Summary

Updates and reauthorizes federal weather, water, and climate programs to strengthen forecasts, warnings, and hazard response across the United States. The bill defines “weather data,” extends and funds NOAA research and operational programs through FY2026–2030, directs new testing and pilot projects (radar interference testing, aviation weather/turbulence improvements, coastal fog forecasting, subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting for drought and agriculture), creates/expands a NOAA Commercial Data Program to buy and test private observations, improves public warning messages and NOAA Weather Radio, builds national capacity to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, establishes a national heat-health coordination system and plan, and reauthorizes and updates the National Landslide Preparedness program with a specified funding level. It sets programmatic deadlines (project plans, standards, reports), authorizes specified funding amounts for several activities through FY2026–2030, and adds new authorities for Arctic and Pacific work, interagency coordination, and data-sharing. Many provisions focus on moving research to operations, improving decision support for users (aviation, farmers, water managers, coastal communities), and integrating commercial data into federal systems.

Key Points

• Adds a statutory definition of “weather data” and updates weather-related statutory definitions.
• Reauthorizes and funds NOAA weather research and operational priorities for FY2026–2030 with specified funding limits.
• Creates a radar research and testing program to address interference and improve coverage, with a five-year review and sunset by Sept 30, 2030.
• Establishes and expands a NOAA Commercial Data Program to buy and integrate private environmental observations, with tight deadlines for standards and reports.
• Directs aviation, coastal fog, and subseasonal-to-seasonal forecast improvements and funds pilots for reservoir/drought and agriculture needs.
• Builds national capacity on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, including an observing network and a technology incubator, with authorized funding through 2030.
• Creates a national heat-health coordination system and five-year strategic plan to reduce heat-related illness and death.
• Strengthens landslide preparedness and response, adds NASA to the coordinating committee, and authorizes $35 million for the program.

Categories & Tags