[Senate Report 119-83]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 194
119th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 119-83
_______________________________________________________________________
IMPROVING FLOOD AND AGRICULTURAL FORECASTS ACT OF 2025
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
on
S. 613
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
October 21, 2025.--Ordered to be printed
------
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
69-010 WASHINGTON : 2025
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
one hundred nineteenth congress
first session
TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
JERRY MORAN, Kansas EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska GARY C. PETERS, Michigan
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
TODD YOUNG, Indiana TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
TED BUDD, North Carolina JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
JOHN CURTIS, Utah JOHN W. HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
BERNIE MORENO, Ohio JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania
TIM SHEEHY, Montana ANDY KIM, New Jersey
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware
CYNTHIA M. LUMMIS, Wyoming
Brad Grantz, Majority Staff Director
Lila Harper Helms, Democratic Staff Director
Calendar No. 194
119th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 119-83
=======================================================================
IMPROVING FLOOD AND AGRICULTURAL FORECASTS
ACT OF 2025
October 21, 2025.--Ordered to be printed
----------------
Mr. Cruz, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 613]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the bill (S. 613) to require the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to maintain the
National Mesonet Program, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
PURPOSE OF THE BILL
The purpose of S. 613, Improving Flood and Agricultural
Forecasts Act of 2025, is to require the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain the National
Mesonet Program (NMP) and for other purposes.
BACKGROUND AND NEEDS
A mesonet is a network of weather stations that monitor
weather events that are 50 to several hundred miles in size,
also known as mesoscale.\1\ Established in 2009 by NOAA's
National Weather Service (NWS), the NMP is a collaborative
initiative designed to enhance weather prediction and warnings
across the United States by integrating data from various non-
Federal weather observation networks. The program's inception
was influenced by a National Academy of Sciences' 2008 report,
which recommended creating an integrated, flexible, and
adaptive mesoscale meteorological observation network to help
fill gaps in the NWS data and improve mesoscale weather
predictions.\2\ The NMP is a centralized network that collects
and disseminates data from partner mesonets that record
surface, boundary layer, and atmospheric environmental
conditions.\3\
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\1\``Forecast Glossary: Mesonet,'' NOAA, National Weather Service,
https://forecast.weather.
gov/glossary.php?word=mesonet.
\2\National Research Council of the National Academies, Division on
Earth and Life Studies, Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, and
Committee on Developing Mesoscale Meteorological Observational
Capabilities to Meet Multiple National Needs, Observing Weather and
Climate from the Ground Up: A Nationwide Network of Networks, The
National Academies Press, 2009, https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/
12540/chapter/1.
\3\``Program History,'' National Mesonet Program, https://
nationalmesonet.us/program-history/.
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The NMP currently comprises over 50 partner mesonets\4\
with over 35,000 weather observation stations or platforms
combined.\5\ By partnering with private enterprises, academic
institutions, and State and local mesonets, NMP reduces the
incremental cost of monitoring while expanding NOAA's local
weather data. Partner networks use a variety of observation
systems including surface in situ, mobile, and aircraft-mounted
devices that enable NOAA to better support agriculture, water
management, energy efficiency, and emergency response
throughout the country. For example, the NMP leverages networks
in:
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\4\``National Mesonet Program,'' National Mesonet, https://
nationalmesonet.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Mesonet-Regions_06_2022-
Update.pdf.
\5\``NMP Network of Networks,'' National Mesonet, https://
nationalmesonet.us/protecting-lives-and-property/.
Alaska.--The Alaska Mesonet, managed by the
University of Alaska Fairbanks, has been part of the
NMP since 2020 and operates 68 weather and
seismographic stations.\6\
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\6\``Alaska Mesonet,'' University of Alaska Fairbanks (2020),
https://akclimate.org/projects/the-national-mesonet/.
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Delaware.--The Delaware Mesonet has been providing
real-time environmental conditions across the State for
over 15 years. The Delaware Environmental Observing
System operates 80 environmental monitoring platforms
and brings in data from over 200 additional platforms
to support forecasting, emergency planning, and
agriculture.\7\
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\7\``About Us,''Delaware Environmental Observing System,https://
www.deos.udel.edu/about/.
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Georgia.--The Georgia Automated Environmental
Monitoring Network, managed by the University of
Georgia, operates 86 stations collecting data 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week. This network proved vital during
Hurricane Michael in 2018, supporting NWS tracking
efforts.\8\
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\8\``Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network,''
University of Georgia, http://www.georgiaweather.net/.
