S. 1626

119 S1626 ES: National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
 U.S. Senate
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 1626  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES  AN ACT
To reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025  .
2.
Certain definitions under Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act
(a)
Definitions
Section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9707(a) ) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(2)
by inserting before paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) the following:
(1)
Atmospheric river
The term  atmospheric river  means a transient corridor of strong water vapor in the atmosphere that—
(A)
produces significant quantities of rain or snow; and
(B)
may be primarily beneficial to the water supply or hazardous due to flooding.
(2)
Atmospheric river flooding event
The term  atmospheric river flooding event  means an atmospheric river that—
(A)
results in flooding of rivers and streams or other hazards to human life, property, or the economy; and
(B)
is of particular concern to human health, property, and the economy, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce.
(3)
Extreme precipitation event
The term  extreme precipitation event  means precipitation quantities exceeding the 5-year annual recurrence interval for a specific location.
 .
(b)
Requirements
Section 12(d)(1) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9707(d)(1) ) is amended by inserting  , such as precipitation resulting from hurricanes, atmospheric river flooding events, and extreme precipitation events  before the period at the end.
3.
Reauthorization of National Landslide Preparedness Act
(a)
Definitions
Section 2 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3101 ) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (11) as paragraphs (7), (8), (10), (11), (13), (14), (15), and (16), respectively;
(2)
by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
(4)
Atmospheric river
The term  atmospheric river  has the meaning given the term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9707(a) ).
(5)
Atmospheric river flooding event
The term  atmospheric river flooding event  has the meaning given the term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9707(a) ).
(6)
Extreme precipitation event
The term  extreme precipitation event  has the meaning given the term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act ( 15 U.S.C. 9707(a) ).
 ;
(3)
by inserting after paragraph (8) (as so redesignated) the following:
(9)
Institution of higher education
The term  institution of higher education  has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) ).
 ;
(4)
by inserting after paragraph (11) (as so redesignated) the following:
(12)
Native Hawaiian Organization
The term  Native Hawaiian organization  has the meaning given the term in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7517 ), except that the term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
 ; and
(5)
by adding at the end the following:
(17)
Tribal organization
The term  Tribal organization  has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 5304 ).
 .
(b)
National landslide hazards reduction program
(1)
Establishment
Section 3(a)(3) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102(a)(3) ) is amended by striking  protect  and inserting  contribute to protecting .
(2)
Program activities
Section 3(b)(1)(C)(ii) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(1)(C)(ii) ) is amended by striking  implement  and inserting  disseminate .
(3)
National strategy
Section 3(b)(2) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(2) ) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
(B)
in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking  Not later than  and inserting the following:
(A)
In general
Not later than
 ; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(B)
Assessment
For purposes of the first national strategy published after the date of enactment of the  National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025  under subparagraph (A), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, shall include an assessment of the risks that atmospheric river flooding events and extreme precipitation events pose to the safety of life and property in the United States with respect to landslide hazards.
 .
(4)
National landslide hazards database
Section 3(b)(3) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(3) ) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively; and
(B)
by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
(C)
the identification of areas in need of additional hazard risk assessment, including areas that may be at risk due to—
(i)
hydrology or changes in hydrology that may include erosion, drought, or other characteristics that could impact landslide risk;
(ii)
atmospheric river flooding events and extreme precipitation events, as identified by the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary;
(iii)
geologic activity, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or tsunamis; or
(iv)
data-poor areas or hazards with poor monitoring that could contribute to increased landslide risk;
 .
(5)
Landslide hazard and risk preparedness for communities
Section 3(b)(4) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(4) ) is amended—
(A)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting  Native Hawaiian organizations and other stakeholders, as appropriate,  before  and Indian tribes ;
(B)
in subparagraph (A)—
(i)
in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking  local, and Tribal governments and decisionmakers  and inserting  and local governments, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and other decisionmakers ;
(ii)
by striking clause (iii) and inserting the following:
(iii)
health and safety with respect to landslides;
 ;
(iii)
by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v); and
(iv)
by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
(iv)
reducing losses from landslides, including the threats caused by atmospheric rivers and other extreme precipitation events; and
 ; and
(C)
in subparagraph (B)—
(i)
in clause (i), by striking  local, and Tribal officials  and inserting  and local officials, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations ; and
(ii)
in clause (ii), by striking  local, and Tribal emergency managers  and inserting  and local emergency managers and emergency managers of Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations .
(6)
Debris flow early warning system
Section 3(b)(5) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(5) ) is amended—
(A)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  State, territorial, local, and Tribal governments  and inserting  State, territorial, and local governments, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations ;
(B)
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
(C)
in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking  In carrying out  and inserting the following:
(A)
In general
In carrying out
 ; and
(D)
by adding at the end the following:
(B)
Consultation
In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consult with an institution of higher education described in subsection (d)(2)(B)(iv) and other stakeholders to establish and support emergency response procedures, as appropriate.
 .
(7)
Emergency response activities
Section 3(b)(6) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102(b)(6) ) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and indenting appropriately;
(B)
in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by striking  In carrying  and inserting the following:
(A)
In general
In carrying
 ;
(C)
in subparagraph (A) (as so designated)—
(i)
in the matter preceding clause (i) (as so redesignated), by inserting  Native Hawaiian organizations,  before  and Indian tribes ;
(ii)
in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by striking  and  at the end;
(iii)
in clause (iii) (as so redesignated), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(iv)
by adding at the end the following:
(iv)
to improve real-time risk management during landslide events, including with respect to landslide events caused by—
(I)
hydrology or changes in hydrology that may include erosion, drought, or other characteristics that could impact landslide risk;
(II)
atmospheric river flooding events and extreme precipitation events, as identified by the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary;
(III)
geologic activity, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or tsunamis;
(IV)
data-poor areas or hazards with poor monitoring that could contribute to increased landslide risk; or
(V)
thawing permafrost and glacial retreat causing destabilization of slopes.
 ; and
(D)
by adding at the end the following:
(B)
Consultation
In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consult with an institution of higher education described in subsection (d)(2)(B)(iv) and the private sector.
 .
(8)
Advisory committee
Section 3(d)(2)(B) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102(d)(2)(B) ) is amended—
(A)
in clause (iii), by striking  geological ; and
(B)
in clause (vi), by striking  local, and Tribal emergency management agencies  and inserting  and local emergency management agencies and emergency management agencies of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations .
(9)
Regional partnerships
Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102 ) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subsections (e) through (i) as subsections (f) through (j), respectively; and
(B)
by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
(e)
Regional partnerships
(1)
In general
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of the  National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 , the Secretary shall establish in each region in which the Secretary determines that there is a high landslide hazard a regional partnership with an eligible partner described in paragraph (2).
(2)
Eligible partners
An organization or institution of higher education with expertise in landslide mapping, research, and monitoring shall be eligible for a regional partnership under paragraph (1).
(3)
Purposes and duties
A regional partnership established under paragraph (1) shall—
(A)
allow the Secretary to leverage applicable expertise in regional organizations;
(B)
coordinate long-term landslide research specific to the applicable region; and
(C)
align interagency landslide monitoring efforts.
 .
(10)
Grant programs
Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102 ) is amended, in paragraph (1) of subsection (f) (as redesignated by paragraph (9)(A))—
(A)
in subparagraph (A)(i), by striking  local, and Tribal governments to research, map, assess  and inserting  and local governments, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to research, map, assess, monitor ;
(B)
in subparagraph (B)—
(i)
in clause (i), by inserting  institutions of higher education described in subsection (d)(2)(B)(iv),  before  and Indian tribes ; and
(ii)
in clause (ii)—
(I)
by redesignating subclauses (II) through (IV) as subclauses (III) through (V), respectively; and
(II)
by inserting after subclause (I) the following:
(II)
in regions that have recently experienced loss of life due to landslides;
  ; and
(C)
in subparagraph (C)—
(i)
in clause (i), by inserting  awarded  after  grants ; and
(ii)
in clause (ii), by striking  made  and inserting  or other accomplishments resulting .
