NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7813 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7813

To amend the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to
 require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to
 expand and modernize the weather radio system of the National Oceanic
        and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 5, 2026

  Mr. Babin (for himself, Mr. Flood, Mr. Sorensen, Mrs. Bice, and Mr.
Amo) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee
                   on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To amend the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 to
 require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to
 expand and modernize the weather radio system of the National Oceanic
        and Atmospheric Administration, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``NOAA Weather Radio Modernization
Act''.

SEC. 2. NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

    (a) In General.--The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation
Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following new title:

                    ``TITLE VII--NOAA WEATHER RADIO

``SEC. 701. NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

    ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall establish or maintain
a nationwide weather radio network, to be known as `NOAA Weather
Radio', that--
            ``(1) broadcasts weather information, including emergency
        weather watches, warnings, geological hazards, and other hazard
        information;
            ``(2) operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; and
            ``(3) is resilient to emergency hazards, such as loss of
        power and cellular service.
    ``(b) Coverage and Reliability.--The Under Secretary shall ensure
the reliability of NOAA Weather Radio by--
            ``(1) maintaining support for existing systems before new
        technologies are implemented, especially such systems that
        serve areas not covered by or having poor quality cellular
        service; and
            ``(2) ensuring consistent maintenance and operations
        monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site
        equipment and antennas.
    ``(c) Modernization Initiative.--
            ``(1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
        Under Secretary shall expand the coverage of and modernize NOAA
        Weather Radio to ensure it remains valuable to the public,
        including by--
                    ``(A) improving those methods of communicating the
                risks posed by hazardous weather events to the public
                that are most likely to result in informed decision-
                making regarding the mitigation of such risks;
                    ``(B) improving communication of hazardous weather
                warnings and the urgency of such warnings, including to
                areas that experience a high frequency of such
                warnings;
                    ``(C) enhancing the ability to amplify non-weather
                emergency messages for the integrated public alert and
                warning system (IPAWS) under section 1756 of the
                Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321o-1) through
                NOAA Weather Radio, as necessary;
                    ``(D) acquiring additional transmitters, as
                determined appropriate, to expand coverage to--
                            ``(i) areas at high risk for rapid onset
                        weather disasters that require short-fuse
                        warnings;
                            ``(ii) communities without--
                                    ``(I) broadband internet access
                                service (as such term is defined in
                                section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of
                                Federal Regulations (or a successor
                                regulation)), and as depicted by a map
                                created pursuant to section
                                802(c)(1)(C) of the Communications Act
                                of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 642(c)(1)(C));
                                    ``(II) State or local emergency
                                warning systems; or
                                    ``(III) satellite coverage; and
                            ``(iii) Federal lands, such as land in the
                        National Park System or the National Forest
                        System and National Recreation Areas;
                    ``(E) adding the capability to disseminate NOAA
                Weather Radio alerts--
                            ``(i) by satellite; or
                            ``(ii) through--
                                    ``(I) common internet protocols,
                                such as the Cloud; or
                                    ``(II) other emerging technologies
                                that satisfy the intent of this
                                section.
                    ``(F) conducting research and development to
                modernize geographically specific warnings.
            ``(2) Elements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Under
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) upgrade telecommunications infrastructure of
                NOAA Weather Radio to accelerate the transition of
                broadcasts to internet protocol-based communications
                over non-copper media;
                    ``(B) accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced
                Weather Interactive Processing System, or any relevant
                system successors, in order to implement partial county
                notifications and alerts;
                    ``(C) enhance accessibility and usability of data
                and feeds of NOAA Weather Radio with feedback from
                relevant stakeholders, including the private sector;
                    ``(D) develop options, including satellite backup
                capability and commercial provider partnerships, for
                continuity of service of NOAA Weather Radio in the
                event of an outage at a weather forecast office;
                    ``(E) research and develop alternative options,
                including microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA
                Weather Radio signals to transmitters that are remote
                or do not have internet protocol capability;
                    ``(F) transition critical applications to the
                Integrated Dissemination Program, or any relevant
                program successors; and
                    ``(G) work with the General Services
                Administration, and other relevant agencies, to develop
                new, alternative, or updated expedited mechanisms to
                secure priority space capacity, such as leased land and
                tower space, for NOAA Weather Radio critical
                infrastructure, including transmitters and antennas,
                that are best suited for the national security and
                public safety missions of NOAA Weather Radio.
            ``(3) Priority.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the Under
        Secretary shall prioritize practices, capabilities, and
        technologies recommended in accordance with the assessment
        under subsection (d) to maximize the accessibility of NOAA
        Weather Radio, particularly in areas of the United States
        described in subparagraph (D)(i) of such paragraph.
    ``(d) Assessment for Management and Distribution.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date
        of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall
        complete an assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio.
            ``(2) Elements.--In conducting the assessment required
        under paragraph (1), the Under Secretary shall take into
        consideration and provide to the Committee on Science, Space,
        and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
        Senate recommendations regarding the following:
                    ``(A) Input from relevant stakeholders within the
                weather enterprise, including third-party platforms
                that provide online services, such as websites and
                mobile device applications.
                    ``(B) The manner by which existing or new National
                Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration management
                systems may promote consistent, efficient, and
                compatible access to NOAA Weather Radio.
                    ``(C) The ability of the National Oceanic and
                Atmospheric Administration to aggregate real-time
                broadcast feeds at one or more central locations, as a
                redundancy to the broadcast feed from the nearest
                weather forecast office.
                    ``(D) Effective coordination between agencies with
                responsibilities relating to emergencies and natural
                disasters.
                    ``(E) The potential effects of an electromagnetic
                pulse or geomagnetic disturbance on NOAA Weather Radio.
    ``(e) Definition.--In this section:
            ``(1) Geological hazard.--The term `geological hazard'
        means a tsunami, forest fire, mudflow, volcanic eruption,
        volcanic ash, landslide, geomagnetic storm, or other similar
        such hazard.
            ``(2) Short-fuse warning.--The term `short-fuse warning'
        means a warning relating to a tornado, severe thunderstorm, or
        flash flood.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Under Secretary--
            ``(1) for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031,
        $20,000,000 to operate NOAA Weather Radio under subsections (a)
        and (b); and
            ``(2) for fiscal year 2026, $100,000,000, which shall
        remain available until expended, to carry out subsections (c)
        and (d).''.
    (b) Weather Ready All Hazards Award Program.--Section 407 of the
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C.
8546) is--
            (1) transferred to title VII of such Act, as added by
        subsection (a);
            (2) inserted after section 701 of such Act, as added by
        subsection (a); and
            (3) redesignated as section 702.
    (c) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents for the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended--
            (1) by striking the item relating to section 407; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new items:

