Washington, D.C. – President Obama today signed into law the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Reauthorization Act (H.R. 2431).  The bill was a legislative effort led by Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Emeritus Ralph Hall (R-Texas) and passed the House last month with broad bipartisan support. The bill makes reauthorizes and improves the NIDIS program through fiscal year 2018.

Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas): “I would like to congratulate Congressman Hall for his hard work in getting this important legislation to the President’s desk. Recent droughts in Texas and around the country have been severe. Improvements to the NIDIS program through this law will help state and local governments, farmers, ranchers, and others monitor drought conditions.”