S.613 - Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.613, the "Improving Flood and Agricultural Forecasts Act of 2025," aims to enhance weather forecasting capabilities by maintaining and improving the National Mesonet Program. The bill directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to obtain observations to improve understanding of atmospheric, drought, fire, and water events. It also emphasizes leveraging commercial, academic, and non-Federal Government environmental data to enhance coordination across sectors.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to more accurate and timely weather forecasts, particularly for flood and agricultural purposes. This will be achieved through increased data density, improved monitoring of local meteorological conditions, and better coordination among various data providers. The Act also allocates funding for financial and technical assistance to state, tribal, private, and academic entities to build and upgrade mesonet systems.
Potential Benefits
- Improved accuracy and timeliness of weather forecasts, especially for agriculture and flood management.
- Enhanced coordination among federal, state, tribal, private, and academic entities in weather data collection and dissemination.
- Increased availability of financial and technical assistance for building and upgrading mesonet systems.
- Better monitoring of soil moisture and vegetation water content, supporting drought forecasting and agricultural decision-making.
- Potential for improved severe weather warnings, leading to better public safety.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased government spending, although the bill specifies amounts authorized to be appropriated.
- Possible bureaucratic hurdles in coordinating data from diverse sources.
- Risk of data quality issues if non-Federal Government data is not properly vetted.
- Potential for delays in implementation due to the need for agreements and technical infrastructure development.
- Dependence on continued appropriations to sustain the program's activities beyond the authorized funding period.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). It also falls under the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), as it regulates activities affecting interstate commerce, such as agriculture, transportation, and emergency response. The establishment and maintenance of the National Mesonet Program, as well as the allocation of funds, are within the powers granted to Congress.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).