Tim Sheehy (R-MT)
NIDIS Reauthorization Act of 2026
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "NIDIS Reauthorization Act of 2026," aims to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006. It proposes several amendments to update the scope and capabilities of the drought information system. The updates include incorporating flash drought research and advancing next-generation technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning. It also focuses on improving monitoring of various data points such as snowpack and groundwater. Additionally, the bill mandates the development of a plan to incorporate improved forecast modeling tools. Finally, it provides a specific schedule of authorized appropriations through the year 2030.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +5
Would farmers be better off under this?
The bill provides critical advanced drought and water forecasting tools essential for agricultural planning.
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill specifically funds research into flash droughts and advanced weather/climate modeling technologies.
- Scored +4
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill enhances drought preparedness and monitoring, which are critical components of drought disaster response.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced drought response: The bill seeks to incorporate flash drought research and tools to help people respond more quickly to these events (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(i)).
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Improved weather and water forecasting: By supporting improvements in subseasonal to seasonal precipitation, temperature, and low flow water prediction, the bill aims to better prepare for changes in water availability (Section 2(a)(1)(B)(ii)).
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Technological advancements: The use of next-generation technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud technologies, is intended to advance monitoring, preparedness, and forecasting capabilities (Section 2(a)(1)(7)).
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Better data collection: The bill directs the investigation of data gaps in areas such as snowpack monitoring, soil moisture, and groundwater (Section 2(a)(1)(12)).
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Improved decision support: The act includes provisions to improve decision support products and optimize data and resources across the Federal Government (Section 2(a)(1)(10) and (11)).
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Coordinated data sharing: Through partnerships with the National Mesonet Program, the bill aims to provide coordinated, high-quality data (Section 2(a)(3)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill provides critical advanced drought and water forecasting tools essential for agricultural planning. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Enhanced monitoring of groundwater and soil moisture is highly beneficial for rural resource management. Would business owners be better off under this? — Improved drought and water availability forecasting provides better planning data for various business sectors. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Improved drought forecasting can help mitigate the economic impacts of water shortages on vulnerable populations. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Improved water and drought data can assist in the management of tribal water resources. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Better water availability forecasting helps secure water resources for urban areas.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill enhances drought preparedness and monitoring, which are critical components of drought disaster response. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill improves water monitoring and drought research, which contributes to environmental stewardship. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — Improved data on snowpack and groundwater assists in more effective public land and water resource management. Does this invest in rural communities? — Better drought forecasting and water monitoring can benefit rural agricultural and water management systems.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill specifically funds research into flash droughts and advanced weather/climate modeling technologies.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill optimizes data and resource sharing across Federal Government agencies. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill authorizes federal spending to expand the scope of the National Integrated Drought Information System.
- 2/25/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.