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House Science Committee advances Weather Act Reauthorization with bipartisan amendments
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Summary
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology favorably reported HR 5089, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, after adopting a slate of bipartisan amendments aimed at improving forecasts, communications, and observation networks for extreme weather.
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on an announced markup advanced HR 5089, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, calling for expanded forecasting, observation, and emergency communication authorities for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service.
Chairman Brian Babin, chair of the committee, opened the markup saying the bill "updates and modernizes the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017" and that "this legislation cannot come at a more crucial time" following recent deadly floods and an active hurricane season. Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren said the bill preserves the federal role in environmental satellite acquisition and directed NOAA to continue leveraging NASA's acquisition expertise.
The bill as marked up broadens NOAA's authority to incorporate commercial remote‑sensing data, funds programs to improve forecasts for hazards such as atmospheric rivers and flash floods, and calls for strengthened data assimilation and workforce investments. Members described the measure as bipartisan and aimed at improving life‑saving forecasts and communications to the public and first responders.
Committee members debated and adopted multiple amendments addressing specific mission needs. Representative Fauci explained the Stevens amendment (No. 088) to expand NOAA's tornado research for fast‑moving systems and nighttime tornadoes; the committee adopted that amendment by voice vote. Representative Harrigan offered an amendment (No. 036) to bar NOAA from acquiring drones manufactured by identified foreign adversaries and to require a compliance report within one year; the committee adopted the amendment by voice vote with an effective prohibition delayed until 2030 and a required agency report. Representative Self's amendment (No. 074) to target an algae‑bloom and hypoxia program to directly affected communities was adopted. Representative Gillan's amendments (Nos. 046 and 049) to prioritize rip‑current forecasting and to ensure adequate staffing for Center Weather Service Units that support the FAA were both adopted. An amendment led by Representative Bonamici to authorize an integrated heat health information system was withdrawn and not adopted. Representative Oberonolte, speaking for Representative Franklin, offered an amendment (No. 017) to accelerate NOAA's safe, accountable use of artificial intelligence in weather and space weather forecasting; that amendment was adopted. Representative Amo's amendment (No. 043) directing the Commerce Department to brief Congress on ocean observation networks was adopted. Chairman Babin's amendment on coastal marine fog forecasting (Babin amendment No. 017) was also adopted.
Votes were taken by voice; the chair's opinion recorded each adoption and the committee did not request recorded roll‑call tallies in committee. After considering the listed amendments, Chairman Babin moved that the committee report HR 5089 as amended to the House with a favorable recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote and ordered the bill reported to the House.
Members also granted committee staff authority to make technical and conforming edits to the bill text and agreed by unanimous consent to enter a letter of support from Representative Frank Lucas into the record. The committee allowed two calendar days for staff to submit supplemental or minority views.
Why this matters: The reauthorization would extend and expand authorities first enacted in the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. Committee members stressed that improved observations, data assimilation, computational resources, and clearer communications are necessary to increase warning lead times and make forecasts more actionable for communities, ports, aviation, and emergency managers.
The bill, as amended, moves next to the House floor process for further consideration and any additional chamber negotiations. The committee did not record a roll‑call vote in markup; final congressional action and any presidential action remain to be determined.
