[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 136 (Thursday, October 26, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H11321-H11327]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FIRE ADMINISTRATION AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2000
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 655) providing for the consideration of the
bill H.R. 1550 and the Senate amendment thereto.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 655
Resolved, That, upon the adoption of this resolution, the
House shall be considered to have taken from the Speaker's
table the bill H.R. 1550 together with the Senate amendment
thereto, and to have concurred in the Senate amendment with
amendments as follows: In lieu of the matter proposed to be
inserted by the Senate amendment, insert the following:
TITLE I--UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Fire Administration
Authorization Act of 2000''.
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 17(g)(1) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control
Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (G);
(2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (H)
and inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(I) $44,753,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which $3,000,000
is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for
contracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data
analysis, including general fire profiles and special fire
analyses and report projects, and of which $6,000,000 is for
anti-terrorism training, including associated curriculum
development, for fire and emergency services personnel;
[[Page H11322]]
``(J) $47,800,000 for fiscal year 2002, of which $3,250,000
is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for
contracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data
analysis, including general fire profiles and special fire
analyses and report projects, and of which $7,000,000 is for
anti-terrorism training, including associated curriculum
development, for fire and emergency services personnel; and
``(K) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, of which $3,500,000
is for research activities, and $250,000 may be used for
contracts or grants to non-Federal entities for data
analysis, including general fire profiles and special fire
analyses and report projects, and of which $8,000,000 is for
anti-terrorism training, including associated curriculum
development, for fire and emergency services personnel.''.
None of the funds authorized for the United States Fire
Administration for fiscal year 2002 may be obligated unless
the Administrator has verified to the Committee on Science of
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate that the obligation
of funds is consistent with the strategic plan transmitted
under section 103 of this Act.
SEC. 103. STRATEGIC PLAN.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than April 30, 2001, the
Administrator of the United States Fire Administration shall
prepare and transmit to the Committee on Science of the House
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate a 5-year strategic plan of
program activities for the United States Fire Administration.
(b) Contents of Plan.--The plan required by subsection (a)
shall include--
(1) a comprehensive mission statement covering the major
functions and operations of the United States Fire
Administration in the areas of training; research,
development, test and evaluation; new technology and non-
developmental item implementation; safety; counterterrorism;
data collection and analysis; and public education;
(2) general goals and objectives, including those related
to outcomes, for the major functions and operations of the
United States Fire Administration;
(3) a description of how the goals and objectives
identified under paragraph (2) are to be achieved, including
operational processes, skills and technology, and the human,
capital, information, and other resources required to meet
those goals and objectives;
(4) an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of,
opportunities for, and threats to the United States Fire
Administration;
(5) an identification of the fire-related activities of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
Department of Defense, and other Federal agencies, and a
discussion of how those activities can be coordinated with
and contribute to the achievement of the goals and objectives
identified under paragraph (2);
(6) a description of objective, quantifiable performance
goals needed to define the level of performance achieved by
program activities in training, research, data collection and
analysis, and public education, and how these performance
goals relate to the general goals and objectives in the
strategic plan;
(7) an identification of key factors external to the United
States Fire Administration and beyond its control that could
affect significantly the achievement of the general goals and
objectives;
(8) a description of program evaluations used in
establishing or revising general goals and objectives, with a
schedule for future program evaluations;
(9) a plan for the timely distribution of information and
educational materials to State and local firefighting
services, including volunteer, career, and combination
services throughout the United States;
(10) a description of how the strategic plan prepared under
this section will be incorporated into the strategic plan and
the performance plans and reports of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency;
(11)(A) a description of the current and planned use of the
Internet for the delivery of training courses by the National
Fire Academy, including a listing of the types of courses and
a description of each course's provisions for real time
interaction between instructor and students, the number of
students enrolled, and the geographic distribution of
students, for the most recent fiscal year;
(B) an assessment of the availability and actual use by the
National Fire Academy of Federal facilities suitable for
distance education applications, including facilities with
teleconferencing capabilities; and
(C) an assessment of the benefits and problems associated
with delivery of instructional courses using the Internet,
including limitations due to network bandwidth at training
sites, the availability of suitable course materials, and the
effectiveness of such courses in terms of student
performance;
(12) timeline for implementing the plan; and
(13) the expected costs for implementing the plan.
SEC. 104. RESEARCH AGENDA.
(a) Requirement.--Not later than 120 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the United
States Fire Administration, in consultation with the Director
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
representatives of trade, professional, and non-profit
associations, State and local firefighting services, and
other appropriate entities, shall prepare and transmit to the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate a report describing the United States Fire
Administration's research agenda and including a plan for
implementing that agenda.
