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113th Congress Rept. 113-380
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session Part 1
======================================================================
NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF 2014
_______
March 13, 2014.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Smith of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1786]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 1786) to reauthorize the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for other purposes,
having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
I. Amendment.......................................................2
II. Purpose and Summary.............................................5
III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................5
IV. Hearing Summary.................................................6
V. Committee Consideration.........................................6
VI. Committee Votes.................................................7
VII. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................9
VIII. Committee Views................................................10
IX. Committee Oversight Findings...................................10
X. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........11
XI. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditur11
XII. Advisory on Earmarks...........................................11
XIII. Committee Cost Estimate........................................11
XIV. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate......................11
XV. Federal Mandates Statement.....................................13
XVI. Compliance with House Resolution 5.............................13
XVII. Federal Advisory Committee Statement...........................13
XVIII.Applicability to Legislative Branch............................13
XIX. Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation.................13
XX. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported..........15
XXI. Exchange of Committee Correspondence...........................22
XXII. Proceedings of the Subcommittee Markup.........................25
XXIII.Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup.......................55
I. Amendment
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Act Reauthorization of 2014''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Director.--Section 203(1) of the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702(1)) is amended by striking
``Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy'' and
inserting ``Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology''.
(b) Lifelines.--Section 203 of the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702) is further amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as paragraphs
(3) through (5), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraph:
``(2) Lifelines.--The term `lifelines' means public works and
utilities, including transportation facilities and
infrastructure, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and
communication facilities and infrastructure, and water supply
and sewage treatment facilities.''.
SEC. 3. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
Section 204 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004
(42 U.S.C. 15703) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting
the following:
``(a) Establishment.--There is established the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program, the purpose of which is to achieve major
measurable reductions in the losses of life and property from
windstorms through a coordinated Federal effort, in cooperation with
other levels of government, academia, and the private sector, aimed at
improving the understanding of windstorms and their impacts and
developing and encouraging the implementation of cost-effective
mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.
``(b) Responsibilities of Program Agencies.--
``(1) Lead agency.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall have the primary responsibility for planning
and coordinating the Program. In carrying out this paragraph,
the Director shall--
``(A) ensure that the Program includes the necessary
components to promote the implementation of windstorm
risk reduction measures by Federal, State, and local
governments, national standards and model building code
organizations, architects and engineers, and others
with a role in planning and constructing buildings and
lifelines;
``(B) support the development of performance-based
engineering tools, and work with appropriate groups to
promote the commercial application of such tools,
including through wind-related model building codes,
voluntary standards, and construction best practices;
``(C) request the assistance of Federal agencies
other than the Program agencies, as necessary to assist
in carrying out this Act;
``(D) coordinate all Federal post-windstorm
investigations; and
``(E) when warranted by research or investigative
findings, issue recommendations to assist in informing
the development of model codes, and provide information
to Congress on the use of such recommendations.
``(2) National institute of standards and technology.--In
addition to the lead agency responsibilities described under
paragraph (1), the National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall be responsible for carrying out research and
development to improve model building codes, voluntary
standards, and best practices for the design, construction, and
retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines.
``(3) National science foundation.--The National Science
Foundation shall support research in--
``(A) engineering and the atmospheric sciences to
improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms
and their impact on buildings, structures, and
lifelines; and
``(B) economic and social factors influencing
windstorm risk reduction measures.
``(4) National oceanic and atmospheric administration.--The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall support
atmospheric sciences research to improve the understanding of
the behavior of windstorms and their impact on buildings,
structures, and lifelines.
``(5) Federal emergency management agency.--The Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall--
``(A) support--
``(i) the development of risk assessment
tools and effective mitigation techniques;
``(ii) windstorm-related data collection and
analysis;
``(iii) public outreach and information
dissemination; and
``(iv) promotion of the adoption of windstorm
preparedness and mitigation measures, including
for households, businesses, and communities,
consistent with the Agency's all-hazards
approach; and
``(B) work closely with national standards and model
building code organizations, in conjunction with the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, to
promote the implementation of research results and
promote better building practices within the building
design and construction industry, including architects,
engineers, contractors, builders, and inspectors.'';
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c), and by
striking subsections (e) and (f); and
(3) by inserting after subsection (c), as so redesignated,
the following new subsections:
``(d) Budget Activities.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, the Director of the National Science
Foundation, the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, and the Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency shall each include in their agency's annual budget request to
Congress a description of their agency's projected activities under the
Program for the fiscal year covered by the budget request, along with
an assessment of what they plan to spend on those activities for that
fiscal year.
``(e) Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established an Interagency
Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, chaired
by the Director.
``(2) Membership.--In addition to the chair, the Committee
shall be composed of--
``(A) the heads 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 the chair
considers appropriate.
``(3) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not less than 2
times a year at the call of the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
``(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 2014, 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 2014, 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 at the time of the President's budget submission
for each fiscal year.''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.
Section 205 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004
(42 U.S.C. 15704) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.
``(a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall establish an Advisory Committee on
Windstorm Impact Reduction, which shall be composed of at least 7
members, none of whom may be employees of the Federal Government,
including representatives of research and academic institutions,
industry standards development organizations, emergency management
agencies, State and local government, and business communities who are
qualified to provide advice on windstorm impact reduction and represent
all related scientific, architectural, and engineering disciplines. The
recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be considered by
Federal agencies in implementing the Program.
``(b) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction shall offer assessments 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; and
``(4) 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, 2016.
``(g) Conflict of Interest.--An Advisory Committee member shall
recuse himself from any Advisory Committee activity in which he has an
actual pecuniary interest.''.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 207 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004
(42 U.S.C. 15706) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying
out this title--
``(1) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2014; and
``(2) $5,332,000 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 2014; and
``(2) $9,682,000 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 2014; and
``(2) $4,120,000 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 2014; and
``(2) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2015.''.
II. Purpose and Summary
The purpose of H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014, sponsored by
Representative Neugebauer (R-TX-19), is to reauthorize the
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP) through
Fiscal Year 2015. NWIRP is a multi-agency program that supports
efforts to mitigate the impacts of wind hazards through
targeted research and development to better understand and
prepare for windstorms.
III. Background and Need for the Legislation
Wind hazards--which include tornados, hurricanes, and
derechos--are a threat to all fifty 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 and 2013 show the
devastating results of windstorms. In the United States in
2011, windstorms caused nearly $11 billion in total direct
property losses, injured nearly 7000 people and took nearly 700
lives.\1\ As populations continue to grow in areas prone to
hurricanes, tornadoes, and windstorms, vulnerability to severe
weather will only increase. In 2005, the National Science and
Technology Council (NSTC) stated that America's primary focus
on disaster response 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.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\National Science and Technology Council. National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program: Biennial Report to Congress for Fiscal Years
2011 and 2012, p. 6. http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/
microsites/ostp/NSTC/nwirp-fy11-12-biennial-report-to-congress.pdf
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NWIRP was established in 2004 through legislation authored
by Rep. Neugebauer. 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
Administration (FEMA) support activities to improve the
understanding of windstorms and their impacts, and to develop
and encourage the implementation of cost-effective mitigation
measures to reduce these impacts. The program was originally
authorized for three years through FY 2008 and has continued to
be funded despite a lapse in authorization.
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. Knowledge
gaps were identified in the three broad categories of research
authorized in the original NWIRP Act: understanding windstorms;
assessing the impacts of windstorms; and mitigation against the
effects of windstorms. The implementation plan also recommended
a continued role for the Interagency Working Group within the
National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC) Committee on
Environment and Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Disaster
Reduction.
H.R. 1786 strengthens NWIRP by transferring its leadership
from OSTP to NIST. The bill also: assigns responsibilities to
the agencies that make up the program; requires the Interagency
Coordinating Committee 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; creates a NWIRP advisory
committee, which sunsets in 2016; and authorizes funding for
the programs for FY2014 and FY2015.
IV. Hearing Summary
In the 113th Congress, the Subcommittees on Research and
Technology held a hearing on June 5, 2013, examining the
current role of research and development in mitigating the
damaging effects of windstorms across the Nation 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 the
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP) and H.R.
1786, The National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
Reauthorization of 2013.
The Subcommittees heard testimony from Dr. Ernst Kiesling,
Research Faculty, National Wind Institute, Texas Tech
University; Ms. Debra Ballen, General Counsel and Senior Vice
President, Public Policy, Insurance Institute for Business &
Home Safety; and Dr. David Prevatt, Assistant Professor,
Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of
Florida.
V. Committee Consideration
On April 26, 2013, H.R. 1786 was introduced by Rep.
Neugebauer and referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology.
On June 28, 2013, the Subcommittee on Research and
Technology met in open markup session and adopted H.R. 1786, as
amended, by voice vote. The Subcommittee considered three
amendments, and approved one.
An amendment offered by Representative Esty to add
the definition of ``lifelines'' to the bill was agreed to by
voice vote.
An amendment, offered by Representative Wilson, to
allow the head of an agency to decline to implement the
requirements of the Act if the head of such agency determines
that sufficient funds are not available and requires a report
to Congress within 30 days of making such a determination, was
not agreed to by voice vote.
An amendment, offered by Representative Peters, to
add two additional titles to the bill to reauthorize the
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and to amend the
fire research program, was withdrawn.
The bill, as amended, was favorably reported to the full
Committee by voice vote.
On February 28, 2014 the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology met in open markup session and adopted H.R. 1786, as
amended, by voice vote.
An amendment offered by Representatives Neugebauer
and Wilson, which made technical corrections to the existing
bill; added economic and social science research to the type of
research that NSF may conduct and the Advisory Committee should
assess; added language requiring NIST, NSF, NOAA and FEMA
report on planned NWIRP activities in Congressional budget
requests; reallocated funding within program but maintains
current overall funding level; and authorize the program
through 2015, was agreed to by voice vote.
An amendment offered by Representative Grayson,
which requires an Advisory Committee member to recuse
themselves from any Advisory Committee activity in which they
have an actual pecuniary interest, was agreed to by voice vote.
The bill, as amended, was favorably reported by voice vote.
VI. Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto. A
motion to order H.R. 1786 favorably reported to the House, as
amended, was agreed to by voice vote.
During Full Committee consideration of H.R.1786, the
following amendments were considered:
VII. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill
H.R. 1786 includes the following provisions:
Four agencies make up the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP): the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science
Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA); defines NIST as the lead program agency; and
assigns responsibilities to the four program agencies.
NIST is being tasked as the new lead
agency of the Program. In that role, NIST's activities
include planning and coordinating the Program;
supporting the development of performance-based
engineering tools; requesting the assistance of Federal
agencies, other than Program agencies, as necessary;
coordinating all Federal post-windstorm investigations;
and issuing recommendations to assist in informing
model codes when warranted by research or investigative
findings. In addition to the lead agency
responsibilities, NIST shall also 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.
NSF activities include research in
engineering and the atmospheric sciences to improve the
understanding of the behavior of windstorms and the
impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines, and
research in the economic and social factors influencing
windstorm risk reduction measures.
NOAA activities include the support of
atmospheric science research to improve the
understanding of the behavior of windstorms and the
impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines.
FEMA activities include the development
of risk assessment tools and effective mitigation
techniques; data collection and analysis; public
outreach, information dissemination; and promotion of
the adoption of windstorm preparedness and mitigation
measures. FEMA is also required to work closely with
national standards and building code organizations, in
conjunction with NIST, to promote implementation of
research results and promote better building practices.
Creation of an Interagency Coordinating Committee
on Windstorm Impact Reduction. The Committee is chaired by the
Director of NIST and is made up of the heads 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 Committee is to meet not less than two times a
year and is tasked with developing and submitting to Congress a
strategic plan, progress report, and coordinated budget for the
Program.
The Directors of NIST, NSF, NOAA and FEMA are
required to include in their annual budget request 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.
Updating the National Advisory Committee on
Windstorm Impact Reduction made up of at least seven relevant
non-Federal employee experts to offer recommendations and
assessments on program developments, priorities, coordination,
and revisions as necessary. This section requires the Advisory
Committee to report to the Director of NIST on the assessment
and its recommendations at least every two years. The Advisory
Committee is terminated on September 30, 2016. Additionally, an
Advisory Committee member is required to recuse himself from
any Advisory Committee activity in which he has an actual
pecuniary interest.
Funding the program at $21.4 million annually,
broken down as follows:
For FEMA: $5,332,000 for each fiscal
year 2014 through 2015.
For NSF: $9,682,000 for each fiscal year
2014 through 2015.
For NIST: $4,120,000 for each fiscal
year 2014 through 2015.
For NOAA: $2,266,000 for each fiscal
year 2014 through 2015.
VIII. Committee Views
NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM
Although the program was created in 2004, the NWIRP program
implementation and coordination has been insufficient. NIST
leadership will ensure agency efforts for wind-hazard
mitigation research, development, and technology transfer are
coordinated, transparent, and effective. Developing measures to
cost-effectively retrofit existing structures is of high
importance, as is developing methods to mitigate the impacts of
windstorms on infrastructure and lifelines.
INTERAGENCY COORDINATION
The Interagency Coordinating Committee for NWIRP should
ensure the agencies' activities are well-coordinated through
strategic planning. Federal agencies should take advantage of
opportunities for more coordination of R&D; across different
natural hazards. An important initial step is to identify
specific types of R&D; efforts where coordination and
collaboration across different natural hazards is possible.
BUDGET ACTIVITIES
FEMA, NSF, NIST and NOAA are required to consider NWIRP
activities and programs in their annual budget request to
Congress. This will provide greater accountability and
transparency for the program and its annual activities.
AUTHORIZATIONS
Funding levels were established for each participating
agency for FY 2014 and FY 2015. The bill sets overall funding
levels below FY 2008 authorization levels.
IX. Committee Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee held an oversight
hearing and made findings that are reflected in the descriptive
portions of this report.
X. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives
In accordance with clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the performance goals and
objectives of the Committee are reflected in the descriptive
portions of this report, including the goal to continue a
multi-agency program that supports efforts to mitigate the
impacts of wind hazards through targeted research and
development.
XI. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its
own the estimate of new budget authority, entitlement
authority, or tax expenditures or revenues contained in the
cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional
Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974.
XII. Advisory on Earmarks
In compliance with clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI,
the Committee finds that H.R. 1786, the ``National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014'', contains no
earmarks.
XIII. Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
XIV. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate
provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, March 6, 2014.
Hon. Lamar Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1786, the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Susan Willie.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf, Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 1786--National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of
2014
Summary: H.R. 1786 would reauthorize the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program, which was created to improve the
understanding of windstorms and their impacts and to develop
measures to reduce the damage they cause. The bill also would
establish new committees to coordinate the activities of
federal agencies participating in the program and to assess
developments in efforts to mitigate damage from windstorms.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing H.R. 1786 would cost $21 million
over the 2015-2019 period. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not
apply to this legislation because it would not affect direct
spending or revenues.
H.R. 1786 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 impact of H.R. 1786 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--
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015-2019
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Authorization Level........................... 21 0 0 0 0 21
Estimated Outlays............................. 10 8 2 1 0 21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R.
1786 will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2014 and that
the authorized amount will be appropriated in 2015. Estimated
outlays are based on historical spending patterns for this
program.
For fiscal year 2015, H.R. 1786 would authorize
appropriations of $5 million for the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, $10 million for the National Science
Foundation, $4 million for the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, and $2 million for the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration to carry out the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program. Assuming appropriation of those
amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost
$21 million over the 2015-2019 period.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1786
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: J'nell Blanco; Impact
on the Private Sector: Amy Petz.
Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
XV. Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
XVI. Compliance with H. Res. 5
A. Directed Rule Making. The bill does not direct any
executive branch official to conduct any specific rule-making
proceedings.
B. Duplication of Existing Programs. This bill does not
establish or reauthorize a program of the federal government
known to be duplicative of another program. Such program was
not included in any report from the Government Accountability
Office to Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139
or identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published pursuant to the Federal Program
Information Act (Public Law 95-220, as amended by Public Law
98-169) as relating to other programs.
XVII. Federal Advisory Committee Statement
No new advisory committees within the meaning of section
5(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by the
legislation. H.R. 1786 reauthorized the National Advisory
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which terminates on
September 30, 2016.
XVIII. Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
XIX. Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
This section establishes the short title as the ``National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2014.''
Section 2. Definitions
This section amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Act of 2004 to define the ``Director'' of the Program as the
Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) rather than the Director of the White House Office of
Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). This section also defines
``Lifelines'' to mean the public works and utilities, oil and
gas pipelines, electrical power and communication facilities
and infrastructure, and water supply and sewage treatment
facilities.
Section 3. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program
This section identifies the four agencies that make up the
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP): NIST, the
National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA); defines NIST as the lead program
agency; and assigns responsibilities to the four program
agencies.
As the new lead agency, NIST's activities include planning
and coordinating the Program; supporting the development of
performance-based engineering tools; requesting the assistance
of Federal agencies other than Program agencies as necessary;
coordinating all Federal post-windstorm investigations; and
issuing recommendations to assist in informing model codes when
warranted by research or investigative findings. In addition to
the lead agency responsibilities, NIST shall also 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.
NSF activities include research in engineering and the
atmospheric sciences to improve the understanding of the
behavior of windstorms and their impact on buildings,
structures, and lifelines, and research in the economic and
social factors influencing windstorm risk reduction measures.
NOAA activities include the support of atmospheric science
research to improve the understanding of the behavior of
windstorms and their impact on buildings, structures, and
lifelines.
FEMA activities include the development of risk assessment
tools and effective mitigation techniques; data collection and
analysis; public outreach, information dissemination; and
promotion of the adoption of windstorm preparedness and
mitigation measures. FEMA is also required to work closely with
national standards and 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 are required to
include in their annual budget request 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.
Additionally, this section creates an Interagency
Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction. The
Committee is chaired by the Director of NIST and is made up of
the heads 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 Committee is to meet not
less than 2 times a year and is tasked with developing and
submitting to Congress a strategic plan, progress report, and
coordinated budget for the Program.
Section 4. National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction
This section amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Act of 2004 to reauthorize and update an existing Advisory
Committee for NWIRP of at least 7 relevant non-Federal employee
experts to offer recommendations and assessments on program
developments, priorities, coordination, and revisions as
necessary. This section requires the Advisory Committee to
report to the Director of NIST on the assessment and its
recommendations at least every two years. The authority for the
Advisory Committee terminates on September 30, 2016. An
Advisory Committee member is required to recues himself from
any Advisory Committee activity in which he has an actual
pecuniary interest.
Section 5. Authorization of appropriations
This section provides authorizations of appropriations as
follows:
For FEMA: $5,332,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2015.
For NSF: $9,682,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through 2015.
For NIST: $4,120,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2015.
For NOAA: $2,266,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2015.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, 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
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT OF 2004
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION
* * * * * * *
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
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,
tornado, or thunderstorm.
SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
[(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; 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) * * *
* * * * * * *
[(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.]
(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.
(2) Membership.--In addition to the chair, the
Committee shall be composed of--
(A) the heads 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 the
chair considers appropriate.
(3) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not less than
2 times a year at the call of the Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(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 2014, 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 2014, 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 at the time of the
President's budget submission for each fiscal year.
[SEC. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.
[(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 members, none of whom may be employees of the Federal
Government, including representatives of research and academic
institutions, industry standards development organizations,
emergency management agencies, State and local government, and
business communities who are qualified to provide advice on
windstorm impact reduction and represent all related
scientific, architectural, and engineering disciplines. The
recommendations of the Advisory Committee shall be considered
by Federal agencies in implementing the Program.
(b) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction shall offer assessments 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; and
(4) 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, 2016.
(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.
[(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 2014; and
(2) $5,332,000 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 2014; and
(2) $9,682,000 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 2014; and
(2) $4,120,000 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 2014; and
(2) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2015.
* * * * * * *
XXII. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON
RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
MARKUP ON H.R.1786,
THE NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT
REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF 2013
----------
FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 2013
House of Representatives,
Subcommittee on Research and Technology
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Washington, D.C.
The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 9:05 a.m., in
Room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Larry
Bucshon [Chairman of the Subcommittee] presiding.
Chairman Bucshon. The Research and Technology Subcommittee
of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology will come to
order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare
recesses of the Subcommittee at any time. We have votes around
10 o'clock, so we are hopeful to get through this markup before
then. If we don't, we will have to recess for a period of time
and then come back and finish.
I now recognize myself for an opening statement.
I am pleased to call the markup this morning for
consideration of H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2013, introduced by our
colleague, Congressman Randy Neugebauer.
As we have tragically witnessed this year, windstorms take
American lives, destroy homes and businesses, and cause
billions of dollars of damage around the United States. The
effects of these disasters can reverberate for years.
Millions of Americans live in areas vulnerable to damaging
hurricanes, tornadoes, and other windstorms. As populations
continue to grow in these areas, our vulnerability will only
increase.
The legislation we are marking up today will reauthorize
the activities of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Program--I don't know how to say that--NWIRP. NWIRP focuses on
mitigating damage from wind-related hazards through research
designed to help us better understand their behavior and
impacts.
Earlier this month, our Subcommittee held a hearing
examining how the National Science Foundation, the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, the Federal Emergency
Management Administration, and the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration conduct important research and
development activities aimed to reduce the risk and impact of
severe windstorms under the auspices of NWIRP.
This R&D; improves model building codes, voluntary
standards, and construction practices for buildings and
lifelines; fundamental research on the impact of severe
windstorms on buildings and infrastructure; atmospheric science
research and data collection; and risk assessment tools and
mitigation techniques.
The original authorization of NWIRP expired in 2008.
Although some work in these agencies has continued, it is
difficult to determine the total spending on current wind-
hazard reduction measures across these agencies. H.R. 1786
improves public transparency for how much money is being spent
on windstorm research, establishes NIST as the lead agency for
the program, and improves coordination and planning of agency
activities in a fiscally responsible manner.
I want to thank Randy Neugebauer for his focus on this
valuable research area, and I look forward to moving forward on
this legislation.
I now yield to the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Ms.
Wilson, for her comments.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Bucshon follows:]
Prepared Statement of Subcommittee Chairman Larry Bucshon
Chairman Bucshon. I am pleased to call the markup this morning for
consideration of H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
Reauthorization of 2013, introduced by our colleague, Congressman Randy
Neugebauer.
As we have tragically witnessed this year, windstorms take American
lives, destroy homes and businesses, and cause billions of dollars of
damage around the United States. The effects of these disasters can
reverberate for years.
Millions of Americans live in areas vulnerable to damaging
hurricanes, tornadoes, and other windstorms. As populations continue to
grow in these areas, our vulnerability will only increase.
The legislation we are marking up today will reauthorize the
activities of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (or
NWIRP, ``N-whirp''). NWIRP focuses on mitigating damage from wind-
related hazards through research designed to help us better understand
their behavior and impacts.
Earlier this month, our Subcommittee held a hearing examining how
the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, the Federal Emergency Management Administration, and
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conduct important
research and development activities aimed to reduce the risk and impact
of severe windstorms under the auspices of the NWIRP program.
This R&D; improves model building codes, voluntary standards, and
construction practices for buildings and lifelines; fundamental
research on the impact of severe windstorms on buildings and
infrastructure; atmospheric science research and data collection; and
risk assessment tools and mitigation techniques.
The original authorization for NWIRP expired in 2008. Although some
work in these agencies has continued, it is difficult to determine the
total spending on current wind-hazard reduction measures across these
agencies. H.R. 1786 improves public transparency for how much money is
being spent on windstorm research, establishes NIST as the lead agency
for the program, and improves coordination and planning of agency
activities in a fiscally responsible manner.I want to thank Randy
Neugebauer for his focus on this valuable research area, and I look
forward to moving forward on this legislation.
Ms. Wilson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman----
Chairman Bucshon. You are welcome.
Ms. Wilson [continuing]. For holding this markup to
reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program,
known as NWIRP. The reauthorization of this program is timely
after the deadly destruction we have seen in places like Texas
and Oklahoma. Every year, severe winds from hurricanes,
tornadoes, and thunderstorms damage or destroy thousands of
homes and businesses, harm vital infrastructure, and most
importantly, threaten human life. NWIRP has the potential to
lessen the loss of life and economic damage by translating
research and development on the understanding of windstorms and
their impacts and to improve building codes and emergency
planning.
While it is apparent that the need for this program is
great, it is regrettable that the Majority has decided to mark
up this legislation without a detailed examination of the
program.
The Subcommittee held one hearing on this program. During
that hearing, which included only outside stakeholders, all the
witnesses expressed their concern that the NWIRP program was
significantly underfunded. After hearing the concern that the
program is underfunded, the Subcommittee should have held a
hearing with witnesses from NWIRP Federal agencies. That
hearing would have given Subcommittee Members the opportunity
to ask NWIRP agencies about how they are implementing the
program, what activities are being prioritized, and what
activities are not being addressed, and what level of resource
that the agencies need to fully implement the program. Without
that hearing, we do not have the information we need to
reauthorize this program.
A single NWIRP agency has informally told us that in 2012,
they spent more money than this bill authorizes for all four
NWIRP agencies combined. It is regrettable that my colleagues
up on the other side of the aisle would make significant cuts
to the program without hearing from the federal agencies. In
fact, the Committee has not heard from a federal witness about
NWIRP program for five years. I would like to point out that
during these five years, over 1,000 Americans have lost lives
due to windstorms, and the Federal Government has spent over
$136 billion on disaster relief and recovery. If this
Subcommittee had held additional hearings with federal
witnesses, it might have been possible for the Subcommittees to
work on a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the program with any
necessary programmatic changes needed, and with proper
authorization levels.
Further, it is not clear to me that the Majority has worked
with other House Committees that share jurisdiction over the
agencies in this bill. This is especially troubling for FEMA.
In Mr. Neugebauer's bill--2004 bill, FEMA was authorized at
$8.7 million. In the bill we are marking up today, FEMA is
authorized at just $2 million.
In a time when destruction and windstorms are becoming more
frequent, I would think FEMA, the NWIRP agency tasked with
taking the research conducted at the other agencies and
developing mitigation techniques and public outreach, would
need additional, rather than reduced, authorization levels.
Finally, I am not sure if the Majority has talked or worked
with their Senate counterparts on this bill. If the goal is to
enact this legislation so that the program can be reauthorized,
it would be helpful to work with the other body of Congress.
I would like to end by saying that in the past, this
Committee has taken a more comprehensive approach to hazards by
marking up NWIRP, along with the National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program. It makes sense to move these interagency
programs together, which is why I introduced the National
Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2013 that would reauthorize both
the NWIRP and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Programs.
While severe weather has dominated the headlines recently,
we should not overlook the significant risks associated with
earthquakes. I will be supporting my colleague's amendment that
addresses this issue.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back that balance of
my time.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Wilson follows:]
Prepared Statement of Subcommittee Ranking Member Frederica S. Wilson
Thank you, Mr. Chairman for holding today's markup to reauthorize
the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, or NWIRP.
The reauthorization of this program is timely after the deadly
destruction we have seen in places like Texas and Oklahoma. Every year,
severe winds from hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms damage or
destroy thousands of homes and businesses, harm vital infrastructure,
and, most importantly, threaten human life.
NWIRP has the potential to lessen the loss of life and economic
damage by translating research and development on the understanding of
windstorms and their impacts into improved building codes and emergency
planning.
While it is apparent that the need for this program is great, it is
regrettable that the Majority has decided to mark up this legislation
without a detailed examination of the program.
The Subcommittee held one hearing on this program. During that
hearing--which included only outside stakeholders--all the witnesses
expressed their concern that the NWIRP program was significantly
underfunded.
After hearing the concerns that the program is underfunded, the
Subcommittee should have held a hearing with witnesses from the NWIRP
federal agencies. That hearing would have given Subcommittee Members
the opportunity to ask NWIRP agencies about how they are implementing
the program, what activities are being prioritized, what activities are
not being addressed, and what level of resources the agencies need to
fully implement the program.
Without that hearing, we do not have the information we need to
reauthorize this program. A single NWIRP agency has informally told us
that in 2012 they spent more money than this bill authorizes for all
four NWIRP agencies combined. It is regrettable that my colleagues on
the other side of the aisle would make significant cuts to the program
without hearing from the federal agencies first.
In fact, the Committee has not heard from a federal witness about
the NWIRP program for five years. I would like to point out that during
those five years, over a thousand Americans have lost their lives due
to windstorms and the Federal Government has spent over $136 billion in
disaster relief and recovery.
If the Subcommittee had held additional hearings with federal
witnesses, it might have been possible for the Subcommittee to work on
a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the NWIRP program with any necessary
programmatic changes needed and with proper authorization levels.
But that is not what the Majority decided to do. Instead, we are
holding a markup this morning without hearing from the federal agencies
involved in the program. That means that we are marking up this bill
without a clear understanding of how the NWIRP program is working and
what the appropriate authorization levels are for the federal agencies
involved.
Further, it is not clear to me that the Majority has worked with
the other House Committees that share jurisdiction over the agencies in
this bill. This is especially troubling for FEMA. In Mr. Neugebauer's
2004 bill, FEMA was authorized at $8.7 million for their NWIRP
activities. In the bill we are marking up today, FEMA is authorized at
just $2 million.
In a time where destructive windstorms are becoming more frequent,
I would think FEMA--the NWIRP agency tasked with taking the research
conducted at the other agencies and developing mitigation techniques
and public outreach--would need additional, rather than reduced,
authorization levels.
Finally, I am not sure if the Majority has talked or worked with
their Senate counterparts on this bill. If the goal is to enact this
legislation so the NWIRP program can be reauthorized, it would be
helpful to work with the other body of Congress.
It is unfortunate that the Majority decided to move this bill to a
markup before holding the hearings that would have provided the
Committee Members with the information needed to properly mark up this
legislation.
I would like to end by saying that in the past this Committee has
taken a more comprehensive approach to hazards by marking up NWIRP
along with the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program or NEHRP
program. It makes sense to move these interagency programs together,
which is why I introduced the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of
2013 that would reauthorize both the NWIRP and NEHRP programs. While
severe weather has dominated the headlines recently, we should not
overlook the significant risk associated with earthquakes. I will be
supporting my colleague's amendment that addresses this issue.
Chairman Bucshon. Thank you, Ms. Wilson.
Pursuant to Committee Rule 2(f) and House Rule XI 2(h)(4),
the Chair announces that he may postpone role call votes on
matters in which the yeas and nays were ordered.
Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R. 1786 for markup. The
clerk will report the bill.
The Clerk. H.R. 1786, to authorize the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program, and for other purposes. Be it enacted
by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States
of America and Congress assembled----
[H.R. 1786 appears in Appendix I]
Chairman Bucshon. Without objection, the bill is considered
as read.
I recognize myself for a short period.
As I said in my opening statement, I think this is
important to reauthorize this piece of legislation as it
relates to wind damage across the country.
Is there any further discussion of the bill? Seeing none,
without objection I ask unanimous consent that the bill is
considered as read and open to amendment at any point, and that
Members proceed with amendments in the order listed on the
roster. So ordered.
The first amendment on the roster is an amendment offered
by the gentlelady from Connecticut, Ms. Esty. The clerk shall
report the amendment.
The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 1786 offered by Ms. Esty of
Connecticut. Page 1, line----
[The amendment of Ms. Esty appears in Appendix I]
Chairman Bucshon. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with
the reading. Without objection, so ordered.
I now recognize Ms. Esty for five minutes to explain the
amendment.
Ms. Esty. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I would
like to thank the Ranking Member as well for their holding of
the Subcommittee markup.
My amendment is very simple. It would define lifelines,
which is a term that is used four times in this bill. The
definition I am offering is not controversial. It is focused on
infrastructure and has even passed previously in Earthquakes
Hazards Reduction Program.
During the hearing on this bill at the beginning of June, I
asked the witnesses to explain the importance of infrastructure
resiliency in mitigating the effects of storms. Dr. David
Prevatt highlighted the importance of lifelines and told this
Subcommittee that resilience and sustainability are hallmarks
of what is being done in civil engineering. He explained that
we need to understand the structural properties of the
buildings, the infrastructure, and the utilities in order to
mitigate the damage of these storms.
Adding this definition will improve the bill and provide
the interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction specific directions on the most important research
topics. This amendment will help that Committee and the
involved agencies work effectively and efficiently toward the
goal of reducing the impact of storms on our infrastructure.
In particular, I can speak about the damage that we
sustained in Connecticut, not from tornadoes, but from
Hurricane Irene and Super Storm Sandy. In our case, the
extensive damage really was to utilities and that severely
impacted the resiliency of our communities, including at one
point we have had lines down for 10 days or two weeks. This is
dangerous for our citizens and extremely important that we
pursue this important research.
I urge you to support my amendment, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Chairman Bucshon. I thank the gentlelady for her amendment.
I agree that it is appropriate to add the definition of
lifelines to the bill, and I believe this amendment strengthens
the bill. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
Is there any further discussion on the amendment?
Ms. Wilson. Mr. Chair.
Chairman Bucshon. Recognize Ms. Wilson.
Ms. Wilson. I would just like to thank the gentlewoman from
Connecticut for her clarifying amendment, and urge my
colleagues to support this bill.
My colleague's amendment would assure that this bill
includes a comprehensive definition of lifelines. This is a
common-sense amendment, and we should all support its adoption.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Chairman Bucshon. Is there any further discussion on the
amendment? Hearing none, the vote occurs on the Esty amendment.
All those in favor, say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes
have it and the amendment is agreed to.
The next amendment on the roster is an amendment offered by
the gentlelady from Florida, Ms. Wilson. The clerk shall report
the amendment.
The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 1786 offered by Ms. Wilson of
Florida.
Chairman Bucshon. I ask the unanimous consent to dispense
with the reading. Without objection, so ordered.
Chair recognizes Ms. Wilson for five minutes to explain her
amendment.
Ms. Wilson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
This amendment I am offering today simply states that if
sufficient funds are not given to NWIRP agencies to implement
the program, then the NWIRP agencies won't be forced to fulfill
all the requirements of the Act.
At the only hearing the Subcommittee held on NWIRP, all the
outside experts expressed concern that the program was
significantly underfunded. Instead of marking up a bill today
that would provide the agencies with the funding necessary to
undertake all the activities and responsibilities assigned by
Congress, we are marking up a bill that cuts the authorization
for NWIRP. I cannot support a bill that cuts the program. My
Republican colleagues are moving a bill that would cut the
authorization levels by 14.5 percent below the levels they put
in place for FY 2008. It is not as if we are facing fewer wind-
related disasters. Our Nation is still recovering from a deadly
and incredibly destructive tornado season. We are bracing for a
hurricane season that NOAA predicts will be active or extremely
active. As a Floridian who survived Hurricane Andrew, I am
worried about an active hurricane season that could wreak havoc
across my home State.
In a time of increased windstorms, I would think we would
be marking up a bill that would give the agencies the resources
they need to fully implement the program so that they can
achieve the goal of improving our understanding of windstorms
and lessen the impacts of these events. It is not just that the
bill we are marking up this morning cuts the agencies, but it
does so without cutting any of the agencies' responsibilities.
Between our budgetary situation and the sequestration cuts, it
is unrealistic to expect the agencies to implement this program
without providing them with the necessary resources. My
colleagues have to accept that they cannot have it both ways.
We cannot continue to cut and cut an agency's budget and still
expect them to fulfill all of the responsibilities we have
given them. What this bill and that philosophy does is set up
our agencies to fail, and we do not want them to fail. We must
provide our agencies with the appropriate level of resources to
conduct the activities that we ask them to do.
I wish that the Subcommittee would have held additional
hearings with federal witnesses so that the Members could have
had the opportunity to ask questions about the elements of the
program and how they are being implemented. What are the
priority areas and what level of resources the agencies need to
fully implement the program? Without having that information, I
cannot, in good conscience, support a bill that cuts funding
without providing the agencies with the flexibility on
implementing the requirements of the Act if they do not have
the appropriate resources. I would have preferred to offer an
amendment this morning that would provide the agencies in the
program with the right authorization level, but without having
the opportunity to hear from federal witnesses, I am instead
offering an amendment that simply gives them flexibility.
I urge the adoption of this simple amendment, and yield
back the balance of my time.
Chairman Bucshon. Thank you. I thank the gentlelady for her
amendment.
This amendment would allow the agencies of NWIRP to
determine if they have enough resources to conduct the
Congressionally mandated activities of the program. It is the
responsibility of Congress to determine the funding adequate
with agencies' delegated responsibilities, and while these are
tight budget times, it is still up to Congress to set
priorities for how the American taxpayer dollars are spent by
federal agencies. The NWIRP program was discussed during our
hearing with the Director of NIST, and we did discuss funding,
and this staff said the authorization amounts were adequate.
The bill before us reauthorizes the agencies' activities
that they have been performing for some time, but in a more
efficient and transparent manner. H.R. 1786 makes certain that
these agencies continue to conduct the important research and
development necessary to ensure that our communities are as
prepared as possible for wind-related hazards. I oppose the
gentlelady's amendment and urge my colleagues to oppose it as
well.
Is there further discussion on the amendment? Hearing none,
the vote occurs on the Wilson amendment. All those in favor,
say aye. Those opposed, say no. In the opinion of the Chair,
the nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to.
The next amendment on the roster is an amendment offered by
the gentleman from California, Mr. Peters. The clerk shall
report the amendment.
The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 1786 offered by Mr. Peters of
California. At the end of the bill, add the following----
Chairman Bucshon. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with
the reading. Without objection, so ordered.
The Chair recognizes Mr. Peters for five minutes to explain
his amendment.
Mr. Peters. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
The amendment I am offering today authorizes the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program by adding Title 1 of Ms.
Wilson's National Risk Reduction Act of 2013 to the bill under
consideration this morning. The amendment also updates the
National Institute of Standards and Technology's, or NIST's,
statute to ensure that the agency conducts research
specifically on fires occurring in the wildland-urban
interface.
Although infrequent, earthquakes are unique among natural
hazards in that they strike without warning. While areas like
my State of California, in addition to Oregon, Washington, and
Alaska, are the most well-known areas for earthquakes,
earthquakes are not a hazard that is confined to the West
Coast. In fact, it is estimated that 75 million Americans in 39
States, and I note in the District of Columbia, where we
enjoyed an earthquake recently, are exposed to significant
seismic risk, with nearly all States in the U.S. having some
level of risk.
Additionally, the severity of the U.S. fire problem has
grown, and the amount of damage caused by fires at the
wildland-urban interface has risen. In fact, last year we saw
more than 9.3 million acres burn across the United States, an
area larger than the States of Delaware, Rhode Island, and
Connecticut combined. In my State of California, there have
been more than 3,000 wildfires this year alone. As my
colleagues are aware, fire season has started early this year
and unfortunately, the number of destructive fires, the costs
to contain them, and the damage caused will grow. Several years
ago, the Cedar fire and Witch Creek fire devastated the
northern communities of the City of San Diego and Poway,
Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo, as well as Tierrasanta. As a
San Diego City Council member at the time, I remember firsthand
the destructive impact of these fires on people's lives.
Together, these fires destroyed thousands of homes, personal
belongings and memories, and recovery costs were in the
billions of dollars.
We need to adopt better preparedness measures. We can't
prevent natural disasters, but we can do more to lessen the
cost to human life and property.
Over the last two years, the Federal Government has spent
more than $136 billion on relief for hurricanes, tornadoes,
droughts, wildfires, and other extreme weather events. It is
time that the government stops working in a reactive way to
natural disasters and instead gets to work efficiently helping
States and localities find the best steps to prepare for, plan
for, and more quickly recover from these events.
We know that for every dollar we spend now on resiliency we
can avoid at least $4 in future losses. It makes more sense to
approach this by thinking how we can make the U.S. better
prepared and not just--United States better prepared, and not
just certain areas. Natural disasters affect every State and
region of the United States, and some places experience more
than one type of hazard. So if we are focused on reducing
spending, let's do it in a way that saves us more money in the
long run, and that is a comprehensive approach.
One of the witnesses at the Subcommittee hearing on risk
reduction, Dr. Prevatt, stated in his testimony that it is
important to consider the broader area of hazards mitigation.
He went on to urge the Science Committee to not only
reauthorize Windstorm Risk Reduction Program, but also to
include the reauthorization of Earthquake Risk Reduction and
other programs as part of a broader hazards bill. My amendment
implements the doctor's recommendation by ensuring the
legislation is focused on multiple hazards.
As my colleagues may know, the reauthorization of these
risk reduction programs is long overdue. The authorization for
this important program expired in 2009. These are interagency
programs that improve our understanding of earthquake phenomena
and the potential impacts of earthquakes on our communities and
turns that knowledge into mitigation and outreach activities
that will save lives and reduce economic damages.
Mr. Chairman, it is also important to note that when
Congress first legislated a Windstorm Risk Reduction Program in
2004, it did so by combining the program with legislation that
was amending the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977. This
demonstrates a long history that Congress has had in moving
these important programs together, and in fact, over the last
two Congresses, the Committee has moved these programs in a
single bill.
The types of hazards and risks that a community is exposed
to depends on where the community is located. For my
constituents, earthquakes and fires pose a greater threat. Mr.
Chairman, my goal is the same as the author of this bill, to
decrease the vulnerability of communities in my district. I am
hopeful that we can adopt the amendment and broaden the scope
of hazards covered in this bill. It would be unfortunate if the
Committee prioritized one type of hazard over another, because
at the end of the day, all of these programs will lead to a
more resilient America, saving lives, property, and taxpayer
money.
I am focused on lowering spending, and we can do it in a
pragmatic way that lessens the cost to human life and property.
I urge adoption of this common-sense amendment. Thank you for
my colleagues' attention, and I yield the balance of my time.
Chairman Bucshon. I appreciate the gentleman's amendment.
This amendment would add two additional hazards to the bill by
reauthorizing the National Earthquake Hazards Program and
amending the Fire Research Program. We can recognize that the
Committee has previously marked up the Windstorm Program as
part of a combined multi-hazard bill. However, these are
distinct hazards, and windstorms are a Committee priority,
given the multitude of wind hazard-related tragedies this year.
Wind hazard mitigation research and development has not
received the focus and dedicated funding it should, and this
bill will work to get the program's activities back on track to
achieve meaningful results.
However, I also recognize the importance of earthquake
hazards and the need for fire hazard research, and we intend to
address these programs in this Congress. Would the gentleman
consider withdrawing his amendment and agree to work with other
Members on an earthquakes and fire hazards measure separately?
Mr. Peters. Mr. Chairman, with your commitment that we will
do that important work in the future, I would be willing to do
so.
Chairman Bucshon. Thank you, Mr. Peters. I look forward to
working with you and other Committee Members on this very
important issue.
Are there any further amendments? Hearing none--okay,
hearing none and reporting quorum being present, the question
is on the bill H.R. 1786 as amended. Those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, no. The ayes have it and the bill is agreed to.
Without objection, the Motion to Reconsider is laid upon
the table. I move that the bill H.R. 1786, as amended, be
favorably reported to the Full Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology and the staff be authorized to make any necessary
technical and conforming changes. Without objection, so
ordered.
If there is no further discussion, that completes our
business. This concludes the Subcommittee markup. The
Subcommittee on Research and Technology stands adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 9:31 a.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]
Appendix I
----------
H.R. 1786, NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF
2013
Memorandum, Section-by-Section Analysis, Amendments
Amendment Roster
Memorandum
Section-by-Section Analysis of
H.R. 1786, NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF
2013
Section 1. Short Title
This section establishes the short title as the ``National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2013.''
Section 2. Definitions
This section amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of
2004 to define the ``Director'' of the Program as the Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) rather than the
Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
(OSTP).
Section 3. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program
This section identifies the four agencies that make up the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP): NIST, the National Science
Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); defines
NIST as the lead program agency; and assigns responsibilities to the
four program agencies.
As the new lead agency, NIST's activities include planning and
coordinating the Program; supporting the development of performance-
based engineering tools; requesting the assistance of Federal agencies
other than Program agencies as necessary; coordinating all Federal
post-windstorm investigations; and issuing recommendations to assist in
informing model codes when warranted by research or investigative
findings. In addition to the lead agency responsibilities, NIST shall
also 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.
NSF activities include research in engineering and the atmospheric
sciences to improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and
their impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines.
NOAA activities include the support of atmospheric science research
to improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and their
impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines.
FEMA activities include the development of risk assessment tools
and effective mitigation techniques; data collection and analysis; and
public outreach, information dissemination, and implementation of
mitigation measures.
Additionally, this section creates an Interagency Coordinating
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction. The Committee is chaired by
the Director of NIST and is made up of the heads 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 Committee
is to meet not less than two times a year and is tasked with developing
and submitting to Congress a strategic plan, progress report, and
coordinated budget for the Program.
Section 4. National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction
This section amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of
2004 to reauthorize and update an existing Advisory Committee for NWIRP
of at least 7 relevant non-Federal employee experts to offer
recommendations and assessments on program developments, priorities,
coordination, and revisions as necessary. This section requires the
Advisory Committee to report to the Director of NIST on the assessment
and its recommendations at least every two years. The authority for the
Advisory Committee terminates on September 30, 2016.
Section 5. Authorization of Appropriations
This section provides authorizations of appropriations as
follows:
For FEMA: $2,000,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2016.
For NSF: $11,400,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2016.
For NIST: $5,500,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2016.
For NOAA: $2,500,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2016.
Amendments
Amendment Roster
Appendix II
----------
Additional Material for the Record
Submitted statement of Full Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice
Johnson
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This morning, we are considering
legislation to reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Program, or NWIRP. This is an important program that can reduce the
vulnerability of our communities to natural disasters.
As we've seen over the last few years, the need is great. 2011 was
the deadliest and most destructive tornado season in U.S. history.
Hurricane Sandy caused over $65 billion dollars in damages in 2012. And
this year, massive tornadoes in Oklahoma and in my state of Texas have
resulted in the deaths of more than 30 people.
We should be building stronger and safer communities before a
disaster occurs, not after. However, all of the witnesses testifying
before this Subcommittee stated that NWIRP is underfunded and that we
are missing opportunities to implement low-cost mitigation measures.
That's why I am concerned about the authorization levels in H.R.
1786. They just don't make sense. The bill cuts the program by 14
percent from the levels included in Mr. Neugebauer's 2004 bill that
created the programnearly a decade ago. It also cuts the program below
current spending.
I don't understand what my colleagues are trying to accomplish
here. They talk about how the program can help protect lives, reduce
property losses, and save the taxpayers money, but then they go and cut
the program. I don't believe the need for the program has lessened. I
actually believe it has grown, and so do the witnesses who have
testified before our Committee.
I understand that the budgetary situation has changed, but
shouldn't that make it even more important to invest in mitigation
activities? According to a study by FEMA, for every dollar we invest in
pre-disaster mitigation, we save four dollars in disaster recovery.
The concern is not just that my Republican colleagues are cutting
the program, but that they are doing so without cutting any of the
responsibilities assigned by Congress. This just sets the NWIRP
agencies up to fail.
Mr. Chairman, we haven't had a hearing since 2008 that included any
of the federal agencies involved in this program. That was five years
ago. We don't know how sequestration has impacted the NWIRP-related
activities of these agencies. We don't know what activities the
agencies are prioritizing and what areas of the program they are not
implementing.
We also do not have a good sense of the amount of money each of the
agencies needs to fulfill its role in the program.
I suggest that we take a step back and seek input from the NWIRP
agencies before we move forward with this bill. I believe this
Committee has an important role to play in minimizing the number of
Americans who are harmed or killed by natural disasters or who have to
face the challenge of rebuilding their homes, businesses, and
communities. I'm sure that the sponsors of this legislation are well
intentioned; we need to make sure we get it right--the stakes are too
high to do otherwise.
XXIII. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE
MARKUP ON H.R. 1786,
NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT
REAUTHORIZATION OF 2013
----------
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2014
House of Representatives,
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Washington, D.C.
The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:06 a.m., in Room
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Lamar Smith
[Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
Chairman Smith. The Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is
authorized to declare recesses of the Committee at any time,
and pursuant to Committee Rule 2(f) and House Rule XI 2(h)(4),
the Chair announces that he may postpone roll call votes, but I
hope that is not necessary.
Today, we consider H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2013. I am going to, without
objection, put my opening statement into the record because we
are expecting votes at 10:40 today and I would like to complete
the markup by that time.
Before recognizing the ranking member for her opening
statement, I do want to thank the gentleman from Texas, Mr.
Neugebauer, for his long and hard work on this particular piece
of legislation, and he has gotten a great assist from the
gentlewoman from Florida, Ms. Wilson, as well. So we appreciate
their efforts. This is a very good product and a great piece of
legislation that is going to help a lot of people.
[The prepared statement of Mr. Smith follows:]
Prepared Statement of Chairman Lamar Smith
Today we consider H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2013, introduced by my Texas
colleague, Congressman Randy Neugebauer.
I thank Mr. Neugebauer and the gentlewoman from Florida, Ms.
Frederica Wilson, for their work to draft a bipartisan amendment that
strengthens this bill.
H.R. 1786 reauthorizes the activities of the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP). This important program supports
federal research and development efforts to help mitigate the loss of
life and property due to wind related hazards.
Millions of Americans live in areas vulnerable to hurricanes,
tornadoes and other windstorms.
In Texas, we are all too familiar with the harm that wind can
cause. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's storm prediction center, 179 tornadoes and 1,586
windstorms were reported in Texas in the last two years.
Windstorms take American lives, destroy homes and businesses, and
cause billions of dollars of damage around the United States. The
effects of these disasters can be felt for years.
Since 2004, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program has
supported activities to improve our understanding of windstorms and
their impacts. It also has helped develop and encourage the
implementation of cost-effective mitigation measures.
H.R. 1786 improves public transparency for how much money is being
spent on windstorm research, establishes the National Institute of
Standards and Technology as the lead agency for the program and
improves coordination and planning of agency activities in a fiscally
responsible manner.
This bill and the Manager's Amendment also address some of the
funding uncertainty we have faced as we worked through the legislative
process.
The bill requires each NWIRP [N-werp] agency to add details about
NWIRP [N-werp] programs and spending to its annual budget requests to
Congress. It also requires the Interagency Coordinating Committee to
develop a budget.
These changes will provide us with a better representation and
understanding of the real work that goes into this program in time for
the next reauthorization.
I want to thank Representative Neugebauer for his continued efforts
in support of NWIRP [N-werp]. I am happy we are able to come together
in a bipartisan manner today to support this important program.
Chairman Smith. With that, I will recognize the Ranking
Member, Ms. Johnson, the gentlewoman from Texas.
Ms. Johnson. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I want
you to make a record of this: I am a copycat. I am going to
move to put my opening statement in the record so we can get to
business.
[The prepared statement of Ms. Johnson follows:]
Prepared Statement of Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson
Thank you, Chairman Smith. This morning we are considering
legislation to reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Program--or NWIRP.
