The House Science, Space and Technology Committee passed the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Reauthorization Act of 2013 (H.R. 2431). In 2006, a NIDIS program for drought monitoring, forecasting, and early warning was established and housed within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NIDIS information is used by state and local governments, farmers, ranchers and others to monitor and predict drought conditions.  The bill was passed after Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) successfully amended the bill to include support for ongoing research on extreme weather and climate variability. Current authorizations for NIDIS expired December 31, 2012. The new bill would reauthorize NIDIS through fiscal year 2018. The Senate version of the NIDIS bill (S. 376) passed the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in October. The bills still require approval from the full House and Senate.

Sources: GovTrack