H.R. 7813, NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act

May 27, 2026

Cost Estimate

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on March 18, 2026

At a GlanceH.R. 7813, NOAA Weather Radio Modernization ActAs ordered reported by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology on March 18, 2026
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars		2026	2026-2031	2026-2036
Direct Spending (Outlays)		0	0	0
Revenues		0	0	0
Increase or Decrease (-) in the Deficit		0	0	0
Spending Subject to Appropriation (Outlays)		*	191	not estimated
Increases net direct spending in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2037?	No	Statutory pay-as-you-go procedures apply?		No
	No	Mandate Effects
Increases on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2037?	No	Contains intergovernmental mandate?		No
	No	Contains private-sector mandate?		No
* = between zero and $500,000.
The bill would Authorize the appropriation of $220 million to maintain and improve National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Authorize the development of standards for flash-flood emergency alert systems Implement staffing requirements for NOAA and provide the National Weather Service with direct-hire authority
Estimated budgetary effects would mainly stem from Spending of amounts authorized to be appropriated

Bill Summary

H.R. 7813 would authorize appropriations totaling $220 million over the 2026-2031 period for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain and modernize NOAA Weather Radio, a nationwide network that continuously broadcasts weather forecasts and warnings. The bill also would authorize the National Institute of Standards and Technology, in consultation with NOAA, to support the development of standards for flash-flood emergency alert systems. Finally, the bill would require NOAA to classify certain positions as protective-service occupations, require Congressional approval for staffing changes affecting those positions, and provide the National Weather Service with direct-hire authority to address critical staffing needs.

Estimated Federal Cost

The estimated budgetary effects of H.R. 7813 are shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within budget functions 300 (natural resources) and 370 (commerce and housing credit).

Table 1. Estimated Effects on Spending Subject to Appropriation Under H.R. 7813
	By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
	2026	2027	2028	2029	2030	2031	2026-2031
Maintenance of NOAA Weather Radio
Authorization	20	20	20	20	20	20	120
Estimated Outlays	0	12	16	19	20	20	87
Modernization of NOAA Weather Radio
Authorization	100	0	0	0	0	0	100
Estimated Outlays	*	25	45	15	10	3	98
Standards Development for Flash-Flood Emergency Alert Systems
Estimated Authorization	*	3	3	0	0	0	6
Estimated Outlays	*	3	3	0	0	0	6
Total Changes
Estimated Authorization	120	23	23	20	20	20	226
Estimated Outlays	*	40	64	34	30	23	191
NOAA = National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration; * = between zero and $500,000.

Basis of Estimate

For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 7813 will be enacted in the summer of 2026 and that outlays will follow historical spending patterns for affected programs. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 7813 would cost $191 million over the 2026-2031 period, assuming appropriation of the specified and estimated amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues.

Maintenance of NOAA Weather Radio

H.R. 7813 would authorize the appropriation of $20 million each year over the 2026-2031 period for the continued maintenance and operation of NOAA Weather Radio. Because appropriations have already been provided for 2026, this estimate does not reflect any outlays from the authorization for 2026. Using historical spending patterns for similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing that provision would cost $87 million over the 2026-2031 period and $11 million after 2031.

Modernization of NOAA Weather Radio

The bill also would authorize the appropriation of $100 million in 2026 to expand and upgrade NOAA Weather Radio. Because funds for those activities were not provided in the most recent appropriation, CBO’s estimate reflects the outlays for that amount, assuming that it will be appropriated late in 2026. Based on spending patterns for similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing the provision would cost $98 million over the 2026-2031 period.

Standards Development for Flash-Flood Emergency Alert Systems

Based on the cost of developing similar standards and on the amounts awarded in grants for research on public-safety communications, CBO estimates that developing standards for flash-flood alerts, including expenses for personnel, contracts, grants, and overhead, would cost $6 million over the 2026-2031 period. Because the bill would provide the National Institute for Standards and Technology with significant discretionary authority to implement this provision, CBO’s estimate is subject to uncertainty, and the costs could be higher or lower than shown here depending on how the agency implements H.R. 7813.

Other Provisions

CBO estimates that the cost to reclassify certain positions within NOAA and providing the National Weather Service with direct hire authority would be insignificant over the 2026-2031 period.