Tsunami Warning, Research, and Education Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Bonamici
In Committee
Summary
Strengthen tsunami warnings, research, and data management. This bill would rename and expand the Tsunami Warning and Education Act to prioritize faster, accurate warnings, require robust data archiving and sharing, and boost interagency use of GNSS (global navigation satellite system) and other real-time data for operations and research.
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- Coastal communities and emergency managers would get clearer, standardized warning products and decision-support tools, updated inundation maps, and coordinated education and outreach across the Pacific, Arctic, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf coasts.
- States would receive a dedicated share of funding to support local hazard mapping, preparedness, and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, while the program would add coastal digital elevation models and new priorities like sediment and debris impacts.
- Researchers and federal partners (NOAA, USGS, NASA, NSF, FEMA and others) would see a new data portal, expanded GNSS and instrumentation coverage, and a required interagency research and development plan due within 12 months and updated every 36 months to move research into operations.
*Would authorize $32 million per year for fiscal years 2026–2030, with at least 27% for state NTHMP activities and at least 8% for the tsunami research program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Five-year funding for tsunami safety
If enacted, NOAA would be authorized $32 million each year for 2026–2030 to run tsunami programs. At least 27% of each year’s funds would go to State tsunami mitigation work. At least 8% would go to the tsunami research program. This funding could help keep warnings, mapping, and outreach running across at-risk coasts.
Better tsunami maps and wider coverage
The bill would require coastal digital elevation models to improve tsunami inundation maps. It would add studies on sediment‑driven flooding and debris impacts on critical infrastructure and lifelines. It would push for high‑resolution mapping for at‑risk coasts, ports, and harbors that lack good maps. The program’s scope would clearly cover the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. It would also add behavioral research to improve preparedness.
Clearer alerts and stronger warning drills
NOAA would add decision-support aids to tsunami warnings and mark areas as tsunami-prone. NOAA, FEMA, and the FCC would spell out how to use the national alert system to deliver tsunami alerts. Warning centers would keep a fail‑safe system and run at least one service backup drill every two years. NOAA would name a Tsunami Warning Coordinator, check NOAA Weather Radio coverage for at‑risk populated areas, and publish the results. It would work with local weather offices on outreach and test and update alert terms with social and behavioral experts. NOAA would brief Congress within 180 days of enactment and then yearly until these steps are done.
Stronger data and research for tsunamis
The bill would expand NOAA’s tsunami research to include data management, a data portal, and decision-support tools. NSF, NASA, and USGS would provide reliable, real-time satellite navigation (GNSS) data and add instruments to speed earthquake assessment. Agencies would check each other’s warning data for NOAA use and, where doable, add tsunami notices to the USGS earthquake early warning system. NOAA would have to publish an R&D and research-to-operations plan within 12 months and update it at least every 36 months. Data quality, metadata access, and archiving would need to meet federal evidence and information laws.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bonamici
OR • D
Cosponsors
Issa
CA • R
Sponsored 6/23/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 7/2/2025
Huffman
CA • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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