Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026

(a) Cooperation. Each Federal agency shall cooperate and coordinate with the Under Secretary, as appropriate, in carrying out this title and the amendments made by this title.

(b) Coordination

(1) In general. In meeting the requirements under this title and the amendments made by this title, the Under Secretary shall coordinate, and as appropriate, establish agreements with Federal and external partners to fully use and leverage existing assets, systems, networks, technologies, and sources of data.

(2) Inclusions. Coordination carried out under paragraph (1) shall include coordination with—

(A) the agencies represented at the National Interagency Fire Center;

(B) the Predictive Services Program of the National Interagency Coordination Center;

(C) the National Wildfire Coordinating Group; and

(D) relevant interagency bodies identified in the report required by section 711(b).

(3) Consultation. In carrying out this subsection, the Under Secretary shall consult with Federal partners including—

(A) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;

(B) the Department of the Interior;

(C) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;

(D) the National Science Foundation;

(E) the United States Geological Survey;

(F) the Department of Agriculture;

(G) the Environmental Protection Agency;

(H) the Department of Energy;

(I) the Department of Defense;

(J) the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and

(K) such other departments and agencies as the Under Secretary considers relevant.

(c) Process for annual coordination with non-Federal entities. Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a process for annual coordination with State and local governments, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to assist the development of improved fire weather products and services.

(d) International coordination

(1) In general. The Under Secretary may develop collaborative relationships and agreements with foreign partners and counterparts to address transboundary issues pertaining to wildfires, fire weather, wildfire smoke, air quality, and associated conditions and hazards or other relevant meteorological phenomena, as appropriate, to facilitate full and open exchange of data and information.

(2) Consultation. In carrying out activities under this subsection, the Under Secretary shall consult with the Department of State and such other Federal partners as the Under Secretary considers relevant.