Bill Summary
The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act amends the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, mandating the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to enhance and modernize the NOAA Weather Radio system. The Act establishes a nationwide, continuously operating weather radio network that prioritizes operational resilience and reliability, particularly in underserved areas lacking reliable cellular coverage. It requires the Under Secretary to conduct a comprehensive assessment of NOAA Weather Radio access, recommend improvements, and authorize funding for modernization efforts from fiscal years 2026 to 2031.
Additionally, the legislation categorizes certain NOAA positions, such as meteorologists and hydrologists, as protective service occupations, necessitating a five-year staffing plan to bolster public safety roles in the National Weather Service. The Director of the National Weather Service is empowered to assess critical staffing needs and directly hire qualified candidates for key positions to ensure effective forecasting and emergency response capabilities. The Act ultimately aims to enhance public safety and preparedness through a robust weather radio system and adequate staffing.
Possible Impacts
1. **Enhanced Weather Information Access**: Individuals living in underserved areas will benefit from the expansion and modernization of the NOAA Weather Radio network. This legislation ensures that these communities receive continuous, reliable access to essential weather information and emergency alerts, particularly during hazardous weather events. The enhancements will include new transmitters and improved communication methods, increasing public safety and preparedness.
2. **Improved Emergency Response**: Meteorologists and hydrologists designated as protective service occupations will have their roles classified under this new legislation. This categorization allows for better staffing and resource allocation within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ensuring that experts in forecasting and warning systems can focus on protecting life and property during emergencies. This change will enhance the effectiveness of weather forecasts and alerts that the public relies on.
3. **Streamlined Hiring for Critical Roles**: The legislation grants the Director of the National Weather Service direct hire authority to fill essential public safety positions, such as meteorologists, without the usual hiring restrictions. This expedited hiring process aims to address critical staffing needs swiftly, ensuring that qualified personnel are in place to support forecasting and warning systems. As a result, communities will receive more timely and accurate weather information, ultimately enhancing public safety.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7813 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7813
To amend the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to
require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to
expand and modernize the weather radio system of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 5, 2026
Mr. Babin (for himself, Mr. Flood, Mr. Sorensen, Mrs. Bice, and Mr.
Amo) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to
require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to
expand and modernize the weather radio system of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NOAA Weather Radio Modernization
Act''.
SEC. 2. NOAA WEATHER RADIO.
(a) In General.--The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation
Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following new title:
``TITLE VII--NOAA WEATHER RADIO
``SEC. 701. NOAA WEATHER RADIO.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall establish or maintain
a nationwide weather radio network, to be known as `NOAA Weather
Radio', that--
``(1) broadcasts weather information, including emergency
weather watches, warnings, geological hazards, and other hazard
information;
``(2) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; and
``(3) is resilient to emergency hazards, such as loss of
power and cellular service.
``(b) Coverage and Reliability.--The Under Secretary shall ensure
the reliability of NOAA Weather Radio by--
``(1) maintaining support for existing systems before new
technologies are implemented, especially such systems that
serve areas not covered by or having poor quality cellular
service; and
``(2) ensuring consistent maintenance and operations
monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site
equipment and antennas.
``(c) Modernization Initiative.--
``(1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Under Secretary shall expand the coverage of and modernize NOAA
Weather Radio to ensure it remains valuable to the public,
including by--
``(A) improving those methods of communicating the
risks posed by hazardous weather events to the public
that are most likely to result in informed decision-
making regarding the mitigation of such risks;
``(B) improving communication of hazardous weather
warnings and the urgency of such warnings, including to
areas that experience a high frequency of such
warnings;
``(C) enhancing the ability to amplify non-weather
emergency messages for the integrated public alert and
warning system (IPAWS) under section 1756 of the
Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321o-1) through
NOAA Weather Radio, as necessary;
``(D) acquiring additional transmitters, as
determined appropriate, to expand coverage to--
``(i) areas at high risk for rapid onset
weather disasters that require short-fuse
warnings;
``(ii) communities without--
``(I) broadband internet access
service (as such term is defined in
section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a successor
regulation)), and as depicted by a map
created pursuant to section
802(c)(1)(C) of the Communications Act
of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 642(c)(1)(C));
``(II) State or local emergency
warning systems; or
``(III) satellite coverage; and
``(iii) Federal lands, such as land in the
National Park System or the National Forest
System and National Recreation Areas;
``(E) adding the capability to disseminate NOAA
Weather Radio alerts--
``(i) by satellite; or
``(ii) through--
``(I) common internet protocols,
such as the Cloud; or
``(II) other emerging technologies
that satisfy the intent of this
section.
