2011 US Code
Title 15 - Commerce and Trade
Chapter 9 - NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE (§§ 311 - 329)
Section 325 - Authority for certain functions and activities

Appropriations now or hereafter provided for the National Weather Service shall be available for (a) furnishing food and shelter, without repayment therefor, to employees of the Government assigned to Arctic stations; (b) equipment and maintenance of meteorological offices and stations, and maintenance and operation of meteorological facilities outside the United States by contract or otherwise; (c) repairing, altering, and improving of buildings occupied by the National Weather Service, and care and preservation of grounds, including the construction of necessary outbuildings and sidewalks on public streets abutting National Weather Service grounds; (d) arranging for communication services at rates to be fixed by the Secretary of Commerce by agreement with the companies performing the services when determined to be advantageous to the Government; and (e) purchasing tabulating cards and continuous form tabulating paper.

(June 2, 1948, ch. 373, §1, 62 Stat. 286; 1965 Reorg. Plan No. 2, 1970 eff. July 13, 1965, 30 F.R. 8819, 79 Stat. 1318; 1970 Reorg. Plan No. 4, eff. Oct. 3, 1970, 35 F.R. 15627, 84 Stat. 2090.)

Weather Bureau consolidated with Coast and Geodetic Survey to form new agency in Department of Commerce known as Environmental Science Services Administration by Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1965, eff. July 13, 1965, 30 F.R. 8819, 79 Stat. 1318, set out as a note under section 311 of this title. Functions of Bureau and Chief of Bureau transferred to Secretary of Commerce by Reorg. Plan. Subsequently, Environmental Science Services Administration abolished and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration established. By Department Organization Order 25–5A, Secretary delegated to NOAA his functions under this chapter of the Code. By order of Acting Associate Administrator of NOAA, organizational name of Weather Bureau changed to National Weather Service. For further details, see Codification note set out under section 311 of this title.

Pub. L. 102–567, title I, §101(c), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4270, provided that: “The Secretary of Commerce may use funds otherwise available for conducting weather observations to strengthen the Cooperative Weather Observer Program and encourage public participation in the program. The Secretary may—

“(1) provide distinctive insignia or paraphernalia to Cooperative Weather Observers; and

“(2) make awards of nominal value to recognize continued participation in the program by observers or to recognize outstanding achievements by such observers or groups of observers without regard to any law restricting expenditures for such purposes to Federal employees.”