Ted Cruz (R-TX)· Nov 10, 2026
S.Amdt. 6881: Its purpose is not yet published.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
S. 3923 · Senate bill Public Lands and Natural Resources
A Republican bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 11 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, aims to improve the weather research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It supports improvements in weather forecasting and prediction while expanding commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data. The legislation reauthorizes and updates various programs related to severe weather, hurricanes, tsunamis, and coastal flooding. Additionally, it addresses workforce needs, artificial intelligence applications, data management, and fire weather services.
Yes· 3 of 23
- Scored +7
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill enhances protections through better monitoring of algal blooms, wildfires, and landslides.
- Scored +6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill funds better response and prediction for wildfires, landslides, and extreme precipitation.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into scientific research?
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
Engrossed in Senate (11/10/2026), compared with Reported to Senate. Each change is on the Text tab.
The newer version of the bill shifts authorized funding periods and deadlines forward by one year, generally moving them from fiscal year 2026 through 2030 to fiscal year 2027 through 2031. It modifies authorized appropriations amounts for weather research, commercial data programs, heat health information, and other weather and water initiatives, such as altering the authorization for artificial intelligence weather forecasting from $311,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $76,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2028 through 2031. The legislation sets new deadlines for radar system replacements by the earlier of operational failure or September 30, 2037, and adds provisions concerning workforce direct hire authorities, satellite data management, and the transfer of excess property.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced Tornado and Severe Weather Preparedness: Section 103 maintains a program for rapidly improving tornado forecasts, predictions, and warnings with a focus on forecaster training, optimizing lead times, and transitioning to warn-on-forecast capabilities to reduce the loss of life and property.
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Improved Hurricane and Flood Tracking: Section 104 and Section 206 establish and maintain programs focused on improving hurricane forecasts, inland flooding, compound flooding, and storm surges to help protect individuals living in vulnerable coastal communities.
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Support for Tsunami Warnings: Section 105 updates and reauthorizes the Tsunami Warning and Education Act to improve the timeliness and accuracy of tsunami detection, warnings, and community readiness activities such as the TsunamiReady program.
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Commercial Data Integration: Section 301 and Section 302 establish the Commercial Data Program and Commercial Data Pilot Program to coordinate the acquisition of weather and environmental data from private sector entities, which can enhance overall forecasting accuracy for the public.
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Fire Weather Services: Section 702 establishes a coordinated fire weather services program to support the readiness, responsiveness, and resilience of the United States to wildfires, fire weather, and associated hazards.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Operational Costs and Appropriations: The bill authorizes significant amounts of taxpayer funds across multiple fiscal years for various programs, weather laboratories, research initiatives, and grants, which may increase federal spending and financial burdens on the public.
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Data Restrictions and Licensing: Section 301 notes that if data acquired from commercial providers cannot be made accessible for free, unrestricted, and open redistribution due to licensing agreements, the public and private sectors may face limitations on accessing certain weather datasets without delay.
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? — Improved precipitation and weather forecasts directly benefit agricultural water management. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in several programs. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Enhanced weather services and connectivity for NOAA Weather Radio provide significant value to rural and remote areas. Would students be better off under this? — The bill fosters research-to-operations and academic consortia, benefiting students in science and data assimilation fields. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill expands commercial opportunities for weather data provision. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes benefiting low-income communities in its environmental mitigation efforts. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Improved hazard communication specifically addresses the needs of people with disabilities. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Improved weather forecasting can mitigate economic impacts related to natural disasters. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Improved urban storm surge and flooding forecasts benefit city residents.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill enhances protections through better monitoring of algal blooms, wildfires, and landslides. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill funds better response and prediction for wildfires, landslides, and extreme precipitation. Does this invest in rural communities? — Improved precipitation and weather forecasts directly benefit agricultural productivity and water management in rural areas.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill addresses improving cybersecurity and telecommunications for oceanic research vessels. Does this strengthen ties with allied countries? — The bill strengthens relationships through international meteorological partnerships. Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad? — The bill encourages collaboration with international weather services and regional entities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The expansion of commercial weather data opportunities is intended to enhance the national economy. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill supports workforce development and hiring for the National Weather Service. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill includes measures for seafood origin identification to support enforcement.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill provides significant authorization for scientific research into fire weather and water observing systems.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires a briefing on interagency meetings to increase oversight and transparency. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill provides technical assistance to State governments for environmental assessments. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority of NOAA and its Under Secretary regarding international and regional engagement.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill increases research funding for harmful algal blooms and wildfire weather impacts.
The version one chamber actually passed
What changed from Reported to Senate
The newer version of the bill shifts authorized funding periods and deadlines forward by one year, generally moving them from fiscal year 2026 through 2030 to fiscal year 2027 through 2031. It modifies authorized appropriations amounts for weather research, commercial data programs, heat health information, and other weather and water initiatives, such as altering the authorization for artificial intelligence weather forecasting from $311,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $76,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2028 through 2031. The legislation sets new deadlines for radar system replacements by the earlier of operational failure or September 30, 2037, and adds provisions concerning workforce direct hire authorities, satellite data management, and the transfer of excess property.
Each change
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Section 102 changes the authorized appropriations for weather laboratories, institutes, and initiatives, shifting the schedule by one year from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with amounts set at $166,736,000 for fiscal year 2027, $168,403,000 for 2028, $170,089,000 for 2029, $171,789,000 for 2030, and $173,506,000 for 2031.
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Section 103 updates the authorization for tornado forecasting and warnings to $11,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, specifying that at least $2,000,000 annually be used for research grants.
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Section 108 updates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's strategic plan requirements from a 10-year outlook to a 5-year outlook, updating reporting deadlines through 2037.
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Section 110 adds a sense of Congress regarding weather satellite commercialization prohibitions and data gaps, requires the study of various satellite acquisition models, and updates reporting requirements for transaction agreements through 2035.
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Section 202 adds a procurement deadline for the replacement of the Next Generation Weather Radar System (NEXRAD) by the earlier of the date the existing system no longer meets requirements or September 30, 2037.
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Section 207 establishes the program to support the reduction of extreme temperature impacts, authorizing $2,700,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
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Section 207 and Section 210 adjust authorizations for aviation weather programs to $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, and for the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service partnership program to $20,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
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Section 211 establishes a completion deadline of September 30, 2030, for transitioning the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System to a cloud-based environment.
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Section 213 provides the National Weather Service with direct hire authority for critical staffing positions, expiring two years after enactment or when vacancies are filled.
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Section 215 updates authorizations for artificial intelligence weather forecasting to $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 and $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2028 through 2031.
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Section 301 adds reporting and briefing requirements regarding the open redistribution of operational data acquired through the Commercial Data Program.
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Section 404 authorizes $25,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to operate NOAA Weather Radio, and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to carry out modernization and assessments.
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Section 501 updates authorizations for subseasonal to seasonal forecasting pilot projects to $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
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Section 502 updates authorizations for the National Integrated Drought Information System, setting amounts at $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, $15,500,000 for 2028, $16,000,000 for 2029, $16,500,000 for 2030, and $17,000,000 for 2031.
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Section 503 updates authorizations for the National Mesonet Program, providing $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, $55,000,000 for 2028, $61,000,000 for 2029, $68,000,000 for 2030, and $70,000,000 for 2031.
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Section 601 updates the authorization of appropriations for harmful algal bloom and hypoxia research to $19,500,000 annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
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Section 707 and Section 714 adjust the timeline for fire weather service provisions and authorize appropriations for Title VII at $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, $20,000,000 for 2028, $27,000,000 for 2029, $36,000,000 for 2030, and $50,000,000 for 2031.
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Section 802 updates funding authorizations for the National Landslide Preparedness Act through fiscal year 2031, providing $35,000,000 annually with at least $10,000,000 designated for landslide early warning systems in high-risk areas.
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Section 803 and Section 804 update funding authorizations and basin provisions for the Next Generation Water Observing System and streamgage programs through fiscal years 2033 and 2034.
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Titles IX and X reorder and restructure provisions related to academic research fleet cybersecurity, insert the Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2026, and add authorities regarding the transfer of excess NOAA property, such as decommissioned satellites, to other Federal departments or agencies.
Written by an AI model from a comparison of this version’s text with the one before it, not by a person. .
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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. .
- 11/12/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 11/10/2026
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5525-5562)
- The committee amendments withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5525-5562)
- 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
5 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.
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Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
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John CurtisRepublican · Utah
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Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana