Purpose

To provide funding from the state’s general fund to support weather forecasting by purchasing gapfilling radar data and related services. The goal is to improve weather planning, preparation, response, and overall public safety in Minnesota.

Main Provisions

• Funding authorization: $1,270,000 in fiscal year 2026 and $2,050,000 in fiscal year 2027, from the general fund, to the commissioner of public safety for the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division.
• Use of funds: To procure weather forecasting gapfilling radar data and services.
• Observational gaps addressed: The data will be used to fill five critical low-level observation gaps in Minnesota in the first year, and eight critical gaps in subsequent years.
• Data access for agencies: The radar data obtained with this appropriation must be made available to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• Baseline funding: The ongoing base for this appropriation is $2,050,000 in fiscal years 2028 and 2029.

Data Sharing and Coordination

• Cross-agency collaboration: The bill requires sharing radar data with state agencies involved in agriculture, transportation, and environmental regulation to support planning and response.

Significance and Potential Impact

• Public safety enhancement: By filling gaps in low-level weather observations, the state aims to improve weather forecasting, emergency readiness, and safety measures across Minnesota.
• Better-informed decisions: Shared radar data helps multiple agencies plan for weather-related events and protect communities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new targeted appropriation within public safety funding specifically for weather radar gapfilling data and services.
• Establishes a data-sharing requirement with three state agencies, expanding how weather data is used across state government.

Notes

• The bill focuses on budgeting for data acquisition and interagency data access; it does not specify changes to statutes beyond establishing this new appropriation and data-sharing approach.

Relevant Terms - weather forecasting - gapfilling radar data - low-level observations - critical gaps - five gaps - eight gaps - general fund - appropriation - commissioner of public safety - Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division - Department of Agriculture - Department of Transportation - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - fiscal year 2026 - fiscal year 2027 - fiscal year 2028 - fiscal year 2029 - data sharing - public safety - weather planning - emergency management