S. 2126 would authorize the appropriation of $56 million annually from 2026 through 2030 for the Integrated Ocean Observing System. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration uses that system, which is composed of buoys, ships, radar, autonomous vessels, and other coastal observation devices, to continually monitor and report on marine conditions. The bill also would require new processes to facilitate data sharing, update reporting requirements, and make administrative and conforming changes to the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009.
Based on historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $244 million over the 2026-2030 period and $33 million after 2030; such spending would be subject to the appropriation of the specified amounts.
The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
Table 1.
Estimated Increases in Spending Subject to Appropriation Under S. 2126
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2026-2030
Authorization
56
56
56
56
56
280
Estimated Outlays
34
46
54
55
55
244
Previous CBO Estimate
On October 22, 2025, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 2294, a bill to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on July 23, 2025. Each bill would authorize appropriations totaling $280 million over the 2026–2030 period; thus, CBO’s estimates of the costs to implement the two bills are the same.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Rafferty. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
