[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1550 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.1550
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday,
the twenty-fourth day of January, two thousand
An Act
To authorize appropriations for the United States Fire Administration,
and for carrying out the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977, for
fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
TITLE I--UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Fire Administration Authorization
Act of 2000''.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 17(g)(1) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of
1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (G);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H) and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(I) $44,753,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which $3,000,000 is
for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for contracts or
grants to non-Federal entities for data analysis, including general
fire profiles and special fire analyses and report projects, and of
which $6,000,000 is for anti-terrorism training, including
associated curriculum development, for fire and emergency services
personnel;
``(J) $47,800,000 for fiscal year 2002, of which $3,250,000 is
for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for contracts or
grants to non-Federal entities for data analysis, including general
fire profiles and special fire analyses and report projects, and of
which $7,000,000 is for anti-terrorism training, including
associated curriculum development, for fire and emergency services
personnel; and
``(K) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, of which $3,500,000 is
for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for contracts or
grants to non-Federal entities for data analysis, including general
fire profiles and special fire analyses and report projects, and of
which $8,000,000 is for anti-terrorism training, including
associated curriculum development, for fire and emergency services
personnel.''.
None of the funds authorized for the United States Fire Administration
for fiscal year 2002 may be obligated unless the Administrator has
verified to the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate that the obligation of funds is consistent with the strategic
plan transmitted under section 103 of this Act.
SEC. 103. STRATEGIC PLAN.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than April 30, 2001, the Administrator
of the United States Fire Administration shall prepare and transmit to
the Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a 5-
year strategic plan of program activities for the United States Fire
Administration.
(b) Contents of Plan.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall
include--
(1) a comprehensive mission statement covering the major
functions and operations of the United States Fire Administration
in the areas of training; research, development, test and
evaluation; new technology and non-developmental item
implementation; safety; counterterrorism; data collection and
analysis; and public education;
(2) general goals and objectives, including those related to
outcomes, for the major functions and operations of the United
States Fire Administration;
(3) a description of how the goals and objectives identified
under paragraph (2) are to be achieved, including operational
processes, skills and technology, and the human, capital,
information, and other resources required to meet those goals and
objectives;
(4) an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of,
opportunities for, and threats to the United States Fire
Administration;
(5) an identification of the fire-related activities of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of
Defense, and other Federal agencies, and a discussion of how those
activities can be coordinated with and contribute to the
achievement of the goals and objectives identified under paragraph
(2);
(6) a description of objective, quantifiable performance goals
needed to define the level of performance achieved by program
activities in training, research, data collection and analysis, and
public education, and how these performance goals relate to the
general goals and objectives in the strategic plan;
(7) an identification of key factors external to the United
States Fire Administration and beyond its control that could affect
significantly the achievement of the general goals and objectives;
(8) a description of program evaluations used in establishing
or revising general goals and objectives, with a schedule for
future program evaluations;
(9) a plan for the timely distribution of information and
educational materials to State and local firefighting services,
including volunteer, career, and combination services throughout
the United States;
(10) a description of how the strategic plan prepared under
this section will be incorporated into the strategic plan and the
performance plans and reports of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
(11)(A) a description of the current and planned use of the
Internet for the delivery of training courses by the National Fire
Academy, including a listing of the types of courses and a
description of each course's provisions for real time interaction
between instructor and students, the number of students enrolled,
and the geographic distribution of students, for the most recent
fiscal year;
(B) an assessment of the availability and actual use by the
National Fire Academy of Federal facilities suitable for distance
education applications, including facilities with teleconferencing
capabilities; and
(C) an assessment of the benefits and problems associated with
delivery of instructional courses using the Internet, including
limitations due to network bandwidth at training sites, the
availability of suitable course materials, and the effectiveness of
such courses in terms of student performance;
(12) timeline for implementing the plan; and
(13) the expected costs for implementing the plan.
