National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2296

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Last Updated

2025-11-11T09:05:18Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act (H.R. 2296) aims to modernize the internal communication tools of the National Weather Service (NWS), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It focuses on replacing an outdated instant messaging system to enhance efficiency, scalability, and usability for weather forecasting and emergency response operations.

Key Provisions

• System Upgrade: The NWS Director must implement a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) communications solution—meaning ready-made software available from private vendors—to replace the existing "NWSChat" instant messaging service. This must be completed by October 1, 2027.
• Requirements for the New System:
• It must be hosted on a public cloud (a shared internet-based platform for data storage and access).
• It must meet NWS standards for:
• Supporting future expansion and growth.
• Handling increased user numbers without performance issues.
• Being user-friendly for most employees.
• Being comparable to widely used commercial systems (e.g., similar to tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams).
• Funding Allocation: Up to $3 million per fiscal year from 2026 through 2029 will be allocated from NWS's existing budget for Operations, Research, and Facilities to fund the upgrade.
• Funding Limitation: All funds must come from appropriations already designated for the NWS, with no new taxpayer money required beyond the agency's current budget.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no broad changes to prior statutes but mandates a specific technological upgrade for NWS operations. It replaces the legacy NWSChat system— an internal, custom-built tool—with a modern, cloud-based COTS alternative, shifting from proprietary government software to commercial solutions. This is the first legislated requirement for such a communications overhaul in NWS history, emphasizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness over custom development.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The NWS (and by extension NOAA) will benefit from improved internal coordination, potentially leading to faster weather alerts, storm tracking, and disaster response. This could reduce long-term maintenance costs by using commercial tools rather than building in-house systems.
• On Citizens: Enhanced NWS communications may result in more reliable and timely weather warnings, benefiting public safety during severe events like hurricanes or floods. No direct impact on international relations, as this is a domestic operational upgrade.
• Broader Effects: The shift to public cloud hosting could introduce minor cybersecurity considerations but aligns with federal trends toward modern IT infrastructure.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• NWS Personnel: Frontline meteorologists, forecasters, and support staff who rely on instant messaging for real-time collaboration.
• NOAA and NWS Leadership: Responsible for implementation, budgeting, and ensuring compliance with the new requirements.
• Congress and Taxpayers: Sponsors (a bipartisan group including Reps. Feenstra, Hinson, and others) and committees like Science, Space, and Technology oversee funding and progress.
• Commercial Vendors: Providers of COTS solutions (e.g., cloud service companies) may gain contracts for the upgrade.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill is straightforward and enforceable through existing NWS authority, with no new regulatory burdens. It limits funding to appropriated amounts, avoiding unauthorized spending under the Antideficiency Act (a law preventing federal agencies from overspending budgets).
• Constitutional: No significant issues; it falls under Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 9) to allocate funds for executive agencies.
• Political: Demonstrates bipartisan support (23 cosponsors from both parties) for practical infrastructure improvements in public safety. It could set a precedent for similar tech upgrades in other federal agencies, promoting efficiency without partisan controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

Cosponsors (22)

Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
• 2025-03-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (3 pages)