[Senate Report 114-62]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                      Calendar No. 114
114th Congress   }                                     {       Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session     }                                     {       114-62
_____________________________________________________________________
                                                       

    NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF 2015

                               __________

                              R E P O R T

                                 of the

           COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

                                   on

                                H.R. 23

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


                 June 11, 2015.--Ordered to be printed
                                   _____

                         U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

49-010 PDF                     WASHINGTON : 2015                  
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
       SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
                    one hundred fourteenth congress
                             first session

                   JOHN THUNE, South Dakota, Chairman
 ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi         BILL NELSON, Florida
 ROY BLUNT, Missouri                  MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
 MARCO RUBIO, Florida                 CLAIRE McCASKILL, Missouri
 KELLY AYOTTE, New Hampshire          AMY KLOBUCHAR , Minnesota
 TED CRUZ, Texas                      RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
 DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
 JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  ED MARKEY, Massachusetts
 DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska                 CORY BOOKER, New Jersey
 RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin               TOM UDALL, New Mexico
 DEAN HELLER, Nevada                  JOE MANCHIN, West Virginia
 CORY GARDNER, Colorado               GARY PETERS, Michigan
 STEVE DAINES, Montana
                    David Schwietert, Staff Director
                   Nick Rossi, Deputy Staff Director
                    Rebecca Seidel, General Counsel
                 Kim Lipsky, Democratic Staff Director
           Christopher Day, Democratic Deputy Staff Director
                 Clint Odom, Democratic General Counsel
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                                                      Calendar No. 114
114th Congress   }                                     {        Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session     }                                     {        114-62

======================================================================



 
    NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF 2015

                                _______
                                

                 June 11, 2015.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Thune, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H. R. 23]

    The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to 
which was referred the bill (H.R. 23) to reauthorize the 
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon 
with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute) and 
recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass.

                          Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of H.R. 23, as reported, is to strengthen and 
improve the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program 
(NWIRP).

                          Background and Needs

    Wind hazards--which include tornados, hurricanes, and 
derechos--are a threat to all 50 States and cause injuries, 
deaths, economic disruptions, and property damage. Millions of 
Americans live in areas vulnerable to storms with damaging 
winds. The tornadic events of 2011 in Joplin, Missouri and in 
the southeastern United States, as well as recent Hurricanes 
Isaac, Irene, and Sandy in 2012, demonstrated the devastating 
results of windstorms. In the United States in 2011, windstorms 
caused nearly $11 billion in total direct property losses, 
injured nearly 7,000 people, and took nearly 700 lives.\1\ As 
populations continue to grow in areas prone to hurricanes, 
tornadoes, and windstorms, vulnerabilities to severe weather 
are likely to increase. In 2005, the National Science and 
Technology Council (NSTC) stated that America's primary focus 
on disaster response and recovery is ``an impractical and 
inefficient strategy for dealing with these ongoing threats. 
Instead, communities must break the cycle of destruction and 
recovery by enhancing their disaster resilience.''\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National 
Weather Service, Summary of Natural Hazard Statistics for 2011 in the 
United States, May 2012, at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats/
sum11.pdf.
    \2\National Science and Technology Council, Committee on 
Environment and Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction, 
Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction, June 2005, at http://
www.sdr.gov/docs/SDRGrandChallengesforDisasterReduction.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    NWIRP was established in 2004, but has never been 
reauthorized.\3\ Under the program, the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science 
Foundation (NSF), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA) support activities to improve the understanding of 
windstorms and their impacts, as well as to develop and 
encourage the implementation of cost-effective mitigation 
measures to reduce these impacts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\P.L. 108-360, Title II, National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act 
(2004).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy 
(OSTP) submitted a NWIRP implementation plan in April 2006, 
which assessed programs relevant to the goals of NWIRP across 
eight Federal agencies and identified important areas of 
research that were not covered by current activities. General 
knowledge gaps were identified in the three broad categories of 
research authorized in the National Windstorm Impact Reduction 
Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15701 et seq.) (Act of 2004): 
understanding windstorms; assessing the impacts of windstorms; 
and mitigation against the effects of windstorms.\4\ The 
implementation plan also recommended a continued role for the 
Interagency Working Group within the NSTC's Committee on 
Environment and Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Disaster 
Reduction. In OSTP's most recent Biennial Report to Congress 
for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012, OSTP provided examples of 
relevant Federal activities undertaken by the program, 
reflecting collaboration and cooperation across government, 
among Federal agencies, and with academia and the private 
sector.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\National Science and Technology Council, Windstorm Impact 
Reduction Implementation Plan, 2006, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/
sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/windstorm_impact_
reduction_implementation_plan_final.pdf.
    \5\National Science and Technology Council, National Windstorm 
Impact Reduction Program: Biennial Report to Congress for Fiscal Years 
2011 and 2012, p. 6, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/
microsites/ostp/NSTC/nwirp_fy11-12_biennial_report_to_congress.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Summary of Provisions

    H.R. 23, as amended, would strengthen NWIRP by transferring 
primary responsibility for program planning and coordination 
from OSTP to NIST, assigning updated program responsibilities 
to participating agencies NIST, NSF, NOAA, and FEMA, and 
requiring these agencies to report on planned NWIRP activities 
in conjunction with the President's budget requests to 
Congress. NIST would be designated as the new lead agency of 
NWIRP, which would help ensure agency efforts for wind-hazard 
mitigation research, development, and technology transfer are 
coordinated, transparent, and effective.
    The bill would create a new Interagency Coordinating 
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction that would be required 
to develop a strategic plan that outlines the prioritized goals 
of the program, research objectives to attain those goals, and 
how research results will be transferred into outcomes, such as 
improved building codes and other mitigation measures. H.R. 23 
would also update the requirements of the National Advisory 
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which convenes non-
Federal stakeholders to provide recommendations and assessments 
on trends and developments on windstorm impact mitigation, and 
NWIRP strategic plan priorities, coordination, effectiveness, 
and necessary revisions.
    The bill would authorize appropriations totaling $21.4 
million for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2017 for NWIRP 
activities at NIST, NOAA, NSF, and FEMA. This total is less 
than the level authorized in the original law.

                          Legislative History

    H.R. 23 was introduced on January 6, 2015, by 
Representative Randy Neugebauer and passed the House of 
Representatives by a vote of 381-39 on January 7, 2015. The 
bill is substantially similar to H.R. 1786, which passed the 
House of Representatives in the 113th Congress but saw no 
action in the Senate.
    No legislative hearings were held on H.R. 23 in the 114th 
Congress. In the 113th Congress, the Subcommittee on Research 
and Technology of the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives, held a hearing on 
June 5, 2013, to examine the role of research and development 
in mitigating the damaging effects of windstorms and the 
methods of transferring the results of research into practice 
for stakeholders, including building code developers, builders, 
and property owners. The hearing reviewed the activities of 
NWIRP and H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction 
Act Reauthorization of 2013.
    On February 26, 2015, the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate held an Executive Session to 
consider H.R. 23, and ordered the bill to be reported to the 
Senate favorably, with an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, by voice vote. Two first degree amendments were 
agreed to, including one sponsored by Chairman Thune and 
Ranking Member Nelson to make several changes to the bill 
reflecting agency feedback, and another sponsored by Senator 
Markey to add a term to the list of examples of windstorms.

                            Estimated Costs

    In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the 
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget 
Office:

H.R. 23--National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 
        2015

    Summary: H.R. 23 would reauthorize the National Windstorm 
Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP), which was created to improve 
the understanding of windstorms and their effects and to 
develop measures to reduce the damage they cause. The act also 
would establish an interagency committee to oversee and 
coordinate activities of federal agencies participating in the 
program. Under H.R. 23, the committee would be directed to 
develop a strategic plan that sets goals for the program to 
mitigate the loss of life and property from future storms.
    Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO 
estimates that implementing H.R. 23 would cost $42 million over 
the 2016-2020 period. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply 
because enacting the legislation would not affect direct 
spending or revenues.
    H.R. 23 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary effect of H.R. 23 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget functions 250 
(general science, space, and technology), 300 (natural 
resources and environment), 370 (commerce and housing credit), 
and 450 (community and regional development).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            2016     2017     2018     2019     2020   2016-2020
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
 
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
    Authorization Level.................................        5        5        0        0        0        11
    Estimated Outlays...................................        3        5        2        0        0        11
National Science Foundation:
    Authorization Level.................................       10       10        0        0        0        19
    Estimated Outlays...................................        2        6        6        3        1        18
National Institute of Standards and Technology:
    Authorization Level.................................        4        4        0        0        0         8
    Estimated Outlays...................................        3        4        1        0        0         8
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration:
    Authorization Level.................................        2        2        0        0        0         5
    Estimated Outlays...................................        1        2        1        0        0         5
    Total...............................................
        Authorization Level.............................       21       21        0        0        0        43
        Estimated Outlays...............................       10       18       10        3        1       42
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 
23 will be enacted near the end fiscal year 2015 and that the 
authorized amounts will be appropriated in fiscal years 2016 
and 2017. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending 
patterns for this program.
    For each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017, H.R. 23 would 
authorize appropriation of about $21 million for the federal 
agencies that participate in the windstorm reduction program. 
Specifically, for each of those years, the act would authorize 
appropriations of $5.3 million for the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, $9.7 million for the National Science 
Foundation, $4.1 million for the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, and $2.3 million for the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out the NWIRP. 
Assuming appropriation those amounts, CBO estimates that 
implementing the act would cost $42 million over the 2016-2020 
period.
    CBO estimates that roughly $54 million was obligated in 
2014 by federal agencies for windstorm-related activities. 
However, those agencies do not have sufficient information 
available to compare the activities authorized in H.R. 23 with 
the amounts obligated in 2014.
    Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 23 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state, 
local, or tribal governments.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Susan Willie; Impact 
on state, local, and tribal governments: Jon Sperl; Impact on 
the private sector: Amy Petz.
    Estimate approved by: H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                           Regulatory Impact

    In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the 
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the 
legislation, as reported:

                       number of persons covered

    The bill would not subject any individuals or businesses to 
additional regulations. It would support research and 
development to improve model building codes, voluntary 
standards, and best practices for the design, construction, and 
retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines. These 
recommended models, standards, and practices would be voluntary 
under the bill and not regulatory requirements.

                            economic impact

    The bill would authorize spending by the Federal Government 
at lower levels than were previously authorized. Four Federal 
agencies would be authorized to spend a total of $21.4 million 
annually from fiscal years 2015 through 2017, whereas these 
agencies were authorized to spend a total of $25 million in the 
last fiscal year authorized (fiscal year 2008). This spending 
would support windstorm impact research and development and 
mitigation measures, which if applied and implemented, would 
result in positive economic benefits and savings for the 
Nation.

                                privacy

    The bill would have no adverse impact on the personal 
privacy of individuals.

                               paperwork

    The bill would not increase paperwork requirements for 
private individuals or businesses. The legislation would 
require the Federal Government to produce three reports to 
Congress, and a Federal advisory committee to submit a report 
to NIST. The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm 
Impact Reduction would be required to submit to Congress a 
strategic plan not later than one year after the date of 
enactment, a report on NWIRP progress not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment, and a coordinated NWIRP budget not 
later than 60 days after the President submits the President's 
budget to Congress each fiscal year. Participating NWIRP 
agencies would also be required to include a description of 
projected activities and spending in their annual budget 
requests to Congress. The National Advisory Committee on 
Windstorm Impact Reduction would be required to report at least 
every two years to the Director of NIST on its assessments and 
recommendations for ways to improve NWIRP, shifting an existing 
reporting requirement to Congress and to an OSTP Interagency 
Working Group under current law.

                   Congressionally Directed Spending

    In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no 
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the 
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the 
rule.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis


Section 1. Short title.

    This section would establish the short title as the 
``National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 
2015.''

Section 2. Definitions.

    This section would amend section 203 of the Act of 2004 (42 
U.S.C. 15702) to define the ``Director'' of NWIRP as the 
Director of NIST rather than the Director of OSTP. Section 203 
also would define ``lifelines'' to mean public works and 
utilities, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and 
communication facilities and infrastructure, and water supply 
and sewage treatment facilities. As amended, section 203 would 
add the term ``northeaster'' to the list of examples of 
windstorms in the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 
2004.

Section 3. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

    The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C 
15703) made under this section would identify the four agencies 
that have responsibilities under NWIRP: NIST, NSF, NOAA, and 
FEMA. The amendments made under this section would define NIST 
as the lead program agency with primary responsibility for 
planning and coordinating NWIRP, and assign updated 
responsibilities to the four program agencies.
    The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C 
15703) made under this section would require NIST to support 
the development of performance-based engineering tools; request 
the assistance of Federal agencies, other than NWIRP agencies, 
as necessary; coordinate all Federal post-windstorm 
investigations to the extent practicable (as amended); and 
issue recommendations to assist in informing model codes when 
warranted by research or investigative findings. The Committee 
intends for NIST to coordinate all Federal post-windstorm 
investigations, but does not intend for NIST to do so at the 
expense of conducting research and development at its 
laboratories. NIST is not required to be physically present at 
every post-windstorm investigation but should be aware of and 
play a role in all investigations. In addition to the lead 
agency responsibilities, NIST would also be required to conduct 
research and development to improve model building codes, 
voluntary standards, and best practices for the design, 
construction, and retrofit of buildings, structures, and 
lifelines.
    The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C 
15703) made under this section would require NSF to 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, as well as 
research in economic and social factors influencing windstorm 
risk reduction measures.
    The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C 
15703) made under this section would require NOAA to support 
atmospheric science research to improve the understanding of 
the behavior of windstorms and their impact on buildings, 
structures, and lifelines.
    The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C 
15703) made under this section would require FEMA to support 
the development of risk assessment tools and effective 
mitigation techniques, windstorm-related data collection and 
analysis, public outreach and information dissemination, and 
promotion of the adoption of windstorm preparedness and 
mitigation measures. FEMA would also be required to work 
closely with national standards and model building code 
organizations, in conjunction with NIST, to promote 
implementation of research results and promote better building 
practices.
    The Directors of NIST, NSF, NOAA and FEMA would be required 
to include in each of their annual budget requests to Congress 
a description of their agency's projected NWIRP activities and 
an assessment of what they plan to spend on the program for the 
fiscal year covered in the budget request. This will provide 
greater accountability and transparency for NWIRP and its 
annual activities.
    Additionally, the amendments under this section would 
create an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm 
Impact Reduction, intended to update and replace the current 
interagency working group structure led by OSTP. The 
Interagency Coordinating Committee would be chaired by the 
Director of NIST, or the Director's designee (as amended), and 
would be comprised of the heads or such designees (as amended) 
of FEMA, NOAA, NSF, OSTP, the Office of Management and the 
Budget (OMB), and the head of any other Federal agency the 
Chair considers appropriate. The Interagency Coordinating 
Committee would be required to meet not less than once a year 
and to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan, 
progress report, and coordinated budgets for NWIRP. The 
coordinated budget would be due within 60 days after the 
President's budget request has been transmitted to Congress (as 
amended). The Interagency Coordinating Committee may meet more 
often than once a year, especially as it is beginning its work. 
The Interagency Coordinating Committee should ensure that the 
agencies coordinate their activities well through strategic 
planning and that they take advantage of opportunities for more 
coordination of research and development across different 
natural hazards.

Section 4. National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction.

    This section would amend section 205 of the Act of 2004 (42 
U.S.C. 15704) to reauthorize and update an existing advisory 
committee for NWIRP of at least 7 and not more than 15 members 
(as amended) who are qualified to provide advice on windstorm 
impact reduction. The advisory committee must offer 
recommendations and assessments on trends and developments on 
windstorm impact mitigation and NWIRP strategic plan 
priorities, coordination, effectiveness (as amended), and 
necessary revisions. Additionally, the amendments made under 
this section would require the advisory committee to report to 
the Director of NIST on its assessments and recommendations at 
least every two years. The authority for the advisory committee 
would terminate on September 30, 2017.

Section 5. Authorization of appropriations.

    This section would amend section 207 of the Act of 2004 (42 
U.S.C. 15706) to authorize appropriations as follows:
    For FEMA: $5,332,000 for each fiscal year 2015 through 
2017.
    For NSF: $9,682,000 for each fiscal year 2015 through 2017.
    For NIST: $4,120,000 for each fiscal year 2015 through 
2017.
    For NOAA: $2,266,000 for each fiscal year 2015 through 
2017.

                        Changes in Existing Law

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

             NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT OF 2004


                       [42 U.S.C. 15701 et seq.]

SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.

                           [42 U.S.C. 15802]

  In this title:
          (1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the 
        [Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
        Policy] Director of the National Institute of Standards 
        and Technology.
          (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.
          [(2)](3) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the 
        National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program established 
        by section 204(a).
          [(3)](4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 
        States of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
        the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States 
        Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth 
        of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
        territory or possession of the United States.
          [(4)](5) Windstorm.--The term ``windstorm'' means any 
        storm with a damaging or destructive wind component, 
        such as a hurricane, tropical storm, northeaster, 
        tornado, or thunderstorm.

SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.

                           [42 U.S.C. 15703]

  [(a) Establishment.--There is established the National 
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
  [(b) Objective.--The objective of the Program is the 
achievement of major measurable reductions in losses of life 
and property from windstorms. The objective is to be achieved 
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 implementation of cost-effective 
mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.
  [(c) Interagency Working Group.--Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish 
an Interagency Working Group consisting of representatives of 
the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and 
other Federal agencies as appropriate. The Director shall 
designate an agency to serve as Chair of the Working Group and 
be responsible for the planning, management, and coordination 
of the Program, including budget coordination. Specific agency 
roles and responsibilities under the Program shall be defined 
in the implementation plan required under subsection (e). 
General agency responsibilities shall include the following:
          [(1) The National Institute of Standards and 
        Technology shall support research and development to 
        improve building codes and standards and practices for 
        design and construction of buildings, structures, and 
        lifelines.
          [(2) 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.
          [(3) 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.
          [(4) 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.]
  (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.
  [(d)](c) Program Components.--
          (1) In general.--The Program shall consist of three 
        primary mitigation components: improved understanding 
        of windstorms, windstorm impact assessment, and 
        windstorm impact reduction. The components shall be 
        implemented through activities such as data collection 
        and analysis, risk assessment, outreach, technology 
        transfer, and research and development. To the extent 
        practicable, research activities authorized under this 
        title shall be peer-reviewed, and the components shall 
        be designed to be complementary to, and avoid 
        duplication of, other public and private hazard 
        reduction efforts.
          (2) Understanding of windstorms.--Activities to 
        enhance the understanding of windstorms shall include 
        research to improve knowledge of and data collection on 
        the impact of severe wind on buildings, structures, and 
        infrastructure.
          (3) Windstorm impact assessment.--Activities to 
        improve windstorm impact assessment shall include--
                  (A) development of mechanisms for collecting 
                and inventorying information on the performance 
                of buildings, structures, and infrastructure in 
                windstorms and improved collection of pertinent 
                information from sources, including the design 
                and construction industry, insurance companies, 
                and building officials;
                  (B) research, development, and technology 
                transfer to improve loss estimation and risk 
                assessment systems; and
                  (C) research, development, and technology 
                transfer to improve simulation and 
                computational modeling of windstorm impacts.
          (4) Windstorm impact reduction.--Activities to reduce 
        windstorm impacts shall include--
                  (A) development of improved outreach and 
                implementation mechanisms to translate existing 
                information and research findings into cost-
                effective and affordable practices for design 
                and construction professionals, and State and 
                local officials;
                  (B) development of cost-effective and 
                affordable windstorm-resistant systems, 
                structures, and materials for use in new 
                construction and retrofit of existing 
                construction; and
                  (C) outreach and information dissemination 
                related to cost-effective and affordable 
                construction techniques, loss estimation and 
                risk assessment methodologies, and other 
                pertinent information regarding windstorm 
                phenomena to Federal, State, and local 
                officials, the construction industry, and the 
                general public.
  [(e) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 1 year after date 
of enactment of this title, the Interagency Working Group shall 
develop and transmit to the Congress an implementation plan for 
achieving the objectives of the Program. The plan shall 
include--
          [(1) an assessment of past and current public and 
        private efforts to reduce windstorm impacts, including 
        a comprehensive review and analysis of windstorm 
        mitigation activities supported by the Federal 
        Government;
          [(2) a description of plans for technology transfer 
        and coordination with natural hazard mitigation 
        activities supported by the Federal Government;
          [(3) a statement of strategic goals and priorities 
        for each Program component area;
          [(4) a description of how the Program will achieve 
        such goals, including detailed responsibilities for 
        each agency; and
          [(5) a description of plans for cooperation and 
        coordination with interested public and private sector 
        entities in each program component area.
  [(f) Biennial Report.--The Interagency Working Group shall, 
on a biennial basis, and not later than 180 days after the end 
of the preceding 2 fiscal years, transmit a report to the 
Congress describing the status of the windstorm impact 
reduction program, including progress achieved during the 
preceding two fiscal years. Each such report shall include any 
recommendations for legislative and other action the 
Interagency Working Group considers necessary and appropriate. 
In developing the biennial report, the Interagency Working 
Group shall consider the recommendations of the Advisory 
Committee established under section 205. Windstorm Impact 
Reduction Program.]
  (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. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.

                           [42 U.S.C. 15704]

  [(a) Establishment.-- The Director shall establish a National 
Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, consisting of 
not less than 11 and not more than 15 non-Federal members 
representing a broad cross section of interests such as the 
research, technology transfer, design and construction, and 
financial communities; materials and systems suppliers; State, 
county, and local governments; the insurance industry; and 
other representatives as designated by the Director.
  [(b) Assessment.--The Advisory Committee shall assess--
          [(1) trends and developments in the science and 
        engineering of windstorm impact reduction;
          [(2) the effectiveness of the Program in carrying out 
        the activities under section 204(d);
          [(3) the need to revise the Program; and
          [(4) the management, coordination, implementation, 
        and activities of the Program.
  [(c) Biennial Report.--At least once every two years, the 
Advisory Committee shall report to Congress and the Interagency 
Working Group on the assessment carried out under subsection 
(b).
  [(d) Sunset Exemption.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Committee 
established under this section.]

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. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

                           [42 U.S.C. 15706]

  [(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency for carrying out this title--
          [(1) $8,700,000 for fiscal year 2006;
          [(2) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
          [(3) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2008.
  [(b) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying 
out this title--
          [(1) $8,700,000 for fiscal year 2006;
          [(2) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
          [(3) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2008.
  [(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) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
          [(2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
          [(3) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
  [(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) $2,100,000 for fiscal year 2006;
          [(2) $2,200,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
          [(3) $2,200,000 for fiscal year 2008.]

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.

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