S. 3923
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
Official summary
No official summary yet.
Text of the bill
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
VI Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research and control
VII Fire ready Nation
(a) Establishment. The Under Secretary shall establish and maintain an Incident Meteorologist Service within the National Weather Service (in this section referred to as the Service).
(b) Inclusion of existing incident meteorologists. The Service shall include—
(1) the incident meteorologists of the Administration as of the date of the enactment of this Act; and
(2) such incident meteorologists of the Administration as may be appointed after such date.
(c) Functions. The Service shall provide—
(1) on-site impact-based decision support services to Federal, State, and local government emergency response agencies, Indian tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations preceding, during, and following significant weather-related events, such as wildland fires, that threaten human life, property, or the economy; and
(2) support to Federal, State, and local government decisionmakers, partners, and stakeholders, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations for seasonal planning and pre-fire mitigation activities.
(d) Deployment. The Service shall be deployed—
(1) as determined by the Under Secretary; or
(2) at the request of the head of another Federal agency and with the approval of the Under Secretary.
(e) Staffing and resources. In establishing and maintaining the Service, the Under Secretary shall identify, acquire, and maintain adequate levels of staffing and resources to meet user needs.
(f) Support for incident meteorologists. The Under Secretary shall provide resources, access to real-time fire weather forecasts, training, administrative and logistical support, and access to professional counseling or other forms of support as the Under Secretary considers appropriate for the betterment of the emotional and mental health and well-being of incident meteorologists and other employees of the Administration so long as the need for such resources, training, access, or support is due to the response of such employees to high-impact and extreme fire weather events.
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