Text of Senate Amendment 6838

On 2026-09-28, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) delivered a floor speech titled "Text Of Senate Amendment 6838" in the Senate.

Text of Senate Amendment 6838

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 153 (Monday, September 28, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 153 (Monday, September 28, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S5080-S5119] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SA 6838. Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Ms. Cantwell) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 3923, to improve the weather research of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, support improvements in weather forecasting and prediction, and expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026''. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION ACT OF 2017 Sec. 101. Public safety priority. [[Page S5081]] Sec. 102. United States weather research and forecasting. Sec. 103. Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment-United States of America (VORTEX-USA). Sec. 104. Hurricane forecast improvement program. Sec. 105. Tsunami Warning and Education Act reauthorization. Sec. 106. Observing system planning. Sec. 107. Observing system simulation experiments. Sec. 108. Computing resources prioritization. Sec. 109. Earth Prediction Innovation Center. Sec. 110. Satellite architecture planning. Sec. 111. Improving uncrewed activities. Sec. 112. Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services. Sec. 113. Ocean observations. Sec. 114. Consolidation of reports. Sec. 115. Precipitation forecast improvement program. TITLE II--ENHANCING FEDERAL WEATHER FORECASTING AND INNOVATION Sec. 201. Next-generation numerical weather prediction initiative. Sec. 202. Radar Next Program. Sec. 203. Data voids in under-observed areas of the United States. Sec. 204. Radar innovation for the next generation. Sec. 205. Atmospheric rivers forecast improvement program. Sec. 206. Coastal flooding and storm surge forecast improvement program. Sec. 207. Improving prevention and responses to temperature related impacts. Sec. 208. Aviation weather and data innovation. Sec. 209. Aerial snow survey program. Sec. 210. National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service partnership program, transition program, and operational planning. Sec. 211. Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System. Sec. 212. Reanalysis and reforecasting. Sec. 213. National Weather Service workforce. Sec. 214. Consultation relating to modernization and reorganization. Sec. 215. Artificial intelligence for weather forecasting. Sec. 216. Composition of the atmosphere and atmospheric observations. Sec. 217. Project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog. Sec. 218. Modernization of NWS alerting systems. TITLE III--COMMERCIAL WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBSERVATIONS Sec. 301. Commercial Data Program. Sec. 302. Commercial Data Pilot Program. Sec. 303. Contracting authority and avoidance of duplication. Sec. 304. Data assimilation, management, and sharing practices. Sec. 305. Clerical amendment. TITLE IV--COMMUNICATING WEATHER TO THE PUBLIC Sec. 401. Definitions. Sec. 402. Hazardous weather or water event risk communication. Sec. 403. Hazard communication research and engagement. Sec. 404. NOAA Weather Radio. Sec. 405. National standards for weather warning systems in flash flood zones. Sec. 406. Post-storm surveys and assessments. Sec. 407. Government Accountability Office report on alert dissemination for hazardous weather or water events. Sec. 408. Data collection, management, and protection. TITLE V--IMPROVING WEATHER INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURE AND WATER MANAGEMENT Sec. 501. Weather information for agriculture and water management. Sec. 502. National Integrated Drought Information System. Sec. 503. National Mesonet Program. Sec. 504. National Coordinated Soil Moisture Monitoring Network. Sec. 505. National Water Center. TITLE VI--HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL Sec. 601. Amendments to the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998. Sec. 602. Other harmful algal bloom and hypoxia matters. TITLE VII--FIRE READY NATION Sec. 701. Definitions. Sec. 702. Establishment of fire weather services program. Sec. 703. Fire weather testbed. Sec. 704. Data management and technology modernization. Sec. 705. Surveys and assessments. Sec. 706. Incident Meteorologist Service. Sec. 707. Emergency response activities. Sec. 708. Submissions to Congress regarding the Fire Weather Services Program, incident meteorologist workforce needs, and National Weather Service workforce support. Sec. 709. Fire Weather Science and Technology Working Group; strategic plan. Sec. 710. Fire weather rating system. Sec. 711. Government Accountability Office reports. Sec. 712. Cooperation and coordination. Sec. 713. General provisions. Sec. 714. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE VIII--PRECIPITATION ESTIMATES AND LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS Sec. 801. Inclusion of atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation events in estimates of precipitation frequency. Sec. 802. Reauthorization of National Landslide Preparedness Act. Sec. 803. Next Generation Water Observing System. Sec. 804. Water data enhancement and national groundwater resources monitoring by United States Geological Survey. TITLE IX--IMPROVING CYBERSECURITY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR OCEANIC RESEARCH Sec. 901. Definitions. Sec. 902. Plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications of U.S. Academic Research Fleet. TITLE X--INTEGRATED OCEAN OBSERVATION SYSTEM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2026 Sec. 1001. Short title. Sec. 1002. Purposes. Sec. 1003. Definitions. Sec. 1004. Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing System. Sec. 1005. Report to Congress. Sec. 1006. Authorization of appropriations. Sec. 1007. Conforming amendments. TITLE XI--OTHER AUTHORITIES Sec. 1101. Relocation allowances. Sec. 1102. Unfunded priorities list, reports, and plans. Sec. 1103. Meteorological observations in the Arctic region. Sec. 1104. Transfer of excess property of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Sec. 1105. Miscellaneous authorities. SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. (a) In General.--In this Act, the terms ``seasonal'', ``State'', ``subseasonal'', ``Under Secretary'', ``weather enterprise'', ``weather data'', and ``weather industry'' have the meanings given such terms in section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501). (b) Weather Data Defined.--Section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501) is amended-- (1) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: ``(5) Weather data.--The term `weather data' means information used to track and predict weather conditions and patterns, including forecasts, observations, and derivative products from such information.''. TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION OF THE WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING INNOVATION ACT OF 2017 SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY. Section 101 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8511) is amended to read as follows: ``SEC. 101. PUBLIC SAFETY PRIORITY. ``(a) In General.--The Under Secretary shall ensure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration remains focused on providing accurate and timely weather forecasts that protect lives and property and enhance the national economy, including by-- ``(1) coordinating and modernizing observational infrastructure, weather forecasting systems, communications, and impact-based decision support services; and ``(2) improving operational weather forecasts, products, and services. ``(b) Research.--In conducting research, the Under Secretary shall prioritize improving weather data, modeling, computing, forecasting, and warnings and support transition of advancements into operational forecasting and services, for the protection of life and property and for the enhancement of the national economy.''. SEC. 102. UNITED STATES WEATHER RESEARCH AND FORECASTING. Section 110 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8519) is amended to read as follows: ``SEC. 110. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research to carry out this title the following: ``(1) $166,736,000 for fiscal year 2027, of which-- ``(A) $94,000,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes; ``(B) $39,491,000 is authorized for the United States Weather Research Program; ``(C) $21,125,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and ``(D) $12,120,000 is authorized for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this title. ``(2) $168,403,000 for fiscal year 2028, of which-- ``(A) $94,940,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes; ``(B) $39,886,000 is authorized for the United States Weather Research Program; ``(C) $21,336,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and [[Page S5082]] ``(D) $12,241,000 is authorized for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this title. ``(3) $170,089,000 for fiscal year 2029, of which-- ``(A) $95,890,000 is authorized for weather laboratories and cooperative institutes; ``(B) $40,285,000 is authorized for the United States Weather Research Program; ``(C) $21,550,000 is authorized for tornado, severe storm, and next generation radar research; and ``(D) $12,364,000 is authorized for the joint technology transfer initiative described in section 102(b)(4) of this title. ``(4) $1