S-1278 — Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act

YourVoice.Now Summary

Your MoneyCorporate BenefitsTransparency & Accountability

Coastal fog forecasts would get sharper — and warnings clearer for boaters, crews, and ports.

Your Money

Accuracy of coastal fog forecasts — more shoreline, finer detail

NOAA would add buoys, weather sensors, satellites, and drifting gear in places where fog causes the most harm. The goal is to cover more coastline and predict fog in sharper detail.

Fog warnings you can act on — plainer alerts, practical guidance

The bill tells NOAA to improve how fog advisories reach people and how the risk is explained. It also asks for guidance the person getting the warning can actually use.

Corporate Benefits

Federal buying of private weather data — satellites, uncrewed systems, software

Some fog data would be bought from private firms, not gathered by federal gear. The bill lists satellites, uncrewed craft, and software, but names no price.

Transparency & Accountability

Required outside input on the project — public and industry groups

NOAA would have to meet with private and public groups while it plans, builds, and runs the project. The bill does not say how many meetings or set a schedule.

Tribal governments consulted on the project — from planning through implementation

Indian tribes get their own required meetings, apart from the general public ones. The bill points to federal law for which tribes count.

More about this bill

If you boat, fish, or work on the water, fog forecasts would get sharper. NOAA would run a project to predict coastal fog better and warn people sooner. Thick fog at sea causes crashes, port backups, and costly delays. The bill aims at the stretches of coast where fog does the most harm. The work would add more eyes on the water. That means buoys, weather stations, drifting instruments, uncrewed craft, and satellite images. NOAA would also make its fog warnings easier to act on. It must meet with private and public groups while planning the work. Indian tribes would be consulted on their own. A plan naming the tasks, money, and timelines is due one year after the bill becomes law. The bill sets no dollar amount of its own.

Congressional Summary

Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop and implement a project to improve coastal marine fog modeling and forecasting. The project goal is to enhance vessel safety and reduce the economic impact of coastal marine fog events. Specifically, the project must increase the number of marine-based observations through additional federal platforms and commercially acquired observations in locations where impacts from marine fog have major safety and economic impacts; advance geographic coverage, resolution, skill, and accuracy of marine fog modeling; improve NOAA's communication of marine fog advisories; communicate risks posed by hazardous marine fog events in a way that maximizes informed decision-making by the public; and provide decision support services based on environmental information that is actionable to the recipient of a marine fog advisory. Within one year following the bill's enactment, NOAA must develop a project plan detailing the specific research, development, technology transfer activities, resources, and timelines necessary to achieve the goal. The bill directs NOAA to meet with Indian tribes and public and private stakeholders regarding planning, development, and implementation of the project.

Legislative Subjects

Atmospheric science and weatherEmergency communications systemsGeography and mappingHydrology and hydrographyMarine and inland water transportationNavigation, waterways, harborsTransportation safety and security

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: Senate
Status: summarized
Action: Reported to Senate
Action Date: 2025-10-21
Date Added: 2026-07-25
Source: Congress.gov →

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