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119-s-1958119th CongressWALLET

FORECAST Act

Sponsored By: Senator Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

Introduced

Summary

Exempts critical National Weather Service staff from federal hiring freezes. The FORECAST Act would require the Commerce Secretary to exempt NWS positions in meteorology, hydrology, and electronics technician job series from any government hiring freeze so warnings and observational systems remain staffed.

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  • Families and communities: would help keep timely weather and flood warnings available, protecting lives and property.
  • Job applicants and NWS hires: would retroactively restore job offers that were rescinded on or after January 20, 2025 for covered positions.
  • Agency operations and equipment: would help preserve staff who maintain critical observational equipment and storm‑tracking capacity.
  • Oversight and timeline: would require the Secretary of Commerce to put the exemption in place within 30 days of enactment and to report annually to Congress on staffing for covered positions.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Exempt National Weather Service Hires

If enacted, the Commerce Secretary would exempt certain National Weather Service jobs from any federal hiring freeze. Covered jobs would be meteorology (1340), hydrology (1315), and electronics technician (856) series, or any successor series. The Secretary must put the exemption in place within 30 days of enactment. The Secretary must report to Congress on staffing within one year and then every year. The bill would also negate any job offer for these jobs that was rescinded on or after January 20, 2025. If enacted, households could see fewer gaps in weather forecasts and warnings, and applicants could regain hiring chances.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Moran, Jerry [R-KS]

KS • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 6/4/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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