Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Issues Report on National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act
Excerpts of the report follow:
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of S. 1768, as reported, is to authorize various seismological research and warning systems, including those under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).
Background and Needs
The NEHRP is a multi-disciplinary and interagency program created under the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (EHRA)1 which celebrated its 40th anniversary on
1Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.).
2National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2004, P.L. 108-360; 118 Stat. 1668.
The following four agencies contribute to the NEHRP: the
3National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, 2005-2017 NEHRP Agency Budgets, accessed on
4National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, 2018 Requested Funding for NEHRP Agencies, accessed on
While it has been decades since a major earthquake has struck an urban area of
5Advisory
6Id.
7Id.
Summary of Provisions
If enacted, S. 1768, as reported, would do the following:
Reauthorize NIST as the lead agency of the NEHRP.
Require annual meetings of the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) instead of three times per year.
Require the ICC report every 2 years instead of annually.
Change data sharing requirements between agencies and improve coordination between Federal and State agencies in the case of an earthquake disaster.
Require the NSF, to the extent practicable, to specifically note in any notice of program funding or other grant announcement that the funds used are part of the NEHRP, and to track spending on research that would contribute to all aspects of earthquake science.
Explicitly authorize the
Direct
Remove or update outdated statutory language, including references to earthquake prediction, seismic systems that are no longer operational, and outdated authorization levels.
Direct the completion of a comprehensive assessment of the Nation's earthquake risk reduction process, as called for by the
Convene a group of experts to examine buildings and critical infrastructure.
Provide authorizations of appropriations for FY 2018 through FY 2022.
Legislative History
S. 1768 was introduced on
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the
S. 1768--National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2017
Summary: S. 1768 would amend the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to make changes to the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), an interagency program focused on reducing earthquake-related risks to life and property. The bill would authorize the appropriation of
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing S. 1768 would cost
CBO estimates that enacting S. 1768 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
S. 1768 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary effect of S. 1768 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget functions 250 (general science, space, and technology), 300 (natural resources and environment), 370 (commerce and housing credit), and 450 (community and regional development).
(TABLE OMITTED)
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 1768 will be enacted near the beginning of calendar year 2018 and that the authorized amounts will be appropriated for each year. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for this program.
NEHRP is a nationwide program that aims to reduce risks to life and property in
Developing effective practices and policies for earthquake loss reduction and accelerating their implementation,
Improving techniques for reducing the earthquake vulnerabilities of facilities and systems,
Improving earthquake hazard identification and risk assessment methods, and
Improving the understanding of earthquakes and their effects.
In 2017,
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO estimates that enacting S. 1768 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2028.
Mandates: S. 1768 contains no intergovernmental or private- sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs:
Estimate approved by:
Regulatory Impact Statement
In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the
number of persons covered
The Committee does not anticipate a change in the number of individuals and businesses covered under the existing NEHRP as a result of this legislation because the bill's program updates would primarily focus on improving the administrative and interagency coordination efforts of Federal agencies.
economic impact
The Committee anticipates a positive economic impact from this legislation given that the bill would focus on improving earthquake risk mitigation, planning, education, and preparedness efforts.
privacy
The Committee does not anticipate a detrimental impact on the personal privacy of individuals as a result of this legislation because the bill's updates would primarily focus on improving the administrative and interagency coordination efforts of Federal agencies.
paperwork
The Committee does not anticipate a significant increase in paperwork burdens resulting from this legislation because there would not be any significant paperwork requirements added to the existing NEHRP.
Congressionally Directed Spending
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title; table of contents.
This section would provide that the Act may be cited as the "National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2017."
Section 2. Modifications of findings and purpose.
This section would modify the congressional findings and purposes of the EHRA to direct the NEHRP to increase the resilience of communities and reduce the adverse effects of earthquakes to individuals and communities. This section would add
8National
Section 3. Modification of National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
This section would add mapping of active faults and folds, liquefaction susceptibility, and susceptibility for earthquake- induced landslides and other hazards to the activities of the NEHRP. It would clarify that the Director of the ICC is a member of the ICC, and would require the ICC to develop and consistently update a strategic plan and a management plan for the program. The ICC would be required to develop an interagency budget to be submitted to the
This section would update the responsibilities for the agencies administering the NEHRP, including to emphasize NIST's role in research and development to improve community resilience through building codes and standards, and practices for structures and lifelines. This section would reemphasize
Section 4. Review of risks posed by earthquakes to
This section would require the Government Accountability Office to undertake a review of the effectiveness of the NEHRP and to identify gaps in the national earthquake risk reduction strategy. The review would include an examination of the risks and hazards posed to
Section 5. Seismic standards.
This section would require NIST and
Section 6. Management plan for Advanced National Seismic System.
This section would require, no later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the bill, the
Section 7. Authorization of appropriations.
This section would amend section 12 of the EHRA9 to include authorizations of appropriations at NIST,
942 U.S.C. 7706.
Section 8. Technical corrections.
This section would make technical corrections, such as replacing incorrect references to the "Director" of
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the
EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION ACT OF 1977
The full text of the report is found at: https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/115th-congress/senate-report/336/1?r=1
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