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HR 6184

NOAA Data Preservation Act

119th Congress Introduced by Suzanne Bonamici and 13 co-sponsors

HR 6184 mandates NOAA preserve and publicly maintain scientific data on climate, weather, and oceans to prevent loss and ensure long-term research accessibility.

Introduced in House
0
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Bill Summary · HR 6184

Legislative bill overview

HR 6184, the NOAA Data Preservation Act, establishes requirements for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to preserve, maintain, and ensure public access to scientific data collected by the agency. The bill addresses concerns about long-term data stewardship, archival standards, and accessibility of climate, weather, and oceanographic datasets that are critical for research and decision-making.

Why is this important

NOAA collects vast amounts of environmental data that scientists, policymakers, and the public rely on for climate research, weather forecasting, and natural resource management. Without formal preservation requirements, valuable historical datasets risk being lost, degraded, or made inaccessible due to technological obsolescence, budget constraints, or administrative changes. Ensuring data preservation is fundamental to scientific continuity and evidence-based policymaking.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and resource allocation: Implementing robust data preservation systems requires significant funding for infrastructure, staff, and technology upgrades, which could face budget scrutiny or be viewed as duplicative of existing NOAA functions
  • Data access vs. privacy/security concerns: Broad public access mandates may conflict with protecting sensitive information, proprietary research partnerships, or national security considerations in certain datasets
  • Regulatory burden on NOAA: Prescriptive preservation standards could limit NOAA's flexibility in adapting to new technologies or responding to evolving scientific needs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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