FORECAST Act of 2025
Latest action (10 Apr 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
The FORECAST Act of 2025 would amend existing federal law governing weather research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It updates NOAA's subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting program, directing the agency to conduct research on temperature and precipitation predictability, incorporate broader Earth-system data (ocean, land, ice, snow), develop multi-model forecasting systems, use artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, and create a public online clearinghouse for forecasts and related hazard information such as droughts, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. It authorizes $28.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for this work, plus additional unspecified funds for related modeling activities. The bill also establishes a new "Weather and Earth System Modeling and Data Assimilation Workforce Innovation Program" to recruit and train scientists and engineers, requiring NOAA to create an annual workforce plan, use direct-hiring authority, and report to Congress on the program's effectiveness.
The bill primarily affects NOAA's operations, its scientific and technical workforce, partnering universities and nonprofit research institutions, and ultimately the accuracy and availability of weather and climate forecasts used by the public, businesses, and emergency planners.
Introduced by Senator Ed Markey with bipartisan cosponsors, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 10, 2025. It has not yet received committee action; further votes in committee, the full Senate, and the House would be required before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on April 10, 2025. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 1484 do?
- The FORECAST Act of 2025 would amend existing federal law governing weather research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It updates NOAA's subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting program, directing the agency to conduct research on temperature and precipitation predictability, incorporate broader Earth-system data (ocean, land, ice, snow), develop multi-model forecasting systems, use artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, and create a public online clearinghouse for forecasts and related hazard information such as droughts, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. It authorizes $28.5 million annually for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for this work, plus additional unspecified funds for related modeling activities. The bill also establishes a new "Weather and Earth System Modeling and Data Assimilation Workforce Innovation Program" to recruit and train scientists and engineers, requiring NOAA to create an annual workforce plan, use direct-hiring authority, and report to Congress on the program's effectiveness. The bill primarily affects NOAA's operations, its scientific and technical workforce, partnering universities and nonprofit research institutions, and ultimately the accuracy and availability of weather and climate forecasts used by the public, businesses, and emergency planners. Introduced by Senator Ed Markey with bipartisan cosponsors, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 10, 2025. It has not yet received committee action; further votes in committee, the full Senate, and the House would be required before it could become law.
- Has S. 1484 become law?
- Not yet. As of 10 Apr 2025, S. 1484 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 1484?
- S. 1484 was sponsored by Sen. Edward “Ed” Markey [D-MA] (Democrat-MA), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1484?
- Introduced (10 Apr 2025).
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