S. 3923

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sponsor: Ted Cruz

11 cosponsors
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I Reauthorization of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017

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

Sec. 502. National Integrated Drought Information System Since introduced

(a) In general. Section 3 of the National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006 (15 U.S.C. 313d) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a), by striking , through the National Weather Service and other appropriate weather and climate programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,;

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (1)—

(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking and after the semicolon;

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting and after the semicolon; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

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(C) incorporates flash drought research and tools to enhance timely response;

(B) in paragraph (5), by striking improvements in seasonal precipitation and temperature, subseasonal precipitation and temperature, and low flow water prediction; and and inserting support improvements in subseasonal to seasonal precipitation and temperature, and low flow water prediction;; and

(C) by striking paragraph (6) and inserting the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(6) continue ongoing research and monitoring activities related to drought, including research activities relating to the prediction, length, severity, and impacts of drought and the role of weather events and subseasonal to seasonal variability in drought;

(7) advance and deploy next-generation technologies related to drought, such as monitoring, preparedness, and forecasting capabilities utilizing artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud technologies;

(8) use observational networks, including the National Weather Service cooperative observer program and State or regional hydrological monitoring projects;

(9) refine drought indicators across multiple spatial and temporal scales;

(10) improve decision support products;

(11) optimize data and resources from across the Federal Government;

(12) investigate and address data gaps, including snowpack monitoring, space-based or in-situ soil moisture monitoring, groundwater data, and data related to rapid intensification events; and

(13) engage with, and leverage the resources of, entities within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in existence as of the date of the enactment of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 to improve coordination of water monitoring, forecasting, and management.

(3) in subsection (c)—

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking and after the semicolon;

(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

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(4) in partnership with the National Mesonet Program, establish memoranda of understanding to provide coordinated, high-quality data.

; and

(4) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(g) Modeling update. Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, the Under Secretary, acting through the National Integrated Drought Information System and the National Weather Service, shall develop a plan to incorporate existing drought products of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and improved dynamical and statistical forecast modeling tools into probabilistic forecasts.

(b) Authorization of appropriations. Section 4 of the National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–430; 15 U.S.C. 313d note) is amended to read as follows:

Text this section adds to the law

4. Authorization of appropriations. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act—

(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.

(2) $15,500,000 for fiscal year 2027.

(3) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.

(4) $16,500,000 for fiscal year 2029.

(5) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2030.

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