Bill · S. 2583· Senate(119-S-2583)
NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act
- Introduced
- 7/31/2025
- Last activity
- 7/31/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Cruz
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 3
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to expand and modernize the national weather radio network. This includes ensuring the system is resilient to hazards like power or cellular service loss and expanding coverage to high-risk areas, federal lands, and communities lacking broadband. The bill also requires the development of flash flood emergency alert standards for 100-year floodplains. Additionally, it mandates the classification of specific NOAA positions as protective service occupations and requires a 10-year staffing plan. Funding is authorized for both operations and modernization initiatives.
Yes· 3 of 9
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+7
The bill modernizes and expands the weather radio network to ensure resilient emergency communication during disasters.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+6
The bill expands coverage to federal lands and areas with poor cellular or satellite service common in rural areas.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+6
The bill funds research to improve weather forecasts, warnings, and communication methods.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Safety Through Resilient Communication: The bill requires the weather radio network to be resilient to emergency hazards such as loss of power and cellular service, which helps people stay informed during disasters (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Expanded Coverage for Vulnerable Areas: The act seeks to expand coverage to communities without mobile broadband internet or satellite coverage, as well as federal lands like National Parks (Section 2(c)(1)(D)).
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Improved Decision-Making: By improving methods of communicating risks, the bill aims to help the public make more informed decisions regarding the mitigation of hazardous weather risks (Section 2(c)(1)(A)).
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More Specific Warnings: The modernization initiative includes upgrading the messaging system to allow for more geographically specific warnings (Section 2(c)(1)(F)).
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Enhanced Flood Protection: The bill mandates the development of standards for flash flood emergency alert systems within 100-year floodplains to ensure reliable systems during hazardous events (Section 3(a) and 3(b)).
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Workforce Stability: By classifying specific scientific and technical positions as protective service occupations and requiring a 10-year staffing plan, the bill aims to support the roles that protect human life and property (Section 4(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Low Income Households+5
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+6Improves Internet Access+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5Increases Job Creation+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+7Improves Public Transit+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 7/31/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska