts (often called “skill-scoring”), there is no analogous mechanism in place to assess weather-hazard or hazard-loss data and models.

· The Weather Data Taxpayer Protection Act would remedy this lack of skill-scoring and transparency by establishing a commission co-chaired by the NOAA Administrator and NIST Director and composed of members who are qualified to provide advice regarding weather risk data and models. 

· Members would include representatives from State or local governments, a State regulatory entity, FEMA, USFS, a rural community organization, the insurance industry, the banking industry, non-governmental organizations, the engineering industry, and institutions of high education. 

· The Commission would establish data, metadata, and service standards and specifications to validate weather risk data and models utilized or purchased from the private sector by Federal departments and agencies. 

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