Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill Number: H.R. 5089
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Science, Technology, Communications
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-09-10: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Last Updated: 2026-05-08T20:12:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 5089: 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 improve public safety by providing more accurate and timely weather information, reduce loss of life and property from hazardous events, support economic growth through better data access, and foster public-private partnerships in weather data provision.

Key Provisions

The bill is structured into five titles, focusing on research reauthorization, forecasting enhancements, commercial data integration, public communication, and sector-specific applications.

Title I: Reauthorization of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
Prioritizes public safety in NOAA's forecasting mission, emphasizing flexible dissemination of critical weather information.
Authorizes appropriations for weather research programs, increasing from $163.8 million in FY2026 to $170.4 million in FY2030, covering labs, cooperative institutes, tornado/severe storm research, and technology transfer.
Updates programs like Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX) and Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program to include innovative observations (e.g., uncrewed systems, commercial sensors), probabilistic forecasting, social/behavioral sciences, and annual budgets.
Reauthorizes the Tsunami Warning and Education Act with expanded purposes (e.g., data management, GNSS networks), improved warning centers, and $30 million annually through FY2030.
Enhances observing systems, computing resources (e.g., AI, high-performance computing with Department of Energy), satellite planning, uncrewed activities, interagency coordination, ocean observations, and landslide/harmful algal bloom programs.
Consolidates reporting requirements and amends definitions (e.g., adds "weather data" as forecasts, observations, and derivatives).

Title II: Enhancing Federal Weather Forecasting and Innovation
Establishes programs for next-generation weather innovation, including radar interference mitigation (e.g., phased array systems, gap-filling radars) and NEXRAD replacement by 2040.
Addresses data voids in vulnerable areas (e.g., urban/offshore regions) via pilot projects, testbeds, and workforce development.
Creates forecast improvement programs for atmospheric rivers (e.g., probabilistic predictions, snow accumulation) and coastal flooding/storm surge (e.g., in situ sensors, probabilistic estimates).
Supports aviation weather innovation (e.g., airborne observations, turbulence forecasting) with $10 million annually through FY2030.
Transitions NESDIS joint ventures to operations, advances interactive processing systems to cloud-based environments by 2030, and supports reanalysis/reforecasting.
Improves National Weather Service workforce hiring, health assessments, and hydrologist designations for impact-based decision support.

Title III: Commercial Weather and Environmental Observations
Establishes a Commercial Data Program to acquire private-sector data (e.g., satellite, ground-based) for operational use, with $100 million annually through FY2030; prioritizes standards, councils for system management, and an ombudsman for provider liaison.
Creates a Commercial Data Pilot Program to test private data integration, assessing viability for forecasting with annual reports.
Authorizes multiyear contracts, avoids duplication with other agencies, and promotes data assimilation (e.g., AI/machine learning consortium with universities).
Requires a study on data management needs and ensures sharing with the weather enterprise while complying with security laws.

Title IV: Communicating Weather to the Public
Defines hazardous weather/water events (e.g., storms, floods, extremes) and improves risk communication via a social/behavioral sciences program, simplifying terminology and metrics for response evaluation.
Funds hazard communication research, including pilots for tornado/hurricane messaging and economic value assessments.
Upgrades National Weather Service communications (e.g., cloud-based instant messaging by 2027, $3 million annually) and NOAA Weather Radio (e.g., coverage expansion, IP transitions, assessment of access).
Mandates post-storm surveys/assessments with data sharing, employee support, and integration of uncrewed systems/social sciences.
Requires a GAO report on alert dissemination infrastructure, including rural gaps and fail-safes.
Establishes data collection/management for public response, with privacy protections and anti-tampering measures (e.g., digital watermarks).

