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
II Enhancing Federal weather forecasting and innovation
(a) Assessments. Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes the following:
(1) An identification of Federal observation capabilities and data gaps related to the composition of Earth’s atmosphere, including the troposphere and stratosphere.
(2) An analysis of Federal efforts that advance scientific understanding of the effects on the Earth’s radiation budget of direct or indirect actions that may change the composition of Earth’s atmosphere.
(3) The current and projected use of ground-based, space-based, and maritime-based remote and in situ sensing capabilities, autonomous and manned aerial platforms, and other commercially available technologies and platforms of opportunity to accelerate research and increase observations and monitoring of Earth’s atmosphere.
(4) Recommendations for the adaptation or expansion of technologies and platforms identified under paragraph (3).
(5) An identification and prioritization of additional observation and analysis capabilities needed to ensure comprehensive monitoring that detects future changes in atmospheric composition.
(b) Considerations. In preparing an assessment required by subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall consider and use, as appropriate, reports and studies conducted by Federal agencies, the National Research Council, or other entities.
(c) Pilot projects
(1) In general. The Under Secretary may conduct pilot projects of atmospheric composition observational systems and platforms including—
(A) the use of atmospheric observing instruments on commercial and uncrewed aircraft;
(B) the use of atmospheric and oceanic observing instruments on uncrewed ocean surface platforms or deployed on commercial or other nondedicated ocean vessels; and
(C) in situ observation capability to conduct regular atmospheric observations of the troposphere and stratosphere.
(2) Consultation and coordination. The Under Secretary shall consult and coordinate with relevant Federal agencies to develop processes for the appropriate deployment of systems and platforms pursuant to pilot projects conducted under paragraph (1).
(d) Authority To enter into agreements. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Under Secretary may enter into agreements, to the extent necessary to carry out this section, with governmental and nongovernmental entities—
(1) for the purchase of atmospheric composition data from commercial providers;
(2) for the hosting of observational instruments on government or private platforms; and
(3) to leverage data from international platforms as appropriate.
(e) Definition of appropriate committees of Congress. In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means—
(1) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
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