A national earthquake program run by four federal agencies was last renewed by Congress in 2018, and that renewal created the ShakeAlert early warning system.
This bill aims to improve how the country prepares for and responds to earthquakes by updating safety standards and enhancing early warning systems. It is important because it helps protect communities from the dangers of earthquakes and tsunamis.
The case for
The case against
No committee member filed a written objection. The committee approved it by unanimous consent.
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). It also expands certain USGS activities under NEHRP relating to earthquake warnings and mapping and expands other NEHRP activities. NEHRP is a coordinated earthquake hazards reduction program administered by four federal agencies: the National Institute of Standards and Technology, USGS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Science Foundation. Under NEHRP, USGS is responsible for monitoring and early warnings (including operating the Advanced National Seismic System, a nationwide network of seismic stations), hazard assessments and mapping, and research regarding earthquakes. The bill reauthorizes such USGS activities through FY2030. Additionally, the bill requires USGS to coordinate with the Federal Communications Commission to ensure alerts and early warnings are broadcast as rapidly as possible for maximum warning time, expand the early warning system to additional high-risk areas, issue forecasts for aftershocks following significant earthquakes, andinclude tsunamis and other hazards associated with earthquakes in seismic hazard maps. Also, NEHRP activities to develop building codes and standards must include recovery objectives addressing post-earthquake occupancy and functionality of infrastructure.
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