[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2627 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2627
To reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 21, 2009
Mr. Moore of Kansas (for himself, Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Mr.
Hastings of Florida, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, and Mr.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in
addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Reauthorization Act of 2009''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Section 202 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004
(42 U.S.C. 15701) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Global climate variability and climate change may
alter the frequency and intensity of severe windstorm events,
but further research is needed to identify any such linkages
and, if appropriate, to incorporate climate-related impacts
into windstorm risk and vulnerability assessments and
mitigation activities.''; and
(3) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated, by striking
``interagency coordination'' and inserting ``coordination among
Federal agencies and with State, tribal, and local
governments''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Director.--Section 203(1) of the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702(1)) is amended by striking
``Office of Science and Technology Policy'' and inserting ``National
Institute of Standards and Technology''.
(b) Interagency Working Group.--Section 203 of such Act (42 U.S.C.
15702) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as
paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Interagency working group.--The term `Interagency
Working Group' means the Interagency Working Group on Wind
Impact Reduction established pursuant to section 204(f).''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
(a) Lead Federal Agency.--Section 204 of the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15703) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (c);
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (c), as so redesignated,
the following:
``(d) Lead Federal Agency.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall be the lead Federal agency for planning, management,
and coordination of the Program. In carrying out this subsection, the
Director shall--
``(1) establish a Program Office, which shall be under the
direction of a full-time Program Director, to provide the
planning, management, and coordination functions described in
subsection (e);
``(2) in conjunction with other Program agencies, including
the Office of Management and Budget, facilitate the preparation
of a coordinated annual crosscut budget and report for the
Program, which--
``(A) shall be submitted by the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget to the Committee on
Appropriations and the Committee on Science and
Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
within 30 days after the submission of the President's
annual budget request;
``(B) shall document the allocation and expenditure
of funds by each Program agency to implement the
responsibilities outlined in this section in the prior
fiscal year, current fiscal year, and in the fiscal
year for which the President has submitted the budget
request;
``(C) shall, for each Program agency, identify the
major activities that were undertaken with such funds
to address the research areas specified in subsection
(g) during the previous fiscal year; and
``(D) shall, for each Program agency, summarize the
progress made during the previous fiscal year toward
the achievement of the strategic goals and objectives
included in the Program's strategic plan;
``(3) facilitate the preparation of the Interagency Working
Group's biennial report to Congress and the National Science
and Technology Council under subsection (j);
``(4) support research and development to improve building
codes, standards, and practices for design and construction of
buildings and other structures, and lifelines;
``(5) in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, work closely with national standards and model building
code organizations to promote the implementation of research
results;
``(6) in partnership with other Federal agencies, State,
tribal, and local governments, academia, and the private
sector, support--
``(A) the organization and deployment of
comprehensive, discipline-oriented interagency teams to
investigate major windstorm events; and
``(B) the gathering, publishing, and archiving of
collected data and analysis results; and
``(7) participate in, coordinate, or support, as needed,
other Program mitigation activities authorized under subsection
(c).''.
(b) Program Office Duties.--Section 204 of such Act (42 U.S.C.
15703) is further amended--
(1) by striking subsections (e) and (f); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (d), as added by
subsection (a)(3) of this Act, the following:
``(e) Program Office.--The Program Office, established under
subsection (d)(1), shall--
``(1) ensure that all statutory requirements, including
reporting requirements, are met in accordance with this Act;
``(2) ensure coordination and synergy across the Program
agencies in meeting the strategic goals and objectives of the
Program;
``(3) implement an outreach program to identify and build
effective partnerships with stakeholders in the construction
and insurance industries, Federal, State, tribal, and local
governments, academic and research institutions, and non-
governmental entities, such as standards, codes, and technical
organizations;
``(4) conduct studies on cross-cutting planning issues,
particularly those that are significant for the development and
updating of the strategic plan required under subsection (i);
and
``(5) conduct analysis and evaluation studies to measure
the progress and results achieved in meeting the strategic
goals and objectives of the Program.''.
(c) Interagency Working Group.--Section 204 of such Act (42 U.S.C.
15703) is further amended by inserting after subsection (e), as added
by subsection (b)(2) of this Act, the following:
``(f) Interagency Working Group.--
``(1) In general.--There is established an Interagency
Working Group on Wind Impact Reduction, which shall report to
the Director.
``(2) Purpose.--The primary purpose of the Interagency
Working Group is to coordinate activities and facilitate better
communication among the Program agencies in reducing the
impacts of windstorms.
``(3) Duties.--The Interagency Working Group shall--
``(A) facilitate Program planning, analysis, and
evaluation;
``(B) facilitate coordination and synergy across
the Program agencies in meeting the strategic goals and
objectives of the Program;
``(C) prepare the coordinated interagency budget
for the Program;
``(D) prepare the interim working plan required
under subsection (h);
``(E) prepare the strategic plan with stakeholder
input required under subsection (i);
``(F) prepare the biennial report to Congress and
the National Science and Technology Council required
under subsection (j);
``(G) work with State, tribal, and local
governments, non-governmental organizations, industry,
academia, and research institutions, as appropriate;
and
``(H) in partnership with State, tribal, and local
governments, academia, and the private sector,
facilitate--
``(i) the organization and deployment of
comprehensive discipline-oriented interagency
teams to investigate major windstorm events;
and
``(ii) the gathering, publishing, and
archiving of collected data and analysis
results.
``(4) Membership.--The Interagency Working Group shall be
comprised of 1 representative from--
``(A) the National Institute of Standards and
Technology;
``(B) the National Science Foundation;
``(C) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
``(D) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
``(E) the Department of Transportation;
``(F) the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration;
``(G) the United States Army Corps of Engineers;
``(H) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
and
``(I) the Office of Management and Budget.
``(5) Chair.--The Program Director referred to in
subsection (d)(1) shall chair the Interagency Working Group.
``(6) Duties of the chair.--The Chair shall--
``(A) convene at least 4 Interagency Working Group
meetings per year, the first of which shall be convened
not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment
of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Reauthorization Act of 2009;
``(B) ensure the timely submission of the
Interagency Working Group's biennial report to Congress
and the National Science and Technology Council
required under subsection (j); and
``(C) carry out such other duties as necessary to
carry out this Act.''.
(d) Program Agencies.--Section 204 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15703) is
further amended by inserting after subsection (f), as added by
subsection (c) of this Act, the following new subsection:
``(g) Program Agencies.--
``(1) National science foundation.--The National Science
Foundation shall support research in engineering and the
atmospheric sciences to improve the understanding of the
behavior of windstorms and the impact of windstorms on
buildings, structures, and lifelines.
``(2) National oceanic and atmospheric administration.--The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall support
atmospheric sciences research to improve the understanding of
the behavior of windstorms and the impact of windstorms on
buildings, structures, and lifelines through wind observations,
modeling, and analysis.
``(3) Federal emergency management agency.--The Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall support--
``(A) the development of risk assessment tools,
effective mitigation techniques, and related guidance
documents and products;
``(B) windstorm-related data collection and
analysis;
``(C) evacuation planning;
``(D) public outreach and information
dissemination; and
``(E) the implementation of mitigation measures
consistent with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency's all-hazards approach.
``(4) Department of transportation.--The Department of
Transportation shall--
``(A) support windstorm-related data collection and
analysis aimed at understanding, measuring, predicting,
and reducing the effects of windstorms, storm surge,
and flooding on transportation infrastructure,
including bridges;
``(B) assist in evacuation planning; and
``(C) support the development of tools to improve
safety or reduce structure damage due to windstorms.
``(5) National aeronautics and space administration.--The
National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall support--
``(A) research to improve understanding of the
regional and global behavior of windstorms; and
``(B) dissemination and utilization of
observational data from existing satellites and
sensors, forecasts, and other analytical products that
can aid in reducing windstorm impacts.
``(6) United states army corps of engineers.--The United
States Army Corps of Engineers shall--
``(A) support research to improve understanding of
wind effects on storm surge and other flooding; and
``(B) support development of evacuation plans and
other activities or tools that will reduce the
potential for loss of life or structure damage as a
result of windstorms.''.
(e) Interim Working Plan; Strategic Plan.--Section 204 of such Act
(42 U.S.C. 15703) is further amended by inserting after subsection (g),
as added by subsection (d) of this Act, the following:
``(h) Interim Working Plan.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Interagency Working Group
shall submit to Congress an interim working plan that will
guide the implementation of Program operations until approval
of the strategic plan under subsection (i).
