[Senate Report 114-62]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 114
114th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 114-62
_____________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF 2015
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
on
H.R. 23
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
June 11, 2015.--Ordered to be printed
_____
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
49-010 PDF WASHINGTON : 2015
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
one hundred fourteenth congress
first session
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota, Chairman
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi BILL NELSON, Florida
ROY BLUNT, Missouri MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
MARCO RUBIO, Florida CLAIRE McCASKILL, Missouri
KELLY AYOTTE, New Hampshire AMY KLOBUCHAR , Minnesota
TED CRUZ, Texas RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
JERRY MORAN, Kansas ED MARKEY, Massachusetts
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska CORY BOOKER, New Jersey
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin TOM UDALL, New Mexico
DEAN HELLER, Nevada JOE MANCHIN, West Virginia
CORY GARDNER, Colorado GARY PETERS, Michigan
STEVE DAINES, Montana
David Schwietert, Staff Director
Nick Rossi, Deputy Staff Director
Rebecca Seidel, General Counsel
Kim Lipsky, Democratic Staff Director
Christopher Day, Democratic Deputy Staff Director
Clint Odom, Democratic General Counsel
Calendar No. 114
114th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 114-62
======================================================================
NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT REAUTHORIZATION OF 2015
_______
June 11, 2015.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Thune, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. R. 23]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the bill (H.R. 23) to reauthorize the
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for other
purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon
with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute) and
recommends that the bill (as amended) do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 23, as reported, is to strengthen and
improve the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program
(NWIRP).
Background and Needs
Wind hazards--which include tornados, hurricanes, and
derechos--are a threat to all 50 States and cause injuries,
deaths, economic disruptions, and property damage. Millions of
Americans live in areas vulnerable to storms with damaging
winds. The tornadic events of 2011 in Joplin, Missouri and in
the southeastern United States, as well as recent Hurricanes
Isaac, Irene, and Sandy in 2012, demonstrated the devastating
results of windstorms. In the United States in 2011, windstorms
caused nearly $11 billion in total direct property losses,
injured nearly 7,000 people, and took nearly 700 lives.\1\ As
populations continue to grow in areas prone to hurricanes,
tornadoes, and windstorms, vulnerabilities to severe weather
are likely to increase. In 2005, the National Science and
Technology Council (NSTC) stated that America's primary focus
on disaster response and recovery is ``an impractical and
inefficient strategy for dealing with these ongoing threats.
Instead, communities must break the cycle of destruction and
recovery by enhancing their disaster resilience.''\2\
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\1\National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National
Weather Service, Summary of Natural Hazard Statistics for 2011 in the
United States, May 2012, at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hazstats/
sum11.pdf.
\2\National Science and Technology Council, Committee on
Environment and Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction,
Grand Challenges for Disaster Reduction, June 2005, at http://
www.sdr.gov/docs/SDRGrandChallengesforDisasterReduction.pdf.
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NWIRP was established in 2004, but has never been
reauthorized.\3\ Under the program, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science
Foundation (NSF), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) support activities to improve the understanding of
windstorms and their impacts, as well as to develop and
encourage the implementation of cost-effective mitigation
measures to reduce these impacts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\P.L. 108-360, Title II, National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act
(2004).
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The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
(OSTP) submitted a NWIRP implementation plan in April 2006,
which assessed programs relevant to the goals of NWIRP across
eight Federal agencies and identified important areas of
research that were not covered by current activities. General
knowledge gaps were identified in the three broad categories of
research authorized in the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15701 et seq.) (Act of 2004):
understanding windstorms; assessing the impacts of windstorms;
and mitigation against the effects of windstorms.\4\ The
implementation plan also recommended a continued role for the
Interagency Working Group within the NSTC's Committee on
Environment and Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Disaster
Reduction. In OSTP's most recent Biennial Report to Congress
for Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012, OSTP provided examples of
relevant Federal activities undertaken by the program,
reflecting collaboration and cooperation across government,
among Federal agencies, and with academia and the private
sector.\5\
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\4\National Science and Technology Council, Windstorm Impact
Reduction Implementation Plan, 2006, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/
sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/windstorm_impact_
reduction_implementation_plan_final.pdf.
