Bill > HR8397

This bill authorizes the National Mesonet Program, a public-private partnership that leverages data from existing weather observation networks to provide accurate, real-time observations to support weather forecasting, emergency response, and other weather-sensitive activities across the United States. The bill outlines the program's objectives, including improving environmental observations, leveraging existing monitoring networks, integrating new data sources, and providing technical and administrative infrastructure. The bill also authorizes financial and technical assistance to state, tribal, private, and academic entities to build, expand, or upgrade mesonet systems, and requires the Under Secretary to establish an advisory committee and provide regular reports to Congress on the program's activities. The bill authorizes appropriations of up to $70 million annually for the program from fiscal year 2023 to 2027.