H.R. 5002 — Protect Americans from Climate Disasters Act

This section states congressional findings on the impacts of human-caused climate variability, including extended droughts, longer wildfire seasons, heavy rainfall, and sea level rise; the increasing number and cost of extreme weather disasters (over $746.7 billion and 2,520 deaths from 2020 to 2024); Americans' reliance on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather information; and risks from National Weather Service and NOAA staffing reductions, including reduced forecasting capacity, eliminated products and services (e.g., Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters product), and threats to public safety.

This section directs the Secretary of Commerce, not later than 30 days after enactment using previously appropriated funds, to (1) ensure that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including the National Weather Service, is fully staffed to provide timely and accurate data, forecasts, weather alerts, and resiliency resources for extreme weather events; and (2) reinstate individuals involuntarily removed or terminated from NOAA employment between January 20, 2025, and the date of enactment who elect reinstatement.

This section directs the Secretary of Commerce to continue carrying out any NOAA programs appropriated to support state and local efforts to prepare for and respond to extreme weather events and prohibits changes to existing congressionally mandated programs that reduce access to extreme weather resources. In doing so, the section requires the Secretary to immediately reinstate (1) the Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters product (i.e., a NOAA dataset tracking U.S. weather and climate disasters costing $1 billion or more), (2) the NOAA Marine Environmental Buoy Database, and (3) the NOAA Global Ocean Currents Database, and to carry out any projects funded under those programs.

This section appropriates $6,756,300,000 to the Department of Commerce for the necessary expenses of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for FY2026.