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S 2941 115th Congress Senate Science, Technology, Communications Atmospheric science and weather Department of Commerce Government information and archives Intergovernmental relations

Strengthening the Cooperative Observer Program Act of 2018

Introduced: May 23, 2018 Introduced by: Thune, John Republican · South Dakota See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 14, 2018
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 644.
Nov 14, 2018
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-357.
Jun 27, 2018
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
May 23, 2018
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
May 23, 2018
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Strengthening the Cooperative Observer Program Act of 2018

This bill directs the National Weather Service (NWS) to make improvements to the Cooperative Observer Program, including by:

  • furnishing support to state-coordinated programs relating to the program and states and regions where observations provided through the program are scarce;
  • working with state weather service headquarters to increase participation in the program and to add stations in such states and regions;
  • prioritizing the recruitment of new program volunteers; and
  • ensuring that integrated reporting is available for qualitative observations that cannot be automated, such as snow observations and hazardous weather events so that they can be reported and uploaded quickly and easily.

The NWS must coordinate with state and regional offices regarding the status of program stations at least every 180 days.

The NWS shall also coordinate with other federal agencies, including the Forest Service, the Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in leveraging opportunities to expand the program and to more effectively use its existing infrastructure, weather stations, and staff.

What's happening now November 14, 2018

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 644.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1