[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3479 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3479

  To reauthorize Federal natural hazards reduction programs, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 18, 2011

  Mrs. Biggert (for herself, Mr. Neugebauer, Mr. Smith of Texas, Mr. 
    Hall, and Mr. Palazzo) introduced the following bill; which was 
  referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in 
  addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and 
 Natural Resources, 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 Federal natural hazards reduction programs, 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 ``Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act 
of 2011''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
                          TITLE I--EARTHQUAKES

Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Definitions.
Sec. 103. National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
Sec. 104. Post-Earthquake Investigations Program.
Sec. 105. Authorization of appropriations.
                             TITLE II--WIND

Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Definitions.
Sec. 203. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
Sec. 204. National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction.
Sec. 205. Authorization of appropriations.
                  TITLE III--INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

Sec. 301. Interagency Coordinating Committee on Natural Hazards Risk 
                            Reduction.
Sec. 302. Coordination of Federal disaster research, development, and 
                            technology transfer.
Sec. 303. Authorizations.

                          TITLE I--EARTHQUAKES

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Earthquake Hazards 
Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2011''.

SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 4 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 
U.S.C. 7703) is amended by striking paragraphs (8) and (9).

SEC. 103. NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM.

    Section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 
U.S.C. 7704) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``to be 
                administered, as provided under this section, by the 
                National Institute of Standards and Technology, the 
                Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States 
                Geological Survey, and the National Science 
                Foundation'' after ``Reduction Program'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as 
                        follows:
                    ``(A) research and develop effective methods, 
                tools, and technologies to reduce the risk posed by 
                earthquakes to the built environment, especially to 
                lessen the risk to existing structures and 
                lifelines;'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
                        ``and retrofitting'' after ``planning and 
                        constructing'';
                            (iii) by striking ``and'' at the end of 
                        subparagraph (C);
                            (iv) in subparagraph (D), by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting ``, as 
                        appropriate; and''; and
                            (v) by adding at the end the following new 
                        subparagraph:
                    ``(E) support public education and outreach to 
                assist in preparing for and responding to earthquake-
                related disasters.''; and
                    (C) by striking paragraphs (3) through (5);
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) Lead agency.--The National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology shall have the primary responsibility for planning 
        and coordinating the Program. In carrying out this paragraph, 
        the Director of the Institute shall--
                    ``(A) ensure that the Program includes the 
                necessary components to promote the implementation of 
                earthquake hazards risk reduction measures by Federal, 
                State, and local governments, national standards and 
                model building code organizations, architects and 
                engineers, and others with a role in planning, 
                constructing, and retrofitting structures and 
                lifelines;
                    ``(B) support the development of performance-based 
                seismic engineering tools, and work with appropriate 
                groups to promote the commercial application of such 
                tools, through earthquake-related model building codes, 
                voluntary standards, and construction best practices;
                    ``(C) request the assistance of Federal agencies 
                other than the Program agencies, as necessary to assist 
                in carrying out this Act;
                    ``(D) work with the Federal Emergency Management 
                Agency, the National Science Foundation, and the United 
                States Geological Survey, to develop a comprehensive 
                plan for earthquake engineering research to effectively 
                use existing testing facilities and laboratories 
                (existing at the time of the development of the plan), 
