Sponsors (18)
The bill improves continuity and protection of NOAA datasets and services for state/local governments and health systems by requiring planned transitions and leadership coordination, but it adds administrative steps and short-term costs that may delay procurement and increase expenses for taxpayers.
State and local governments, hospitals and health systems, and other NOAA data users will face fewer outages and smoother access to NOAA datasets because agencies must prepare transition plans before terminating cloud storage contracts.
State and local governments, hospitals and health systems, and other operational users will have better-protected, continuous NOAA services (e.g., weather forecasting) because the bill requires coordination with NOAA leadership to preserve data protection and operational continuity.
Taxpayers may face slower procurement and added administrative burdens because Commerce must follow additional planning and coordination steps before ending contracts, potentially delaying decisions.
Taxpayers and middle-class families could incur higher short-term costs because required transition plans and coordination may force NOAA and Commerce to run overlapping systems and increase contracting and IT expenses during transitions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Prevents cancellation of cloud contracts storing NOAA data unless a plan ensures uninterrupted storage, includes a transition plan and reporting, and NOAA coordination.
Introduced November 20, 2025 by Sarah Elfreth · Last progress November 20, 2025
Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from canceling any contract with a cloud service provider that stores a NOAA data set unless the Secretary first develops a plan to ensure uninterrupted storage of that data set (including a transition plan and related reporting systems) and collaborates with the NOAA Administrator to ensure continued protection. Also establishes an official short title for the Act.