House Passes Smith's Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act

Press Release

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, today announced the passage of H.R. 3280, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act, by the House of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored by Smith and Subcommittee Chairman David Wu (D-OR), reauthorizes and amends the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act, ensuring such agencies as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Institute of Science and Technology have the necessary tools to research the causes and forecasting of natural disasters.

"The recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile demonstrate the importance of continuing to develop improved methods of predicting and mitigating natural disasters," Smith said.

Through hazard maps, building codes, and public outreach, the programs reauthorized by H.R. 3820 are integral to the federal government's efforts to ensure communities can withstand natural disasters. The bill also includes provisions to help retrofit existing structures and secure infrastructure projects.

The bipartisan bill was passed unanimously out of the Science and Technology Committee and is supported by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

"Millions of Americans live in areas of the country prone to earthquakes, severe storms, wildfires, and other natural disasters. The Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act will ensure we are prepared for these catastrophic events in the future," Smith said.

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