1. U.S. Code
  2. title 42
  3. chapter 86
  4. § 7701

Collapse to view only § 7701. Congressional findings

§ 7701. Congressional findings
The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) All 50 States, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, are vulnerable to the hazards of earthquakes, and at least 39 of them are subject to major or moderate seismic risk, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Carolina Tennessee,,1
1 So in original.
Utah, and Washington. A large portion of the population of the United States lives in areas vulnerable to earthquake hazards.
(2) Earthquakes have caused, and can cause in the future, enormous loss of life, injury, destruction of property, and economic and social disruption. With respect to future earthquakes, such loss, destruction, and disruption can be substantially reduced through the development and implementation of earthquake hazards reduction measures, including (A) improved design and construction methods and practices, (B) land-use controls and redevelopment, (C) early-warning systems, (D) coordinated emergency preparedness plans, and (E) public education and involvement programs.
(3) An expertly staffed and adequately financed earthquake hazards reduction program, based on Federal, State, local, and private research, planning, decisionmaking, and contributions would reduce the risk of such loss, destruction, and disruption in seismic areas by an amount far greater than the cost of such program.
(4) A well-funded seismological research program could provide the scientific understanding needed to fully implement an effective earthquake early warning system.
(5) The geological study of active faults and features can reveal how recently and how frequently major earthquakes have occurred on those faults and how much risk they pose. Such long-term seismic risk assessments are needed in virtually every aspect of earthquake hazards management, whether emergency planning, public regulation, detailed building design, insurance rating, or investment decision.
(6) The vulnerability of buildings, lifeline infrastructure, public works, and industrial and emergency facilities can be reduced through proper earthquake resistant design and construction practices. The economy and efficacy of such procedures can be substantially increased through research and development.
(7) Programs and practices of departments and agencies of the United States are important to the communities they serve; some functions, such as emergency communications and national defense, and lifeline infrastructure, such as dams, bridges, and public works, must remain in service during and after an earthquake. Federally owned, operated, and influenced structures and lifeline infrastructure should serve as models for how to reduce and minimize hazards to the community.
(8) The implementation of earthquake hazards reduction measures would, as an added benefit, also reduce the risk of loss, destruction, and disruption from other natural hazards and manmade hazards, including hurricanes, tornadoes, accidents, explosions, landslides, building and structural cave-ins, and fires.
(9) Reduction of loss, destruction, and disruption from earthquakes will depend on the actions of individuals, and organizations in the private sector and governmental units at Federal, State, and local levels. The current capability to transfer knowledge and information to these sectors is insufficient. Improved mechanisms are needed to translate existing information and research findings into reasonable and usable specifications, criteria, and practices so that individuals, organizations, and governmental units may make informed decisions and take appropriate actions.
(10) Severe earthquakes are a worldwide problem. Since damaging earthquakes occur infrequently in any one nation, international cooperation is desirable for mutual learning from limited experiences.
(11) An effective Federal program in earthquake hazards reduction will require input from and review by persons outside the Federal Government expert in the sciences of earthquake hazards reduction and in the practical application of earthquake hazards reduction measures.
(12) The built environment has generally been constructed and maintained to meet the needs of the users under normal conditions. When earthquakes occur, the built environment is generally designed to prevent severe injuries or loss of human life and is not expected to remain operational or able to recover under any specified schedule.
(13) The National Research Council published a study on reducing hazards and risks associated with earthquakes based on the goals and objectives for achieving national earthquake resilience described in the strategic plan entitled “Strategic Plan for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program”. The study and an accompanying report called for work in 18 tasks focused on research, preparedness, and mitigation and annual funding of approximately $300,000,000 per year for 20 years.
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 2, Oct. 7, 1977, 91 Stat. 1098; Pub. L. 101–614, § 2, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3231; Pub. L. 115–307, § 2(a), Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4408.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7701

