WARN Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1076
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-21T09:05:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Weather Alert Response and Notification Act (WARN Act), H.R. 1076, aims to improve public safety during weather-related emergencies by directing a federal study on how well emergency alert systems work. It focuses on ensuring communities receive timely, useful information to prepare and respond better to events like storms, floods, or extreme weather.
Key Provisions
- Study Mandate: The Comptroller General of the United States (head of the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, or GAO) must conduct a study evaluating local, state, territorial, and federal emergency alerting systems specifically for weather emergencies.
- Study Components:
- Assess how effective different methods are for sending alerts, such as social media, especially for issues like travel restrictions or widespread power outages during severe weather.
- Review whether there is enough guidance and training for creating alert messages that are easy to understand, relevant, and provide clear steps for the public to take.
- Gather feedback from emergency managers, local officials, and community groups to identify potential upgrades to alerting tools, including traditional outdoor sirens.
- Reporting Requirement: The GAO must deliver a report on the study's findings to key congressional committees (House Transportation and Infrastructure, House Homeland Security, and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) within 18 months of the bill becoming law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not amend or repeal any current laws. Instead, it introduces a one-time study requirement, which could inform future policy changes but does not immediately alter how emergency alerts are managed or regulated.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies like those in homeland security and transportation, along with state and local governments, may need to provide input for the study, potentially leading to recommendations for better coordination and resource allocation in emergency communications.
- On Citizens: Could indirectly enhance public safety by identifying ways to make alerts more reliable and accessible, helping people in weather-prone areas respond faster to threats like evacuations or outages.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. alerting systems.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Government Entities: Federal (e.g., GAO, homeland security agencies), state, territorial, and local governments responsible for emergency alerts.
- Emergency Responders and Officials: Managers and local leaders who create and distribute alerts.
- Communities and Citizens: Residents in areas vulnerable to weather events, including community groups providing feedback.
- Congress: Specific committees overseeing transportation, infrastructure, and security, which will receive and act on the report.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill is straightforward and complies with congressional authority to request GAO studies (a routine tool for oversight). It raises no challenges to existing alert laws, like the Emergency Alert System.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it involves non-binding research rather than restricting free speech or other rights.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) suggests broad support for improving disaster preparedness, potentially paving the way for future legislation without significant controversy. The focus on weather alerts aligns with ongoing national priorities for resilience against climate-related risks.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Cosponsors (41)
Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3], Rep. Rogers, Harold [R-KY-5], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-06: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-02-06: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-02-06: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-06: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Weather Alert Response and Notification Act — issued 2025-02-06 — PDF (3 pages)