I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1115 
To develop the next generation of weather radar, authorize supplemental 
gap radar coverage, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 7, 2025 
Mr. CRAWFORD (for himself and Mr. MORAN) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To develop the next generation of weather radar, authorize 
supplemental gap radar coverage, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Weather Radar Cov-
erage Improvement Act’’ 
SEC. 2. NEXT GENERATION PHASED ARRAY RADAR. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary, in consulta-
tion with the Director of the National Weather Service, 
shall develop a plan to replace the Next Generation 
Weather Radar of the National Weather Service 
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(‘‘NEXRAD’’) system in existence as of the date of the 
enactment of this section. 
(b) PROCUREMENT DEADLINE.—The Under Sec-
retary shall take such actions as may be necessary to en-
sure the replacement described in subsection (a) is com-
pleted by not later than September 30, 2040. 
(c) ELEMENTS.—The plan developed pursuant to 
subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) Estimates of quantifiable improvements in 
coverage and accuracy to be made from replacement 
of the NEXRAD system referred to in such sub-
section. 
(2) Development of a prototype digital phased 
array radar to test and determine the specifications 
and requirements for such replacement. 
(3) Establishment of a weather surveillance 
phased array radar testbed for the following: 
(A) Evaluation of commercial radars with 
the potential to replace or supplement the 
NEXRAD system. 
(B) Providing technical assistance for the 
use of small, gap filling radars in regions where 
geographical topography prevents full utilization 
of larger systems. 
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(4) Consultation and input solicited from mete-
orologists, emergency managers, and public safety 
officials regarding the specifications and require-
ments for replacement of the NEXRAD system re-
ferred in such subsection. 
(d) RADAR-AS-A-SERVICE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In order to supplement gaps 
in radar coverage in existence as of the date of the 
enactment of this section and ensure the continued 
performance of weather radar capabilities, the Direc-
tor of the National Weather Service may utilize and 
contract with third party entities to fill such radar 
gaps using diverse weather radars and data assimila-
tion technologies to better detect significant precipi-
tation and severe weather over a greater area across 
the population. 
(2) PRIORITY.—In carrying out the activities 
under paragraph (1), the Director of the National 
Weather Service shall prioritize utilizing and con-
tracting with third party entities that have partici-
pated in the testbed established in accordance with 
subsection (c)(3). 
(3) WEATHER CAMERA SYSTEMS.—In carrying 
out the activities under paragraph (1), the Director 
of the National Weather Service may consider 
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weather camera systems and services as viable tech-
nologies to supplement gaps in radar coverage. 
(e) UPDATES TO CONGRESS.—The Under Secretary 
shall provide to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate periodic updates on the implementation of this sec-
tion. 
(f) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘Under 
Secretary’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation 
Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501). 
Æ 
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