§ 7702. Congressional statement of purpose
It is the purpose of the Congress in this chapter to reduce the risks of life and property from future earthquakes and increase the resilience of communities in the United States through the establishment and maintenance of an effective earthquake hazards reduction program. The objectives of such program shall include—
(1) the education of the public, including State and local officials, as to earthquake phenomena, the identification of locations and structures which are especially susceptible to earthquake damage, ways to reduce the adverse consequences of an earthquake to individuals and the communities, and related matters;
(2) the development of technologically and economically feasible design and construction methods and procedures to make new and existing structures, in areas of seismic risk, earthquake resistant, giving priority to the development of such methods and procedures for power generating plants, dams, hospitals, schools, public utilities and other lifeline infrastructure, public safety structures, high occupancy buildings, and other structures which are especially needed to facilitate community-wide post-earthquake recovery and in times of disaster;
(3) the implementation to the greatest extent practicable, in all areas of high or moderate seismic risk, of a system (including personnel, technology, and procedures) for identifying, evaluating, and accurately characterizing seismic hazards;
(4) the development, publication, and promotion, in conjunction with State and local officials and professional organizations, of model building and planning codes and other means to encourage consideration of information about seismic risk in making decisions about land-use policy and construction activity;
(5) the development, in areas of seismic risk, of improved understanding of, and capability with respect to, earthquake-related issues, including methods of mitigating the risks from earthquakes, planning to prevent such risks, disseminating warnings of earthquakes, organization emergency services, and planning for re-occupancy, recovery, reconstruction, and redevelopment after an earthquake;
(6) the development of ways to increase the use of existing scientific and engineering knowledge to mitigate earthquake hazards; and
(7) the development of ways to assure the availability of affordable earthquake insurance.
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 3, Oct. 7, 1977, 91 Stat. 1099; Pub. L. 101–614, § 3, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3231; Pub. L. 115–307, § 2(b), (c)(1)(B), Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4408, 4409.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7702

§ 7703. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) The term “includes” and variants thereof should be read as if the phrase “but is not limited to” were also set forth.
(2) The term “Program” means the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program established under section 7704 of this title.
(3) The term “seismic” and variants thereof mean having to do with, or caused by earthquakes.
(4) The term “State” means each of the States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.
(5) The term “United States” means, when used in a geographical sense, all of the States as defined in paragraph (4).
(6) The term “lifeline infrastructure” means public works and utilities, including transportation facilities and infrastructure, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and communication facilities and infrastructure, and water supply and sewage treatment facilities.
(7) The term “Program agencies” means the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(8) The term “Interagency Coordinating Committee” means the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction established under section 7704(a) of this title.
(9) The term “Advisory Committee” means the Advisory Committee established under section 7704(a)(5) of this title.
(10) The term “community resilience” means the ability of a community to prepare and plan for, absorb, recover from, and more successfully adapt to adverse seismic events.
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 4, Oct. 7, 1977, 91 Stat. 1099; Pub. L. 101–614, § 4, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3232; Pub. L. 106–503, title II, § 209, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2308; Pub. L. 108–360, title I, § 102, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1668; Pub. L. 115–307, § 2(c)(1)(A), (2), Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4409.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7703

§ 7704. National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
(a) Establishment
(1) In general
(2) Program activitiesThe activities of the Program shall be designed to—
(A) develop effective measures for earthquake hazards reduction;
(B) promote the adoption of earthquake hazards reduction measures by Federal, State, and local governments, national standards and model code organizations, architects and engineers, building owners, and others with a role in planning and constructing buildings, structures, and lifeline infrastructure through—
(i) grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and technical assistance;
(ii) development of standards, guidelines, and voluntary consensus codes for earthquake hazards reduction for buildings, structures, and lifeline infrastructure;
(iii) development and maintenance of a repository of information, including technical data, on seismic risk, community resilience, and hazards reduction; and
(iv) publishing a systematic set of maps of active faults and folds, liquefaction susceptibility, susceptibility for earthquake induced landslides, and other seismically induced hazards; and 1
1 So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.
(C) improve the understanding of earthquakes and their effects on communities, buildings, structures, and lifeline infrastructure, through interdisciplinary research that involves engineering, natural sciences, and social, economic, and decisions sciences; and
(D) continue the development of the Advanced National Seismic System, including earthquake early warning capabilities and the Global Seismographic Network.
(3) Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction
(A) In general
(B) MembershipIn addition to the Director, the committee shall be composed of—
(i) the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(ii) the Director of the United States Geological Survey;
(iii) the Director of the National Science Foundation;
(iv) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and
(v) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(C) Meetings
(D) Duties
(i) General duty
(ii) Specific dutiesThe duties of the Interagency Coordinating Committee include the following:(I) Developing, not later than 6 months after October 25, 2004, and updating periodically—(aa) a strategic plan that establishes goals and priorities for the Program activities described under subsection (a)(2); and(bb) a detailed management plan to implement such strategic plan.(II) Developing a coordinated interagency budget for the Program that will ensure appropriate balance among the Program activities described under subsection (a)(2), and, in accordance with the plans developed under subclause (I), submitting such budget to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget at the time designated by the Director for agencies to submit biennial budgets.(III) Developing interagency memorandums of understanding with any relevant Federal agencies on data sharing and resource commitment in the event of an earthquake disaster.(IV) Coordinating with the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction and other natural hazards coordination committees as the Director determines appropriate to share data and best practices.(V) Coordinating with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on data sharing and resource allocation to ensure judicious use of Government resources and the free-flowing exchange of information related to earthquakes.(VI) Coordinating with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior on the use of public lands for earthquake monitoring and research stations, and related data collection.(VII) Coordinating with the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on the effects of earthquakes on transportation and housing stocks.
(iii) Assistance from Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior
(4) Biennial report
(A) In generalNot less frequently than once every two years, the Interagency Coordinating Committee shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report on the Program. Such report shall include—
(i) the Program budget for the current fiscal year for each agency that participates in the Program, and for each major goal established for the Program activities under paragraph (3)(D)(i)(I); 2
2 See References in Text note below.
(ii) the proposed Program budget for the next fiscal year for each agency that participates in the Program, and for each major goal established for the Program activities under paragraph (3)(D)(i)(I); 2
(iii) a description of the activities and results of the Program during the previous year, including an assessment of the effectiveness of the Program in furthering the goals established in the strategic plan under paragraph (3)(D)(i)(I); 2
(iv) a description of the extent to which the Program has incorporated the recommendations of the Advisory Committee;
(v) a description of activities, including budgets for the current fiscal year and proposed budgets for the next fiscal year, that are carried out by Program agencies and contribute to the Program, but are not included in the Program;
(vi) a description of the activities, including budgets for the current fiscal year and proposed budgets for the following fiscal year, related to the grant program carried out under subsection (b)(2)(A)(i); and
(vii) a statement regarding whether the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency has lowered or waived the cost share requirement for assistance provided under subsection (b)(2)(A)(i).
(B) Support for preparation of report
(5) Advisory Committee
(A) In general
(B) AssessmentThe Advisory Committee shall assess—
(i) trends and developments in the science and engineering of earthquake hazards reduction;
(ii) effectiveness of the Program in carrying out the activities under (a)(2) 4
4 So in original. Probably should be preceded by “subsection”.
;
(iii) the need to revise the Program; and
(iv) the management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the Program.
(C) Report
(D) Application of chapter 10 of title 5
(b) Responsibilities of Program agencies
(1) Lead agencyThe National Institute of Standards and Technology shall have the primary responsibility for planning and coordinating the Program. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the Institute shall—
(A) ensure that the Program includes the necessary steps to promote the implementation of earthquake hazard reduction measures by Federal, State, and local governments, national standards and model building code organizations, architects and engineers, and others with a role in planning 5
5 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
constructing, evaluating, and retrofitting buildings and lifeline infrastructure;
(B) support the development of performance-based seismic engineering tools, and work with appropriate groups to promote the commercial application of such tools, through earthquake-related building codes, standards, and construction practices;
(C) request the assistance of Federal agencies other than the Program agencies, as necessary to assist in carrying out this chapter; and
(D) work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Science Foundation, and the United States Geological Survey, to develop a comprehensive plan for earthquake engineering research to provide new and effectively use existing testing facilities and laboratories (existing at the time of the development of the plan), upgrade facilities and equipment as needed, and integrate new, innovative testing approaches to the research infrastructure in a systematic manner.
(2) Department of Homeland Security; Federal Emergency Management Agency
(A) Program responsibilitiesThe Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency—
(i) shall operate a program of grants and assistance to enable States to develop mitigation, preparedness, and response plans, purchase necessary instrumentation, prepare inventories and conduct seismic safety inspections of critical structures and lifeline infrastructure, update building, land use planning, and zoning codes and ordinances to enhance seismic safety, increase earthquake awareness and education, and provide assistance to multi-State groups for such purposes;
(ii) shall support the implementation of a comprehensive earthquake education, outreach, and public awareness program, including development of materials and their wide dissemination to all appropriate audiences and support public access to locality-specific information that may assist the public in preparing for, mitigating against, responding to and recovering from earthquakes and related disasters;
(iii) shall, in conjunction with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, other Federal agencies, and private sector groups, use research results to support the preparation, maintenance, and wide dissemination of seismic resistant design guidance and related information on building codes, standards, and practices for new and existing buildings, structures, and lifeline infrastructure, aid in the development of performance-based design guidelines and methodologies, and support model codes that are cost effective and affordable in order to promote better practices within the design and construction industry and reduce losses from earthquakes;
(iv) shall enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with States and local jurisdictions and other Federal agencies to establish demonstration projects on earthquake hazard mitigation, to link earthquake research and mitigation efforts with emergency management programs, or to prepare educational materials for national distribution; and
(v) shall support the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the completion of programmatic goals.
(B) State assistance program criteriaIn order to qualify for assistance under subparagraph (A)(i), a State must—
(i) demonstrate that the assistance will result in enhanced seismic safety in the State;
(ii) provide 25 percent of the costs of the activities for which assistance is being given, except that the Administrator may lower or waive the cost-share requirement for these activities for a small impoverished community, as defined in section 5133 of this title; and
(iii) meet such other requirements as the Administrator shall prescribe.
(3) United States Geological SurveyThe United States Geological Survey shall report on significant domestic and international earthquakes and conduct research and other activities necessary to characterize and identify earthquake hazards, assess earthquake risks, monitor seismic activity, and improve earthquake forecasts. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall—
(A) conduct a systematic assessment of the seismic risks in each region of the Nation prone to earthquakes, including, where appropriate, the establishment and operation of intensive monitoring projects on hazardous faults, seismic microzonation studies in urban and other developed areas where earthquake risk is determined to be significant, and engineering seismology studies;
(B) work with officials of State and local governments to ensure that they are knowledgeable about the specific seismic risks in their areas;
(C) develop standard procedures, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, for issuing earthquake alerts and early warnings;
(D) issue when necessary and feasible, and notify the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and State and local officials, an alert and an earthquake warning;
(E) operate, including the National Earthquake Information Center, a forum for the international exchange of earthquake information which shall—
(i) promote the exchange of information on earthquake research and earthquake preparedness between the United States and other nations;
(ii) maintain a library containing selected reports, research papers, and data produced through the Program;
(iii) answer requests from other nations for information on United States earthquake research and earthquake preparedness programs; and
(iv) direct foreign requests to the agency involved in the Program which is best able to respond to the request;
(F) operate a National Seismic System;
(G) support regional seismic networks, which shall complement the National Seismic Network; and 1
(H) work with the National Science Foundation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a comprehensive plan for earthquake engineering research to effectively use existing testing facilities and laboratories (in existence at the time of the development of the plan), upgrade facilities and equipment as needed, and integrate new, innovative testing approaches to the research infrastructure in a systematic manner.6
6 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
(I) work with other Program agencies to coordinate Program activities with similar earthquake hazards reduction efforts in other countries, to ensure that the Program benefits from relevant information and advances in those countries;
(J) maintain suitable seismic hazard maps and data in support of building codes for structures and lifeline infrastructure, including additional maps needed for performance-based design approaches; and
(K) support the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the completion of programmatic goals.
(4) National Science Foundation
(A) In generalThe National Science Foundation shall be responsible for funding research on earth sciences to improve the understanding of the causes and behavior of earthquakes, on earthquake engineering, and on human response to earthquakes. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the National Science Foundation shall—
(i) encourage prompt dissemination of significant findings, sharing of data, samples, physical collections, and other supporting materials, and development of intellectual property so research results can be used by appropriate organizations to mitigate earthquake damage;
(ii) in addition to supporting individual investigators, support university research consortia, State agencies, State geological surveys, and centers for research in geosciences and in earthquake engineering;
(iii) work closely with the United States Geological Survey to support applied science in the production of a systematic series of earthquake-related geologic hazard maps, and to identify geographic regions of national concern that should be the focus of targeted solicitations for earthquake-related research proposals;
(iv) support research that improves the safety and performance of buildings, structures, and lifeline systems using experimental and computational facilities;
(v) emphasize, in earthquake engineering research, development of economically feasible methods to retrofit existing buildings and to protect lifeline infrastructure to mitigate earthquake damage;
(vi) support research that studies the political, economic, and social factors that influence the implementation of hazard reduction measures;
(vii) include to the maximum extent practicable diverse institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and those serving large proportions of Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, and other underrepresented populations;
(viii) develop, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the United States Geological Survey, a comprehensive plan for earthquake engineering research to effectively use existing testing facilities and laboratories (in existence at the time of the development of the plan), upgrade facilities and equipment as needed, and integrate new, innovative testing approaches to the research infrastructure in a systematic manner; and
(ix) support the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the completion of programmatic goals.
(B) Identification of fundingThe National Science Foundation shall—
(i) to the extent practicable, note in any notice of Program funding or other funding possibilities under the Program that the funds are part of the Program;
(ii) to the extent practicable, track the awarding of Federal funds through the Program; and
(iii) not less frequently than once every 2 years, submit to the director of the Program a report specifying the amount of Federal funds awarded to conduct research that enhances the understanding of earthquake science.
(5) National Institute of Standards and TechnologyIn addition to the lead agency responsibilities described under paragraph (1), the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall be responsible for carrying out research and development to improve community resilience through building codes and standards and practices for structures and lifeline infrastructure. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall—
(A) work closely with national standards and model building code organizations, in conjunction with the Agency, to promote the implementation of research results;
(B) promote better building practices among architects and engineers;
(C) work closely with national standards organizations to develop seismic safety standards and practices for new and existing lifeline infrastructure;
(D) support the development and commercial application of cost effective and affordable performance-based seismic engineering by providing technical support for seismic engineering practices and related building code, standards, and practices development; and
(E) work with the National Science Foundation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the United States Geological Survey to develop a comprehensive plan for earthquake engineering research to effectively use existing testing facilities and laboratories (in existence at the time of the development of the plan), upgrade facilities and equipment as needed, and integrate new, innovative testing approaches to the research infrastructure in a systematic manner.
(c) Budget coordination
(1) Guidance
(2) ReportsEach Program agency shall include with its annual request for appropriations submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a report that—
(A) identifies each element of the proposed Program activities of the agency;
(B) specifies how each of these activities contributes to the Program; and
(C) states the portion of its request for appropriations allocated to each element of the Program.
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 5, Oct. 7, 1977, 91 Stat. 1099; Pub. L. 96–472, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 2257; Pub. L. 99–105, §§ 5, 6, Sept. 30, 1985, 99 Stat. 475; Pub. L. 100–252, § 2, Feb. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 18; Pub. L. 100–418, title V, § 5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433; Pub. L. 100–707, title I, § 109(u), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4710; Pub. L. 101–614, § 5, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3232; Pub. L. 105–47, § 3, Oct. 1, 1997, 111 Stat. 1162; Pub. L. 106–503, title II, §§ 206, 208, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2307; Pub. L. 108–360, title I, § 103, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1669; Pub. L. 115–307, §§ 2(c)(1)(B), 3(a)–(b)(4)(A), (c)–(f), 8(a)(1), (c), Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4409–4413, 4417; Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(271), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4335.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7704

§ 7704a. Report on seismic safety property standards
(a) Authority
(b) Standards
(c) Consultation
(Pub. L. 101–625, title IX, § 947, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4416; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1410.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7704a

§§ 7705, 7705a. Repealed. Pub. L. 105–47, § 4, Oct. 1, 1997, 111 Stat. 1164

CITE AS: 42 USC 7705, 7705a

§ 7705b. Seismic standards
(a) Assessment and recommendations
(b) Report to Congress
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 8, as added Pub. L. 101–614, § 8(a), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3237; amended Pub. L. 115–307, § 5, Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4415.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7705b

§ 7705c. Acceptance of gifts
(a) Authority
(b) Criteria
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 9, as added Pub. L. 101–614, § 9, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3238; amended Pub. L. 115–307, § 8(a)(2), Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4417.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7705c

§ 7705d. Repealed. Pub. L. 106–503, title II, § 203, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2305

CITE AS: 42 USC 7705d

§ 7705e. Post-earthquake investigations program
There is established within the United States Geological Survey a post-earthquake investigations program, the purpose of which is to investigate major earthquakes, so as to learn lessons which can be applied to reduce the loss of lives and property in future earthquakes. The United States Geological Survey, in consultation with each Program agency, shall organize investigations to study the implications of the earthquake in the areas of responsibility of each Program agency. The investigations shall begin as rapidly as possible and may be conducted by grantees and contractors. The Program agencies shall ensure that the results of investigations are disseminated widely. The Director of the Survey is authorized to utilize earthquake expertise from the Agency, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, other Federal agencies, and private contractors, on a reimbursable basis, in the conduct of such earthquake investigations. At a minimum, investigations under this section shall include—
(1) analysis by the National Science Foundation and the United States Geological Survey of the causes of the earthquake and the nature of the resulting ground motion;
(2) analysis by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology of the behavior of structures and lifeline infrastructure, both those that were damaged and those that were undamaged; and
(3) analysis by each of the Program agencies of the effectiveness of the earthquake hazards mitigation programs and actions relating to its area of responsibility under the Program, and how those programs and actions could be strengthened.
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 11, as added Pub. L. 101–614, § 11(a), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3239; amended Pub. L. 115–307, § 2(c)(1)(B), Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4409.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7705e

§ 7706. Authorization of appropriations
(a) General authorization for program
(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry out the provisions of sections 7704 and 7705 1
1 See References in Text note below.
of this title (in addition to any authorizations for similar purposes included in other Acts and the authorizations set forth in subsections (b) and (c) of this section), not to exceed $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, not to exceed $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, and not to exceed $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980.
(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director to carry out the provisions of sections 7704 and 7705 1 of this title for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981—
(A) $1,000,000 for continuation of the Interagency Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction and the Building Seismic Safety Council programs,
(B) $1,500,000 for plans and preparedness for earthquake disasters,
(C) $500,000 for prediction response planning,
(D) $600,000 for architectural and engineering planning and practice programs,
(E) $1,000,000 for development and application of a public education program,
(F) $3,000,000 for use by the National Science Foundation in addition to the amount authorized to be appropriated under subsection (c), which amount includes $2,400,000 for earthquake policy research and $600,000 for the strong ground motion element of the siting program, and
(G) $1,000,000 for use by the Center for Building Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology in addition to the amount authorized to be appropriated under subsection (d) for earthquake activities in the Center.
(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982, $2,000,000 to carry out the provisions of sections 7704 and 7705 1 of this title.
(4) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director, to carry out the provisions of sections 7704 and 7705 1 of this title, $1,281,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983.
(5) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director, to carry out the provisions of sections 7704 and 7705 1 of this title, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984, $3,705,000, and for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1985, $6,096,000.
(6) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director, to carry out the provisions of sections 7704 and 7705 1 of this title, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1986, $5,596,000, and for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1987, $5,848,000.
(7) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Agency, to carry out this chapter, $5,778,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1988, $5,788,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989, $8,798,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1990, $14,750,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1991, $19,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1992, $22,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1993, $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1995, $25,750,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, $20,900,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, $21,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999; $19,861,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, of which $450,000 is for National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program-eligible efforts of an established multi-state consortium to reduce the unacceptable threat of earthquake damages in the New Madrid seismic region through efforts to enhance preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation; $20,705,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002; and $21,585,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003.
(8) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out this chapter—
(A) $21,000,000 for fiscal year 2005,
(B) $21,630,000 for fiscal year 2006,
(C) $22,280,000 for fiscal year 2007,
(D) $22,950,000 for fiscal year 2008,
(E) $23,640,000 for fiscal year 2009,
(F) $8,758,000 for fiscal year 2019,
(G) $8,758,000 for fiscal year 2020,
(H) $8,758,000 for fiscal year 2021,
(I) $8,758,000 for fiscal year 2022, and
(J) $8,758,000 for fiscal year 2023,
of which not less than 10 percent of available program funds actually appropriated shall be made available each such fiscal year for supporting the development of performance-based, cost-effective, and affordable design guidelines and methodologies in codes for buildings, structures, and lifeline infrastructure.
(b) United States Geological Survey
(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior for purposes for carrying out, through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, the responsibilities that may be assigned to the Director under this chapter not to exceed $27,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978; not to exceed $35,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979; not to exceed $40,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980; $32,484,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981; $34,425,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982; $31,843,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983; $35,524,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984; $37,300,200 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1985 2
2 So in original. Probably should be followed by a semicolon.
$35,578,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1986; $37,179,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1987; $38,540,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1988; $41,819,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989; $55,283,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1990, of which $8,000,000 shall be for earthquake investigations under section 7705e of this title; $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1991; $54,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1992; $62,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1993; $49,200,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1995; $50,676,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996; $52,565,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, of which $3,800,000 shall be used for the Global Seismic Network operated by the Agency; and $54,052,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, of which $3,800,000 shall be used for the Global Seismic Network operated by the Agency. There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior for purposes of carrying out, through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, the responsibilities that may be assigned to the Director under this chapter $48,360,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which $3,500,000 is for the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee established under section 7709 of this title; $50,415,000 for fiscal year 2002, of which $3,600,000 is for the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee; and $52,558,000 for fiscal year 2003, of which $3,700,000 is for the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee. Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated under this paragraph, at least—
(A) $8,000,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998;
(B) $8,250,000 of the amount authorized for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999;
(C) $9,000,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2001;
(D) $9,250,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2002; and
(E) $9,500,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2003,
shall be used for carrying out a competitive, peer-reviewed program under which the Director, in close coordination with and as a complement to related activities of the United States Geological Survey, awards grants to, or enters into cooperative agreements with, State and local governments and persons or entities from the academic community and the private sector.
(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the United States Geological Survey for carrying out this chapter—
(A) $77,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, of which not less than $30,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title;
(B) $84,410,000 for fiscal year 2006, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title;
(C) $85,860,000 for fiscal year 2007, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title;
(D) $87,360,000 for fiscal year 2008, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title;
(E) $88,900,000 for fiscal year 2009, of which not less than $36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title;
(F) $83,403,000 for fiscal year 2019, of which not less than $30,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title; 1
(G) $83,403,000 for fiscal year 2020, of which not less than $30,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title; 1
(H) $83,403,000 for fiscal year 2021, of which not less than $30,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title; 1
(I) $83,403,000 for fiscal year 2022, of which not less than $30,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title; 1 and
(J) $83,403,000 for fiscal year 2023, of which not less than $30,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title.1
(c) National Science Foundation
(1) To enable the Foundation to carry out responsibilities that may be assigned to it under this chapter, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Foundation not to exceed $27,500,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978; not to exceed $35,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979; not to exceed $40,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980; $26,600,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981; $27,150,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982; $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983; $25,800,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984; $28,665,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1985 2 $27,760,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1986; $29,009,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1987; $28,235,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1988; $31,634,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989; $38,454,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1990. Of the amounts authorized for Engineering under section 101(d)(1)(B) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988, $24,000,000 is authorized for carrying out this chapter for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1991, and of the amounts authorized for Geosciences 3
3 So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.
under section 101(d)(1)(D) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988, $13,000,000 is authorized for carrying out this chapter for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1991. Of the amounts authorized for Research and Related Activities under section 101(e)(1) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988, $29,000,000 is authorized for engineering research under this chapter, and $14,750,000 is authorized for geosciences research under this chapter, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1992. Of the amounts authorized for Research and Related Activities under section 101(f)(1) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988, $34,500,000 is authorized for engineering research under this chapter, and $17,500,000 is authorized for geosciences research under this chapter, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1993. There are authorized to be appropriated, out of funds otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation: (1) $16,200,000 for engineering research and $10,900,000 for geosciences research for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1995, (2) $16,686,000 for engineering research and $11,227,000 for geosciences research for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, (3) $18,450,000 for engineering research and $11,920,000 for geosciences research for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, (4) $19,000,000 for engineering research and $12,280,000 for geosciences research for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999. There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation $19,000,000 for engineering research and $11,900,000 for geosciences research for fiscal year 2001; $19,808,000 for engineering research and $12,406,000 for geosciences research for fiscal year 2002; and $20,650,000 for engineering research and $12,933,000 for geosciences research for fiscal year 2003.
(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this chapter—
(A) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2005;
(B) $39,140,000 for fiscal year 2006;
(C) $40,310,000 for fiscal year 2007;
(D) $41,520,000 for fiscal year 2008;
(E) $42,770,000 for fiscal year 2009;
(F) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2019,
(G) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2020,
(H) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2021,
(I) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2022, and
(J) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.
(d) National Institute of Standards and Technology
(1) To enable the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out responsibilities that may be assigned to it under this chapter, there are authorized to be appropriated $425,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981; $425,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1982; $475,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1983; $475,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1984; $498,750 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1985 2 $499,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1986; $521,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1987; $525,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1988; $525,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989; $2,525,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1990; $1,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1991; $3,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1992; and $4,750,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1993. There are authorized to be appropriated, out of funds otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, $1,900,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1995, $1,957,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1998, $2,060,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, $2,332,000 for fiscal year 2001, $2,431,000 for fiscal year 2002, and $2,534,300 for fiscal year 2003.
(2) There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards and Technology for carrying out this chapter—
(A) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2005,
(B) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2006,
(C) $12,100,000 for fiscal year 2007,
(D) $13,310,000 for fiscal year 2008,
(E) $14,640,000 for fiscal year 2009,
(F) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2019,
(G) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2020,
(H) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2021,
(I) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2022, and
(J) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2023.4
4 So in original. The period probably should be a comma.
of which $2,000,000 shall be made available each such fiscal year for supporting the development of performance-based, cost-effective, and affordable codes for buildings, structures, and lifeline infrastructure.
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 12, formerly § 7, Oct. 7, 1977, 91 Stat. 1102; Pub. L. 96–472, title I, § 103, Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 2259; Pub. L. 97–80, title I, § 101, Nov. 20, 1981, 95 Stat. 1081; Pub. L. 97–464, title I, § 101, Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2533; Pub. L. 98–241, title I, § 101, Mar. 22, 1984, 98 Stat. 95; Pub. L. 99–105, §§ 1–4, Sept. 30, 1985, 99 Stat. 475; Pub. L. 100–252, § 1, Feb. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 18; Pub. L. 100–418, title V, § 5115(c), Aug. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 1433; renumbered § 12 and amended Pub. L. 101–614, §§ 7(1), 12, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3236, 3240; Pub. L. 103–374, § 1, Oct. 19, 1994, 108 Stat. 3492; Pub. L. 105–47, § 1, Oct. 1, 1997, 111 Stat. 1159; Pub. L. 106–503, title II, §§ 202(a), (b), (d), (e), 203, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2304, 2305; Pub. L. 108–360, title I, § 104(a), Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1674; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c), Oct. 4, 2006, 120 Stat. 1410; Pub. L. 115–307, §§ 2(c)(1)(B), 7, 8(b)(2), Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4409, 4416, 4417.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7706

§ 7707. Advanced National Seismic System
(a) Establishment
(b) Management plan
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 13, as added Pub. L. 106–503, title II, § 204, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2305; amended Pub. L. 108–360, title I, § 104(b), Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675; Pub. L. 115–307, § 8(b), Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4417.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7707

§ 7708. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation
(a) Establishment
(b) Authorization of appropriations
In addition to amounts appropriated under section 7706(c) of this title, there are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation—
(1) $28,200,000 for fiscal year 2001;
(2) $24,400,000 for fiscal year 2002;
(3) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(4) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(5) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, all of which shall be available for operations and maintenance;
(6) $20,400,000 for fiscal year 2006, all of which shall be available for operations and maintenance;
(7) $20,870,000 for fiscal year 2007, all of which shall be available for operations and maintenance;
(8) $21,390,000 for fiscal year 2008, all of which shall be available for operations and maintenance; and
(9) $21,930,000 for fiscal year 2009, all of which shall be available for operations and maintenance.
(Pub. L. 95–124, § 14, as added Pub. L. 106–503, title II, § 205, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2306; amended Pub. L. 108–360, title I, § 104(c), Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7708

§ 7709. Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee
(a) Establishment
(b) Organization
(c) Meetings
(d) Duties
(Pub. L. 106–503, title II, § 210, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2308.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 7709