WATCH: Murkowski visits Anchorage to talk newly-passed earthquake response bill

Sen. Lisa Murkowski was in Anchorage Friday discussing the recent passing of a bill meant to improve earthquake resilience.

“The bill modernizes safety programs that help states like Alaska prepare for and respond to earthquakes,” according to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The bill - known as the

- passed the Senate before the Nov. 30 earthquake just outside of Anchorage and was signed into law by President Donald Trump earlier this week.

“NEHRP has led to significant improvements in earthquake early warning, monitoring, and research,” according to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and “enables earthquake-prone communities to better prepare and protect themselves by minimizing losses through infrastructure improvements and hazard and risk assessments.”

Notably, the move is a reauthorization of the program for another five years after the most recent one expired back in 2009. Also included are changes such as the removal of outdated language, requirements that should lead to enhanced cooperation between state and federal agencies, and directs the completion of certain comprehensive assessments.

Murkowski also gave reporters an update on other happenings in Congress.