On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act.
The legislation authorizes programs at NOAA with a goal of improving weather research and forecasting. The bill, which now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration, was introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).
It incorporates objectives previously introduced by the House we covered in the spring, including efforts to maintain and improve NOAA Weather Radio’s infrastructure.
There are approximately 1,030 U.S. NWR stations licensed in the 162 MHz band, according to data from the RadioLand app.
The Senate bill authorizes the appropriation of $25 million each year from 2027 to 2031 for the continued maintenance and operation of NOAA Weather Radio. That marks an increase from the $20 million proposed in the House version of the bill, which was introduced by Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas).
Like the House version, it authorizes a one-time appropriation of $100 million in FY 2027 to expand and upgrade the U.S. weather radio network.
“The lives lost in the July 4, 2025, Texas floods are a heartbreaking reminder of what is at stake,” Cruz said.
NOAA Weather Radio specifics
Within a year of act’s passage, NOAA would need to conduct an assessment of NWR, according to the text of the bill.
Specifically, the legislation directs NOAA to:
- Upgrades to infrastructure to expedite the transition of broadcasts to IP-based communications over non-copper media.
- Accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System to implement partial county notifications and alerts.
- Improve the accessibility and usability of NOAA Weather Radio data and feeds with feedback from stakeholders, including the private sector.
- Develop options for continuity of service in the event of an outage at a weather forecast office, including satellite backup capability and commercial provider partnerships.
- Research and develop alternative options to transmit NOAA Weather Radio signals to transmitters that are remote or lack IP-based capability.
- Transition important applications to the Integrated Dissemination Program or relevant program successors.
- Prohibit the purchase of equipment for upgrades from companies or entities based in a foreign country of concern.
- Work with the General Services Administration and other relevant agencies to develop new, alternative or updated expedited mechanisms to secure space capacity for critical infrastructure, such as leased land and tower space.
- Establish minimum continuity-of-service standards for transmitters serving areas subject to an elevated risk of severe weather events.
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