HR 1496 United States House · 118th Congress

National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act

This bill requires the National Weather Service (NWS) to replace its outdated internal messaging system (NWSChat) with a commercial cloud-based solution to improve communication among staff. It mandates the NWS Director to implement this upgrade by 2027, using up to $3 million annually from existing NWS funding for fiscal years 2024-2027. The new system must support future growth and handle increased user demand. This directly affects NWS personnel who rely on internal communications for weather forecasting and public safety operations. The bill focuses solely on updating the technology infrastructure, not on new weather policies or public services.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Mar 9, 2023 Last action May 16, 2023
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
3
May 16, 2023
Lower · Passed
Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 118-61.
lower
Mar 29, 2023
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
lower
Mar 9, 2023
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
lower
Mar 9, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 16 co-sponsors

Sponsors