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Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act
To develop the next generation of weather radar, authorize supplemental gap radar coverage, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to develop a plan to replace the Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) system, with the replacement to be completed by September 30, 2040. The plan must include estimates of improvements in radar coverage and accuracy, development of a prototype digital phased array radar, and establishment of a testbed to evaluate commercial radar systems and gap-filling radars for areas with geographic limitations. The bill authorizes the National Weather Service to contract with third-party entities to supplement existing radar gaps using diverse radar technologies and data assimilation methods, including weather camera systems, with priority given to contractors who have participated in the testbed program. The legislation requires meteorologists, emergency managers, and public safety officials to be consulted on the specifications and requirements for the new system. The Under Secretary must provide periodic updates to Congress on the implementation of these activities.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
1 cosponsor
Money behind the sponsor
Top reported contributors to Eric A. "Rick" Crawford’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.
- HERZOG CONTRACTING CORP $42,900
- NULL $12,000
- RUNWAY GROUP $6,600
- STEPHENS INC $6,600
- SNK REAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC $6,600
Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Eric A. "Rick" Crawford → · Outside spending →
Actions (2)
- Feb 7, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. · house
- Feb 7, 2025 Introduced in House
Similar bills (6)
Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.
Text versions (1)
Bills are re-published as they move (Introduced → Reported → Engrossed → Enrolled …). Each stage below is a separate text; pick two to see what changed. Data from Congress.gov.
Full text
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 7, 2025
Mr. Crawford (for himself and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
A BILL
To develop the next generation of weather radar, authorize supplemental gap radar coverage, 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 “Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act”
SEC. 2. NEXT GENERATION PHASED ARRAY RADAR.
(a) In General.—The Under Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the National Weather Service, shall develop a plan to replace the Next Generation Weather Radar of the National Weather Service (“NEXRAD”) system in existence as of the date of the enactment of this section.
(b) Procurement Deadline.—The Under Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure the replacement described in subsection (a) is completed by not later than September 30, 2040.
(c) Elements.—The plan developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1) Estimates of quantifiable improvements in coverage and accuracy to be made from replacement of the NEXRAD system referred to in such subsection.
(2) Development of a prototype digital phased array radar to test and determine the specifications and requirements for such replacement.
(3) Establishment of a weather surveillance phased array radar testbed for the following:
(A) Evaluation of commercial radars with the potential to replace or supplement the NEXRAD system.
(B) Providing technical assistance for the use of small, gap filling radars in regions where geographical topography prevents full utilization of larger systems.
(4) Consultation and input solicited from meteorologists, emergency managers, and public safety officials regarding the specifications and requirements for replacement of the NEXRAD system referred in such subsection.
(d) Radar-as-a-Service.—
(1) In general.—In order to supplement gaps in radar coverage in existence as of the date of the enactment of this section and ensure the continued performance of weather radar capabilities, the Director of the National Weather Service may utilize and contract with third party entities to fill such radar gaps using diverse weather radars and data assimilation technologies to better detect significant precipitation and severe weather over a greater area across the population.
(2) Priority.—In carrying out the activities under paragraph (1), the Director of the National Weather Service shall prioritize utilizing and contracting with third party entities that have participated in the testbed established in accordance with subsection (c)(3).
(3) Weather camera systems.—In carrying out the activities under paragraph (1), the Director of the National Weather Service may consider weather camera systems and services as viable technologies to supplement gaps in radar coverage.
(e) Updates to Congress.—The Under Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate periodic updates on the implementation of this section.
(f) Definition.—In this section, the term “Under Secretary” has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501). <all>
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