US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB6184

Introduced
11/20/25  

Caption

NOAA Data Preservation Act

Impact

The bill impacts federal regulations surrounding data management for NOAA, reinforcing the importance of maintaining robust data storage solutions in the cloud. By establishing strict conditions for discontinuing service agreements, the legislation aims to enhance data security and reliability. This could facilitate better management of environmental data essential for research, climate monitoring, and public policy decisions, which are increasingly dependent on accurate and accessible information.

Nature

Overall, the NOAA Data Preservation Act represents a strategic effort to safeguard vital data from NOAA, which plays a significant role in managing oceanic and atmospheric information. Advocates see it as a necessary measure to protect federal data integrity, while opponents may push for more flexible and competitive approaches to data management.

Summary

House Bill 6184, titled the NOAA Data Preservation Act, is designed to ensure the uninterrupted storage of data sets managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The core provision of this bill prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from canceling contracts with cloud service providers that store NOAA data unless specific conditions are met. This includes developing a transition plan if a shift to a different provider is necessary, ensuring continued access to critical environmental data.

Contention

Points of contention regarding HB 6184 may arise around the appropriations involved for cloud services, the potential for increased federal expenditure, and the implications of locking in contracts with specific cloud providers. Critics may argue that such restrictions could hinder competitive practices in the technology sector. Additionally, there are concerns about the long-term viability of relying on cloud service providers, given the technological evolution and possible changes in service quality.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB2583

NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act

US HB4482

Stop NOAA Closures Act

US HB7813

NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act

US HB7896

NOAA Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Research Act

US HB2211

Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act

US SB2633

Saving NOAA’s Workforce Act

US HB5456

NWR Modernization Act of 2025 NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act of 2025

US H7422

Creates "the Rhode Island clean air preservation act."

US SJR12

Noaa Buoy Outages

US SB322

Improving Atmospheric River Forecasts ActThis bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish an atmospheric river forecast improvement program.In carrying out the program, NOAA must seek to reduce loss of life and property and other economic losses caused by atmospheric river events through research and development on accurate, effective, and actionable forecasting and warnings. The program must generally involve the establishment of quantitative atmospheric river forecast skill metrics, the development of an atmospheric river forecast system within a unified forecast system, and the development of tools and products to predict periods of active or inactive atmospheric river landfalls and inland penetration, among other activities. The program must periodically test and evaluate the value of incorporating innovative observations (e.g., observations from radar, aircraft, ocean buoys, and other sources) to facilitate the improvement of modeling and forecasting. The program must also consider the development of best practices for communicating the existence and severity of atmospheric river events, as well as other information about atmospheric rivers. The program may seek to improve precipitation modeling, with an emphasis on forecasting for complex terrain. The bill also requires NOAA to acquire and sustain adequate crewed and uncrewed aircraft (i.e., drones), equipment, and personnel necessary to meet air reconnaissance mission requirements annually during the expected atmospheric river season (November through March). 

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.