text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration Atmospheric and Satellite Program Authorization Act of 
  1993''.
  
                  TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS
  
  SEC. 101. NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
  
      (a) Operations and Research.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce (in this Act referred to as 
  the ``Secretary'') to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration to carry out the operations and research duties of the 
  National Weather Service, $473,256,000 for fiscal year 1994 and 
  $492,185,000 for fiscal year 1995. Such duties include meteorological, 
  hydrological, and oceanographic public warnings and forecasts, as well 
  as applied research in support of such warnings and forecasts.
      (b) Systems Acquisition.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
  to the Secretary to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration to carry out the public warning and forecast systems 
  duties of the National Weather Service, $76,299,000 for fiscal year 
  1994 and $14,600,000 for fiscal year 1995. Such duties include the 
  development, acquisition, and implementation of major public warning 
  and forecast systems. None of the funds authorized under this 
  subsection shall be used for the purposes for which funds are 
  authorized under section 102(b) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-567). None of 
  the funds authorized under this subsection for fiscal year 1995 shall 
  be used for the purposes for which funds are authorized under 
  subsections (c) and (d) of this section. No funds may be expended for 
  Next Generation Doppler Weather Radar (NEXRAD) until the requirements 
  of paragraph (2)(A) or (B) of such section 102(b) have been fulfilled 
  by the Secretary. None of the funds authorized by such section 102(b) 
  shall be expended for a particular NEXRAD installation unless--
              (1) it is identified as a National Weather Service NEXRAD 
          installation in the National Implementation Plan for 
          modernization of the National Weather Service for fiscal year 
          1994, required under section 703 of the National Oceanic and 
          Atmospheric Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (Public 
          Law 102-567);
              (2) the Secretary, in consultation with the Modernization 
          Transition Committee established under section 707 of the 
          National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Authorization 
          Act of 1992, has made a determination of technical and 
          programmatic necessity with respect to such installation and a 
          period of 60 legislative days after the transmittal to the 
          Congress of such determination, or the period between such 
          transmittal and the next October 1, whichever period is longer, 
          has passed; or
              (3) it is to be used only for spare parts, not as an 
          installation at a particular site.
  For purposes of this subsection, the term ``legislative day'' means any 
  day on which either House of Congress is in session.
      (c) ASOS Complete Program Authorization.--(1) Except as provided in 
  paragraph (2), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
  for all fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1994, an aggregate 
  of $30,808,000, to remain available until expended, to complete the 
  acquisition and deployment of--
              (A) the Automated Surface Observing System and related 
          systems, including multisensor and backup arrays for National 
          Weather Service sites at airports; and
              (B) Automated Meteorological Observing System and Remote 
          Automated Meteorological Observing System replacement units,
  and to cover all associated activities, including program management 
  and operations and maintenance through September 30, 1996.
      (2) No funds are authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year 
  under paragraph (1) unless, within 60 days after the submission of the 
  President's budget request for such fiscal year, the Secretary--
              (A) certifies to the Congress that--
                      (i) the systems meet the technical performance 
                  specifications included in the system contract as in 
                  effect on February 20, 1991;
                      (ii) the systems can be fully deployed, sited, and 
                  operational without requiring further appropriations 
                  beyond amounts authorized under paragraph (1); and
                      (iii) the Secretary does not foresee any delays in 
                  the systems deployment and operations schedule; or
              (B) submits to the Congress a report which describes--
                      (i) the circumstances which prevent a certification 
                  under subparagraph (A);
                      (ii) remedial actions undertaken or to be 
                  undertaken with respect to such circumstances;
                      (iii) the effects of such circumstances on the 
                  systems deployment and operations schedule and systems 
                  coverage; and
                      (iv) a justification for proceeding with the 
                  program, if appropriate.
      (d) AWIPS Complete Program Authorization.--(1) Except as provided 
  in paragraph (2), there are authorized to be appropriated to the 
  Secretary for all fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1994, an 
  aggregate of $315,887,000, to remain available until expended, to 
  complete the acquisition and deployment of the Advanced Weather 
  Interactive Processing System and NOAA Port and to cover all associated 
  activities, including program management and operations and maintenance 
  through September 30, 1999.
      (2) No funds are authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year 
  under paragraph (1) unless, within 60 days after the submission of the 
  President's budget request for such fiscal year, the Secretary--
              (A) certifies to the Congress that--
                      (i) the systems meet the technical performance 
                  specifications included in the system contract as in 
                  effect on January 5, 1993;
                      (ii) the systems can be fully deployed, sited, and 
                  operational without requiring further appropriations 
                  beyond amounts authorized under paragraph (1); and
                      (iii) the Secretary does not foresee any delays in 
                  the systems deployment and operations schedule; or
              (B) submits to the Congress a report which describes--
                      (i) the circumstances which prevent a certification 
                  under subparagraph (A);
                      (ii) remedial actions undertaken or to be 
                  undertaken with respect to such circumstances;
                      (iii) the effects of such circumstances on the 
                  systems deployment and operations schedule and systems 
                  coverage; and
                      (iv) a justification for proceeding with the 
                  program, if appropriate.
      (e) Construction of Weather Forecast Offices.--There are authorized 
  to be appropriated to the Secretary to enable the National Oceanic and 
  Atmospheric Administration to carry out construction, repair, and 
  modification activities relating to new and existing weather forecast 
  offices, $62,784,000 for fiscal year 1994 and $14,739,000 for fiscal 
  year 1995. Such activities include planning, design, and land 
  acquisition related to such offices.
  