(b) Contents of Report.--The report required by subsection
(a) shall--
(1) identify research priorities;
(2) describe how the proposed research agenda will be
coordinated and integrated with the programs and capabilities
of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the
Department of Defense, and other Federal agencies;
(3) identify potential roles of academic, trade,
professional, and non-profit associations, and other research
institutions in achieving the research agenda;
(4) provide cost estimates, anticipated personnel needs,
and a schedule for completing the various elements of the
research agenda;
(5) describe ways to leverage resources through
partnerships, cooperative agreements, and other means; and
(6) discuss how the proposed research agenda will enhance
training, improve State and local firefighting services,
impact standards and codes, increase firefighter and public
safety, and advance firefighting techniques.
(c) Use in Preparing Strategic Plan.--The research agenda
prepared under this section shall be used in the preparation
of the strategic plan required by section 103.
SEC. 105. SURPLUS AND EXCESS FEDERAL EQUIPMENT.
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 33. SURPLUS AND EXCESS FEDERAL EQUIPMENT.
``The Administrator shall make publicly available,
including through the Internet, information on procedures for
acquiring surplus and excess equipment or property that may
be useful to State and local fire, emergency, and hazardous
material handling service providers.''.
SEC. 106. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FACILITIES.
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as
amended by section 105, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``SEC. 34. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS WITH FEDERAL FACILITIES.
``The Administrator shall make publicly available,
including through the Internet, information on procedures for
establishing cooperative agreements between State and local
fire and emergency services and Federal facilities in their
region relating to the provision of fire and emergency
services.''.
SEC. 107. NEED FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN COUNTERTERRORISM.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States
Fire Administration shall conduct an assessment of the need
for additional capabilities for Federal counterterrorism
training of emergency response personnel.
(b) Contents of Assessment.--The assessment conducted under
this section shall include--
(1) a review of the counterterrorism training programs
offered by the United States Fire Administration and other
Federal agencies;
(2) an estimate of the number and types of emergency
response personnel that have, during the period between
January 1, 1994, and October 1, 1999, sought training
described in paragraph (1), but have been unable to receive
that training as a result of the oversubscription of the
training capabilities; and
(3) a recommendation on the need to provide additional
Federal counterterrorism training centers, including--
(A) an analysis of existing Federal facilities that could
be used as counterterrorism training facilities; and
(B) a cost-benefit analysis of the establishment of such
counterterrorism training facilities.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall prepare and
submit to the Congress a report on the results of the
assessment conducted under this section.
SEC. 108. WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE FIRE SAFETY
RESEARCH PROGRAM.
From the funds authorized to be appropriated by the
amendments made by section 102, $1,000,000 may be expended
for the Worcester Polytechnic Institute fire safety research
program.
SEC. 109. INTERNET AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.
Upon the conclusion of the research under a research grant
or award of $50,000 made with funds authorized by this title
(or any amendments made by this title), the Administrator of
the United States Fire Administration shall make available
through the Internet home page of the Administration a brief
summary of the results and importance of such research grant
or award. Nothing in this section shall be construed to
require or permit the release of any information prohibited
by law or regulation from being released to the public.
SEC. 110. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS.
(a) 1974 Act.--
(1) In general.--The Federal Fire Prevention and Control
Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended--
[[Page H11323]]
(A) by striking subsection (b) of section 10 (15 U.S.C.
2209) and redesignating subsection (c) of that section as
subsection (b);
(B) by striking sections 26 and 27 (15 U.S.C. 2222; 2223);
(C) by striking ``(a) The'' in section 24 (15 U.S.C. 2220)
and inserting ``The''; and
(D) by striking subsection (b) of section 24.
(2) References to secretary.--The Federal Fire Prevention
and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is amended--
(A) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 2203)--
(i) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon in paragraph
(7);
(ii) by striking paragraph (8); and
(iii) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (8);
(B) by striking ``Secretary'' and inserting ``Director''--
(i) in section 5(b) (15 U.S.C. 2204(b));
(ii) each place it appears in section 7 (15 U.S.C. 2206);
(iii) the first place it appears in section 11(c) (15
U.S.C. 2210(c));
(iv) in section 15(b)(2), (c), and (f) (15 U.S.C.
2214(b)(2), (c), and (f));
(v) the second place it appears in section 15(e)(1)(A) (15
U.S.C. 2214(e)(1)(A));
(vi) in section 16 (15 U.S.C. 2215);
(vii) the second place it appears in section 19(a) (42
U.S.C. 290a(a));
(viii) both places it appears in section 20 (15 U.S.C.
2217); and
(ix) in section 21(c) (15 U.S.C. 2218(c)); and
(C) in section 15, by striking ``Secretary's'' each place
it appears and inserting ``Director's''.
(b) Department of Commerce.--Section 12 of the Act of
February 14, 1903 (15 U.S.C. 1511) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``and'' after ``Census;'' in paragraph
(5);
(2) by striking paragraph (6); and
(3) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (6).
SEC. 111. NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY CURRICULUM REVIEW.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the United States
Fire Administration, in consultation with the Board of
Visitors and representatives of trade and professional
associations, State and local firefighting services, and
other appropriate entities, shall conduct a review of the
courses of instruction available at the National Fire Academy
to ensure that they are up-to-date and complement, not
duplicate, courses of instruction offered elsewhere. Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator shall prepare and submit a report to the
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate.
(b) Contents of Report.--The report required by subsection
(a) shall--
(1) examine and assess the courses of instruction offered
by the National Fire Academy;
(2) identify redundant and out-of-date courses of
instruction;
(3) examine the current and future impact of information
technology on National Fire Academy curricula, methods of
instruction, and delivery of services; and
(4) make recommendations for updating the curriculum,
methods of instruction, and delivery of services by the
National Fire Academy considering current and future needs,
State-based curricula, advances in information technologies,
and other relevant factors.
SEC. 112. REPEAL OF EXCEPTION TO FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENT.
(a) Repeal.--Section 4 of Public Law 103-195 (107 Stat.
2298) is hereby repealed.
(b) Effective Date.--Subsection (a) shall take effect 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 113. NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION TECHNICAL
CORRECTIONS.
(a) Purposes.--Section 151302 of title 36, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) primarily--
``(A) to encourage, accept, and administer private gifts of
property for the benefit of the National Fallen Firefighters'
Memorial and the annual memorial service associated with the
memorial; and
``(B) to, in coordination with the Federal Government and
fire services (as that term is defined in section 4 of the
Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C.
2203)), plan, direct, and manage the memorial service
referred to in subparagraph (A);'';
(2) by inserting ``and Federal'' in paragraph (2) after
``non-Federal'';
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``State and local'' and inserting
``Federal, State, and local''; and
(B) by striking ``and'' after the semicolon;
(4) by striking ``firefighters.'' in paragraph (4) and
inserting ``firefighters;''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) to provide for a national program to assist families
of fallen firefighters and fire departments in dealing with
line-of-duty deaths of those firefighters; and
``(6) to promote national, State, and local initiatives to
increase public awareness of fire and life safety.''.
(b) Board of Directors.--Section 151303 of title 36, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (f) and (g) and inserting the
following:
``(f) Status and Compensation.--
``(1) Appointment to the board shall not constitute
employment by or the holding of an office of the United
States.
``(2) Members of the board shall serve without
compensation.''; and
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).
(c) Officers and Employees.--Section 151304 of title 36,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``not more than 2'' in subsection (a); and
(2) by striking ``are not'' in subsection (b)(1) and
inserting ``shall not be considered''.
(d) Support by the Administrator.--Section 151307(a)(1) of
title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Administrator'' and inserting
``During the 10-year period beginning on the date of
enactment of the Fire Administration Authorization Act of
2000, the Administrator''; and
(2) by striking ``shall'' in subparagraph (B) and inserting
``may''.
TITLE II--EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Authorization Act of 2000''.
SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--Section 12(a)(7)
of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C.
7706(a)(7)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' after ``1998,''; and
(2) by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999; $19,861,000
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, of which
$450,000 is for National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program-
eligible efforts of an established multi-state consortium to
reduce the unacceptable threat of earthquake damages in the
New Madrid seismic region through efforts to enhance
preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation; $20,705,000
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2002; and
$21,585,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003.''.
(b) United States Geological Survey.--Section 12(b) of the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(b))
is amended--
(1) by inserting after ``operated by the Agency.'' the
following: ``There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of the Interior for purposes of carrying out,
through the Director of the United States Geological Survey,
the responsibilities that may be assigned to the Director
under this Act $48,360,000 for fiscal year 2001, of which
$3,500,000 is for the Global Seismic Network and $100,000 is
for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee
established under section 210 of the Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Authorization Act of 2000; $50,415,000 for fiscal
year 2002, of which $3,600,000 is for the Global Seismic
Network and $100,000 is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies
Advisory Committee; and $52,558,000 for fiscal year 2003, of
which $3,700,000 is for the Global Seismic Network and
$100,000 is for the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory
Committee.'';
(2) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (1);
(3) by striking ``1999,'' at the end of paragraph (2) and
inserting ``1999;''; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) $9,000,000 of the amount authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 2001;
``(4) $9,250,000 of the amount authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 2002; and
``(5) $9,500,000 of the amount authorized to be
appropriated for fiscal year 2003,''.
(c) Real-time Seismic Hazard Warning System.--Section
2(a)(7) of the Act entitled ``An Act To authorize
appropriations for carrying out the Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Act of 1977 for fiscal years 1998 and 1999, and for
other purposes'' (111 Stat. 1159; 42 U.S.C. 7704 nt) is
amended by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999;
$2,600,000 for fiscal year 2001; $2,710,000 for fiscal year
2002; and $2,825,000 for fiscal year 2003.''.
