---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 7709"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "7709"
heading: "Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/7709"
units:
  - "Chapter 86 — Earthquake Hazards Reduction"
---

# §7709. Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee

- (a) **Establishment—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the [United States](/usc/42/7703.md?p=5) Geological Survey shall establish a Scientific Earthquake Studies [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/7703.md?p=9).
- (b) **Organization—** The [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall establish procedures for selection of individuals not employed by the Federal Government who are qualified in the [seismic](/usc/42/7703.md?p=3) sciences and other appropriate fields and may, pursuant to such procedures, select up to 10 individuals, one of whom shall be designated Chairman, to serve on the [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/7703.md?p=9). Selection of individuals for the [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/7703.md?p=9) shall be based solely on established records of distinguished service, and the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall ensure that a reasonable cross-section of views and expertise is represented. In selecting individuals to serve on the [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/7703.md?p=9), the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) shall seek and give due consideration to recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences, professional societies, and other appropriate organizations.
- (c) **Meetings—** The [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/7703.md?p=9) shall meet at such times and places as may be designated by the Chairman in consultation with the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5).
- (d) **Duties—** The [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/7703.md?p=9) shall advise the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) on matters relating to the [United States](/usc/42/7703.md?p=5) Geological Survey’s participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction [Program](/usc/42/7703.md?p=2), including the [United States](/usc/42/7703.md?p=5) Geological Survey’s roles, goals, and objectives within that [Program](/usc/42/7703.md?p=2), its capabilities and research needs, guidance on achieving major objectives, and establishing and measuring performance goals. The [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/7703.md?p=9) shall issue an annual report to the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) for submission to Congress on or before September 30 of each year. The report shall describe the [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/7703.md?p=9)’s activities and address policy issues or matters that affect the [United States](/usc/42/7703.md?p=5) Geological Survey’s participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction [Program](/usc/42/7703.md?p=2).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 106–503, title II, § 210, Nov. 13, 2000, 114 Stat. 2308.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization Act of 2000, and not as part of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 which comprises this chapter.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Termination of Advisory Committees

Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided for by law. See section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.