Sponsors (4)
Last progress June 4, 2025 (8 months ago)
Introduced on June 4, 2025 by Brian Babin
Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to run a project to improve forecasting of coastal marine fog to make coastal shipping safer and reduce related economic losses. The project will increase observations, improve fog models and forecasts, enhance advisories and public communication, and deliver actionable decision support; a project plan — developed with stakeholder and Tribal consultation — must be submitted within one year of enactment.
The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall conduct a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog.
Goal: Enhance vessel safety and reduce the economic impact of coastal marine fog events.
Focus area: Increase the number of marine-based observations through additional Federal platforms and commercially acquired observations in locations where fog impacts safety and the economy.
Specified observation methods to be used include buoys; meteorological stations measuring visibility, temperature, dewpoint, wind speed and direction (stand-alone or co-located with water level sensors, including those in the NOAA physical oceanographic observation system program); stationary platforms or drifting instruments; vessels; unmanned systems; remote sensing technologies (including rapid refresh hyperspectral satellite imagery); and advanced algorithms that extract actionable information from observational data, including early detection and regular monitoring of marine fog.
Focus area: Advance geographic coverage, resolution, skill, and accuracy of marine fog modeling, including when feasible additional locations and improvements in marine channel forecast capability.
1 meeting related to this legislation
Primary impacts fall on maritime operators and coastal stakeholders. Vessel operators, shipping companies, port authorities, and commercial fishers should see safer navigation, fewer fog-related delays, and clearer operational guidance from improved forecasts and advisories. Coastal communities and emergency responders benefit indirectly through reduced incidents and improved situational awareness. The legislation requires Tribal consultation, so federally recognized tribes with coastal interests will be engaged in planning. NOAA and other federal partners will need to allocate staff time and technical resources to expand observations, develop models, and create decision‑support products; because no funding is specified, agencies may need to reprioritize existing funds or seek appropriations to fully implement the project. Overall economic benefits could include reduced shipping delays, fewer accidents, and lower insurance and operational costs for maritime commerce, but the timeline and scale of benefits will depend on the final plan and available resources.
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Updated 1 day ago
Last progress April 3, 2025 (10 months ago)
