Bill · S. 3923· Senate(119-S-3923)
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/25/2026
- Last activity
- 9/28/2026 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 685.
- Sponsored by
- Ted Cruz
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 6
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, aims to improve how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researches and forecasts the weather. It updates programs for predicting severe weather events like tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and atmospheric rivers while expanding commercial opportunities to gather weather data. The legislation also boosts computing resources, enhances programs for agriculture and water management, and establishes a fire weather services program. Additionally, it reauthorizes and updates the National Landslide Preparedness Act and the Integrated Ocean Observation System Act.
Yes· 3 of 23
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+7
The bill enhances protections through better monitoring of algal blooms, wildfires, and landslides.
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+6
The bill funds better response and prediction for wildfires, landslides, and extreme precipitation.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+6
The bill provides significant authorization for scientific research into fire weather and water observing systems.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
How the text last changed
Reported to Senate (9/28/2026), compared with Introduced in Senate. Each change is on the Text tab.
The newer version of the bill adds an entire new title regarding the Integrated Ocean Observation System, updates programs and reporting requirements for tsunamis and weather forecasting, and includes provisions requiring consultation and outreach with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. It adds a new Aerial Snow Survey program in Section 208 and adjusts the authorization of appropriations for tsunamis to $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 in Section 811. Additionally, it requires the Comptroller General to produce a report on tsunami threats within 18 months of enactment and mandates various evaluations, briefings, and strategic plans from federal agencies.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 103: Maintains and improves the VORTEX-USA program to provide faster, more accurate tornado forecasts and warnings, which helps protect people and property from severe storms.
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Section 206: Establishes the National Integrated Heat Health Information System within NOAA to improve extreme heat forecasts and develop science-based solutions to reduce heat-related health risks and protect the public.
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Section 404: Expands and modernizes the nationwide NOAA Weather Radio network, ensuring 24/7 broadcasting of emergency weather and geological hazard information, especially for remote or rural areas with poor cellular service.
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Section 702: Establishes a coordinated fire weather services program to improve forecasting, smoke predictions, and public warnings regarding wildfires and post-fire hazards, helping communities and emergency responders stay safe.
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Section 802: Reauthorizes the National Landslide Preparedness Act, providing funding for landslide early warning systems in high-risk areas to protect lives and property from mudslides and debris flows.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 212: Authorizes significant appropriations for artificial intelligence weather models—specifically $311,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $76,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030—which places a heavy financial burden on taxpayers.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+5Good For Native Americans+5Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Students+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Low Income Households+3Good For People With Disabilities+2Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+6Improves Rural Development+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5Improves International Alliances+3Improves Diplomatic Engagement+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+3Increases Job Creation+2Improves Consumer Protection+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3Increase States Rights+1Increases Federal Power+1
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+5
A committee approved it and sent it to the floor
What changed from Introduced in Senate
The newer version of the bill adds an entire new title regarding the Integrated Ocean Observation System, updates programs and reporting requirements for tsunamis and weather forecasting, and includes provisions requiring consultation and outreach with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. It adds a new Aerial Snow Survey program in Section 208 and adjusts the authorization of appropriations for tsunamis to $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 in Section 811. Additionally, it requires the Comptroller General to produce a report on tsunami threats within 18 months of enactment and mandates various evaluations, briefings, and strategic plans from federal agencies.
Each change
- Added an Aerial Snow Survey program in Section 208 to maintain and modernize airborne snow measurements.
- Added definitions for terms including "Indian Tribe," "Native Hawaiian organization," "Tribal organization," "tsunami," and "tsunamigenic event" in Section 105.
- Updated tsunami warning and forecasting requirements in Section 105, including evaluations of alert levels, fail-safe capabilities, standardized procedures, and regular drills.
- Added reporting and briefing requirements in Section 105 regarding tsunami program progress, fund accounting through fiscal year 2030, and the implementation of a post-storm evaluation report.
- Added a requirement in Section 105 for the Comptroller General to produce a report on tsunami threats in the Cascadia, Alaska-Aleutian, and Kuril-Kamchatka Subduction Zones within 18 months of enactment.
- Adjusted the authorization of appropriations for the Tsunami Warning and Education Act in Section 811 to $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
- Added provisions throughout Section 105 requiring the administration to consult and coordinate with Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
- Added operational equivalency reporting requirements prior to transferring weather prediction software management to non-federal entities in Section 201.
- Added evaluation and reporting restrictions on mid-award actions to restructure or transfer atmospheric research activities in Section 503.
- Added Title XII, the Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2026, which replaces references to the "Council" with the "Ocean Policy Committee," updates system requirements, and mandates that the Secretary allocate not less than 7.5 percent of appropriated funds to each regional coastal observing system in existence on January 1, 2025.
Written by an AI model from a comparison of this version’s text with the one before it, not by a person. .
No amendments submitted yet for this bill.
- 9/28/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. With written report No. 119-154.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 685.
- 9/22/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/4/2026
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
- 3/2/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/25/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 7 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
4 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.
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Maria CantwellDemocrat · Washington
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana