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HR3809119th CongressWALLET

Weather Workforce Improvement Act

Sponsored By: Representative Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]

Introduced

Summary

Expedited hiring for public-safety-critical National Weather Service roles would let the agency fill mission-critical science and technical jobs faster while adding regular workforce and health checks to protect employees.

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  • Families and communities: Faster hiring of meteorologists, hydrologists, computer specialists, and electronic technicians would aim to keep forecasts and warnings timely to better protect lives and property.
  • NWS employees: The bill would require a hiring assessment and a health and morale assessment starting within 1 year and annually after that, including options to mitigate rotating shift work impacts and benefit recommendations.
  • Agency operations and oversight: The NWS Director would get temporary direct-hire authority for specified public-safety positions for up to 2 years and must report hiring milestones to the Under Secretary and relevant congressional committees. The bill also creates an authorization path for funding these workforce activities.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger push for faster weather forecasts

NOAA would be directed to keep a strong focus on accurate, timely forecasts that protect lives and property and support the economy. If enacted, NOAA would share critical weather info and impact‑based decision support with the public and partners using nimble, flexible, and mobile methods. This would take effect upon enactment.

Faster hiring for critical weather jobs

The National Weather Service would be able to hire for key public‑safety roles faster, skipping many normal federal hiring steps. Covered jobs would include meteorologists, hydrologists, physical scientists, IT specialists, electronic technicians, and similar engineering or equipment roles. The Office of Personnel Management would label these as public‑safety positions. This fast‑track hiring would start on enactment and end at the earlier of 2 years or when the critical vacancies are filled.

Annual Weather Service staffing and shift health reviews

The National Weather Service would have to report each year on hiring timelines, onboarding steps, and service‑level goals. The first report would be due within 1 year of enactment and then annually to the Under Secretary and key House and Senate committees. The reports could also estimate how many staff each forecast office needs. A separate yearly report would review health, stress, long‑term impacts, and morale from rotating shifts; the Director could hire a private firm to do this and may propose ways to reduce harm or improve benefits.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]

NE • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 6/6/2025

  • Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/6/2025

  • Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/6/2025

  • Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 6/6/2025

  • Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 6/24/2025

  • Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 6/25/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 7/17/2025

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 11/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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