National Weather Safety Board Act

Key Points

• The bill creates a new independent federal board called the National Weather Safety Board, modeled after how the NTSB investigates transportation accidents. This board would investigate major weather disasters to find out what went right and wrong in government preparedness and response.
• The board would investigate weather disasters that are declared major disasters or that cause at least 10 deaths, 100 injuries, or rapid-onset mass casualties. Covered events include hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, tornadoes, winter weather, extreme cold, and tsunamis.
• The board can investigate key federal agencies including FEMA, the National Weather Service, NOAA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the FCC. It has subpoena power to force agencies to hand over data or testimony during investigations.
• Within 20 months of starting an investigation, the board must publish a final report with findings and recommendations for how agencies can improve. The recommendations and whether agencies actually follow them would be posted publicly on a website.
• The board would have at least 7 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, with no more than 4 from one political party. Members serve 5-year terms and can only be removed for neglect of duty or misconduct. The board itself sunsets after 5 years.

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