# 119-s-1278: Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act

119-s-1278, Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX); status in_committee; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1278
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-1278
- Congress: 119
- Title: Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act
- Status: in_committee
- Introduced: 2025-04-03
- Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Improving coastal marine fog forecasts** to boost vessel safety and cut economic disruption. This bill would direct NOAA to run a focused project that expands observations, upgrades modeling, and improves warnings and decision support around coastal marine fog. - Vessel operators and the maritime industry: Would add marine-based observations like buoys, meteorological stations, vessels, unmanned systems, and rapid-refresh hyperspectral satellite imagery to detect and monitor fog, aiming to enhance safety and reduce economic impacts. - NOAA and researchers: Would fund work to advance geographic coverage, forecast resolution, and model skill for marine fog and require a project plan within one year detailing research, technology transfer, resources, and timelines. - Coastal communities, ports, and the public: Would improve how NOAA issues fog advisories and communicates risks, and would provide actionable decision support to help people and businesses make safer choices. - Tribal governments and stakeholders: Requires consultation with public and private stakeholders and Indian tribes during planning, development, and implementation.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-04-03T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Better coastal fog forecasts for mariners: benefit, low. If enacted, NOAA would run a project to improve coastal marine fog forecasts. The goal would be safer ship travel and less economic harm from fog. NOAA would add observations from buoys, weather stations, ships, unmanned systems, and satellites. The project would improve fog models, NOAA advisories…

## Related bills

- 119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
- 119-s-306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025
- 119-s-4668: Protect College Sports Act of 2026

## Sources
- [119-s-1278 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1278)

## Related
- [119-s-1071: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1071)
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-524: Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-524)
- [119-s-3923: Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3923)
- [119-s-306: Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-306)
- [119-s-4668: Protect College Sports Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4668)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1278 (as of 2026-09-10).