(d) National Science Foundation.--Section 12(c) of the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706(c))
is amended--
(1) by striking ``1998, and'' and inserting ``1998,''; and
(2) by inserting after ``1999.'' the following: ``There are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation $19,000,000 for engineering research and
$11,900,000 for geosciences research for fiscal year 2001;
$19,808,000 for engineering research and $12,406,000 for
geosciences research for fiscal year 2002; and $20,650,000
for engineering research and $12,933,000 for geosciences
research for fiscal year 2003.''.
(e) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--
Section 12(d) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977
(42 U.S.C. 7706(d)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``1998, and''; and inserting ``1998,''; and
(2) by striking ``1999.'' and inserting ``1999, $2,332,000
for fiscal year 2001, $2,431,000 for fiscal year 2002, and
$2,534,300 for fiscal year 2003.''.
SEC. 203. REPEALS.
Section 10 and subsections (e) and (f) of section 12 of the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7705d and
7706 (e) and (f)) are repealed.
SEC. 204. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING
SYSTEM.
The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C.
7701 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
[[Page H11324]]
``SEC. 13. ADVANCED NATIONAL SEISMIC RESEARCH AND MONITORING
SYSTEM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Director of the United States
Geological Survey shall establish and operate an Advanced
National Seismic Research and Monitoring System. The purpose
of such system shall be to organize, modernize, standardize,
and stabilize the national, regional, and urban seismic
monitoring systems in the United States, including sensors,
recorders, and data analysis centers, into a coordinated
system that will measure and record the full range of
frequencies and amplitudes exhibited by seismic waves, in
order to enhance earthquake research and warning
capabilities.
``(b) Management Plan.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of the enactment of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Authorization Act of 2000, the Director of the United States
Geological Survey shall transmit to the Congress a 5-year
management plan for establishing and operating the Advanced
National Seismic Research and Monitoring System. The plan
shall include annual cost estimates for both modernization
and operation, milestones, standards, and performance goals,
as well as plans for securing the participation of all
existing networks in the Advanced National Seismic Research
and Monitoring System and for establishing new, or enhancing
existing, partnerships to leverage resources.
``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) Expansion and modernization.--In addition to amounts
appropriated under section 12(b), there are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior, to be used by
the Director of the United States Geological Survey to
establish the Advanced National Seismic Research and
Monitoring System--
``(A) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(B) $33,700,000 for fiscal year 2003;
``(C) $35,100,000 for fiscal year 2004;
``(D) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; and
``(E) $33,500,000 for fiscal year 2006.
``(2) Operation.--In addition to amounts appropriated under
section 12(b), there are authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary of the Interior, to be used by the Director of the
United States Geological Survey to operate the Advanced
National Seismic Research and Monitoring System--
``(A) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
``(B) $10,300,000 for fiscal year 2003.''.
SEC. 205. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION.
The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C.
7701 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
``SEC. 14. NETWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING SIMULATION.
``(a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall establish the George E. Brown, Jr. Network
for Earthquake Engineering Simulation that will upgrade,
link, and integrate a system of geographically distributed
experimental facilities for earthquake engineering testing of
full-sized structures and their components and partial-scale
physical models. The system shall be integrated through
networking software so that integrated models and databases
can be used to create model-based simulation, and the
components of the system shall be interconnected with a
computer network and allow for remote access, information
sharing, and collaborative research.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to
amounts appropriated under section 12(c), there are
authorized to be appropriated to the National Science
Foundation for the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for
Earthquake Engineering Simulation--
``(1) $28,200,000 for fiscal year 2001;
``(2) $24,400,000 for fiscal year 2002;
``(3) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
``(4) $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
SEC. 206. BUDGET COORDINATION.
Section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977
(42 U.S.C. 7704) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(1) and
redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (F) of subsection
(b)(1) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Budget Coordination.--
``(1) Guidance.--The Agency shall each year provide
guidance to the other Program agencies concerning the
preparation of requests for appropriations for activities
related to the Program, and shall prepare, in conjunction
with the other Program agencies, an annual Program budget to
be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget.
``(2) Reports.--Each Program agency shall include with its
annual request for appropriations submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget a report that--
``(A) identifies each element of the proposed Program
activities of the agency;
``(B) specifies how each of these activities contributes to
the Program; and
``(C) states the portion of its request for appropriations
allocated to each element of the Program.''.
SEC. 207. REPORT ON AT-RISK POPULATIONS.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, and after a period for public comment, the Director
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall transmit to
the Congress a report describing the elements of the Program
that specifically address the needs of at-risk populations,
including the elderly, persons with disabilities, non-
English-speaking families, single-parent households, and the
poor. Such report shall also identify additional actions that
could be taken to address those needs and make
recommendations for any additional legislative authority
required to take such actions.
SEC. 208. PUBLIC ACCESS TO EARTHQUAKE INFORMATION.
Section 5(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7704(b)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by
inserting ``, and development of means of increasing public
access to available locality-specific information that may
assist the public in preparing for or responding to
earthquakes'' after ``and the general public''.
SEC. 209. LIFELINES.
Section 4(6) of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of
1977 (42 U.S.C. 7703(6)) is amended by inserting ``and
infrastructure'' after ``communication facilities''.
SEC. 210. SCIENTIFIC EARTHQUAKE STUDIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the United States
Geological Survey shall establish a Scientific Earthquake
Studies Advisory Committee.
(b) Organization.--The Director shall establish procedures
for selection of individuals not employed by the Federal
Government who are qualified in the seismic sciences and
other appropriate fields and may, pursuant to such
procedures, select up to ten individuals, one of whom shall
be designated Chairman, to serve on the Advisory Committee.
Selection of individuals for the Advisory Committee shall be
based solely on established records of distinguished service,
and the Director shall ensure that a reasonable cross-section
of views and expertise is represented. In selecting
individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee, the Director
shall seek and give due consideration to recommendations from
the National Academy of Sciences, professional societies, and
other appropriate organizations.
(c) Meetings.--The Advisory Committee shall meet at such
times and places as may be designated by the Chairman in
consultation with the Director.
(d) Duties.--The Advisory Committee shall advise the
Director on matters relating to the United States Geological
Survey's participation in the National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program, including the United States Geological
Survey's roles, goals, and objectives within that Program,
its capabilities and research needs, guidance on achieving
major objectives, and establishing and measuring performance
goals. The Advisory Committee shall issue an annual report to
the Director for submission to Congress on or before
September 30 of each year. The report shall describe the
Advisory Committee's activities and address policy issues or
matters that affect the United States Geological Survey's
participation in the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner).
General Leave
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks on H.Res. 655.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution amends H.R. 1550, and in doing so makes
technical corrections to H.R. 1550 and S. 1639, both of which were
passed by the Senate on October 18. I had hoped that the House could
have sent these bills to the President, but, regrettably, errors in the
Senate-passed versions mean that they will have to be sent back to the
Senate.
In the interests of time, this resolution incorporates these two
bills into titles I and II respectively of H.R. 1550.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership for making the time available to
consider this resolution, and I hope our colleagues in the Senate will
move expeditiously to pass H.R. 1550, as amended by this resolution,
and send it to the President for his signature before the Congress
adjourns.
Mr. Speaker, titles I and II represent compromises worked out between
the Senate and the House and are very similar to the comparable bills
that passed the House by overwhelming majorities during the first
session of this Congress.
Mr. Speaker, title I reauthorizes training, research, data
collection, and analysis and public education programs at the United
States Fire Administration. H.R. 1550 represents the big step in
getting this agency back on track,
[[Page H11325]]
especially in research. The bill authorizes a total of $142.6 million
over fiscal years 2001 through 2003. The bill also requires USFA to
certify that funds obligated in fiscal year 2002 are consistent with
the strategic plan required in title I.
In addition to the increased authorizations for research funding, the
bill also requires the agency to establish research priorities and to
develop a plan for implementing a research agenda.
Mr. Speaker, title II of the bill, which authorizes the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, makes technical changes to S.
1639.
Earthquakes are a national problem. According to the U.S. Geological
Survey, 39 States are subject to serious earthquake risk, and 75
million people in the United States live in urban areas with moderate
to high earthquake risk.
Four agencies participated in NEHRP, the Federal Emergency Management
Administration, the USGS, the National Science Foundation, and the
National Institute of Standards and Technology. For fiscal year 2001,
title II authorizes $104.1 million for the base activities in these
agencies.
In addition, title II authorizes two new projects, each of which grew
out of congressional direction. The Advanced National Seismic Research
and Monitoring System will update the Nation's aging seismic monitoring
network. The bill authorizes $185 million over 5 years for USGS for
equipment and operation.
Mr. Speaker, the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake
Engineering Simulation, named after the distinguished late ranking
minority Member and chairman of the Committee on Science and originator
of NEHRP, will link more than 30 earthquake engineering research
facilities and upgrade and expand major earthquake testing facilities.
Title II provides NSF with a 4-year authorization totalling $74.1
million for this program.
Mr. Speaker, finally, the bill authorizes funding for studying the
New Madrid fault.
Through its emphasis on monitoring, research and mitigation, H.R.
1550 will help the Nation prepare for the inevitable and save lives and
property. I would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Smith), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Basic Research; the
gentlewoman from Texas, (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking
minority member of the subcommittee; the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Hall), the ranking minority member of the Committee on Science, for all
of their work in helping craft a fine bill.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution to amend H.R. 1550 represents a
sensible, long-term investment that will pay for itself many times over
in saved lives and reduced property losses. I urge my colleagues to
support it.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Fire Administration and the
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program I think deserve
everything that the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) has
recommended. I think they deserve the support of this House, because
their missions are very important to the safety of every American
anywhere.
I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), the chairman
of the Committee on Basic Research, and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms.
Eddie Bernice Johnson), who is the ranking Democratic member of the
subcommittee, for their good work in developing H.R. 1550.
