H.R. 7813

[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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