WEATHER REPORTING SYSTEMS STUDY.

SEC. 316. WEATHER REPORTING SYSTEMS STUDY. (a) In General.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall initiate a study to examine how to improve the procurement, functionality, and sustainability of weather reporting systems, including— (1) automated weather observing systems; (2) automated surface observing systems; (3) visual weather observing systems; and (4) non-Federal weather reporting systems. (b) Contents.—In conducting the study required under section (a), the Comptroller General shall address— (1) the current state of the supply chain related to weather reporting systems and the components of such systems; (2) the average age of weather reporting systems infrastructure installed in the national airspace system; (3) challenges to maintaining and replacing weather reporting systems, including— (A) root causes of weather reporting system outages, including failures of such systems, and supporting systems such as telecommunications infrastructure; and (B) the degree to which such outages affect weather reporting in the national airspace system; (4) mitigation measures to maintain aviation safety during such an outage; and (5) alternative means of obtaining weather elements at airports, including wind direction, wind speed, barometric pressure setting, and cloud coverage, including visibility. (c) Consultation.—In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall consult with the appropriate stakeholders and Federal agencies involved in installing, managing, and supporting weather reporting systems in the national airspace system. (d) Report.— (1) In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the results of the study conducted under subsection (a). (2) Recommendations.—The Comptroller General shall include in the report submitted under paragraph (1) recommendations for— (A) ways to improve the resiliency and redundancy of weather reporting systems; (B) alternative means of compliance for obtaining weather elements at airports; and (C) if necessary, changes to Orders of the Administration, including the following: (i) Surface Weather Observing, Joint Order 7900.5. (ii) Notices to Air Missions, Joint Order 7930.2.