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National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act

Introduced: February 8, 2017 Introduced by: Murkowski, Lisa Republican · Alaska See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 21, 2018
Received in the House.
May 21, 2018
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
May 21, 2018
Held at the desk.
May 17, 2018
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.(text as passed Senate: CR S3777-3778)
May 17, 2018
The committee amendments agreed to by Unanimous Consent. (text of measure as reported to Senate: CR S3776-3777)
May 17, 2018
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S3776-3778)
May 17, 2018
Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote. (text as passed Senate: CR S3777-3778)
Jun 15, 2017
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 150.
Jun 15, 2017
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Murkowski with amendments. With written report No. 115-113.
Mar 30, 2017
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Feb 8, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S968-969)
Feb 8, 2017
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to establish the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System to monitor, issue warnings of, and protect U.S. citizens from undue and avoidable harm from, volcanic activity.

The purposes of the system are to: (1) organize, modernize, standardize, and stabilize the monitoring systems of U.S. volcano observatories; and (2) unify such systems into a single interoperative system. The objective of the system is to monitor all U.S. volcanoes at a level commensurate with the threat posed by the volcanoes by: (1) upgrading existing networks on monitored volcanoes, (2) installing new networks on unmonitored volcanoes, and (3) employing geodetic and other components when applicable.

The system shall include: (1) a national volcano watch office that is operational 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, (2) a national volcano data center, (3) an external grants program to support research in volcano monitoring science and technology, and (4) modernization activities including the comprehensive application of emerging technologies.

The USGS must: (1) submit to Congress a five-year management plan for establishing and operating the system, (2) establish an advisory committee to assist in implementing the system, and (3) report to Congress annually describing the activities carried out under this bill.

The USGS may enter into cooperative agreements designating institutions of higher education and state agencies as volcano observatory partners for the system.

(Sec. 4) The bill authorizes appropriations for FY2019-FY2023.

What's happening now May 21, 2018

Held at the desk.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Democratic 2