WASHINGTON – This week, the House Committee on Natural Resources advanced H.R. 3168, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act, out of full committee markup. This bipartisan bill was introduced by Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) and would reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program through Fiscal Year 2030—providing resources to the research, development, and implementation of lifesaving earthquake risk reduction and safety.

“With millions of families living near active fault lines throughout California, we have a responsibility to make sure our communities are as prepared as possible for earthquakes,” said Congressman Valadao. “Reauthorizing this program means better coordination and more reliable early warning systems, and I’m grateful to Chairman Westerman and the House Committee on Natural Resources for recognizing how important this bill is to public safety in our state and across the country.”

“H.R. 3168 renews the critical Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program through 2030,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman. “The program reduces the risk to life and property from future earthquakes in the U.S. I applaud Rep. Valadao for his work and look forward to helping him usher this bill through the House.”

Background:

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) is a program authorized in 1977. It supports activities like seismic monitoring, risk assessment, and the development of building codes and mitigation strategies. The program is managed through a partnership among four federal agencies: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The most recent reauthorization of NEHRP occurred in 2018 under the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2018.

Read the full bill here.

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