Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026
Latest action (4 Mar 2026): Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
What this bill does
S. 3923, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, would extend and update federal weather research and forecasting programs run mainly through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It reauthorizes funding through fiscal year 2030 for programs covering tornado, hurricane, tsunami, precipitation, and coastal-flooding forecasting, and updates research priorities such as improving warning lead times, incorporating new sensor and satellite technologies, expanding computing capacity, and using artificial intelligence in forecasting. It also creates or reauthorizes programs on fire weather services, drought and soil-moisture monitoring, harmful algal blooms, landslide preparedness, and cybersecurity for NOAA's research fleet, and adds provisions on seafood country-of-origin identification and illegal-fishing enforcement.
The bill primarily affects NOAA and its component offices, federal researchers, and partner institutions such as universities, weather forecast offices, and private weather-industry firms that receive grants or contracts. It would also affect emergency managers and the public who rely on weather, flood, tsunami, and fire warnings, since the bill directs improvements in warning systems, public risk communication, and workforce training. Agriculture, water management agencies, and coastal communities are also affected through related monitoring and forecasting programs.
The bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz with bipartisan cosponsors and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. On March 4, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with amendments. It would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and if passed, by the House of Representatives, before being sent to the President.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
The committees assigned to this bill sent it to the House or Senate as a whole for consideration on March 4, 2026.
Timeline
4 Mar 2026
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 3923 do?
- S. 3923, the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, would extend and update federal weather research and forecasting programs run mainly through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It reauthorizes funding through fiscal year 2030 for programs covering tornado, hurricane, tsunami, precipitation, and coastal-flooding forecasting, and updates research priorities such as improving warning lead times, incorporating new sensor and satellite technologies, expanding computing capacity, and using artificial intelligence in forecasting. It also creates or reauthorizes programs on fire weather services, drought and soil-moisture monitoring, harmful algal blooms, landslide preparedness, and cybersecurity for NOAA's research fleet, and adds provisions on seafood country-of-origin identification and illegal-fishing enforcement. The bill primarily affects NOAA and its component offices, federal researchers, and partner institutions such as universities, weather forecast offices, and private weather-industry firms that receive grants or contracts. It would also affect emergency managers and the public who rely on weather, flood, tsunami, and fire warnings, since the bill directs improvements in warning systems, public risk communication, and workforce training. Agriculture, water management agencies, and coastal communities are also affected through related monitoring and forecasting programs. The bill was introduced by Senator Ted Cruz with bipartisan cosponsors and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. On March 4, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with amendments. It would next need to be considered by the full Senate, and if passed, by the House of Representatives, before being sent to the President.
- Has S. 3923 become law?
- Not yet. As of 4 Mar 2026, S. 3923 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 3923?
- S. 3923 was sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz [R-TX] (Republican-TX), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3923?
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably. (4 Mar 2026).
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