HR 1379
112th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1379
To reauthorize Federal natural hazards reduction programs, and for
other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 5, 2011
Mr. WU (for himself, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. LIPINSKI, Ms.
FUDGE, Mr. TONKO, and Ms. WILSON of Florida) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and
in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources and Transportation and
Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
of the committee concerned
A BILL
To reauthorize Federal natural hazards reduction programs, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2011'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States faces significant risks from many types of natural
hazards, including earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods.
Increasing numbers of Americans are living in areas prone to these hazards.
(2) Earthquakes occur without warning and can have devastating effects.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, two recent earthquakes, the Northridge
Earthquake in 1994, and the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, killed nearly
100 people, injured 12,757, and caused $33 billion in damages. Nearly all
States face some level of seismic risk. Twenty-six urban areas in 14 States
have a significant seismic risk.
(3) Severe weather is the most costly natural hazard, measured on a per
year basis. According to data from the National Weather Service over the
last 10 years, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and hurricanes have caused an average
of 226 fatalities and $16 billion of property damage per year. The 2005
hurricane season was one of the most destructive in United States history,
killing 1,836 people, and causing $80 billion in damage.
(4) The United States Fire Administration reports that 38 percent of new
home construction in 2002 was in areas adjacent to, or intermixed with,
wildlands. Fires in the wildland-urban interface are costly. For example,
the 2007 California Witch fire alone caused $1.3 billion in insured property
losses, according to the Insurance Services Office (ISO). In addition, Government
Accountability Office reported in 2007 that the Federal spending for wildfire
suppression between 2001 and 2005 was, on average, $2.9 billion per year.
(5) Developing better knowledge about natural hazard phenomena and their
effects is crucial to assessing the risks these hazards pose to communities.
Instrumentation, monitoring, and data gathering to characterize earthquakes
and wind events are important activities to increase this knowledge.
(6) Current building codes and standards can mitigate the damages caused
by natural hazards. The Institute for Business and Home Safety estimated
that the $19 billion in damage caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1994 could
have been reduced by half if such codes and standards were in effect. Research
for the continuous improvement of building codes, standards, and design
practices--and for developing methods to retrofit existing structures--is
crucial to mitigating losses from natural hazards.
(7) Since its creation in 1977, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program (NEHRP) has supported research to develop seismic codes, standards,
and building practices that have been widely adopted. The NEHRP Recommended
Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures
and the Guidance for Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings are two
examples.
(8) Research to understand the institutional, social, behavioral, and economic
factors that influence how households, businesses, and communities perceive
risk and prepare for natural hazards, and how well they recover after a
disaster, can increase the implementation of risk mitigation measures.
(9) A major goal of the Federal natural hazards-related research and development
effort should be to reduce the loss of life and damage to communities and
infrastructure through increasing the adoption of hazard mitigation measures.
(10) Research, development, and technology transfer to secure infrastructure
is vitally important. Infrastructure that supports electricity, transportation,
drinking water, and other services is vital immediately after a disaster,
and their quick return to function speeds the economic recovery of a disaster-impacted
community.
TITLE I--EARTHQUAKES
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Reauthorization Act of 2011'.
SEC. 102. FINDINGS.
Section 2 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701)
is repealed.
SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.
Section 4 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7703)
is amended by striking paragraphs (8) and (9).
SEC. 104. NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM.
