H.R. 2856: Great Lakes and National Weather Service Funding Protection Act

The Great Lakes and National Weather Service Funding Protection Act aims to safeguard certain federal funds designated for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Great Lakes region from being restricted, transferred, or reallocated. Here’s a breakdown of its main points:

Key Provisions

• Limitations on Fund Management: The bill prohibits the impoundment, transfer, or reprogramming of discretionary appropriations made available for NOAA and the National Weather Service, unless there is a new law specifically allowing it, with express reference to this Act.
• Certification of Compliance: The Administrator of NOAA is required to certify compliance with these limitations within 30 days of the Act being enacted and must provide annual confirmations thereafter. This certification must be submitted to various congressional committees, including:
  • The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
  • The Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives
  • The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
  • The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate
  • The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate

Impact and Rationale

The bill seeks to ensure that federal funding dedicated to important programs, such as weather forecasting and environmental protection in the Great Lakes region, remains secure and cannot be easily reallocated without congressional approval. By establishing these safeguards, the sponsors of the bill likely aim to promote reliability in federal support for these critical services and programs.

Relevant Companies

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