Great Lakes and National Weather Service Funding Protection Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 2856
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2856Public Lands and Natural Resources
Great Lakes and National Weather Service Funding Protection Act
INTRO APR 10· LAST ACTION APR 10
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
11
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it seeks to ensure the stability and reliability of funding for two critical services. If this bill becomes law, it provides a stronger guarantee that money allocated for the National Weather Service will be used for its intended purpose, meaning more consistent and potentially improved weather forecasting and warning systems that save lives and mitigate economic losses from severe weather.
For the Great Lakes, it means that ongoing efforts to protect and restore this vital freshwater resource will likely continue with less risk of budget cuts or diversions. Without this bill, funds for these programs could be more easily reallocated by the executive branch to other priorities, potentially disrupting long-term environmental projects or impacting the operational capacity of the National Weather Service. This bill aims to reduce uncertainty for these programs and the communities that depend on them.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Prohibits federal funds allocated to the National Weather Service and the Great Lakes Region from being held back, moved, or repurposed.
This provision directly protects the designated funding for critical services and environmental programs.
PROVISION 02
Overrides existing laws, including the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, to ensure this protection is strong.
This makes it significantly harder for the executive branch to unilaterally change how these funds are used.
PROVISION 03
Requires a new, specific law passed after this Act's enactment to authorize any impoundment, transfer, or reprogramming of these funds.
This ensures that any future changes to the funding must have explicit Congressional approval.
PROVISION 04
Mandates the Administrator of NOAA to annually certify compliance with these funding protections to key Congressional committees.
This provision provides oversight and ensures accountability for how the funds are managed.
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill matters because it seeks to ensure the stability and reliability of funding for two critical services. If this bill becomes law, it provides a stronger guarantee that money allocated for the National Weather Service will be used for its intended purpose, meaning more consistent and potentially improved weather forecasting and warning systems that save lives and mitigate economic losses from severe weather.
For the Great Lakes, it means that ongoing efforts to protect and restore this vital freshwater resource will likely continue with less risk of budget cuts or diversions. Without this bill, funds for these programs could be more easily reallocated by the executive branch to other priorities, potentially disrupting long-term environmental projects or impacting the operational capacity of the National Weather Service. This bill aims to reduce uncertainty for these programs and the communities that depend on them.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Prohibits federal funds allocated to the National Weather Service and the Great Lakes Region from being held back, moved, or repurposed.
This provision directly protects the designated funding for critical services and environmental programs.
high
Overrides existing laws, including the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, to ensure this protection is strong.
This makes it significantly harder for the executive branch to unilaterally change how these funds are used.
high
Requires a new, specific law passed after this Act's enactment to authorize any impoundment, transfer, or reprogramming of these funds.
This ensures that any future changes to the funding must have explicit Congressional approval.
med
Mandates the Administrator of NOAA to annually certify compliance with these funding protections to key Congressional committees.
This provision provides oversight and ensures accountability for how the funds are managed.
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment, and annually thereafter.
Administrator of NOAA must certify compliance with the Act's requirements.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Impoundment
When the President or an executive agency holds back or refuses to spend money that Congress has already approved and set aside (appropriated).
Transfer
Moving money from one government account or program to another, often for a different purpose than originally intended.
Reprogramming
Shifting funds within an agency's budget from one activity or project to another, without changing the overall amount appropriated to the agency.
Discretionary appropriations
Money that Congress decides to approve annually through appropriations bills for various government programs and agencies, as opposed to mandatory spending which is set by existing laws.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
A federal agency that focuses on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere, providing weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring, and coastal restoration services.
National Weather Service
A component of NOAA responsible for providing weather forecasts, warnings of hazardous weather, and other weather-related products to the public for the protection of life and property.
Great Lakes Region
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
APR 10, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
APR 10, 25
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Refers to the area surrounding the five large freshwater lakes in North America (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario), including parts of several U.S. states and Canada.
Impoundment Control Act of 1974
A law that limits the President's power to refuse to spend money that Congress has appropriated, generally requiring congressional approval for such actions.