  SEC. 102. ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH.
  
      (a) Climate and Air Quality Research.--
              (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
          the Secretary to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
          Administration to carry out its climate and air quality 
          research duties, $105,922,000 for fiscal year 1994 and 
          $138,737,000 for fiscal year 1995. Such duties include 
          interannual and seasonal climate research and long-term climate 
          and air quality research.
              (2) Climate and global change.--Of the sums authorized 
          under paragraph (1), $66,902,000 for fiscal year 1994 and 
          $84,573,000 for fiscal year 1995 are authorized to be 
          appropriated for the purposes of studying climate and global 
          change, including global observations, monitoring, and data and 
          information management relating to the study of changes in the 
          Earth's climatic system, and fundamental research on oceanic 
          and atmospheric processes critical to climate prediction and 
          diagnostics.
      (b) Atmospheric Programs.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
  to the Secretary to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration to carry out its atmospheric research duties, 
  $42,103,000 for fiscal year 1994 and $52,980,000 for fiscal year 1995. 
  Such duties include research for developing improved prediction 
  capabilities for atmospheric processes, as well as solar-terrestrial 
  research and services.
  
  SEC. 103. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE, DATA, AND INFORMATION 
                SERVICE.
  
      (a) Satellite Observing Systems.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Secretary to enable the National Oceanic and 
  Atmospheric Administration to carry out its satellite observing systems 
  duties, $206,383,000 for fiscal year 1994 and $217,710,000 for fiscal 
  year 1995, except that no funds may be expended for Geostationary 
  Operational Environmental Satellite until the requirements of section 
  105(d)(2) (A) or (B) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
  Administration Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-567) have been 
  fulfilled by the Secretary. Such duties include spacecraft procurement, 
  launch, and associated ground station systems involving polar orbiting 
  and geostationary environmental satellites, as well as the operation of 
  such satellites. None of the funds authorized under this subsection 
  shall be used for the purposes for which funds are authorized under 
  section 105(d) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
  Authorization Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-567). None of the funds 
  authorized under this subsection for fiscal year 1995 shall be used for 
  the purposes for which funds are authorized under subsection (b) of 
  this section.
      (b) POES Complete Program Authorization.--(1) Except as provided in 
  paragraph (2), there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary 
  for all fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1994, an aggregate 
  of $196,343,000, to remain available until expended, to complete the 
  procurement of Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites J, K, L, and M, 
  and the procurement of the launching and supporting ground systems of 
  such satellites.
      (2) No funds are authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year 
  under paragraph (1) unless, within 60 days after the submission of the 
  President's budget request for such fiscal year, the Secretary--
              (A) certifies to the Congress that--
                      (i) the satellite instruments meet the technical 
                  performance specifications included in the satellite 
                  contracts as in effect on July 27, 1988;
                      (ii) the procurements can be completed without 
                  requiring further appropriations beyond amounts 
                  authorized under paragraph (1); and
                      (iii) the Secretary does not foresee any gaps in 
                  two-satellite service operations resulting from 
                  nonperformance of the satellite contract; or
              (B) submits to the Congress a report which describes--
                      (i) the circumstances which prevent a certification 
                  under subparagraph (A);
                      (ii) remedial actions undertaken or to be 
                  undertaken with respect to such circumstances;
                      (iii) the effects of such circumstances on the 
                  launch schedule and satellite coverage; and
                      (iv) a justification for proceeding with the 
                  program, if appropriate.
      (3) No funds for Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites, other 
  than for Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites J, K, L, and M, are 
  authorized to be appropriated under subsection (a) unless the Director 
  of the Office of Science and Technology Policy submits an 
  implementation plan for a single operational polar environmental and 
  weather satellite system and the policy for polar satellite system 
  convergence with the European Organization for the Exploitation of 
  Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).
      (c) Environmental Data and Information Services.--There are 
  authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to enable the National 
  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out its environmental 
  data and information services duties, $34,068,000 for fiscal year 1994 
  and $41,227,000 for fiscal year 1995. Such duties include climate data 
  services, geophysical data services, and environmental assessment and 
  information services.
  
  SEC. 104. PROGRAM SUPPORT.
  
      (a) Administration and Services.--There are authorized to be 
  appropriated to the Secretary for Administration and Services, 
  $73,319,000 for fiscal year 1994 and $76,252,000 for fiscal year 1995.
      (b) Aircraft Services.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
  the Secretary for Aircraft Services and Aircraft Critical Safety and 
  Instrumentation, $9,495,000 for fiscal year 1994 and $9,875,000 for 
  fiscal year 1995.
  
