House Passes Bonamici Legislation to Improve Tsunami Warnings, Address Harmful Algal Blooms

WASHINGTON, DC [04/30/24] - Today the House passed legislation led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) to improve tsunami warning systems and control harmful algal blooms.

The Weather Act Reauthorization Act was co-led by Bonamici and designed to improve the ability of the United States to better forecast, understand, and communicate about weather. It includes provisions based on Bonamici's Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act and Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act.

"This bill will improve the safety and health of our communities, country, and planet," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "The legislation updates the Weather Act to help us better prepare for natural disasters and respond to environmental challenges. I'm grateful it includes efforts I led to improve tsunami warning systems and control harmful algal blooms. I encourage the Senate to swiftly pass this legislation to protect families, individuals, and local economies as they respond to our changing climate."

The Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Amendments Act of 2023 strengthens tsunami research, detection, and warning systems, improves response and resiliency efforts, and better protects communities that are vulnerable to tsunami. Video of Bonamici's remarks on the provisions during the House Science, Space and Technology markup can be found here.

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2023 (HABHRCA) helps coastal, Great Lakes, and riverside communities better prepare for, mitigate, and respond to harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events. These events, which release toxins and create massive "dead zones" respectively, have deadly consequences for fish, shellfish, and local ecosystems, and pose serious risks to human health. Video of Bonamici's remarks on the provisions during the House Science, Space, and Technology committee markup can be found here.

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