Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 3816
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-06-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-04-03T21:19:16Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 3816: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2025

Purpose

This legislation reauthorizes and expands the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) weather research, forecasting, and prediction capabilities. It aims to protect lives and property, boost the national economy, and promote public safety through improved weather data, modeling, and warnings. The bill also addresses related environmental and health challenges, such as harmful algal blooms, extreme heat, landslides, and drought, while expanding commercial opportunities for weather data and fostering interagency and public-private partnerships.

Key Provisions

The bill is structured into nine titles, outlining programs, funding authorizations, and coordination mechanisms:

Title I: Reauthorization of the 2017 Act
Prioritizes public safety in NOAA's forecasting and research efforts.
Authorizes appropriations for weather labs, research programs, and initiatives like tornado (VORTEX-USA) and hurricane forecasting improvements, including grants for minority-serving institutions (e.g., Historically Black Colleges and Universities).
Reauthorizes the Tsunami Warning and Education Act with updates for better data management, alert systems, and international coordination.
Establishes planning for observing systems, computing resources (including AI and cloud computing), and an Earth Prediction Innovation Center.
Authorizes $163.8 million to $170.4 million annually (FY2026–2030) for NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.

Title II: Enhancing Federal Weather Forecasting and Innovation
Creates programs for radar modernization (Radar Next Program), filling data gaps in vulnerable areas, and improving forecasts for atmospheric rivers, coastal flooding, aviation weather, and fog.
Mandates AI integration for forecasting, workforce assessments for the National Weather Service (NWS), and uncrewed systems for post-event assessments.
Requires strategies for cloud-based processing systems and reanalysis of historical data.

Title III: Commercial Weather and Environmental Observations
Establishes a Commercial Data Program to acquire private-sector weather data (e.g., satellite, airborne) for operational use, with standards for quality and sharing.
Includes a pilot program for testing commercial data integration and avoids duplication with other agencies.
Authorizes $100 million annually (FY2026–2030) and promotes multi-year contracts.

Title IV: Communicating Weather to the Public
Defines hazardous weather events and improves risk communication, including probabilistic forecasts and post-storm surveys.
Modernizes NWS communications (e.g., instant messaging, NOAA Weather Radio) and requires GAO reports on alert dissemination.
Establishes data management for public response studies, with protections for privacy.

Title V: Improving Weather Information for Agriculture and Water Management
Enhances subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasts for drought, soil moisture, and water resources.
Reauthorizes the National Integrated Drought Information System and expands the National Mesonet Program for denser observations.
Supports the National Water Center and pilot projects for agriculture and water management.
Authorizes varying amounts up to $70 million annually (FY2026–2030) for related programs.

Title VI: Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control
Amends the 1998 Act to include freshwater systems, requiring periodic action strategies and assessments.
Establishes NOAA and EPA activities for monitoring, forecasting, and response, plus a national incubator program for mitigation technologies.
Authorizes $19.5 million for NOAA and $8 million for EPA annually (FY2026–2030).

Title VII: Preventing Health Emergencies and Temperature-Related Illness and Deaths
Creates the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) and an interagency committee to coordinate heat risk reduction.
Focuses on data sharing, forecasting, and planning for extreme heat events, including impacts on vulnerable populations.
Authorizes $5 million annually (FY2026–2030).

Title VIII: National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization
Reauthorizes programs for landslide mapping, early warning systems, and risk assessments, including for atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation.
Expands grants to tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations; establishes regional partnerships (e.g., in Alaska).
Authorizes $35 million annually (FY2026–2030) for USGS, with $10 million for early warning systems.

Title IX: Other Authorities
Authorizes Arctic meteorological observations and technical assistance in the Pacific.
Requires unfunded priorities lists, capital investment plans, and briefings on satellite transfers.
Permits app/web tools for data access and international collaborations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Reauthorization and Expansion of 2017 Act (Title I): Increases funding levels (e.g., from prior authorizations), adds AI/cloud computing priorities, and integrates social/behavioral sciences into tornado/hurricane programs. Updates definitions (e.g., "weather data") and consolidates reports for efficiency.
Tsunami Warning Act (Sec. 105): Adds "research" to the title, enhances data archiving, GNSS integration, and alert evaluations; authorizes $30 million annually (FY2026–2030).
Harmful Algal Blooms Act (Title VI): Shifts from biennial to quinquennial strategies, includes freshwater systems, adds EPA-specific activities, and creates an incubator program; repeals outdated provisions.
National Landslide Preparedness Act (Title VIII): Extends authorization to 2030, adds definitions for atmospheric rivers/extreme precipitation, expands stakeholder inclusion (e.g., tribes, Native Hawaiians), and mandates regional partnerships.
New Elements: Introduces commercial data pilots (Title III), heat health system (Title VII), and mesonet expansions (Title V); promotes multi-year contracts and avoids interagency duplication.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Enhances NOAA/NWS capabilities through increased funding (~$500+ million total authorizations), AI integration, and interagency coordination (e.g., via committees for heat, landslides). Reduces duplication, improves data sharing, and supports workforce (e.g., hiring assessments). May strain budgets if fully funded but enables efficient resource use via commercial partnerships.
Citizens: Improves timely warnings/forecasts for severe weather, tsunamis, heat, and landslides, potentially saving lives and reducing property damage (e.g., probabilistic tornado/hurricane alerts). Benefits vulnerable groups (e.g., rural, tribal communities) via targeted data voids filling and heat preparedness tools. Enhances agriculture/water management for food security and drought resilience.
International Relations: Strengthens global collaborations (e.g., Arctic observations, tsunami warnings, Pacific assistance), data sharing with foreign partners, and U.S. leadership in meteorological services. May foster economic ties through commercial data exports but requires safeguarding sensitive data.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Agencies: NOAA (primary), NWS, USGS, EPA, FEMA, DOD, NASA, NSF, USDA, and HHS (e.g., CDC for heat health).
State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Emergency managers, water/agriculture departments; tribes/Native Hawaiian organizations gain expanded grants and inclusion in programs.
Private Sector: Weather industry, commercial data providers (e.g., satellite firms), agriculture/fisheries businesses benefit from data access and partnerships.
Public and Communities: Citizens in vulnerable areas (e.g., coastal, rural, drought-prone); academia (e.g., minority-serving institutions) via research grants; subsistence/recreational users via algal bloom testing.
International Partners: Pacific Island nations, Arctic communities, and global weather services through technical assistance and observations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Authorizes multi-year contracts and data purchases without new procurement hurdles (e.g., Sec. 303), aligning with existing laws like the Federal Records Act. Emphasizes data privacy/protection (e.g., Title IV) and non-duplication (Title III), potentially streamlining interagency work under the Administrative Procedure Act. No explicit overrides of state authority; promotes voluntary state assessments (Sec. 903(b)).
Constitutional: Supports federal commerce clause powers by enhancing economic protections (e.g., aviation, agriculture forecasts). Tribal inclusions respect sovereignty via consultations and grants, aligning with trust responsibilities.
Political: Bipartisan focus on public safety/climate resilience may bridge divides, but funding authorizations (~$1B+ total) could spark debates on federal spending. Promotes equity (e.g., minority institutions, vulnerable populations) and public-private innovation, potentially influencing future climate policy without mandating emissions reductions.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]

Cosponsors (17)

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]

Recent Actions

2025-06-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-06-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-06-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-06-06: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-06-06: Introduced in House
2025-06-06: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-06 — PDF (258 pages)