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

VI Harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research and control

VII Fire ready Nation

VIII Precipitation estimates and landslide preparedness

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

Section 9507 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10367) is amended—

(1) in subsection (a)—

(A) in paragraph (2)(C)—

(i) in clause (i), by striking and at the end;

(ii) in clause (ii), by inserting and after the semicolon at the end; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(iii) the conduct of groundwater quality assessments relating to permafrost thaw and changes in precipitation rates;

(B) in paragraph (4)—

(i) in subparagraph (A)—

(I) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 10 years and inserting 11 years; and

(II) in clause (i), by striking national streamflow information program and inserting Federal priority streamgage program;

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking Federal Priority streamgage program and inserting Federal Priority Streamgage Network; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

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(C) Priority sites. In selecting sites for the installation of streamgages under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give priority to regions of the United States Geological Survey in which there is—

(i) a high level of drought;

(ii) a reliance on reservoirs for water storage;

(iii) a reliance on hydrologic storage, including groundwater, aquifers, and snowpack; and

(iv) flooding and extreme rainfall.

(D) No impact on existing sites. The priority provided under subparagraph (C) shall have no impact on any site or region in which a streamgage has been installed, and is operating, as of the date of enactment of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, subject to the condition that the data from such a site or region are continuing to meet the priority needs of stakeholders, as determined by the Secretary.

; and

(C) in paragraph (6)—

(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2028 and inserting $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2033; and

(ii) by adding at the end the following:

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(C) Derivation of funds. Amounts made available to carry out this subsection shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the United States Geological Survey.

; and

(2) in subsection (b)—

(A) in paragraph (2)—

(i) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking and State and local water resource agencies and Tribes and inserting , State and local water resource agencies, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations; and

(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking State water resource agency or Tribe and inserting State water resource agency, Indian tribe, Tribal organization, or Native Hawaiian organization;

(B) in paragraph (6)—

(i) by striking give priority to those activities and inserting the following: “give priority to—

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(A) activities

(ii) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated)—

(I) by striking State, a Tribe and inserting State, Indian tribe, Tribal organization, Native Hawaiian organization,; and

(II) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(B) activities conducted in regions of the United States Geological Survey in which there is—

(i) a high level of drought;

(ii) a reliance on reservoirs for water storage;

(iii) a reliance on hydrologic storage, including groundwater, aquifers, and snowpack; and

(iv) flooding and extreme rainfall.

; and

(C) in paragraph (7)—

(i) by striking There are authorized to be appropriated and inserting the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(A) In general. There is authorized to be appropriated

; and

(ii) by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

(B) Derivation of funds. Amounts made available to carry out this subsection shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the United States Geological Survey.

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