Section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7704)
is amended--
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
`(2) PROGRAM ACTIVITIES- The activities of the Program shall be designed
to--
`(A) research and develop effective methods, tools, and technologies to
reduce the risk posed by earthquakes to the built environment, especially
to lessen the risk to existing structures and lifelines;
`(B) improve the understanding of earthquakes and their effects on households,
businesses, communities, buildings, structures, and lifelines, through
interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research that involves engineering,
natural sciences, and social sciences; and
`(C) facilitate the adoption of earthquake risk reduction measures by
households, businesses, communities, local, State, and Federal governments,
national standards and model building code organizations, architects and
engineers, building owners, and others with a role in planning for disasters
and planning, constructing, retrofitting, and insuring buildings, structures,
and lifelines through--
`(i) grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and technical assistance;
`(ii) development of standards, guidelines, voluntary consensus standards,
and other design guidance for earthquake hazards risk reduction for
buildings, structures, and lifelines;
`(iii) outreach and information dissemination to communities on location-specific
earthquake hazards and methods to reduce the risks from those hazards;
and
`(iv) development and maintenance of a repository of information, including
technical data, on seismic risk and hazards reduction.'; and
(B) by striking paragraphs (3) through (5);
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
`(b) Responsibilities of Program Agencies-
`(1) LEAD AGENCY- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (in
this section referred to as the `Institute') shall be responsible for planning
and coordinating the Program. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director
of the Institute shall--
`(A) ensure that the Program includes the necessary components to promote
the implementation of earthquake hazards risk reduction measures by households,
businesses, communities, local, State, and Federal governments, national
standards and model building code organizations, architects and engineers,
building owners, and others with a role in preparing for disasters, or
the planning, constructing, retrofitting, and insuring of buildings, structures,
and lifelines;
`(B) support the development of performance-based seismic engineering
tools, and work with the appropriate groups to promote the commercial
application of such tools, through earthquake-related building codes,
standards, and construction practices;
`(C) ensure the use of social science research and findings in informing
research and technology development priorities, communicating earthquake
risks to the public, developing earthquake risk mitigation strategies,
and preparing for earthquake disasters;
`(D) coordinate all Federal post-earthquake investigations; and
`(E) when warranted by research or investigative findings, issue recommendations
for changes in model codes to the relevant code development organizations,
and report back to Congress on whether such recommendations were adopted.
`(2) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY- In addition to the
lead agency responsibilities described under paragraph (1), the Institute
shall be responsible for carrying out research and development to improve
building codes and standards and practices for buildings, structures, and
lifelines. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the Institute
shall--
`(A) work, in conjunction with other appropriate Federal agencies, to
support the development of improved seismic standards and model codes;
`(B) in coordination with other appropriate Federal agencies, work closely
with standards and model code development organizations, professional
societies, and practicing engineers, architects, and others involved in
the construction of buildings, structures, and lifelines, to promote better
building practices, including by--
`(i) developing technical resources for practitioners on new knowledge
and standards of practice; and
`(ii) developing methods and tools to facilitate the incorporation of
earthquake engineering principles into design and construction practices;
`(C) develop tools, technologies, methods, and practitioner guidance to
feasibly and cost-effectively retrofit existing buildings and structures
to increase their earthquake resiliency; and
`(D) work closely with national standards organizations, and other interested
parties, to develop seismic safety standards and practices for new and
existing lifelines.
`(3) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY-
`(A) IN GENERAL- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (in this paragraph
referred to as the `Agency'), consistent with the Agency's all hazards
approach, shall be responsible for facilitating the development and adoption
of standards, model building codes, and better seismic building practices,
developing tools to assess earthquake hazards, promoting the adoption
of hazard mitigation measures, and carrying out a program of direct assistance
to States and localities to mitigate earthquake risks to buildings, structures,
lifelines, and communities.
`(B) Director's DUTIES- The Director of the Agency shall--
`(i) work closely with other relevant Federal agencies, standards and
model building code development organizations, architects, engineers,
and other professionals, to facilitate the development and adoption
of standards, model codes, and design and construction practices to
increase the earthquake resiliency of new and existing buildings, structures,
and lifelines in the--
`(I) preparation, maintenance, and wide dissemination of design guidance,
model building codes and standards, and practices to increase the
earthquake resiliency of new and existing buildings, structures, and
lifelines;
`(II) development of performance-based design guidelines and methodologies
supporting model codes for buildings, structures, and lifelines; and
`(III) development of methods and tools to facilitate the incorporation
of earthquake engineering principles into design and construction
practices;
`(ii) develop tools, technologies, and methods to assist local planners,
and others, to model and predict the potential impact of earthquake
damage in seismically hazardous areas; and
`(iii) support the implementation of a comprehensive earthquake education
and public awareness program, including the development of materials
and their wide dissemination to all appropriate audiences, and support
public access to locality-specific information that may assist the public
in preparing for, mitigating against, responding to, and recovering
from earthquakes and related disasters.
`(C) STATE ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM- The Director of the Agency shall
operate a program of grants and assistance to enable States to develop
mitigation, preparedness, and response plans, compare inventories and
conduct seismic safety inspections of critical structures and lifelines,
update building and zoning codes and ordinances to enhance seismic safety,
increase earthquake awareness and education, and encourage the development
of multistate groups for such purposes. The Director shall operate such
programs in coordination with the all hazards mitigation and preparedness
programs authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), in order to ensure that such
programs are as consistent as possible. In order to qualify for assistance
under this subparagraph, a State must--
`(i) demonstrate that the assistance will result in enhanced seismic
safety in the State;
`(ii) provide 50 percent of the costs of the activities for which assistance
is being given, except that the Director may lower or waive the cost-share
requirement for these activities in exceptional cases of economic hardship;
and
`(iii) meet such other requirements as the Director of the Agency shall
prescribe.
`(D) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY- Nothing
in this Act shall be construed to diminish the role and responsibility
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency with regard to all hazards
preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
`(4) UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY- The United States Geological Survey
(in this paragraph referred to as the `Survey') shall conduct research and
other activities necessary to characterize and identify earthquake hazards,
assess earthquake risks, monitor seismic activity, and provide real-time
earthquake information. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of
the Survey shall--
`(A) conduct a systematic assessment of the seismic risks in each region
of the Nation prone to earthquakes, including, where appropriate, the
establishment and operation of intensive monitoring projects on hazardous
faults, detailed seismic hazard and risk studies in urban and other developed
areas where earthquake risk is determined to be significant, and engineering
seismology studies;
`(B) work with officials of State and local governments to ensure that
they are knowledgeable about the specific seismic risks in their areas;
`(C) develop standard procedures, in consultation with the Director of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, for issuing earthquake alerts,
including aftershock advisories, and, to the extent possible, ensure that
such alerts are compatible with the Integrated Public Alerts and Warning
System program authorized by section 202 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5132);
`(D) issue when justified, and notify the Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency of, an earthquake prediction or other earthquake advisory,
which may be evaluated by the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation
Council;
`(E) operate, as integral parts of the Advanced National Seismic Research
and Monitoring System, a National Earthquake Information Center and a
national seismic network, together providing timely and accurate information
on earthquakes worldwide;
`(F) support the operation of regional seismic networks in areas of higher
seismic risk;
`(G) develop and support seismic instrumentation of buildings and other
structures to obtain data on their response to earthquakes for use in
engineering studies and assessment of damage;
`(H) monitor and assess Earth surface deformation as it pertains to the
evaluation of earthquake hazards and impacts;
`(I) work with other Program agencies to maintain awareness of, and where
appropriate cooperate with, earthquake risk reduction efforts in other
countries, to ensure that the Program benefits from relevant information
and advances in those countries;
`(J) maintain suitable seismic hazard maps in support of building codes
for structures and lifelines, including additional maps needed for performance-based
design approaches, and, to the extent possible, ensure that such maps
are developed consistent with the multihazard advisory maps authorized
by section 203(k) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133(k));
`(K) conduct a competitive, peer-reviewed process which awards grants
and cooperative agreements to complement and extend related internal Survey
research and monitoring activities; and
`(L) operate, in cooperation with the National Science Foundation, a Global
Seismographic Network for detection of earthquakes around the world and
research into fundamental earth processes.
`(5) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION- The National Science Foundation shall
be responsible for funding basic research that furthers the understanding
of earthquakes, earthquake engineering, and community preparation and response
to earthquakes. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the National
Science Foundation shall--
`(A) support multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research that will
improve the resiliency of communities to earthquakes, including--
`(i) research that improves the safety and performance of buildings,
structures, and lifelines, including the use of the large-scale experimental
and computational facilities of the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for
Engineering Earthquake Simulation;
`(ii) research to support more effective earthquake mitigation and response
measures, such as developing better knowledge of the specific types
of vulnerabilities faced by segments of the community vulnerable to
earthquakes, addressing the barriers they face in adopting mitigation
and preparation measures, and developing methods to better communicate
the risks of earthquakes and to promote mitigation; and
`(iii) research on the response of communities, households, businesses,
and emergency responders to earthquakes;
`(B) support research to understand earthquake processes, earthquake patterns,
and earthquake frequencies;
`(C) encourage prompt dissemination of significant findings, sharing of
data, samples, physical collections, and other supporting materials, and
development of intellectual property so research results can be used by
appropriate organizations to mitigate earthquake damage;
`(D) work with other Program agencies to maintain awareness of, and where
appropriate cooperate with, earthquake risk reduction research efforts
in other countries, to ensure that the Program benefits from relevant
information and advances in those countries; and
`(E) include to the maximum extent practicable diverse institutions, including
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions,
Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions,
and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.'; and
(3) in subsection (c)(1) by inserting `on Natural Hazards Risk Reduction
established under section 301 of the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act
of 2011' after `Interagency Coordinating Committee'.