\5\National Science and Technology Council, National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program: Biennial Report to Congress for Fiscal Years
2011 and 2012, p. 6, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/
microsites/ostp/NSTC/nwirp_fy11-12_biennial_report_to_congress.pdf.
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Summary of Provisions
H.R. 23, as amended, would strengthen NWIRP by transferring
primary responsibility for program planning and coordination
from OSTP to NIST, assigning updated program responsibilities
to participating agencies NIST, NSF, NOAA, and FEMA, and
requiring these agencies to report on planned NWIRP activities
in conjunction with the President's budget requests to
Congress. NIST would be designated as the new lead agency of
NWIRP, which would help ensure agency efforts for wind-hazard
mitigation research, development, and technology transfer are
coordinated, transparent, and effective.
The bill would create a new Interagency Coordinating
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction that would be required
to develop a strategic plan that outlines the prioritized goals
of the program, research objectives to attain those goals, and
how research results will be transferred into outcomes, such as
improved building codes and other mitigation measures. H.R. 23
would also update the requirements of the National Advisory
Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which convenes non-
Federal stakeholders to provide recommendations and assessments
on trends and developments on windstorm impact mitigation, and
NWIRP strategic plan priorities, coordination, effectiveness,
and necessary revisions.
The bill would authorize appropriations totaling $21.4
million for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2017 for NWIRP
activities at NIST, NOAA, NSF, and FEMA. This total is less
than the level authorized in the original law.
Legislative History
H.R. 23 was introduced on January 6, 2015, by
Representative Randy Neugebauer and passed the House of
Representatives by a vote of 381-39 on January 7, 2015. The
bill is substantially similar to H.R. 1786, which passed the
House of Representatives in the 113th Congress but saw no
action in the Senate.
No legislative hearings were held on H.R. 23 in the 114th
Congress. In the 113th Congress, the Subcommittee on Research
and Technology of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology of the House of Representatives, held a hearing on
June 5, 2013, to examine the role of research and development
in mitigating the damaging effects of windstorms and the
methods of transferring the results of research into practice
for stakeholders, including building code developers, builders,
and property owners. The hearing reviewed the activities of
NWIRP and H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction
Act Reauthorization of 2013.
On February 26, 2015, the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate held an Executive Session to
consider H.R. 23, and ordered the bill to be reported to the
Senate favorably, with an amendment in the nature of a
substitute, by voice vote. Two first degree amendments were
agreed to, including one sponsored by Chairman Thune and
Ranking Member Nelson to make several changes to the bill
reflecting agency feedback, and another sponsored by Senator
Markey to add a term to the list of examples of windstorms.
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
H.R. 23--National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of
2015
Summary: H.R. 23 would reauthorize the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP), which was created to improve
the understanding of windstorms and their effects and to
develop measures to reduce the damage they cause. The act also
would establish an interagency committee to oversee and
coordinate activities of federal agencies participating in the
program. Under H.R. 23, the committee would be directed to
develop a strategic plan that sets goals for the program to
mitigate the loss of life and property from future storms.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing H.R. 23 would cost $42 million over
the 2016-2020 period. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply
because enacting the legislation would not affect direct
spending or revenues.
H.R. 23 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary effect of H.R. 23 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget functions 250
(general science, space, and technology), 300 (natural
resources and environment), 370 (commerce and housing credit),
and 450 (community and regional development).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-------------------------------------------------------
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2016-2020
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CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Federal Emergency Management Agency:
Authorization Level................................. 5 5 0 0 0 11
Estimated Outlays................................... 3 5 2 0 0 11
National Science Foundation:
Authorization Level................................. 10 10 0 0 0 19
Estimated Outlays................................... 2 6 6 3 1 18
National Institute of Standards and Technology:
Authorization Level................................. 4 4 0 0 0 8
Estimated Outlays................................... 3 4 1 0 0 8
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration:
Authorization Level................................. 2 2 0 0 0 5
Estimated Outlays................................... 1 2 1 0 0 5
Total...............................................
Authorization Level............................. 21 21 0 0 0 43
Estimated Outlays............................... 10 18 10 3 1 42
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R.
