National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
Senate Passes Bill to Boost Landslide Early Warning Systems and Track "Atmospheric Rivers"
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill extends the National Landslide Preparedness Act through 2030 and increases its yearly budget to $35 million. At least $10 million of that money must be used to buy, install, and fix early warning systems that alert people when a landslide is about to happen in high-risk areas.
- The government will now specifically study 'atmospheric rivers'—long, narrow regions in the atmosphere that carry moisture and cause heavy rain or snow. Experts will assess how these massive storms and other extreme weather events increase the risk of deadly landslides across the country.
- A new 'Next Generation Water Observing System' will be created to provide real-time data on water levels and quality. This system is designed to be more affordable and faster than older tools, helping officials predict floods and droughts more accurately in 10 initial regions.
- The program is expanding to include Native Hawaiian organizations and more Tribal groups in emergency planning. It also sets up regional partnerships with colleges and local experts to better map and monitor landslide risks in specific parts of the country where the danger is highest.
- The bill keeps the 3D Elevation Program running until 2034. This program uses advanced technology to create highly detailed 3D maps of the ground, which are essential for identifying which hillsides are unstable and likely to collapse during a storm.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
The Next Generation Water Observing System will provide real-time data on water quantity and quality, improved flood and drought forecasts, and better understanding of snowpack water storage. Farmers and ranchers who depend on reliable water supplies and accurate weather predictions stand to benefit from these upgraded monitoring tools, particularly in drought-prone and flood-prone regions.
State Impacts
Milestones
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
The House has received the Senate-passed bill and will decide whether to take it up.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
The Senate voted to approve this bill. If the House already passed it, it goes to the President.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articles
Landslide bill puts new focus on atmospheric rivers
The National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act passed the Senate by unanimous consent. A major update in the bill is a new focus on 'atmospheric rivers'—intense bands of moisture linked to deadly slides in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Murkowski introduces bill to renew funding for landslide projects nationwide
Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation to reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act. The bill aims to secure funding for the USGS to maintain weather stations and expand early warning systems in high-risk areas like Southeast Alaska.
Senate Committee Approves Bill to Expand NOAA Capabilities
A Senate committee advanced a package of bills that includes the National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization. The legislation directs federal agencies to study atmospheric rivers and implement the Next Generation Water Observing System for real-time data.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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