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H.R. 4575House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act

Sponsored by Eric A. "Rick" CrawfordRep. Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (R-AR)
Introduced July 12, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 9:50 AM UTC

The Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act directs the Department of Commerce’s Under Secretary, in coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS), to create a plan to replace the current NEXRAD weather‑radar network with a next‑generation phased‑array system by September 30, 2040. It also establishes a testbed for evaluating commercial and gap‑filling radars and allows the NWS to contract third‑party providers to fill radar coverage gaps, including the use of weather‑camera systems. The bill impacts the NWS, meteorologists, emergency managers, public‑safety officials, and private radar technology firms.

Key Provisions

  • The Under Secretary must develop a plan to replace the existing NEXRAD system, with a deadline to complete the replacement by September 30, 2040.
  • The plan must estimate coverage and accuracy improvements, develop a prototype digital phased‑array radar, and set up a testbed to evaluate commercial radars and small gap‑filling radars.
  • The NWS Director may contract third‑party entities to provide “radar‑as‑a‑service” to fill existing radar gaps, giving priority to those that participated in the testbed.
  • The NWS may also consider weather‑camera systems as supplemental technologies for gap coverage.
  • The Under Secretary must give periodic implementation updates to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

July 12, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 12, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

July 12, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 12, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4575

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 12, 2023

Mr. Crawford (for himself and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

A BILL

To develop the next generation of weather radar, authorize supplemental gap radar coverage, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act

2.

Next generation phased array radar

(a)

In general

The Under Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the National Weather Service, shall develop a plan to replace the Next Generation Weather Radar of the National Weather Service (NEXRAD) system in existence as of the date of the enactment of this section.

(b)

Procurement deadline

The Under Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure the replacement described in subsection (a) is completed by not later than September 30, 2040.

(c)

Elements

The plan developed pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

Estimates of quantifiable improvements in coverage and accuracy to be made from replacement of the NEXRAD system referred to in such subsection.

(2)

Development of a prototype digital phased array radar to test and determine the specifications and requirements for such replacement.

(3)

Establishment of a weather surveillance phased array radar testbed for the following:

(A)

Evaluation of commercial radars with the potential to replace or supplement the NEXRAD system.

(B)

Providing technical assistance for the use of small, gap filling radars in regions where geographical topography prevents full utilization of larger systems.

(4)

Consultation and input solicited from meteorologists, emergency managers, and public safety officials regarding the specifications and requirements for replacement of the NEXRAD system referred in such subsection.

(d)

Radar-as-a-Service

(1)

In general

In order to supplement gaps in radar coverage in existence as of the date of the enactment of this section and ensure the continued performance of weather radar capabilities, the Director of the National Weather Service may utilize and contract with third party entities to fill such radar gaps using diverse weather radars and data assimilation technologies to better detect significant precipitation and severe weather over a greater area across the population.

(2)

Priority

In carrying out the activities under paragraph (1), the Director of the National Weather Service shall prioritize utilizing and contracting with third party entities that have participated in the testbed established in accordance with subsection (c)(3).

(3)

Weather camera systems

In carrying out the activities under paragraph (1), the Director of the National Weather Service may consider weather camera systems and services as viable technologies to supplement gaps in radar coverage.

(e)

Updates to Congress

The Under Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate periodic updates on the implementation of this section.

(f)

Definition

In this section, the term Under Secretary has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501).