Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act
Latest action (9 May 2023): On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 356 - 50 (Roll no. 204).
What this bill does
H.R. 1715 would direct the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work together on research using artificial intelligence and high-performance computing to improve weather and climate prediction models. The agencies would formalize this cooperation through a memorandum of understanding or similar agreement, using a competitive, merit-based process open to federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, nonprofits, and other qualified entities. Activities could include developing new modeling and machine-learning techniques, adapting weather-model software to run on DOE's supercomputers, handling large weather datasets, and promoting data-sharing consistent with national security requirements. The bill also creates a five-year NOAA-DOE initiative to test advanced forecasting models against current National Weather Service forecasts, with results shared through open community channels.
The bill primarily affects DOE, NOAA, their national laboratories, and the research community—including universities and nonprofit institutions—that may compete for funding or participate in the collaborative work. It could also indirectly affect the accuracy and development of weather and climate forecasting tools relied on by the public and other agencies. The bill requires both agencies to report to relevant House and Senate committees within two years on interagency coordination, research progress, and future opportunities, and requires that all activities align with federal research security rules established under the CHIPS Act of 2022.
The bill was introduced in March 2023 and passed the House on May 9, 2023, by a vote of 356-50. It was not taken up or passed by the Senate during that Congress, so it did not become law. Any future action would require reintroduction and consideration in a subsequent Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out research on advancing weather and climate modeling and prediction.
DOE and NOAA must jointly carry out research on using artificial intelligence and high-performance computing for climate modeling and weather prediction. Research activities may include (1) developing new methods for modeling and simulation, machine learning, and predictive data analysis; and (2) facilitating data sharing between federal agencies, institutions of higher education, and other organizations.
Additionally, NOAA must carry out an initiative to conduct proof-of-concept scenarios by comparing forecasts generated by advanced forecasting models with those generated by current models. As part of the initiative, NOAA may share innovations in the modeling system and applications through community-based activities and leverage climate and weather data and efforts of other federal agencies. NOAA must collaborate with DOE on the initiative.
The research required by the bill must meet security and integrity requirements that apply to certain research activities of the National Science Foundation.
Timeline
9 May 2023
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 356 - 50 (Roll no. 204).
29 Mar 2023
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 0.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 1715 do?
- H.R. 1715 would direct the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work together on research using artificial intelligence and high-performance computing to improve weather and climate prediction models. The agencies would formalize this cooperation through a memorandum of understanding or similar agreement, using a competitive, merit-based process open to federal agencies, national laboratories, universities, nonprofits, and other qualified entities. Activities could include developing new modeling and machine-learning techniques, adapting weather-model software to run on DOE's supercomputers, handling large weather datasets, and promoting data-sharing consistent with national security requirements. The bill also creates a five-year NOAA-DOE initiative to test advanced forecasting models against current National Weather Service forecasts, with results shared through open community channels. The bill primarily affects DOE, NOAA, their national laboratories, and the research community—including universities and nonprofit institutions—that may compete for funding or participate in the collaborative work. It could also indirectly affect the accuracy and development of weather and climate forecasting tools relied on by the public and other agencies. The bill requires both agencies to report to relevant House and Senate committees within two years on interagency coordination, research progress, and future opportunities, and requires that all activities align with federal research security rules established under the CHIPS Act of 2022. The bill was introduced in March 2023 and passed the House on May 9, 2023, by a vote of 356-50. It was not taken up or passed by the Senate during that Congress, so it did not become law. Any future action would require reintroduction and consideration in a subsequent Congress.
- Has H.R. 1715 become law?
- Not yet. As of 9 May 2023, H.R. 1715 is passed house (senate next).
- Who sponsored H.R. 1715?
- H.R. 1715 was sponsored by Rep. Max Miller [R-OH7] (Republican-OH), with 7 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 1715?
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 356 - 50 (Roll no. 204). (9 May 2023).
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