National Weather Safety Board Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7848
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-28T04:38:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The National Weather Safety Board Act aims to create a temporary, independent National Weather Safety Board (Safety Board) to investigate major weather-related disasters, assess government preparedness and response, and recommend improvements to reduce future risks to life and property.
Key Provisions
- Establishment and Structure:
- Independent entity established within 180 days of enactment.
- At least 7 members appointed by the President with Senate confirmation; no more than 4 from the same political party.
- Members nominated from experts in atmospheric/hydrological sciences, commercial meteorology, social sciences, academia, or emergency management.
- 5-year terms; quorum of 5 members required; President can remove only for neglect or malfeasance.
- Investigation Process:
- Covers "covered major disasters": severe weather events (e.g., hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, tsunamis) declared major under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act (a federal law providing disaster aid) or those causing 10+ deaths, 100+ injuries, or mass casualties.
- Develops a system (within 120 days) to gather data on impacts (people affected, severity, economic damage) from agencies like NOAA and DHS.
- Votes within 14 days of declaration to decide on investigation (requires quorum approval).
- Investigates relevant entities' preparedness/response, weather forecast decisions, and their adequacy; entities include Army Corps of Engineers, DHS/FEMA, FCC, NOAA, and National Weather Service.
- Has subpoena power enforceable in federal court for testimony/evidence.
- Reporting and Transparency:
- Preliminary report to Senate Commerce Committee and House Science Committee (and President if requested) within 90 days after disaster ends.
- Final report within 20 months of investigation start, including findings and recommendations.
- Public website tracks recommendations, targeted entities, and implementation status.
- Termination: Board ends 5 years after the last member's Senate confirmation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new, standalone investigative body specifically for weather disasters, similar to the National Transportation Safety Board but focused on severe weather.
- No prior equivalent federal board for routine post-disaster review of weather preparedness across these agencies.
- Adds subpoena authority and mandatory reporting/public tracking for these investigations.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increased accountability for agencies like FEMA, NOAA, and NWS through investigations, recommendations, and public progress tracking, potentially leading to better coordination and response capabilities.
- Citizens: Improved weather disaster preparedness could save lives, reduce injuries, and lessen economic losses in affected communities.
- No notable international relations impacts.
Main Stakeholders
- Federal Agencies: Army Corps of Engineers, DHS (including FEMA), FCC, NOAA, National Weather Service (subject to investigation and recommendations).
- Congress: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; House Science, Space, and Technology Committee (receive reports).
- Safety Board Members and Experts: From science, academia, and emergency fields.
- Public and Disaster Victims: Gain access to transparent findings and improvements in weather safety.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Independence and Checks: Senate confirmation and political balance ensure bipartisanship; limited removal grounds protect from political interference.
- Enforcement Tools: Subpoena power strengthens investigative authority, akin to other federal boards.
- Temporary Nature: 5-year sunset limits long-term bureaucracy but requires reauthorization for permanence.
- Constitutional Alignment: Fits Congress's commerce clause authority over interstate disasters and national security interests in public safety.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-05: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2026-03-05: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- National Weather Safety Board Act — issued 2026-03-05 — PDF (9 pages)