23 will be enacted near the end fiscal year 2015 and that the
authorized amounts will be appropriated in fiscal years 2016
and 2017. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending
patterns for this program.
For each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017, H.R. 23 would
authorize appropriation of about $21 million for the federal
agencies that participate in the windstorm reduction program.
Specifically, for each of those years, the act would authorize
appropriations of $5.3 million for the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, $9.7 million for the National Science
Foundation, $4.1 million for the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, and $2.3 million for the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out the NWIRP.
Assuming appropriation those amounts, CBO estimates that
implementing the act would cost $42 million over the 2016-2020
period.
CBO estimates that roughly $54 million was obligated in
2014 by federal agencies for windstorm-related activities.
However, those agencies do not have sufficient information
available to compare the activities authorized in H.R. 23 with
the amounts obligated in 2014.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 23
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would not affect the budgets of state,
local, or tribal governments.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Susan Willie; Impact
on state, local, and tribal governments: Jon Sperl; Impact on
the private sector: Amy Petz.
Estimate approved by: H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Regulatory Impact
In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the
legislation, as reported:
number of persons covered
The bill would not subject any individuals or businesses to
additional regulations. It would support research and
development to improve model building codes, voluntary
standards, and best practices for the design, construction, and
retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines. These
recommended models, standards, and practices would be voluntary
under the bill and not regulatory requirements.
economic impact
The bill would authorize spending by the Federal Government
at lower levels than were previously authorized. Four Federal
agencies would be authorized to spend a total of $21.4 million
annually from fiscal years 2015 through 2017, whereas these
agencies were authorized to spend a total of $25 million in the
last fiscal year authorized (fiscal year 2008). This spending
would support windstorm impact research and development and
mitigation measures, which if applied and implemented, would
result in positive economic benefits and savings for the
Nation.
privacy
The bill would have no adverse impact on the personal
privacy of individuals.
paperwork
The bill would not increase paperwork requirements for
private individuals or businesses. The legislation would
require the Federal Government to produce three reports to
Congress, and a Federal advisory committee to submit a report
to NIST. The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm
Impact Reduction would be required to submit to Congress a
strategic plan not later than one year after the date of
enactment, a report on NWIRP progress not later than 18 months
after the date of enactment, and a coordinated NWIRP budget not
later than 60 days after the President submits the President's
budget to Congress each fiscal year. Participating NWIRP
agencies would also be required to include a description of
projected activities and spending in their annual budget
requests to Congress. The National Advisory Committee on
Windstorm Impact Reduction would be required to report at least
every two years to the Director of NIST on its assessments and
recommendations for ways to improve NWIRP, shifting an existing
reporting requirement to Congress and to an OSTP Interagency
Working Group under current law.
Congressionally Directed Spending
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the
rule.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title.
This section would establish the short title as the
``National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of
2015.''
Section 2. Definitions.
This section would amend section 203 of the Act of 2004 (42
U.S.C. 15702) to define the ``Director'' of NWIRP as the
Director of NIST rather than the Director of OSTP. Section 203
also would define ``lifelines'' to mean public works and
utilities, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and
communication facilities and infrastructure, and water supply
and sewage treatment facilities. As amended, section 203 would
add the term ``northeaster'' to the list of examples of
windstorms in the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of
2004.
Section 3. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C
15703) made under this section would identify the four agencies
that have responsibilities under NWIRP: NIST, NSF, NOAA, and
FEMA. The amendments made under this section would define NIST
as the lead program agency with primary responsibility for
planning and coordinating NWIRP, and assign updated
responsibilities to the four program agencies.
The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C
15703) made under this section would require NIST to support
the development of performance-based engineering tools; request
the assistance of Federal agencies, other than NWIRP agencies,
as necessary; coordinate all Federal post-windstorm
investigations to the extent practicable (as amended); and
issue recommendations to assist in informing model codes when
warranted by research or investigative findings. The Committee
intends for NIST to coordinate all Federal post-windstorm
investigations, but does not intend for NIST to do so at the
expense of conducting research and development at its
laboratories. NIST is not required to be physically present at
every post-windstorm investigation but should be aware of and
play a role in all investigations. In addition to the lead
agency responsibilities, NIST would also be required to conduct
research and development to improve model building codes,
voluntary standards, and best practices for the design,
construction, and retrofit of buildings, structures, and
lifelines.
