National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill renews and strengthens the National Landslide Preparedness Act to reduce landslide risk and protect people and property. It requires the U.S. Geological Survey to use $35 million for the program, with part of that set aside to buy, deploy, and repair landslide early warning systems in high‑risk areas. It improves mapping and data by updating the national landslide hazards database and coordinating work with the 3D Elevation Program and the 3D Hydrography Program Working Group . It also brings more partners to the table, including Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and NASA . In addition, it updates definitions and requirements in the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act (a federal flood monitoring law).

Plans and response are updated for today’s extreme weather. The next national landslide strategy must assess risks from atmospheric river flooding and other extreme rain events. Emergency response will better support real‑time risk management during landslide events, including those linked to heavy rain, drought, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, melting permafrost, and glacial retreat, with options to consult universities and the private sector. Regional partnerships—starting in Alaska—will coordinate long‑term research and align monitoring across agencies.

• Who is affected:

  • People in landslide‑prone communities; State, territorial, and local governments; Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations; and emergency managers .
  • Federal agencies such as the U.S. Geological Survey and NASA .
  • Universities and eligible regional partners with landslide expertise (beginning in Alaska).

• What changes:

  • USGS must use $35 million for this program, with a portion dedicated to early warning systems in high‑risk areas.
  • Grants and partnerships expand to include Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, and can prioritize places with recent deadly landslides.
  • Better data and maps: a stronger landslide database flags areas at risk from heavy rain, erosion or drought, geologic activity, and data gaps; coordination with 3D mapping programs is improved .
  • Stronger debris‑flow warnings and real‑time emergency response; agencies may consult universities and the private sector .
  • NASA is added to the interagency landslide committee; Tribal and Native Hawaiian emergency management agencies are included on the advisory committee.

• When:

  • Soon after enactment: set up regional partnerships in Alaska and other regions.
  • In the next national strategy after enactment: include an assessment of risks from atmospheric river flooding and extreme precipitation.