SEC. 104. RESEARCH AGENDA.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United States Fire
Administration, in consultation with the Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, representatives of trade, professional, and
non-profit associations, State and local firefighting services, and
other appropriate entities, shall prepare and transmit to the Committee
on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report describing
the United States Fire Administration's research agenda and including a
plan for implementing that agenda.
(b) Contents of Report.--The report required by subsection (a)
shall--
(1) identify research priorities;
(2) describe how the proposed research agenda will be
coordinated and integrated with the programs and capabilities of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department
of Defense, and other Federal agencies;
(3) identify potential roles of academic, trade, professional,
and non-profit associations, and other research institutions in
achieving the research agenda;
(4) provide cost estimates, anticipated personnel needs, and a
schedule for completing the various elements of the research
agenda;
(5) describe ways to leverage resources through partnerships,
cooperative agreements, and other means; and
(6) discuss how the proposed research agenda will enhance
training, improve State and local firefighting services, impact
standards and codes, increase firefighter and public safety, and
advance firefighting techniques.
(c) Use in Preparing Strategic Plan.--The research agenda prepared
under this section shall be used in the preparation of the strategic
plan required by section 103.
SEC. 105. SURPLUS AND EXCESS FEDERAL EQUIPMENT.
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 33. SURPLUS AND EXCESS FEDERAL EQUIPMENT.
``The Administrator shall make publicly available, including
through the Internet, information on procedures for acquiring surplus
and excess equipment or property that may be useful to State and local
fire, emergency, and hazardous material handling service providers.''.
SEC. 106. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FACILITIES.
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as amended by
section 105, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 34. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FACILITIES.
``The Administrator shall make publicly available, including
through the Internet, information on procedures for establishing
cooperative agreements between State and local fire and emergency
services and Federal facilities in their region relating to the
provision of fire and emergency services.''.
SEC. 107. NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN COUNTERTERRORISM.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Fire
Administration shall conduct an assessment of the need for additional
capabilities for Federal counterterrorism training of emergency
response personnel.
(b) Contents of Assessment.--The assessment conducted under this
section shall include--
(1) a review of the counterterrorism training programs offered
by the United States Fire Administration and other Federal
agencies;
(2) an estimate of the number and types of emergency response
personnel that have, during the period between January 1, 1994, and
October 1, 1999, sought training described in paragraph (1), but
have been unable to receive that training as a result of the
oversubscription of the training capabilities; and
(3) a recommendation on the need to provide additional Federal
counterterrorism training centers, including--
(A) an analysis of existing Federal facilities that could
be used as counterterrorism training facilities; and
(B) a cost-benefit analysis of the establishment of such
counterterrorism training facilities.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall prepare and submit to
the Congress a report on the results of the assessment conducted under
this section.
SEC. 108. WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE FIRE SAFETY RESEARCH PROGRAM.
From the funds authorized to be appropriated by the amendments made
by section 102, $1,000,000 may be expended for the Worcester
Polytechnic Institute fire safety research program.
SEC. 109. INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.
Upon the conclusion of the research under a research grant or award
of $50,000 made with funds authorized by this title (or any amendments
made by this title), the Administrator of the United States Fire
Administration shall make available through the Internet home page of
the Administration a brief summary of the results and importance of
such research grant or award. Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require or permit the release of any information
prohibited by law or regulation from being released to the public.
SEC. 110. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS.
(a) 1974 Act.--
(1) In general.--The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of
1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended--
(A) by striking subsection (b) of section 10 (15 U.S.C.
2209) and redesignating subsection (c) of that section as
subsection (b);
(B) by striking sections 26 and 27 (15 U.S.C. 2222; 2223);
(C) by striking ``(a) The'' in section 24 (15 U.S.C. 2220)
and inserting ``The''; and
(D) by striking subsection (b) of section 24.