The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C
15703) made under this section would require NSF to support
research in engineering and the atmospheric sciences to improve
the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and their
impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines, as well as
research in economic and social factors influencing windstorm
risk reduction measures.
The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C
15703) made under this section would require NOAA to support
atmospheric science research to improve the understanding of
the behavior of windstorms and their impact on buildings,
structures, and lifelines.
The amendments to section 204 of the Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C
15703) made under this section would require FEMA to support
the development of risk assessment tools and effective
mitigation techniques, windstorm-related data collection and
analysis, public outreach and information dissemination, and
promotion of the adoption of windstorm preparedness and
mitigation measures. FEMA would also be required to work
closely with national standards and model building code
organizations, in conjunction with NIST, to promote
implementation of research results and promote better building
practices.
The Directors of NIST, NSF, NOAA and FEMA would be required
to include in each of their annual budget requests to Congress
a description of their agency's projected NWIRP activities and
an assessment of what they plan to spend on the program for the
fiscal year covered in the budget request. This will provide
greater accountability and transparency for NWIRP and its
annual activities.
Additionally, the amendments under this section would
create an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm
Impact Reduction, intended to update and replace the current
interagency working group structure led by OSTP. The
Interagency Coordinating Committee would be chaired by the
Director of NIST, or the Director's designee (as amended), and
would be comprised of the heads or such designees (as amended)
of FEMA, NOAA, NSF, OSTP, the Office of Management and the
Budget (OMB), and the head of any other Federal agency the
Chair considers appropriate. The Interagency Coordinating
Committee would be required to meet not less than once a year
and to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan,
progress report, and coordinated budgets for NWIRP. The
coordinated budget would be due within 60 days after the
President's budget request has been transmitted to Congress (as
amended). The Interagency Coordinating Committee may meet more
often than once a year, especially as it is beginning its work.
The Interagency Coordinating Committee should ensure that the
agencies coordinate their activities well through strategic
planning and that they take advantage of opportunities for more
coordination of research and development across different
natural hazards.
Section 4. National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction.
This section would amend section 205 of the Act of 2004 (42
U.S.C. 15704) to reauthorize and update an existing advisory
committee for NWIRP of at least 7 and not more than 15 members
(as amended) who are qualified to provide advice on windstorm
impact reduction. The advisory committee must offer
recommendations and assessments on trends and developments on
windstorm impact mitigation and NWIRP strategic plan
priorities, coordination, effectiveness (as amended), and
necessary revisions. Additionally, the amendments made under
this section would require the advisory committee to report to
the Director of NIST on its assessments and recommendations at
least every two years. The authority for the advisory committee
would terminate on September 30, 2017.
Section 5. Authorization of appropriations.
This section would amend section 207 of the Act of 2004 (42
U.S.C. 15706) to authorize appropriations as follows:
For FEMA: $5,332,000 for each fiscal year 2015 through
2017.
For NSF: $9,682,000 for each fiscal year 2015 through 2017.
For NIST: $4,120,000 for each fiscal year 2015 through
2017.
For NOAA: $2,266,000 for each fiscal year 2015 through
2017.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION ACT OF 2004
[42 U.S.C. 15701 et seq.]
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
[42 U.S.C. 15802]
In this title:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the
[Director of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy] Director of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology.
(2) Lifelines.--The term ``lifelines'' means public
works and utilities, including transportation
facilities and infrastructure, oil and gas pipelines,
electrical power and communication facilities and
infrastructure, and water supply and sewage treatment
facilities.
[(2)](3) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program established
by section 204(a).
[(3)](4) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the
States of the United States, the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States
Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other
territory or possession of the United States.
[(4)](5) Windstorm.--The term ``windstorm'' means any
storm with a damaging or destructive wind component,
such as a hurricane, tropical storm, northeaster,
tornado, or thunderstorm.
SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
[42 U.S.C. 15703]
[(a) Establishment.--There is established the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
[(b) Objective.--The objective of the Program is the
achievement of major measurable reductions in losses of life
and property from windstorms. The objective is to be achieved
through a coordinated Federal effort, in cooperation with other
levels of government, academia, and the private sector, aimed
at improving the understanding of windstorms and their impacts
and developing and encouraging implementation of cost-effective
mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.
