Proposed H.R. 7813 Amendments

PROPOSED H. R. 7813 AMENDMENTS

Consumer Accessibility and

Public Warning Effectiveness Amendments
Prepared for policy consideration

by the International Association of Space Consumers (IASC)

 

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PROPOSED AMENDMENT 1

CONSUMER DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENT

Policy Rationale

Emergency warnings are only effective if they reach citizens through the technologies they use most frequently. While NOAA Weather Radio remains an essential component of the national warning system, most Americans now receive real-time information through smartphones, connected vehicles, and digital platforms. Expanding alert distribution to these technologies can significantly increase the reach of life-saving warnings.

 

Purpose / Problem

Modern emergency alerts are frequently generated using advanced forecasting systems supported by satellite observation and national radar infrastructure. However, many citizens no longer rely on dedicated weather radios as their primary source of alerts. As a result, warnings may not reach individuals through the devices they use most frequently.

 

Proposed Solution

Require NOAA Weather Radio alerts to be distributed through widely used consumer technologies, including smartphones, vehicle navigation systems, websites, RSS feeds and connected home devices.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

H.R. 7813 modernizes the infrastructure supporting the NOAA Weather Radio network. This amendment strengthens the public impact of that modernization by ensuring alerts can be delivered through modern consumer technologies in addition to traditional radio receivers.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. CONSUMER DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY OF NOAA ALERTS

(a) Integration With Consumer Technologies.
The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall ensure that warnings, watches, and emergency alerts issued through the NOAA Weather Radio network are made available in real time through commonly used consumer digital platforms, in a manner that is continuous, reliable, and publicly accessible.

 

Such platforms may include, but not be limited to:

  1. smartphone operating systems
  2. vehicle navigation and infotainment systems
  3. connected home devices
  4. voice-activated digital assistants
  5. other widely used consumer communications technologies
  6. websites and RSS feeds

 

(b) No Subscription Requirement.
Alerts distributed through these systems shall be made available without subscription fees, licensing restrictions, or access limitations of any kind.

 

(c) Interoperability.
Alerts shall be distributed in standardized, machine-readable formats sufficient to enable real-time integration with third-party platforms, public safety systems, and private-sector applications.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 2

OPEN PUBLIC ALERT DATA INTERFACE

Purpose / Problem

Emergency alert distribution is currently fragmented across multiple systems and platforms. Many widely used navigation, transportation, and mapping technologies cannot easily integrate official warning information.

 

Proposed Solution

Create a standardized consumer focused interface allowing private technology platforms and public safety systems to access and distribute official weather alerts in real time.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

This amendment complements the modernization goals of H.R. 7813 by enabling broader distribution of alerts generated by the National Weather Service.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. PUBLIC EMERGENCY ALERT DATA INTERFACE

(a) The Under Secretary shall establish and maintain a publicly accessible digital interface allowing real-time dissemination of official weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service, in a manner that ensures continuous availability and system reliability.

 

(b) The interface shall—

  1. provide alerts in standardized, machine-readable formats suitable for automated integration;
  2. be accessible without licensing fees, subscription requirements, or access restrictions;
  3. support integration with navigation systems, mapping applications, transportation platforms, and emergency management systems.

 

(c) The Under Secretary shall ensure that the system maintains appropriate cybersecurity protections, authentication protocols, and verification mechanisms to preserve the integrity and authenticity of alert information.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 3

MULTILINGUAL EMERGENCY ALERTS

Purpose / Problem

Millions of American consumers live in households where English is not the primary language spoken. Language barriers can limit the effectiveness of emergency warnings and reduce public response during severe weather events.

 

Proposed Solution

Ensure that emergency alerts are made available in multiple widely spoken languages within the United States.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

H.R. 7813 improves the technological capacity of warning infrastructure. This amendment strengthens accessibility by ensuring alerts can be understood by diverse communities.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. MULTILINGUAL DISASTER WARNINGS

(a) The Under Secretary shall ensure that emergency alerts disseminated through NOAA Weather Radio modernization systems are made available in multiple languages in a manner that is accurate, timely, and accessible.

 

(b) At minimum, alerts shall be made available in—

  1. English
  2. Spanish
  3. Chinese
  4. Vietnamese
  5. Tagalog
  6. Korean
  7. Arabic
  8. French
  9. Russian
  10. Portuguese

 

(c) The Secretary may periodically update the list of languages based on national and regional demographic data, and shall ensure that translations maintain clarity and consistency with the original alert content.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 4

PRECISION LOCATION ALERT PILOT PROGRAM

Purpose / Problem

Current warning systems frequently issue alerts across broad geographic areas such as counties. These wide-area alerts can contribute to “warning fatigue,” causing citizens to ignore warnings when they do not appear relevant to their specific location.

 

Proposed Solution

Establish a pilot program to test location-specific alerts based on projected storm paths and geospatial data.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

The modernization of NOAA Weather Radio infrastructure creates an opportunity to test more precise warning delivery systems using existing forecasting and geospatial technologies.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. PRECISION WEATHER WARNING PILOT PROGRAM

(a) The Under Secretary shall establish a pilot program to test geospatially targeted emergency alerts capable of delivering warnings based on projected hazard paths and precise geographic locations.

 

(b) The program shall—

  1. incorporate real-time radar and forecasting data;
  2. enable location-based warnings delivered to consumer devices;
  3. evaluate improvements in warning specificity, geographic accuracy, and public response rates.