Also I want to acknowledge the leadership of the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), chairman of the Committee on Science,
for moving the legislation forward and for so ably setting it forth
before us tonight.
Mr. Speaker, actually, title I of H.R. 1550 will give the Fire
Administration the resources it needs to carry out its important
mission and will also ensure that the agency conducts a strategic
planning necessary to ensure that the resources provided are spent
effectively.
In addition, title II of the bill reauthorizes the funding of Federal
research and geosciences, social sciences and engineering that has
contributed to saving countless lives, personal property and critical
infrastructures. This continued support will allow for even greater
strides in innovative areas that the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, or FEMA, the United States Geological Survey, the National
Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Science and
Technology are currently exploring.
The U.S. Fire Administration is a small agency with a very large
role. The funding provided by this bill will be used to improve the
skills of the firefighters and emergency response personnel. The funds
will help to increase the public awareness of fire safety. Finally, Mr.
Speaker, the funds will support research required to improve the
equipment available for suppressing fires and protecting firefighters.
The funding authorizations provided cover fiscal year 2001 through
the year 2003. The fiscal year 2001 authorization is right at the
President's request. The increases in authorization levels for the
other two outyears will provide resources needed to accommodate new
responsibilities at the Fire Administration for counterterrorism,
training, and to reinvigorate the agency's research activities.
Mr. Speaker, title II of H.R. 1550 reauthorizes the Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. In addition to authorizing increased
funding for the base earthquake program, and I am proud to announce
this, the bill authorizes, one, the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for
Earthquake Engineering Simulation; and, two, the Advanced Seismic
Research and Monitoring System; and, three, a study on elements of the
earthquake program that address the needs of at-risk populations.
Mr. Speaker, the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake
Engineering Simulation is an effort by the National Science Foundation
to modernize the earthquake engineering research facilities.
Mr. Speaker, it is an effort that I think my good friend, the late
George Brown, would have applauded; and I am overjoyed that this bill
honors the 30-plus years of advocacy of the late George E. Brown, Jr.
on earthquake mitigation and preparedness in this fashion.
It is truly fitting that Representative Brown, one of the original
drafters of the 1977 earthquake bill and a man whose name remains
synonymous with earthquake preparedness and mitigation during his time
in this Congress, is equated with the improvement in the earthquake
infrastructure.
Mr. Speaker, I fully support H.R. 1550 and commend the measure to the
House for its very favorable consideration.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume
to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith).
(Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Wisconsin for yielding me the time.
Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner)
noted in his remarks, this bill represents the combination of two good
bills that will go a long ways towards reducing the risk of damage to
property and injury to Americans due to fire or earthquakes.
As chairman of the Subcommittee on Basic Research, it was my
privilege to introduce the two bills that have become the two titles of
this legislation today.
H. Res. 655 really, as I see it, is legislative substitute of a
conference committee. So it moves the process a long a little faster.
It incorporates the agreed-to changes by the Senate and by the House.
Mr. Speaker, title I is the Fire Administration Authorization Act of
2000. Since its creation in 1974, the Fire Administration has had a
notable, positive impact on communities across the country. Between
1986 and 1995, for example, fire deaths decreased 30 percent, and the
adjusted dollar loss associated with fire decreased 13 percent.
Mr. Speaker, much of this decrease can be traced to the research
sponsored by the USFA. Now, I think we need a renewed effort to reduce
damage and loss by fire and support our first responders.
[[Page H11326]]
We passed exceptional help in the Defense authorization bill this
year and plan to appropriate $100 million for a new grant program for
fire departments. All of this legislation demonstrates our commitment
to the 1.2 million men and women of the fire service, 80 percent of
whom serve as volunteers.
This bill authorizes a total of $142.6 million for the Fire
Administration for the next 3 years, including nearly $10 million for
research, but it does more than authorize increased funding.
It also requires the Fire Administration to develop a strategic plan,
and ties obligations for Fiscal Year 2001 to that plan. I believe that
while it is important for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
incorporate the Fire Administration into its Federal-disaster planning,
it is also important for the Fire Administration to establish strategic
priorities of its own that, when taken in the aggregate, can have a
huge impact in reduced life and property loss from fire.
In addition to the substantial increase authorized for research, this
legislation also directs the Fire Administration to establish a
research agenda. Coupled with the increased money, this research agenda
will compel the Fire Administration to set priorities and give research
a more central role in its activities.
2115
Title II of this legislation is the Earthquakes Hazard Reduction
Authorization Act of 2000. The National Earthquake Hazard Reduction
Program called NEHRP has enjoyed strong bipartisan support. Again, the
primary purpose of NEHRP is simple: to save lives and property. But
while the goal may be stated simply, really getting a grip on the
problems earthquakes pose is a more difficult challenge.
