S. 3923
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
Official summary
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Text of the bill
I Reauthorization of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
II Enhancing Federal weather forecasting and innovation
Where this section came from
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Feb 25, 2026 · Introduced in Senate Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Feb 25
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Sep 28, 2026 · Reported to Senate Marked up by Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Mar 4 Reported by Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sep 28 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
… 8 unchanged passages …
(d) Operational equivalency requirements. Not less than 90 days before any relevant Federal agency that supports software development that is used for weather predictions may transfer such management or operation to a non-Federal entity, that agency shall evaluate and provide a report to the appropriate committees of Congress on how the successor infrastructure achieves operational equivalency and maintains forecast accuracy and data latency.
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(a) In general. The Under Secretary may establish a long-term, agency-wide initiative to focus and align numerical weather prediction activities around a shared strategic vision for the future to further protect lives and property, enhance the national economy, and promote international leadership.
(b) Initiative goals. An initiative under subsection (a) shall encourage physics-based and data-driven modeling approaches, the use of ensemble systems, continuous and collaborative model development, and the modernization of modeling infrastructure and software practices.
(c) Activities. In carrying out an initiative under subsection (a), the Under Secretary should seek to—
(1) enhance forecast accuracy, efficiency, and interpretability;
(2) leverage innovation from the broader weather enterprise;
(3) use advanced computing technologies and observational data;
(4) periodically evaluate existing modeling systems to ensure resources are focused on the most capable and impactful forecast solutions while maintaining operational continuity; and
(5) explore artificial intelligence-based modeling capabilities and related training data needs.
(d) Operational equivalency requirements. Not less than 90 days before any relevant Federal agency that supports software development that is used for weather predictions may transfer such management or operation to a non-Federal entity, that agency shall evaluate and provide a report to the appropriate committees of Congress on how the successor infrastructure achieves operational equivalency and maintains forecast accuracy and data latency.
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