89–006 

116TH CONGRESS REPT. 116–99 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session Part 1 

NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT 

JUNE 3, 2019.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. GRIJALVA, from the Committee on Natural Resources, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 1261] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Natural Resources, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 1261) to establish a national program to identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, to establish a national 3D Elevation Program, and for other purposes, having considered the 

same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Landslide Preparedness Act’’. 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) 3D.—The term ‘‘3D’’ means 3-dimensional. 

(2) 3D ELEVATION DATA.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘3D elevation data’’ means 3D, high-resolution data obtained using LiDAR, IfSAR, or other methods over the United 

States (including territories and freely associated states). 

(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘3D elevation data’’ includes terrestrial and 

bathymetric elevation data. 

(3) 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘3D Elevation Program’’ means the 

3D Elevation Program established under section 5(a). 

(4) FREELY ASSOCIATED STATES.—The term ‘‘freely associated states’’ means— 

(A) the Federated States of Micronesia; 

(B) the Republic of the Marshall Islands; and 

(C) the Republic of Palau. 

(5) IFSAR.—The term ‘‘IfSAR’’ means interferometric synthetic aperture 

radar. 

(6) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ has the meaning given the term 

in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 

U.S.C. 5304). 

2 

(7) LAHAR.—The term ‘‘lahar’’ means a large debris flow of mostly volcanic 

material that is— 

(A) often fast-moving; and 

(B) a hazard in watersheds downstream of volcanic peaks. 

(8) LIDAR.—The term ‘‘LiDAR’’ means light detection and ranging. 

(9) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of the Interior, 

acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey. 

(10) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means— 

(A) a State; and 

(B) the District of Columbia. 

(11) STATE OFFICE.—The term ‘‘State office’’ means any unit of State government that handles the identification, mapping, assessment, and research of 

landslide hazards or responding to landslide events, including— 

(A) a State geological survey office; 

(B) a State department of emergency response; and 

(C) a State department of transportation. 

(12) TERRITORY.—The term ‘‘territory’’ means— 

(A) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; 

(B) Guam; 

(C) American Samoa; 

(D) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and 

(E) the United States Virgin Islands. 

SEC. 3. NATIONAL LANDSLIDE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the 

‘‘National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program’’ (referred to in this section as the 

‘‘program’’)— 

(1) to identify and understand landslide hazards and risks; 

(2) to reduce losses from landslides; 

(3) to protect communities at risk of landslide hazards; and 

(4) to help improve communication and emergency preparedness, including by 

coordinating with communities and entities responsible for infrastructure that 

are at risk of landslide hazards. 

(b) DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM.— 

(1) PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Interagency 

Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards established by subsection (c)(1) 

(referred to in this section as the ‘‘Committee’’) and in coordination with existing activities of the United States Geological Survey and other Federal agencies, 

shall— 

(A) identify, map, assess, and research landslide hazards; 

(B) respond to landslide events; and 

(C) in coordination with State offices, units of local government, territories, freely associated states, and Indian tribes— 

(i) establish working groups with State offices, units of local government, territories, freely associated states, and Indian tribes to identify 

regional and local priorities for researching, identifying, mapping, and 

assessing landslide hazards; and 

(ii) develop and implement landslide hazard guidelines for— 

(I) geologists; 

(II) geological and geotechnical engineers; 

(III) emergency management personnel; and 

(IV) land use and other decisionmakers. 

(2) NATIONAL STRATEGY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 

of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the 

Committee, shall develop and publish a national strategy for landslide hazards, 

risk reduction, and response in the United States (including territories and freely associated states), which shall include— 

(A) goals and priorities for the program; 

(B) priorities for data acquisition, research, communications, and risk 

management on landslides and landslide hazards across relevant Federal 

agencies; and 

(C) a detailed interagency plan, which shall take into consideration national disaster preparedness, response, and recovery frameworks, to carry 

out the national strategy, including details about the programs, projects, 

and budgets that will be used to implement the national strategy. 

(3) NATIONAL LANDSLIDE HAZARDS DATABASE.—In carrying out the program, 

the Secretary, in coordination with State offices, units of local government, territories, freely associated states, and Indian tribes, shall develop and maintain 

3 

a publicly accessible national landslide hazard and risk inventory database to 

compile, maintain, standardize, and evaluate data regarding— 

(A) landslide hazards and risks; 

(B) the impact of landslides on— 

(i) health and safety; 

(ii) the economy and infrastructure; and 

(iii) the environment; 

(C) landslide hazard stabilization; and 

(D) reduction of losses from landslides. 

(4) LANDSLIDE HAZARD AND RISK PREPAREDNESS FOR COMMUNITIES.—In carrying out the program, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of the 

Army, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, and 

in consultation with State offices, units of local government, territories, freely 

associated states, and Indian tribes, shall develop and disseminate— 

(A) landslide planning and risk reduction guidance, guidelines, maps, 

tools, and training materials to help inform State, territorial, freely associated state, local, and Tribal governments and decisionmakers with respect 

to— 

(i) the use and implementation of landslide hazard assessments; 

(ii) the applied use of the database developed under paragraph (3); 

(iii) reducing losses from landslides; and 

(iv) resources available for communities working to improve landslide 

hazard preparedness; and 

(B) landslide preparedness curricula and training modules for— 

(i) State, territorial, freely associated state, local, and Tribal officials; 

(ii) Federal, State, territorial, freely associated state, local, and Tribal 

emergency managers; and 

(iii) the National Guard. 

(5) DEBRIS FLOW EARLY WARNING SYSTEM.—In carrying out the program, the 

Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary 

of Homeland Security, shall expand the early warning system for debris flow 

by— 

(A) expanding the early warning system for post-wildfire debris flow to 

include recently burned areas across the western United States; 

(B) developing procedures with State, territorial, freely associated state, 

local, and Tribal governments to monitor stormwater drainage in areas 

with high debris flow risk; and 

(C) identifying high-risk debris flow areas, such as recently burned land 

and potential lahar hazard areas. 

(6) EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the program, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, States offices, units 

of local government, territories, freely associated states, and Indian tribes, shall 

establish and support emergency response procedures for the rapid deployment 

of Federal scientists, equipment, and services to areas impacted by a significant 

landslide event— 

(A) to support emergency response efforts and improve the safety of emergency responders; 

(B) to improve data collection; and 

(C) to conduct research to advance the understanding of the causes, impacts, and reduction of landslide hazards and risks. 

(c) INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON LANDSLIDE HAZARDS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established a committee, to be known as the ‘‘Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards’’. 

(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall be composed of the following members (or their designees): 

(A) The Secretary, who shall serve as Chairperson of the Committee. 

(B) The Secretary of Agriculture. 

(C) The Secretary of the Army. 

(D) The Secretary of Commerce. 

(E) The Secretary of Homeland Security. 

(F) The Secretary of Transportation. 

(G) The Director of the National Science Foundation. 

(H) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. 

(I) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget. 

(3) MEETINGS.—The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson. 

(4) PURPOSE AND DUTIES.—The Committee shall— 

(A) advise and oversee the program; 

4 

(B) facilitate communication and coordination across Federal agencies in 

the planning, management, budgeting, and execution of landslide activities; 

and 

(C) support the development and execution of the national strategy under 

subsection (b)(2), including by— 

(i) supporting the development of national goals and priorities for the 

national strategy; 

(ii) articulating Federal agency roles, responsibilities, and resources 

for carrying out the national strategy; and 

(iii) overseeing the implementation of the national strategy. 

(d) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee, to be 

known as the ‘‘Advisory Committee on Landslides’’ (referred to in this subsection as the ‘‘Advisory Committee’’). 

(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Advisory Committee shall be composed of not fewer 

than 11 members— 

(A) of whom none may be an individual described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 7342(a)(1) of title 5, United States Code; 

and 

(B) who shall be representatives of— 

(i) States, including State geological organizations; 

(ii) territories and freely associated states, including territorial and 

freely associated state geological organizations; 

(iii) Indian tribes, including Tribal geological organizations; 

(iv) research institutions and institutions of higher education that are 

qualified— 

(I) to provide advice regarding landslide hazard and risk reduction; and 

(II) to represent related scientific, architectural, engineering, and 

planning disciplines; 

(v) industry standards development organizations; and 

(vi) State, territorial, freely associated state, local, and Tribal emergency management agencies. 

(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall submit to the Committee 

recommendations for the implementation of the program, including recommendations regarding— 

(i) landslide hazard and risk reduction and planning; 

(ii) tools for communities; 

(iii) research; and 

(iv) such other topics as the Advisory Committee determines appropriate. 

(B) CONSIDERATION.—The Secretary and the agency heads described in 

subparagraphs (B) through (I) of subsection (c)(2) shall take into consideration any recommendation of the Advisory Committee submitted under subparagraph (A). 

(e) GRANT PROGRAMS.— 

(1) COOPERATIVE LANDSLIDE HAZARD MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—Subject to appropriations, the Secretary may— 

(i) provide grants, on a competitive basis, to State, territorial, freely 

associated state, local, and Tribal governments to research, map, assess, and collect data on landslide hazards within the jurisdictions of 

those governments; and 

(ii) accept and use funds received from other Federal and non-Federal 

partners to advance the purposes of the program. 

(B) PRIORITY.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall consult annually with the Committee, States, units of local government, territories, freely associated 

states, and Indian tribes to establish priorities for the grant program 

under this paragraph. 

(ii) FUNDING PRIORITIZATION.—In providing grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to projects— 

(I) that will achieve the greatest landslide hazard and risk reduction; 

(II) that reflect the goals and priorities of the national strategy 

established under subsection (b)(2)(A); 

(III) not less than 50 percent of the total cost of which is 

matched by non-Federal sources; and 

5 

(IV) that include acquisition of enhanced elevation data consistent with the 3D Elevation Program. 

(2) NATIONAL LANDSLIDE RESEARCH GRANTS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—To advance the goals and priorities of the national 

strategy established under subsection (b)(2)(A), subject to appropriations, 

the Director of the National Science Foundation (referred to in this paragraph as the ‘‘Director’’) may provide grants to eligible entities for landslide 

research, including research on— 

(i) the causes, mechanisms, triggers, hydrology, and geology of landslides; 

(ii) ways to reduce landslide hazards and risks to minimize loss of life 

and property, including landslide hazard and risk communication, perception, decisionmaking, tools, and technologies; and 

(iii) other goals and priorities of the national strategy established 

under subsection (b)(2)(A). 

(B) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The Director shall determine whether an entity 

is eligible to receive a grant under this paragraph. 

(C) REQUIREMENTS.—In providing grants under this paragraph, the Director shall— 

(i) ensure that the grants are provided on a competitive basis; and 

(ii) consider grant applications submitted by eligible entities that 

have developed the application in partnership with 1 or more State geological surveys. 

(f) BIENNIAL REPORT.—The Secretary shall submit to Congress a biennial report, 

including a description of, with respect to the preceding 2 calendar years— 

(1) the goals and accomplishments of the Secretary and the agency heads described in subparagraphs (B) through (I) of subsection (c)(2) in carrying out the 

national strategy developed under subsection (b)(2), expressed— 

(A) by agency, program, and budgetary resource; and 

(B) by the goals and priorities of the national strategy established under 

subsection (b)(2)(A); 

(2) the results of the activities of the Committee under this section; 

(3) the extent to which any recommendations of the Advisory Committee 

under subsection (d)(3)(A) have been implemented; 

(4) the grants provided under this section during the preceding 2 calendar 

years, including a description of— 

(A) each activity carried out using such a grant; and 

(B) the results of those activities; and 

(5) for each significant landslide event in the United States (including territories and freely associated states) during the preceding 2 calendar years— 

(A) a description of the landslide event and the implications of the event 

on communities, including life and property; 

(B) recommendations on how the identification of the landslide risk could 

have been improved prior to the event; 

(C) a description of the effectiveness of any warning and risk communication, including the dissemination of warnings by State, territorial, freely associated state, local, and Tribal partners in the affected area; 

(D) recommendations to improve risk identification, reduction, and communication to landowners and units of local government; 

(E) recommendations to improve landslide hazard preparedness and 

emergency response activities under this section; and 

(F) such other findings as the Secretary determines appropriate. 

(g) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 

$37,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023, of which— 

(1) $25,000,000 each fiscal year shall be made available to the United States 

Geological Survey; 

(2) $11,000,000 each fiscal year shall be made available to the National 

Science Foundation; and 

(3) $1,000,000 each fiscal year shall be made available to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

SEC. 4. GROUND SUBSIDENCE. 

As the Secretary determines to be appropriate and subject to appropriations, the 

Secretary, through existing programs, shall advance the identification, mapping, research, monitoring, restoration, and mitigation of subsidence and groundwater resource accounting, losses from subsidence, including saltwater intrusion, particularly in areas affected by drought and sea level rise. 

SEC. 5. 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM.— 

6 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the 

‘‘3D Elevation Program’’— 

(A) to provide 3D elevation data coverage for the United States; 

(B) to coordinate and facilitate the collection, dissemination, and use of 

3D elevation data among Federal departments and agencies and non-Federal entities; 

(C) to produce standard, publicly accessible 3D elevation data products 

for the United States; and 

(D) to promote the collection, dissemination, and use of 3D elevation data 

among Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, communities, institutions of higher education, and the private sector through— 

(i) cooperative agreements; 

(ii) the development and maintenance of spatial data infrastructure 

to provide quality control and deliver to the public 3D elevation data 

products; 

(iii) in coordination with the 3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee established under subsection (b), States, and industry and standards bodies, the development of standards and guidelines for 3D elevation data acquisition to increase accessibility to 3D 

elevation data in a standard, easy-to-use format; and 

(iv) the identification, assessment, and adoption of emerging technologies to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the 3D Elevation Program. 

(2) MANAGEMENT.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall manage the 3D Elevation Program— 

(i) to ensure efficiency with respect to related activities of the Department of the Interior and other participating Federal departments and 

agencies; and 

(ii) to meet the needs of Department of the Interior programs, stakeholders, and the public. 

(B) OTHER FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.—The head of each Federal department and agency involved in the acquisition, production, distribution, or application of 3D elevation data shall— 

(i) coordinate with the 3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee established under subsection (b) to acquire additional, enhanced 3D elevation data; 

(ii) submit to the Secretary a description of priority areas of interest 

for 3D elevation data collection for use in providing grants and cooperative agreements under subsection (d); 

(iii) implement policies and procedures for data acquisition and sharing that are consistent with standards and guidelines developed under 

the 3D Elevation Program; 

(iv) participate in, and share the results and benefits of, the 3D Elevation Program, in accordance with standards and guidelines developed 

under the 3D Elevation Program; and 

(v) ensure that any 3D elevation data acquired with Federal grant 

funding— 

(I) meets 3D Elevation Program standards; and 

(II) is included in the national holdings of those data. 

(b) 3D ELEVATION FEDERAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE.— 

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of 

Commerce and the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall establish an interagency coordinating committee, to be known as the ‘‘3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee’’ (referred to in this subsection as the ‘‘Committee’’), to better coordinate 3D elevation data management across the Federal 

Government. 

(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Committee shall be composed of the following members (or their designees): 

(A) The Secretary, who shall serve as Chairperson of the Committee. 

(B) The Secretary of Agriculture. 

(C) The Secretary of Commerce. 

(D) The Secretary of Homeland Security. 

(E) The Director of the National Science Foundation. 

(F) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. 

(G) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget. 

(H) The head of any other Federal department or agency, at the request 

of the Secretary. 

7 

(3) COORDINATION.—The Committee shall coordinate, as appropriate, with the 

existing activities of— 

(A) the 3D Elevation Program Executive Forum; 

(B) the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee; 

(C) the 3D Elevation Working Group; 

(D) the 3D National Elevation Subcommittee; and 

(E) State offices. 

(4) MEETINGS.—The Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson. 

(5) DUTIES.—The Committee shall— 

(A) oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the 3D Elevation Program; and 

(B) develop, by not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 

Act, and update periodically thereafter— 

(i) a strategic plan that establishes goals and priorities for activities 

carried out under the 3D Elevation Program; and 

(ii) a detailed management plan to implement the strategic plan. 

(c) SUBCOMMITTEE OF NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish, within the National 

Geospatial Advisory Committee, a subcommittee (referred to in this subsection as the ‘‘Subcommittee’’). 

(B) MEMBERSHIP.—The Subcommittee shall— 

(i) consist of not fewer than 11 members, of whom none may be a 

Federal officer or employee; and 

(ii) include representatives of— 

(I) research and academic institutions; 

(II) industry standards development organizations; 

(III) units of State and local government; and 

(IV) the private sector. 

