Sponsors (5)
Last progress April 3, 2025 (9 months ago)
Introduced on April 3, 2025 by Tim Moore
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Creates a federal program to modernize the U.S. weather radar network by directing NOAA (the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, with the National Weather Service) to design and carry out a multi‑step replacement of the NEXRAD radar system. The agency must set performance and coverage requirements, work with the public and private weather sectors on solutions, produce a detailed replacement plan with tests and testbeds, and complete implementation by September 30, 2040. Allows NOAA to contract with outside partners or purchase commercial radar data (“Radar‑as‑a‑Service”) to fill coverage gaps, and requires periodic progress updates to two Congressional committees. The law authorizes planning and program design actions but does not specify appropriation amounts or funding schedules.
Establish a program to be known as the "Radar Next Program." This action is to be taken by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere in consultation with the Director of the National Weather Service.
Develop performance and coverage requirements for the weather radar network of the United States, including the territories of the United States.
Collaborate with the weather enterprise to determine potential solutions to update the United States weather radar network that meet the developed performance and coverage requirements. (The term "weather enterprise" is defined in section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501).)
Develop a plan to replace the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) system of the National Weather Service that existed as of the date of enactment of this Act (the plan is developed under subsection (c)).
Defines the system to be replaced as the "NEXRAD system," meaning the Next Generation Weather Radar of the National Weather Service in existence as of the date of enactment.
Primary implementers: NOAA (Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere) and the National Weather Service will lead program design, testing, and deployment activities and must coordinate internally and with external partners.
Weather enterprise and private sector: Private weather data firms, radar manufacturers, system integrators, and academic researchers will be engaged for design, testbeds, and potential commercial service contracts. Allowing "Radar‑as‑a‑Service" can create new market opportunities for vendors and speed data acquisition in uncovered areas.
Emergency management and public safety: State and local emergency managers, first responders, and public safety telecommunicators benefit from improved radar coverage and performance that supports earlier warnings and better situational awareness.
Aviation and transportation: Airlines, air traffic management, and other transportation operators will gain from improved severe‑weather detection and reduced weather‑related disruptions.
Communities and general public: Residents in regions with radar coverage gaps may receive better forecasts and warnings, reducing risk from severe weather events.
Budget and timeline implications: The law sets planning and deadlines but does not provide funding levels; successful implementation will depend on future appropriations and contracting. The long deadline (2040) allows phased upgrades and technology testing but also leaves near‑term coverage and capability decisions to NOAA and its partners.
Operational complexity: The program requires technical testing, establishing testbeds, stakeholder consultations, and coordination across federal, state, local, academic, and commercial actors—requiring program management capacity and interagency collaboration.