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Hawaii.--The Hawai'i Mesonet is currently under
construction, with a planned full network of 115
stations.\9\ The network, managed by University of
Hawai'i, is critical because of the spatial diversity
of temperature, rainfall, and other variables across
their complex landscape.\10\
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\9\``Hawai'i Mesonet,''National Mesonet,https://nationalmesonet.us/
hawai%CA%BBi-mesonet/.
\10\``Hawai'i Mesonet Live Data Access,'' Hawai'i Climate Data
Portal, https://www.hawaii.edu/climate-data-portal/hawaii-mesonet/.
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Missouri.--The Missouri Mesonet supports pesticide
scheduling and farming with stations monitoring
temperature inversions and soil data.\11\
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\11\``Missouri Mesonet,'' University of Missouri Extension, http://
agebb.missouri.edu/weather/realTime/maps/index.php.
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Montana.--The Montana Mesonet, focusing on
agriculture and wildfire risk, is expanding to address
weather data gaps in this vast, rural State.\12\
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\12\``Montana Mesonet,'' Montana Climate Office, University of
Montana, https://climate.umt.edu/mesonet/.
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Nebraska.--The Nebraska Mesonet, managed by the
University of Nebraska Lincoln since 1981, operates 74
stations across 49 counties, providing data on soil
moisture, temperature, and more for agriculture and
drought monitoring.\13\
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\13\``Nebraska Mesonet,'' University of Nebraska-Lincoln, https://
mesonet.unl.edu/.
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Oklahoma.--The Oklahoma Mesonet, a joint effort by
the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State
University since 1994, is a pioneering model with over
120 stations. It provides detailed data on weather and
soil conditions, aiding agriculture and disaster
preparedness in a State prone to tornadoes.\14\
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\14\``Oklahoma Mesonet,'' University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State
University, https://www.mesonet.org/.
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Texas.--Texas hosts one of the most robust mesonet
systems in the Nation, the West Texas Mesonet, operated
by Texas Tech University since 1999. Covering 71
counties across West Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado,
it includes 138 stations providing real-time data on
meteorological and agricultural parameters every 5
minutes. This system supports operational meteorology,
agriculture, wind energy, and severe weather
monitoring.\15\
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\15\``West Texas Mesonet,'' Texas Tech University, https://
www.mesonet.ttu.edu.
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Washington.--The Washington Mesonet, managed by
Washington State University, operates 159 surface sites
collecting atmospheric, soil, and solar data.\16\ This
data feeds into AgWeatherNet, a state-of-the-art
automated weather data collection and decision support
system for the State of Washington to improve
agriculture, weather data, and climatology.\17\
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\16\``Washington Mesonet,'' Washington State University, https://
nationalmesonet.us/washington-state-university/.
\17\``AgWeatherNet,'' Washington State University, brochure, 2022,
https://weather.wsu.edu/?p=121451.
Collectively, the State programs demonstrate the NMP's
cost-effective approach, lowering per-station costs compared to
Federal-only systems while addressing regional needs like
agriculture, energy, and disaster response.\18\
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\18\``NMP: Saving Federal Funds,'' National Mesonet, https://
nationalmesonet.us/national-mesonet-saving-federal-funds.
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SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS
S. 613 would do the following:
Require NOAA to maintain and expand the existing NMP
to improve weather forecasting.
Support the National Integrated Drought Information
System and National Coordinated Soil Moisture Network
through increased soil moisture and related data
collection.
Direct a minimum of 15 percent of the NMP's annual
funds for financial assistance to State, Tribal,
private, and academic entities developing or improving
mesonet systems that will provide data to the NMP for
at least 5 years.
Authorize NOAA to provide technical and financial
assistance for maintenance of monitoring stations in
underrepresented or remote areas.
Establish an advisory committee of subject matter
experts to make recommendations on NMP expansions and
improvements.
Authorize funding to support observation
infrastructure, starting at $50 million in fiscal 2025
and growing to $70 million by fiscal year 2029.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
S. 613 was introduced on February 18, 2025, by Senator
Schatz (for himself and Senator Marshall) and was referred to
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate. On March 12, 2025, the Committee met in open Executive
Session and, by voice vote, ordered S. 613 reported favorably
without amendment.
