Global Tsunami Detection and Warning System Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-499
Sponsor: Rep. Shays, Christopher [R-CT-4]
Introduced: 2005-02-01 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Coastal zone
Computer simulation
Conferences
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Earthquakes
Electronic government information
Emergency Management
Emergency communication systems
Facsimile transmission
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
International agencies
International cooperation
Internet
Landslides
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Radio broadcasting
Remote sensing
Science, Technology, Communications
Seismology
Strategic planning
Telephone
Treaties
Tsunamis
United Nations
Volcanoes

Summary:
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: 
Global Tsunami Detection and Warning System Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce, working with other specified Federal agency heads, to: (1) identify and eliminate (with international cooperation) deficiencies in existing systems of worldwide seismic stations that can identify in real or near real time potentially tsunamigenic earthquakes; (2) identify tsunami sensors that can be deployed to detect potential tsunamis generated by any type of disturbance and the number and location of such sensors that must be deployed to provide complete global coverage; (3) procure and deploy such sensors; (4) establish systems and infrastructure to process sensor signals; and (5) disseminate tsunami forecasts and warnings to potentially affected nations.
 
Calls on the President to convene an international conference on global tsunami detection and warning unless a satisfactory international agreement has been reached.
 
Requires the Secretary of State to implement a comprehensive strategy to: (1) identify coastal nations that have the potential to be affected by tsunamis; (2) identify appropriate contacts within the governments of those nations for disseminating tsunami warnings; (3) develop a structure for a Global Tsunami Warning System (GTWS) and an appropriate chain of command structure for GTWS warnings; (4) implement a tsunami forecasting system that includes specified technological capabilities for real-time forecasting; (5) use such forecasts to form and rapidly disseminate warnings; (6) develop a warning communications system; (7) work in partnership with specified nations to provide appropriate educational and response planning partnerships; and (8) seek funding assistance from participating nations. 
 
Requires reports to Congress on the measures mandated by this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: Introduced in House