 

(c) Not later than three years after enactment, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress evaluating the effectiveness of the program, including measurable outcomes and recommended expansion strategies.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 5

POWER AND INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE

Purpose / Problem

Severe weather events often damage electrical infrastructure and communications systems. Warning transmitters must remain operational during these events to ensure continued public safety.

 

Proposed Solution

Require backup power systems and redundant transmission capabilities for NOAA Weather Radio infrastructure.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

H.R. 7813 authorizes modernization of NOAA Weather Radio infrastructure. This amendment strengthens the reliability of that infrastructure during emergencies.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. RESILIENT WARNING INFRASTRUCTURE

(a) Modernization of NOAA Weather Radio infrastructure under this Act shall include backup power capabilities and redundant operational systems sufficient to ensure continuous functionality during grid failures and disaster conditions.

 

(b) Such capabilities shall include—

  1. solar or renewable backup power systems;
  2. extended battery storage systems;
  3. redundant transmission capabilities to ensure continued operation during grid failures.

 

(c) Priority shall be given to areas with high disaster vulnerability, including regions with known infrastructure instability or elevated risk of severe weather events.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 6

PUBLIC ACCESS WEATHER RADIO PROGRAM

Purpose / Problem

Certain communities lack reliable access to cellular or broadband networks, limiting their ability to receive digital alerts.

 

Proposed Solution

Establish a program supporting distribution of NOAA-compatible weather radios to high-risk communities.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

This amendment strengthens the accessibility goals of H.R. 7813 by ensuring warning infrastructure reaches communities with limited communications coverage.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. WEATHER RADIO ACCESS PROGRAM

(a) The Under Secretary shall establish a grant program supporting distribution of NOAA-compatible weather radios to high-risk communities.

 

(b) Priority shall be given to—

  1. rural communities with limited cellular coverage
  2. tornado-prone regions
  3. hurricane-vulnerable coastal areas
  4. flood-risk regions
  5. elderly and medically vulnerable populations

 

(c) Grants may be issued to State and local emergency management agencies for procurement and distribution, with requirements to ensure targeted deployment to high-risk households and communities.

 

(d) Funding shall come from: ———–

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 7

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DASHBOARD

Purpose / Problem

Public safety infrastructure benefits from transparency regarding system performance and reliability. Currently, there is limited public visibility into warning system coverage and operational performance.

 

Proposed Solution

Establish a publicly accessible consumer/voter dashboard reporting key performance metrics for the NOAA Weather Radio network.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

This amendment complements modernization efforts by providing transparency and accountability regarding system effectiveness.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. PUBLIC WARNING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE METRICS

(a) The Under Secretary shall establish a publicly accessible dashboard reporting key performance metrics for the NOAA Weather Radio modernization system, in a format that is clear, accessible, and regularly maintained.

 

(b) Metrics shall include—

  1. geographic coverage rates
  2. transmitter uptime and reliability
  3. average alert delivery times
  4. population coverage statistics

 

(c) The dashboard shall be updated at least annually, and shall reflect the most current available data.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 8

RURAL WEATHER COVERAGE GUARANTEE

Purpose / Problem

Certain rural, tribal, and mountainous regions lack reliable access to NOAA Weather Radio transmissions.

 

Proposed Solution

In a publicly released Congressional Report, require the identification of coverage gaps and then prioritize the expansion of the established transmitter infrastructure in underserved regions.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

H.R. 7813 modernizes the warning infrastructure. This amendment ensures modernization efforts address geographic coverage gaps.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. RURAL WEATHER WARNING COVERAGE

(a) The Under Secretary shall identify geographic regions lacking reliable access to NOAA Weather Radio transmissions using available data and mapping tools.

 

(b) Priority shall be given to installation of additional transmitters and relay systems in—

  1. rural counties
  2. tribal lands
  3. mountainous regions
  4. frontier and agricultural regions

 

(c) The Secretary shall submit to Congress a map identifying all coverage gaps within 18 months of enactment, along with recommendations for addressing identified deficiencies.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 9

SEVERE WEATHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM

Purpose / Problem

Emergency alerts are most effective when citizens understand how to respond appropriately during severe weather events.

 

Proposed Solution

Develop a national public education and training initiative focused on severe weather preparedness.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

This amendment strengthens the public safety impact of the modernization effort by improving the publics understanding of emergency warnings.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. PUBLIC WEATHER SAFETY EDUCATION

(a) The Under Secretary shall develop a national public education campaign on severe weather preparedness.

 

(b) The program may include—

  1. school curriculum partnerships
  2. public safety awareness campaigns
  3. disaster preparedness materials
  4. coordination with state and local emergency management agencies

 

(c) Educational materials shall emphasize response actions for tornadoes, flash floods, hurricanes, extreme heat, and winter storms, and shall be designed to promote clear and actionable public understanding.

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT 10

PROTECTION OF FREE PUBLIC WEATHER INFORMATION

Purpose / Problem

Emergency weather alerts are essential public safety information. Restricting access through licensing or exclusive distribution arrangements could limit public access.

 

Proposed Solution

Ensure that official National Weather Service warnings remain freely accessible to the public.

 

Relationship to the Current Legislative Act

This amendment reinforces the public safety mission of the National Weather Service and ensures that modernization efforts maintain open public access to warning information.

 

Suggested Code Section and Legislative Language

SEC. __. FREE PUBLIC ACCESS TO WEATHER WARNINGS

(a) All warnings, watches, and emergency alerts issued by the National Weather Service shall remain freely accessible to the public without restriction.

 

(b) Federal agencies may not restrict, license, or impose fees on access to official warning information.

 

(c) Nothing in this Act shall permit exclusive licensing, control, or restriction of emergency weather data by any entity.