America Uncensored / September 7, 2005
(Introduced in Senate)
S 517 IS
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 517
To establish the Weather Modification Operations and Research Board, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 3, 2005
Mrs. HUTCHISON introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
A BILL
To establish the Weather Modification Operations and Research Board, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Authorization
Act of 2005′.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
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.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
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.
(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.
This Act shall take effect on October 1, 2005