                    ``TITLE VII--NOAA WEATHER RADIO

``Sec. 701. NOAA Weather Radio.
``Sec. 702. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather
                            Ready All Hazards Award Program.''.

SEC. 3. NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR WEATHER WARNING SYSTEMS IN FLASH FLOOD
              ZONES.

    (a) In General.--The Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and
Technology, in consultation with the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Oceans and Atmosphere, may support the development of standards for
flash flood emergency alert systems with respect to a 100-year
floodplain (as such term is defined in section 100202(a) of the
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4004(a))).
    (b) Requirements.--If the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards
and Technology supports the development of standards under subsection
(a), the Under Secretary shall ensure that such standards--
            (1) meet the needs of communities without--
                    (A) broadband internet access service (as such term
                is defined in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of
                Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)) and as
                depicted by a map created pursuant to section
                802(c)(1)(C) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
                U.S.C. 642(c)(1)(C));
                    (B) State or local emergency warning systems; or
                    (C) satellite coverage; and
            (2) will result in reliable flash flood emergency alert
        systems with respect to a 100-year floodplain referred to in
        subsection (a), especially during hazardous events.
    (c) Report Required.--If the Under Secretary of Commerce for
Standards and Technology supports the development of standards under
subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall, not later than two years
after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a
report that includes a summary of such standards.

SEC. 4. CLASSIFICATION OF AND STAFFING PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--Title IV of the Weather Research and Forecasting
Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8541 et seq.) is amended by inserting
after section 406 the following new section:

``SEC. 407. CLASSIFICATION OF AND STAFFING PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES.