(2) References to secretary.--The Federal Fire Prevention and
Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended--
(A) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 2203)--
(i) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon in
paragraph (7);
(ii) by striking paragraph (8); and
(iii) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (8);
(B) by striking ``Secretary'' and inserting ``Director''--
(i) in section 5(b) (15 U.S.C. 2204(b));
(ii) each place it appears in section 7 (15 U.S.C.
2206);
(iii) the first place it appears in section 11(c) (15
U.S.C. 2210(c));
(iv) in section 15(b)(2), (c), and (f) (15 U.S.C.
2214(b)(2), (c), and (f));
(v) the second place it appears in section 15(e)(1)(A)
(15 U.S.C. 2214(e)(1)(A));
(vi) in section 16 (15 U.S.C. 2215);
(vii) the second place it appears in section 19(a) (42
U.S.C. 290a(a));
(viii) both places it appears in section 20 (15 U.S.C.
2217); and
(ix) in section 21(c) (15 U.S.C. 2218(c)); and
(C) in section 15, by striking ``Secretary's'' each place
it appears and inserting ``Director's''.
(b) Department of Commerce.--Section 12 of the Act of February 14,
1903 (15 U.S.C. 1511) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``and'' after ``Census;'' in paragraph (5);
(2) by striking paragraph (6); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (6).
SEC. 111. NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY CURRICULUM REVIEW.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States Fire
Administration, in consultation with the Board of Visitors and
representatives of trade and professional associations, State and local
firefighting services, and other appropriate entities, shall conduct a
review of the courses of instruction available at the National Fire
Academy to ensure that they are up-to-date and complement, not
duplicate, courses of instruction offered elsewhere. Not later than 180
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator
shall prepare and submit a report to the Committee on Science of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate.
(b) Contents of Report.--The report required by subsection (a)
shall--
(1) examine and assess the courses of instruction offered by
the National Fire Academy;
(2) identify redundant and out-of-date courses of instruction;
(3) examine the current and future impact of information
technology on National Fire Academy curricula, methods of
instruction, and delivery of services; and
(4) make recommendations for updating the curriculum, methods
of instruction, and delivery of services by the National Fire
Academy considering current and future needs, State-based
curricula, advances in information technologies, and other relevant
factors.
SEC. 112. REPEAL OF EXCEPTION TO FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENT.
(a) Repeal.--Section 4 of Public Law 103-195 (107 Stat. 2298) is
hereby repealed.
(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall take effect 1 year after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 113. NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION TECHNICAL
CORRECTIONS.
(a) Purposes.--Section 151302 of title 36, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) primarily--
``(A) to encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of
property for the benefit of the National Fallen Firefighters'
Memorial and the annual memorial service associated with the
memorial; and
``(B) to, in coordination with the Federal Government and
fire services (as that term is defined in section 4 of the
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C.
2203)), plan, direct, and manage the memorial service referred
to in subparagraph (A);'';
(2) by inserting ``and Federal'' in paragraph (2) after ``non-
Federal'';
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``State and local'' and inserting
``Federal, State, and local''; and
(B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(4) by striking ``firefighters.'' in paragraph (4) and
inserting ``firefighters;''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) to provide for a national program to assist families of
fallen firefighters and fire departments in dealing with line-of-
duty deaths of those firefighters; and
``(6) to promote national, State, and local initiatives to
increase public awareness of fire and life safety.''.
(b) Board of Directors.--Section 151303 of title 36, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (f) and (g) and inserting the
following:
``(f) Status and Compensation.--
``(1) Appointment to the board shall not constitute employment
by or the holding of an office of the United States.
``(2) Members of the board shall serve without compensation.'';
and
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).
(c) Officers and Employees.--Section 151304 of title 36, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``not more than 2'' in subsection (a); and
(2) by striking ``are not'' in subsection (b)(1) and inserting
``shall not be considered''.
(d) Support by the Administrator.--Section 151307(a)(1) of title
36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting ``During
the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the
Fire Administration Authorization Act of 2000, the Administrator'';
and
(2) by striking ``shall'' in subparagraph (B) and inserting
``may''.
