- (Introduced in Senate)
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- S 517 IS
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- 109th CONGRESS
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- 1st Session
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- S. 517
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- To establish the Weather Modification Operations and
Research Board, and for other purposes.
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- IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
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- March 3, 2005
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- Mrs. HUTCHISON introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
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- A BILL
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- To establish the Weather Modification Operations and
Research Board, and for other purposes.
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- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
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- This Act may be cited as the `Weather Modification Research
and Technology Transfer Authorization Act of 2005'.
- SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- (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.
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- (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.
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- (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.
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- 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.
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- (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.
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- This Act shall take effect on October 1, 2005.
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