``(2) Specifications.--In developing the interim plan
required under paragraph (1), the Interagency Working Group
shall consider the report entitled `Grand Challenges for
Disaster Reduction' and the accompanying hazard-specific
implementation plans published by the National Science and
Technology Council's Committee on Environment and Natural
Resources Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction.
``(i) Strategic Plan.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this subsection, the Interagency Working Group
shall submit to Congress a strategic plan for achieving the
objectives of the Program.
``(2) Contents.--The strategic plan shall include--
``(A) strategic goals and objectives for each
Program component area to be achieved in the areas of
data collection and analysis, risk assessment,
outreach, technology transfer, and research and
development;
``(B) an assessment of the strategic priorities
required to fill critical gaps in knowledge and
practice to ensure reduction in future windstorm
impacts based on a review of past and current public
and private sector efforts, including windstorm
mitigation activities supported by the Federal
Government;
``(C) measurable outputs and outcomes to achieve
the strategic goals and objectives;
``(D) a description of how the Program will achieve
such goals and objectives including detailed
responsibilities for each Program agency; and
``(E) plans for cooperation and coordination with
interested public and private sector entities in each
Program component area.
``(3) Initial development.--The strategic plan--
``(A) shall be developed with stakeholder input;
and
``(B) shall not be initially required to be
reviewed by the National Advisory Committee on
Windstorm Impact Reduction.
``(4) Regular updates.--Not less frequently than once every
5 years, the strategic plan--
``(A) shall be updated with stakeholder input; and
``(B) shall be reviewed by the National Advisory
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction.''.
(f) Biennial Report.--Section 204 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15703) is
further amended by inserting after subsection (i), as added by
subsection (e) of this Act, the following:
``(j) Biennial Report.--The Interagency Working Group, on a
biennial basis, and not later than 90 days after the end of the
preceding 2 fiscal years, shall--
``(1) after considering the recommendations of the advisory
committee established under section 205, prepare a biennial
report that describes the status of the Program, including--
``(A) Program activities and progress achieved
during the preceding 2 fiscal years in meeting goals
established for each Program component under subsection
(c);
``(B) challenges and impediments to the fulfillment
of the Program's objectives; and
``(C) any recommendations for legislative and other
action the Interagency Working Group considers
necessary and appropriate; and
``(2) submit the report prepared under paragraph (1) to
Congress and the National Science and Technology Council.''.
SEC. 5. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.
(a) In General.--Section 205(a) of the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15704(a)) is amended by striking ``The
Director'', and inserting ``Not later than 6 months after the date of
the enactment of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Reauthorization Act of 2008, the Director''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 205(b)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
15704(b)(2)) is amended by striking ``section 204(d)'' and inserting
``section 204(c)''.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 207 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004
(42 U.S.C. 15706) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated
$30,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014 to carry out
this title, of which not greater than--
``(1) $5,000,000 shall be allocated for the National
Institute of Standards and Technology;
``(2) $9,400,000 shall be allocated for the National
Science Foundation;
``(3) $2,200,000 shall be allocated for the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
``(4) $9,400,000 shall be allocated for the Federal
Emergency Management Agency;
``(5) $1,333,333 shall be allocated for the Department of
Transportation;
``(6) $1,333,333 shall be allocated for the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration; and
``(7) $1,333,333 shall be allocated for the United States
Army Corps of Engineers.
``(b) Authorization for Program Planning, Management, and
Coordination.--
``(1) Lead agency.--From the amounts appropriated for the
National Institute of Standards and Technology pursuant to
subsection (a)(1), up to $1,000,000 per fiscal year may be
allocated for carrying out the lead agency planning,
management, and coordination functions assigned to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology under section 204(d).
``(2) Other program agencies.--From the amounts
appropriated to each of the Program agencies under paragraphs
(2) through (7) of subsection (a), not greater than 8 percent
may be allocated to each such agency for carrying out planning,
management, and coordination functions assigned to such agency
under this Act, including participation in the Interagency
Working Group.
``(c) Remainder Authorized for Program Activities.--Any amounts
appropriated pursuant to subsection (a) that are not allocated under
subsection (b) shall be allocated to Program activities carried out in
accordance with the objectives of the Program, including--
``(1) data collection and analysis;
``(2) risk assessment;
``(3) outreach;
``(4) technology transfer; and
``(5) research and development.''.
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