Rep. Schrier’s Bill to Improve Landslide Preparedness and Safety Passes the House

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 6093, the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023, which included the National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act, a bill introduced by U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier (WA-08), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). This legislation passed the House by a vote of 394-19.

Congresswoman Schrier’s bill would reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, originally signed into law in 2021, through FY 2028. The law directed the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish a National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program. The program’s objective is to identify and understand landslide hazards and risks, reduce losses from landslides, protect communities at risk of landslide hazards, and help improve communication and emergency preparedness. 

Washington state has a history of landslides, most notably the 2014 State Route 530 Landslide. Moreover, as wildfires continue to grow in strength and severity in Washington and throughout the West, burned areas are a growing, immense landslide threat. This legislation aims to work towards addressing this issue.  

"Ten years ago, the SR 530 Oso Landslide devastated our community and claimed 43 lives, making it the deadliest in U.S. history," said Rep. Schrier. "I am thrilled to see this legislation pass the House, putting us closer to these much-needed investments to better understand landslides and increase preparedness to protect our communities."

The National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the USGS to: 

• Develop a national strategy for landslide hazards, risk reduction, and response. 
• Develop a publicly accessible national landslide hazard and risk inventory database. 
• Expand the early warning system for debris flow. 
• Establish emergency response procedures for the rapid deployment of federal scientists, equipment, and services to areas impacted by a significant landslide event. 
• Advance the accounting of subsidence and groundwater resources. 
• Establish 3D elevation program and a corresponding committee. 

The bill allows USGS to provide grants to research, map, assess, collect data on landslide hazards, and enable the National Science Foundation to provide grants to eligible entities for landslide research.

Congresswoman Schrier was also joined in introducing the National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).