Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-110

§8543 Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and National Weather Service Exchange Program

Title 15 › CHAPTER 111 — WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION › SUBCHAPTER III — FEDERAL WEATHER COORDINATION › § 8543

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Allows the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National Weather Service to swap staff for on‑the‑job details. The program can include up to 10 people and each detail can last up to 1 year. The two agency leaders pick the candidates together. At least once a year the Under Secretary must send a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology about who joined the program and any innovations that came from it.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §8543

Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

The Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of National Weather Service may establish a program to detail Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research personnel to the National Weather Service and National Weather Service personnel to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.

(b)Goal

The goal of this program is to enhance forecasting innovation through regular, direct interaction between the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research’s world-class scientists and the National Weather Service’s operational staff.

(c)Elements

The program shall allow up to 10 Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research staff and National Weather Service staff to spend up to 1 year on detail. Candidates shall be jointly selected by the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National Weather Service.

(d)Annual report

Not less frequently than once each year, the Under Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report on participation in such program and shall highlight any innovations that come from this interaction.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 8543

Title 15, Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110