To reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.

H.R. 2294 would extend the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (IOOS) program, which expired in 2025. The bill would authorize $56 million per year from 2026 through 2030 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to operate a network of buoys, ships, radar, autonomous vessels, and other monitoring devices that track marine conditions along U.S. coasts and the Great Lakes.

The system provides data that supports critical government functions including disaster preparedness and response, coastal resource protection, fisheries management, and maritime safety. The bill would also modernize the program by clarifying data collection requirements, updating organizational references to reflect current federal structures, and improving coordination between federal agencies and regional coastal observation networks to enhance data sharing and system effectiveness.

The bill passed the House on March 16, 2026, with bipartisan support and is now under review by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. If enacted, the legislation would ensure continued funding for ocean monitoring infrastructure that helps protect coastal communities, support fishing industries, and improve weather forecasting and coastal planning decisions.