[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 23 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 114
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 23
[Report No. 114-62]
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 8, 2015
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
June 11, 2015
Reported by Mr. Thune, with an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
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,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Director.--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''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Lifelines.--Section 203 of the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702) is further amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as
paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following
new paragraph:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Lifelines.--The term `lifelines' means
public works and utilities, including transportation facilities
and infrastructure, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and
communication facilities and infrastructure, and water supply
and sewage treatment facilities.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 204 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15703) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and
inserting the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Responsibilities of Program Agencies.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) request the assistance of Federal
agencies other than the Program agencies, as necessary
to assist in carrying out this Act;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) coordinate all Federal post-
windstorm investigations; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) National science foundation.--The National
Science Foundation shall support research in--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) engineering and the atmospheric
sciences to improve the understanding of the behavior
of windstorms and their impact on buildings,
structures, and lifelines; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) economic and social factors
influencing windstorm risk reduction
measures.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) 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
their impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Federal emergency management agency.--The
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) support--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the development of risk
assessment tools and effective mitigation
techniques;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) windstorm-related data
collection and analysis;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) public outreach and
information dissemination; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) promotion of the adoption
of windstorm preparedness and mitigation
measures, including for households, businesses,
and communities, consistent with the Agency's
all-hazards approach; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) work closely with national standards
and model building code organizations, in conjunction
with the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, to promote the implementation of research
results and promote better building practices within
the building design and construction industry,
including architects, engineers, contractors, builders,
and inspectors.'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection
(c), and by striking subsections (e) and (f); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) by inserting after subsection (c), as so
redesignated, the following new subsections:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) Budget Activities.--The Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, the Director of the National
Science Foundation, the Director of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, and the Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall each include in their agency's annual budget
request to Congress a description of their agency's projected
activities under the Program for the fiscal year covered by the budget
request, along with an assessment of what they plan to spend on those
activities for that fiscal year.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm
Impact Reduction.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Establishment.--There is established an
Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction, chaired by the Director.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Membership.--In addition to the chair, the
Committee shall be composed of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) the heads of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the Federal Emergency
Management Agency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) the National Science
Foundation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) the Office of Science and
Technology Policy; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) the Office of Management and
Budget; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the head of any other Federal agency
the chair considers appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not less
than 2 times a year at the call of the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) General purpose and duties.--The Committee
shall oversee the planning and coordination of the
Program.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Strategic plan.--The Committee shall develop
and submit to Congress, not later than one year after the date
of enactment of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
Reauthorization of 2015, a Strategic Plan for the Program that
includes--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) prioritized goals for the Program
that will mitigate against the loss of life and
property from future windstorms;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) short-term, mid-term, and long-term
research objectives to achieve those goals;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) a description of the role of each
Program agency in achieving the prioritized
goals;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) the methods by which progress
towards the goals will be assessed; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) an explanation of how the Program
will foster the transfer of research results into
outcomes, such as improved model building
codes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Progress report.--Not later than 18 months
after the date of enactment of the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015, the Committee shall
submit to the Congress a report on the progress of the Program
that includes--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) the outcomes achieved by the Program
for each of the goals identified in the Strategic
Plan;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) a description of any recommendations
made to change existing building codes that were the
result of Program activities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) a description of the extent to which
the Program has incorporated recommendations from the
Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) Coordinated budget.--The Committee shall
develop a coordinated budget for the Program, which shall be
submitted to the Congress at the time of the President's budget
submission for each fiscal year.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT
REDUCTION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 205 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15704) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT
REDUCTION.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Windstorm
Impact Reduction shall offer assessments on--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) trends and developments in the natural,
engineering, and social sciences and practices of windstorm
impact mitigation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) the priorities of the Program's Strategic
Plan;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) the coordination of the Program;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) any revisions to the Program which may be
necessary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(c) Compensation.--The members of the Advisory Committee
established under this section shall serve without
compensation.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Charter.--Notwithstanding section 14(b)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Advisory Committee
shall not be required to file a charter subsequent to its initial
charter, filed under section 9(c) of such Act, before the termination
date specified in subsection (f) of this section.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate
on September 30, 2017.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Conflict of Interest.--An Advisory Committee member
shall recuse himself from any Advisory Committee activity in which he
has an actual pecuniary interest.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 207 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15706) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>
<DELETED>``SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency for carrying out this title--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2015;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2016;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2017.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out
this title--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2015;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2016;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2017.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(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--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2015;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2016;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2017.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(d) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.--
There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration for carrying out this title--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2015;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2016;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) $2,266,000 for fiscal year
2017.''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Act Reauthorization of 2015''.