                upgrade facilities and equipment as needed, and 
                integrate new, innovative testing approaches to the 
                research infrastructure in a systematic manner; and
                    ``(E) when warranted by research or investigative 
                findings, issue recommendations to assist in informing 
                the development of model codes, and provide information 
                to Congress on the use of such recommendations.'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                        ``seismic microzonation'' and inserting 
                        ``detailed seismic hazard and risk'';
                            (ii) by amending subparagraphs (F) and (G) 
                        to read as follows:
                    ``(F) operate, in cooperation with the National 
                Science Foundation, a Global Seismographic Network for 
                detection of earthquakes around the world and research 
                into fundamental earth processes;
                    ``(G) support the operation of regional seismic 
                networks in areas of higher seismic risk;'';
                            (iii) by striking the period at the end of 
                        subparagraph (H) and inserting a semicolon; and
                            (iv) by amending subparagraph (I) to read 
                        as follows:
                    ``(I) work with other Program agencies to maintain 
                awareness of, and where appropriate coordinate with, 
                earthquake risk reduction efforts in other countries to 
                ensure that the Program benefits from relevant 
                information and advances in those countries; and'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)(D), by striking ``of the 
                George'' and all that follows through ``Reduction 
                Program'' and inserting ``of institutions engaged in 
                research and the implementation of the National 
                Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, which may include 
                the George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake 
                Engineering Simulation''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (5)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (C)--
                                    (I) by inserting ``and other 
                                stakeholders with relevant expertise'' 
                                after ``standards organizations''; and
                                    (II) by inserting ``and'' after the 
                                semicolon at the end;
                            (ii) by striking ``; and'' at the end of 
                        subparagraph (D) and inserting a period; and
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (E);
            (3) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d);
            (4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(c) Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director of the National Institute 
        of Standards and Technology shall establish an Advisory 
        Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction, which shall be 
        composed of at least 11 members, none of whom may be employees 
        of the Federal Government, including representatives of 
        research and academic institutions, industry standards 
        development organizations, emergency management agencies, State 
        and local government, and business communities who are 
        qualified to provide advice on earthquake hazards reduction and 
        represent all related scientific, architectural, and 
        engineering disciplines. The recommendations of the Advisory 
        Committee shall be considered by Federal agencies in 
        implementing the Program.
            ``(2) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Earthquake 
        Hazards Reduction shall offer assessments on--
                    ``(A) trends and developments in the natural, 
                social, and engineering sciences and practices of 
                earthquake hazards impact mitigation;
                    ``(B) the priorities of the Program's Strategic 
                Plan;
                    ``(C) the coordination of the Program; and
                    ``(D) any revisions to the Program which may be 
                necessary.
            ``(3) Compensation.--The members of the Advisory Committee 
        established under this subsection shall serve without 
        compensation.
            ``(4) Reports.--At least every 2 years, the Advisory 
        Committee shall report to the Director of the National 
        Institute of Standards and Technology on the assessments 
        carried out under paragraph (2) and its recommendations for 
        ways to improve the Program.
            ``(5) Termination.--The Advisory Committee established 
        under this subsection shall terminate not later than 5 years 
        after the date of enactment of the Natural Hazards Risk 
        Reduction Act of 2011.''; and
            (5) in subsection (d)(1), as so redesignated by paragraph 
        (3) of this section, by inserting ``on Natural Hazards Risk 
        Reduction established under section 301 of the Natural Hazards 
        Risk Reduction Act of 2011'' after ``Interagency Coordinating 
        Committee''.

SEC. 104. POST-EARTHQUAKE INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM.

    Section 11 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 
U.S.C. 7705e) is amended by inserting ``and utilizing the coordination 
expertise of the lead Program agency'' after ``consultation with each 
Program agency''.

SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Section 12 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act 
of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    ``(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying 
out this Act--
            ``(1) $6,400,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(2) $6,400,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(3) $6,400,000 for fiscal year 2014.
    ``(b) United States Geological Survey.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the United States Geological Survey for carrying out 
this Act--
            ``(1) $57,700,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(2) $57,700,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(3) $57,700,000 for fiscal year 2014.
    ``(c) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this 
Act--
            ``(1) $53,800,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(2) $53,800,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(3) $53,800,000 for fiscal year 2014.
    ``(d) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology for carrying out this Act--
            ``(1) $4,100,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(2) $4,100,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(3) $4,100,000 for fiscal year 2014.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 14 of the National Earthquake 
Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7708) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(a) Establishment.--''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (b).

                             TITLE II--WIND

SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``National Windstorm Impact 
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2011''.

SEC. 202. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 203(1) of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 
2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702(1)) is amended by striking ``Director of the 
Office of Science and Technology Policy'' and inserting ``Director of 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology''.

SEC. 203. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.

    Section 204 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 
(42 U.S.C. 15703) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting 
        the following:
    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established the National Windstorm 
Impact Reduction Program, the purpose of which is to achieve major 
measurable reductions in the losses of life and property from 
windstorms through a coordinated Federal effort, in cooperation with 
other levels of government, academia, and the private sector, aimed at 
improving the understanding of windstorms and their impacts and 
developing and encouraging the implementation of cost-effective 
mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.
    ``(b) Responsibilities of Program Agencies.--
            ``(1) Lead agency.--The National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology shall have the primary responsibility for planning 
        and coordinating the Program. In carrying out this paragraph, 
        the Director shall--
                    ``(A) ensure that the Program includes the 
                necessary components to promote the implementation of 
                windstorm risk reduction measures by Federal, State, 
                and local governments, national standards and model 
                building code organizations, architects and engineers, 
                and others with a role in planning and constructing 
                buildings and lifelines;
                    ``(B) support the development of performance-based 
                engineering tools, and work with appropriate groups to 
                promote the commercial application of such tools, 
                including through wind-related model building codes, 
                voluntary standards, and construction best practices;
                    ``(C) request the assistance of Federal agencies 
                other than the Program agencies, as necessary to assist 
                in carrying out this Act;
                    ``(D) coordinate all Federal post-windstorm 
                investigations; and
                    ``(E) when warranted by research or investigative 
                findings, issue recommendations to assist in informing 
                the development of model codes, and provide information 
                to Congress on the use of such recommendations.
            ``(2) National institute of standards and technology.--In 
        addition to the lead agency responsibilities described under 
        paragraph (1), the National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology shall be responsible for carrying out research and 
        development to improve model building codes, voluntary 
        standards, and best practices for the design, construction, and 
        retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines.
            ``(3) 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 their impact on buildings, 
        structures, and lifelines.
            ``(4) National oceanic and atmospheric administration.--The 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall support 
        atmospheric sciences research and data collection to improve 
        the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and their 
        impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines.
            ``(5) Federal emergency management agency.--The Federal 
        Emergency Management Agency shall support the development of 
        risk assessment tools and effective mitigation techniques, 
        windstorm-related data collection and analysis, public 
        outreach, information dissemination, and implementation of 
        mitigation measures consistent with the Agency's all-hazards 
        approach.'';
            (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c);
            (3) in subsection (c), as so redesignated by paragraph (2) 
        of this section, amend paragraph (4)(A) to read as follows:
                    ``(A) development of improved outreach and 
                implementation mechanisms to translate--
                            ``(i) existing information and research 
                        findings into cost-effective and affordable 
                        practices for design and construction 
                        professionals, and State and local officials; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) research, including social science 
                        research, into windstorm risk mitigation and 
                        preparedness strategies for individuals, 
                        households, and businesses;''; and
            (4) by striking subsections (e) and (f).

SEC. 204. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.

    Section 205 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 
(42 U.S.C. 15704) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology shall establish an Advisory Committee on 
Windstorm Impact Reduction, which shall be composed of at least 7 
members, none of whom may be employees of the Federal Government, 
including representatives of research and academic institutions, 
industry standards development organizations, emergency management 
agencies, State and local government, and business communities who are 
qualified to provide advice on windstorm impact reduction and represent 
all related scientific, architectural, and engineering disciplines. The 
recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be considered by 
Federal agencies in implementing the Program.
    ``(b) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact 
Reduction shall offer assessments on--
            ``(1) trends and developments in the natural, social, and 
        engineering sciences and practices of windstorm impact 
        mitigation;
            ``(2) the priorities of the Program's Strategic Plan;
            ``(3) the coordination of the Program; and
            ``(4) any revisions to the Program which may be necessary.
    ``(c) Compensation.--The members of the Advisory Committee 
established under this section shall serve without compensation.
    ``(d) Reports.--At least every 2 years, the Advisory Committee 
shall report to the Director on the assessments carried out under 
subsection (b) and its recommendations for ways to improve the Program.
    ``(e) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate not 
later than 5 years after the date of enactment of the Natural Hazards 
Risk Reduction Act of 2011.''.

SEC. 205. 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) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are authorized to 
be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying 
out this title--
            ``(1) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(3) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2014.
    ``(b) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this 
title--
            ``(1) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(2) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(3) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2014.
    ``(c) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology for carrying out this title--
            ``(1) $5,300,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(2) $5,300,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(3) $5,300,000 for fiscal year 2014.
    ``(d) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration for carrying out this title--
            ``(1) $2,700,000 for fiscal year 2012;
            ``(2) $2,700,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
            ``(3) $2,700,000 for fiscal year 2014.''.

