Nebraska Congressman introduces bipartisan bill to increase National Weather Service staffing

WASHINGTON —

Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood led a bipartisan group of lawmakers Friday in introducing legislation that would help speed up the hiring of National Weather Service employees.

The Weather Workforce Improvement Act would reclassify NWS employees as critical public safety officials which would grant the NWS temporary direct hiring authority.

"The National Weather Service has long provided critical weather data and forecasts used by the media and public across the United States. Granting them direct hiring authority will ensure that previous and future workforce shortages can be addressed quickly, helping to minimize disruptions," Flood said.

The act would allow direct hiring at NWS for meteorologists, general physical scientists, hydrologists, computer specialists, and electronic