The U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee will hold a markup Wednesday on legislation that includes expanding NOAA Weather Radio VHF network coverage.
Introduced on March 5 by committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas), the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act would direct the agency to strengthen emergency alert coverage nationwide through hardware upgrades as well as dissemination of alerts through IP-based protocols.
There are approximately 1,030 U.S. NWR stations licensed in the 162 MHz band, according to data from the RadioLand app. We’ve covered in the past the implications of NWR outages, particularly during the spring and summer months throughout the country.
In a release, Babin used the deadly floods in Texas in 2025 as examples of the consequences when warnings fail to reach those in harm’s way.
The bill, as proposed, would authorize $100 million for FY 2026 to fund NWR modernization efforts, with an additional $20 million each fiscal year from 2026–2031 to keep the radio network operational.
The funds would go toward expanding coverage through the acquisition of additional transmitters, specifically targeting communities without broadband internet access, state or local emergency warning systems or satellite coverage, as well as federal lands such as the National Park System.
Within a year of act’s passage, NOAA would need to conduct a complete assessment of its weather radio network.
The act would direct the agency to better integrate with the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, as well as to investigate dissemination of weather radio alerts by satellite or through common internet protocols, such as the cloud.
[Related: “Letter: Weather Radio Outages Have EAS Implications”]
Other elements of the bill include developing options — such as satellite backup capability and commercial provider partnerships — for continuity of service in the event of an outage at a weather forecast office.
It also requires NOAA to research and develop options, including microwave capabilities, to transmit signals to remote areas and, as appropriate, improve the communication of hazardous warnings.
Original cosponsors of the legislation include Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) and Gabe Amo (D-R.I.).
The House committee is holding a markup of the bill on Wednesday morning. Its next step would be to move forward to the full House for a floor vote at a later date.
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