S. 3923
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
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Text of the bill
I Reauthorization of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
Section 301 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8531) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (1) and redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively;
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
(b) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite systems and data
(1) In general. The Under Secretary shall maintain a fleet of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration space-based observation platforms that provide critical operations-focused data and information to support the mission of the Administration in order to protect lives and property from extreme weather and other natural phenomena.
(2) Collaboration. The Under Secretary shall implement recommendations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Observing Systems Council to ensure an appropriate mix of government, academic, commercial sector, and international partnerships in the provision of data and information, including a broadened effort on data acquisition through the Commercial Data Program under section 302 when cost effective and beneficial to the Administration.
(3) Priority. The Under Secretary shall ensure that platforms maintained under paragraph (1) prioritize the development of products and services that are tailored to meet the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s mission and have sufficient Federal personnel to manage and operate the platforms and associated infrastructure.
(4) National Centers for Environmental Information. The Under Secretary shall maintain the National Centers for Environmental Information to provide a long-term archive and access to the national and global data and metadata of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(3) in subsection (c) by adding at the end the following:
(3) Geostationary extended observation
(A) In general. The Under Secretary shall, subject to available appropriations, develop and maintain geostationary extended observations, known as GeoXO, that—
(i) retain continuity of data in geostationary orbit, with data quality standards meeting or exceeding those of the GOES–R program or successor program;
(ii) modernize core weather-monitoring capabilities, while ensuring imaging and sounding remain core instruments on all satellites; and
(iii) launch not later than 2032.
(B) Mission architecture and implementation plan
(i) In general. Before terminating any program elements relating to geostationary extended observations under subparagraph (A), the Under Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a revised mission architecture and implementation plan, including component costs, costs associated with terminating or altering current mission architecture, and a planned launch schedule.
(ii) Appropriate committees of Congress defined. In this subparagraph, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—
(I) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
(II) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
; and
(4) in subsection (f)(1), by striking 2023 and inserting 2030.
II Enhancing Federal weather forecasting and innovation
III Commercial weather and environmental observations
IV Communicating weather to the public
V Improving weather information for agriculture and water management
VI Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research and control
VII Fire ready Nation
VIII Precipitation estimates and landslide preparedness
IX Importation of red snapper
X Improving cybersecurity and telecommunications for oceanic research
XI Other authorities
XII Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2026