[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5456 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5456
To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
All Hazards network, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 18, 2025
Mrs. Bice (for herself, Ms. Titus, Mr. Miller of Ohio, and Ms.
Bonamici) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide guidance for and investment in the upgrade and modernization
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
All Hazards network, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act
of 2025'' or the ``NWR Modernization Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the
Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(2) NOAA weather radio.--The term ``NOAA Weather Radio''
means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Weather Radio All Hazards network.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide network of
transmitters that are critical to protecting life and property
by broadcasting weather and other hazard alerts.
(2) NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts currently reach 95
percent of the United States population.
(3) NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts originate from all
National Weather Service Offices, but are only available via a
receiver located in sufficient proximity to a radio
transmitting tower.
(4) There are limited options to obtain NOAA Weather Radio
broadcasts via the Internet or mobile device application, which
are provided by volunteer mechanisms obtaining the audio feed
in an ad hoc manner.
(5) NOAA Weather Radio should provide equal access and
availability to unimpeded broadcasts of weather and non-weather
hazards to every person located within the United States, its
territories, and Tribal lands.
SEC. 4. UPGRADING EXISTING SYSTEMS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, expand coverage of the NOAA Weather Radio and ensure its
reliability. In carrying out this subsection, the Administrator shall--
(1) maintain support for existing systems serving areas not
covered by or having poor quality cellular service;
(2) ensure consistent maintenance and operations
monitoring, with timely repairs to broadcast transmitter site
equipment and antennas; and
(3) enhance the ability to amplify Non-Weather Emergency
Messages via NOAA Weather Radio as necessary.
(b) Expanding Access.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Administrator shall acquire additional transmitters as required to
expand coverage to rural and underserved communities, national parks,
and recreation areas.
SEC. 5. MODERNIZATION INITIATIVE.
(a) In General.--In parallel to the activities under section 4, the
Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enhance NOAA
Weather Radio to ensure its capabilities and coverage remain valuable
to the public. In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall--
(1) upgrade telecommunications infrastructure to accelerate
the transition of broadcasts to internet protocol-based
communications over noncopper media;
(2) accelerate software upgrades to the Advanced Weather
Interactive Processing System, or the relevant system
successors, to implement partial county notifications and
alerts;
(3) consult with relevant stakeholders, including the
private sector, to enhance accessibility and usability of NOAA
Weather Radio data and feeds;
(4) develop options, including satellite backup capability
and commercial provider partnerships, for NOAA Weather Radio
continuity in the event of Weather Forecast Office outages;
(5) research and develop alternative options, including
microwave capabilities, to transmit NOAA Weather Radio signals
to transmitters that are remote or do not have internet
protocol capability; and
(6) transition critical applications to the Integrated
Dissemination Program, or the relevant program successors.
(b) Priority.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator
shall prioritize practices, capabilities, and technologies recommended
in accordance with the assessment under subsection (c) to maximize
accessibility, particularly in remote and underserved areas of the
country.
(c) Assessment for Management and Distribution.--Not later than 12
months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall complete an assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio. In
conducting such assessment, the Administrator shall take into
consideration and provide recommendations on the following:
(1) The need for continuous, adequate, and operational
real-time broadcasts of the NOAA Weather Radio in both urban
and rural areas.
(2) Solicited inputs from relevant stakeholders on the
compatibility of NOAA Weather Radio data for third party
platforms that provide online services, such as websites and
mobile device applications, or deliver NOAA Weather Radio
access.
(3) Existing or new management systems that promote
consistent, efficient, and compatible access to NOAA Weather
Radio.
(4) The ability of NOAA to aggregate real time broadcast
feeds at one or more central locations.
(5) Effective interagency coordination.
(6) The potential effects of an electromagnetic pulse or
geomagnetic disturbance on NOAA Weather Radio.
(7) Any other function the Administrator determines
necessary.
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