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119-s-3795119th CongressWALLET

Radar Next Program Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

Introduced

Summary

Modernize and replace the NEXRAD radar network. This bill would create the Radar Next Program to guide upgrades to the United States weather radar system and plan a phased replacement of the National Weather Service's NEXRAD radars.

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  • Families and communities would get better detection of heavy precipitation and severe storms over a larger population area through expanded radar coverage and new data sources.
  • Emergency managers, public-safety officials, and utilities would gain a weather surveillance radar testbed to evaluate commercial radars and get technical support for small, gap-filling radars where terrain limits large systems.
  • NOAA staff, meteorologists, and industry partners would collaborate with the Under Secretary to set performance and coverage requirements, build a phased-array radar prototype, identify sites (including locations more than 75 miles from current NEXRAD stations), and deliver a plan to replace NEXRAD by Sept 30, 2040.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Modernize U.S. weather radar network

If enacted, this bill would create the Radar Next Program led by the Under Secretary, with input from the National Weather Service Director. The program would set performance and coverage rules for the U.S. weather radar network, including territories. It would plan to replace the existing NEXRAD system and must estimate quantifiable improvements in performance, coverage, and accuracy. The plan would develop and test a phased array radar and set up a radar testbed to evaluate commercial and small gap-filling radars. It would seek input from academics, meteorologists, emergency managers, and public-safety and utility officials and prioritize deployment sites, including locations more than 75 miles from an existing NEXRAD station. The bill would allow partnerships or contracts with non-Federal entities and use of weather cameras with FAA consultation to help fill coverage gaps. The plan would have to be fully implemented by September 30, 2040, and the Under Secretary would report progress periodically to relevant Congressional committees.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 2/5/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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