109th CONGRESS
2d Session

H. R. 6144

To reduce vulnerability to natural disasters in foreign countries through the use of disaster mitigation techniques.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 21, 2006

Mr. BLUMENAUER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

A BILL

To reduce vulnerability to natural disasters in foreign countries through the use of disaster mitigation techniques.

    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 `International Disaster Risk Reduction Act of 2006'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:

      (1) The devastating impacts of natural disasters can be mitigated by assisting communities to build in safer locations, construct sturdier dwellings, enforce sound building practices, and protect natural ecosystems.

      (2) By 2050, two billion people are expected to be especially vulnerable to floods due to growing populations, indiscriminate logging, rapid urbanization, and increasing development along coasts and in other hazardous regions.

      (3) According to a study by the World Bank and the United States Geological Survey during the 1990s, $40 billion invested in preventive measures could have saved $280 billion in disaster relief funds and saved countless lives.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FOR DISASTER MITIGATION EFFORTS.

    Section 491(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Assistance relating to disaster preparedness under the preceding sentence shall include assistance to reduce vulnerability of humans and property to natural disasters through the use of disaster mitigation techniques, including to assist communities to build in safer locations, construct sturdier dwellings, promulgate and enforce sound building codes and practices, develop comprehensive land use plans that include disaster preparedness and risk reduction, and protect natural ecosystems.'.

SEC. 4. INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF DISASTER MITIGATION TECHNIQUES.

    (a) Initiative- The Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate departments and agencies of the Government of the United States, shall develop and implement an initiative to reduce vulnerability of humans and property to natural disasters in foreign countries by encouraging the use of disaster mitigation techniques, including disaster mitigation techniques described in section 491(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292(b)), as amended by section 3 of this Act, by foreign governments in regions considered especially vulnerable to natural disasters.

    (b) United States Assistance- The initiative required by subsection (a) shall include the provision of assistance under section 491(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292(b)), as amended by section 3 of this Act, relating to the use of disaster mitigation techniques.

    (c) Advisory Committee- The Secretary of State shall appoint an advisory committee of experts in the science of natural disasters and disaster mitigation, humanitarian relief and development, international diplomacy, and professionals in the fields of urban, community, and regional planning (including transportation and land use), architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design to advise the Secretary on the development and implementation of the initiative required by subsection (a).

    (d) Report- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State should submit to the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate a report that contains a description of the initiative required by subsection (a) and a plan for its implementation.

SEC. 5. REGULATIONS.

    (a) In General- Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall promulgate regulations which require that--

      (1) efforts to reduce vulnerability to future disasters through the use of disaster mitigation techniques, including techniques described in section 491(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292(b)), as amended by section 3 of this Act, shall be included in all United States assistance programs, projects, and activities for international disaster relief and rehabilitation; and

      (2) such programs, projects, and activities may only be provided in ways that reduce overall vulnerability to natural disasters in the impacted area.

    (b) Update- The Secretary of State may periodically revise the regulations promulgated pursuant to subsection (a).

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General- There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2007 and each subsequent fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act and the amendment made by section 3 of this Act.

    (b) Availability- Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are authorized to remain available until expended.

END