Senate passes bill funding drought information program

The Senate passed a bill Monday that would fund the national drought system charged with providing timely information to prevent drought and extreme weather damage.

{mosads}Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) introduced S. 376, the Drought Information Act, which would authorize funding for the National Integrated Drought Information System Act through fiscal year 2018. 

The bill would also amend the act to specify that the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere continue to support the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Program and to better inform and provide for more timely decision making to reduce drought related impacts and costs.

The Senate passed the measure through a unanimous consent agreement at the end of Monday’s session. The bill now heads to the House for further action.