S. 258 · On the floor · Science, Technology, Communications

TORNADO Act

Sponsor: Roger F. Wicker (R-MS)

What it does

• Requires NOAA to evaluate and improve its communications about hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and other hazardous weather.
• Establishes a Risk Communication Office to assess communication effectiveness and find simpler, clearer ways to inform the public.
• Requires a research program to modernize communication systems and a pilot program applying the research to tornado communications.
• Requires a strategic plan for the Warn-on-Forecast System, an evaluation of the tornado rating system, and post-storm assessments of significant events.
• Provides statutory authority for NOAA's Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment and requires a GAO report on the National Weather Service.

Official summary

Tornado Observations Research and Notification Assessment for Development of Operations Act or the TORNADO Act This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to evaluate and improve its communications about hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and other hazardous weather events. Specifically, NOAA must establish a Risk Communication Office to evaluate the effectiveness of NOAA's communications and to identify ways to provide simpler and clearer information to the public about hazardous weather events. NOAA must also (1) establish a research program to modernize its communication systems, and (2) establish a pilot program to implement the research with respect to communications about tornadoes. Additionally, the bill requires NOAA to develop a strategic plan for implementing the Warn-on-Forecast System, which aims to provide more advanced warnings of thunderstorm-related events (e.g., tornadoes). The bill also requires NOAA to evaluate its tornado rating system and to conduct post-storm assessments of significant events. The bill also provides statutory authority for NOAA's Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (known as…

Latest action

Jun 2, 2025: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 88.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation