Tsunami Early Warning and Relief Act of 2005

        [Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 890 Introduced in House (IH)]

109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 890

To provide for the establishment of national and global tsunami warning
systems and to provide assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of
victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami and for the reconstruction of
tsunami-affected countries.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 17, 2005

Mr. Pallone introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees
on Resources and Science, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide for the establishment of national and global tsunami warning
systems and to provide assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of
victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami and for the reconstruction of
tsunami-affected countries.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Tsunami Early Warning and Relief Act
of 2005''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds the following:
(1) A tremendous undersea earthquake near Sumatra,
Indonesia, created a tsunami whose devastation spread
throughout South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Africa, leading
to the death of more than 160,000 people on December 26, 2004.
As of February 4, 2005, more than 140,000 people are still
missing. The tsunami-affected countries include Indonesia, Sri
Lanka, India, Thailand, Maldives, Seychelles, Bangladesh,
Burma, Malaysia, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
(2) The tsunami resulted in massive destruction affecting
millions of people who now require a great amount of short-term
survival assistance and long-term rehabilitation and
reconstruction assistance.
(3) Compared to past disasters, the Indian Ocean earthquake
and tsunami led to historic destruction of the social service
infrastructure, businesses, and livelihoods. The devastation
caused by the tsunami has resulted in many separated families
and countless unaccompanied and orphaned children.
(4) An effective global tsunami warning system is critical
for preventing future humanitarian disasters and for protecting
national security, since tsunamis occurring anywhere around the
globe could impact the United States at home and United States
national interests abroad.
(5) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has
already built a system of tsunami buoys in the Pacific Ocean
which has been proven to provide critical information and
enhance the Nation's response to tsunamis. The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration has the technical capability to
upgrade and expand this system so that it covers the entire
globe and is integrated into larger ocean observing efforts.
(6) Consistent funding and international cooperation would
be needed to deploy a broader global tsunami warning system.
(7) Effective local emergency management capabilities are
needed to relay tsunami warning information to coastal
communities and their residents.

TITLE I--TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEMS

SEC. 101. GLOBAL PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a
Global Tsunami Disaster Reduction Program within the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration for the establishment of a tsunami
warning system to protect vulnerable areas around the world, including
Atlantic Ocean, Carribean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Indian Ocean,
Mediterranean Sea, and European areas.
(b) International Cooperation.--The Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, shall work with foreign countries that would benefit
from the warning system described in subsection (a), and through
international organizations, for the purposes of--
(1) sharing costs;
(2) sharing relevant data;
(3) sharing technical advice for the implementation of
dissemination and evacuation plans; and
(4) ensuring that the Global Earth Observation System of
Systems program has access to and shares openly all relevant
information worldwide.

SEC. 102. EXPANSION OF UNITED STATES TSUNAMI READY PROGRAM.

The Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
shall work with coastal communities throughout the United States to
build upon local coastal and ocean observing capabilities, improve
abilities to disseminate tsunami information and prepare evacuation
plans according to the requirements of the Tsunami Ready program of the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and encourage more
communities to participate in the program.

SEC. 103. SEISMIC ACTIVITY MONITORING.

The Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
shall coordinate with the United States Geological Survey and the
Department of State to work with other countries to enhance the
monitoring, through the Global Seismic Network (GSN), of seismic
activities that could lead to tsunamis, to support the programs
described in sections 101 and 102.

SEC. 104. ANNUAL REPORT.

The Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
shall transmit an annual report to Congress on progress in carrying out
this title.

SEC. 105. DEFINITION.

For purposes of this title, the term ``United States'' means the
several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
Northern Mariana Islands, and any other commonwealth, territory, or
possession of the United States.

SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce for carrying out this title--
(1) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; and
(2) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2007 and for each
subsequent fiscal year.

TITLE II--RELIEF, REHABILITATION, AND RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE
RELATING TO INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI

SEC. 201. ASSISTANCE.

(a) Authorization.--The President, acting through the Administrator
of the United States Agency for International Development, is
authorized to provide assistance for--
(1) the relief and rehabilitation of individuals who are
victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami; and
(2) the reconstruction of the infrastructures of countries
affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami, including Indonesia, Sri
Lanka, India, Thailand, Maldives, Seychelles, Bangladesh,
Burma, Malaysia, Somalia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
(b) Terms and Conditions.--Assistance under this section may be
provided on such terms and conditions as the President may determine.

SEC. 202. REPORT.

The President shall transmit to Congress, on a quarterly basis in
2005, on a biannual basis in 2006, and as determined to be appropriate
by the President thereafter, a report on progress in carrying out this
title.

SEC. 203. DEFINITION.

In this title, the term ``Indian Ocean tsunami'' means the tsunami
that resulted from the earthquake that occurred off the west coast of
northern Sumatra, Indonesia, on December 26, 2004.

SEC. 204. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry
out this title such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006 and
each subsequent fiscal year.
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