S. 3923

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sponsor: Ted Cruz

11 cosponsors

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Introduced Feb 25
Committee Mar 4
Senate Now
House of Representatives —
Law —

Introduced Feb 25
Committee Mar 4
Senate Now
House of Representatives —
Law —

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 685. (Sep 28)

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Text of the bill

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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents Changed · Sep 28

Sec. 2. Definitions Since introduced

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

Sec. 101. Public safety priority Since introduced

Sec. 102. United States weather research and forecasting Since introduced

Sec. 103. Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment–United States of America (VORTEX–USA) Since introduced

Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program Since introduced

Sec. 105. Tsunami Warning and Education Act reauthorization Changed · Sep 28

Sec. 106. Observing system planning Since introduced

Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments Since introduced

Sec. 108. Computing resources prioritization Since introduced

Sec. 109. Earth Prediction Innovation Center Since introduced

Sec. 110. Satellite architecture planning Since introduced

Sec. 111. Improving uncrewed activities Since introduced

Sec. 112. Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services Since introduced

Sec. 113. Ocean observations Since introduced

Sec. 114. Consolidation of reports Since introduced

Sec. 115. Precipitation forecast improvement program Since introduced

II Enhancing Federal weather forecasting and innovation

Sec. 201. Next-generation numerical weather prediction initiative Changed · Sep 28

Sec. 202. Radar Next Program Since introduced

Sec. 203. Data voids in under observed areas of the United States Since introduced

Sec. 204. Atmospheric rivers forecast improvement program Since introduced

Sec. 205. Coastal flooding and storm surge forecast improvement program Since introduced

Sec. 206. National Integrated Heat Health Information System Since introduced

Sec. 207. Aviation weather and data innovation Since introduced

Sec. 208. Aerial snow survey program Added Sep 28

Sec. 208209. National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service partnership program, transition program, and operational planning Since introduced

Sec. 209210. Advanced weather interactive processing system Since introduced

Sec. 210211. Reanalysis and reforecasting Since introduced

Sec. 211212. National Weather Service workforce Since introduced

Sec. 212213. Artificial intelligence for weather forecasting Since introduced

Sec. 213214. Composition of the atmosphere and atmospheric observations Since introduced

Sec. 214215. Project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog Since introduced

III Commercial weather and environmental observations

Sec. 301. Commercial Data Program Since introduced

Sec. 302. Commercial Data Pilot Program Since introduced

Sec. 303. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication Since introduced

Sec. 304. Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices Since introduced

Sec. 305. Clerical amendment Since introduced

IV Communicating weather to the public

Sec. 401. Definitions Since introduced

Sec. 402. Hazardous weather or water event risk communication Since introduced

Sec. 403. Hazard communication research and engagement Since introduced

Sec. 404. NOAA Weather Radio Since introduced

Sec. 405. National standards for weather warning systems in flash flood zones Since introduced

Sec. 406. Post-storm surveys and assessments Since introduced

Sec. 407. Government Accountability Office report on alert dissemination for hazardous weather or water events Since introduced

Sec. 408. Data collection, management, and protection Since introduced

V Improving weather information for agriculture and water management

Sec. 501. Weather information for agriculture and water management Since introduced

Sec. 502. National Integrated Drought Information System Since introduced

Sec. 503. National Mesonet Program Changed · Sep 28

Sec. 504. National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network Since introduced

(a) In general. The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Director of the United States Geological Survey, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall support the development, deployment, and maintenance of soil moisture monitoring networks by managing the National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network (in this section referred to as the Network) within the National Integrated Drought Information System.

(b) Activities. The Under Secretary shall ensure the Network includes activities that carry out the following:

(1) Establishing a visible, user-friendly website.

(2) Developing a set of criteria for high-quality data sources.

(3) Supporting research necessary to develop or improve soil moisture monitoring products at a national scale.

(4) Increasing the number of long-term, high-quality, in situ and remote sensing soil moisture monitoring stations across the United States.

(5) Sharing methodologies and validation protocols with the private sector.

(6) Developing, releasing, and promoting new nationwide point-based and gridded soil moisture data products.

(7) Supporting community, outreach, and data sharing to the network of individuals engaged with soil moisture monitoring, from data collection to end-user decision making.

Sec. 505. National Water Center Since introduced

Sec. 506. Satellite transfers briefing Since introduced

VI Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research and control

Sec. 601. Amendments to the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 Since introduced

Sec. 602. Other harmful algal bloom and hypoxia matters Since introduced

VII Fire ready Nation

Sec. 701. Definitions Since introduced

Sec. 702. Establishment of fire weather services program Since introduced

Sec. 703. Fire weather testbed Since introduced

Sec. 704. Data management and technology modernization Since introduced

Sec. 705. Surveys and assessments Since introduced

Sec. 706. Incident Meteorologist Service Since introduced

Sec. 707. Emergency response activities Since introduced

Sec. 708. Submissions to Congress regarding the Fire Weather Services Program, incident meteorologist workforce needs, and National Weather Service workforce support Since introduced

Sec. 709. Fire Science and Technology Working Group; strategic plan Since introduced

Sec. 710. Fire weather rating system Since introduced

Sec. 711. Government Accountability Office reports Since introduced

Sec. 712. Cooperation and coordination Since introduced

Sec. 713. General provisions Since introduced

Sec. 714. Authorization of appropriations Since introduced

VIII Precipitation estimates and landslide preparedness

Sec. 801. Inclusion of atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation events in estimates of precipitation frequency Since introduced

Sec. 802. Reauthorization of National Landslide Preparedness Act Since introduced

Sec. 803. Next Generation Water Observing System Since introduced

Sec. 804. Water data enhancement and national groundwater resources monitoring by United States Geological Survey Since introduced

IX Importation of red snapper

Sec. 901. Methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood Since introduced

Sec. 902. Technical assistance for illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing enforcement Since introduced

X Improving cybersecurity and telecommunications for oceanic research

Sec. 1001. Definitions Since introduced

Sec. 1002. Plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications of U.S. Academic Research Fleet Since introduced

XI Other authorities

Sec. 1101. Relocation allowances Since introduced

Sec. 1102. Unfunded priorities list, reports, and plans Since introduced

Sec. 1103. Miscellaneous authorities Since introduced

XII Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sec. 1201. Short title Added Sep 28

Sec. 1202. Purposes Added Sep 28

Sec. 1203. Definitions Added Sep 28

Sec. 1204. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing System Added Sep 28

Sec. 1205. Report to Congress Added Sep 28

Sec. 1206. Authorization of appropriations Added Sep 28

Sec. 1207. Conforming amendments Added Sep 28