YVN Summary
\n\nEarthquake early warnings would reach more high-risk areas. The U.S. Geological Survey would have to send those alerts in the main languages spoken where a quake hits. It would also issue forecasts for aftershocks after major quakes. Warnings arrive seconds before shaking starts, so the bill pushes for faster detection and more lead time. Its findings say almost half of Americans live where a damaging quake could hit within 50 years.\n\nThe National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program would be renewed through 2028. Four agencies run it: FEMA, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the standards agency NIST. Funding is set at about $161 million a year. USGS gets $92.4 million of that. At least $36 million must go to finishing the national quake sensor network. Households would pay nothing new.\n\nThe program's goal shifts from buildings that stay standing to buildings that work again soon. Agencies would have to act on 2021 federal advice for faster recovery. They would report progress every two years. Tribal governments are added as full partners. Federal help would also cover building inventories, quake-caused fire research, and evacuation plans. The bill cites $14.7 billion in yearly quake losses nationwide. The Senate passed it in January 2026. The House has not acted.
","status":"INTRODUCED","topics":["ECONOMY","TRANSPORTATION","CIVIL_RIGHTS"],"introducedAt":"2025-01-29T00:00:00+00:00","latestActionAt":"2026-01-07T00:00:00+00:00","congressGovUrl":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/320","accountabilityFlags":{"your_money":["↑ Earthquake early warnings expand to more high-risk areas","↑ Quake alerts required in your region's common languages","↑ Aftershock forecasts issued after major U.S. earthquakes","↑ Federal housing quake standards — must target faster reuse"],"transparency_accountability":["↑ Agencies must report quake-recovery progress every two years","↑ Quake program funding ends after 2028 — Congress must renew"]},"tldr":"Renews the federal earthquake program through 2028 at about $161 million a year — warnings expand to more areas and languages.","summaryStandard":"v2","flagExplainers":{"your_money":["The U.S. Geological Survey would have to extend the earthquake early warning system into more high-risk places. It would also work to add seconds between the alert and the shaking.","USGS would work with the Federal Communications Commission so alerts go out in the main languages spoken where a quake hits. The aim is that more people can act in time.","After a significant earthquake, USGS would issue forecasts of likely aftershocks when appropriate. That helps people judge whether it is safe to go back inside.","Earthquake rules for federally assisted housing now aim at safety alone. The bill retargets them at how fast a building can be used again."],"transparency_accountability":["Each of the four agencies would tell the program's coordinating committee what it has done to carry out 2021 federal recovery advice. The bill sets the first deadline at September 30, 2025, a date that has already passed.","The bill authorizes money only through fiscal year 2028. After that, Congress would have to pass a new law to keep the program funded."]},"flagValence":{"your_money":["good","good","good","contested"],"transparency_accountability":["good","contested"]},"needsResummary":false,"displaySummaryHtml":null,"rawStatusText":"Held at the desk.","chamber":"SENATE","policyArea":"Emergency Management","legislativeSubjects":["Building construction","Emergency communications systems","Emergency planning and evacuation","Environmental assessment, monitoring, research","Government studies and investigations","Natural disasters","Research administration and funding"],"lawStatus":null,"lawNumber":null,"latestActionText":"Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5-10)","latestTextVersion":"Engrossed in Senate","textVersionUsed":"Introduced in Senate","dateAdded":"2026-04-14T00:00:00+00:00","summarizedAt":"2026-08-19T00:00:00+00:00","recordId":"c56102c1-167a-4b74-b211-39e8140d36a1","feedIdentityKey":"119/s/320","websiteBillId":"S-320","yourvoiceSummary":"Earthquake early warnings would reach more high-risk areas. The U.S. Geological Survey would have to send those alerts in the main languages spoken where a quake hits. It would also issue forecasts for aftershocks after major quakes. Warnings arrive seconds before shaking starts, so the bill pushes for faster detection and more lead time. Its findings say almost half of Americans live where a damaging quake could hit within 50 years.\n\nThe National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program would be renewed through 2028. Four agencies run it: FEMA, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Science Foundation, and the standards agency NIST. Funding is set at about $161 million a year. USGS gets $92.4 million of that. At least $36 million must go to finishing the national quake sensor network. Households would pay nothing new.\n\nThe program's goal shifts from buildings that stay standing to buildings that work again soon. Agencies would have to act on 2021 federal advice for faster recovery. They would report progress every two years. Tribal governments are added as full partners. Federal help would also cover building inventories, quake-caused fire research, and evacuation plans. The bill cites $14.7 billion in yearly quake losses nationwide. The Senate passed it in January 2026. The House has not acted.","updatedAt":"2026-10-25T03:37:19.044369+00:00"}