WASHINGTON, D.C.?–?U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas)?and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), alongside Committee members, today introduced the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026, a comprehensive measure that includes 17 bipartisan bills aimed at strengthening the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) forecasting, warning, and hazard communication capabilities.  

Over the past 40 years, more than 220 significant weather disasters — including hurricanes, flash floods, tornadoes, wildfire, and winter storms — have impacted communities in Texas and Washington. The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act ensures NOAA remains focused on its core public-safety mission of protecting lives, property, and the economy.

Cosponsors include Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tim Sheehy (R-Mo.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). 

The legislation would, among other things: 

• Reauthorize multiple weather forecasting programs from the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, while advancing next-generation forecasting technologies and improving research-to-operations transition efforts. 
• Modernize NOAA’s aging radar network through planning and deployment of next-generation weather radar and targeted efforts to close radar coverage gaps.  
• Improve forecasting for hurricanes, tornadoes, atmospheric rivers, extreme rainfall, flash flooding, drought, and wildfire. 
• Enhance public communication of weather risks to ensure warnings— including through NOAA weather radio — are clear, timely, and actionable. 
• Advance subseasonal to seasonal forecasting to support farmers, ranchers, and water managers by improving weather outlooks weeks to months in advance.

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said: “Texas is the most exposed state to severe weather in the nation. We saw the consequences firsthand last year when catastrophic flooding claimed more than 135 lives, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic. Giving Americans the most up-to-date radar information—and delivering it quickly, no matter where you are, no matter the time of day—is imperative. The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act is a critical step toward ensuring that Texas and the nation are better prepared for severe weather.” 

Sen. Cantwell said: “After enduring floods, landslides, power outages, and road closures from December’s atmospheric rivers — and facing increasingly destructive wildfires and smoke impacts — Washingtonians know all too well that weather is getting more extreme. NOAA must have the support and resources to protect our communities with cutting-edge weather research and forecasting. From improving our hazardous weather alerts to building out our next generation of radar, this legislation will ensure our country’s weather system is at the forefront of accurate and timely weather forecasting, modeling, and prediction.” 

Sen. Sullivan said: “Communities across the country, including in Alaska, are experiencing more frequent and severe natural disasters. Now more than ever, we must invest in advancing and strengthening our preparedness, response, and mitigation capabilities. The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act reinforces our existing federal programs and bolsters NOAA’s necessary forecasting, warning, and hazard communication systems. It also incorporates several bills I have introduced or cosponsored including the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments (HABHRCA) Act; the NOAA Weather Radio Act; the Fire Ready Nation Act; the Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Ocean Research (ANCHOR) Act; and the Tsunami Warning and Education Reauthorization Act, which I am pleased to see advance through this legislation.” 

Sen. Blunt Rochester said: “Delaware is the lowest-lying state in the nation, and we’re seeing more frequent and more severe weather as a result of our changing climate. It couldn’t be more important for us to properly invest in NOAA’s weather forecasting so Delawareans can prepare for whatever weather’s coming on the horizon. I’m grateful for the bipartisan coalition of colleagues on this bill, and I look forward to working together to get our Weather Act passed into law.” 

Sen. Moran said: “Kansans and Americans, particularly farmers and ranchers, rely on access to timely and reliable weather data every day. I’m pleased this bill incorporates part of my legislation, the FORECAST Act, to help make certain NWS offices remain staffed to provide lifesaving 24/7 weather forecasting to their communities.” 

Sen. Schatz said: “As severe weather in Hawai‘i and around the country becomes more damaging and frequent, having better forecasting can make all the difference in saving lives and livelihoods. Our bill will help improve forecasts and weather communications so that communities can better anticipate, prepare for, and respond to extreme weather.”  

Sen. Sheehy said:  “Extreme weather and wildfires cost us hundreds of billions of dollars in economic impact and harm countless Americans each year, yet our government response – particularly to wildfire – hasn’t changed in decades. The time is now to modernize our approach. I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation to upgrade critical infrastructure, improve forecasting, and better protect American families, homes, and businesses from catastrophic wildfire and extreme weather.” 

Sen. Rosen said: “As extreme weather events like wildfires and droughts become more frequent and less predictable, it’s more important than ever that we invest in the latest technology and support critical programs at NOAA. This bipartisan legislation will improve forecasting ability, ensure our communities are aware of weather risks as quickly as possible, and support farmers and ranchers whose livelihoods depend on being prepared.” 

For bill text, click HERE.  

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