Bills · S 3912
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 3912Science, Technology, Communications
NIDIS Reauthorization Act of 2026
INTRO FEB 25· LAST ACTION FEB 25
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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenDroughts are a major concern across the United States, impacting everything from food prices and water availability to wildfire risk and ecosystem health. This bill matters because it aims to make the government's primary drought information system, NIDIS, more effective and modern. If passed, it means better predictions for when and where droughts will occur, including the sudden "flash droughts" that are hard to anticipate.
Better information can help farmers make planting decisions, water utilities manage reservoirs, and communities prepare for water restrictions. If this bill doesn't pass, NIDIS's current authorization could expire, and the program would miss out on crucial updates to its technology and research capabilities, potentially leaving communities less prepared for future drought events.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
The bill adds flash drought research and tools to NIDIS's core responsibilities, aiming to improve timely responses to these rapidly developing droughts.
Flash droughts are becoming more common and are difficult to predict, so dedicated research is crucial for protecting agriculture and water supplies.
PROVISION 02
It requires NIDIS to advance and deploy next-generation technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud technologies, for drought monitoring and forecasting.
Leveraging advanced technology can significantly improve the accuracy and speed of drought predictions, leading to better preparedness.
PROVISION 03
The bill directs NIDIS to investigate and address data gaps in areas like snowpack, soil moisture, groundwater, and rapid intensification events.
Filling these data gaps will provide a more complete picture of drought conditions, leading to more informed decisions.
PROVISION 04
It requires the development of a plan within one year to incorporate improved modeling tools and existing NOAA drought products into probabilistic forecasts.
This plan will help integrate the best available science and data into more reliable and actionable drought forecasts for the public.
PROVISION 05
The bill authorizes specific funding amounts for NIDIS from fiscal year 2026 through 2030, starting at $15 million and increasing annually.
Providing dedicated funding ensures the program has the necessary resources to carry out its expanded mission and implement technological advancements.
SPONSORSHIP
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R· Montana
YRS IN OFFICE
1
BILLS LED
75
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 25
Introduced in Senate
FEB 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 3912
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 25, 2026
Last actionFeb 25, 2026
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 25, 2026
Senate BillS 3912Science, Technology, Communications
NIDIS Reauthorization Act of 2026
INTRODUCED FEB 25, 2026· LAST ACTION FEB 25, 2026
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
0
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
