Bill · S. 3795· Senate(119-S-3795)
Radar Next Program Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/5/2026
- Last activity
- 2/5/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Maria Cantwell
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the "Radar Next Program" to modernize the United States' weather radar network. The Under Secretary, working with the National Weather Service, is tasked with developing requirements and a plan to replace the existing NEXRAD system. This plan aims to improve weather radar coverage, accuracy, and performance across the U.S. and its territories. It includes the development of phased array radar and a weather surveillance radar testbed to evaluate various technologies. Additionally, the Under Secretary may use "Radar-As-A-Service" to fill data gaps through partnerships or contracts. The full implementation of this plan must be completed by September 30, 2040.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+5
The bill enhances the detection of significant precipitation and severe weather to improve warning capabilities.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+5
The bill specifically addresses radar coverage gaps in geographically difficult regions through small, gap-filling radars.
Does this invest in rural communities?+4
The bill provides technical assistance for small, gap-filling radars in regions where large systems are not commercially viable.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Weather Forecasting: The plan seeks to continue and improve weather radar coverage and provides expected improvements to data available for weather and water-related forecasts and warnings (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Enhanced Detection of Severe Weather: The Under Secretary may partner with outside entities to better detect significant precipitation and severe weather over a greater area across a population (Section 2(d)(1)(C)).
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Filling Coverage Gaps: The program includes providing technical assistance for the use of small, gap-filling radars in regions where geographical topography prevents the use of large systems or where large systems are not commercially viable (Section 2(c)(2)(D)(ii)).
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Addressing Data Gaps: Through "Radar-As-A-Service," the Under Secretary can partner with outside entities to supplement data gaps in weather radar coverage at low levels and in wide areas (Section 2(d)(1)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5Improves Rural Development+4Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Farmers+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- 2/5/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina