Padilla Helps Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act

Legislation modernizes NOAA's Hurricane Hunter fleet, strengthens atmospheric river forecasting, and better protects communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Tedd Budd (R-N.C.) in introducing the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act, bipartisan legislation that would codify the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Hurricane Hunter mission and authorize NOAA to acquire up to nine Hurricane Hunter aircraft. These aircraft are responsible for studying, forecasting, and responding to atmospheric rives, which have greatly impacted California in recent years. This bill will not only ensure this critical work continues, but it will expand the program to better protect communities in California and the rest of the United States.

The legislation would directly help improve the forecasts for hurricanes and atmospheric rivers that communities rely on to make evacuation decisions, protect critical infrastructure, and reduce costly disruptions to ports, energy production, and commerce.

"The better our forecasts, the more time families, first responders, and local officials have to prepare and save lives before disaster strikes," said Senator Padilla. "In California, we've seen how accurate forecasts can make all the difference as communities face dangerous atmospheric rivers, flooding, and landslides. NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft are essential to that effort, but an aging fleet is putting this lifesaving capability at risk. This bipartisan bill makes the investments needed to ensure NOAA can continue delivering the data and warnings that help keep Californians and communities across the country safe."

"As atmospheric rivers become more frequent and severe across the Pacific Northwest, our communities increasingly depend on accurate forecasts to prepare for flooding and other extreme weather," said Senator Cantwell. "NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft collect critical data that improves those forecasts, but much of the fleet is more than 50 years old. This bipartisan legislation will modernize and expand the fleet, strengthening NOAA's ability to provide the timely, accurate warnings that help keep families, businesses, and communities safe."

"As extreme weather events increase in frequency, we must ensure we have the resources in place to protect our communities," said Senator Blunt Rochester. "I'm proud to support the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act to sustain the mission of NOAA's Hurricane Hunters and ensure they continue to collect the information needed to keep us safe."

"Hurricane Hunter aircraft are one of NOAA's most important tools for protecting Americans along the coast during hurricane season, particularly in my home state of Texas," said Senator Cruz. "By flying directly into storms, they collect critical data that produces more accurate forecasts and earlier warnings. These forecasts help save lives, safeguard critical infrastructure, and reduce costly disruptions to ports, commerce, and supply chains. The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization bill will ensure NOAA has the modern fleet and capabilities needed to continue delivering the reliable, accurate forecasts Americans depend on."

"The NOAA Hurricane Hunters save lives and protect infrastructure along the Gulf Coast," said Senator Wicker. "They provide the most up-to-date storm tracking information, which is critical for first responders and local officials. The more Hurricane Hunters we have available, the safer our communities are."

"NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft play a pivotal role in gathering the data that helps inform our forecasts of potentially dangerous storms," said Senator Budd. "Continuing to invest in this fleet of aircraft will allow us to have more accurate information that will help federal, state, and, and local leaders make informed decisions to keep our communities safe."

Specifically, The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act would strengthen forecasting and protect communities by:

• Codifying NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission, establishing a permanent statutory foundation for airborne weather reconnaissance and research.
• Increasing the authorized number of Hurricane Hunter aircraft from not more than six aircraft to not fewer than six and not more than nine aircraft.
• Requiring NOAA to ensure continuity of Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance capability, including by maintaining backup aircraft so operations can continue if aircraft are grounded, preventing a single point of failure in the Nation's airborne forecasting enterprise.
• Preserving and modernizing airborne radar and remote-sensing capabilities.
• Authorizing multi-year contracting authority for aircraft acquisition and support.
• Requiring NOAA to maintain qualified NOAA Corps aviators and aircrews.
• Authorizing $2.5 billion in federal appropriations to purchase Hurricane Hunter aircraft and $45 million per year for NOAA aircraft operations and maintenance.

Last year, Padilla pushed the Trump Administration to reverse its shortsighted staff cuts and harmful reductions to critical weather forecasting services at the NOAA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Padilla also announced bipartisan legislation that will reduce flood risk and bolster emergency preparedness by improving atmospheric river forecasting to more precisely predict the timing and location of storms.

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