Earthquake Safety Bill Expands Protections, Boosts Funding for 2024-2028: Focus on Retrofits and Faster Recovery

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 is a significant update to the nation's earthquake preparedness strategy. Instead of just reacting to earthquakes, this bill focuses on proactive measures to minimize damage and speed up recovery, with a strong emphasis on making existing buildings safer and ensuring communities can bounce back faster after a quake.

Shaking Things Up: Retrofits and Resilience

The core of this bill is about strengthening existing infrastructure. It acknowledges that while new buildings are generally safer, most of our structures were built under older, less stringent codes. The Act expands the program's scope to include evaluating and retrofitting buildings, particularly those crucial for community resilience, like housing and care facilities for vulnerable populations (SEC. 3). It also calls for inventories of high-risk buildings and incentives for retrofitting or replacement (SEC. 2). Think of it like this: instead of just waiting for 'the big one,' we're actively making our buildings and infrastructure more quake-resistant. For example, a small business owner in an older building might get access to resources to assess and reinforce their structure, reducing the risk of collapse and potentially saving lives and livelihoods.

Beyond the Fault Line: Broader Scope, Bigger Picture

The bill broadens the definition of 'earthquake hazards' to include secondary effects like tsunamis, landslides, and even fires that often follow quakes (SEC. 4). It also acknowledges the growing impact of climate change on these risks (SEC. 5). This means the research and mitigation efforts will cover a wider range of potential disasters. The Act also specifically includes Tribal governments in preparedness and mitigation efforts (SEC. 2, SEC. 3, SEC. 5), recognizing their unique vulnerabilities and needs. It's like expanding the safety net to cover more ground and more people.

Fast Alerts and Faster Recovery

A key focus is on improving earthquake early warning systems. The bill directs better communication between the Interagency Coordinating Committee and the FCC to ensure timely broadcasting of alerts (SEC. 5). It also tasks the USGS with expanding the early warning system to more high-risk areas and issuing aftershock forecasts (SEC. 5). Imagine getting a few extra seconds of warning before the shaking starts – enough time to drop, cover, and hold on, or for automated systems to shut down critical infrastructure. The bill also focuses on 'functional recovery,' meaning getting buildings and services back up and running quickly after an earthquake (SEC. 4, SEC. 7). It's not just about surviving the quake; it's about minimizing downtime and getting life back to normal as fast as possible.

Dollars and Sense: Funding the Future

To support all these initiatives, the bill authorizes significant funding increases for various agencies from 2024 through 2028 (SEC. 9). This includes over $100 million per year for the USGS, with a chunk specifically for the Advanced National Seismic System, and $58 million annually for the National Science Foundation's earthquake-related research (SEC. 9). While these are substantial investments, the bill also highlights the massive economic exposure to earthquake losses – estimated at over $107 trillion nationwide (SEC. 2). This puts the funding in perspective: it's a significant investment, but one designed to mitigate potentially catastrophic financial and human costs. One challenge, however, will be ensuring that these funds are allocated efficiently and that bureaucratic processes don't delay the implementation of crucial upgrades and programs.