(2) DUTIES.— 

(A) ASSESSMENT.—The Subcommittee shall conduct an assessment of— 

(i) trends and developments in— 

(I) the collection, dissemination, and use of 3D elevation data; 

and 

(II) science and technology relating to 3D elevation data; 

(ii) the effectiveness of the 3D Elevation Program in carrying out the 

activities described in subsection (a)(1); 

(iii) the need to revise or reorganize the 3D Elevation Program; and 

(iv) the management, coordination, implementation, and activities of 

the 3D Elevation Program. 

(B) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 

Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Subcommittee shall submit to the 

Secretary and the 3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee established under subsection (b) a report that includes— 

(i) the findings of the assessment under subparagraph (A); and 

(ii) recommendations of the Subcommittee based on those findings, if 

any. 

(d) GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants and enter into cooperative 

agreements with other Federal departments and agencies, units of State, local, 

or Tribal government, institutions of higher education, nonprofit research institutions, or other organizations to facilitate the improvement of nationwide coverage of 3D elevation data. 

(2) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a cooperative 

agreement under this subsection, an entity described in paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. 

(3) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—A grant or cooperative agreement under this 

subsection shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including making data publically available and interoperable with other Federal datasets. 

(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated 

to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2023. 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of H.R. 1261 is to establish a national program to 

identify and reduce losses from landslide hazards, authorize the exVerDate Sep 11 2014 06:33 Jun 05, 2019 Jkt 089006 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR099P1.XXX HR099P1
8 

1 U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, LANDSLIDE HAZARDS, https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/landslide-hazards/about. 2 Id. 

3 U.S. DEP’T OF THE INTERIOR, OFFICE OF BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2019, https://www.doi.gov/ 

budget/appropriations/2019. 

isting national 3D Elevation Program, and authorize studying, 

mitigating, and restoring instances of ground subsidence. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Landslides are serious hazards that exist throughout the United 

States. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that landslides account for $1 billion to $2 billion in damages and, on average, more than 25 fatalities every year.1 As expansion of urban and 

recreational development occurs, individuals are more exposed to 

potential impacts from landslide hazards. Landslides are often triggered by events such as heavy storms, earthquakes, volcanic activities, and wildfires. The Landslides Hazards Program (LHP) in the 

USGS has existed since the 1970s to provide scientific information 

to minimize loss of life and property from landslides.2 The LHP 

partners with states and federal agencies to conduct landslide hazard assessments, investigations, and forecasts, and it provides assistance in response to landslide events. Local decisionmakers depend on the LHP for information before, during, and after landslide-triggering disasters. Since fiscal year 2014, the LHP has been 

funded at approximately $3.5 million annually.3

H.R. 1261 directs the Secretary of the Interior to bolster the 

LHP’s activities by creating a National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program to identify and understand risks and reduce losses 

from landslide hazards and to help improve communication and 

emergency preparedness. The bill also authorizes the existing national 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) to update and produce standard, publicly accessible 3D elevation data for the United States, in 

coordination with other federal agencies and nonfederal entities. 

This 3DEP authorization would have value not only for assessing 

landslide hazards but also for identifying geologic and environmental hazards such as active faults and seismic areas, unstable 

ground, swelling soils, floodplains, and abandoned mine lands. 

The bill establishes two committees to oversee and coordinate the 

activities of the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program 

and the 3DEP Program: the Interagency Coordinating Committee 

on Landslide Hazards, and the 3D Elevation Federal Interagency 

Coordinating Committee, respectively. 

COMMITTEE ACTION

H.R. 1261 was introduced on February 14, 2019, by Representative Suzan DelBene (D–WA). The bill was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on 

Natural Resources, and within the latter Committee to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. On May 1, 2019, the 

Natural Resources Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee was discharged by unanimous consent. Chair Grijalva 

(D–AZ) offered an amendment designated Grijalva #1; it was adopted by unanimous consent. Representative Aumua Amata Coleman 

Radewagen (R–AS) offered an amendment designated Radewagen 

#1; it was adopted by unanimous consent. Representative Garret 

9 

Graves (R–LA) offered an amendment designated Graves #1; it was 

adopted by unanimous consent. No additional amendments were offered. The bill, as amended, was ordered favorably reported to the 

House of Representatives by unanimous consent. 

HEARINGS

For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the 116th Congress—the following hearings were used to develop or consider H.R. 

1261: Full Committee Markup on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at 

10:00 a.m. in Longworth House Office Building, Room 1324; and 

Hearing by the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources on 

November 30, 2017, regarding H.R. 1675 (115th). 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 

Natural Resources’ oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII AND CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET

ACT

1. Cost of Legislation and the Congressional Budget Act. With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) and (3) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives and sections 308(a) and 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has 

received the following estimate for the bill from the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, Washington, DC, May 9, 2019. 

Hon. RAU ́ L M. GRIJALVA, 

Chairman, Committee Natural Resources, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1261, the National Landslide Preparedness Act. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Robert Reese. 

Sincerely, 

KEITH HALL, 

Director. 

Enclosure. 

10 


Insert offset folio 12 here HR99.001

Pr!uultrll!t1m~s"' Act 

reported by the House Committee on Natural Resources on May 1, 2619 

() 0 () 

0 () 0 

0 () () 

0 300 308 

intergovernmental mandate? No 

private-sector mandate? No 

the appropriation of $37 million annually over the 2020-2023 period for the National Landslide 

Program 

appropriation of $40 million annually over the 2020-2023 period for the 30 Elevation Program 

Estimated budgetary effects would primarily stem from 

• Spending of amounts specifically authorized to be appropriated 
11 

Bill summary: H.R. 1261 would direct the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to implement two programs focused on mapping 

the territory of the United States. Under the bill, the National 

Landslide Hazards Reduction Program (NLHRP) would develop a 

national strategy to reduce landslide risks, create and maintain a 

publicly accessible database on landslide hazards, expand the current early warning system for flash floods and debris flow following 

wildfires, and lead an interagency coordinating committee on landslide hazards. The bill also would authorize two grant programs 

under the NLHRP. 

Under the 3D Elevation Program, the USGS would be required 

to develop elevation data for the United States and to produce publicly accessible data products. In implementing the program, the 

USGS would be authorized to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements. The bill would direct the USGS to head an interagency coordinating committee for the program. 

Estimated Federal cost: The estimated budgetary effect of H.R. 

1261 is shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within 

budget function 300 (natural resources and environment). 

TABLE 1.—ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 1261 

By fiscal year, millions of dollars— 

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2019– 

2024 

National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program: 

Authorization ................................................................... 0 37 37 37 37 0 148 

Estimated Outlays .......................................................... 0 26 35 37 37 11 146 

3D Elevation Program: 

Authorization ................................................................... 0 40 40 40 40 0 160 

Estimated Outlays .......................................................... 0 16 34 40 40 24 154 

Total Changes: 

Authorization .......................................................... 0 77 77 77 77 0 308 

Estimated Outlays ................................................. 0 42 69 77 77 35 300 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 

1261 will be enacted during fiscal year 2019 and that the authorized amounts will be appropriated for each fiscal year beginning in 

2020. Estimated outlays follow historical patterns for similar programs. 

H.R. 1261 would authorize the appropriation of $77 million a 

year for a total of $308 million over the 2020–2023 period. Assuming appropriation of those amounts, CBO estimates that the bill 

would cost $300 million over the 2020–2024 period and $8 million 

after 2024. 

National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program 

H.R. 1261 would authorize the appropriation of $37 million annually from 2020 to 2023 for the USGS to implement the NLHRP. 

CBO estimates that implementing the program as authorized 

would cost $146 million over the 2020–2024 period. Currently the 

USGS operates a similar program that meets some of the requirements of H.R. 1261. In 2019, the USGS allocated about $4 million 

to that program. 

12 

3D Elevation Program 

The bill would authorize the appropriation of $40 million annually from 2020 to 2023 for the USGS to implement the 3D Elevation Program. CBO estimates that implementing the program 

would cost $154 million over the 2020–2024 period. Currently the 

USGS operates a similar program that meets some of the requirements outlined under H.R. 1261. In 2019, the USGS allocated 

about $38 million to that program. 

Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None. 

Increase in long-term deficits: None. 

Mandates: None. 

Previous CBO estimate: On May 2, 2019, CBO transmitted a cost 

estimate for S. 529, the National Landslide Preparedness Act, as 

ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, 

and Transportation on April 3, 2019. CBO’s estimated costs of implementing the NLHRP are the same for both bills. CBO’s estimated costs for implementing the 3D Elevation Program differ because the authorizations of appropriations in the two bills are different. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Robert Reese; Mandates: 

Jon Sperl. 

