Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025

The Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025 would provide legal authority for the National Mesonet Program, a network of automated weather and soil observation stations maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These stations collect data to help measure, track, and forecast weather events, droughts, fires, and water-related phenomena. The program would be required to integrate increasing numbers and types of environmental observations annually, though NOAA could only obtain data when it is cost-effective and meets established quality standards.

Under this bill, at least 15 percent of annual program funding would be directed to state, tribal, private, and academic organizations to build, expand, or upgrade mesonet equipment and capacity. Entities receiving these funds would be required to share their data with the national program. The bill would prioritize funding for remote areas and regions lacking environmental monitoring stations. Additionally, NOAA would be required to maintain an advisory committee of subject matter experts to provide recommendations on data needs and procurement decisions.

If enacted, this legislation could improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and agricultural predictions for farmers, emergency managers, and the general public by expanding the network of weather observation stations, particularly in underserved areas. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.