Title V: Improving Weather Information for Agriculture and Water Management
Authorizes $50.3 million annually through FY2030 for subseasonal/seasonal forecasting pilots in water (western U.S.) and agriculture (central U.S.), addressing challenges like atmospheric rivers and soil moisture.
Enhances the National Integrated Drought Information System with flash drought tools, AI technologies, and $15-17 million annually through FY2030.
Establishes a National Mesonet Program for environmental observations, with up to $70 million annually through FY2030, including financial assistance (15% of funds) for networks and an advisory committee.
Supports the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network for data products and outreach.
Expands the National Water Center's role in coordination and backups, with $46 million annually through FY2030.
Requires a report on satellite transfer authorities and adds a Precipitation Forecast Improvement Program focusing on extremes and coupled Earth models.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Funding and Duration: Reauthorizes programs through FY2030 with increased appropriations (e.g., weather research from prior levels, new totals like $100 million for commercial data).
Program Expansions/Updates: Amends the 2017 Act to integrate AI/machine learning, probabilistic forecasting, commercial data, and social sciences; reauthorizes Tsunami Warning Act with GNSS and alert evaluations; extends National Landslide Preparedness Act to 2030, adding atmospheric river risks and regional partnerships; updates Harmful Algal Bloom Act for freshwater focus, incubator programs, and $27.5 million annually.
New Elements: Introduces atmospheric rivers/coastal flooding programs, commercial pilot/data initiatives, cloud transitions, and equity-focused pilots for vulnerable areas; consolidates reports and eliminates redundancies (e.g., strikes outdated sections).
Definitions: Adds terms like "atmospheric river" (strong water vapor corridor causing rain/snow) and expands "weather data" to include forecasts/derivatives.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Enhances NOAA/NWS capabilities in forecasting and data management, reducing operational costs via commercial partnerships and cloud tech; improves interagency coordination (e.g., with DOE, USGS, NASA) but requires new budgets and workforce assessments.
Citizens: Increases access to timely, simplified warnings and alerts, potentially saving lives/property from hazards like tornadoes, floods, and droughts; expands radio coverage and post-event support, benefiting rural/underserved/vulnerable populations (e.g., Tribes, low-income areas).
International Relations: Strengthens U.S. leadership in meteorological services through global data sharing (e.g., tsunami networks, satellite planning) and partnerships, with minimal direct foreign policy shifts but potential for collaborative research.
Economy: Boosts agriculture/water management via better precipitation/drought forecasts; enables commercial data markets, creating jobs in private sector while avoiding duplication; aviation improvements support safer/efficient air travel.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Agencies: NOAA (primary), NWS, NESDIS; partners like FEMA, USGS, NASA, DOE, EPA, USDA, FAA.
Private Sector: Weather industry, commercial data providers (e.g., satellite/airborne firms), aviation operators.
State/Local/Tribal Governments: Emergency managers, water/agriculture districts, Tribes/Native Hawaiian organizations for hazard response and funding access.
Academia/Research: Universities, cooperative institutes for grants, pilots, and consortia (e.g., data assimilation).
Public/Citizens: Farmers, coastal communities, rural residents, vulnerable groups (e.g., elderly, low-income) via improved forecasts and communications.
Other: Media, nonprofits, citizen scientists for data sharing and outreach.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Authorizes multiyear contracts and data purchases without new procurement hurdles, compliant with evidence-based policymaking (e.g., Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act); exempts post-storm data collection from Paperwork Reduction Act; ensures research security under existing laws (e.g., CHIPS Act provisions).
Constitutional: No direct challenges; promotes federalism via state/Tribal consultations and grants, aligning with commerce clause authority over interstate weather/economic impacts.
Political: Bipartisan sponsorship emphasizes public safety/economic benefits; increases NOAA funding (~$500+ million total new authorizations) may spark budget debates; promotes public-private balance, potentially reducing government monopoly on data while addressing equity for underserved areas.

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 (26)

Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Franklin, Scott [R-FL-18], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Recent Actions

2025-09-10: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
2025-09-10: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-09-02: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
2025-09-02: Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
2025-09-02: Introduced in House
2025-09-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-02 — PDF (180 pages)