The FORECAST Act protects certain National Weather Service positions from federal hiring freezes by exempting meteorologists, hydrologists, and electronics technicians—roles critical for issuing weather and flood warnings and protecting public safety. The bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to implement this exemption within 30 days of the law's enactment and to restore any job offers rescinded since January 20, 2025, for these covered positions. The legislation also requires the Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress on staffing levels at the National Weather Service for these exempt positions. The bill affects National Weather Service employees and job applicants in three specific job series while ensuring weather forecasting operations remain fully staffed regardless of broader government hiring restrictions.
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