    ``(a) Classification of Certain Employees.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
        the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall
        coordinate with the Director of the Office of Management and
        Budget to categorize each position in the National
        Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration specified in
        paragraph (2) as a protective service occupation under the
        Standard Occupational Classification System.
            ``(2) Positions specified.--The positions specified in this
        paragraph are the following occupational positions in the
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as defined by
        the Director of the Office of Personnel Management:
                    ``(A) Meteorology Series (1340).
                    ``(B) Hydrology Series (1315).
                    ``(C) General Physical Science Series (1301).
                    ``(D) Electronics Technical Series (0856).
                    ``(E) Information Technology Management Series (GS-
                2210).
            ``(3) Requirements relating to staffing changes.--The Under
        Secretary may not carry out any staffing change in any of the
        occupational positions specified in paragraph (2) unless--
                    ``(A) a period of 30 days has passed after the
                receipt by the Committee on Science, Space, and
                Technology of the House of Representatives and the
                Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
                the Senate of a report by the Under Secretary
                containing a description of the staffing change
                proposed to be taken and the facts and circumstances
                relied upon in support of such staffing change; or
                    ``(B) each such committee before the expiration of
                such period has transmitted to the Under Secretary
                written notice to the effect that such committee has no
                objection to such proposed staffing change.
    ``(b) Five-year Staffing Plan for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall submit to
Congress a five-year staffing plan for--
            ``(1) the National Weather Service; and
            ``(2) any positions within the National Oceanic and
        Atmospheric Administration that support forecasts and warnings
        to protect human life and property, including positions that
        involve--
                    ``(A) collection of data for incorporation into
                watches and warnings;
                    ``(B) operation and maintenance of equipment for
                collection of data described in subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) maintenance of information technology
                systems;
                    ``(D) modeling for forecasts and warnings; and
                    ``(E) research to improve forecasts, warnings, and
                communication of such warnings to better protect human
                life and property.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents for the Weather
Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 406 the following new item:

``Sec. 407. Classification of and staffing plan for employee.''.

SEC. 5. STAFFING FOR POSITIONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER
              SERVICE.

    (a) Assessment.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
        the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Weather
        Service shall submit to the Under Secretary of Commerce for
        Oceans and Atmosphere, the Committee on Science, Space, and
        Technology of the House of Representatives, and the Committee
        on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an
        assessment of the critical staffing needs of the National
        Weather Service, including the needs of every Weather Forecast
        Office and every Center Weather Service Unit.
            (2) Elements.--The assessment under paragraph (1) shall
        include the following elements:
                    (A) The number and corresponding occupational
                series of employees needed to fully staff each Weather
                Forecast Office and Center Weather Service Unit of the
                National Weather Service that maximize efficiency while
                considering the following:
                            (i) Safety.
                            (ii) Morale.
                            (iii) Changing seasonal needs.
                            (iv) Forecasting complexity of the
                        geographical area at issue.
                    (B) Historical staffing needs versus historical
                vacancies for each such Weather Forecast Office and
                Center Weather Service Unit.
    (b) Direct Hire Authority.--
            (1) In general.--The Director of the National Weather
        Service may appoint, without regard to sections 3308 through
        3319, 3327, and 3330 of title 5, United States Code, qualified
        candidates to any of the following positions to satisfy
        critical staffing needs and fill vacancies determined in
        accordance with the assessment under subsection (a):
                    (A) Employees performing public safety mission
                functions, including the following:
                            (i) Meteorologists (classification series
                        1340).
                            (ii) Hydrologists (classification series
                        1315).
                            (iii) General physical scientists
                        (classification series 1301).
                            (iv) Computer specialists (classification
                        series 2210).
                            (v) Electronic technicians (classification
                        series 0856).
                    (B) Other positions for which primary
                responsibilities include equipment operations,
                maintenance, analysis, information technology, or
                engineering.
            (2) Sunset.--The authority under paragraph (1) shall expire
        on the date on which all positions to satisfy critical staffing
        needs and vacancies under such paragraph have been filled.
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