[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3923 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3923
To improve the weather research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, support improvements in weather forecasting and
prediction, and expand commercial opportunities for the provision of
weather data.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 25, 2026
Mr. Cruz (for himself, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Blunt Rochester,
Mr. Moran, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Sheehy, and Ms. Rosen) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve the weather research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, support improvements in weather forecasting and
prediction, and expand commercial opportunities for the provision of
weather data.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Weather Research
and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING
INNOVATION ACT OF 2017
Sec. 101. Public safety priority.
Sec. 102. United States weather research and forecasting.
Sec. 103. Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes
Experiment-United States of America
(VORTEX-USA).
Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program.
Sec. 105. Tsunami Warning and Education Act reauthorization.
Sec. 106. Observing system planning.
Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments.
Sec. 108. Computing resources prioritization.
Sec. 109. Earth Prediction Innovation Center.
Sec. 110. Satellite architecture planning.
Sec. 111. Improving uncrewed activities.
Sec. 112. Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services.
Sec. 113. Ocean observations.
Sec. 114. Consolidation of reports.
Sec. 115. Precipitation forecast improvement program.
TITLE II--ENHANCING FEDERAL WEATHER FORECASTING AND INNOVATION
Sec. 201. Next-generation numerical weather prediction initiative.
Sec. 202. Radar Next Program.
Sec. 203. Data voids in under observed areas of the United States.
Sec. 204. Atmospheric rivers forecast improvement program.
Sec. 205. Coastal flooding and storm surge forecast improvement
program.
Sec. 206. National Integrated Heat Health Information System.
Sec. 207. Aviation weather and data innovation.
Sec. 208. National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information
Service partnership program, transition
program, and operational planning.
Sec. 209. Advanced weather interactive processing system.
Sec. 210. Reanalysis and reforecasting.
Sec. 211. National Weather Service workforce.
Sec. 212. Artificial intelligence for weather forecasting.
Sec. 213. Composition of the atmosphere and atmospheric observations.
Sec. 214. Project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog.
TITLE III--COMMERCIAL WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATIONS
Sec. 301. Commercial Data Program.
Sec. 302. Commercial Data Pilot Program.
Sec. 303. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication.
Sec. 304. Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices.
Sec. 305. Clerical amendment.
TITLE IV--COMMUNICATING WEATHER TO THE PUBLIC
Sec. 401. Definitions.
Sec. 402. Hazardous weather or water event risk communication.
Sec. 403. Hazard communication research and engagement.
Sec. 404. NOAA Weather Radio.
Sec. 405. National standards for weather warning systems in flash flood
zones.
Sec. 406. Post-storm surveys and assessments.
Sec. 407. Government Accountability Office report on alert
dissemination for hazardous weather or
water events.
Sec. 408. Data collection, management, and protection.
TITLE V--IMPROVING WEATHER INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND WATER
MANAGEMENT
Sec. 501. Weather information for agriculture and water management.
Sec. 502. National Integrated Drought Information System.
Sec. 503. National Mesonet Program.
Sec. 504. National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network.
Sec. 505. National Water Center.
Sec. 506. Satellite transfers briefing.
TITLE 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.
Sec. 602. Other harmful algal bloom and hypoxia matters.
TITLE VII--FIRE READY NATION
Sec. 701. Definitions.
Sec. 702. Establishment of fire weather services program.
Sec. 703. Fire weather testbed.
Sec. 704. Data management and technology modernization.
Sec. 705. Surveys and assessments.
Sec. 706. Incident Meteorologist Service.
Sec. 707. Emergency response activities.
Sec. 708. Submissions to Congress regarding the Fire Weather Services
Program, incident meteorologist workforce
needs, and National Weather Service
workforce support.
Sec. 709. Fire Science and Technology Working Group; strategic plan.
Sec. 710. Fire weather rating system.
Sec. 711. Government Accountability Office reports.
Sec. 712. Cooperation and coordination.
Sec. 713. General provisions.
Sec. 714. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE VIII--PRECIPITATION ESTIMATES AND LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS
Sec. 801. Inclusion of atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation
events in estimates of precipitation
frequency.
Sec. 802. Reauthorization of National Landslide Preparedness Act.
Sec. 803. Next Generation Water Observing System.
Sec. 804. Water data enhancement and national groundwater resources
monitoring by United States Geological
Survey.
TITLE IX--IMPORTATION OF RED SNAPPER
Sec. 901. Methodology for identifying the country of origin of seafood.
Sec. 902. Technical assistance for illegal, unreported, or unregulated
fishing enforcement.
TITLE X--IMPROVING CYBERSECURITY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR OCEANIC
RESEARCH
Sec. 1001. Definitions.
Sec. 1002. Plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications of U.S.
Academic Research Fleet.
TITLE XI--OTHER AUTHORITIES
Sec. 1101. Relocation allowances.
Sec. 1102. Unfunded priorities list, reports, and plans.
Sec. 1103. Miscellaneous authorities.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) In General.--In this Act, the terms ``seasonal'', ``State'',
``subseasonal'', ``Under Secretary'', ``weather enterprise'', ``weather
data'', and ``weather industry'' have the meanings given such terms in
section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of
2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501).
(b) Weather Data Defined.--Section 2 of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) Weather data.--The term `weather data' means
information used to track and predict weather conditions and
patterns, including forecasts, observations, and derivative
products from such information.''.
TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING
INNOVATION ACT OF 2017
SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.
Section 101 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8511) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall ensure that the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration focuses on providing
accurate and timely weather forecasts that protect lives and property
and enhance the national economy, including by--
``(1) coordinating and modernizing observational
infrastructure, weather forecasting systems, communications,
and impact-based decision support services; and
``(2) improving operational weather forecasts, products,
and services.
``(b) Research.--In conducting research, the Under Secretary shall
prioritize improving weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting,
and warnings and support transition of advancements into operational
forecasting and services, for the protection of life and property and
for the enhancement of the national economy.''.
SEC. 102. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING.
Section 110 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8519) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to carry
out this title the following:
``(1) $166,736,000 for fiscal year 2026, of which--
``(A) $94,000,000 is authorized for weather
laboratories and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $39,491,000 is authorized for the United
States Weather Research Program;
``(C) $21,125,000 is authorized for tornado, severe
storm, and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $12,120,000 is authorized for the joint
technology transfer initiative described in section
102(b)(4) of this title.
``(2) $168,403,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which--
``(A) $94,940,000 is authorized for weather
laboratories and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $39,886,000 is authorized for the United
States Weather Research Program;
``(C) $21,336,000 is authorized for tornado, severe
storm, and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $12,241,000 is authorized for the joint
technology transfer initiative described in section
102(b)(4) of this title.
``(3) $170,089,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which--
``(A) $95,890,000 is authorized for weather
laboratories and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $40,285,000 is authorized for the United
States Weather Research Program;
``(C) $21,550,000 is authorized for tornado, severe
storm, and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $12,364,000 is authorized for the joint
technology transfer initiative described in section
102(b)(4) of this title.
``(4) $171,789,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which--
``(A) $96,849,000 is authorized for weather
laboratories and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $40,688,000 is authorized for the United
States Weather Research Program;
``(C) $21,765,000 is authorized for tornado, severe
storm, and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $12,487,000 is authorized for the joint
technology transfer initiative described in section
102(b)(4) of this title.
``(5) $173,506,000 for fiscal year 2030, of which--
``(A) $97,817,000 is authorized for weather
laboratories and cooperative institutes;
``(B) $41,094,000 is authorized for the United
States Weather Research Program;
``(C) $21,983,000 is authorized for tornado, severe
storm, and next generation radar research; and
``(D) $12,612,000 is authorized for the joint
technology transfer initiative described in section
102(b)(4) of this title.
``(b) Limitation.--No additional funds are authorized to carry out
this title or the amendments made by this title.''.
SEC. 103. VERIFICATION OF THE ORIGINS OF ROTATION IN TORNADOES
EXPERIMENT-UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (VORTEX-USA).
(a) In General.--Section 103 of the Weather Research and
Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8513) is amended to read
as follows:
``SEC. 103. VERIFICATION OF THE ORIGINS OF ROTATION IN TORNADOES
EXPERIMENT-UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (VORTEX-USA).
