National Weather Safety Board Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it aims to create a dedicated, independent body focused solely on scrutinizing how the federal government handles major weather disasters. Currently, while various agencies review their own actions, there isn't a central, independent board with subpoena power specifically tasked with cross-agency investigations into preparedness and response failures for severe weather events. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more transparent accountability for government agencies involved in disaster management and potentially drive significant improvements in how the nation prepares for and responds to future extreme weather.

Without this bill, investigations into major weather disasters would continue to rely on existing agency reviews or ad-hoc congressional inquiries, which may not always offer the same level of independence, specialized expertise, or comprehensive cross-agency assessment. For voters, this means a potential for stronger oversight that could directly translate to better public safety and less economic disruption when severe weather strikes their communities.

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Establishes an independent National Weather Safety Board with at least 7 members appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Creating an independent board ensures that investigations into major weather disaster responses are impartial and not influenced by the agencies being reviewed.

high

Authorizes the board to investigate 'covered major disasters,' which include severe weather events causing significant fatalities, injuries, or declared as major disasters.

This provision defines the scope of the board's authority, focusing its efforts on the most impactful and devastating weather events.

high

Grants the board subpoena authority to obtain testimony or evidence from federal agencies during investigations.

Subpoena power is crucial for the board to ensure full cooperation and access to necessary information from agencies, enhancing the thoroughness of investigations.

med

Requires the board to submit preliminary and final reports with findings and recommendations, and to make recommendations and their implementation publicly available.

Public reporting and tracking promote transparency and accountability, encouraging agencies to act on the board's advice to improve disaster preparedness and response.

low

Specifies that the board will terminate five years after its final member is confirmed.

This sunset provision indicates that the board is intended to operate for a defined period, suggesting a review of its effectiveness may occur before any potential reauthorization.

DEADLINES & DATES

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Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act

Establishment of the National Weather Safety Board as an independent entity

Not later than 120 days after the establishment of the Safety Board

Development of a system to provide information to the Safety Board regarding covered major disasters

Not later than 14 days after the date on which a severe weather event is declared to be a covered major disaster

Safety Board vote to determine whether to investigate a covered major disaster

Not later than 90 days after the conclusion of a covered major disaster

Submission of a preliminary report related to an investigation

Not later than 20 months after the date on which the Safety Board begins an investigation

Submission of a final report for an investigation

5 years after the date on which the final member of the Safety Board is confirmed by the Senate

Termination of the Safety Board

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Covered major disaster: A severe weather event that is officially declared a major disaster by the government, or one that causes at least 10 deaths, 100 injuries, or rapid mass casualties, as determined by the Safety Board.
Severe weather event: A natural disaster like a hurricane, tropical storm, flood, tornado, winter weather event, extreme cold event, or tsunami.
Independent entity: An organization that operates separately from the executive departments and agencies, intended to be free from political influence or control by other parts of the government.
Advice and consent of the Senate: The power of the U.S. Senate to approve or reject treaties and presidential appointments, such as cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and members of certain boards and commissions.
Quorum: The minimum number of members of a committee or board who must be present for business to be officially conducted or for a vote to be valid.
Subpoena: A legal order requiring a person to appear in court or before a committee (like the Safety Board in this case) to give testimony or to produce documents or other evidence.
Enactment

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAR 5

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 5

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

INTROREFERRAL

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Transportation and Infrastructure CommitteeReferred

Mar 5, 2026

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National Weather Safety Board Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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National Weather Safety Board Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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National Weather Safety Board Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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Discussion

National Weather Safety Board Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

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Discussion

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