``(F) conducting research and development to
modernize geographically specific warnings.
``(2) Elements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Under
Secretary shall--
``(A) upgrade telecommunications infrastructure of
NOAA Weather Radio to accelerate the transition of
broadcasts to internet protocol-based communications
over non-copper media;
``(B) accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced
Weather Interactive Processing System, or any relevant
system successors, in order to implement partial county
notifications and alerts;
``(C) enhance accessibility and usability of data
and feeds of NOAA Weather Radio with feedback from
relevant stakeholders, including the private sector;
``(D) develop options, including satellite backup
capability and commercial provider partnerships, for
continuity of service of NOAA Weather Radio in the
event of an outage at a weather forecast office;
``(E) research and develop alternative options,
including microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA
Weather Radio signals to transmitters that are remote
or do not have internet protocol capability;
``(F) transition critical applications to the
Integrated Dissemination Program, or any relevant
program successors; and
``(G) work with the General Services
Administration, and other relevant agencies, to develop
new, alternative, or updated expedited mechanisms to
secure priority space capacity, such as leased land and
tower space, for NOAA Weather Radio critical
infrastructure, including transmitters and antennas,
that are best suited for the national security and
public safety missions of NOAA Weather Radio.
``(3) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Under
Secretary shall prioritize practices, capabilities, and
technologies recommended in accordance with the assessment
under subsection (d) to maximize the accessibility of NOAA
Weather Radio, particularly in areas of the United States
described in subparagraph (D)(i) of such paragraph.
``(d) Assessment for Management and Distribution.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date
of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall
complete an assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio.
``(2) Elements.--In conducting the assessment required
under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall take into
consideration and provide to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate recommendations regarding the following:
``(A) Input from relevant stakeholders within the
weather enterprise, including third-party platforms
that provide online services, such as websites and
mobile device applications.
``(B) The manner by which existing or new National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration management
systems may promote consistent, efficient, and
compatible access to NOAA Weather Radio.
``(C) The ability of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to aggregate real-time
broadcast feeds at one or more central locations, as a
redundancy to the broadcast feed from the nearest
weather forecast office.
``(D) Effective coordination between agencies with
responsibilities relating to emergencies and natural
disasters.
``(E) The potential effects of an electromagnetic
pulse or geomagnetic disturbance on NOAA Weather Radio.
``(e) Definition.--In this section:
``(1) Geological hazard.--The term `geological hazard'
means a tsunami, forest fire, mudflow, volcanic eruption,
volcanic ash, landslide, geomagnetic storm, or other similar
such hazard.
``(2) Short-fuse warning.--The term `short-fuse warning'
means a warning relating to a tornado, severe thunderstorm, or
flash flood.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Under Secretary--
``(1) for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031,
$20,000,000 to operate NOAA Weather Radio under subsections (a)
and (b); and
``(2) for fiscal year 2026, $100,000,000, which shall
remain available until expended, to carry out subsections (c)
and (d).''.
(b) Weather Ready All Hazards Award Program.--Section 407 of the
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C.
8546) is--
(1) transferred to title VII of such Act, as added by
subsection (a);
(2) inserted after section 701 of such Act, as added by
subsection (a); and
(3) redesignated as section 702.
(c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents for the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended--
(1) by striking the item relating to section 407; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new items:
``TITLE VII--NOAA WEATHER RADIO
``Sec. 701. NOAA Weather Radio.
``Sec. 702. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather
Ready All Hazards Award Program.''.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR WEATHER WARNING SYSTEMS IN FLASH FLOOD
ZONES.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and
Technology, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere, may support the development of standards for
flash flood emergency alert systems with respect to a 100-year
floodplain (as such term is defined in section 100202(a) of the
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4004(a))).