Estimate reviewed by: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 

Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

2. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by 

clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goals and objectives of this bill is to establish a national program to identify and 

reduce losses from landslide hazards, authorize the existing national 3D Elevation Program, and authorize studying, mitigating, 

and restoring instances of ground subsidence. 

EARMARK STATEMENT

This bill does not contain any Congressional earmarks, limited 

tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined under clause 9(e), 

9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

UNFUNDED MANDATES REFORM ACT STATEMENT

This bill contains no unfunded mandates. 

FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT STATEMENT

The functions of the proposed advisory committees authorized in 

this bill are not currently being nor could they be performed by one 

of more agencies, an advisory group already in existence, or by enlarging the mandate of an existing advisory group. 

EXISTING PROGRAMS

Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not establish or 

reauthorize a program of the federal government known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was not included in 

any report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress 

pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111–139 or identified in the 

most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance published pursuant to 31 U.S.C. § 6104, as relating to other programs. 

13 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 

PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW

Any preemptive effect of this bill over state, local, or tribal law 

is intended to be consistent with the bill’s purposes and text and 

the Supremacy Clause of Article VI of the U.S. Constitution. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

If enacted, this bill would make no changes to existing law. 

14 


Insert offset folio 16 here HR99.002

COMMITTEE CORRESPONDENCE 

RAUL M. GRIJALVA OF ARIZONA 

CHAIRMAN 

lJI.§. l1nune nf tReprenentatiuen 

Qlummittec nn Naturall!it!lnurce!l 

lmla!!Qingtnn. lEIQl 211515 

The Honorable Eddie Bemice Johnson 

Chairwoman 

May 2, 2019 

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

U.S. House of Representatives 

2321 Raybum House Office Building 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Chairwoman Johnson, 

ROB BISHOP OF UTAH 

RANKING REPUBLICAN 

PARISH BRADEN 

REPU8UCAN STArF DIRECTOR 

I am writing to you conceming H.R. 1261, the "National Landslide Preparedness Act." 

I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation. I recognize that the 

bill contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science, 

Space, and Technology. I acknowledge that your Committee will not f(mnally consider 

H.R. 1261 and agree that the inaction of your Committee with respect to the bill does not 

waive any fi.rture jurisdictional claim over the matters contained in the bill that fall within 

your Committee's Rule X jurisdiction. 

I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during 

floor consideration of the bilL f your cooperation regarding this legislation and 

look forward to continuing to with you as this measure moves through the legislative 

process. 

Sincerely, 

~,~·~ Chair 

House Natural Resources Committee 

cc: The Honorable Rob Bishop, Ranking Member 

The Honorable Thomas J. Wickham, Jr., Parliamentarian 
15 


Insert offset folio 17 here HR99.003

EDDIE SEANICE JOHNSON, Tex<>< 

CHAIRWOMAN 

<tongress or the 'llnited ~rates 

l'lousc of 1Rcprcsrntatiucs COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY 

May 9, 2019 

Chairman Raul M. Grijalva 

Committee on Natural Resources 

U.S. Honse of Representatives 

2321 RAYBURN HOUSE. OFFICE BUILDING 

WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6301 

(202) 225-6375 

1324 Longworth House Office Building 

Washington, DC 20515 

Dear Chairman Grijalva, 

FRANK 0 LUCAS. Oklah?md 

RANKING MEMBER 

I am writing to you concerning H.R. 1 261, the ''National Landslide Preparedness Act," which 

was referred to both the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space, 

and Technology ("Science Committee") on February 14,2019. 

I agree to work cooperatively on this bill and tbe Science Committee will waive further 

consideration of H.R. 1261, This is, however, not a waiver of future jurisdictional claims by tbe 

Science Committee over this subject matter. 

Thank you for agreeing to include our exchange of letters in the Congressional Record. 

Additionally, I ask that you support the appointment of Science Committee conferees during any 

House-Senate conference convened on this legislation. 

Sincerely, 

Chairwoman 
16 


Insert offset folio 18 here HR99.004

cc: Ranking Member Frank D. Lucas, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

Ranking Member Rob Bishop, Committee on Natural Resources 

Tom Wickham, Parliamentarian 

0