Murkowski leads Senate passage of landslides, earthquakes reauthorizations

Alaska is no stranger to the danger posed by natural disasters—earthquakes, snowstorms, tsunamis, and landslides, to name a few—and the devastating aftermaths.

On January 5, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured unanimous consent for the Senate to pass two bills related to landslides and earthquakes: Murkowski’s S. 1626, the ‘National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act,’ and S. 320, the ‘National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act’, which she is cosponsoring alongside Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA).

The bills will modernize and continue federal funding for critical programs that help predict, prepare for, and respond to these natural disasters.

“Earthquakes and landslides are active threats that have taken lives and damaged property across Alaska in recent years,” Senator Murkowski said. “Our passage of these bills puts us on track to ensure that federal agencies have the resources they need to help keep communities safe both back home and around the country.”

S. 1626, ‘National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act,’ reauthorizes and updates landslide-focused programs and activities at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Ketchikan, Wrangell, Sitka, Haines, and Seward are among numerous Alaska communities that have endured devastating landslides. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) cosponsored the bill.

S. 320, the ‘National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act,’ reauthorizes the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP) to support maintenance of earthquake measurement resources and equipment. It will also continue the buildout of the ShakeAlert early warning system. According to USGS, “Alaska is the most earthquake-prone state and one of the most seismically active regions in the world.”

“I thank my colleagues for working cooperatively to pass these measures and urge the House to take them up and send them to the President as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, Senator Murkowski is also working to advance two additional measures related to natural hazards that impact Alaska: S. 1052, her bill to reauthorize National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System, and a measure related to tsunami warning, research, and education.

Both bills will now be sent to the House of Representatives for their consideration.