What does Preamble of HR 7813 do?

This bill amends the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. It requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to expand and modernize the weather radio system of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The bill's purpose is to update the weather radio system for unspecified 'other purposes'.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 7813 do?

This bill is formally titled the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act.

What does NOAA WEATHER RADIO. of HR 7813 do?

This section amends the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 by adding Title VII, establishing a nationwide NOAA Weather Radio network. The network will broadcast weather information, emergency weather watches, geological hazards, and other hazard information 24/7 and be resilient to emergencies. The Under Secretary is directed to ensure the reliability of NOAA Weather Radio by maintaining existing systems and ensuring consistent maintenance. The Under Secretary must expand and modernize NOAA Weather Radio coverage, improving communication of risks and warnings, particularly in areas with high risk or limited access. Modernization efforts include acquiring additional transmitters, disseminating alerts via satellite and internet protocols, and conducting geographically specific warning research. The Under Secretary is tasked with upgrading telecommunications infrastructure, accelerating software upgrades for partial county notifications, and developing options for continuity of service. An assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio is required within one year of enactment, considering stakeholder input and potential effects of electromagnetic pulses. The bill authorizes appropriations of $20,000,000 annually from 2026-2031 to operate NOAA Weather Radio and $100,000,000 in 2026 for modernization and assessment.

What does NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR WEATHER WARNING SYSTEMS IN FLASH FLOOD of HR 7813 do?

This section allows the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology to support the development of standards for flash flood emergency alert systems. These standards would apply to areas within a 100-year floodplain, as defined in the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. The standards must consider the needs of communities lacking broadband internet access, state/local emergency warning systems, or satellite coverage. The standards aim to create reliable flash flood emergency alert systems, particularly during hazardous events. The Under Secretary must submit a report summarizing these standards to the relevant House and Senate committees within two years of the Act's enactment.

What does CLASSIFICATION OF AND STAFFING PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES. of HR 7813 do?

This section amends the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 by adding Section 407. Section 407 requires the Under Secretary to categorize specified NOAA positions as protective service occupations under the Standard Occupational Classification System within 30 days of enactment. The specified positions include those in the Meteorology, Hydrology, General Physical Science, Electronics Technical, and Information Technology Management series. Staffing changes for these positions are restricted unless a report is submitted to and approved by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The Under Secretary must also submit a five-year staffing plan to Congress within 180 days of enactment, covering the National Weather Service and positions supporting forecasts and warnings. This plan must include positions involved in data collection, equipment maintenance, IT systems, modeling, and research to improve forecasts and warnings.

What does STAFFING FOR POSITIONS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER of HR 7813 do?

This section directs the Director of the National Weather Service to assess critical staffing needs at Weather Forecast Offices and Center Weather Service Units. The assessment must be submitted to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and relevant House and Senate committees within 120 days of the Act's enactment. The assessment should include the number and occupational series of employees needed to maximize efficiency, considering safety, morale, seasonal needs, and forecasting complexity. It also requires a comparison of historical staffing needs versus historical vacancies. The Director is granted direct hire authority, bypassing certain title 5 U.S. Code sections, to fill critical staffing needs and vacancies identified in the assessment. This authority applies to positions performing public safety mission functions, such as meteorologists, hydrologists, physical scientists, computer specialists, and electronic technicians. The direct hire authority expires once all identified critical staffing needs and vacancies are filled.

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NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act — HR. 7813

Last updated: 3/5/2026 · Introduced: 3/5/2026

Author: Brian Babin (R-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a nationwide NOAA Weather Radio network, ensuring 24/7 broadcasting of weather information, emergency alerts, and hazard warnings, while also modernizing existing infrastructure and expanding coverage, particularly in high-risk areas.
The bill authorizes the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology to develop national standards for flash flood emergency alert systems, considering the needs of communities with limited internet access or satellite coverage.
To address staffing shortages, the bill reclassifies certain NOAA positions as protective service occupations, restricts staffing changes without congressional approval, and grants the National Weather Service direct hiring authority to fill critical public safety roles.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 4 more.

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