The U.S. House of Representatives on May 11 passed a bipartisan bill offered by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) that would provide federal funds to expand and upgrade the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio All Hazards network (NWR).
The House voted 397-20 to approve the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act of 2021, H.R. 5324, which the U.S. Senate received on May 12 and referred to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee for consideration.
“I am grateful that the House passed this critical legislation, which seeks to provide every citizen with reliable and effective access to this lifesaving service,” Rep. Bice said. “I hope my colleagues in the Senate will swiftly adopt this measure.”
If enacted, H.R. 5324, which Rep. Bice sponsored in September 2021 with lead original bill cosponsor U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), would direct NOAA to address the outdated technology currently in use throughout its NWR, according to the congressional record bill summary.
Specifically, H.R. 5324 would provide funding for stations that serve areas having little or no reliable quality cell phone service, ensuring that such areas receive adequate support to maintain existing systems related to weather alerts, the summary says.
H.R. 5324 also would establish a modernization initiative for broadcasts to transition to IP-based communications and develop options for backup capabilities and enhanced signal transmission.
“The NOAA weather radio system is essential in keeping Oklahomans, and Americans across the country, safe from severe weather threats,” said Rep. Bice. “As the world becomes more digitized, we must ensure that older systems which safeguard life and property don’t get left behind.”