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Bill115th CongressFiled Jan 24, 2017Emergency Management
H.R. 654

Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2017

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Mar 27, 2017)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 9, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) develop a plan for the purchase and installation of an earthquake early warning system for the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and (2) identify the funds necessary for its implementation. Such zone is the landward-dipping fault that is approximately 684 miles long, separates the Juan de Fuca and North America plates, and stretches along the western coast of the United States from Cape Mendocino, California, to Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

(Sec. 3) The President shall establish an Earthquake and Tsunami Task Force for the purpose of developing a comprehensive strategy and recommendations on how the nation should prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event in such zone. Such recommendations shall include recommendations on: (1) administrative or legislative changes and funding required to implement the strategy, and (2) the order of priority for implementation of the strategy.

The Task Force shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies for developing recommendations for a federal research strategy to advance scientific understanding of a zone earthquake and resulting tsunami preparedness.

(Sec. 4) FEMA shall be responsible for the nation's efforts to reduce the loss of life and property, and to protect the nation, from an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event by developing the ability to prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to such an event.

(Sec. 5) The bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize recipients to use hazard mitigation assistance to conduct activities to help reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by earthquake hazards, including making improvements to:

  • regional seismic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning;
  • geodetic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning; and
  • seismometers, Global Positioning System receivers, and associated infrastructure in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning.

What just happenedMar 28, 2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Who’s behind it

Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4](D-OR)Sponsor
Read on Congress.gov
2committees20actions11subjects
  1. Mar 28, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

    Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  2. Mar 27, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Mar 27, 2017FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 11 (Roll no. 196). (text: CR H2450-2451)

  4. Mar 27, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 11 (Roll no. 196).(text: CR H2450-2451)

  5. Mar 27, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2454-2455)

  6. Mar 27, 2017FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  7. Mar 27, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 654.

  8. Mar 27, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2450-2452)

  9. Mar 27, 2017FloorH30300

    Mr. Barletta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  10. Mar 9, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 12.

  11. Mar 9, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-30.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  12. Mar 9, 2017Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-30.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  13. Feb 28, 2017Committee

    Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  14. Feb 28, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  15. Feb 28, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  16. Jan 25, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

    Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee
  17. Jan 24, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  18. Jan 24, 2017IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E91)

  19. Jan 24, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  20. Jan 24, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedMar 27, 201736

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 9, 2017. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) develop a plan for the purchase and installation of an earthquake early warning system for the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and (2) identify the funds necessary for its implementation. Such zone is the landward-dipping fault that is approximately 684 miles long, separates the Juan de Fuca and North America plates, and stretches along the western coast of the United States from Cape Mendocino, California, to Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

(Sec. 3) The President shall establish an Earthquake and Tsunami Task Force for the purpose of developing a comprehensive strategy and recommendations on how the nation should prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event in such zone. Such recommendations shall include recommendations on: (1) administrative or legislative changes and funding required to implement the strategy, and (2) the order of priority for implementation of the strategy.

The Task Force shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies for developing recommendations for a federal research strategy to advance scientific understanding of a zone earthquake and resulting tsunami preparedness.

(Sec. 4) FEMA shall be responsible for the nation's efforts to reduce the loss of life and property, and to protect the nation, from an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event by developing the ability to prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to such an event.

(Sec. 5) The bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize recipients to use hazard mitigation assistance to conduct activities to help reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by earthquake hazards, including making improvements to:

  • regional seismic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning;
  • geodetic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning; and
  • seismometers, Global Positioning System receivers, and associated infrastructure in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning.
Reported to House with amendment(s)Mar 9, 201717

Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) develop a plan for the purchase and installation of an earthquake early warning system for the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and (2) identify the funds necessary for its implementation. Such zone is the landward-dipping fault that is approximately 684 miles long, separates the Juan de Fuca and North America plates, and stretches along the western coast of the United States from Cape Mendocino, California, to Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

(Sec. 3) The President shall establish an Earthquake and Tsunami Task Force for the purpose of developing a comprehensive strategy and recommendations on how the nation should prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event in such zone. Such recommendations shall include recommendations on: (1) administrative or legislative changes and funding required to implement the strategy, and (2) the order of priority for implementation of the strategy.

The Task Force shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies for developing recommendations for a federal research strategy to advance scientific understanding of a zone earthquake and resulting tsunami preparedness.

(Sec. 4) FEMA shall be responsible for the nation's efforts to reduce the loss of life and property, and to protect the nation, from an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event by developing the ability to prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to such an event.

(Sec. 5) The bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize recipients to use hazard mitigation assistance to conduct activities to help reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by earthquake hazards, including making improvements to:

  • regional seismic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning;
  • geodetic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning; and
  • seismometers, Global Positioning System receivers, and associated infrastructure in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning.
Introduced in HouseJan 24, 2017

Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2017

This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) develop a plan for the purchase and installation of an earthquake early warning system for the Cascadia Subduction Zone; and (2) identify the funds necessary, and make grants to states, Indian tribes, and local governments, for its implementation.

The President shall establish an Earthquake and Tsunami Task Force for the purpose of developing a comprehensive strategy and recommendations on how the nation should prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event in such zone. Such recommendations shall include recommendations on: (1) administrative or legislative changes and funding required to implement the strategy, and (2) the order of priority for implementation of the strategy.

The Task Force shall enter into an agreement with the National Academies for developing recommendations for a federal research strategy to advance scientific understanding of a zone earthquake and resulting tsunami preparedness.

FEMA shall be responsible for the nation's efforts to reduce the loss of life and property, and to protect the nation, from an earthquake, tsunami, or combined earthquake and tsunami event by developing the ability to prepare and plan for, mitigate against, respond to, recover from, and more successfully adapt to such an event.

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act is amended to authorize recipients to use hazard mitigation assistance to conduct activities to help reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by earthquake hazards, including making improvements to:

  • regional seismic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning;
  • geodetic networks in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning; and
  • seismometers, Global Positioning System receivers, and associated infrastructure in support of building a capability for earthquake early warning.
Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness Act of 2017 — Informed