Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026

(a) Technical assistance in the Pacific

(1) In general. Subject to the availability of appropriations, and at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Under Secretary may provide to Pacific Island parties technical assistance and services in line with the mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(2) Regional capacity

(A) Use of existing programs, offices, and sites. To implement this subsection, the Under Secretary shall primarily use existing programs, offices, and sites of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the Pacific Islands region.

(B) Cooperative institute. In order to further augment existing regional capacity in the Pacific Islands region, the Under Secretary may consider the formation of a cooperative institute to focus and advise on the unique needs of that region.

(3) Pacific Island parties defined. In this subsection, the term Pacific Island parties means—

(A) the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands;

(B) the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, which have each entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States; and

(C) such other parties as the Under Secretary considers appropriate.

(b) State assistance. The Under Secretary may provide technical assistance, data, and operational products or services in support of State governments, or entities and institutions partnering or collaborating with State governments, in the voluntary production of relevant State assessments.

(c) International collaboration

(1) In general. The Under Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Weather Service, may establish and maintain partnerships and other relationships with national and regional weather services around the world to support the co-development and deployment of meteorological information and instrumentation.

(2) Existing agreements and partnerships. Partnerships and other relationships established and maintained under paragraph (1), including those provided by the international desks of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, shall build upon existing agreements and partnerships with the Department of State, other relevant Federal agencies, and the World Meteorological Organization.

(d) Authority To pay certain meeting expenses. Notwithstanding section 1345 of title 31, United States Code, the Under Secretary may, subject to the availability for appropriations, may incur reasonable subsistence expenses directly related to hosting a meeting or conference in the United States, excluding expenses related to travel, transportation, lodging, and per diem for non-Federal employees.

(e) Service modernization. The Under Secretary shall ensure that data, services, and products of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration comply with the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (Public Law 115–336; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note) to increase the utility of and access to data, services, and products of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(f) Briefing. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a briefing on the topic, number, and time commitment of intra-agency and interagency meetings, councils, boards, and summits attended by each line office Assistant Administrator and Deputy Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.