S. 590 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 13, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens weather forecasting with local observation networks
Ever wondered how weather forecasts get better. This bill gives legal backing to NOAA's National Mesonet Program, which runs networks of automated weather and soil monitoring stations across the country. These stations collect real-time data that help forecasters predict storms, droughts, fires, and flooding more accurately. The bill requires NOAA to keep expanding these networks and sets standards for the data they collect.
How it affects you
Most people won't notice a direct change, but you benefit indirectly through more reliable weather and flood forecasts. Farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in areas without much weather monitoring will see the biggest gains, since the law prioritizes funding for remote areas and regions that lack observation stations. State and local governments, universities, and private organizations can apply for grants to build or improve these monitoring systems in their areas.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 13, 2025)
Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 590
A BILL
Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025
Sponsor: Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) · Introduced Feb 13, 2025 · Science, Technology, Communications · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 13, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.”