What changed between these versions
A substantive update, v3 increases the authorized funding for the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program from $25M to $35M and extends the 3D Elevation Program's reauthorization until 2034. It also removes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from the Interagency Coordinating Committee, broadens advisory committee expertise, and adds specific deficit reduction provisions for program funding.
Overview
A handful of substantive changes across two sections of the bill. · v3 expands funding and reauthorization periods, clarifies advisory committee representation, and introduces new fiscal accountability measures, while slightly narrowing interagency collaboration.
The most significant changes in v3 include an increase in authorized appropriations for the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program from $25,000,000 to $35,000,000, and an extension of the 3D Elevation Program's funding authorization from 2030 to 2034. Additionally, v3 removes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards and introduces a new subsection detailing funding and deficit reduction mechanisms. The bill's core purpose of reauthorizing the National Landslide Preparedness Act remains consistent.
Major additions
This new subsection, titled "Funding; Deficit Reduction," specifies that funds used by an agency to carry out this section may only come from amounts authorized to be appropriated to that agency. It further mandates that any appropriated amounts 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.
This introduces a new layer of fiscal responsibility and accountability for the program's funding. It ensures that unutilized or cancelled funds directly contribute to federal deficit reduction, impacting how agencies manage and report on these appropriations.
Deletions
This provision in v2 amended the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards by adding the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as a required member to the committee.
The deletion removes NASA from the list of agencies explicitly mandated to participate in the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards. This could potentially reduce the breadth of scientific and technical expertise directly involved in coordinating landslide hazard efforts at the federal level.
Modifications
The advisory committee can now draw from a wider array of scientific and technical fields, not just geology. The explicit mention of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations ensures their emergency management agencies are formally recognized and included in advisory roles, enhancing their participation in landslide preparedness.
Before
Clause (iii) specified "geological expertise" for advisory committee members. Clause (vi) referred to "local, and Tribal emergency management agencies" for representation.
After
Clause (iii) now refers simply to "expertise", removing the "geological" qualifier. Clause (vi) is expanded to "and local emergency management agencies and emergency management agencies of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations".
This change broadens the potential geographic scope of regional partnerships, ensuring that all areas identified as high landslide hazards across the United States are prioritized for these collaborations, rather than a more limited or discretionary approach.
Before
Mandated the Secretary to establish regional partnerships "in the State of Alaska and other regions, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate".
After
Mandates the Secretary to establish regional partnerships "in each region in which the Secretary determines that there is a high landslide hazard".
Provides a substantial increase in overall funding for the program, potentially enabling more extensive research, mapping, and preparedness activities. The change in language for the early warning system funds offers slightly more flexibility in how those specific funds are allocated while maintaining the priority for such systems.
Before
Authorized $25,000,000 for the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program, with "not less than $10,000,000 shall be used" for early warning systems.
After
Authorized $35,000,000 for the program, with "not less than $10,000,000 shall be made available" for early warning systems.
Ensures a longer period of sustained funding and operational continuity for the 3D Elevation Program, which is crucial for long-term data acquisition, processing, and integration vital for landslide hazard assessment and other applications.
Before
Extended the funding authorization for the 3D Elevation Program until fiscal year "2030".
After
Extended the funding authorization for the 3D Elevation Program until fiscal year "2034".
Scope
Meaningful expansion or narrowing — Changes are primarily concentrated within Section 3, affecting the reauthorization of the National Landslide Preparedness Act, particularly its hazards reduction program and funding, and the 3D Elevation Program. — v3 represents a refinement and expansion of the existing policy direction, increasing funding and extending program durations, while also introducing new fiscal accountability and slightly adjusting interagency and advisory committee structures. — The changes primarily affect the specific provisions modified, with the new deficit reduction clause establishing a general fiscal framework for the program's funding.
Impact analysis
National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program (NLHRP)
Gains increased resources for its mission.
Increased authorized funding from $25,000,000 to $35,000,000 for the program's activities.
3D Elevation Program
Gains extended operational lifespan and funding certainty.
Extended funding authorization from fiscal year 2030 to fiscal year 2034.
Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide Hazards
Experiences a slight narrowing of mandated interagency representation.
The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is no longer explicitly required to be a member.
Advisory Committee for the NLHRP
Gains broader representation and a wider scope of expertise.
Expertise requirements are broadened beyond "geological," and emergency management agencies of Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations are explicitly included for representation.
Regions with high landslide hazards (nationwide)
Gains increased likelihood of receiving regional partnership support based on hazard level.
Regional partnerships are now mandated for "each region in which the Secretary determines that there is a high landslide hazard," rather than a specific mention of Alaska and other discretionary regions.
Federal agencies receiving funds for NLHRP activities
Experiences increased fiscal oversight and responsibility.
New fiscal accountability provisions require funds to come from authorized appropriations and mandate that cancelled funds be transferred for deficit reduction.