(b) Requirements.--If the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards
and Technology supports the development of standards under subsection
(a), the Under Secretary shall ensure that such standards--
(1) meet the needs of communities without--
(A) broadband internet access service (as such term
is defined in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of
Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)) and as
depicted by a map created pursuant to section
802(c)(1)(C) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 642(c)(1)(C));
(B) State or local emergency warning systems; or
(C) satellite coverage; and
(2) will result in reliable flash flood emergency alert
systems with respect to a 100-year floodplain referred to in
subsection (a), especially during hazardous events.
(c) Report Required.--If the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Standards and Technology supports the development of standards under
subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall, not later than two years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report that includes a summary of such standards.
SEC. 4. CLASSIFICATION OF AND STAFFING PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES.
(a) In General.--Title IV of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8541 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after section 406 the following new section:
``SEC. 407. CLASSIFICATION OF AND STAFFING PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES.
``(a) Classification of Certain Employees.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall
coordinate with the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget to categorize each position in the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration specified in
paragraph (2) as a protective service occupation under the
Standard Occupational Classification System.
``(2) Positions specified.--The positions specified in this
paragraph are the following occupational positions in the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as defined by
the Director of the Office of Personnel Management:
``(A) Meteorology Series (1340).
``(B) Hydrology Series (1315).
``(C) General Physical Science Series (1301).
``(D) Electronics Technical Series (0856).
``(E) Information Technology Management Series (GS-
2210).
``(3) Requirements relating to staffing changes.--The Under
Secretary may not carry out any staffing change in any of the
occupational positions specified in paragraph (2) unless--
``(A) a period of 30 days has passed after the
receipt by the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate of a report by the Under Secretary
containing a description of the staffing change
proposed to be taken and the facts and circumstances
relied upon in support of such staffing change; or
``(B) each such committee before the expiration of
such period has transmitted to the Under Secretary
written notice to the effect that such committee has no
objection to such proposed staffing change.
``(b) Five-year Staffing Plan for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall submit to
Congress a five-year staffing plan for--
``(1) the National Weather Service; and
``(2) any positions within the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration that support forecasts and warnings
to protect human life and property, including positions that
involve--
``(A) collection of data for incorporation into
watches and warnings;
``(B) operation and maintenance of equipment for
collection of data described in subparagraph (A);
``(C) maintenance of information technology
systems;
``(D) modeling for forecasts and warnings; and
``(E) research to improve forecasts, warnings, and
communication of such warnings to better protect human
life and property.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 406 the following new item:
``Sec. 407. Classification of and staffing plan for employee.''.
SEC. 5. STAFFING FOR POSITIONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE.
(a) Assessment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Weather
Service shall submit to the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives, and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an
assessment of the critical staffing needs of the National
Weather Service, including the needs of every Weather Forecast
Office and every Center Weather Service Unit.
(2) Elements.--The assessment under paragraph (1) shall
include the following elements:
(A) The number and corresponding occupational
series of employees needed to fully staff each Weather
Forecast Office and Center Weather Service Unit of the
National Weather Service that maximize efficiency while
considering the following:
(i) Safety.
(ii) Morale.
(iii) Changing seasonal needs.
(iv) Forecasting complexity of the
geographical area at issue.
(B) Historical staffing needs versus historical
vacancies for each such Weather Forecast Office and
Center Weather Service Unit.
(b) Direct Hire Authority.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather
Service may appoint, without regard to sections 3308 through
3319, 3327, and 3330 of title 5, United States Code, qualified
candidates to any of the following positions to satisfy
critical staffing needs and fill vacancies determined in
accordance with the assessment under subsection (a):
(A) Employees performing public safety mission
functions, including the following:
(i) Meteorologists (classification series
1340).
(ii) Hydrologists (classification series
1315).
(iii) General physical scientists
(classification series 1301).
(iv) Computer specialists (classification
series 2210).
(v) Electronic technicians (classification
series 0856).
(B) Other positions for which primary
responsibilities include equipment operations,
maintenance, analysis, information technology, or
engineering.
(2) Sunset.--The authority under paragraph (1) shall expire
on the date on which all positions to satisfy critical staffing
needs and vacancies under such paragraph have been filled.
<all>