OKC Standard

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed significant legislation that brings about positive change for Oklahomans, spearheaded by Congresswoman Bice.

The first major win comes in the form of the Weather Act Reauthorization package, which includes crucial initiatives to enhance weather forecasting and emergency preparedness. Congresswoman Bice played a key role in this package, which contains three of her Bills aimed at modernizing weather systems and advancing tools for various sectors. In a statement, Congresswoman Bice highlighted the importance of this legislation, saying, "Oklahomans must have the resources they need when critical weather events strike."

Specifically, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio Modernization Act, part of the package, aims to update the emergency alert system to save lives and reduce outages. The National Mesonet Authorization Act, also included, will improve the overall coverage and accuracy of weather data for better prediction and response to severe weather.

The second legislative victory is the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act, co-led by Congresswoman Bice and Rep. Lee. This act addresses the environmental and economic challenges posed by abandoned wells in the U.S. Through establishing a research program, it aims to improve plugging and remediation processes, ultimately reducing costs and environmental impacts. Congresswoman Bice expressed her satisfaction with the passage of this act, emphasizing its significance for Oklahoma's economy.

In her statement, Congresswoman Bice acknowledged the collaborative effort behind these legislative wins, thanking Representative Lee for bipartisan cooperation. She also took to the House Floor to voice her support for both pieces of legislation.

The successful passage of these bills reflects a step forward in enhancing weather forecasting, emergency preparedness, and environmental conservation, marking significant progress for the state of Oklahoma.