Sponsors (5)
Ask me how I read this bill.
This is not an official government website.
Copyright © 2026 PLEJ LC. All rights reserved.
Multiple amendments to 42 U.S.C. 7704: (a)(2)(B) is revised to add Tribal governments and expand activities (adding designing, evaluating, and retrofitting) and to replace clause (ii) with language adding post-earthquake recovery-based performance objectives; clause (iii) is modified to add 'functional recovery'; clause (iv) receives insertions. Subsection (a)(3)(D)(ii) is amended to add coordination with the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission regarding timely broadcasting of emergency alerts from the earthquake early warning system. Subsection (a)(4)(A) is amended to replace occurrences with a cross-reference to paragraph (3)(D)(ii)(I). Subsection (a)(5)(A) is amended to insert text and to add Tribal governments to the list of governments. Subsection (b)(3) (USGS responsibilities) is amended: (B) adds Tribal, (C) receives an insertion; subparagraphs (D)–(K) are redesignated (I)–(P); new subparagraphs (D)–(H) are added to require coordination with NOAA and FEMA on data sharing/resource allocation for oceanic earthquakes and tsunamis, ensure broadcasts of earthquake alerts in consultation with the FCC Chair in predominant languages, expand the earthquake early warning system to additional high-risk areas, coordinate with affected State and Tribal governments on improvements, and issue aftershock forecasts; additional minor punctuation and formatting adjustments are made in redesignated subparagraphs.
Amends 42 U.S.C. 7706(b)(2) by adding subparagraphs (K) through (O) that authorize specified amounts for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and adjust punctuation in existing subparagraphs (I) and (J). Each new subparagraph authorizes $83,403,000 for the listed fiscal year, and requires that not less than $30,000,000 of each year's amount be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 13.
Expands and strengthens the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program by adding Tribal governments to the list of participants, broadening program activities to include designing, evaluating, and retrofitting, and increasing USGS responsibilities for earthquake early warning and rapid multilingual alerting. Authorizes five years of funding (FY2026–FY2030) at $83,403,000 per year, with at least $30,000,000 each year dedicated to finishing the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS).
Amend subsection (a)(2)(B) of section 5 to add 'Tribal' to the list of covered governments and to expand activities listed from 'constructing' to 'designing, constructing, evaluating, and retrofitting'.
Replace clause (ii) to require development of standards, guidelines, and consensus codes for earthquake hazards reduction for buildings, structures, and lifeline infrastructure, including post-earthquake recovery-based performance objectives that address reoccupancy and downtime of community-prioritized buildings, structures, and services provided by lifeline infrastructure.
Amend clause (iii) by replacing text to include 'functional recovery, and other hazards reduction topics;'
Amend clause (iv) by inserting additional text after specified punctuation (text of insertion not shown in excerpt).
Amend subsection (a)(3)(D)(ii): modify subclause (V) (insertion before period not shown) and add new subclause (VIII) directing coordination with the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission on timely broadcasting of emergency alerts generated by the earthquake early warning system.
Who is affected and how:
Federal agencies: USGS gains expanded technical and operational duties (expanding and completing the ANSS, issuing rapid multilingual alerts); FEMA, NOAA, and FCC must coordinate more closely and adapt communications/alerting protocols and systems. This increases workload and requires interagency planning and possible system upgrades.
Tribal governments: Now explicitly included in the program, Tribal governments can participate in planning, receive information and coordination, and benefit from early warning and retrofit support; they may also be involved in localized alert language requirements.
Local governments, emergency communications centers, broadcasters, and first responders: Will need to integrate upgraded warning feeds, support rapid distribution of alerts, and may need technical changes to broadcast systems and procedures to meet language and timeliness expectations.
Communities and residents in earthquake-prone areas: Expected to benefit from improved seismic monitoring, faster and more accessible warnings, and expanded emphasis on retrofit and resilience planning—leading to potentially reduced injury, death, and property loss over time.
Budget and program implementation: The bill authorizes multi-year funding with a designated minimum each year for ANSS completion, which enables planning and equipment acquisition but still requires appropriations to provide actual funds. Agencies will need to plan for procurement, staffing, and coordination to meet the expanded mandates.
Potential challenges:
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.
Introduced May 1, 2025 by David G. Valadao · Last progress May 1, 2025
Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-438, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged