42 Usc 7701

Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, As Amended
[Note: The following is a summary of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of
1977 (Public Law 95-124, 42 U.S.C. 7701 et. seq.), as amended by Public Laws 101614, 105-47, 106-503, and 108-360.]
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. [New Section 101 in Public Law 108-360]
This title may be cited as the `National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Reauthorization Act of 2004'.
SECTION 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) All 50 States 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, South Carolina,
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) prediction techniques and 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 programs,
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 in earthquake prediction could
provide data adequate for the design of an operational system that could predict
accurately the time, place, magnitude, and physical effects of earthquakes in selected
areas of the United States.
(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, lifelines, 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

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communications and national defense, and lifelines, such as dams, bridges, and public
works, must remain in service during and after an earthquake. Federally owned,
operated, and influenced structures and lifelines should serve as models for how to
replace 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 hurricane, 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.
SECTION 3. PURPOSE.
It is the purpose of the Congress in this Act to reduce the risks of life and property from
future earthquakes 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, 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 lifelines, public safety structures, high occupancy buildings, and other structures
which are especially needed in time 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 predicting
damaging earthquakes and 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 codes and other means to

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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, organizing emergency services, and planning for 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.
SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS. [New Section 102 in Public Law 108-360]
As used in this Act, 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 5.
(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 section 4(4).
(6) The term “lifelines” means public works and utilities, including transportation
facilities and infrastructure, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and communication
facilities, 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 5(a).
(9) The term “Advisory Committee” means the Advisory Committee established under
section 5(a)(5).
SECTION 5. EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM. [New
Section 103 in Public Law 108-360]
(a) ESTABLISHMENT(1) IN GENERAL- There is established the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program.
(2) PROGRAM ACTIVITIES- The activities of the Program shall be designed to-(A) develop effective measures for earthquake hazards reduction;

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(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 lifelines 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 lifelines;
(iii) development and maintenance of a repository of information, including technical
data, on seismic risk and hazards reduction; and
(C) improve the understanding of earthquakes and their effects on communities,
buildings, structures, and lifelines, through interdisciplinary research that involves
engineering, natural sciences, and social, economic, and decisions sciences; and
(D) develop, operate, and maintain an Advanced National Seismic Research and
Monitoring System established under section 13 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7707), the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake
Engineering Simulation established under section 14 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 7708), and
the Global Seismographic Network.
(3) INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON EARTHQUAKE
HAZARDS REDUCTION(A) IN GENERAL- There is established an Interagency Coordinating Committee on
Earthquake Hazards Reduction chaired by the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (referred to in this subsection as the `Director').
(B) MEMBERSHIP- The committee shall be composed of the directors of-(i) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(ii) the United States Geological Survey;
(iii) the National Science Foundation;
(iv) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and
(v) the Office of Management and Budget.
(C) MEETINGS- The Committee shall meet not less than 3 times a year at the call of the
Director.
(D) PURPOSE AND DUTIES- The Interagency Coordinating Committee shall oversee
the planning, management, and coordination of the Program. The Interagency
Coordinating Committee shall-(i) develop, not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2004 and update
periodically-(I) a strategic plan that establishes goals and priorities for the Program activities
described under subsection (a)(2); and
(II) a detailed management plan to implement such strategic plan; and
(ii) develop 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 clause (i), submit such budget to the Director
of the Office of Management and Budget at the time designated by that office for
agencies to submit annual budgets.
(4) ANNUAL REPORT- The Interagency Coordinating Committee shall transmit, at the
time of the President's budget request to Congress, an annual report to the Committee on

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Science and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives, and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. Such report shall
include-(A) 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
subparagraph (3)(A);
(B) 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
subparagraph (3)(A);
(C) 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 (3)(A);
(D) a description of the extent to which the Program has incorporated the
recommendations of the Advisory Committee;
(E) 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; and
(F) 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).
(5) ADVISORY COMMITTEE(A) IN GENERAL- The Director shall establish an Advisory Committee on Earthquake
Hazards Reduction of at least 11 members, none of whom may be an employee (as
defined in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of section 7342(a)(1) of title 5, United States
Code, including representatives of research and academic institutions, industry standards
development organizations, State and local government, and financial communities who
are qualified to provide advice on earthquake hazards reduction and represent all related
scientific, architectural, and engineering disciplines. The recommendations of the
Advisory Committee shall be considered by Federal agencies in implementing the
Program.
(B) ASSESSMENT- The 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);
(iii) the need to revise the Program; and
(iv) the management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the Program.
(C) REPORT- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2004 and at least once
every 2 years thereafter, the Advisory Committee shall report to the Director on its
findings of the assessment carried out under subparagraph (B) and its recommendations
for ways to improve the Program. In developing recommendations, the Committee shall
consider the recommendations of the United States Geological Survey Scientific
Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee.
(D) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT APPLICATION- Section 14 of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C. 14) shall not apply to the Advisory
Committee.

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(b) RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROGRAM AGENCIES(1) Lead Agency-The 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) prepare, in conjunction with other Program agencies, an annual budget for the
Program to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget;
(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) prepare, in conjunction with other Program agencies, a biennial report, to be
submitted to the Congress within 90 days after the end of each even-numbered fiscal
year, which shall describe the activities and achievements of the Program during the
preceding two fiscal years; and
(D) request the assistance of Federal agencies other than the Program agencies, as
necessary to assist in carrying out this Act.
(2) Department of Homeland Security; Federal Emergency Management Agency(A) PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES- The Under Secretary of Homeland Security for
Emergency Preparedness and Response (the Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency)-(i) shall work closely with national standards and model building code organizations, in
conjunction with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to promote the
implementation of research results;
(ii) shall promote better building practices within the building design and construction
industry including architects, engineers, contractors, builders, and inspectors;
(iii) shall operate a program of grants and assistance to enable States to develop
mitigation, preparedness, and response plans, prepare inventories and conduct seismic
safety inspections of critical structures and lifelines, update building and zoning codes
and ordinances to enhance seismic safety, increase earthquake awareness and education,
and encourage the development of multi-State groups for such purposes;
(iv) shall support the implementation of a comprehensive earthquake education 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;
(v) shall assist the National Institute of Standards and Technology, other Federal
agencies, and private sector groups, in 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 lifelines,
and aid in the development of performance-based design guidelines and methodologies
supporting model codes for buildings, structures, and lifelines that are cost effective and
affordable;
(vi) shall develop, coordinate, and execute the National Response Plan when required
following an earthquake, and support the development of specific State and local plans
for each high risk area to ensure the availability of adequate emergency medical
resources, search and rescue personnel and equipment, and emergency broadcast
capability;

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(vii) shall develop approaches to combine measures for earthquake hazards reduction
with measures for reduction of other natural and technological hazards including
performance-based design approaches;
(viii) shall provide preparedness, response, and mitigation recommendations to
communities after an earthquake prediction has been made under paragraph (3)(D); and
(ix) may 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.
(B) STATE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CRITERIA-In 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 a share of the costs of the activities for which assistance is being given, in
accordance with subparagraph (C); and
(iii) meet such other requirements as the Director of the Agency shall prescribe.
(C) NON-FEDERAL COST SHARING(i) In the case of any State which has received, before October 1, 1990, a grant from the
Agency for activities under this Act which included a requirement for cost sharing by
matching such grant, any grant obtained from the Agency for activities under
subparagraph (A)(i) after such date shall not include a requirement for cost sharing in an
amount greater than 50 percent of the cost of the project for which the grant is made.
(ii) In the case of any State which has received, before October 1, 1990, a grant from the
Agency for activities under this Act which included a requirement for cost sharing by
matching such grant, any grant obtained from the Agency for activities under
subparagraph (A)(i) after such date(I) shall not include a requirement for cost sharing for the first fiscal year of such a grant;
(II) shall not include a requirement for cost sharing in an amount greater than 25 percent
of the cost of the project for which the grant is made for the second fiscal year of such
grant, and any cost sharing requirement may be satisfied through in-kind contributions;
(III) shall not include a requirement for cost sharing in an amount greater than 35 percent
of the cost of the project for which the grant is made for the third fiscal year of such
grant, and any cost sharing requirement may be satisfied through in-kind contributions;
and
(IV) shall not include a requirement for cost sharing in an amount greater than 50 percent
of the cost of the project for which the grant is made for the fourth and subsequent fiscal
year of such grant.
(3) UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-The United States Geological Survey
shall conduct research and other activities necessary to characterize and identify
earthquake hazards; assess earthquake risks, monitor seismic activity, and improve
earthquake predictions. 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;

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(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 Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency and the Director of the National Institute for Standards
and Technology, for issuing earthquake predictions, including aftershock advisories;
(D) issue when necessary, and notify the Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, of an
earthquake prediction or other earthquake advisory, which may be evaluated by the
National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council;
(E) operate, using 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
System;
(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.
(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 in support of building codes for structures and
lifelines, including additional maps needed for performance-based design approaches.
(4) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION-The National Science Foundation shall be
responsible for funding research on earth science 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(A) 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;
(B) in addition to supporting individual investigators, support university research
consortia and centers for research in geosciences and in earthquake engineering;

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(C) work closely with the United States Geological Survey to identify geographic regions
of national concern that should be the focus of targeted solicitations for earthquakerelated research proposals;
(D) support research that improves the safety and performance of buildings, structures,
and lifeline systems using large-scale experimental and computational facilities of the
George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation and other
institutions engaged in research and the implementation of the National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program;
(E) emphasize, in earthquake engineering research, development of economically feasible
methods to retrofit existing buildings and to protect lifelines to mitigate earthquake
damage;
(F) support research that studies the political, economic, and social factors that influence
the implementation of hazard reduction measures;
(G) 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; and
(H) 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.
(5) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY-In 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 building codes and standards and practices for structures and
lifelines. 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 Director of Federal Emergency Management 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 lifelines; and
(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.

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SECTION 6. OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY REPORT.
[Repealed by Public Law 105-47, October 1, 1997]
SECTION 7. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. [Repealed by Public Law 105-47,
October 1, 1997]
SECTION 8. SEISMIC STANDARDS.
(a) Buildings
(1) Adoption of standards
The President shall adopt, not later than December 1, 1994, standards for assessing and
enhancing the seismic safety of existing buildings constructed for or leased by the
Federal Government which were designed and constructed without adequate seismic
design and construction standards. Such standards shall be developed by the Interagency
Committee on Seismic Safety in Construction, whose chairman is the Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology or his designee, and which shall work in
consultation with appropriate private sector organizations.
(2) Report to Congress
The President shall report to the Congress, not later than December 1, 1994, on how the
standards adopted under paragraph (1) could be applied with respect to buildings—
(A) for which Federal financial assistance has been obtained through grants, loans,
financing guarantees, or loan or mortgage insurance programs; or
(B) the structural safety of which is regulated by a Federal agency.
(3) Regulations
The President shall ensure the issuance, before February 1, 1993, by all Federal agencies
of final regulations required by section 4(b) of Executive Order numbered 12699, issued
January 5, 1990.
(b) Lifelines
The Director of the Agency, in consultation with the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, shall submit to the Congress, not later than June 30, 1992, a
plan, including precise timetables and budget estimates, for developing and adopting, in
consultation with appropriate private sector organizations, design and construction
standards for lifelines. The plan shall include recommendations of ways Federal
regulatory authority could be used to expedite the implementation of such standards.
SECTION 9. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS.
(a) Authority
In furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, the Director of the Agency may accept and
use bequests, gifts, or donations of services, money, or property, notwithstanding section
1342 of title 31.
(b) Criteria
The Director of the Agency shall establish by regulation criteria for determining whether
to accept bequests, gifts, or donations of services, money, or property. Such criteria shall
take into consideration whether the acceptance of the bequest, gift, or donation would
reflect unfavorably on the Director’s ability to carry out his responsibilities in a fair and

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objective manner, or would compromise the integrity of, or the appearance of the
integrity of, the Program or any official involved in administering the Program.
SECTION 10. NON-FEDERAL COST SHARING FOR SUPPLEMENTAL
FUNDS. [Repealed by Public Law 106-503, November 13, 2000]
SECTION 11. POST-EARTHQUAKE INVESTIGATIONS.
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 lifelines, 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.
SECTION 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. [New Section 104 in
Public Law 108-360]
(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 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 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,

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(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) of this section, 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) of this section 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 of
this title.
(4) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Director, to carry out the provisions of
sections 7704 and 7705 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 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 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 Director 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 title-(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, and
(E) $23,640,000 for fiscal year 2009,
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 performancebased, cost-effective, and affordable design guidelines and methodologies in codes for
buildings, structures, and lifelines.

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(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 $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 title--

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(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 Research and Monitoring
System established under section 13;
(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 Research and Monitoring
System established under section 13;
(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 Research and Monitoring
System established under section 13;
(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 Research and Monitoring
System established under section 13; and
(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 Research and Monitoring
System established under section 13.
(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 $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 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,

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(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 title--

(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; and
(E) $42,770,000 for fiscal year 2009.
(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 $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 title--

(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, and
(E) $14,640,000 for fiscal year 2009,
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 lifelines.

15

SECTION 13. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND
MONITORING SYSTEM.
(a) Establishment
The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish and operate an
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System. The purpose of such
system shall be to organize, modernize, standardize, and stabilize the national, regional,
and urban seismic monitoring systems in the United States, including sensors, recorders,
and data analysis centers, into a coordinated system that will measure and record the full
range of frequencies and amplitudes exhibited by seismic waves, in order to enhance
earthquake research and warning capabilities.
(b) Management plan
Not later than 90 days after November 13, 2000, the Director of the United States
Geological Survey shall transmit to the Congress a 5-year management plan for
establishing and operating the Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring
System. The plan shall include annual cost estimates for both modernization and
operation, milestones, standards, and performance goals, as well as plans for securing the
participation of all existing networks in the Advanced National Seismic Research and
Monitoring System and for establishing new, or enhancing existing, partnerships to
leverage resources.
SECTION 14. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION.
(a) Establishment
The Director of the National Science Foundation shall establish the George E. Brown, Jr.
Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation that will upgrade, link, and integrate a
system of geographically distributed experimental facilities for earthquake engineering
testing of full-sized structures and their components and partial-scale physical models.
The system shall be integrated through networking software so that integrated models and
databases can be used to create model-based simulation, and the components of the
system shall be interconnected with a computer network and allow for remote access,
information sharing, and collaborative research.
(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;

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(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.
SCIENTIFIC EARTHQUAKE STUDIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE (Public Law
106-503, Title II, Section 210, 42 U.S.C. Section 7709)
(a) Establishment
The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a Scientific
Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee.
(b) Organization
The Director shall establish procedures for selection of individuals not employed by the
Federal Government who are qualified in the seismic sciences and other appropriate
fields and may, pursuant to such procedures, select up to 10 individuals, one of whom
shall be designated Chairman, to serve on the Advisory Committee. Selection of
individuals for the Advisory Committee shall be based solely on established records of
distinguished service, and the Director shall ensure that a reasonable cross-section of
views and expertise is represented. In selecting individuals to serve on the Advisory
Committee, the Director shall seek and give due consideration to recommendations from
the National Academy of Sciences, professional societies, and other appropriate
organizations.
(c) Meetings
The Advisory Committee shall meet at such times and places as may be designated by the
Chairman in consultation with the Director.
(d) Duties
The Advisory Committee shall advise the Director on matters relating to the United
States Geological Survey’s participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program, including the United States Geological Survey’s roles, goals, and objectives
within that Program, its capabilities and research needs, guidance on achieving major
objectives, and establishing and measuring performance goals. The Advisory Committee
shall issue an annual report to the Director for submission to Congress on or before
September 30 of each year. The report shall describe the Advisory Committee’s activities
and address policy issues or matters that affect the United States Geological Survey’s
participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.

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