To improve forecasting and understanding of tornadoes and other hazardous weather, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
ReportedReported by Mr. Cruz, with amendments
Mr. Wicker (for himself, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Moran, …
Mr. Wicker (for himself, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Moran, …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The TORNADO Act modernizes how the federal government forecasts and communicates tornado and severe weather warnings to save lives. It authorizes $11 million per year (2025-2032) for tornado research, establishes a permanent office at NOAA to simplify weather warnings, and requires the development of next-generation probabilistic forecasting systems that can predict dangerous weather with higher accuracy and lead time.
Who Benefits and How
Minority-serving institutions, especially historically Black colleges and universities in tornado-prone poverty areas, receive prioritized access to at least $2 million per year in research grants to study tornado forecasting and communication. Research institutions conducting weather and climate studies gain new funding opportunities through grants for both physical science (tornado formation, prediction technology) and social science (how people understand and respond to warnings). Vulnerable populations in areas prone to severe weather benefit from clearer, more actionable warnings tailored to their specific demographics and geographic risks. High-performance computing vendors and weather technology manufacturers gain potential revenue opportunities as NOAA must develop strategic plans for upgrading forecasting infrastructure.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal taxpayers fund the $11 million annual authorization for the VORTEX-USA research program. NOAA and the National Weather Service face significant new compliance burdens, including maintaining a Hazard Risk Communication Office, conducting periodic evaluations of the tornado rating system, performing post-storm surveys with mental health support for employees, submitting multiple strategic plans to Congress, coordinating among forecast offices to reduce conflicting predictions, and implementing cybersecurity measures for weather communications. The bill does provide some administrative relief by eliminating three outdated reporting requirements.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes $11M annually (FY 2025-2032) for tornado research grants, with at least $2M/year prioritized for minority-serving institutions
- Establishes a permanent Hazard Risk Communication Office at NOAA to simplify and improve weather warning terminology and delivery methods
- Requires NOAA to evaluate and potentially update the tornado severity rating system (Enhanced Fujita Scale) to ensure accurate severity classifications
- Mandates development of a strategic plan for implementing high-resolution probabilistic "warn-on-forecast" technology using next-generation computing and observation systems
- Requires enhanced communication protocols for weather events occurring in geographic areas where such events are historically abnormal
- Mandates post-storm surveys and community impact studies, including investigation of drone use for data collection and provision of mental health support for survey personnel
- Establishes a pilot program at HBCUs in tornado-prone areas to test improved hazard communication methods
- Requires improved coordination among National Weather Service offices to reduce conflicting forecasts and better explain overlapping predictions
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
Improve tornado and hazardous weather forecasting, communication, and research through enhanced NOAA programs and strategic planning
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Modernize weather forecasting infrastructure and improve public communication to reduce loss of life and property from severe weather events"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Research institutions (especially minority-serving institutions) - receive grant funding for weather research
- National Weather Service/NOAA - enhanced budget and infrastructure for forecasting and communication
- State and local emergency managers - improved weather alert systems and coordination
- Vulnerable populations in tornado-prone areas - better hazard communication tailored to their needs
- General public - clearer, more actionable weather warnings
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers - funding $11M/year (2025-2032) for VORTEX-USA program
- NOAA/Under Secretary - new reporting requirements, strategic plans, and program management obligations
- National Weather Service - infrastructure modernization requirements and accountability metrics
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_office"
- → Hazard Risk Communication Office (within NOAA)
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA)
- "the_comptroller_general"
- → Comptroller General of the United States (GAO)
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Weather and water events with high risk of loss of life or property, including severe storms (hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, flash floods), winter storms (freezing rain, sleet, snow), and other hazards (extreme heat/cold, wildfire, drought, flooding)
Part B institution as defined in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
As defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
As defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
As defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
For tornado hazard communication pilot: (1) Historically Black college/university in area of persistent poverty with frequent severe weather, or (2) Institution near a National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
Includes HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, Tribal, Alaska Native-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, Predominantly Black, Asian American/Pacific Islander-serving, and Native American-serving institutions
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