H.R. 5456

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5456 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5456

To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio 
All Hazards network, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 18, 2025

Mrs. Bice (for herself, Ms. Titus, Mr. Miller of Ohio, and Ms. 
Bonamici) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio 
All Hazards network, 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 
of 2025'' or the ``NWR Modernization Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the 
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.
(2) NOAA weather radio.--The term ``NOAA Weather Radio'' 
means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Weather Radio All Hazards network.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of 
transmitters that are critical to protecting life and property 
by broadcasting weather and other hazard alerts.
(2) NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts currently reach 95 
percent of the United States population.
(3) NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts originate from all 
National Weather Service Offices, but are only available via a 
receiver located in sufficient proximity to a radio 
transmitting tower.
(4) There are limited options to obtain NOAA Weather Radio 
broadcasts via the Internet or mobile device application, which 
are provided by volunteer mechanisms obtaining the audio feed 
in an ad hoc manner.
(5) NOAA Weather Radio should provide equal access and 
availability to unimpeded broadcasts of weather and non-weather 
hazards to every person located within the United States, its 
territories, and Tribal lands.

SEC. 4. UPGRADING EXISTING SYSTEMS.

(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent 
practicable, expand coverage of the NOAA Weather Radio and ensure its 
reliability. In carrying out this subsection, the Administrator shall--
(1) maintain support for existing systems serving areas not 
covered by or having poor quality cellular service;
(2) ensure consistent maintenance and operations 
monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site 
equipment and antennas; and
(3) enhance the ability to amplify Non-Weather Emergency 
Messages via NOAA Weather Radio as necessary.
(b) Expanding Access.--In carrying out subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall acquire additional transmitters as required to 
expand coverage to rural and underserved communities, national parks, 
and recreation areas.

SEC. 5. MODERNIZATION INITIATIVE.

(a) In General.--In parallel to the activities under section 4, the 
Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enhance NOAA 
Weather Radio to ensure its capabilities and coverage remain valuable 
to the public. In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall--
(1) upgrade telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate 
the transition of broadcasts to internet protocol-based 
communications over noncopper media;
(2) accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced Weather 
Interactive Processing System, or the relevant system 
successors, to implement partial county notifications and 
alerts;
(3) consult with relevant stakeholders, including the 
private sector, to enhance accessibility and usability of NOAA 
Weather Radio data and feeds;
(4) develop options, including satellite backup capability 
and commercial provider partnerships, for NOAA Weather Radio 
continuity in the event of Weather Forecast Office outages;
(5) 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; and
(6) transition critical applications to the Integrated 
Dissemination Program, or the relevant program successors.
(b) Priority.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator 
shall prioritize practices, capabilities, and technologies recommended 
in accordance with the assessment under subsection (c) to maximize 
accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved areas of the 
country.
(c) Assessment for Management and Distribution.--Not later than 12 
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall complete an assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio. In 
conducting such assessment, the Administrator shall take into 
consideration and provide recommendations on the following:
(1) The need for continuous, adequate, and operational 
real-time broadcasts of the NOAA Weather Radio in both urban 
and rural areas.
(2) Solicited inputs from relevant stakeholders on the 
compatibility of NOAA Weather Radio data for third party 
platforms that provide online services, such as websites and 
mobile device applications, or deliver NOAA Weather Radio 
access.
(3) Existing or new management systems that promote 
consistent, efficient, and compatible access to NOAA Weather 
Radio.
(4) The ability of NOAA to aggregate real time broadcast 
feeds at one or more central locations.
(5) Effective interagency coordination.
(6) The potential effects of an electromagnetic pulse or 
geomagnetic disturbance on NOAA Weather Radio.
(7) Any other function the Administrator determines 
necessary.
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