SEC. 2. 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
``Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy'' and
inserting ``Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology''.
(b) Lifelines.--Section 203 of the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702) is further amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as
paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph:
``(2) Lifelines.--The term `lifelines' means public works
and utilities, including transportation facilities and
infrastructure, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and
communication facilities and infrastructure, and water supply
and sewage treatment facilities.''.
(c) Windstorm.--Paragraph (5) of such section, as redesignated by
subsection (b), is amended by inserting ``northeaster,'' after
``tropical storm,''.
SEC. 3. 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 to the extent practicable; 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--
``(A) engineering and the atmospheric sciences to
improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms
and their impact on buildings, structures, and
lifelines; and
``(B) economic and social factors influencing
windstorm risk reduction measures.
``(4) 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 their impact on buildings,
structures, and lifelines.
``(5) Federal emergency management agency.--The Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall--
``(A) support--
``(i) the development of risk assessment
tools and effective mitigation techniques;
``(ii) windstorm-related data collection
and analysis;
``(iii) public outreach and information
dissemination; and
``(iv) promotion of the adoption of
windstorm preparedness and mitigation measures,
including for households, businesses, and
communities, consistent with the Agency's all-
hazards approach; and
``(B) work closely with national standards and
model building code organizations, in conjunction with
the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to
promote the implementation of research results and
promote better building practices within the building
design and construction industry, including architects,
engineers, contractors, builders, and inspectors.'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c), and
by striking subsections (e) and (f); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (c), as so redesignated,
the following new subsections:
``(d) Budget Activities.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the Director of the National Science
Foundation, the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and the Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency shall each include in their agency's annual budget request to
Congress a description of their agency's projected activities under the
Program for the fiscal year covered by the budget request, along with
an assessment of what they plan to spend on those activities for that
fiscal year.
``(e) Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established an Interagency
Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, chaired
by the Director or the Director's designee.
``(2) Membership.--In addition to the chair, the Committee
shall be composed of--
``(A) the heads or such designees of--
``(i) the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
``(ii) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
``(iii) the National Science Foundation;
``(iv) the Office of Science and Technology
Policy; and
``(v) the Office of Management and Budget;
and
``(B) the head of any other Federal agency, or such
designee, the chair considers appropriate.
``(3) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not less than
once a year at the call of the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
``(4) General purpose and duties.--The Committee shall
oversee the planning and coordination of the Program.
``(5) Strategic plan.--The Committee shall develop and
submit to Congress, not later than one year after the date of
enactment of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
Reauthorization of 2015, a Strategic Plan for the Program that
includes--
``(A) prioritized goals for the 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; and
``(E) an explanation of how the Program will foster
the transfer of research results into outcomes, such as
improved model building codes.
``(6) Progress report.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Act Reauthorization of 2015, the Committee shall submit to the
Congress a report on the progress of the 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.
``(7) Coordinated budget.--The Committee shall develop a
coordinated budget for the Program, which shall be submitted to
the Congress not later than 60 days after the date of the
President's budget submission for each fiscal year.''.
SEC. 4. 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 and
not more than 15 members who are qualified to provide advice on
windstorm impact reduction and represent related scientific,
architectural, and engineering disciplines, none of whom may be
employees of the Federal Government, including--
``(1) representatives of research and academic
institutions;
``(2) industry standards development organizations;
``(3) emergency management agencies;
``(4) State and local government; and
``(5) business communities, including the insurance
industry.
``(b) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction shall offer assessments and recommendations on--
``(1) trends and developments in the natural, engineering,
and social sciences and practices of windstorm impact
mitigation;
``(2) the priorities of the Program's Strategic Plan;
``(3) the coordination of the Program;
``(4) the effectiveness of the Program in meeting its
purposes; and
``(5) 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) Charter.--Notwithstanding section 14(b)(2) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Advisory Committee shall
not be required to file a charter subsequent to its initial charter,
filed under section 9(c) of such Act, before the termination date
specified in subsection (f) of this section.
``(f) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate on
September 30, 2017.
``(g) Conflict of Interest.--An Advisory Committee member shall
recuse himself from any Advisory Committee activity in which he has an
actual pecuniary interest.''.
SEC. 5. 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) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2015;
``(2) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
``(3) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2017.
``(b) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying out this
title--
``(1) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2015;
``(2) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
``(3) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2017.
``(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) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2015;
``(2) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
``(3) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2017.
``(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) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2015;
``(2) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
``(3) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2017.''.
Calendar No. 114
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 23
[Report No. 114-62]
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
June 11, 2015
Reported with an amendment