SEC. 105. POST-EARTHQUAKE INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM.
Section 11 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7705e)
is amended by striking `There is established' and all that follows through
`conduct of such earthquake investigations.' and inserting `The Program shall
include a post-earthquake investigations program, the purpose of which is
to investigate major earthquakes so as to learn lessons which can be applied
to reduce the loss of lives and property in future earthquakes. The lead Program
agency, in consultation with each Program agency, shall organize investigations
to study the implications of the earthquakes in the areas of responsibility
of each Program agency. The investigations shall begin as rapidly as possible
and may be conducted by grantees and contractors. The Program agencies shall
ensure that the results of the investigations are disseminated widely.'.
SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General- Section 12 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977
(42 U.S.C. 7706) is amended--
(1) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following:
`(9) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management
Agency for carrying out this Act--
`(A) $10,238,000 for fiscal year 2011;
`(B) $10,545,000 for fiscal year 2012;
`(C) $10,861,000 for fiscal year 2013;
`(D) $11,187,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
`(E) $11,523,000 for fiscal year 2015.';
(2) by adding at the end of subsection (b) the following:
`(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the United States Geological
Survey for carrying out this Act--
`(A) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which $36,000,000 shall be made
available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring
System;
`(B) $92,100,000 for fiscal year 2012, of which $37,000,000 shall be made
available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring
System;
`(C) $94,263,000 for fiscal year 2013, of which $38,000,000 shall be made
available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring
System;
`(D) $96,491,000 for fiscal year 2014, of which $39,000,000 shall be made
available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring
System; and
`(E) $98,786,000 for fiscal year 2015, of which $40,000,000 shall be made
available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring
System.';
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (c) the following:
`(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation
for carrying out this Act--
`(A) $64,125,000 for fiscal year 2011;
`(B) $66,049,000 for fiscal year 2012;
`(C) $68,030,000 for fiscal year 2013;
`(D) $70,071,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
`(E) $72,173,000 for fiscal year 2015.'; and
(4) by adding at the end of subsection (d) the following:
`(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology for carrying out this Act--
`(A) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
`(B) $7,700,000 for fiscal year 2012;
`(C) $7,931,000 for fiscal year 2013;
`(D) $8,169,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
`(E) $8,414,000 for fiscal year 2015.'.
(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 14 of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7708) is amended--
(1) by striking `(a) Establishment- '; and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
TITLE II--WIND
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the `National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization
of 2011'.
SEC. 202. PURPOSE.
Section 202 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C.
15701) is amended to read as follows:
`SEC. 202. PURPOSE.
`It is the purpose of the Congress in this title to achieve a major measurable
reduction in losses of life and property from windstorms through the establishment
and maintenance of an effective Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. The objectives
of such Program shall include--
`(1) the education of households, businesses, and communities about the
risks posed by windstorms, and the identification of locations, structures,
lifelines, and segments of the community which are especially vulnerable
to windstorm damage and disruption, and the dissemination of information
on methods to reduce those risks;
`(2) the development of technologically and economically feasible design
and construction methods and procedures to make new and existing structures,
in areas of windstorm risk, windstorm resilient, giving high priority to
the development of such methods and procedures for lifelines, structures
associated with a potential high loss of life, and structures that are especially
needed in times of disasters, such as hospitals and public safety and shelter
facilities;
`(3) the implementation, in areas of major windstorm risk, of instrumentation
to record and gather data on windstorms and the characteristics of the wind
during those events, and continued research to increase the understanding
of windstorm phenomena;
`(4) the development, publication, and promotion, in conjunction with State
and local officials and professional organizations, of model building codes
and standards and other means to encourage consideration of information
about windstorm risk in making decisions about land use policy and construction
activity; and
`(5) the facilitation of the adoption of windstorm risk mitigation measures
in areas of windstorm risk by households, businesses, and communities through
outreach, incentive programs, and other means.'.
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
Section 203(1) of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 (42
U.S.C. 15702(1)) is amended by striking `Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy' and inserting `Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology'.
SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
Section 204 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C.
15703) is amended to read as follows:
`SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
`(a) Establishment- There is established the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Program.
`(b) Program Activities- The activities of the Program shall be designed to--
`(1) research and develop cost-effective, feasible methods, tools, and technologies
to reduce the risks posed by windstorms to the built environment, especially
to lessen the risk to existing structures and lifelines;
`(2) improve the understanding of windstorms and their impacts on households,
businesses, communities, buildings, structures, and lifelines, through interdisciplinary
and multidisciplinary research that involves engineering, natural sciences,
and social sciences; and
`(3) facilitate the adoption of windstorm risk reduction measures by households,
businesses, communities, local, State and Federal governments, national
standards and model building code organizations, architects and engineers,
building owners, and others with a role in planning for disasters and planning,
constructing, retrofitting, and insuring buildings, structures, and lifelines
through--
`(A) grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and technical assistance;
`(B) development of hazard maps, standards, guidelines, voluntary consensus
standards, and other design guidance for windstorm risk reduction for
buildings, structures, and lifelines;
`(C) outreach and information dissemination to communities on site specific
windstorm hazards and ways to reduce the risks from those hazards; and
`(D) development and maintenance of a repository of information, including
technical data, on windstorm hazards and risk reduction;
`(c) Responsibilities of Program Agencies-
`(1) LEAD AGENCY- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (in
this section referred to as the `Institute') shall be responsible for planning
and coordinating the Program. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director
of the Institute shall--
`(A) ensure that the Program includes the necessary components to promote
the implementation of windstorm risk reduction measures by households,
businesses, communities, local, State, and Federal governments, national
standards and model building code organizations, architects and engineers,
building owners, and others with a role in planning and preparing for
disasters, and planning constructing, and retrofitting, and insuring buildings,
structures, and lifelines;
`(B) support the development of performance-based engineering tools, and
work with the appropriate groups to promote the commercial application
of such tools, through wind-related building codes, standards, and construction
practices;
`(C) ensure the use of social science research and findings in informing
the development of technology and research priorities, in communicating
windstorm risks to the public, in developing windstorm risk mitigation
strategies, and in preparing for windstorm disasters;
`(D) coordinate all Federal post-windstorm investigations; and
`(E) when warranted by research or investigative findings, issue recommendations
for changes in model codes to the relevant code development organizations,
and report back to Congress on whether such recommendations were adopted.
`(2) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY- In addition to the
lead agency responsibilities described under paragraph (1), the Institute
shall be responsible for carrying out research and development to improve
model codes, standards, design guidance and practices for the construction
and retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines. In carrying out this
paragraph, the Director of the Institute shall--
`(A) support the development of instrumentation, data processing, and
archival capabilities, and standards for the instrumentation and its deployment,
to measure wind, wind loading, and other properties of severe wind and
structure response;
`(B) coordinate with other appropriate Federal agencies to make the data
described in subparagraph (A) available to researchers, standards and
code developers, and local planners;
`(C) support the development of tools and methods for the collection of
data on the loss of and damage to structures, and data on surviving structures
after severe windstorm events;
`(D) improve the knowledge of the impact of severe wind on buildings,
structures, lifelines, and communities;
`(E) develop cost-effective windstorm impact reduction tools, methods,
and technologies;
`(F) work, in conjunction with other appropriate Federal agencies, to
support the development of wind standards and model codes; and
`(G) in conjunction with other appropriate Federal agencies, work closely
with standards and model code development organizations, professional
societies, and practicing engineers, architects, and others involved in
the construction of buildings, structures, and lifelines, to promote better
building practices, including by--
`(i) supporting the development of technical resources for practitioners
to implement new knowledge; and
`(ii) supporting the development of methods and tools to incorporate
wind engineering principles into design and construction practices.
`(3) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY- The Federal Emergency Management
Agency, consistent with the Agency's all hazards approach, shall support
the development of risk assessment tools and effective mitigation techniques,
assist with windstorm-related data collection and analysis, and support
outreach, information dissemination, and implementation of windstorm preparedness
and mitigation measures by households, businesses, and communities, including
by--
`(A) working to develop or improve risk-assessment tools, methods, and
models;
`(B) work closely with other appropriate Federal agencies to develop and
facilitate the adoption of windstorm impact reduction measures, including
by--
`(i) developing cost-effective retrofit measures for existing buildings,
structures, and lifelines to improve windstorm performance;
`(ii) developing methods, tools, and technologies to improve the planning,
design, and construction of new buildings, structures, and lifelines;
`(iii) supporting the development of model wind codes and standards
for buildings, structures, and lifelines; and
`(iv) developing technical resources for practitioners that reflect
new knowledge and standards of practice; and
`(C) develop and disseminate guidelines for the construction of windstorm
shelters.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish the role and responsibility
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency with regard to all hazards preparedness,
response, recovery, and mitigation.
`(4) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION- The National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration shall support atmospheric sciences research
and data collection to improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms
and their impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines, including by--
`(A) working with other appropriate Federal agencies to develop and deploy
instrumentation to measure speed and other characteristics of wind, and
to collect, analyze, and make available such data;
`(B) working with officials of State and local governments to ensure that
they are knowledgeable about, and prepared for, the specific windstorm
risks in their area;
`(C) supporting the development of suitable wind speed maps and other
derivative products that support building codes and other hazard mitigation
approaches for buildings, structures, and lifelines, and, to the extent
possible, ensure that such maps and other derivative products are developed
consistent with the multihazard advisory maps authorized by section 203(k)
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5133(k));
`(D) conducting a competitive, peer-reviewed process which awards grants
and cooperative agreements to complement the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's wind-related and storm surge-related research and data
collection activities;
`(E) working with other appropriate Federal agencies and State and local
governments to develop or improve risk-assessment tools, methods, and
models; and
`(F) working with other appropriate Federal agencies to develop storm
surge models to better understand the interaction between windstorms and
bodies of water.
`(5) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION- The National Science Foundation shall
be responsible for funding basic research that furthers the understanding
of windstorms, wind engineering, and community preparation and response
to windstorms. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the National
Science Foundation shall--
`(A) support multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research that will
improve the resiliency of communities to windstorms, including--
`(i) research that improves the safety and performance of buildings,
structures, and lifelines;
`(ii) research to support more effective windstorm mitigation and response
measures, such as developing better knowledge of the specific types
of vulnerabilities faced by segments of the community vulnerable to
windstorms, addressing the barriers they face in adopting mitigation
and preparation measures, and developing methods to better communicate
the risks of windstorms and to promote mitigation; and
`(iii) research on the response of communities to windstorms, including
on the effectiveness of the emergency response, and the recovery process
of communities, households, and businesses;
`(B) support research to understand windstorm processes, windstorm patterns,
and windstorm frequencies;
`(C) encourage prompt dissemination of significant findings, sharing of
data, samples, physical collections, and other supporting materials, and
development of intellectual property so research results can be used by
appropriate organizations to mitigate windstorm damage;
`(D) work with other Program agencies to maintain awareness of, and where
appropriate cooperate with, windstorm risk reduction research efforts
in other countries, to ensure that the Program benefits from relevant
information and advances in those countries; and
`(E) include to the maximum extent practicable diverse institutions, including
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions,
Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions,
and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.'.
SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 207 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program of 2004 (42
U.S.C. 15706) is amended to read as follows:
`SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
`(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency- There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out this title--
`(1) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2011;
`(2) $9,972,500 for fiscal year 2012;
`(3) $10,271,600 for fiscal year 2013;
`(4) $10,579,800 for fiscal year 2014; and
`(5) $10,897,200 for fiscal year 2015.
`(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 2011;
`(2) $9,972,500 for fiscal year 2012;
`(3) $10,271,600 for fiscal year 2013;
`(4) $10,579,800 for fiscal year 2014; and
`(5) $10,897,200 for fiscal year 2015.
`(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 2011;
`(2) $4,243,600 for fiscal year 2012;
`(3) $4,370,900 for fiscal year 2013;
`(4) $4,502,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
`(5) $4,637,100 for fiscal year 2015.
`(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 2011;
`(2) $2,334,000 for fiscal year 2012;
`(3) $2,404,000 for fiscal year 2013;
`(4) $2,476,100 for fiscal year 2014; and
`(5) $2,550,400 for fiscal year 2015.'.
TITLE III--INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL HAZARDS RISK REDUCTION
SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL HAZARDS RISK REDUCTION.
(a) In General- There is established an Interagency Coordinating Committee
on Natural Hazards Risk Reduction, chaired by the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
(1) MEMBERSHIP- In addition to the chair, the Committee shall be composed
of--
(i) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(ii) the United States Geological Survey;
(iii) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;
(iv) the National Science Foundation;
(v) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; and
(vi) the Office of Management and Budget; and
(B) the head of any other Federal agency the Committee considers appropriate.
(2) MEETINGS- The Committee shall not meet less than 2 times a year at the
call of the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(3) GENERAL PURPOSE AND DUTIES- The Committee shall oversee the planning
and coordination of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and
the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and shall make proposals
for planning and coordination of any other Federal research for natural
hazard mitigation that the Committee considers appropriate.
(4) STRATEGIC PLANS- The Committee shall develop and submit to Congress,
not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act--
(A) a Strategic Plan for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
that includes--
(i) prioritized goals for such Program that will mitigate against the
loss of life and property from future earthquakes;
(ii) short-term, mid-term, and long-term research objectives to achieve
those goals;
(iii) a description of the role of each Program agency in achieving
the prioritized goals;
(iv) the methods by which progress towards the goals will be assessed;
(v) an explanation of how the Program will foster the transfer of research
results onto outcomes, such as improved building codes;
(vi) a description of the role of social science in informing the development
of the prioritized goals and research objectives; and
(vii) a description of how the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake
Engineering Simulation and the Advanced National Seismic Research and
Monitoring System will be used in achieving the prioritized goals and
research objectives; and
(B) a Strategic Plan for the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program
that includes--
(i) prioritized goals for such Program that will mitigate against the
loss of life and property from future windstorms;
(ii) short-term, mid-term, and long-term research objectives to achieve
those goals;
(iii) a description of the role of each Program agency in achieving
the prioritized goals;
(iv) the methods by which progress towards the goals will be assessed;
(v) an explanation of how the Program will foster the transfer of research
results onto outcomes, such as improved building codes; and
(vi) a description of the role of social science in informing the development
of the prioritized goals and research objectives.
(5) PROGRESS REPORTS- Not later than one year after the date of enactment
of this Act, and at least once every two years thereafter, the Committee
shall submit to the Congress--
(A) a report on the progress of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program that includes--
(i) a description of the activities funded for the previous two years
of 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;
(ii) the outcomes achieved by the Program for each of the goals identified
in the Strategic Plan;
(iii) a description of any recommendations made to change existing building
codes that were the result of Program activities; and
(iv) a description of the extent to which the Program has incorporated
recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction;
and
(B) a report on the progress of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Program that includes--
(i) a description of the activities funded for the previous two years
of 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;
(ii) the outcomes achieved by the Program for each of the goals identified
in the Strategic Plan;
(iii) a description of any recommendations made to change existing building
codes that were the result of Program activities; and
(iv) a description of the extent to which the Program has incorporated
recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction.
(6) COORDINATED BUDGET- The Committee shall develop a coordinated budget
for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and a coordinated
budget for the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. These budgets
shall be submitted to the Congress at the time of the President's budget
submission for each fiscal year.
(b) Advisory Committees on Natural Hazards Reduction-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall establish an Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction,
an Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, and other such advisory
committees as the Director considers necessary to advise the Institute on
research, development, and technology transfer activities to mitigate the
impact of natural disasters.
(2) ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION- The Advisory Committee
on Earthquake Hazards Reduction shall be composed of at least 11 members,
none of whom may be employees of the Federal Government, including representatives
of research and academic institutions, industry standards development organizations,
emergency management agencies, State and local government, and business
communities who are qualified to provide advice on earthquake hazards reduction
and represent all related scientific, architectural, and engineering disciplines.
The recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be considered by Federal
agencies in implementing the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
(3) ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION- The Advisory Committee
on Windstorm Impact Reduction shall be composed of at least 7 members, none
of whom may be employees of the Federal Government, including representatives
of research and academic institutions, industry standards development organizations,
emergency management agencies, State and local government, and business
communities who are qualified to provide advice on windstorm impact reduction
and represent all related scientific, architectural, and engineering disciplines.
The recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be considered by Federal
agencies in implementing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
(4) ASSESSMENTS- The Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction
and the Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction shall offer assessments
on--
(A) trends and developments in the natural, social, and engineering sciences
and practices of earthquake hazards or windstorm impact mitigation;
(B) the priorities of the Programs' Strategic Plans;
(C) the coordination of the Programs; and
(D) and any revisions to the Programs which may be necessary.
(5) REPORTS- At least every two years, the Advisory Committees shall report
to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology on
the assessments carried out under paragraph (4) and their recommendations
for ways to improve the Programs. In developing recommendations for the
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, the Advisory Committee on
Earthquake Hazards Reduction shall consider the recommendations of the United
States Geological Survey Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee.
(c) Coordination of Federal Disaster Research, Development, and Technology
Transfer- Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction of the Committee on Environment and
Natural Resources of the National Science and Technology Council shall submit
a report to the Congress identifying--
(1) current Federal research, development, and technology transfer activities
that address hazard mitigation for natural disasters, including earthquakes,
hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, floods, and the current budgets for these
activities;
(2) areas of research that are common to two or more of the hazards identified
in paragraph (1); and
(3) opportunities to create synergies between the research activities for
the hazards identified in paragraph (1).
TITLE IV--NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TEAM ACT AMENDMENTS
SEC. 401. NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TEAM ACT AMENDMENTS.
The National Construction Safety Team Act (15 U.S.C. 7301 et seq.) is amended--
(A) by striking `a building or buildings' and inserting `a building, buildings,
or infrastructure'; and
(B) by striking `To the maximum extent practicable, the Director shall
establish and deploy a Team within 48 hours after such an event.' and
inserting `The Director shall make a decision whether to deploy a Team
within 72 hours after such an event.';
(2) in section 2(b)(1), by striking `buildings' and inserting `buildings
or infrastructure';
(3) in section 2(b)(2)(A), by striking `building' and inserting `building
or infrastructure';
(4) in section 2(b)(2)(D), by striking `buildings' and inserting `buildings
or infrastructure';
(5) in section 2(c)(1), by striking `the United States Fire Administration
and';
(6) in section 2(c)(1)(G), by striking `building' and inserting `building
or infrastructure';
(7) in section 2(c)(1)(J)--
(A) by striking `building' and inserting `building or infrastructure';
and
(B) by inserting `and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004'
after `Act of 1977';
(8) in section 4(a), by striking `investigating a building' and inserting
`investigating building and infrastructure';
(A) by striking `a building' and inserting `a building or infrastructure';
and
(B) by striking `building' both of the other places it appears and inserting
`building or infrastructure';
(10) in section 4(a)(3), by striking `building' both places it appears and
inserting `building or infrastructure';
(11) in section 4(b), by striking `building' both places it appears and
inserting `building or infrastructure';
(12) in section 4(c)(1) and (2), by striking `building' both places it appears
and inserting `building or infrastructure';
(13) by amending section 4(d)(1) to read as follows:
`(1) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a Team
investigation shall have priority over any other investigation which is
related to the purpose and duties set forth in section 2(b) and undertaken
by any other Federal agency.';
(14) in section 4(d)(3) and (4), by striking `building' both places it appears
and inserting `building or infrastructure';
(15) in section 4, by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
`(5) INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTIGATIONS- With respect to an investigation relating
to an infrastructure failure, a Federal agency with primary jurisdiction
over the failed infrastructure which is conducting an investigation and
asserts priority over the Team investigation shall have such priority. Such
priority shall not otherwise affect the authority of the Team to continue
its investigation under this Act.';
(16) in section 7(a), by striking `on request and at reasonable cost';
(17) in section 7(c), by striking `building' and inserting `building or
infrastructure';
(18) in section 8(1) and (4), by striking `building' both places it appears
and inserting `building or infrastructure';
(19) in section 9, by striking `the United States Fire Administration and';
(20) in section 9(2)(C), by striking `building' and inserting `building
or infrastructure';
(21) in section 10(3), by striking `building' and inserting `building and
infrastructure';
(22) in section 11(a), by striking `the United States Fire Administration
and'; and
(23) by striking section 12.
TITLE V--FIRE RESEARCH PROGRAM
SEC. 501. FIRE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 16(a)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act
(15 U.S.C. 278f(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by inserting `fires at the wildland-urban interface,'
after `but not limited to,'; and
(2) in subparagraph (E), by inserting `fires at the wildland-urban interface,'
after `types of fires, including'.
END
