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HR3857119th CongressWALLET

Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Reauthorization Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

Passed House

Summary

This bill would modernize and integrate snowpack measurement and water supply forecasting using new sensors, models, and interagency data so forecasts are faster, more accurate, and more useful for multi-state water decisions.

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  • Water managers and reservoir operators would get more timely, real-time forecasts tied to watershed and reservoir operations to inform multi-state water decisions.
  • Federal, state, and tribal agencies would share a coordinated modeling and data framework with the Department of Agriculture and NOAA and get capacity-building support for adopting new forecasting tools.
  • Researchers and technology providers would see support for deploying imaging spectroscopy, machine learning, advanced snowpack and hydrologic models, plus basin-level performance assessments that compare new tools to USDA and NOAA benchmarks.

*Authorizes $3.0 million per year for FY2027–FY2031, totaling $15.0 million in authorized federal funding.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New tools to forecast water supply

If enacted, the program would keep building and using new tech to measure snow and forecast water supply. It would allow tools like imaging spectroscopy, machine learning, and modern snow and river models. USDA and NOAA would be named partners in the modeling and data work. The program would focus on basins where forecasts guide multi-district or multi-State water decisions and on building partner capacity. It would require reports that list basins using these tools, show what works best across areas, and compare results to USDA and NOAA forecast benchmarks.

Five-year funding for snow forecasts

If enacted, the government would provide $3 million each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. This money would support snowpack measurement, modeling, and water supply forecasting. It would fund program operations and grants to partners that improve forecasts.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3]

CO • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 6/10/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 7/23/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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