Seismic standards — Us Code Code § 7705b

Us Code Code § 7705b — Seismic standards. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 7705b. Seismic standards

(a) Assessment and recommendations

Not later than December 1, 2019, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall jointly convene a committee of experts from Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private sector entities, disaster management professional associations, engineering professional associations, and professional construction and homebuilding industry associations, to assess and recommend options for improving the built environment and critical infrastructure to reflect performance goals stated in terms of post-earthquake reoccupancy and functional recovery time.

(b) Report to Congress

Not later than June 30, 2020, the committee convened under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report on recommended options for improving the built environment and critical infrastructure to reflect performance goals stated in terms of post-earthquake reoccupancy and functional recovery time.

(Pub. L. 95–124, §8, as added Pub. L. 101–614, §8(a), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3237; amended Pub. L. 115–307, §5, Dec. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 4415.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–307 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to adoption of seismic safety standards.


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Report on Vulnerability of Buildings Owned and Leased by Government

Pub. L. 101–614, §8(b), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3238, directed Comptroller General, not later than 18 months after Nov. 16, 1990, to report to Congress on vulnerability of buildings owned and leased by the Federal Government and on efforts of Federal agencies to improve the seismic resistance of buildings they own or lease, and for each such agency, the Comptroller General to enumerate the number of buildings owned or leased by the agency, the seriousness of the seismic risk to such buildings, and the value of the buildings at risk, as well as tabulate the expenditures each such agency had devoted to reducing earthquake damage and estimate the total expenditure necessary to address the problem adequately.


Executive Documents

Executive Order No. 12941

Ex. Ord. No. 12941, Dec. 1, 1994, 59 F.R. 62545, which related to seismic safety of existing federally owned or leased buildings, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 13717, §5, Feb. 2, 2016, 81 F.R. 6409, set out as a note under section 7704 of this title.

About This Section

42 U.S.C. § 7705b is part of Title 42 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 42 U.S.C. § 7705b. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official United States Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of United States Code § 7705b?

The text above is transcribed from the United States Code, the codified statutes of Us Code. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does United States Code § 7705b address?

It addresses "Seismic standards". Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is United States Code § 7705b still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Us Code source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Us Code law to your facts requires a licensed Us Code attorney who can review the specifics.