National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024

Bill: 118-s-3606
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2024-01-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Building construction
Emergency communications systems
Emergency planning and evacuation
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government studies and investigations
Natural disasters
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2024-01-17
text: 

National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024

This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) and expands the activities federal agencies must conduct under the program, including activities relating to secondary effects of earthquakes and post-earthquake infrastructure performance. 

NEHRP is a coordinated earthquake hazards reduction program of four federal agencies: the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Science Foundation. Under NEHRP, these agencies are required to conduct various activities relating to earthquakes, including advancing warning systems, hazard reduction measures, and research to improve understanding of earthquakes and their effects.

The bill expands the scope of the activities under NEHRP, including requiring the agencies to 

improve understanding of and develop resilience measures for secondary effects and multiple hazards associated with earthquakes, such as tsunamis and fires;

increase post-earthquake functional recovery, which means maintaining or restoring the pre-earthquake functionality of buildings and lifeline infrastructure systems (e.g., infrastructure for water, electricity, and transportation); and

assist public entities with developing an inventory, and conducting seismic performance evaluation, of infrastructure with high seismic risk. 

Additionally, the bill specifically includes tribal governments in the activities conducted under NEHRP.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2024-12-10
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2024-12-09
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-12-05
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6853-6855; text: CR S6853-6855)
action_date: 2024-12-05
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 523.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-09-24
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2024-07-31
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2024-01-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S150)
action_date: 2024-01-17
text: Introduced in Senate