Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025
In Committee
Introduced:Feb 13, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Brian Schatz
D - HI
Cosponsors
0
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Summary
This bill provides statutory authority for NOAAs National Mesonet Program, a network of automated weather and soil observation stations. The program must improve forecasting of atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events. At least 15% of annual funding must go to state, tribal, private, and academic entities to build or upgrade mesonet systems, with priority for remote and underserved areas. An advisory committee will guide data needs.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill provides statutory authority for NOAAs National Mesonet Program, a network of automated weather and soil observation stations. The program must improve forecasting of atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events. At least 15% of annual funding must go to state, tribal, private, and academic entities to build or upgrade mesonet systems, with priority for remote and underserved areas. An advisory committee will guide data needs.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill provides statutory authority for the National Mesonet Program (NMP) maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (Mesonets are networks of automated weather and soil observation stations that collect data used in measuring, tracking, and forecasting weather and its effects. The NMP is a national network of local mesonets that collects and disseminates non-federal atmospheric weather observations in the United States.)</p><p>The bill sets forth certain requirements for the NMP, including that the program must obtain weather observations in order to improve understanding and forecasting of atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events, and establish means to integrate increased numbers and types of environmental observations into the program annually. However, NOAA may obtain data under the program only when it is demonstrably cost effective and meets or exceeds certain data quality standards. </p><p>Of funds appropriated to the program annually, NOAA must award at least 15% to state, tribal, private, and academic entities seeking to build, expand, or upgrade mesonet system equipment and capacity. Entities receiving funds must agree to provide data to the NMP. In allocating funding, NOAA must prioritize providing funds to entities in remote areas and areas that lack environmental monitoring stations. </p><p>NOAA must also ensure the NMP has an active advisory committee, comprised of subject matter experts, to make recommendations on data needs and procurement, among other topics. </p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Establishes statutory authority for National Mesonet Program
Improves forecasting of floods, droughts, fires, and weather events
15%+ of funding goes to expand mesonet capacity
Prioritizes remote areas lacking monitoring stations
Requires data to meet quality standards and be cost-effective
Creates advisory committee of subject matter experts
Better weather and environmental monitoring through expanded mesonets could significantly improve flood warnings, drought predictions, and fire weather forecasts. This benefits farmers, emergency managers, and communities. The requirement to prioritize underserved areas addresses monitoring gaps in rural regions. Enhanced data collection supports better agricultural decision-making and could reduce economic losses from weather-related disasters through improved early warning systems.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Science, Technology, Communications
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
590, 119th Congress (2025). "Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-590