Sponsors (2)
The bill invests modest federal funds to strengthen precipitation modeling, forecasts, and open data—improving emergency response and public safety—while adding a small recurring cost and risking internal NOAA resource trade-offs.
State and local emergency managers will get more accurate precipitation forecasts and decision-support products, improving flood, storm, and water management responses.
Homeowners and the general public will benefit from improved forecasts for extreme events (atmospheric rivers, tropical cyclones, winter storms), reducing risk of property damage and loss of life.
Scientists and researchers receive sustained federal funding (~$15M/year, rising modestly FY26–FY30) to advance precipitation forecasting using improved Earth System Models.
Taxpayers fund a new program costing about $15 million per year for five years, increasing federal spending obligations.
NOAA may need to reallocate internal resources or prioritize this initiative, which could delay other NOAA projects if additional appropriations are not provided.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced July 15, 2025 by Deborah K. Ross · Last progress July 15, 2025
Creates a NOAA program to improve precipitation forecasts by developing and deploying fully coupled Earth System Models. The program covers research, model and data development, observations, high-performance computing, social and behavioral research, and coordination across federal, state, local, Tribal, academic, and private partners. NOAA must review and update program goals at least every two years, and the bill authorizes about $15 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 (total ~ $75.44 million).