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Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025
3/12/2025, 2:26 PM
Summary of Bill S 590
The bill specifies that the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere must ensure that the National Mesonet Program remains operational and that the data collected from the network of weather stations is accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, the bill outlines that the Under Secretary must work with relevant stakeholders to improve the National Mesonet Program and ensure that it meets the needs of various users, including government agencies, researchers, and the general public.
Overall, the National Mesonet Program Act aims to prioritize the importance of maintaining a reliable and comprehensive network of weather monitoring stations in the United States. By requiring the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to continue funding and maintaining the National Mesonet Program, the bill seeks to ensure that accurate and timely weather data is available to support decision-making and research efforts related to atmospheric conditions.
Congressional Summary of S 590
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.