[(c) Interagency Working Group.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall establish
an Interagency Working Group consisting of representatives of
the National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and
other Federal agencies as appropriate. The Director shall
designate an agency to serve as Chair of the Working Group and
be responsible for the planning, management, and coordination
of the Program, including budget coordination. Specific agency
roles and responsibilities under the Program shall be defined
in the implementation plan required under subsection (e).
General agency responsibilities shall include the following:
[(1) The National Institute of Standards and
Technology shall support research and development to
improve building codes and standards and practices for
design and construction of buildings, structures, and
lifelines.
[(2) The National Science Foundation shall support
research in engineering and the atmospheric sciences to
improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms
and their impact on buildings, structures, and
lifelines.
[(3) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration shall support atmospheric sciences
research to improve the understanding of the behavior
of windstorms and their impact on buildings,
structures, and lifelines.
[(4) The Federal Emergency Management Agency shall
support the development of risk assessment tools and
effective mitigation techniques, windstorm-related data
collection and analysis, public outreach, information
dissemination, and implementation of mitigation
measures consistent with the Agency's all-hazards
approach.]
(a) Establishment.--There is established the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, the purpose of which is to
achieve major measurable reductions in the losses of life and
property from windstorms through a coordinated Federal effort,
in cooperation with other levels of government, academia, and
the private sector, aimed at improving the understanding of
windstorms and their impacts and developing and encouraging the
implementation of cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce
those impacts.
(b) Responsibilities of Program Agencies.--
(1) Lead agency.--The National Institute of Standards
and Technology shall have the primary responsibility
for planning and coordinating the Program. In carrying
out this paragraph, the Director shall--
(A) ensure that the Program includes the
necessary components to promote the
implementation of windstorm risk reduction
measures by Federal, State, and local
governments, national standards and model
building code organizations, architects and
engineers, and others with a role in planning
and constructing buildings and lifelines;
(B) support the development of performance-
based engineering tools, and work with
appropriate groups to promote the commercial
application of such tools, including through
wind-related model building codes, voluntary
standards, and construction best practices;
(C) request the assistance of Federal
agencies other than the Program agencies, as
necessary to assist in carrying out this Act;
(D) coordinate all Federal post-windstorm
investigations to the extent practicable; and
(E) when warranted by research or
investigative findings, issue recommendations
to assist in informing the development of model
codes, and provide information to Congress on
the use of such recommendations.
(2) National institute of standards and technology.--
In addition to the lead agency responsibilities
described under paragraph (1), the National Institute
of Standards and Technology shall be responsible for
carrying out research and development to improve model
building codes, voluntary standards, and best practices
for the design, construction, and retrofit of
buildings, structures, and lifelines.
(3) National science foundation.--The National
Science Foundation shall support research in--
(A) engineering and the atmospheric sciences
to improve the understanding of the behavior of
windstorms and their impact on buildings,
structures, and lifelines; and
(B) economic and social factors influencing
windstorm risk reduction measures.
(4) National oceanic and atmospheric
administration.--The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration shall support atmospheric sciences
research to improve the understanding of the behavior
of windstorms and their impact on buildings,
structures, and lifelines.
(5) Federal emergency management agency.--The Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall--
(A) support--
(i) the development of risk
assessment tools and effective
mitigation techniques;
(ii) windstorm-related data
collection and analysis;
(iii) public outreach and information
dissemination; and
(iv) promotion of the adoption of
windstorm preparedness and mitigation
measures, including for households,
businesses, and communities, consistent
with the Agency's all-hazards approach;
and
(B) work closely with national standards and
model building code organizations, in
conjunction with the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, to promote the
implementation of research results and promote
better building practices within the building
design and construction industry, including
architects, engineers, contractors, builders,
and inspectors.
[(d)](c) Program Components.--
(1) In general.--The Program shall consist of three
primary mitigation components: improved understanding
of windstorms, windstorm impact assessment, and
windstorm impact reduction. The components shall be
implemented through activities such as data collection
and analysis, risk assessment, outreach, technology
transfer, and research and development. To the extent
practicable, research activities authorized under this
title shall be peer-reviewed, and the components shall
be designed to be complementary to, and avoid
duplication of, other public and private hazard
reduction efforts.