(11)
Significant events
Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102 ) is amended, in subsection (h)(3) (as so redesignated), by striking  local, and Tribal partners  and inserting  and local partners, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations .
(12)
Funding
Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102 ) is amended, in subsection (i) (as redesignated by paragraph (9)(A))—
(A)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking  2024  and inserting  2030 ; and
(B)
in paragraph (1), by striking  $25,000,000 to carry out this section  and inserting  $35,000,000 to carry out this section, of which not less than $10,000,000 shall be made available for the purchase, deployment, and repair of landslide early warning systems in high risk areas .
(13)
Deficit reduction
Section 3 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3102 ) is amended by striking subsection (j) (as redesignated by paragraph (9)(A)) and inserting the following:
(j)
Funding; deficit reduction
(1)
Funding
Funds used by an agency to carry out this section may, as provided in advance in appropriations Acts, only come from amounts authorized to be appropriated to that agency.
(2)
Deficit reduction
Any amount appropriated to an account of a Federal agency for the Federal agency to carry out a responsibility under this section that is cancelled pursuant to section 1552(a) of title 31, United States Code, shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury and be applied to deficit reduction.
 .
(c)
3D elevation program
(1)
Establishment
Section 5(a) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104(a) ) is amended—
(A)
in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting  and derivative  after  3D elevation ; and
(B)
in paragraph (2)(B)(i), by inserting  , process, and integrate  after  acquire .
(2)
3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee
Section 5(b)(3) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104(b)(3) ) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subparagraphs (D) and (E) as subparagraphs (E) and (F), respectively; and
(B)
by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
(D)
the 3D Hydrography Program Working Group;
 .
(3)
Grants and cooperative agreements
Section 5(d)(3) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104(d)(3) ) is amended by striking  publically  and inserting  publicly .
(4)
Funding
Section 5(e) of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104(e) ) is amended by striking  2024  and inserting  2034 .
4.
Next Generation Water Observing System
The Act of December 24, 1942 (56 Stat. 1086, chapter 822;  43 U.S.C. 36b ), is amended—
(1)
in the first section, by striking  That the Secretary of the Interior  and inserting the following:
1.
Gaging streams and underground water resources
The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the  Secretary )
 ;
(2)
in section 1 (as so designated)—
(A)
in the second sentence, by striking  of the Interior ; and
(B)
in the proviso—
(i)
by striking  this Act  each place it appears and inserting  this section ; and
(ii)
by striking  of the Interior ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
2.
Next Generation Water Observing System
(a)
Establishment
The Secretary shall establish within the United States Geological Survey a system, to be known as the  Next Generation Water Observing System  (referred to in this section as the  System ).
(b)
Purpose
The purpose of the System is to provide real-time data on water quantity and quality—
(1)
that, as compared to previous systems, is more affordable, more rapid, and available in more locations; and
(2)
to support advanced modeling tools—
(A)
to provide state-of-the-art flood and drought forecasts;
(B)
to inform emergency- and water-management decision support systems; and
(C)
to help evaluate—
(i)
the near-term and long-term risks of floods and droughts, including any scenarios that modify those risks;
(ii)
the quantity of water stored in seasonal snow packs, and how changes in seasonal snow packs affect water supplies;
(iii)
the early stages of drought;
(iv)
the predicted timelines for drought recovery;
(v)
the quantity of water lost to evapotranspiration;
(vi)
water quality differences during wet and dry periods;
(vii)
the effects of streamflow on groundwater;
(viii)
the effects of groundwater on streamflow; and
(ix)
ice and water volume stored in glaciers and changing water volumes due to glacial retreat.
(c)
System requirements
The System shall provide for—
(1)
state-of-the-art measurements;
(2)
a dense array of sensors at selected sites;
(3)
increased spatial and temporal coverage;
(4)
new technology testing and implementation;
(5)
improved operational efficiency; and
(6)
modernized and timely data storage and delivery.
(d)
Priority regions
In determining in which regions of the United States Geological Survey to carry out the System, the Secretary shall give priority to regions of the United States Geological Survey in which there is—
(1)
a high level of drought;
(2)
a reliance on reservoirs for water storage;
(3)
a reliance on hydrologic storage, including groundwater, aquifers, and snowpack; and
(4)
flooding and extreme rainfall.
(e)
Authorization of appropriations
(1)
In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section in 10 initial basins, as determined by the Secretary, $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, to remain available until expended.
(2)
Derivation of funds
Amounts made available to carry out this section shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the United States Geological Survey.
 .
5.
Water data enhancement and national groundwater resources monitoring by United States Geological Survey
Section 9507 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 10367 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
in paragraph (2)(C)—
(i)
in clause (i), by striking  and  at the end;
(ii)
in clause (ii), by inserting  and  after the semicolon at the end; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following:
(iii)
the conduct of groundwater quality assessments relating to permafrost thaw and changes in precipitation rates;
 ;
(B)
in paragraph (4)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A)—
(I)
in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking  10 years  and inserting  11 years ; and
(II)
in clause (i), by striking  national streamflow information program  and inserting  Federal priority streamgage program ;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  Federal Priority streamgage program  and inserting  Federal Priority Streamgage Network ; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following:
(C)
Priority sites
In selecting sites for the installation of streamgages under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give priority to regions of the United States Geological Survey in which there is—
(i)
a high level of drought;
(ii)
a reliance on reservoirs for water storage;
(iii)
a reliance on hydrologic storage, including groundwater, aquifers, and snowpack; and
(iv)
flooding and extreme rainfall.
(D)
No impact on existing sites
The priority provided under subparagraph (C) shall have no impact on any site or region in which a streamgage has been installed, and is operating, as of the date of enactment of the  National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 , subject to the condition that the data from such a site or region are continuing to meet the priority needs of stakeholders, as determined by the Secretary.
 ; and
(C)
in paragraph (6)—
(i)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2028  and inserting  $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2033 ; and
(ii)
by adding at the end the following:
(C)
Derivation of funds
Amounts made available to carry out this subsection shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the United States Geological Survey.
 ; and
(2)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking  and State and local water resource agencies and Tribes  and inserting  , State and local water resource agencies, Indian tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations ; and
(ii)
in subparagraph (C), by striking  State water resource agency or Tribe  and inserting  State water resource agency, Indian tribe, Tribal organization, or Native Hawaiian organization ;
(B)
in paragraph (6)—
(i)
by striking  give priority to those activities  and inserting the following:
give priority to—
(A)
activities
 ;
(ii)
in subparagraph (A) (as so designated)—
(I)
by striking  State, a Tribe  and inserting  State, Indian tribe, Tribal organization, Native Hawaiian organization, ; and
(II)
by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following:
(B)
activities conducted in regions of the United States Geological Survey in which there is—
(i)
a high level of drought;
(ii)
a reliance on reservoirs for water storage;
(iii)
a reliance on hydrologic storage, including groundwater, aquifers, and snowpack; and
(iv)
flooding and extreme rainfall.
 ; and
(C)
in paragraph (7)—
(i)
by striking  There are authorized to be appropriated  and inserting the following:
(A)
In general
There is authorized to be appropriated
 ; and
(ii)
by adding at the end the following:
(B)
Derivation of funds
Amounts made available to carry out this subsection shall be derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the United States Geological Survey.
 .
    Passed the Senate January 5, 2026.    Secretary