Ted Budd (R-NC)
Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program Enhancement Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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
This bill, titled the "Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program Enhancement Act," seeks to amend the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. It directs the Under Secretary to maintain a program focused on improving hurricane forecasts, predictions, and warnings. The program aims to reduce the loss of life and property by improving the understanding of hurricane paths, intensity changes, and flooding. It also emphasizes the use of innovative observation technologies and social, behavioral, and economic sciences. Additionally, the bill requires an annual report to be submitted to specific Congressional committees through 2029. This report must include details on mission requirements, workforce management, and the status of hurricane technology.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill directs funds toward research in meteorological and social sciences to improve hurricane forecasting.
- Scored +6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
Enhanced hurricane forecasting and warning systems directly improve preparedness and response capabilities for disasters.
- Scored +5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Improved hurricane forecasting helps mitigate the environmental and property impacts of extreme weather events.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Reduction in Loss of Life or Property: The program's primary goal is to develop more accurate forecasts and warnings to protect people and their assets from hurricanes (Section 2, subsection b).
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Improved Understanding of Storm Hazards: The bill focuses on improving the prediction and communication of rapid intensity changes, projected paths, and flooding impacts like storm surges and inland flooding (Section 2, subsection b, paragraphs 1 and 2).
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Better Communication of Risks: By incorporating social, behavioral, and economic sciences, the program aims to better inform the public and their response to help prevent loss of life (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 3; Section 2, subsection c, paragraph 2).
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Technological Advancement in Forecasting: The bill encourages the use of innovative observations, such as new sensor technologies, uncrewed systems, and instruments on commercial aircraft and satellites, to improve weather data (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 4).
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Enhanced Modeling Capabilities: The act directs the expansion of computational resources, like cloud computing, to support higher resolution operational modeling of hurricanes (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 3).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in 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 business owners be better off under this? — Better storm predictions allow businesses to mitigate losses and prepare more effectively. Would farmers be better off under this? — Improved weather forecasting helps agricultural stakeholders prepare for extreme weather events. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Enhanced warnings and communication can improve evacuation and safety procedures for individuals with disabilities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural residents benefit from increased safety and property protection through better weather intelligence. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban areas are often highly susceptible to flooding and storm surge impacts. Would billionaires be better off under this? Would high-income households be better off under this? — More accurate forecasts provide better protection for high-value assets and properties. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved warning systems help protect vulnerable populations from the economic fallout of storm damage. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Better forecasting helps reduce the risk of property damage for middle-class homeowners. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Enhanced hurricane forecasting and warning systems directly improve preparedness and response capabilities for disasters. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Improved hurricane forecasting helps mitigate the environmental and property impacts of extreme weather events.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill directs funds toward research in meteorological and social sciences to improve hurricane forecasting.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reporting to Congressional committees regarding hurricane technology and workforce status.
- 2/25/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.