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Global Catastrophic Risk Management Act of 2022
12/29/2022, 6:18 PM
Summary of Bill HR 8574
The key provisions of the bill include the creation of a Global Catastrophic Risk Management Office within the Department of Homeland Security, tasked with coordinating efforts to monitor and respond to global catastrophic risks. The office would be responsible for conducting risk assessments, developing strategies for risk mitigation, and coordinating with international partners to address global threats.
Additionally, the bill calls for the establishment of a Global Catastrophic Risk Management Fund, which would provide funding for research, preparedness, and response efforts related to global catastrophic risks. The fund would support initiatives aimed at improving early warning systems, developing technologies to mitigate risks, and enhancing international cooperation on global risk management. Overall, the Global Catastrophic Risk Management Act of 2022 seeks to enhance the United States' ability to anticipate, prevent, and respond to global catastrophic risks, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding human civilization and the environment from existential threats. The bill represents a bipartisan effort to address the growing recognition of the need for proactive risk management in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.
Congressional Summary of HR 8574
Global Catastrophic Risk Management Act of 2022
This bill directs the President to establish an interagency committee on global catastrophic risk. Global catastrophic risk is defined as the risk of events or incidents consequential enough to significantly harm, set back, or destroy human civilization at the global scale.
The President must (1) conduct and submit to Congress a detailed assessment of global catastrophic and existential risk; and (2) produce a report on the adequacy of continuity of operations and continuity of government plans based on the assessed risk.
The President, with support from the committee, shall develop and submit a strategy to
- provide for the basic needs of the civilian population that is impacted by catastrophic incidents in the United States;
- coordinate response efforts with state and local governments, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations;
- promote personal and local readiness and non-reliance on government relief during periods of heightened tension or after catastrophic incidents; and
- develop international partnerships with allied nations for the provision of relief services and goods.
The President must issue a plan to implement and operationalize the strategy.
The Department of Homeland Security shall lead a national exercise to test and enhance the operationalization of the implementation plan.
The President must provide recommendations to Congress for (1) actions that should be taken to prepare the United States to implement the strategy, increase readiness, and address preparedness gaps; and (2) additional authorities that should be considered to more effectively implement the strategy.
