H.R.2568 - Earthquake Resilience Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2568, the Earthquake Resilience Act, mandates a national risk assessment to evaluate earthquake resilience progress and identify remaining gaps. The assessment will be conducted by the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in collaboration with FEMA, NSF, and USGS. It also amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to include post-earthquake recovery-based performance objectives and improve lifeline infrastructure standards.
Expected Effects
This bill will likely lead to improved standards and guidelines for earthquake resilience and recovery. The national risk assessment will provide a clearer understanding of vulnerabilities and areas needing improvement. The amendments to the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act will enhance post-earthquake recovery efforts.
Potential Benefits
- Improved Infrastructure: Development of standards for lifeline infrastructure will enhance the resilience of essential services.
- Enhanced Preparedness: The national risk assessment will identify vulnerabilities and inform preparedness efforts.
- Better Recovery: Inclusion of post-earthquake recovery objectives will lead to faster and more effective recovery.
- Data Enhancement: Incorporating real-time global navigation satellite system (GNSS) network data streams and geodetic network data into regional seismic networks.
- Coordination: Improved coordination between federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential Costs: Implementing new standards and conducting the risk assessment may require significant financial investment.
- Bureaucratic Delays: Collaboration between multiple agencies could lead to delays in implementation.
- Limited Scope: The bill primarily focuses on structural resilience and may not fully address social and economic vulnerabilities.
- Enforcement Challenges: Ensuring compliance with new standards across all levels of government may be difficult.
- Uncertainty: The actual effectiveness of the measures depends on the quality and implementation of the risk assessment and standards.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to protect citizens from natural disasters. It also falls under Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8) as it involves infrastructure and disaster response that can cross state lines. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).