Brian Babin (R-TX)
NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act," seeks to amend the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. It directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to expand and modernize the NOAA Weather Radio system to ensure it is resilient and provides nationwide coverage. The act focuses on improving weather warnings, including those for geological hazards and short-fuse events like tornadoes. It also addresses the need for better communication in areas lacking broadband or satellite coverage. Furthermore, the bill establishes staffing plans and classification protocols for critical NOAA positions to ensure public safety.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill enhances weather warning systems for geological hazards and rapid-onset weather disasters.
- Scored +6
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The bill expands weather radio coverage to remote areas and those without reliable cellular or satellite service.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill funds research and development to modernize geographically specific weather warnings.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes significant new spending for NOAA weather radio modernization and operations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Emergency Alerts: The bill requires the expansion of a nationwide weather radio network that broadcasts weather information, emergency watches, warnings, and geological hazards (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Increased Resilience during Disasters: The radio system must be resilient to emergency hazards such as loss of power and cellular service (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Better Coverage for Underserved Areas: The modernization initiative aims to expand coverage to communities without broadband internet access, state or local emergency warning systems, or satellite coverage (Section 2(c)(1)(D)).
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Enhanced Warning Capabilities: The bill seeks to improve the communication of hazardous weather warnings and the urgency of those warnings (Section 2(c)(1)(B)).
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Support for High-Risk Areas: The act directs the acquisition of additional transmitters to cover areas at high risk for rapid onset weather disasters (Section 2(c)(1)(D)(i)).
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Improved Flash Flood Safety: The Under Secretary may support the development of standards for flash flood emergency alert systems specifically for 100-year floodplains (Section 3(a)).
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Strengthened Workforce: The bill implements a five-year staffing plan to ensure the National Weather Service and other positions supporting life-saving forecasts and warnings are adequately staffed (Section 4(b)).
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Faster Hiring for Public Safety: The Director of the National Weather Service is granted direct hire authority to quickly fill critical vacancies in positions related to public safety missions (Section 5(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed within the provided text.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill expands weather radio coverage to remote areas and those without reliable cellular or satellite service. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes coverage for communities that lack broadband internet access. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill improves nationwide weather warning systems for all citizens.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill enhances weather warning systems for geological hazards and rapid-onset weather disasters. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill enhances public safety through better communication of hazardous weather and geological events. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill upgrades telecommunications infrastructure to support weather radio broadcasts.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill funds research and development to modernize geographically specific weather warnings. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill aims to provide critical emergency information to communities lacking broadband internet access.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides direct hire authority to fill critical vacancies in the National Weather Service. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes significant new spending for NOAA weather radio modernization and operations.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires periodic assessments and reports to Congress regarding weather radio access and staffing.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill addresses the potential effects of electromagnetic pulses on weather radio infrastructure.
- 7/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/18/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 3/5/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Gabe AmoDemocrat · Rhode Island
Stephanie BiceRepublican · Oklahoma
Mike FloodRepublican · Nebraska
Jennifer KiggansRepublican · Virginia
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois