National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

Plain-English Summary: National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill renews and continues funding for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), a long-standing federal program dedicated to reducing the risks that earthquakes pose to people, buildings, and communities across the United States. NEHRP coordinates efforts across several federal agencies — including FEMA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) — to conduct earthquake research, improve building codes and construction standards, and develop early warning systems and preparedness tools.

By reauthorizing this program, the bill ensures that federal agencies can continue their ongoing work without interruption. This includes researching where and how earthquakes are likely to occur, developing safer building and infrastructure standards, and educating communities on how to prepare for and respond to earthquakes. Without reauthorization, the program's funding authority would expire, potentially halting these activities.

This bill affects a wide range of Americans, particularly those living in earthquake-prone regions such as the Pacific Coast, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of the central and eastern United States. It also affects engineers, architects, builders, emergency responders, and local governments who rely on federal guidance and research to make communities safer. The bill passed the Senate unanimously, suggesting broad bipartisan support, and has been sent to the House for further consideration.