September 8, 2014

On September 8, the House of Representatives passed the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act (H.R. 5309) by voice vote. Introduced by Representatives Susan Bonimici (D-OR) and Dana Rohrbacher (R-CA), H.R. 5309 would reauthorize the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program and would put extra emphasis on tsunami detection, forecasts, and warning systems.

The National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, originally established in 1995, is a coordinated partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and 28 U.S. Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths. The program helps to assess tsunami threats, prepare community responses, issue timely and effective warnings, and mitigate damage.  

The bill will now be sent to the Senate for consideration.

Sources: House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program