Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Ted Cruz
Introduced
Summary
modernize and fund NOAA's weather forecasting and observing systems to speed and sharpen warnings, expand research, and bring commercial data and AI into operational forecasting. This bill would push better forecasts and clearer risk messages for hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, wildfires, and extreme heat.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
21 provisions identified: 19 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Better drought and water forecasts
If enacted, the bill would expand drought and water observing and forecasting. It would fund subseasonal-to-seasonal pilots at $40 million per year for FY2026–FY2030, expand mesonet and soil‑moisture networks, authorize $30 million in FY2026 for a Next Generation Water Observing System in 10 basins, increase USGS groundwater assessment funding ($30M per year FY2026–FY2033), and require ASOS and National Water Center assessments and a two-year report to Congress.
Better emergency warnings and alerts
If enacted, the bill would require NOAA to run a 24/7 NOAA Weather Radio network and modernize how warnings are sent. Congress would be authorized $25 million per year for operations (FY2026–FY2031) and $100 million one-time for 2026 modernization. The bill also requires an AWIPS cloud transition plan by September 30, 2030, national flash-flood alert standards within 2 years, and a Hazard Risk Communication Program to simplify messaging for the public.
NOAA AI and supercomputing plan
If enacted, the bill would fund and require NOAA to build large AI-ready weather datasets, a NOAA Data Lake, and test AI-based global and regional weather models. Training datasets must be curated within 4 years. The bill authorizes $311 million for FY2026 and $76 million per year for FY2027–FY2030 for these activities, directs AI/ML centers and multiyear HPC/cloud contracts, and requires reports on HPC/cloud and high-resolution forecasting needs.
NOAA buys and shares private data
If enacted, the bill would create a Commercial Data Program so NOAA can buy weather and environmental data from private firms. NOAA must publish data and service standards within 180 days, run open pilot contracts, name an ombudsman for providers, and annually report pilot findings. The bill also requires data consolidation, open-data stewardship, a biennial interagency inventory, and a $1,000,000 external study to review NOAA data management.
Stronger wildfire forecasting and response
If enacted, NOAA would create a coordinated Fire Weather Services Program, a Fire Weather Testbed, and an Incident Meteorologist Service. The bill requires an interagency fire strategic plan within 18 months, annual post-fire surveys starting the second winter after enactment, workforce plans, and pilot coordination with FAA. It authorizes rising appropriations from $15 million in FY2026 to $50 million in FY2030 for these activities.
Stronger harmful algal bloom response
If enacted, NOAA would expand monitoring, forecasting, and an observing network for harmful algal blooms across marine and freshwater systems. The bill would set up a national incubator to fund and catalog new HAB detection and mitigation tools and require HAB data to follow IOOS standards. The HAB Task Force must send Congress an Action Strategy at least every 5 years, and officials must use new factors and definitions (including subsistence use and macroalgae) when judging national significance.
Faster tsunami detection and plans
If enacted, the bill would expand the Tsunami Forecasting and Warning Program to use real‑time GNSS and faster earthquake data and to produce more decision support products and updated inundation maps. The Administrator must make a research and research‑to‑operations plan within 1 year and update it at least every 3 years. The law would push for preliminary earthquake source info within 5 minutes of detection where practicable.
Modernize observing systems and satellites
If enacted, the bill would require NOAA to compare federal and private options when planning observing systems and to report on an early‑morning polar satellite within 1 year. It would fund NESDIS partnership and transition work with up to $20 million across FY2026–FY2030 and require an annual NESDIS plan through 2029. The bill would run a Ships of Opportunity pilot for shipboard instruments and require a 1‑year plan to improve cybersecurity for the academic research fleet. It would also extend 3D elevation program authority and set a $3,000,000 threshold for NOAA aircraft or vessels to be a capital budget line item.
Modernize satellites, aircraft, and sensors
If enacted, NOAA would be required to keep geostationary continuity and aim to launch GeoXO by 2032. The bill also creates an Airborne Observation Program with $10 million authorized per year for FY2026–FY2030, expands use of crewed and uncrewed aircraft and marine systems, and funds coastal marine fog and atmospheric composition pilot projects and data pilots.
More landslide grants and warnings
If enacted, the bill would expand the national landslide program to let local governments, tribes, and universities get grants and to require regional partnerships in high‑hazard areas. It would authorize $35 million, with at least $10 million for landslide early‑warning systems in high‑risk places. The first national landslide strategy must include an assessment of atmospheric river flooding and extreme precipitation risks. The bill also aligns several definitions and directs cancelled landslide appropriations to the Treasury general fund for deficit reduction.
More tsunami funding and reviews
If enacted, the bill would authorize $30 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 for tsunami warning, education, and mitigation. At least 27% of each year's funds must support state-level hazard mitigation, and at least 8% must fund tsunami research. NOAA would also conduct a two-year assessment and report to Congress to improve tsunami watches and warnings and validate major changes with social and behavioral science.
NOAA and FAA aviation weather agreement
If enacted, NOAA and the FAA would enter or participate in an agreement for at least five years for NOAA to provide aviation weather services. The FAA must seek proposals to evaluate commercial supplemental services, ensure NOAA is fairly paid, and the agencies must brief Congress every 90 days through December 31, 2030 about the agreement and service provision.
Post-storm surveys and public data
If enacted, NOAA would be required to run post-storm surveys after hazardous weather or water events it judges societally important. NOAA must coordinate with partners to collect and archive data, study use of uncrewed systems, include social and economic research, provide mental-health support for staff doing surveys, and make survey data public as soon as practicable.
NOAA and emergency pay, hiring, safety
If enacted, the bill would require OMB to call certain NOAA forecast/warning jobs "protective service" and would make NOAA produce a 5‑year staffing plan within 180 days and brief Congress within 1 year. The bill would let the NWS set a fixed relocation allowance for permanent transfers and require agencies to keep employee health and safety policies. For calendar year 2026, some premium pay for covered emergency workers would be disregarded when applying pay limits, but total pay could not exceed Executive Schedule Level II. Agencies must also submit a joint hiring plan by March 30, 2026 to avoid future premium‑pay waivers.
NOAA meeting and Pacific aid authority
If enacted, NOAA would be allowed, when Congress provides funds, to pay reasonable subsistence expenses for meetings held in the United States, excluding travel, lodging, and per diem for non‑Federal attendees. The bill would also let NOAA provide discretionary technical assistance to Pacific Island parties using existing NOAA programs and consider forming a cooperative institute for the region, subject to available appropriations.
New tools to fight illegal fishing
If enacted, the bill would let the Department of Defense use operation and maintenance funds to give maritime technical help to partner nations fighting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and related crimes. It would also require NOAA and partners to develop a rapid chemical test and small field kit to determine seafood origin, run pilots on red snapper and certain tuna, and report within 2 years.
Better turbulence and aviation forecasts
If enacted, the bill would require the National Weather Service to expand Aviation Weather Center forecasting to cover turbulence, icing, and other hazards. The NWS would consider FAA recommendations, form an interagency working group, and move pilot programs (including instrumentation on commercial aircraft) into operations to improve aviation weather guidance.
Drought event payments and waivers
If enacted, the bill would let a federal official waive non‑federal cost‑share rules when recipients cannot reasonably meet them for certain nationally significant events. It would authorize $2 million per year for each of FY2026 through FY2030, to pay or reimburse states, tribes, local governments, and others for costs to assess environmental, economic, subsistence, and public health effects of such events.
Improve hazard messaging and warnings
If enacted, the bill would fund pilots and studies to improve tornado and hurricane hazard communications and require NOAA to publish study methods on its website. It would require an assessment of access to NOAA Weather Radio within one year to check broadcast continuity and redundancy. The bill would also require agencies modernizing wildfire technology to consult with NOAA to improve smoke prediction and decision support.
Tornado research funding boost
If enacted, the bill would authorize $11 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 for the VORTEX‑USA tornado research program. At least $2 million each year must be used for competitive grants to eligible institutions, and the Under Secretary must include the program budget with the President's annual budget.
Security limits on AI weather models
If enacted, the bill would allow the Under Secretary, after consulting Defense as needed, to withhold AI models or data developed under the bill when necessary to protect U.S. national security. The provision clarifies it does not override other national security laws, which may limit public access to some models or data.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ted Cruz
TX • R
Cosponsors
Maria Cantwell
WA • D
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Dan Sullivan
AK • R
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Lisa Blunt Rochester
DE • D
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Jerry Moran
KS • R
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Brian Schatz
HI • D
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Tim Sheehy
MT • R
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Jacky Rosen
NV • D
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Ted Budd
NC • R
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Amy Klobuchar
MN • D
Sponsored 3/2/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govTake It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in