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119-s-3881119th CongressWALLET

Tsunami Warning, Research, and Education Act of 2026

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

Introduced

Summary

This bill would reauthorize and upgrade the tsunami warning, research, and education programs to prioritize _timely tsunami warnings_ and to make tsunami data and metadata fully available for operations, research, education, and mitigation.

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  • Coastal communities and emergency managers: Would get faster, clearer alerts, more sensors and data streams including GNSS, tidal gauges, buoys, and updated inundation and probabilistic-hazard maps to guide evacuations and vertical-evacuation planning.
  • Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations: Would be explicitly included in program participation, consultation, outreach, data sharing, and education efforts.
  • NOAA centers, researchers, and federal partners: Would face new requirements for supercomputing, staffing, migration to a new processing system, a Tsunami Warning Coordinator at each center, and multiple GAO/Comptroller General studies and reporting timelines.

*Would authorize $35.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031, increasing federal spending and directing at least 27% to the hazard mitigation program and at least 8% to the research program.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Annual tsunami program funding

If enacted, the bill would authorize $35,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2027–2031 for tsunami programs. Each year at least 27% ($9,450,000) would be reserved for the hazard mitigation program and at least 8% ($2,800,000) would be reserved for the research program. The Administrator would use the funds to support warnings, mapping, mitigation, and related activities.

Bigger local maps and drills

If enacted, the bill would expand the tsunami hazard mitigation program and warning operations. It would require high-resolution coastal elevation (DEMs), probabilistic hazard and inundation maps, and an online library of evacuation and inundation maps. TsunamiReady guidance would add vertical evacuation and siren considerations. Warning centers would get more sensors and GNSS data, supercomputing, a Tsunami Warning Coordinator at each center, and required backup and annual/biennial drills.

Major coordination and planning studies

If enacted, the bill would require several high‑level coordination studies and covered‑event planning reports. A GAO coordination study would be started and a comprehensive Comptroller General study must be completed within 15 months. A public, multi-jurisdictional covered‑event report (Cascadia, Alaska/Aleutian, Kuril‑Kamchatka) must be done within 18 months and posted publicly. The Administrator would have to respond to study recommendations within one year and brief Congress as required.

Alerting and communication upgrades

If enacted, the bill would require near-term reviews and updates to tsunami alert systems and communications. The agency must start an alert‑level study within 60 days and update alert levels within one year. NOAA Weather Radio coverage must be reviewed within 60 days, with public recommendations in one year. The bill requires an updated IPAWS interagency agreement within 180 days and regular briefings and reports on AWIPS migration, staffing, and drills to Congress.

Research, data portal, and tribal access

If enacted, the bill would expand the tsunami research program to include Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal colleges. It would require development of a public data portal, decision-support tools, and data archiving that follow federal evidence laws. The Administrator would publish a research plan within 12 months and update it at least every 36 months.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

WA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

  • Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]

    AK • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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