Jeff Crank (R-CO)
Fire Weather Development Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Fire Weather Development Act of 2025 directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a program to improve fire weather and environment forecasting, detection, and local collaboration. The bill aims to reduce loss of life, injuries, and economic damage by improving the prediction of wildfire ignition, spread, and smoke dispersion. It establishes several collaborative bodies, including an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Wildfires and a National Advisory Committee on Wildfires. Additionally, the act creates a fire weather testbed and mandates research into public safety communication standards. The legislation also addresses workforce assessments and training for Incident Meteorologists.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill funds research into fire weather, detection, and atmospheric modeling.
- Scored +6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill enhances preparedness and response capabilities for wildfire disasters.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill improves monitoring and prediction of wildfire environments.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Safety and Economic Protection: The program goals include developing accurate forecasts and warnings to reduce loss of life, reduce injuries, protect property, and reduce damage to the economy from wildfires (Section 2(b)).
-
Improved Wildfire Prediction and Monitoring: The bill focuses on improving the prediction of ignition, intensification, and spread of wildfires, as well as the observation of fire weather (Section 2(b)(1-2)).
-
Enhanced Smoke Dispersion Communication: The program seeks to improve the forecast and communication of smoke dispersion from wildfires (Section 2(b)(3)).
-
Better Information for Emergency Responders: The program aims to provide tools and services to support local emergency personnel and the U.S. Forest Service during response and mitigation efforts (Section 2(d)(1)).
-
Workforce Support for Meteorologists: The act requires an assessment of training challenges for Incident Meteorologists and provides for the disregard of certain premium pay calculations to assist in emergency suppression activities (Section 6).
-
Improved Communication Standards: Research is directed toward improving public safety communication coordination and integrating systems to transmit real-time data and alerts to firefighters and officials (Section 7(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Technology Procurement: There is a prohibition against the Administrator procuring any unmanned aircraft system manufactured or assembled by an entity in a foreign country of concern, unless specific exemptions or waivers are granted (Section 2(i)(4)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill enhances preparedness and response capabilities for wildfire disasters. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill improves monitoring and prediction of wildfire environments. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill supports active land management through better fire weather data.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds research into fire weather, detection, and atmospheric modeling.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill enhances fire prediction and safety for those in fire-prone areas.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill aims to reduce economic damage caused by wildfires.
- 11/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/24/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Nicholas BegichRepublican · Alaska
Gabe EvansRepublican · Colorado
Scott FranklinRepublican · Florida
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Luz RivasDemocrat · California
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia