S-320 — National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

YourVoice.Now Summary

Your MoneyTransparency & Accountability

Renews the federal earthquake program through 2028 at about $161 million a year — warnings expand to more areas and languages.

Your Money

Earthquake early warnings expand to more high-risk areas

The U.S. Geological Survey would have to extend the earthquake early warning system into more high-risk places. It would also work to add seconds between the alert and the shaking.

Quake alerts required in your region's common languages

USGS would work with the Federal Communications Commission so alerts go out in the main languages spoken where a quake hits. The aim is that more people can act in time.

Aftershock forecasts issued after major U.S. earthquakes

After a significant earthquake, USGS would issue forecasts of likely aftershocks when appropriate. That helps people judge whether it is safe to go back inside.

Federal housing quake standards — must target faster reuse

Earthquake rules for federally assisted housing now aim at safety alone. The bill retargets them at how fast a building can be used again.

Transparency & Accountability

Agencies must report quake-recovery progress every two years

Each of the four agencies would tell the program's coordinating committee what it has done to carry out 2021 federal recovery advice. The bill sets the first deadline at September 30, 2025, a date that has already passed.

Quake program funding ends after 2028 — Congress must renew

The bill authorizes money only through fiscal year 2028. After that, Congress would have to pass a new law to keep the program funded.

More about this bill

Earthquake early warnings would reach more high-risk areas. The U.S. Geological Survey would have to send those alerts in the main languages spoken where a quake hits. It would also issue forecasts for aftershocks after major quakes. Warnings arrive seconds before shaking starts, so the bill pushes for faster detection and more lead time. Its findings say almost half of Americans live where a damaging quake could hit within 50 years. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program would be renewed through 2028. Four agencies run it: FEMA, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the standards agency NIST. Funding is set at about $161 million a year. USGS gets $92.4 million of that. At least $36 million must go to finishing the national quake sensor network. Households would pay nothing new. The program's goal shifts from buildings that stay standing to buildings that work again soon. Agencies would have to act on 2021 federal advice for faster recovery. They would report progress every two years. Tribal governments are added as full partners. Federal help would also cover building inventories, quake-caused fire research, and evacuation plans. The bill cites $14.7 billion in yearly quake losses nationwide. The Senate passed it in January 2026. The House has not acted.

Congressional Summary

This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) and expands the activities federal agencies must conduct under the program, including activities relating to secondary effects of earthquakes and post-earthquake infrastructure performance. NEHRP is a coordinated earthquake hazards reduction program of four federal agencies: the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Science Foundation. Under NEHRP, these agencies are required to conduct various activities relating to earthquakes, including advancing warning systems, hazard reduction measures, and research to improve understanding of earthquakes and their effects.The bill expands the scope of the activities under NEHRP, including requiring the agencies to improve understanding of and develop resilience measures for secondary effects and multiple hazards associated with earthquakes, such as tsunamis and fires;improve post-earthquake functional recovery, which means maintaining or restoring the pre-earthquake functionality of buildings and lifeline infrastructure systems (e.g., infrastructure for water, electricity, and transportation); andassist public entities with developing an inventory, and conducting seismic performance evaluation, of infrastructure with high seismic risk. Additionally, the bill specifically includes tribal governments in the activities conducted under NEHRP.

Legislative Subjects

Building constructionEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchGovernment studies and investigationsNatural disastersResearch administration and funding

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: Senate
Status: summarized
Action: Held at the desk.
Action Date: 2026-01-07
Date Added: 2026-04-14
Source: Congress.gov →

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