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S. 2126 would extend authorization for the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), a network of buoys, ships, radar, and other coastal observation devices operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If enacted, the bill would maintain annual funding at $56 million through 2030 to continue monitoring ocean and coastal conditions that support weather forecasting, navigation safety, and fisheries management. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the Senate.
The legislation would also establish new processes for federal agencies and regional coastal observation systems to share ocean data more effectively, and update reporting requirements to assess how ocean observations improve storm forecasting accuracy. These monitoring efforts support coastal communities, maritime industries, and commercial fisheries that depend on accurate ocean and weather information. The bill represents a reauthorization of existing law rather than a new program, ensuring continuity of ocean observation capabilities that have been in place since 2009.
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Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Oct 21, 2025
Oct 21, 2025 · 14:00
On October 21, 2025, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened an executive session to consider multiple pieces of legislation and nominations. The bills addressed diverse policy areas: the National STEM Week Act to promote science and technology education; the Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act; the Digital Coast Act to improve data acquisition and accessibility; the Young Fishermen's Development Extension Act; the Global Investment in American Jobs Act to enhance U.S. competitiveness in attracting foreign investment; the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act; the ROTOR Act requiring aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast technology; and the PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025 to enhance pipeline transportation safety. The committee also considered three nominations: Joyce Meyer of Virginia for Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Department of Commerce, Harry Kumar of New York for Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Seval Oz of California for Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Research and Technology. As an executive session rather than a public hearing, no witness testimony was presented. The session was held in Russell Senate Office Building Room 253. Executive sessions allow committees to deliberate on legislation and nominations before deciding whether to advance them, though consideration in committee does not guarantee a bill will pass the full Senate.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Oct 21, 2025
Oct 21, 2025 · 14:00
On October 21, 2025, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened an executive session to consider multiple pieces of legislation and nominations. The bills addressed diverse policy areas: the National STEM Week Act to promote science and technology education; the Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act; the Digital Coast Act to improve data acquisition and accessibility; the Young Fishermen's Development Extension Act; the Global Investment in American Jobs Act to enhance U.S. competitiveness in attracting foreign investment; the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act; the ROTOR Act requiring aircraft to be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast technology; and the PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025 to enhance pipeline transportation safety. The committee also considered three nominations: Joyce Meyer of Virginia for Under Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Department of Commerce, Harry Kumar of New York for Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Seval Oz of California for Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Research and Technology. As an executive session rather than a public hearing, no witness testimony was presented. The session was held in Russell Senate Office Building Room 253. Executive sessions allow committees to deliberate on legislation and nominations before deciding whether to advance them, though consideration in committee does not guarantee a bill will pass the full Senate.
