Current status is Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5002

1. Short title
2. Findings
3. Definition
4. NOAA staffing and personnel
5. Continuation of authorized NOAA programs
6. National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration funding

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Protect Americans from Climate Disasters Act".

2. Findings

Congress finds the following:

(1) - The Fifth United States National Climate Assessment reported that human-caused climate variability such as extended droughts, longer wildfire seasons, heavy rainfall, and sea level rise affects the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.

(2) - According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the number and cost of extreme weather and climate disasters have increased over time and will continue to increase in the United States due to climate change, increased urbanization, and development in weather prone areas.

(3) - According to the National Centers for Environmental Information, from 2020 to 2024 alone, weather and climate disasters cost the United States over $746,700,000,000 and led to 2,520 deaths.

(4) - Americans rely on weather information provided by NOAA every day for emergency disaster alerts, forecasting, data collection, and more.

(5) - Staffing reductions at the National Weather Service and NOAA have resulted in decreased capacity to forecast extreme weather events, the elimination of some products and services, and the deterioration of environmental scientific research, which poses a threat to public safety.

(6) - The 5 former living National Weather Service leaders wrote an open letter expressing their deep concern that the staff and program cuts at NOAA may result in the loss of life.

(7) - NOAA’s Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters product has been eliminated, reducing publicly available data that tracked the economic impact of United States weather and climate trends since 1980.

3. Definition

In this Act, the term "NOAA" means the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

4. NOAA staffing and personnel

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, using funds previously appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary of Commerce shall—

(1) - take such actions as are necessary to ensure that NOAA, including the National Weather Service, is fully staffed to ensure timely and accurate data, forecasts, weather alerts, and resiliency resources are available to prepare for extreme weather events; and

(2) - reinstate any individuals who—

(A) - were involuntarily removed or otherwise terminated from employment with NOAA during the period beginning on January 20, 2025, and ending on the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(B) - elect to be reinstated.

5. Continuation of authorized NOAA programs

(a) Requirements - The Secretary of Commerce—

(1) - shall continue to carry out any programs for which funds have been appropriated that support State and local efforts to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events; and

(2) - may not make any changes to existing congressionally mandated programs that will reduce access to extreme weather resources.

(b) Actions required - In carrying out subsection (a)—

(1) - the Secretary of Commerce shall immediately reinstate the Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters product and carry out any project for which funds have been made available under such program;

(2) - the Secretary of Commerce shall immediately reinstate the NOAA Marine Environmental Buoy Database and carry out any project for which funds have been made available under such program; and

(3) - the Secretary of Commerce shall immediately reinstate the NOAA Global Ocean Currents Database and carry out any project for which funds have been made available under such program.

6. National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration funding

There is appropriated to the Department of Commerce, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2026, $6,756,300,000 for the necessary expenses of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

119-HR5002

Protect Americans from Climate Disasters Act