(2) Understanding of windstorms.--Activities to
enhance the understanding of windstorms shall include
research to improve knowledge of and data collection on
the impact of severe wind on buildings, structures, and
infrastructure.
(3) Windstorm impact assessment.--Activities to
improve windstorm impact assessment shall include--
(A) development of mechanisms for collecting
and inventorying information on the performance
of buildings, structures, and infrastructure in
windstorms and improved collection of pertinent
information from sources, including the design
and construction industry, insurance companies,
and building officials;
(B) research, development, and technology
transfer to improve loss estimation and risk
assessment systems; and
(C) research, development, and technology
transfer to improve simulation and
computational modeling of windstorm impacts.
(4) Windstorm impact reduction.--Activities to reduce
windstorm impacts shall include--
(A) development of improved outreach and
implementation mechanisms to translate existing
information and research findings into cost-
effective and affordable practices for design
and construction professionals, and State and
local officials;
(B) development of cost-effective and
affordable windstorm-resistant systems,
structures, and materials for use in new
construction and retrofit of existing
construction; and
(C) outreach and information dissemination
related to cost-effective and affordable
construction techniques, loss estimation and
risk assessment methodologies, and other
pertinent information regarding windstorm
phenomena to Federal, State, and local
officials, the construction industry, and the
general public.
[(e) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 1 year after date
of enactment of this title, the Interagency Working Group shall
develop and transmit to the Congress an implementation plan for
achieving the objectives of the Program. The plan shall
include--
[(1) an assessment of past and current public and
private efforts to reduce windstorm impacts, including
a comprehensive review and analysis of windstorm
mitigation activities supported by the Federal
Government;
[(2) a description of plans for technology transfer
and coordination with natural hazard mitigation
activities supported by the Federal Government;
[(3) a statement of strategic goals and priorities
for each Program component area;
[(4) a description of how the Program will achieve
such goals, including detailed responsibilities for
each agency; and
[(5) a description of plans for cooperation and
coordination with interested public and private sector
entities in each program component area.
[(f) Biennial Report.--The Interagency Working Group shall,
on a biennial basis, and not later than 180 days after the end
of the preceding 2 fiscal years, transmit a report to the
Congress describing the status of the windstorm impact
reduction program, including progress achieved during the
preceding two fiscal years. Each such report shall include any
recommendations for legislative and other action the
Interagency Working Group considers necessary and appropriate.
In developing the biennial report, the Interagency Working
Group shall consider the recommendations of the Advisory
Committee established under section 205. Windstorm Impact
Reduction Program.]
(d) Budget Activities.--The Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, the Director of the
National Science Foundation, the Director of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall each include in their
agency's annual budget request to Congress a description of
their agency's projected activities under the Program for the
fiscal year covered by the budget request, along with an
assessment of what they plan to spend on those activities for
that fiscal year.
(e) Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established an
Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction, chaired by the Director or the Director's
designee.
(2) Membership.--In addition to the chair, the
Committee shall be composed of--
(A) the heads or such designees of--
(i) the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
(ii) the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration;
(iii) the National Science
Foundation;
(iv) the Office of Science and
Technology Policy; and
(v) the Office of Management and
Budget; and
(B) the head of any other Federal agency, or
such designee, the chair considers appropriate.
(3) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet not less than
once a year at the call of the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
(4) General purpose and duties.--The Committee shall
oversee the planning and coordination of the Program.
(5) Strategic plan.--The Committee shall develop and
submit to Congress, not later than one year after the
date of enactment of the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015, a Strategic Plan
for the Program that includes--
(A) prioritized goals for the Program that
will mitigate against the loss of life and
property from future windstorms;
(B) short-term, mid-term, and long-term
research objectives to achieve those goals;
(C) a description of the role of each Program
agency in achieving the prioritized goals;
(D) the methods by which progress towards the
goals will be assessed; and
(E) an explanation of how the Program will
foster the transfer of research results into
outcomes, such as improved model building
codes.
