Title 15 — Commerce and TradeRelease 119-73not60

§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 Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of the National Weather Service may set up a program to temporarily send staff between the two offices so researchers and forecasters work together. The program may let up to 10 OAR staff and National Weather Service staff spend up to 1 year on detail, and the Assistant Administrator and the Director pick the participants together. At least once each year, the Under Secretary must send a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives about who took part and any new ideas that came from the program.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §8543

Commerce and Trade — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Director of National 11 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “the”. 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)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)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)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

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60