(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee passed H.R. 5089, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, during a full committee markup. This critical legislation, led by former SST Committee Chairman Frank Lucas and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren, builds on the success of the committee’s Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. It aims to further enhance the capabilities of the U.S. weather enterprise by modernizing essential research programs, advancing innovative forecasting and prediction methods, and improving emergency preparedness for communities nationwide.
“The devastating flooding that struck Texas this summer highlights the urgent and often unpredictable nature of severe weather, reminding us that a single storm can alter lives in an instant,” Chairman Brian Babin said. “Accurate and timely weather forecasts are essential for effective preparation and response, ensuring that we are well-equipped to handle whatever nature brings. The Weather Act Reauthorization will significantly enhance our nation’s weather forecasting capabilities and improve the prediction of high-impact weather events. Additionally, it will bolster emergency preparedness by improving how weather and flood alerts are communicated, providing crucial information from warnings to updates. Many thanks to Rep. Lucas and Ranking Member Lofgren for their leadership in advancing H.R. 5089 and ensuring the United States is positioned to lead the world in weather forecasting. This is sensible legislation that I am proud to support, and I look forward to sending it to President Trump for signature.”
“From my time as the Science Committee Chairman to my time spent on the farm, I’ve seen firsthand that accurate and reliable weather forecasting is crucial for the day-to-day lives of Americans nationwide,” Rep. Lucas said. “The fact is, whether you work in Agriculture or on Main Street, weather conditions have an acute effect on all of us. That is why reauthorizing the Weather Act is so important. Not only will this legislation ensure the American weather enterprise remains a global leader in forecasting and innovation, but it also serves as a lifesaving tool to improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather predictions. Protecting American citizens and industries stands at the heart of President Trump’s America First agenda, so I look forward to seeing this bill reach his desk to be signed into law.”
“I’m glad that we came together to pass the Weather Act Reauthorization through Committee today,” Ranking Member Lofgren said. “This bipartisan bill will ensure NOAA has the tools, capabilities, and workforce to sustain and advance its lifesaving work. I thank both Chairman Babin and Mr. Lucas for their partnership in this effort over the past several years. Now, for our constituents in every corner of the nation, we must keep up this momentum and get this bill through the House, the Senate, and enacted into law.”
Highlights of H.R. 5089:
- Improves severe weather forecasting by modernizing the critical research programs first authorized by the 2017 Weather Act, including tornado warning systems and hurricane forecasting capabilities.
- Advances cutting-edge forecasting through new research and development programs focused on next-generation radar, atmospheric rivers, flooding, storm surges, aviation weather, and more.
- Increases NOAA’s access to critical data by expanding its authority to contract with the private sector for commercial weather data and by codifying the Commercial Data Program to lead this effort.
- Strengthens emergency preparedness by improving how weather and flood alerts are delivered to the public, from critical warnings to emergency updates.