The "Transformational Artificial intelligence to Modernize the Economy against Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act" seeks to significantly enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for weather forecasting. Its primary purpose is to improve the accuracy and timeliness of forecasts for weather, water, and space weather, alongside effective dissemination of critical information. The legislation also aims to strengthen analytical capacity to mitigate harm from weather, water, wildfires, and space weather hazards through mandated AI exploration and use by federal agencies. To achieve these goals, the bill requires the Under Secretary, in consultation with various federal agencies and experts, to develop and curate comprehensive weather forecasting training datasets within four years, leveraging existing Earth system reanalysis data. NOAA is authorized to develop and test global, regional, and local AI weather models . This initiative will proceed while also continuing to support traditional numerical weather models and observational data collection. The legislation mandates the exploration of advanced AI applications to improve forecasts, including enhancing data assimilation, accounting for coupled Earth system processes, and improving readiness for wildfires. AI will also be used to generate ensemble forecasts for better uncertainty assessment and to enhance the dissemination of information regarding weather and wildfire risks. This aims to improve public understanding and preparedness for environmental hazards. The Under Secretary is directed to provide technical assistance , data access, and best practices to forecasters, scientists, and emergency managers for utilizing AI and numerical models. This includes developing a common framework for assessing both types of models, often in collaboration with other federal agencies, academia, and the private sector. The bill emphasizes strengthening public-private partnerships and exploring co-investment strategies for transformative innovation in environmental forecasting. A key provision requires NOAA to develop a plan to make its operational and experimental AI weather models and associated data publicly available at no cost, with safeguards for national security and intellectual property. Furthermore, the bill mandates a report to Congress within one year on the risks posed by foreign countries of concern accessing U.S. weather data, including recommendations for action. Appropriations are authorized for fiscal year 2026 at $105,000,000, and for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 at $25,000,000 annually.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-88.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 199.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-88.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 199.
Science, Technology, Communications
Advanced technology and technological innovationsAtmospheric science and weatherComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightFloods and storm protectionGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsPublic-private cooperation
TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act
USA119th CongressS-1378| Senate
| Updated: 10/21/2025
The "Transformational Artificial intelligence to Modernize the Economy against Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act" seeks to significantly enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for weather forecasting. Its primary purpose is to improve the accuracy and timeliness of forecasts for weather, water, and space weather, alongside effective dissemination of critical information. The legislation also aims to strengthen analytical capacity to mitigate harm from weather, water, wildfires, and space weather hazards through mandated AI exploration and use by federal agencies. To achieve these goals, the bill requires the Under Secretary, in consultation with various federal agencies and experts, to develop and curate comprehensive weather forecasting training datasets within four years, leveraging existing Earth system reanalysis data. NOAA is authorized to develop and test global, regional, and local AI weather models . This initiative will proceed while also continuing to support traditional numerical weather models and observational data collection. The legislation mandates the exploration of advanced AI applications to improve forecasts, including enhancing data assimilation, accounting for coupled Earth system processes, and improving readiness for wildfires. AI will also be used to generate ensemble forecasts for better uncertainty assessment and to enhance the dissemination of information regarding weather and wildfire risks. This aims to improve public understanding and preparedness for environmental hazards. The Under Secretary is directed to provide technical assistance , data access, and best practices to forecasters, scientists, and emergency managers for utilizing AI and numerical models. This includes developing a common framework for assessing both types of models, often in collaboration with other federal agencies, academia, and the private sector. The bill emphasizes strengthening public-private partnerships and exploring co-investment strategies for transformative innovation in environmental forecasting. A key provision requires NOAA to develop a plan to make its operational and experimental AI weather models and associated data publicly available at no cost, with safeguards for national security and intellectual property. Furthermore, the bill mandates a report to Congress within one year on the risks posed by foreign countries of concern accessing U.S. weather data, including recommendations for action. Appropriations are authorized for fiscal year 2026 at $105,000,000, and for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 at $25,000,000 annually.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-88.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 199.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-88.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 199.
Advanced technology and technological innovationsAtmospheric science and weatherComputers and information technologyCongressional oversightFloods and storm protectionGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsPublic-private cooperation