Since its inception in 1977, NEHRP has done a credible job of
contributing to our store of knowledge about the causes and effects of
earthquakes, and it has reduced our vulnerability to them through
engineering research and new building designs. The Program's monitoring
component also holds the promise of providing real-time warning to
citizens and a wealth of data to researchers. Indeed, improving
earthquake warnings by just a few seconds can mean the difference
between life and death. This bill reauthorizes the base NEHRP programs
at $104 million for FY 2001, $108 million for FY 2002, and $113 million
for FY 2003.
Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by saying 39 States are exposed to a
significant earthquake risk, and about 75 million people live in urban
areas with moderate to high earthquake risk. The programs authorized in
this bill will enable us to have better warnings and be better prepared
for the inevitable earthquakes in our future.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner); and I would like to thank the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Hall), the full committee ranking member; and certainly
the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), the ranking
member of the subcommittee; and all of my colleagues on the
Subcommittee on Basic Research for their efforts in bringing this bill
forward.
I would also like to recognize the efforts of our late ranking
member. As was commented on by both the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall)
and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), Representative
George E. Brown, Jr. was the originator of the NEHRP program, and he
believed strongly in the need for earthquake research and preparedness.
I am pleased that this bill will authorize the Network for Earthquake
Engineering Simulation in his name. I urge my colleagues to once again
support this important legislation.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume
to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson), who is the
ranking democratic member of the Subcommittee on Basic Research.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Fire
Administration and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
have long enjoyed the bipartisan support of the Congress because of
their vital mission, to improve safety for all citizens.
I would like to acknowledge the collegial approach taken by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Subcommittee
on Basic Research, in developing H.R. 1550. It has been a pleasure
working with him on the bill. I also want to thank the chairman of the
committee, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), and the
ranking democratic member, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), for
their efforts to bring it before the House for its consideration
tonight.
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 was intended to
address a serious problem affecting the safety of all Americans. Much
progress has been made during the past 25 years in public education
about fire safety and improvement in the effectiveness of fire services
and the wider use of home fire safety devices. Nevertheless, the United
States still has one of the highest fire death rates among advanced
nations.
In 1997, 4,000 Americans died and nearly 24,000 were injured in
fires. Moreover, the approximately 2 million fires reported each year
result in direct property loss estimated at well over $8 billion, with
a total direct and indirect cost reaching $100 billion annually.
The bill before the House seeks to reinvigorate the efforts of the
fire administration. I am pleased that it endorses the President's
fiscal year 2000 proposal and brings the budget level to $50 million by
fiscal year 2003.
Although this is a 12 percent increase over 3 years, it still pales
compared to the scale of activity originally contemplated for the
agency. Nevertheless, H.R. 1550 is a good start. We are improving the
level of resources the fire administration needs to carry out its
important mission. It will enable the agency to increase support for
its critical responsibility for firefighter training through the
National Fire Academy. The budget growth will enable the agency to
reverse the steep decline in support for fire research and for public
education programs. Regarding public education, the fire administration
must enlarge and improve its efforts to reduce losses, and I will put
my complete remarks in the record.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to specifically express my support for
title II of H.R. 1550 which authorizes the national earthquake hazard
reduction program. Through the efforts of the scientists and engineers
funded by NEHRP programs, we now have maps that inform engineers,
architects and builders of seismic hazards. We have model building
codes, and we have a greater understanding of the science of earthquake
hazards and the response of buildings to the seismic movement.
Advances such as early warning of seismic events, more structurally
sound buildings, regional analysis of seismic risk, mobile research
centers and widespread use of Internet and other telecommunications
capability are going to make a marked reduction in the earthquakes.
As my former colleague, the gentleman from California, Mr. Brown,
would say, there are still challenges we must face and assessments that
must be made periodically to make sure that we are doing everything we
can to ensure the safety and security of the American people. There are
still earthquake-prone communities that have not adopted appropriate
building codes; monitoring in earthquake-prone areas is still done with
less than state-of-the-art equipment, and disparities in earthquake
losses due to age, socioeconomic status, and physical limitations still
exist. Fortunately, I feel that the bill before us today will help us
meet these needs.
In addition to authorizing increased funding for the base program,
the bill authorizes the Advanced Seismic Research and Monitoring System
to upgrade and expand our seismic monitoring, and the Network for
Earthquake Engineering Simulation to modernize earthquake engineering
research facilities. The full title of the network for the earthquake
engineering simulation is actually the George E. Brown, Jr. Network and
Earthquake Engineering Simulation, in recognition of one of this
legislative body's most active and vigilant champions of initiative
preparedness; the late Representative George E. Brown, Jr.
Mr. Brown began the crusade for earthquake preparedness and
mitigation in the 1960s at a time in which many people labeled him as
an alarmist, but as we all know, Mr. Brown was always a step ahead in
his view of the world around us. Through his works and through him
serving as one of the original drafters of the Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Act of 1977, Mr.
[[Page H11327]]
Brown has improved the lives of countless Americans that reside in
seismically active or potentially active regions of the country.
