Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025
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Would give statutory authority to the National Mesonet Program (NMP), requiring NOAA to maintain a national network of automated weather and soil observation stations and authorizing up to $304 million over five years to improve atmospheric, drought, fire, and flood forecasting.
The bill would direct at least 15% of annual program funds to state, tribal, private, and academic entities to build or expand local mesonet systems, and would require annual congressional briefings through 2035 — formalizing an existing program into law with new accountability requirements.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere — the head of NOAA — to maintain the National Mesonet Program, a national network of automated weather and soil observation stations that collects non-federal environmental data for weather forecasting. It would codify specific program obligations: obtaining observations to improve forecasting of atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events; expanding data density annually; coordinating with satellite data services; and pursuing memoranda of understanding with outside networks. The bill would also authorize up to $304 million across five fiscal years (FY2025–FY2029) and require an active expert advisory committee and annual briefings to Congress through 2035.
The bill would not give NOAA authority to collect data unless it is demonstrably cost-effective and meets data quality standards. Entities receiving financial assistance must agree to provide their data to the program, maintain data quality, and secure non-federal matching support for at least five years; NOAA must prioritize funding for entities in remote or underserved areas lacking monitoring stations.
Key provisions
- 1Would require NOAA to maintain the National Mesonet Program to obtain environmental observations improving forecasts for atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events.
- 2Would direct NOAA to annually expand data density and integrate more types of environmental observations, including soil moisture sensors and ground-based profilers.
- 3Would require NOAA to award at least 15% of annual program appropriations as financial assistance to state, tribal, private, and academic entities building or upgrading mesonet systems.
- 4Would require grant recipients to enter data-sharing agreements, provide non-federal matching support, and maintain data quality for at least five years.
- 5Would require NOAA to maintain an active advisory committee of subject-matter experts, including representation from higher-education institutions, to advise on data procurement and program expansion.
- 6Would require annual congressional briefings through 2035 on program activities, financial assistance, advisory recommendations, and progress eliminating weather data gaps.
- 7Would authorize up to $304 million from National Weather Service appropriations across FY2025–FY2029 to carry out the program.
Who would be affected
NOAA and the National Weather Service, which would be required to administer and expand the program; state, tribal, private, and academic entities eligible to receive grants to build or upgrade mesonet systems; farmers, emergency managers, transportation agencies, and communities in remote or data-sparse areas who rely on improved local weather and soil-moisture data for operational decisions.
Why it matters
Communities and industries that depend on hyper-local weather data — including agriculture, emergency management, and surface transportation — would gain a more robust and legally grounded federal commitment to filling gaps in environmental monitoring. Entities in remote areas, currently underserved by observation networks, would be prioritized for grant funding, and data recipients would have clearer expectations about quality standards and cost-effectiveness.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (Sec. 2)
Adds the National Mesonet Program as a codified program with mandatory requirements, funding, advisory committee, and reporting obligations.
Amends Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8532) (Sec. 2(a)(4))
Requires the NMP to coordinate with satellite data and services acquired under section 302 of the Act.
Agencies directed to act
Funding and costs
- $50,000,000
National Mesonet Program operations and financial assistance
- $55,000,000
National Mesonet Program operations and financial assistance
- $61,000,000
National Mesonet Program operations and financial assistance
- $68,000,000
National Mesonet Program operations and financial assistance
- $70,000,000
National Mesonet Program operations and financial assistance
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates S. 613 would cost $288 million over the 2025–2030 period (plus $13 million after 2030) in discretionary spending subject to appropriation, with no effect on the deficit or direct spending.
CBO estimates that implementing S. 613 would require $288 million in discretionary spending (funds that must be appropriated by Congress each year) over the 2025–2030 period and an additional $13 million after 2030, for a total of roughly $301 million through 2035. The bill would authorize $304 million over 2025–2029 for NOAA to maintain and expand the National Mesonet Program — a network of automated weather stations that collect atmospheric data to improve severe weather warnings. The bill has no effect on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues, so it does not change the federal deficit. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
How implementation would work
NOAA's Under Secretary would administer the program, awarding at least 15% of annual appropriations as financial and technical assistance grants to qualifying non-federal entities. Grant recipients must sign data-sharing agreements and commit to maintaining quality standards and non-federal funding for at least five years. An advisory committee of subject-matter experts — which may be an existing federal body — would advise on data needs and procurement. NOAA must brief Congress annually by June 30 through 2035 on program activities, funding, advisory recommendations, and data gaps.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 194.
Official CRS summary
Show the CRS summaryHide the CRS summary
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.)
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.
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.
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.
Legislative subjects
Agricultural practices and innovations; Agricultural research; Atmospheric science and weather; Emergency communications systems; Environmental assessment, monitoring, research; Fires; Floods and storm protection; Government information and archives; Government studies and investigations; Higher education; Natural disasters; Science, Technology, Communications; State and local finance
Committee report
S. Rept. 119-83