                  TITLE III--INTERAGENCY COORDINATION

SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL HAZARDS RISK 
              REDUCTION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established an Interagency 
Coordinating Committee on Natural Hazards Risk Reduction, chaired by 
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
    (b) Membership.--In addition to the chair, the Committee shall be 
composed of--
            (1) the heads of--
                    (A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
                    (B) the United States Geological Survey;
                    (C) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
                Administration;
                    (D) the National Science Foundation;
                    (E) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; 
                and
                    (F) the Office of Management and Budget; and
            (2) the head of any other Federal agency the chair 
        considers appropriate.
    (c) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not less than 1 time a year 
at the call of the Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology.
    (d) General Purpose and Duties.--The Committee shall oversee the 
planning and coordination of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
Program and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and shall 
make proposals for planning and coordination of any other Federal 
research for natural hazard mitigation that the Committee considers 
appropriate.
    (e) Strategic Plans.--The Committee shall develop and submit to 
Congress, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this 
Act--
            (1) a Strategic Plan for the National Earthquake Hazards 
        Reduction Program that includes--
                    (A) prioritized goals for such Program that will 
                mitigate against the loss of life and property from 
                future earthquakes;
                    (B) short-term, mid-term, and long-term research 
                objectives to achieve those goals;
                    (C) a description of the role of each Program 
                agency in achieving the prioritized goals;
                    (D) the methods by which progress towards the goals 
                will be assessed;
                    (E) an explanation of how the Program will foster 
                the transfer of research results into outcomes, such as 
                improved model building codes;
                    (F) a description of how the George E. Brown, Jr. 
                Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation and the 
                Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring 
                System will be used in achieving the prioritized goals 
                and research objectives; and
                    (G) an explanation of how the Program will 
                coordinate its activities with other Federal agencies 
                performing activities relevant to the Program; and
            (2) a Strategic Plan for the National Windstorm Impact 
        Reduction Program that includes--
                    (A) prioritized goals for such Program that will 
                mitigate against the loss of life and property from 
                future windstorms;
                    (B) short-term, mid-term, and long-term research 
                objectives to achieve those goals;
                    (C) a description of the role of each Program 
                agency in achieving the prioritized goals;
                    (D) the methods by which progress towards the goals 
                will be assessed;
                    (E) an explanation of how the Program will foster 
                the transfer of research results into outcomes, such as 
                improved model building codes; and
                    (F) an explanation of how the Program will 
                coordinate its activities with other Federal agencies 
                performing activities relevant to the Program.
    (f) Progress Reports.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Committee shall submit to the Congress--
            (1) a report on the progress of the National Earthquake 
        Hazards Reduction Program that includes--
                    (A) a description of the activities funded under 
                the Program, a description of how these activities 
                align with the prioritized goals and research 
                objectives established in the Strategic Plan, and the 
                budgets, per agency, for these activities;
                    (B) the outcomes achieved by the Program for each 
                of the goals identified in the Strategic Plan;
                    (C) a description of any recommendations made to 
                change existing building codes that were the result of 
                Program activities; and
                    (D) a description of the extent to which the 
                Program has incorporated recommendations from the 
                Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction; and
            (2) a report on the progress of the National Windstorm 
        Impact Reduction Program that includes--
                    (A) a description of the activities funded under 
                the Program, a description of how these activities 
                align with the prioritized goals and research 
                objectives established in the Strategic Plan, and the 
                budgets, per agency, for these activities;
                    (B) the outcomes achieved by the Program for each 
                of the goals identified in the Strategic Plan;
                    (C) a description of any recommendations made to 
                change existing building codes that were the result of 
                Program activities; and
                    (D) a description of the extent to which the 
                Program has incorporated recommendations from the 
                Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction.
    (g) Coordinated Budget.--The Committee shall develop a coordinated 
budget for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and a 
coordinated budget for the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. 
These budgets shall be submitted to the Congress at the time of the 
President's budget submission for each fiscal year.

SEC. 302. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL DISASTER RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND 
              TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction of the Committee on Environment and 
Natural Resources of the National Science and Technology Council shall 
submit a report to the Congress detailing--
            (1) current Federal research, development, and technology 
        transfer activities that address hazard mitigation for natural 
        disasters, including earthquakes, windstorms, wildfires, 
        floods, and the current budgets for these activities;
            (2) areas of research that are common to two or more of the 
        hazards identified in paragraph (1);
            (3) opportunities to create synergies between the research 
        activities for the hazards identified in paragraph (1); and
            (4) the status of coordination of Federal disaster 
        research, development, and technology transfer activities 
        including those of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
        Program and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

SEC. 303. AUTHORIZATIONS.

    No additional funds are authorized to carry out this title. This 
title shall be carried out using amounts otherwise authorized or 
appropriated.
                                 <all>