(6) Progress report.--Not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of the National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015, the Committee
shall submit to the Congress a report on the progress
of the Program that includes--
(A) a description of the activities funded
under the Program, a description of how these
activities align with the prioritized goals and
research objectives established in the
Strategic Plan, and the budgets, per agency,
for these activities;
(B) the outcomes achieved by the Program for
each of the goals identified in the Strategic
Plan;
(C) a description of any recommendations made
to change existing building codes that were the
result of Program activities; and
(D) a description of the extent to which the
Program has incorporated recommendations from
the Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction.
(7) Coordinated budget.--The Committee shall develop
a coordinated budget for the Program, which shall be
submitted to the Congress not later than 60 days after
the date of the President's budget submission for each
fiscal year.
[SEC. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.
[42 U.S.C. 15704]
[(a) Establishment.-- The Director shall establish a National
Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, consisting of
not less than 11 and not more than 15 non-Federal members
representing a broad cross section of interests such as the
research, technology transfer, design and construction, and
financial communities; materials and systems suppliers; State,
county, and local governments; the insurance industry; and
other representatives as designated by the Director.
[(b) Assessment.--The Advisory Committee shall assess--
[(1) trends and developments in the science and
engineering of windstorm impact reduction;
[(2) the effectiveness of the Program in carrying out
the activities under section 204(d);
[(3) the need to revise the Program; and
[(4) the management, coordination, implementation,
and activities of the Program.
[(c) Biennial Report.--At least once every two years, the
Advisory Committee shall report to Congress and the Interagency
Working Group on the assessment carried out under subsection
(b).
[(d) Sunset Exemption.--Section 14 of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act shall not apply to the Advisory Committee
established under this section.]
SEC. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall establish an Advisory Committee
on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which shall be composed of at
least 7 and not more than 15 members who are qualified to
provide advice on windstorm impact reduction and represent
related scientific, architectural, and engineering disciplines,
none of whom may be employees of the Federal Government,
including--
(1) representatives of research and academic
institutions;
(2) industry standards development organizations;
(3) emergency management agencies;
(4) State and local government; and
(5) business communities, including the insurance
industry.
(b) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction shall offer assessments and recommendations on--
(1) trends and developments in the natural,
engineering, and social sciences and practices of
windstorm impact mitigation;
(2) the priorities of the Program's Strategic Plan;
(3) the coordination of the Program;
(4) the effectiveness of the Program in meeting its
purposes; and
(5) any revisions to the Program which may be
necessary.
(c) Compensation.--The members of the Advisory Committee
established under this section shall serve without
compensation.
(d) Reports.--At least every 2 years, the Advisory Committee
shall report to the Director on the assessments carried out
under subsection (b) and its recommendations for ways to
improve the Program.
(e) Charter.--Notwithstanding section 14(b)(2) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Advisory Committee
shall not be required to file a charter subsequent to its
initial charter, filed under section 9(c) of such Act, before
the termination date specified in subsection (f) of this
section.
(f) Termination.--The Advisory Committee shall terminate on
September 30, 2017.
(g) Conflict of Interest.--An Advisory Committee member shall
recuse himself from any Advisory Committee activity in which he
has an actual pecuniary interest.
[SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
[42 U.S.C. 15706]
[(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency for carrying out this title--
[(1) $8,700,000 for fiscal year 2006;
[(2) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
[(3) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2008.
[(b) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying
out this title--
[(1) $8,700,000 for fiscal year 2006;
[(2) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
[(3) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2008.
[(c) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology for carrying out this title--
[(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2006;
[(2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
[(3) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
[(d) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration for carrying out this title--
[(1) $2,100,000 for fiscal year 2006;
[(2) $2,200,000 for fiscal year 2007; and
[(3) $2,200,000 for fiscal year 2008.]
SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency for carrying out this title--
(1) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2015;
(2) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
(3) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2017.
(b) National Science Foundation.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying
out this title--
(1) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2015;
(2) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
(3) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2017.
(c) National Institute of Standards and Technology.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology for carrying out this title--
(1) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2015;
(2) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
(3) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2017.
(d) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.--There
are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration for carrying out this title--
(1) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2015;
(2) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2016; and
(3) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2017.
[all]