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HR 499 109th Congress House

Global Tsunami Detection and Warning System Act of 2005

Official title: To provide for the development of a global tsunami detection and warning system, to improve existing communication of tsunami warnings to all potentially affected nations, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 1, 2005 See on congress.gov
International Affairs Coastal zoneComputer simulationConferencesCongress
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Congressional reporting requirementsEarthquakesElectronic government informationEmergency ManagementEmergency communication systemsFacsimile transmissionGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment publicityInternational agenciesInternational cooperationInternetLandslidesMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesRadio broadcastingRemote sensing
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 9, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.
Feb 9, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
Feb 1, 2005
Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 1, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 9, 2005

Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Global Tsunami Detection and Warning System Act of 2005 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce, working with other specified Federal agency heads, to: (1) identify and eliminate (with international cooperation) deficiencies in existing systems of worldwide seismic stations that can identify in real or near real time potentially tsunamigenic earthquakes; (2) identify tsunami sensors that can be deployed to detect potential tsunamis generated by any type of disturbance and the number and location of such sensors that must be deployed to provide complete global coverage; (3) procure and deploy such sensors; (4) establish systems and infrastructure to process sensor signals; and (5) disseminate tsunami forecasts and warnings to potentially affected nations.

Calls on the President to convene an international conference on global tsunami detection and warning unless a satisfactory international agreement has been reached.

Requires the Secretary of State to implement a comprehensive strategy to: (1) identify coastal nations that have the potential to be affected by tsunamis; (2) identify appropriate contacts within the governments of those nations for disseminating tsunami warnings; (3) develop a structure for a Global Tsunami Warning System (GTWS) and an appropriate chain of command structure for GTWS warnings; (4) implement a tsunami forecasting system that includes specified technological capabilities for real-time forecasting; (5) use such forecasts to form and rapidly disseminate warnings; (6) develop a warning communications system; (7) work in partnership with specified nations to provide appropriate educational and response planning partnerships; and (8) seek funding assistance from participating nations.

Requires reports to Congress on the measures mandated by this Act.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 499: Global Tsunami Detection and Warning System Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-499/
MLA
"H.R. 499: Global Tsunami Detection and Warning System Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-499/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 499, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-499/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 499: Global Tsunami Detection and Warning System Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-499/)
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