TITLE II--EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Authorization Act of 2000''.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--Section 12(a)(7) of the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(a)(7)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' after ``1998,''; and
(2) by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999; $19,861,000 for
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, of which $450,000 is for
National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program-eligible efforts of an
established multi-state consortium to reduce the unacceptable
threat of earthquake damages in the New Madrid seismic region
through efforts to enhance preparedness, response, recovery, and
mitigation; $20,705,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2002; and $21,585,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30,
2003.''.
(b) United States Geological Survey.--Section 12(b) of the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(b)) is
amended--
(1) by inserting after ``operated by the Agency.'' the
following: ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of the Interior for purposes of carrying out, through the
Director of the United States Geological Survey, the
responsibilities that may be assigned to the Director under this
Act $48,360,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which $3,500,000 is for
the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is for the Scientific
Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee established under section 210
of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization Act of 2000;
$50,415,000 for fiscal year 2002, of which $3,600,000 is for the
Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is for the Scientific
Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee; and $52,558,000 for fiscal
year 2003, of which $3,700,000 is for the Global Seismic Network
and $100,000 is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory
Committee.'';
(2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
(3) by striking ``1999,'' at the end of paragraph (2) and
inserting ``1999;''; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) $9,000,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated
for fiscal year 2001;
``(4) $9,250,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated
for fiscal year 2002; and
``(5) $9,500,000 of the amount authorized to be appropriated
for fiscal year 2003,''.
(c) Real-time Seismic Hazard Warning System.--Section 2(a)(7) of
the Act entitled ``An Act To authorize appropriations for carrying out
the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 for fiscal years 1998 and
1999, and for other purposes'' (111 Stat. 1159; 42 U.S.C. 7704 note) is
amended by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999; $2,600,000 for
fiscal year 2001; $2,710,000 for fiscal year 2002; and $2,825,000 for
fiscal year 2003.''.
(d) National Science Foundation.--Section 12(c) of the Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(c)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``1998, and'' and inserting ``1998,''; and
(2) by inserting after ``1999.'' the following: ``There are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation
$19,000,000 for engineering research and $11,900,000 for
geosciences research for fiscal year 2001; $19,808,000 for
engineering research and $12,406,000 for geosciences research for
fiscal year 2002; and $20,650,000 for engineering research and
$12,933,000 for geosciences research for fiscal year 2003.''.
(e) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--Section 12(d)
of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(d)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``1998, and'' and inserting ``1998,''; and
(2) by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999, $2,332,000 for
fiscal year 2001, $2,431,000 for fiscal year 2002, and $2,534,300
for fiscal year 2003.''.
SEC. 203. REPEALS.
Section 10 and subsections (e) and (f) of section 12 of the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7705d and 7706(e)
and (f)) are repealed.
SEC. 204. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING SYSTEM.
The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701 et
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 13. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING SYSTEM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Director of the United States Geological
Survey shall establish and operate an Advanced National Seismic
Research and Monitoring System. The purpose of such system shall be to
organize, modernize, standardize, and stabilize the national, regional,
and urban seismic monitoring systems in the United States, including
sensors, recorders, and data analysis centers, into a coordinated
system that will measure and record the full range of frequencies and
amplitudes exhibited by seismic waves, in order to enhance earthquake
research and warning capabilities.
``(b) Management Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization Act of
2000, the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall
transmit to the Congress a 5-year management plan for establishing and
operating the Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System.
The plan shall include annual cost estimates for both modernization and
operation, milestones, standards, and performance goals, as well as
plans for securing the participation of all existing networks in the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System and for
establishing new, or enhancing existing, partnerships to leverage
resources.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) Expansion and modernization.--In addition to amounts
appropriated under section 12(b), there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior, to be used by the
Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System--
``(A) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(B) $33,700,000 for fiscal year 2003;
``(C) $35,100,000 for fiscal year 2004;
``(D) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; and
``(E) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2006.