The last few years have been devastating years for natural
disasters across the country. According to the National Weather
Service, severe weather has caused an average of 278 fatalities and
over 24 billion dollars of property damage per year, over the last 10
years. Hurricane Ike, which made landfall in my state of Texas in 2008,
was responsible for over a hundred deaths and tens of billions of
dollars in damages. Last year, there were massive tornadoes across the
Midwest, including in Moore, Oklahoma, that resulted in loss of life
and significant economic losses. And, Hurricane Irene in 2011 and
Superstorm Sandy in 2012 caused widespread destruction and death along
the Eastern seaboard.
NWIRP is an important program that can reduce the vulnerability of
our communities to natural disasters. This program can help us build
stronger and safer communities before a disaster occurs rather than
after. When we discussed this bill at the Subcommittee, the Members on
my side of the aisle raised some concerns about the bill. I shared
those concerns. I think it is important that we authorize the NWIRP
agencies adequately, allow room for the program to grow, and include
social science research in the program.
I am pleased that the process of getting from Subcommittee to Full
Committee today was a fair, productive and bipartisan process and I
want to thank Chairman Smith and Mr. Neugebauer for working with us to
address some of our concerns with the legislation. The manager's
amendment addresses many of our concerns. It includes an increase to
the FEMA authorization level. FEMA is the NWIRP agency tasked with
taking the research conducted at other agencies and developing
mitigation techniques and public outreach. It is important to ensure
that they have the resources they need to be effective.
The manager's amendment also ensures that social science research
plays an important role in windstorm preparation and mitigation. Often
in a compromise, like this one, you do not get everything you would
like. I would have liked to see increases in the authorization levels
across the board. This bill includes a lower total authorization level
than what was authorized for this program in Fiscal Year 2008.
When the last few years have been devastating years for
windstorms--including Superstorm Sandy and the tornado outbreak last
May that struck parts of Texas and Oklahoma--it is difficult to
understand why we would cut the total authorization level for this
important program. I also would have liked to see room for the program
to grow. Unfortunately, this bill includes flat authorization levels.
At the legislative hearing we held on this bill back in June, more than
one witness expressed concern about NWIRP being underfunded.
However, this Committee has an important role to play in making
sure agencies and communities have the resources and tools to minimize
the loss of life and property by windstorms or to face the challenge of
rebuilding their homes, businesses, and communities after a major
windstorm. And reauthorizing NWIRP helps us do that.
I want to thank my fellow Texans--Chairman Smith and Mr.
Neugebauer--for working across the aisle on this bill. This process
reminds me of how this Committee used to work on a regular basis. It is
good to see Members coming together, working out their differences,
compromising, and ending up with a bill with bipartisan support. I hope
we can continue in this vein as we take up other, significant
legislation in the coming months, including reauthorizing the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
Finally, I want to thank Majority and Minority Committee staff, and
personal office staff who have worked on this agreement. Mr. Chairman,
I support the manager's amendment and the underlying bill as amended
and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Thank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Chairman Smith. Thank you very much for that. Without
objection, the Ranking Member's--oh, you get spontaneous
applause out of that one--statement is entered.
Chairman Smith. Pursuant to notice, I now call up H.R.
1786, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
Reauthorization of 2013, which was introduced by Representative
Neugebauer and amended by the Subcommittee on Research and
Technology, and the clerk will report the bill.
The Clerk. H.R. 1786, as amended by the Subcommittee on
Research and Technology on June 28, 2013. Section 1----
Chairman Smith. Without objection, the bill will be
considered as read.
[H.R. 1786 appears in Appendix I]
Chairman Smith. The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Neugebauer,
is recognized for his comments on the bill.
Mr. Neugebauer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this
markup today on H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization.
You know, one of the things that I learned firsthand in
1970 is the devastation that can be caused by tornadoes. The
apartment complex that I lived in in Lubbock, Texas, was
destroyed by a fairly massive tornado we had then, and what
that experience taught me was the tremendous damage that can be
caused by these windstorms and tornadoes, but also the loss of
life.
And so one of the things that I am proud that this
particular piece of legislation does is that it begins to
prioritize, you know, how we begin to research the impacts,
some of the things we can do to do mitigation from loss of life
and property damage, and making sure that all of the agencies
that have some jurisdiction in this work together.
So in the interest of time, Mr. Chairman, I will be brief,
and I think we have a Manager's Amendment as well.
Chairman Smith. Thank you, Mr. Neugebauer.
Are there other Members who wish to comment on the bill at
this point?
If not, we will go to the Manager's Amendment. Okay. We are
going to the Manager's Amendment and then Members can comment
on that if they want to.
The first amendment to consider is a Manager's Amendment
that is going to be offered by Mr. Neugebauer and Ms. Wilson,
and the clerk will report the Manager's Amendment.
The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 1786 offered by Mr. Neugebauer
of Texas and Ms. Wilson of Florida. Page 1, line 3----
[The amendment of Mr. Neugebauer and Ms. Wilson appears in
Appendix I]
Chairman Smith. Without objection, the amendment will be
considered as read, and the gentleman from Texas and the
gentlewoman from Florida will be recognized to comment on this
bipartisan amendment.
Mr. Neugebauer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to
particularly thank the Minority and Ms. Wilson for their
cooperation on finding some common ground on this bill. This
truly makes this a bipartisan bill, and I am pleased to have
Ms. Wilson to be a cosponsor of this amendment.
This amendment makes some corrections including adjustments
to the authorization levels of the bill while maintaining the
top-line authorization in the original bill.
The other issue is that it brings some much-needed
transparency in making sure that the agencies disclose the
activities that they are actually requesting funding for. I
think that gives us a better accountability and trackability of
how these monies are being used, and so I look forward to
working with my colleagues as we move this bill to the Floor.
Again, I want to thank Ms. Wilson for the cooperation of
her and her staff.
Chairman Smith. Thank you, Mr. Neugebauer.
The gentlewoman from Florida, Ms. Wilson, is recognized.
Ms. Wilson. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank you
for holding today's markup to reauthorize the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. I am pleased to join my
colleague, Mr. Neugebauer, for introducing this Manager's
Amendment and I urge my colleagues to support it.
As a Floridian and survivor of Hurricane Andrew, I know
firsthand that natural hazards are a leading threat to American
lives and the economy. This Committee has an important role to
play in helping Americans prepare for and recover from natural
hazards. While we cannot stop a hurricane or a tornado from
happening, we should do all that we can to make sure our
communities have the tools they need to respond to and recover
from such events.
NWIRP has the potential to lessen the loss of life and
economic damage by carrying out research on windstorms and
their impacts and translating that research into development of
improved building codes and emergency planning. NWIRP needs
investment to reach that potential. We as a Nation must invest
in preparedness and resilience. Studies of FEMA's pre-disaster
mitigation program have shown that every dollar we invest, we
save $3 to $4 in recovery costs.
I am pleased to see an increase in the FEMA authorization
level in the Manager's Amendment. FEMA is the NWIRP agency
tasked with taking research conducted at other agencies in
developing mitigation techniques and public outreach.
I want to thank you, Mr. Chair, Representative Neugebauer
and Committee staff for working to include a higher FEMA
authorization level in the bill. I want to reiterate that it
would have been helpful to have a hearing with witnesses from
the NWIRP Federal agencies before moving the bill to a full
Committee markup. That hearing would have given Members the
opportunity to ask NWIRP agencies about program implementation
and activities and what level of resources the agencies need.
Nevertheless, I understand the need to reauthorize an important
program that can minimize the number of Americans who are
harmed or killed by windstorm disasters and reduce costs
associated with the disaster recovery. That is why I am
supporting this bipartisan Manager's Amendment and the
underlying bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Finally, I want to thank Chairman Smith and Mr. Neugebauer
for working with me across the aisle on this Manager's
Amendment. This was a smooth and productive process, what I
hope to see more of on this Committee.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ms. Ranking Member, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Chairman Smith. Thank you, Ms. Wilson. We too hope for more
smooth and productive pieces of legislation to be moved by the
Committee.
I do want to say that votes have now been moved up to as
soon as 10:20, but are there any other Members who wish to be
recognized on this Manager's Amendment?
The gentleman from California, Mr. Peters, is recognized.
Mr. Peters. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.
I wanted to just confirm that we have an understanding that
we will move forward to schedule a hearing on the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program in the Research and
Technology Subcommittee after we have completed Committee
consideration of the First Act, and that following the hearing
we will work toward a bill to reauthorize that program.
Coming from California where earthquakes have and will
continue to be a significant threat to human life and
infrastructure, I want to ensure that the Federal Government
program to help mitigate loss from earthquakes is as strong as
it can be and makes the most efficient use of resources. I know
that we have Members on both sides of the aisle in our
Committee who care about this program as well.
I thank the chairman for a very good bipartisan process on
the bill before us today, and I look forward to working with
the chairman and my colleague from New York, Mr. Collins, on a
similarly productive process to reauthorize----
Chairman Smith. Will the gentleman yield?
Mr. Peters. I will yield to the Chair.
Chairman Smith. Thank you, Mr. Peters.
I want to thank the gentleman from California for his
interest in reauthorizing this bill. It is an important program
that deserves this Committee's attention, and my intention is
to schedule a hearing following the Committee's consideration
of the First Act and I look forward to working with the
gentleman from California on a bill to reauthorize NEHRP. I
appreciate his comments.
Are there any other Members who wish be heard on the
Manager's Amendment? The gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Lipinski,
is recognized.
Mr. Lipinski. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the
last word.
Chairman Smith. The gentleman is recognized for five
minutes.
Mr. Lipinski. I want to thank you and Mr. Neugebauer for
working with us, especially Ms. Wilson, to continue to improve
upon this bill to reauthorize NWIRP.
There is still disagreement on the funding levels provided
in the underlying text but I join Ranking Member Johnson in
supporting the compromise arrived at in the Manager's
Amendment. It is a good start, ensuring that FEMA has
sufficient resources enabling us to revisit the adequacy of
funding levels for this important program a bit sooner.
I especially want to thank Mr. Neugebauer for working with
us to ensure that this reauthorization of NWIRP addresses the
important role that social science research plays in windstorm
preparation and mitigation. Many of the fatalities and much of
the damage in these storms could be prevented with more
resilient structures, but strengthening our physical
infrastructure is not sufficient to save lives. We need to make
sure that people in the path of severe weather have accurate
and easily understandable information about what is coming and
how best to protect themselves and their families and that
decision makers have both the information and the tools to make
the best possible decisions.
It may sound like a no-brainer that people in the path of a
destructive windstorm will take appropriate shelter but decades
of social science research tells us otherwise. A recent survey
by the National Center for Disaster Preparedness found that
most Americans are unprepared for a major disaster in that they
have a false sense of security about what will happen if a
major disaster occurs. More than half the families surveyed had
no emergency plan in place for a hurricane or earthquake, and
those who had such a plan lacked essential items to implement
their plan.
The Manager's Amendment ensures that people are a central
part of our mitigation response and recovery activities by
making certain that social science research is a part of the
NWIRP program and that the results of such research are
incorporated into outreach and implementation efforts. We can
and must do more to increase the disaster resiliency of our
communities. The social scientists have an essential role in
those efforts, and I urge my colleagues to adopt this
amendment.
Thank you, Chairman, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Chairman Smith. Thank you, Mr. Lipinski.
Are there others who wish to be heard? The gentlewoman from
Connecticut, Ms. Esty, is recognized.
Ms. Esty. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the
last word.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you and Ranking Member
Johnson for the leadership you have shown in moving this
legislation forward in a bipartisan manner.
This bill is particularly important because windstorms
affect all 50 States. In Connecticut, we are still recovering
from the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, which
shattered communities and killed 285 people in the Northeast.
Now more than ever, it is crucial that we do everything in our
power to prevent these storms from taking more lives and
wreaking more havoc. That is why I appreciate Subcommittee
Chair Bucshon agreeing to accept my amendment, which would
define the term ``lifelines'' and have added it to the bill.
As we discussed in Subcommittee, adding this definition
will improve the bill and provide the interagency Coordinating
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction specific direction on
the most important research topics. This addition will help
improve--will help the involved agencies work effectively and
efficiently towards the goal of reducing the impact of
windstorms on our infrastructure.
I thank the chairman for including my amendment in the
version of the bill under consideration today, and I yield back
my time, and it is under one minute.
Chairman Smith. Thank you, Ms. Esty. I appreciate those
comments.
The gentlewoman from Oregon, Ms. Bonamici, is recognized.
Ms. Bonamici. Thank you. I move to strike the last word.
Chairman Smith. The gentlewoman is recognized for five
minutes.
Ms. Bonamici. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the Committee, the
leadership on both sides of the aisle for bringing this piece
of legislation forward.
I just want to join in the comments made by Mr. Peters
about the importance of also working on the National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program, and I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for
your commitment to do so later this session.
So thank you again for your work, and I look forward to
working as well on legislation that will affect the earthquake
hazards. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman Smith. Thank you, Ms. Bonamici.
Are there any other Members who wish to be heard on the
Manager's Amendment? If not, the question is on the Manager's
Amendment by Mr. Neugebauer and Ms. Wilson.
All in favor, say aye.
Opposed, nay.
The ayes have it, and the Manager's Amendment is agreed to.
The gentleman from Florida, Mr. Grayson, is recognized for
the purpose of offering an amendment.
Mr. Grayson. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
Chairman Smith. The clerk will report the amendment.
The Clerk. Amendment H.R. 1786 offered by Mr. Grayson of
Florida, amendment number 002. Page----
[The amendment of Mr. Grayson appears in Appendix I]
Chairman Smith. Without objection, the amendment will be
considered as read, and the gentleman from Florida, Mr.
Grayson, is recognized to explain his amendment.
Mr. Grayson. Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this amendment is
to prevent conflicts of interest on the advisory committee by
requiring recusal.
I yield the balance of my time.
Chairman Smith. Thank you, Mr. Grayson. I will be longer
than you will in agreeing to your amendment.
The gentleman's amendment will require members of the
National Windstorm Advisory Committee to recuse themselves from
a committee activity in which they have a financial interest, I
support this amendment, but would like to continue to work with
the gentleman between now and the House Floor on possible
additional improvements.
So I appreciate the gentleman offering the amendment.
Is there further discussion on this amendment? If not, the
vote is on the amendment.
All in favor, say aye.
Opposed, nay.
The ayes have it, and the amendment is agreed to.
Are there any other amendments? And if not, a reporting
quorum being present, the question is on the bill H.R. 1786, as
amended.
Those in favor, say aye.
Opposed, nay.
The ayes have it, and the bill as amended is ordered
reportedly favorably.
Pursuant to Committee Rule 2(f) and House Rule XI 2(h)(4),
without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the
table. I move that the bill, H.R. 1786, as amended, be
favorably reported to the House and the staff be authorized to
make any necessary technical and conforming changes. Without
objection, so ordered.
There being no further business, we stand adjourned. I want
to thank all the Members for this great turnout for this
markup, and appreciate your attention before votes.
We stand adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 10:22 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]
Appendix I
----------
H.R. 1786, NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF
2013
Section-by-Section Analysis, Amendments
Amendment Roster
Section-by-Section Analysis of
H.R. 1786, NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF
2013
Section 1. Short Title
This section establishes the short title as the ``National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2013.''
Section 2. Definitions
This section amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of
2004 to define the ``Director'' of the Program as the Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) rather than the
Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
(OSTP). This section also defines ``Lifelines'' to mean the public
works and utilities, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and
communication facilities and infrastructure, and water supply and
sewage treatment facilities.
Section 3. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program
This section identifies the four agencies that make up the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP): NIST, the National Science
Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); defines
NIST as the lead program agency; and assigns responsibilities to the
four program agencies.
As the new lead agency, NIST's activities include planning and
coordinating the Program; supporting the development of performance-
based engineering tools; requesting the assistance of Federal agencies
other than Program agencies as necessary; coordinating all Federal
post-windstorm investigations; and issuing recommendations to assist in
informing model codes when warranted by research or investigative
findings. In addition to the lead agency responsibilities, NIST shall
also 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.
NSF activities include research in engineering and the atmospheric
sciences to improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and
their impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines.
NOAA activities include the support of atmospheric science research
to improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and their
impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines.
FEMA activities include the development of risk assessment tools
and effective mitigation techniques; data collection and analysis; and
public outreach, information dissemination, and implementation of
mitigation measures.
Additionally, this section creates an Interagency Coordinating
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction. The Committee is chaired by
the Director of NIST and is made up of the heads 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 Committee
is to meet not less than two times a year and is tasked with developing
and submitting to Congress a strategic plan, progress report, and
coordinated budget for the Program.
Section 4. National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction
This section amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of
2004 to reauthorize and update an existing Advisory Committee for NWIRP
of at least seven relevant non-Federal employee experts to offer
recommendations and assessments on program developments, priorities,
coordination, and revisions as necessary. This section requires the
Advisory Committee to report to the Director of NIST on the assessment
and its recommendations at least every two years. The authority for the
Advisory Committee terminates on September 30, 2016.
Section 5. Authorization of Appropriations
This section provides authorizations of appropriations as
follows:
For FEMA: $2,000,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2016.
For NSF: $11,400,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2016.
For NIST: $5,500,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2016.
For NOAA: $2,500,000 for each fiscal year 2014 through
2016.
Amendments
Amendment Roster