  SEC. 105. LIMITATION ON APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as provided in 
  section 101(c) and (d) and section 103(b), no funds are authorized to 
  be appropriated for any fiscal year after fiscal year 1995 for carrying 
  out the programs for which funds are authorized by this Act. This 
  section shall not apply to the programs described in section 102(a)(2) 
  or section 104(a).
  
                     TITLE II--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
  
  SEC. 201. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORIES.
  
      (a) Assessment.--The Secretary shall conduct an assessment of the 
  long-term role and mission of the Environmental Research Laboratories 
  of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the 
  relevance of the research conducted therein to issues of global and 
  national importance. In conducting such assessment, the Secretary shall 
  take into consideration--
              (1) the adequacy of resources provided to support the 
          missions of the Environmental Research Laboratories;
              (2) the ability of the Environmental Research Laboratories 
          to provide research support for the coastal and ocean 
          management and regulatory responsibilities of the National 
          Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
              (3) the capacity of the Environmental Research Laboratories 
          to process and disseminate environmental data and information 
          collected and processed, or expected to be collected and 
          processed, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
          Administration and other appropriate Federal departments and 
          agencies;
              (4) the mission of the Environmental Research Laboratories 
          to provide solar-terrestrial services to the Nation;
              (5) the ability of the Environmental Research Laboratories 
          to provide continued support for the modernization of weather 
          services;
              (6) the responsibilities of the Environmental Research 
          Laboratories to monitor, assess, and predict changes in the 
          Earth's climate;
              (7) the capability of the Environmental Research 
          Laboratories to integrate and interpret scientific data in 
          order to provide information useful to policy makers for 
          responding to national and global environmental concerns;
              (8) the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the 
          Environmental Research Laboratories;
              (9) the interaction of the Environmental Research 
          Laboratories with the academic community, including Joint and 
          Cooperative Institutes, and the ability of these interactions 
          to improve the quality and effectiveness of research;
              (10) the number, location, and geographic distribution of 
          the Environmental Research Laboratories; and
              (11) any other issues that the Secretary may identify.
      (b) Comprehensive Strategic Plan.--Not later than 1 year after the 
  date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop and submit 
  to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
  and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee 
  on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives a 
  comprehensive strategic plan, based on the assessment conducted under 
  subsection (a), to modernize and improve the role and mission of the 
  Environmental Research Laboratories of the National Oceanic and 
  Atmospheric Administration. The assessment conducted under subsection 
  (a) shall be submitted along with such plan.
  
  SEC. 202. HYDROLOGICAL RESEARCH AND FLOOD FORECAST MODERNIZATION 
                REPORT.
  
      (a) In General.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
  enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the heads of 
  other appropriate Federal agencies, shall prepare and submit to the 
  Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and 
  the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
  Representatives a report identifying the actions required to improve 
  the hydrological research programs and to modernize the Flood 
  Forecasting System of the National Weather Service.
      (b) Report Contents.--The report required under subsection (a) 
  shall include consideration of--
              (1) current, planned, and potential technological 
          improvements in the collection of observational hydrological 
          data;
              (2) use of additional satellite remote-sensing data and 
          airborne surveys, including those systems operated by other 
          Federal agencies, for hydrological data collection;
              (3) improvements in data analysis and computer modeling in 
          support of flood forecasts and predictions; and
              (4) full integration of the River Forecast Centers in the 
          National Weather Service Modernization Plan.
  
  SEC. 203. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
  
      It is the sense of Congress that any transfers of National Weather 
  Service employees from field offices necessitated by the National 
  Implementation Plan for Modernization of the National Weather Service 
  be carried out in a manner that will not result in the degradation of 
  services in the service area of such field office.
  
              Passed the House of Representatives November 20, 1993.
  
              Attest:
  
                                             DONNALD K. ANDERSON,
  
                                                                   Clerk.
  
                        By Dallas L. Dendy, Jr.,
  
                                                  Assistant to the Clerk.
  
  HR 2811 RFS----2
target: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atmospheric and Satellite Program Authorization Act of 1993 - 
  Title I:  Authorization of Appropriations
   - Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce for:  (1) the National Weather Service (operations and research, systems acquisition, and construction of NEXRAD facilities and weather forecast offices); (2) atmospheric research (climate and air quality research and atmospheric programs); (3) national environmental data and information services and satellite observing systems; and (4) program support (administration and services and aircraft services). 
  Title II:  Miscellaneous Provisions
   - Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a strategic plan for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's environmental research laboratories; and (2) prepare a hydrological research and flood forecasting modernization report. 
  Expresses the sense of the Congress that any transfers of National Weather Service field office employees necessitated by the National Implementation Plan for Modernization of the National Weather Service be carried out in a manner that will not degrade field services.
feat_title: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Atmospheric and Satellite Program Authorization Act of 1993