``(2) Operation.--In addition to amounts appropriated under
section 12(b), there are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of the Interior, to be used by the Director of the United
States Geological Survey to operate the Advanced National Seismic
Research and Monitoring System--
``(A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
``(B) $10,300,000 for fiscal year 2003.''.
SEC. 205. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION.
The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701 et
seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following new
section:
``SEC. 14. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION.
``(a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall establish the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for
Earthquake Engineering Simulation that will upgrade, link, and
integrate a system of geographically distributed experimental
facilities for earthquake engineering testing of full-sized structures
and their components and partial-scale physical models. The system
shall be integrated through networking software so that integrated
models and databases can be used to create model-based simulation, and
the components of the system shall be interconnected with a computer
network and allow for remote access, information sharing, and
collaborative research.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to amounts
appropriated under section 12(c), there are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for the George E.
Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation--
``(1) $28,200,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(2) $24,400,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(3) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
``(4) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
SEC. 206. BUDGET COORDINATION.
Section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42
U.S.C. 7704) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(1) and
redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) of subsection (b)(1) as
subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Budget Coordination.--
``(1) Guidance.--The Agency shall each year provide guidance to
the other Program agencies concerning the preparation of requests
for appropriations for activities related to the Program, and shall
prepare, in conjunction with the other Program agencies, an annual
Program budget to be submitted to the Office of Management and
Budget.
``(2) Reports.--Each Program agency shall include with its
annual request for appropriations submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget a report that--
``(A) identifies each element of the proposed Program
activities of the agency;
``(B) specifies how each of these activities contributes to
the Program; and
``(C) states the portion of its request for appropriations
allocated to each element of the Program.''.
SEC. 207. REPORT ON AT-RISK POPULATIONS.
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act,
and after a period for public comment, the Director of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall transmit to the Congress a report
describing the elements of the Program that specifically address the
needs of at-risk populations, including the elderly, persons with
disabilities, non-English-speaking families, single-parent households,
and the poor. Such report shall also identify additional actions that
could be taken to address those needs and make recommendations for any
additional legislative authority required to take such actions.
SEC. 208. PUBLIC ACCESS TO EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION.
Section 5(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of
1977 (42 U.S.C. 7704(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``, and
development of means of increasing public access to available locality-
specific information that may assist the public in preparing for or
responding to earthquakes'' after ``and the general public''.
SEC. 209. LIFELINES.
Section 4(6) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42
U.S.C. 7703(6)) is amended by inserting ``and infrastructure'' after
``communication facilities''.
SEC. 210. SCIENTIFIC EARTHQUAKE STUDIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the United States Geological
Survey shall establish a Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory
Committee.
(b) Organization.--The Director shall establish procedures for
selection of individuals not employed by the Federal Government who are
qualified in the seismic sciences and other appropriate fields and may,
pursuant to such procedures, select up to 10 individuals, one of whom
shall be designated Chairman, to serve on the Advisory Committee.
Selection of individuals for the Advisory Committee shall be based
solely on established records of distinguished service, and the
Director shall ensure that a reasonable cross-section of views and
expertise is represented. In selecting individuals to serve on the
Advisory Committee, the Director shall seek and give due consideration
to recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences, professional
societies, and other appropriate organizations.
(c) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet at such times and
places as may be designated by the Chairman in consultation with the
Director.
(d) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the Director on
matters relating to the United States Geological Survey's participation
in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, including the
United States Geological Survey's roles, goals, and objectives within
that Program, its capabilities and research needs, guidance on
achieving major objectives, and establishing and measuring performance
goals. The Advisory Committee shall issue an annual report to the
Director for submission to Congress on or before September 30 of each
year. The report shall describe the Advisory Committee's activities and
address policy issues or matters that affect the United States
Geological Survey's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.