Bill would block NOAA cloud contract cancellations without a data backup plan
In committeeH.R. 6184Latest action
Sponsor: Sarah Elfreth · Representative · MD
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: NOAA Data Preservation Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 6184 bars the government from ending NOAA cloud storage contracts until a gap-free data transition plan is in place.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
HR 6184 prohibits the Department of Commerce from canceling NOAA's cloud storage contracts unless a complete, step-by-step plan exists to move the data without interruption. The bill also requires NOAA leadership to be directly involved in overseeing any such transition. The goal is to ensure that publicly collected scientific data remains continuously accessible regardless of contract or business decisions.
Who does it affect?
The bill directly affects NOAA, the federal agency that tracks weather, oceans, and the atmosphere, as well as the private companies that provide it with cloud storage services. Anyone who depends on NOAA's data is also affected, including weather forecasters, emergency managers, farmers, pilots, shipping companies, researchers, and the general public.
Why does it matter?
Without this requirement, a contract could be canceled before a backup arrangement is in place, leaving NOAA's data temporarily unavailable or permanently lost. The bill responds to that risk by making a verified transition plan a legal precondition for ending any storage agreement.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedNov 20, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Nov 20, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.