To improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s weather research, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Lucas (for himself, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Scott Franklin of …
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill reauthorizes and modernizes the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, providing approximately $835 million over fiscal years 2026-2030 to improve NOAA's weather prediction capabilities. It expands the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in forecasting, establishes new programs for monitoring tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, and harmful algal blooms, and strengthens public-private partnerships for acquiring commercial weather data.
Who Benefits and How
Commercial weather data providers and satellite companies stand to gain significant new federal contracts through the expanded Commercial Data Program. Private sector technology firms, including AI and cloud computing companies, benefit from new NOAA procurement opportunities as the agency transitions to cloud-based systems. Academic research institutions and minority-serving institutions receive prioritized grant funding for weather research. Communities in disaster-prone areas benefit from improved forecasting accuracy and faster warning systems.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal taxpayers fund the approximately $835 million in new appropriations over five years. NOAA faces expanded reporting and coordination requirements, including new biennial research plans, workforce assessments, and interagency coordination duties. The agency must also develop new technology infrastructure, including transitioning to cloud-based weather processing systems by 2030.
Key Provisions
- Authorizes $163.8 million annually for weather research laboratories and computing resources, with specific funding for hurricane and tornado research programs
- Establishes a National Integrated Heat Health Information System to coordinate federal responses to extreme heat events
- Creates a Commercial Data Program requiring NOAA to acquire weather data from private sector providers and satellite companies
- Mandates AI and machine learning integration into weather forecasting through the Earth Prediction Innovation Center
- Expands the National Mesonet Program and Radar Next Program to improve ground-based weather observations
- Requires development of improved warning systems for tsunamis, landslides, coastal flooding, and harmful algal blooms
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Reauthorizes and modernizes the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, expanding NOAA's capabilities for weather prediction, data acquisition, and public-private partnerships while authorizing approximately $835 million over fiscal years 2026-2030 for weather research and forecasting.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Modernize federal weather forecasting capabilities through increased funding, AI/ML integration, public-private partnerships, and commercial data acquisition to improve public safety outcomes."
Likely Beneficiaries
- Commercial weather data providers and satellite companies (new federal contracts)
- Private sector weather industry (expanded partnerships)
- Academic research institutions (grant funding for tornado/hurricane research)
- Minority-serving institutions (prioritized grant funding)
- AI and cloud computing companies (new NOAA contracts)
- Uncrewed aerial systems manufacturers (new procurement opportunities)
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers (appropriations totaling ~$835 million)
- NOAA (expanded reporting and coordination requirements)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_director"
- → Director of the National Weather Service
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (NOAA Administrator)
- "the_assistant_administrator"
- → Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
- "the_director"
- → Director of the National Weather Service
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
- "the_director"
- → Director of OSTP
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Information used to track and predict weather conditions and patterns, including forecasts, observations, and derivative products from such information.
A weather event or water event (flooding) that poses a significant risk to life or property.
The collective public and private entities involved in weather research, forecasting, and services.
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology