To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Lucas (for himself, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Babin, Ms. Bonamici, …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes and expands NOAA's weather research programs through fiscal year 2030. It authorizes over $835 million for weather research and $150 million for tsunami warning programs, while expanding programs for tornado, hurricane, atmospheric river, and precipitation forecasting. The bill also establishes new programs to address weather radar interference from wind turbines, replace the aging NEXRAD radar system, and expand commercial data acquisition.
Who Benefits and How
- Commercial weather data providers and satellite operators receive expanded opportunities to sell observation data to NOAA through the permanent Commercial Data Program and pilot programs for testing new data sources.
- Technology companies (AI, cloud computing, high-performance computing) gain access to new centers of excellence and research partnerships with DOE national laboratories.
- Weather technology manufacturers (phased array radar, uncrewed aircraft, ocean sensors) benefit from procurement opportunities as NOAA modernizes its infrastructure and expands observation capabilities.
- Research universities and cooperative institutes receive continued and expanded grant funding for weather research, harmful algal bloom studies, and forecast improvement programs.
- Wind farm operators benefit from interference mitigation programs that help resolve conflicts between wind turbines and weather radar systems.
Who Bears the Burden and How
- Federal taxpayers fund approximately $985 million in authorized appropriations over five years for weather research and tsunami warning programs.
- NOAA and National Weather Service face numerous new reporting requirements, R&D planning mandates, and program management obligations.
- Legacy radar system vendors may face reduced business as NOAA transitions to next-generation phased array systems.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes approximately $167 million annually for weather research through FY2030
- Authorizes $30 million annually for tsunami warning and education programs
- Requires development of a plan to replace NEXRAD weather radar system by 2040
- Establishes permanent Commercial Data Program for acquiring commercial weather observations
- Creates computing research initiative leveraging AI, machine learning, and DOE supercomputers
- Expands programs for tornado, hurricane, atmospheric river, and precipitation forecasting
- Establishes ships of opportunity pilot program for ocean observations from commercial vessels
- Reauthorizes National Landslide Preparedness Act through 2030 with expanded definitions
- Creates national incubator program for harmful algal bloom control technologies
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Reauthorizes and expands NOAA's weather research programs, improves weather forecasting capabilities including for tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, atmospheric rivers, and harmful algal blooms, and expands commercial opportunities for weather data provision.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Reauthorize and modernize NOAA weather research programs with emphasis on advanced computing (AI, machine learning, quantum computing), commercial partnerships, and improved forecasting for extreme weather events."
Likely Beneficiaries
- Commercial weather data providers (expanded data acquisition programs)
- Weather technology companies (commercial radar, satellite data, sensor systems)
- AI and high-performance computing providers (centers of excellence, DOE collaboration)
- Research universities and institutions (grant funding, cooperative institutes)
- Commercial ship operators (ocean observation contracts)
- Wind farm operators (radar interference mitigation programs)
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers (approximately million authorized over 5 years for weather research alone, plus million for tsunami programs)
- NOAA (extensive new reporting requirements and program mandates)
- National Weather Service (workforce training, system upgrades)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Interior (for National Landslide Preparedness Act amendments)
- "the_administrator"
- → NOAA Administrator (for Tsunami section)
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA Administrator)
- "the_director"
- → Director of the National Weather Service
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
- "the_administrator"
- → NOAA Administrator
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
- "the_director"
- → Director of the National Weather Service
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
Note: 'The Administrator' refers to NOAA Administrator in tsunami sections but EPA Administrator in harmful algal bloom freshwater sections.
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Information used to track and predict weather conditions and patterns, including forecasts, observations, and derivative products from such information.
Precipitation quantities exceeding the 5-year annual recurrence interval for a specific location.
Marine or freshwater algae or macroalgae, including Sargassum, that proliferate to high concentrations, resulting in nuisance conditions or harmful impacts through toxic compounds or other biological, chemical, or physical impacts.
Includes wind turbines that could limit effectiveness of weather radar, buildings that disrupt radar systems, or any other natural or human built structure affecting weather radar.
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology