Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4802
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-08T19:17:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act (S. 4802)
Purpose
This legislation directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to acquire and maintain aircraft for weather reconnaissance, atmospheric research, and hurricane missions. It aims to ensure reliable data collection for forecasting and to support ongoing operations without gaps during equipment upgrades.
Key Provisions
- Aircraft Acquisition and Numbers: Requires NOAA to acquire and maintain between 6 and 9 manned aircraft for air reconnaissance and research missions.
- Mission Requirements: Mandates collection of real-time weather, ocean, and atmospheric data for forecasting and warnings; requires safe direct flights into hurricanes; and ensures backup capabilities to avoid operational failures during transitions.
- Technology Upgrades: Directs maintenance and replacement of airborne radar and sensing tools, such as Tail Doppler Radar, to support reconnaissance.
- Contracting Flexibility: Allows multiyear contracts for aircraft purchase and maintenance, with exceptions to standard duration limits if safeguards are in place.
- Personnel: Requires NOAA to retain qualified aviators from its Commissioned Officer Corps to fly these missions.
- Funding: Authorizes $2.5 billion for aircraft acquisition over fiscal years 2027–2031, plus $45 million annually for aviation operations and services.
- Structural Changes: Repeals a related section from the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 and moves the amended provision to appear as Section 413 of that Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Updates the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 by expanding aircraft requirements from "up to 6" to a range of 6–9, adding new mission and technology rules, and increasing authorized funding levels and years.
- Transfers the core provision to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, replacing an older section.
- Introduces allowances for longer-term contracts and specific continuity measures not present in prior law.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Strengthens NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations by providing dedicated resources for sustained hurricane and weather missions, potentially improving data reliability for the National Weather Service.
- Citizens: Enhances forecasting accuracy for hurricanes and severe weather, which could lead to timelier warnings and reduced risks in affected areas.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- NOAA and its aviation and research divisions.
- NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps aviators.
- Congress, particularly the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Aircraft manufacturers and support contractors involved in acquisitions.
- Weather forecasting users, including emergency managers and the public in coastal and hurricane-prone regions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill increases long-term federal spending authority without new tax measures.
- It creates an exception to standard multiyear contract duration rules under Title 41 of the U.S. Code, while requiring compliance with other legal safeguards.
- No constitutional issues are raised in the text; the focus remains on administrative and operational enhancements within existing NOAA authorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-17: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2026-06-17: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act — issued 2026-06-17 — PDF (6 pages)