NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act
Sponsored By: Senator Ted Cruz
Introduced
Summary
This bill would modernize and expand the nationwide NOAA Weather Radio network to deliver 24/7, resilient weather and emergency broadcasts. It would fund upgrades, expand coverage into underserved and high-risk areas, and improve messaging and backup systems.
Show full summary
- Families and households: People in areas with poor cellular or satellite service would get more reliable alerts, including non-weather emergency messages and more geographically specific warnings.
- State and local emergency managers: New tools like partial-county notifications, central aggregation of real-time feeds, and improved cross-agency coordination would help local response and warning distribution.
- NOAA operations and infrastructure: The bill would shift to IP-based communications, acquire additional transmitters for high-warning and underserved areas, add satellite or cloud dissemination and backup options, research alternative transmission methods, require a one-year assessment, and codify the Weather Ready All Hazards Award Program as Title VII Sec. 702.
*Would authorize new federal spending: $25.0 million annually for operations in FY2026–2031 and $100.0 million for modernization in FY2026, which, if appropriated, would increase federal outlays.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Modernize and Fund Weather Radio
This bill would require NOAA to modernize and maintain a nationwide Weather Radio network that runs 24/7 and broadcasts watches and warnings. It would authorize $25 million each year for fiscal years 2026–2031 to operate the system and $100 million for fiscal year 2026 (available until expended) for modernization and assessment. Modernization would add satellite and cloud alerting, more precise local messages, internet protocol links and backups, partial‑county alerting software, and extra transmitters for high‑risk or no‑broadband areas and Federal lands. NOAA would also study access and redundancy, research remote transmitter options, and work with GSA to secure and maintain transmitter sites and antennas.
NOAA staffing and job classifications
This bill would require NOAA to send Congress a 10‑year staffing plan within 180 days. The plan would cover the National Weather Service and NOAA jobs that support forecasts and warnings, including data collection, equipment upkeep, IT, modeling, and research roles. The bill would also require OMB to classify listed NOAA job series as protective service occupations within 30 days of enactment.
Standards for Flash Flood Alerts
This bill would direct NIST, in consultation with NOAA, to develop standards for flash flood emergency alert systems in the 100‑year floodplain. Standards must work for communities without mobile broadband, local warning systems, or satellite service. NOAA and NIST must produce a report to the Senate and House committees no later than two years after enactment. The aim is reliable alerts during hazardous flood events.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ted Cruz
TX • R
Cosponsors
Maria Cantwell
WA • D
Sponsored 7/31/2025
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 7/31/2025
Brian Schatz
HI • D
Sponsored 7/31/2025
Jerry Moran
KS • R
Sponsored 7/31/2025
Gary Peters
MI • D
Sponsored 7/31/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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