The Cooperative Institute Act of 2026 directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain its Cooperative Institute program, which partners federal scientists with academic and nonprofit research institutions to conduct research and education in ocean and atmospheric sciences. The program benefits universities and research organizations that collaborate with NOAA on projects aligned with the agency's mission, while also involving students and postdoctoral researchers in federal research activities. New Cooperative Institutes can be established through competitive, merit-based selection processes, though NOAA may use limited competition in specific circumstances, and funding is provided through cooperative agreements that can last up to five years with potential renewal for an additional five years based on peer review. The bill requires NOAA to assess emerging research needs every two years and to notify Congress at least 60 days before terminating any existing institute, along with detailed justification. The legislation essentially codifies existing NOAA practices into law to ensure the continuation of these research partnerships going forward.

This bill authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to acquire and maintain aircraft for hurricane reconnaissance and weather research missions. The legislation increases funding from $800 million to $2.5 billion over fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for aircraft acquisition, and adds $45 million annually during that same period for aviation operations and maintenance. The bill requires NOAA to maintain continuous hurricane hunting capability, including backup aircraft to prevent operational gaps, and to keep qualified pilots on staff to conduct these critical missions. It also allows NOAA to use multiyear contracts for aircraft purchases to reduce costs and improve planning efficiency. The bill affects NOAA, weather forecasting operations, and ultimately the public by ensuring the agency can continue monitoring and researching hurricanes and tropical cyclones to improve forecasting and warnings.

# Summary The Transportation Fuel Market Transparency Act seeks to protect consumers from unjustified fuel price increases by strengthening oversight of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and biofuel markets. The bill expands existing anti-manipulation laws to cover a broader range of transportation fuels and increases civil penalties for violations from $1 million to $2 million per violation. It establishes a new Transportation Fuel Monitoring and Enforcement Unit within the Federal Trade Commission to continuously collect and analyze market data from oil companies, identify suspicious trading patterns or price manipulation, and share information with other federal agencies. The bill also requires the Department of Energy to conduct detailed surveys of energy companies about crude oil and fuel production, refining, storage, and sales, with results published publicly in specific geographic regions to help consumers and policymakers spot market problems. The legislation authorizes necessary funding through fiscal year 2031 and requires the FTC to report within 90 days on its past enforcement actions related to fuel market manipulation.