H.R.3771 - Protecting Coasts and Cities from Severe Weather Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3771, the "Protecting Coasts and Cities from Severe Weather Act," aims to improve the forecasting and understanding of coastal flooding and storm surge events. It directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish a program focused on reducing loss of life and property due to these events. The bill also addresses weather observation gaps in vulnerable areas, emphasizing equitable and comprehensive weather coverage.
Expected Effects
This act would likely lead to enhanced weather forecasting capabilities, particularly in coastal regions. It would also improve emergency preparedness and response through better data collection and decision-support services. The establishment of pilot projects and interagency partnerships would foster collaboration and innovation in weather-related infrastructure and emergency management.
Potential Benefits
- Improved forecasting of coastal flooding and storm surges, leading to better warnings and reduced loss of life and property.
- Enhanced weather observation capabilities in vulnerable areas, ensuring more equitable and comprehensive coverage.
- Development of new weather observational capabilities, such as urban heat island mapping campaigns.
- Support for pilot projects that accelerate the use of localized weather data in infrastructure and emergency management decisions.
- Increased collaboration between federal agencies, academic partners, and the private sector in addressing weather-related challenges.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased government spending on weather observation and forecasting programs.
- Possible delays in implementation due to the need for interagency coordination and the development of program plans.
- Risk that the benefits of the program may not be evenly distributed across all coastal communities.
- Uncertainty regarding the long-term effectiveness of the program in reducing the impacts of severe weather events.
- Possible duplication of effort with existing weather observation and forecasting programs.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's mandate to "provide for the common defence" and "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). By improving weather forecasting and emergency preparedness, the bill seeks to protect citizens from natural disasters. Congress has the power to enact this legislation under Article I, Section 8, which grants it the power to regulate commerce and provide for the general welfare.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).