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118th Congress Science, Technology, Communications

H.R. 4866: Fire Weather Development Act of 2024

Passed HouseApr 29, 2024

  1. Introduced (completed)Jul 25, 2023
  2. Passed House (completed)Apr 29, 2024, 341–48
  3. Passed Senate (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Passed House, Apr 29, 2024

This bill establishes several programs and requirements to address wildfire forecasting, detection, and management, particularly with respect to interagency collaboration.

For example, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must establish a program to improve collaboration between federal, state, and local entities with respect to wildfire management. Program goals include improving communication about wildfire spread, earlier detection of wildfires, and better understanding of the impact of climate change on fire weather environments. Authorized activities include research and development of communication tools, modeling systems, and other relevant technology to help with wildfire management, as well as education and training for researchers and enhancing data sharing capabilities between agencies.

NOAA may also (1) contract with private sector entities to obtain additional airborne and space-based data to support wildfire prediction and monitoring, and (2) conduct pilot programs to test the use of unmanned aircraft systems for fire weather observations.

Read the full summary

The bill also establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Wildfires (to assist state and local agencies with wildfire management while avoiding duplication of activities) and the National Advisory Committee on Wildfires (to advise the coordinating committee and other relevant entities on wildfire management).

Finally, the bill exempts incident meteorologists of the National Weather Service from premium pay limitations when responding to emergency wildfires. It also requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to recommend ways to improve the standards of communication between wildfire first responders and fire management response officials.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Apr 29, 2024

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Passed 341–48

Yea 341two-thirds 260Nay 48

  • Democrats191 yea, 0 nay
  • Republicans149 yea, 48 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Keith Self (R-TX), Dale Strong (R-AL), W. Steube (R-FL), Chip Roy (R-TX), John Rose (R-TN), John Rutherford (R-FL), Matthew Rosendale (R-MT), Scott Perry (R-PA), Bill Posey (R-FL) and Cory Mills (R-FL) voted Nay; and 38 more

See how all 389 members voted

Showing 428 of 428 members

Yea 341

Republicans (149)

Democrats (191)

Independents (1)

Nay 48

Republicans (48) broke with their party

Not voting 39

Senate

Not yet voted

Passed the House Apr 29, 2024. Awaiting Senate action.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Apr 29, 2024HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as AmendedFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 341–48
    Roll call 153 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats1910021
    Republicans14948018
    Independents1000
    Total34148039

    House roll call 153: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended. Passed.

    48 crossed party lines: 48 Republicans

    How each member voted (428)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

2

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

352 points earned
  1. 1Mike Garcia R-CA SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, reported, passed House4 events+56
  2. 2Robert Aderholt R-AL1 maverick vote1 event+6
  3. 2Mark Alford R-MO1 maverick vote1 event+6
  4. 2Jim Banks R-IN1 maverick vote1 event+6
  5. 2Aaron Bean R-FL1 maverick vote1 event+6
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Mike Garcia

History

  1. Apr 29, 2024Passed the House, 341–48.
  2. Jul 25, 2023Introduced in the House by Mike Garcia.
Show the full action history (16 actions)
  1. Apr 30, 2024Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  2. Apr 29, 2024Mr. Lucas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  3. Apr 29, 2024Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2646-2651)
  4. Apr 29, 2024DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4866.
  5. Apr 29, 2024At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  6. Apr 29, 2024Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2687-2688)
  7. Apr 29, 2024Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 341 - 48 (Roll no. 153). (text: CR H2646-2649)
  8. Apr 29, 2024On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 341 - 48 (Roll no. 153). (text: CR H2646-2649)
  9. Apr 29, 2024Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  10. Apr 29, 2024The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
  11. Sep 22, 2023Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-214.
  12. Sep 22, 2023Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 174.
  13. Jul 27, 2023Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  14. Jul 27, 2023Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 33 - 2.
  15. Jul 25, 2023Introduced in House
  16. Jul 25, 2023Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.