Therefore, it is only fitting that this recognition be given to a man
who served as one of the greatest contributors to the current
earthquake hazards reduction infrastructure.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that H.R. 1550 is a good bill
that comes to the floor at this time, and it is with bipartisan
support, and I am pleased to recommend that all of the Members support
this measure.
Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Fire Administration and The National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program have long enjoyed the bipartisan support of
the Congress because of their vital mission to improve the safety of
all our citizens.
I would like to acknowledge the collegial approach taken by Mr.
Smith, the chairman of the Basic Research Subcommittee, in developing
H.R. 1550. It has been a pleasure working with him on the bill. I also
want to thank the chairman of the committee, Mr. Sensenbrenner, and the
Ranking Democratic Member, Mr. Hall, for their efforts in bringing it
before the House for its consideration today.
The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 was intended to
address a serious problem affecting the safety of all Americans. Much
progress has been made during the past 25 years in public education
about fire safety, improvement in the effectiveness of fire services,
and the wider use of home fire safety devices.
Nevertheless, the United States still has one of the highest fire
death rates among advanced nations. In 1997, 4,000 Americans died and
nearly 24,000 were injured in fires. Moreover, the approximately 2
million fires reported each year result in direct property losses
estimated at well over $8 billion, with total direct and indirect costs
reaching $100 billion annually.
The bill before the House seeks to reinvigorate the efforts of the
Fire Administration. I am pleased that it endorses the President's
fiscal year 2001 proposal and brings the budget level to $50 million by
fiscal year 2003. Although this is a 12 percent increase over three
years, it still pales compared to the scale of activity originally
contemplated for the agency.
Nevertheless, H.R. 1550 is a good start for providing the level of
resources the Fire Administration needs to carry out its important
mission. It will enable the agency to increase support for its critical
responsibility for firefighter training through the National Fire
Academy. Moreover, the budget growth will enable the agency to reverse
the steep decline in support for fire research and for public education
programs.
Regarding public education, the Fire Administration must enlarge and
improve its efforts to reduce losses for the population groups most at
risk from fire death and injury. We know that the elderly, the very
young, and the poor are the most vulnerable. I included language in the
report accompanying the original House-passed version of the bill
tasking the Fire Administration to carefully assess whether research
and additional data collection activities could improve understanding
of the factors that lead to increased fire risk. Effective, targeted
fire prevention campaigns can be developed only from a sound knowledge
base.
In addition to resources, the bill provides for the agency to develop
a management plan and establish the program priorities that will help
to ensure the increased resources are used to maximum effect. An
important component of the plan is the requirement for consultation
with the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the fire
service organizations to establish a prioritized set of research goals.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to specifically express my support of
Title II of HR 1550, which reauthorizes the National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program (NEHRP). Through the efforts of the scientists and
engineers funded by NEHRP programs, we now have maps that inform
engineers, architects, and builders of seismic hazards; we have model
building codes; and we have a greater understanding of the science of
earthquake hazards and the response of buildings to seismic movement.
Advances such as early warning of seismic events, more structurally
sound buildings, regional analysis of seismic risk, mobile research
centers, and widespread use of the Internet and other
telecommunications capabilities are going to make marked reductions in
the impacts of earthquakes.
However, as my former colleague Mr. Brown of California would say,
there are still challenges we must face and assessments that must be
made periodically to make sure that we are doing everything we can to
ensure the safety and security of the American people.
There are still earthquake-prone communities that have not adopted
appropriate building codes; monitoring in earthquake-prone areas is
still done with less than state-of-the-art equipment, and disparities
in earthquake losses due to age, socioeconomic status, and physical
limitations still exist.
Fortunately, I feel that the bill before us today will help us meet
these needs.
In addition to authorizing increased funding for the base program,
the bill authorizes (1) the ``Advanced Seismic Research and Monitoring
System'' to upgrade and expand our seismic monitoring, and (2) the
``Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation'' to modernize
earthquake engineering research facilities.
The full title of the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation
is actually the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering
Simulation in recognition of one of this legislative body's most active
and vigilant champions of earthquake preparedness; the late
Representative George E. Brown, Jr.
Mr. Brown began the crusade for earthquake preparedness and
mitigation in the 1960's, at a time in which many people labeled him an
alarmist. But as we all know Mr. Brown was always a step ahead in his
view of the world around us. Through his works--including serving as
one of the original drafters of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of
1977--Mr. Brown has improved the lives of countless Americans that
reside in seismically active, or potentially active, regions of the
country.
Therefore, it is only fitting that this recognition be given to a man
who served as one of the greatest contributors to the current
``earthquake hazard reduction'' infrastructure.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, let me say that H.R. 1550 is a good bill
that comes to the Floor with bipartisan support and that authorizes
programs that advance public safety. I am pleased to recommend the
measure to my colleagues for their approval.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thune). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, House Resolution
655.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum
is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8, rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________