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the
United States weather industry and academic partners, shall maintain a
program for rapidly improving tornado forecasts, predictions, and
warnings, including forecaster training in radar interpretation and
information integration from new sources.
``(b) Goal.--The goal of the program under subsection (a) shall be
to develop and extend accurate tornado forecasts, predictions, and
warnings in order to reduce the loss of life or property related to
tornadoes, with a focus on the following:
``(1) Improving the effectiveness and timeliness of tornado
forecasts, predictions, and warnings.
``(2) Optimizing lead time and providing actionable
information beyond one hour in advance.
``(3) Transitioning from warn-on-detection to warn-on-
forecast.
``(c) Innovative Observations.--The Under Secretary shall ensure
the program under subsection (a) periodically examines, tests, and
evaluates the value of incorporating innovative observations, such as
novel sensor technologies, observation tools or networks, crewed or
uncrewed systems, and hosted instruments on commercial aircrafts,
vessels, and satellites, with respect to the improvement of tornado
forecasts, predictions, and warnings.
``(d) Activities.--In carrying out the program under subsection
(a), the Under Secretary shall award grants for research, including
relating to the following:
``(1) Implementing key goals and achieving program
milestones to the maximum extent practicable, as outlined by
the 2019 report of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration entitled, `Tornado Warning Improvement and
Extension Program Plan'.
``(2) In coordination with the Social and Behavioral
Sciences Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology
Council, improving the social, behavioral and economic sciences
regarding risk communication, and delivery of information
critical for reducing the loss of life or property related to
tornadoes.
``(3) Improving the physical sciences, computer modeling,
and tools related to tornado formation, the impacts of
tornadoes on the built and natural environment, and the
interaction of tornadoes and hurricanes.
``(e) Priority Institutions.--
``(1) In general.--In awarding grants under subsection (d),
the Under Secretary shall give priority to eligible
institutions selected through a competitive, merit-based
process.
``(2) Eligible institution defined.--In this subsection,
the term `eligible institution' means any of the following:
``(A) An institution that is frequently subjected
to severe weather, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, or
floods.
``(B) An institution of higher education in close
proximity to a Weather Forecast Office of the National
Weather Service.
``(f) Warnings.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Under
Secretary, in coordination with the program established under section
403(a) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation
Reauthorization Act of 2026, shall--
``(1) conduct and transition to operations the research
necessary to develop and deploy probabilistic weather forecast
guidance technology for tornadoes and related weather
phenomena;
``(2) incorporate into tornado modeling and forecasting, as
appropriate, social, behavioral, risk, communication, and
economic sciences;
``(3) enhance workforce training on radar interpretation
and use of tornado warning systems; and
``(4) expand computational resources, including cloud
computing, to support higher-resolution modeling to advance the
capability for warn-on-forecast.
``(g) Tornado Rating System.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration
with local communities and emergency managers, shall--
``(1) evaluate the system used as of the date of the
enactment of this section to rate the severity of tornadoes;
``(2) determine whether updates to such system are required
to ensure such ratings accurately reflect the severity of
tornados; and
``(3) if determined necessary, update such system.
``(h) Annual Budget.--The Under Secretary shall submit to Congress,
with the budget of the President submitted under section 1105 of title
31, United States Code, for a fiscal year, a proposed budget for
activities to carry out this section in that fiscal year.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Under Secretary to carry out this section
$11,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, of which not
less than $2,000,000 each fiscal year shall be used for grants awarded
to institutions under subsection (e).''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of
the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended
by amending the item relating to section 103 to read as follows:
``Sec. 103. Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes
Experiment-United States of America
(VORTEX-USA).''.
SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
Section 104 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act
of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8514) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 104. HURRICANE FORECAST IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the
United States weather industry and academic partners, shall maintain a
program to improve hurricane forecasting, predictions, and warnings.
``(b) Goal.--The goal of the program under subsection (a) shall be
to develop and extend accurate hurricane forecasts, predictions, and
warnings in order to reduce the loss of life or property related to
hurricanes, with a focus on the following:
``(1) Improving the understanding, prediction, and
communication of rapid intensity change and projected path of
hurricanes, including probabilistic methods for hurricane
hazard mapping.
``(2) Improving the forecast and impact-based communication
of inland flooding, compound flooding,