# Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977

Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 is a statute formulating a national policy to diminish the perils of earthquakes in the United States. The Act of Congress is a declaration for an earthquake prediction system, national earthquake hazards reduction program, and seismological research studies. The United States public law authorizes States assistance through the provisions of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974.
The Senate legislation was passed by the 95th U.S. Congressional session and enacted into law by the President Jimmy Carter on October 7, 1977.

## Sections of the Act

The Act was drafted as six sections defining the codified law within Title 42 Public Health and Social Welfare.
| 42 U.S.C. § 7701 ~ | Short Title |
| 42 U.S.C. § 7701 ~ | Findings Vulnerability of earthquake hazards to U.S. states Development and implementation of earthquake hazards reduction measures Improvement in structural construction and design methods or practices Redevelopment of land use controls Prediction techniques and early warning systems Coordinated earthquake preparedness plans Public education and involvement programs Coordinated program by Federal, State, local, and private entities Seismological research program Earthquake prediction system Earthquake control and seismological research findings Benefit of earthquake hazards reduction program Reduction of destruction, disruption, and loss based on individuals and organizations Severe earthquakes worldwide problem Review of Federal earthquake hazards reduction program by external sources |
| 42 U.S.C. § 7702 ~ | Purpose |
| 42 U.S.C. § 7703 ~ | Definitions |
| 42 U.S.C. § 7704 ~ | National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Establishment of program Duties of Federal agency, department, or entity Objectives of program Participation by Federal agency, department, or entity Department of Defense Department of Housing and Urban Development Energy Research and Development Administration National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Bureau of Standards National Fire Prevention and Control Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Science Foundation Nuclear Regulatory Commission United States Geological Survey Research elements Implementation plan State assistance Participation by local governments and State governments |
| 42 U.S.C. § 7705 ~ | Annual Report |
| 42 U.S.C. § 7706 ~ | Authorization of Appropriations General Geological Survey National Science Foundation |

## Amendments to 1977 Act

U.S. Congressional amendments to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act.
| Date of Enactment | Public Law Number | U.S. Statute Citation | U.S. Legislative Bill | U.S. Presidential Administration |
| October 19, 1980 | P.L. 96-472 | 94 Stat. 2257 | S. 1393 | Jimmy E. Carter |
| November 20, 1981 | P.L. 97-80 | 95 Stat. 1081 | S. 999 | Ronald W. Reagan |
| January 12, 1983 | P.L. 97-464 | 96 Stat. 2533 | S. 2273 | Ronald W. Reagan |
| March 22, 1984 | P.L. 98-241 | 98 Stat. 95 | S. 820 | Ronald W. Reagan |
| September 30, 1985 | P.L. 99-105 | 99 Stat. 475 | S. 817 | Ronald W. Reagan |
| February 29, 1988 | P.L. 100-252 | 102 Stat. 18 | S. 1612 | Ronald W. Reagan |
| November 16, 1990 | P.L. 101-614 | 104 Stat. 3231 | S. 2789 | George H.W. Bush |
| October 19, 1994 | P.L. 103-374 | 108 Stat. 3492 | H.R. 3485 | William J. Clinton |
| October 1, 1997 | P.L. 105-47 | 111 Stat. 1159 | S. 910 | William J. Clinton |
| November 13, 2000 | P.L. 106-503 | 114 Stat. 2298 | H.R. 1550 | William J. Clinton |
| October 25, 2004 | P.L. 108-360 | 118 Stat. 1668 | H.R. 2608 | George W. Bush |