S. 590, an identical Senate bill, was introduced on
February 13, 2025, by Senator Schatz and was referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate.
118th Congress
S. 4901, the Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act
of 2024, was introduced on July 31, 2024, by Senator Schatz
(for himself and Senator Marshall) and was referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate. Senator Baldwin was an additional cosponsor. S. 4901
was included as section 503 of S. 5601, the Weather Act
Reauthorization Act of 2024, which was introduced on December
18, 2024, by Senator Cantwell (for herself and Senator Cruz)
and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
ESTIMATED COSTS
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
S. 613 would authorize appropriations totaling $304 million
over the 2025-2029 period for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain and expand the
National Mesonet Program. That program is a network of
automated weather stations in locations prone to severe weather
that collect data about temperature, humidity, and atmospheric
pressure. The agency would be responsible for integrating into
the network the moisture content of soil and vegetation,
satellite data, and data from existing environmental monitoring
stations to improve the warning system for severe weather. In
2024, NOAA allocated $30 million for the program.
The bill also would require NOAA to allocate 15 percent of
the authorized amounts to assist local governments and private
and academic entities to expand local monitoring stations and
integrate the data they capture into the network. Finally, NOAA
would be required to maintain an advisory committee to identify
opportunities for collaborating with local experts and
identifying appropriate data to improve the forecasting
capability of the program.
CBO estimates that the bill will be enacted in 2025 and
that the authorized amounts will be provided in each year. On
that basis and using historical spending patterns, CBO
estimates that implementing the bill would cost $288 million
over the 2025-2030 period and $13 million after 2030.
The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall
within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER S. 613
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By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
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2025-
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2030
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Authorization........................ 50 55 61 68 70 0 304
Estimated Outlays.................... 15 48 64 67 67 27 288
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The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aurora Swanson.
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT
Because S. 613 does not create any new programs, the
legislation will have no additional regulatory impact, and will
result in no additional reporting requirements. The legislation
will have no further effect on the number or types of
individuals and businesses regulated, the economic impact of
such regulation, the personal privacy of affected individuals,
or the paperwork required from such individuals and businesses.
CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the
rule.
SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS
Section 1. Short title.
This section would provide that the bill may be cited as
the ``Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025''.
Section 2. National Mesonet Program.
This section would require NOAA to maintain the existing
NMP to enhance weather forecasting. It would require that the
NMP obtain environmental observations to improve forecast
abilities, including leveraging commercial, academic, and other
non-Federal data. This section would direct the NMP to develop
methods to incorporate new data, create memoranda of
understanding with external weather data networks, and
coordinate efforts with NOAA satellite and data services.
This section would require the NMP to increase the density
and types of environmental data when carrying out the program.
The NMP would also be required to identify gaps in data and
support 30-minute severe weather warnings.
This section would also require NOAA to monitor local
weather conditions by acquiring soil and moisture data,
supporting the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring
Network and the National Integrated Drought Information System,
and enhancing environmental observations near roadways.
This section would require the NMP to be administered in a
cost-effective manner by leveraging existing networks and data.
It would require the NMP to coordinate efforts with other NOAA
entities that develop data for weather forecasting including
the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information
Service; the Integrated Ocean Observing System; the National
Data Buoy Center; and the National Ocean Service. The NMP would
be required to communicate its research and development needs
to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
This section would require at least 15 percent of the NMP's
annual funding to be allocated to financial assistance for
State, Tribal, private, and academic entities building or
improving mesonet systems. It would specify that financial
assistance may only be provided to a State, Tribal, private, or
academic entity if the Under Secretary determines such entity
will provide sufficient financial support from non-Federal
sources to maintain their mesonet system for at least 5 years.
The Under Secretary would be required to prioritize remote
areas or an area that has a lack of environmental monitoring
stations.
This section would require an advisory committee to provide
guidance on program expansions and improvements but would allow
for an existing committee to fulfill this role. It would
require annual briefings to Congress through 2035 on NMP
activities.
This section would also define the terms ``seasonal'',
``State'', ``subseasonal'', ``Under Secretary'', ``weather
enterprise'', and ``weather data''.
Lastly, this section would authorize appropriations for the
NMP: $50 million for fiscal year 2025, $55 million for fiscal
year 2026, $61 million for fiscal year 2027, $68 million for
fiscal year 2028, and $70 million for fiscal year 2029.
CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee states that the
bill as reported would make no change to existing law.
[all]