S 1278 — Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act

Summary

This bill directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish a project aimed at improving forecasts of coastal marine fog. The project would increase marine-based observations using various technologies including buoys, meteorological stations, vessels, unmanned systems, and satellites. The goal is to enhance vessel safety and reduce the economic impacts of coastal marine fog events. The bill also requires the agency to improve how marine fog advisories are communicated to the public and provide decision-support services. Within one year of enactment, the Under Secretary must develop a detailed plan outlining specific research activities, resources, and timelines.

AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.

Sponsor (1)

Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX] (R-TX)

1 cosponsor

Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA)

Money behind the sponsor

Top reported contributors to Ted Cruz’s campaign committee (2024 cycle) — who funds the bill’s sponsor, not a claim about this bill. Data from FEC.

NULL $4,424,745
ENTREPRENEUR $458,096
RDV CORPORATION $39,600
AMERICAN AIRLINES $29,632
BLACKSTONE $27,400

Organizations whose employees gave the most — itemized individual contributions grouped by the donor’s reported employer (FEC Schedule A). Full finance for Ted Cruz → · Outside spending →

Actions (5)

Oct 21, 2025 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 197. · senate
Oct 21, 2025 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-86. · senate
Apr 30, 2025 Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably. · senate
Apr 3, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. · senate
Apr 3, 2025 Introduced in Senate

Related bills (1)

More bills on these subjects (8)

Other bills that carry the most legislative subjects in common with this one (topical discovery — distinct from the procedural related bills above).

Similar bills (6)

Bills with similar text or summary — includes reintroductions across Congresses. Ranked by semantic similarity of the bill text (computed locally); a neutral discovery aid, not a claim the bills are duplicates.

Full text

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 3, 2025

Mr. Cruz (for himself and Mr. Padilla) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

October 21, 2025

Reported by Mr. Cruz, without amendment

A BILL

To require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to conduct a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act”.

SEC. 2. PROJECT TO IMPROVE FORECASTS OF COASTAL MARINE FOG.

(a) In General.—The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall conduct a project to improve forecasts of coastal marine fog.

(b) Goal.—The goal of the project required under subsection (a) is to enhance vessel safety and reduce the economic impact of coastal marine fog events, with a focus on—

(1) increasing the number of marine-based observations through additional Federal platforms and commercially acquired observations in locations where impacts from marine fog and reduced visibility have major safety and economic impacts, including through the use of—

(A) buoys;

(B) meteorological stations measuring visibility, temperature, dewpoint, and wind speed and direction as a stand-alone or co-located with water level sensors, such as those that are part of the physical oceanographic observation system program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

(C) stationary platforms or drifting instruments;

(D) vessels;

(E) unmanned systems;

(F) remote sensing technologies, including rapid refresh hyperspectral satellite imagery; and

(G) advanced algorithms that extract actionable information from observational data, including early detection and regular monitoring of marine fog;

(2) advancing geographic coverage, resolution, skill, and accuracy of marine fog modeling, including, when feasible, additional locations and advancements in marine channel forecast capability;

(3) improving communication of marine fog advisories by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

(4) communicating risks posed by hazardous marine fog events in a way that maximizes informed decision making by the public; and

(5) providing decision support services based on environmental information that is actionable to the recipient of a marine fog advisory.

(c) Stakeholder Engagement.—In implementing the project required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall meet with public and private stakeholders regarding the planning, development, and implementation of the project.

(d) Tribal Engagement.—The Under Secretary shall meet with Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)) regarding the planning, development, and implementation of the project required under subsection (a).

(e) Project Plan.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall develop a plan for the project required under subsection (a) that details the specific research, development, and technology transfer activities, as well as corresponding resources and timelines, necessary to achieve the goal set forth under subsection (b). Calendar No. 197

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1278

[Report No. 119-86]