Fire Administration Authorization Act of 2000
PL 106-503 (H.R.1550), enacted 11/13/2000

114 STAT. 2298 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
Public Law 106-503 
106th Congress 
An Act 
N 
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'^^ authorize appropriations for the United States Fire Administration, and for 
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carrying out the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, for fiscal years 
[H.R. 1550] 
2001, 2002, and 2003, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Fire 
Administration 
Authorization 
Act of 2000. 
TITLE I—UNITED STATES FIRE 
ADMINISTRATION 
15 use 2201 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "Fire Administration Authoriza-
tion Act of 2000". 
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 17(g)(1) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by striking "and" at the end of subparagraph (G); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) 
and inserting a semicolon; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
"(I) $44,753,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which $3,000,000 
is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for con-
tracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data analysis, 
including general fire profiles and special fire analyses and 
report projects, and of which $6,000,000 is for anti-terrorism 
training, including associated curriculum development, for fire 
and emergency services personnel; 
"(J) $47,800,000 for fiscal year 2002, of which $3,250,000 
is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for con-
tracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data analysis, 
including general fire profiles and special fire analyses and 
report projects, and of which $7,000,000 is for anti-terrorism 
training, including associated curriculum development, for fire 
and emergency services personnel; and 
"(K) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, of which $3,500,000 
is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for con-
tracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data analysis, 
including general fire profiles and special fire analyses and 
report projects, and of which $8,000,000 is for anti-terrorism 
training, including associated curriculum development, for fire 
and emergency services personnel.". 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
114 STAT. 2299 
None of the funds authorized for the United States Fire Administra-
tion for fiscal year 2002 may be obligated unless the Administrator 
has verified to the Committee on Science of the House of Represent-
atives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate that the obligation of funds is consistent 
with the strategic plan transmitted under section 103 of this Act. 
SEC. 103. STRATEGIC PLAN. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—^Not later than April 30, 2001, the Adminis- Deadline, 
trator of the United States Fire Administration shall prepare and 
transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate a 5-year strategic plan of program activities for 
the United States Fire Administration. 
(b) CONTENTS OF PLAN.—The plan required by subsection (a) 
shall include— 
(1) a comprehensive mission statement covering the major 
functions and operations of the United States Fire Administra-
tion in the areas of training; research, development, test and 
evaluation; 
new 
technology 
and 
non-developmental 
item 
implementation; safety; counterterrorism; data collection and 
analysis; and public education; 
(2) general goals and objectives, including those related 
to outcomes, for the major functions and operations of the 
United States Fire Administration; 
(3) a description of how the goals and objectives identified 
under paragraph (2) are to be achieved, including operational 
processes, skills and technology, and the human, capital, 
information, £ind other resources required to meet those goals 
and objectives; 
(4) an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of, 
opportunities for, and threats to the United States Fire 
Administration; 
(5) an identification of the fire-related activities of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Depart-
ment of Defense, and other Federal agencies, and a discussion 
of how those activities can be coordinated with and contribute 
to the achievement of the goals and objectives identified under 
paragraph (2); 
(6) a description of objective, quantifiable performance goals 
needed to define the level of performance acWeved by program 
activities in training, research, data collection and analysis, 
and public education, and how these performance goals relate 
to the general goals and objectives in the strategic plan; 
(7) an identification of key factors external to the United 
States Fire Administration and beyond its control that could 
affect significantly the achievement of the general goals and 
objectives; 
(8) a description of program evaluations used in estab-
lishing or revising general goals and objectives, with a schedule 
for future program evaluations; 
(9) a plan for the timely distribution of information and 
educational materials to State and local firefighting services, 
including volunteer, career, and combination services through-
out the United States; 
(10) a description of how the strategic plan prepared under 
this section will be incorporated into the strategic plan and 
114 STAT. 2300 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
the performance plans and reports of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency; 
(11)(A) a description of the current and planned use of 
the Internet for the delivery of training courses by the National 
Fire Academy, including a listing of the types of courses and 
a description of each course's provisions for real time interaction 
between instructor and students, the number of students 
enrolled, and the geographic distribution of students, for the 
most recent fiscal year; 
(B) an assessment of the availability and actual use by 
the National Fire Academy of Federal facilities suitable for 
distance education applications, including facilities with tele-
conferencing capabilities; and 
(C) an assessment of the benefits and problems associated 
with delivery of instructional courses using the Internet, 
including limitations due to network bandwidth at training 
sites, the availability of suitable course materials, and the 
effectiveness of such courses in terms of student performance; 
(12) timeline for implementing the plan; and 
(13) the expected costs for implementing the plan. 
SEC. 104, RESEARCH AGENDA. 
Deadline. 
(a) REQUIREMENT.—^Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United 
States Fire Administration, in consultation with the Director of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director of the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, representatives 
of trade, professional, and non-profit associations. State and local 
firefighting services, an^ other appropriate entities, shall prepare 
and transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate a report describing the United States 
Fire Administration's research agenda and including a plan for 
implementing that agenda. 
(b) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—^The report required by subsection 
(a) shall— 
(1) identify research priorities; 
(2) describe how the proposed research agenda will be 
coordinated and integrated with the programs and capabilities 
of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the 
Department of Defense, and other Federal agencies; 
(3) identify potential roles of academic, trade, professional, 
and non-profit associations, and other research institutions in 
achieving the research agenda; 
(4) provide cost estimates, anticipated personnel needs, 
and a schedule for completing the various elements of the 
research agenda; 
(5) describe ways to leverage resources through partner-
ships, cooperative agreements, and other means; and 
(6) discuss how the proposed research agenda will enhance 
training, improve State and local firefighting services, impact 
standards and codes, increase firefighter and public safety, 
and advance firefighting techniques. 
(c) USE IN PREPARING STRATEGIC PLAN.—^The research agenda 
prepared under this section shall be used in the preparation of 
the strategic plan required by section 103. 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
114 STAT. 2301 
15 use 2230. 
Public 
information. 
Internet. 
SEC. 105. SURPLUS AND EXCESS FEDERAL EQUIPMENT. 
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is 
amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
"SEC. 33. SURPLUS AND EXCESS FEDERAL EQUIPMENT. 
15 USC 2229. 
"The Administrator shall make publicly available, including 
through the Internet, information on procedures for acquiring sur-
plus and excess equipment or property that may be useful to State 
and local fire, emergency, and hazardous material handling service 
providers.". 
SEC. 106. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FACIUTIES. 
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as 
amended by section 105, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
"SEC. 34. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FACILITIES. 
"The Administrator shall make publicly available, including 
through the Internet, information on procedures for establishing 
cooperative agreements between State and local fire and emergency 
services and Federal facilities in their region relating to the provi-
sion of fire and emergency services.". 
SEC. 107. NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN COUNTERTERRORISM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Administrator of the United States Fire 
Administration shall conduct an assessment of the need for addi-
tional capabilities for Federal counterterrorism training of emer-
gency response personnel. 
(b) CONTENTS OF ASSESSMENT.—^The assessment conducted 
under this section shall include— 
(1) a review of the counterterrorism training programs 
offered by the United States Fire Administration and other 
Federal agencies; 
(2) an estimate of the number and types of emergency 
response personnel that have, during the period between 
January 1, 1994, and October 1, 1999, sought training described 
in paragraph (1), but have been unable to receive that training 
as a result of the oversubscription of the training capabilities; 
and 
(3) a recommendation on the need to provide additional 
Federal counterterrorism training centers, including— 
(A) an analysis of existing Federal facilities that could 
be used as counterterrorism training facilities; and 
(B) a cost-benefit analysis of the establishment of such 
counterterrorism training facilities. 
(c) REPORT.—^Not later than 180 days after the date of the Deadline, 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall prepare and submit 
to the Congress a report on the results of the assessment conducted 
under this section. 
SEC. 108. WORCESTER 
POLYTECHNIC 
INSTITUTE 
FIRE 
SAFETY 
RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
From the funds authorized to be appropriated by the amend-
ments made by section 102, $1,000,000 may be expended for the 
Worcester Polytechnic Institute fire safety research program. 
114 STAT. 2302 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
SEC. 109. INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION. 
Upon the conclusion of the research under a research grant 
or award of $50,000 made with funds authorized by this title 
(or any amendments made by this title), the Administrator of the 
United States Fire Administration shall make available through 
the Internet home page of the Administration a brief summary 
of the results and importance of such research grant or award. 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require or permit 
the release of any information prohibited by law or regulation 
from being released to the public. 
SEC. 110. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS. 
(a) 1974 ACT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—^The Federal Fire Prevention and Control 
Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended— 
(A) by striking subsection (b) of section 10 (15 U.S.C. 
2209) and redesignating subsection (c) of that section as 
subsection (b); 
(B) by striking sections 26 and 27 (15 U.S.C. 2222; 
2223)' 
(C) by striking "(a) The" in section 24 (15 U.S.C. 2220) 
and inserting "The"; and 
(D) by striking subsection (b) of section 24. 
(2) REFERENCES TO SECRETARY.—^The Federal Fire Preven-
tion and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is 
amended— 
(A) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 2203)— 
(i) by inserting "and" after the semicolon in para-
graph (7); 
(ii) by striking paragraph (8); and 
(iii) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph 
(8); 
(B) by striking "Secretary" and inserting "Director"— 
(i) in section 5(b) (15 U.S.C. 2204(b)); 
(ii) each place it appears in section 7 (15 U.S.C. 
2206); 
(iii) the first place it appears in section 11(c) (15 
U.S.C. 2210(c)); 
(iv) in section 15(b)(2), (c), and (f) (15 U.S.C. 
2214(b)(2), (c), and (f)); 
(v) the second place it appears in section 15(e)(1)(A) 
(15 U.S.C. 2214(e)(1)(A)); 
(vi) in section 16 (15 U.S.C. 2215); 
(vii) the second place it appears in section 19(a) 
(42 U.S.C. 290a(a)); 
(viii) both places it appears in section 20 (15 U.S.C. 
2217); and 
(ix) in section 21(c) (15 U.S.C. 2218(c)); and 
(C) in section 15, by striking "Secretary's" each place 
it appears and inserting "Director's". 
(b) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.—Section 12 of the Act of Feb-
ruary 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1511) is amended— 
(1) by inserting "and" after "Census;" in paragraph (5); 
(2) by striking paragraph (6); and 
(3) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (6). 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
114 STAT. 2303 
SEC. 111. NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY CURRICULUM REVIEW. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Administrator of the United States Fire 
Administration, in consultation with the Board of Visitors and 
representatives of trade and professional associations, State and 
local firefighting services, and other appropriate entities, shall con-
duct a review of the courses of instruction available at the National 
Fire Academy to ensure that they are up-to-date and complement, 
not duplicate, courses of instruction offered elsewhere. Not later Deadline, 
than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Report. 
Administrator shall prepare and submit a report to the Committee 
on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(b) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—^The report required by subsection 
(a) shall— 
(1) examine and assess the courses of instruction offered 
by the National Fire Academy; 
(2) identify redundant and out-of-date courses of instruc-
tion; 
(3) examine the current and future impact of information 
technology on National Fire Academy curricula, methods of 
instruction, and delivery of services; and 
(4) make recommendations for updating the curriculum, 
methods of instruction, and delivery of services by the National 
Fire Academy considering current and future needs. State-
based curricula, advances in information technologies, and 
other relevant factors. 
SEC. 112. REPEAL OF EXCEPTION TO FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENT. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 4 of Public Law 103-195 (107 Stat. 2298) 
is hereby repealed. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Subsection (a) shall take effect 1 year 
after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 113. NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION TECHNICAL 
CORRECTIONS. 
(a) PURPOSES.—Section 151302 of title 36, United States Code, 
is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
"(1) primarily— 
"(A) to encourage, accept, and administer private gifts 
of property for the benefit of the National Fallen Fire-
fighters' Memorial and the annual memorial service associ-
ated with the memorial; and 
"(B) to, in coordination with the Federal Grovemment 
and fire services (as that term is defined in section 4 
of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 
(15 U.S.C. 2203)), plan, direct, and manage the memorial 
service referred to in subparagraph (A);"; 
(2) by inserting "and Federal" in paragraph (2) after "non-
Federal"; 
(3) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking "State and local" and inserting "Federal, 
State, and local"; and 
(B) by striking "and" after the semicolon; 
(4) by striking "firefighters." in paragraph (4) and inserting 
"firefighters;"; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
114 STAT. 2304 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
Earthquake 
Hazards 
Reduction 
Authorization 
Act of 2000. 
42 use 7701 
note. 
"(5) to provide for a national program to assist families 
of fallen firefighters and fire departments in dealing with line-
of-duty deaths of those firefighters; and 
"(6) to promote national, State, and local initiatives to 
increase public awareness of fire and life safety.". 
(b) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—Section 151303 of title 36, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (f) and (g) and inserting the 
following: 
"(f) STATUS AND COMPENSATION.— 
"(1) Appointment to the board shall not constitute employ-
ment by or the holding of an office of the United States. 
"(2) Members of the board shall serve without compensa-
tion."; and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g). 
(c) OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.—Section 151304 of title 36, 
United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking "not more than 2" in subsection (a); and 
(2) by striking "are not" in subsection (b)(1) and inserting 
"shall not be considered". 
(d) SUPPORT BY THE ADMINISTRATOR.—Section 151307(a)(1) of 
title 36, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking "The Administrator" and inserting "During 
the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
of the Fire Administration Authorization Act of 2000, the 
Administrator"; and 
(2) by striking "shall" in subparagraph (B) and inserting 
"may". 
TITLE II—EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS 
REDUCTION 
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
Authorization Act of 2000". 
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) 
FEDERAL 
EMERGENCY 
MANAGEMENT AGENCY.—Section 
12(a)(7) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 
U.S.C. 7706(a)(7)) is amended— 
(1) by striking "and" after "1998,"; and 
(2) by striking "1999." and inserting "1999; $19,861,000 
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, of which $450,000 
is for National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program-eligible 
efforts of an established multi-state consortium to reduce the 
unacceptable threat of earthquake damages in the New Madrid 
seismic region through efforts to enhance 
preparedness, 
response, recovery, and mitigation; $20,705,000 for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2002; and $21,585,000 for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2003.". 
(b) UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.—Section 12(b) of the 
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(b)) 
is amended— 
(1) by inserting after "operated by the Agency." the fol-
lowing: "There are authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
retary of the Interior for purposes of carrying out, through 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
114 STAT. 2305 
the Director of the United States Geological Survey, the respon-
sibilities that may be assigned to the Director under this Act 
$48,360,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which $3,500,000 is for 
the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is for the Scientific 
Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee established under sec-
tion 210 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization 
Act of 2000; $50,415,000 for fiscal year 2002, of which 
$3,600,000 is for the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 
is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee; 
and $52,558,000 for fiscal year 2003, of which $3,700,000 is 
for the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is for the Sci-
entific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee."; 
(2) by striking "and" at the end of paragraph (1); 
(3) by striking "1999," at the end of paragraph (2) and 
inserting "1999;"; and 
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: 
"(3) $9,000,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated 
for fiscal year 2001; 
"(4) $9,250,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated 
for fiscal year 2002; and 
"(5) $9,500,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated 
for fiscal year 2003,". 
(c) REAL-TIME SEISMIC HAZARD WARNING SYSTEM.—Section 
2(a)(7) of the Act entitled "An Act To authorize appropriations 
for canying out the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 
for fiscal years 1998 and 1999, and for other purposes" (111 Stat. 
1159; 42 U.S.C. 7704 note) is amended by striking "1999." and 
inserting "1999; $2,600,000 for fiscal year 2001; $2,710,000 for 
fiscal year 2002; and $2,825,000 for fiscal year 2003.". 
(d) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.—Section 12(c) 
of 
the 
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(c)) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking "1998, and" and inserting "1998,"; and 
(2) by inserting after "1999." the following: "There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Founda-
tion $19,000,000 for engineering research and $11,900,000 for 
geosciences research for fiscal year 2001; $19,808,000 for 
engineering research and $12,406,000 for geosciences research 
for fiscal year 2002; and $20,650,000 for engineering research 
and $12,933,000 for geosciences research for fiscal year 2003.". 
(e) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY.— 
Section 12(d) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 
(42 U.S.C. 7706(d)) is amended— 
(1) by striking "1998, and" and inserting "1998,"; and 
(2) by striking "1999." and inserting "1999, $2,332,000 for 
fiscal year 2001, $2,431,000 for fiscal year 2002, and $2,534,300 
for fiscal year 2003.". 
SEC. 203. REPEALS. 
Section 10 and subsections (e) and (f) of section 12 of the 
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7705d and 
7706(e) and (f)) are repealed. 
SEC. 204. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING 
SYSTEM. 
The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
section: 
114 STAT. 2306 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
42 use 7707. 
"SEC. 13. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING 
SYSTEM. 
"(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—^The Director of the United 
States 
Greological Survey shall establish and operate an Advanced National 
Seismic Research and Monitoring System. The purpose of such 
system shall be to organize, modernize, standardize, and stabilize 
the national, regional, and urban seismic monitoring systems in 
the United States, including sensors, recorders, and data analysis 
centers, into a coordinated system that will measure and record 
the full range of frequencies and amplitudes exhibited by seismic 
waves, in order to enhance earthquake research and warning 
capabilities. 
Deadline. 
"(b) MANAGEMENT PLAN.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date oif the enactment of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
Authorization Act of 2000, the Director of the United States 
Geological Survey shall transmit to the Congress a 5-year manage-
ment plan for establishing and operating the Advanced National 
Seismic Research and Monitoring System. The plan shall include 
annual cost estimates for both modernization and operation, mile-
stones, standards, and performance goals, as well as plans for 
securing the participation of all existing networks in the Advanced 
National Seismic Research and Monitoring System and for estab-
lishing new, or enhancing existing, partnerships to leverage 
resources. 
"(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
"(1) 
EXPANSION 
AND MODERNIZATION.—In addition to 
amounts appropriated under section 12(b), there are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior, to be used 
by the Director of the United States Geological Survey to estab-
lish the Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring 
System— 
"(A) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2002; 
"(B) $33,700,000 for fiscal year 2003; 
"(C) $35,100,000 for fiscal year 2004; 
"(D) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; and 
"(E) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2006. 
"(2) OPERATION.—In addition to amounts appropriated 
under section 12(b), there are authorized to be appropriated 
to the Secretary of the Interior, to be used by the Director 
of the United States Geological Survey to operate the Advanced 
National Seismic Research and Monitoring System— 
"(A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2002; and 
"(B) $10,300,000 for fiscal year 2003.". 
SEC. 205. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION. 
The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
7701 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following 
new section: 
42 use 7708. 
"SEC. 14. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION. 
"(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—^The Director of the National Science 
Foundation shall establish the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for 
Earthquake Engineering Simulation that will upgrade, link, and 
integrate a system of geographically distributed experimental facili-
ties for earthquake engineering testing of full-sized structures and 
their components and partial-scale physical models. The system 
shall be integrated through networking software so that integrated 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
114 STAT. 2307 
models and databases can be used to create model-based simulation, 
and the components of the system shall be interconnected with 
a computer network and allow for remote access, information 
sharing, and collaborative research. 
"(b) 
AUTHORIZATION 
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In 
addition 
to 
amounts appropriated under section 12(c), there are authorized 
to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for the 
Greorge E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake 
Engineering 
Simulation— 
"(1) $28,200,000 for fiscal year 2001; 
"(2) $24,400,000 for fiscal year 2002; 
"(3) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2003; and 
"(4) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.". 
SEC. 206. BUDGET COORDINATION. 
Section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 
(42 U.S.C. 7704) is amended— 
(1) by striking subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(1) and 
redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) of subsection (b)(1) 
as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(c) BUDGET COORDINATION.— 
"(1) GUIDANCE.—^The Agency shall each year provide guid-
ance to the other Program agencies concerning the preparation 
of requests for appropriations for activities related to the Pro-
gram, and shall prepare, in conjunction with the other Program 
agencies, an annual Program budget to be submitted to the 
Office of Management and Budget, 
"(2) REPORTS.—^Each Program agency shall include with 
its annual request for appropriations submitted to the Office 
of Management and Budget a report that— 
"(A) identifies each element of the proposed Program 
activities of the agency; 
"(B) specifies how each of these activities contributes 
to the Program; and 
"(C) states the portion of its request for appropriations 
allocated to each element of the Program.". 
SEC. 207. REPORT ON AT-RISK POPULATIONS. 
4
1
2 USC 7701 
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Deadline. 
Act, and after a period for public comment, the Director of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall transmit to the Con-
gress a report describing the elements of the Program that specifi-
cally address the needs of at-risk populations, including the elderly, 
persons with disabilities, non-English-speaking families, single-
parent households, and the poor. Such report shall also identify 
additional actions that could be taken to address those needs and 
make recommendations for any additional legislative authority 
required to take such actions. 
SEC. 208. PUBUC ACCESS TO EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION. 
Section 5(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act 
of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7704(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ", 
and development of means of increasing public access to available 
locality-specific information that may assist the public in preparing 
for or responding to earthquakes" after "and the general public". 
114 STAT. 2308 
PUBLIC LAW 106-503—NOV. 13, 2000 
SEC. 209. LIFELINES. 
Section 4(6) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 
(42 U.S.C. 7703(6)) is amended by inserting "and infrastructure" 
after "communication faciUties". 
42 use 7709. 
SEC. 210. SCIENTIFIC EARTHQUAKE STUDIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director of the United 
States 
Greological Survey shall establish a Scientific Earthquake Studies 
Advisory Committee. 
(b) ORGANIZATION.—^The Director shall establish procedures for 
selection of individuals not employed by the Federal Government 
who are qualified in the seismic sciences and other appropriate 
fields and may, pursuant to such procedures, select up to 10 individ-
uals, one of whom shall be designated Chairman, to serve on 
the Advisory Committee. Selection of individuals for the Advisory 
Committee shall be based solely on established records of distin-
guished service, and the Director shall ensure that a reasonable 
cross-section of views and expertise is represented. In selecting 
individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee, the Director shall 
seek and give due consideration to recommendations from the 
National Academy of Sciences, professional societies, and other 
appropriate organizations. 
(c) MEETINGS.—^The Advisory Committee shall meet at such 
times and places as may be designated by the Chairman in consulta-
tion with the Director. 
Deadline. 
(d) DUTIES.—^The Advisory Committee shall advise the Director 
Reports. 
on matters relating to the United States Greological Survey's partici-
pation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Progrsim, 
including the United States Greological Survey's roles, goals, and 
objectives within that Program, its capabilities and research needs, 
guidance on achieving major objectives, and establishing and meas-
uring performance goals. The Advisory Committee shall issue an 
annual report to the Director for submission to Congress on or 
before September 30 of each year. The report shall describe the 
Advisory Committee's activities and address policy issues or matters 
that affect the United States Greological Surve/s participation in 
the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. 
Approved November 13, 2000. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1550 (S. 1639): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-133 (Comm. on Science). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-384 accompanying S. 1639 (Comm. on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 145 (1999): May 11, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 146 (2000): Oct. 18, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 27, House concurred in Senate amendment with 
amendments. 
Oct. 31, Senate concurred in House amendments.