[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3820 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3820
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 3, 2010
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To reauthorize Federal natural hazards reduction programs, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act
of 2010''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The United States faces significant risks from many
types of natural hazards, including earthquakes, hurricanes,
tornadoes, wildfires, and floods. Increasing numbers of
Americans are living in areas prone to these hazards.
(2) Earthquakes occur without warning and can have
devastating effects. According to the U.S. Geological Survey,
two recent earthquakes, the Northridge Earthquake in 1994, and
the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, killed nearly 100 people,
injured 12,757, and caused $33 billion in damages. Nearly all
States face some level of seismic risk. Twenty-six urban areas
in 14 States have a significant seismic risk.
(3) Severe weather is the most costly natural hazard,
measured on a per year basis. According to data from the
National Weather Service over the last 10 years, tornadoes,
thunderstorms, and hurricanes have caused an average of 226
fatalities and $16 billion of property damage per year. The
2005 hurricane season was one of the most destructive in United
States history, killing 1,836 people, and causing $80 billion
in damage.
(4) The United States Fire Administration reports that 38
percent of new home construction in 2002 was in areas adjacent
to, or intermixed with, wildlands. Fires in the wildland-urban
interface are costly. For example, the 2007 California Witch
fire alone caused $1.3 billion in insured property losses,
according to the Insurance Services Office (ISO). In addition,
Government Accountability Office reported in 2007 that the
Federal spending for wildfire suppression between 2001 and 2005
was, on average, $2.9 billion per year.
(5) Developing better knowledge about natural hazard
phenomena and their effects is crucial to assessing the risks
these hazards pose to communities. Instrumentation, monitoring,
and data gathering to characterize earthquakes and wind events
are important activities to increase this knowledge.
(6) Current building codes and standards can mitigate the
damages caused by natural hazards. The Institute for Business
and Home Safety estimated that the $19 billion in damage caused
by Hurricane Andrew in 1994 could have been reduced by half if
such codes and standards were in effect. Research for the
continuous improvement of building codes, standards, and design
practices--and for developing methods to retrofit existing
structures--is crucial to mitigating losses from natural
hazards.
(7) Since its creation in 1977, the National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) has supported research to
develop seismic codes, standards, and building practices that
have been widely adopted. The NEHRP Recommended Provisions for
Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures and
the Guidance for Seismic Performance Assessment of Buildings
are two examples.
(8) Research to understand the institutional, social,
behavioral, and economic factors that influence how households,
businesses, and communities perceive risk and prepare for
natural hazards, and how well they recover after a disaster,
can increase the implementation of risk mitigation measures.
(9) A major goal of the Federal natural hazards-related
research and development effort should be to reduce the loss of
life and damage to communities and infrastructure through
increasing the adoption of hazard mitigation measures.
(10) Research, development, and technology transfer to
secure infrastructure is vitally important. Infrastructure that
supports electricity, transportation, drinking water, and other
services is vital immediately after a disaster, and their quick
return to function speeds the economic recovery of a disaster-
impacted community.
TITLE I--EARTHQUAKES
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2010''.
SEC. 102. FINDINGS.
Section 2 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42
U.S.C. 7701) is repealed.
SEC. 103. DEFINITIONS.
Section 4 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42
U.S.C. 7703) is amended by striking paragraphs (8) and (9).
SEC. 104. NATIONAL EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM.
Section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42
U.S.C. 7704) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
``(2) Program activities.--The activities of the Program
shall be designed to--
``(A) research and develop effective methods,
tools, and technologies to reduce the risk posed by
earthquakes to the built environment, especially to
lessen the risk to existing structures and lifelines;
``(B) improve the understanding of earthquakes and
their effects on households, businesses, communities,
buildings, structures, and lifelines, through
interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research that
involves engineering, natural sciences, and social
sciences; and
``(C) facilitate the adoption of earthquake risk
reduction measures by households, businesses,
communities, local, State, and Federal governments,
national standards and model building code
organizations, architects and engineers, building
owners, and others with a role in planning for
disasters and planning, constructing, retrofitting, and
insuring buildings, structures, and lifelines through--
``(i) grants, contracts, cooperative
agreements, and technical assistance;
``(ii) development of standards,
guidelines, voluntary consensus standards, and
other design guidance for earthquake hazards
risk reduction for buildings, structures, and
lifelines;
``(iii) outreach and information
dissemination to communities on location-
specific earthquake hazards and methods to
reduce the risks from those hazards; and
``(iv) development and maintenance of a
repository of information, including technical
data, on seismic risk and hazards reduction.'';
and
(B) by striking paragraphs (3) through (5);
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Responsibilities of Program Agencies.--
``(1) Lead agency.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology (in this section referred to as the `Institute')
shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the Program.
In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the Institute
shall--
``(A) ensure that the Program includes the
necessary components to promote the implementation of
earthquake hazards risk reduction measures by
households, businesses, communities, local, State, and
Federal governments, national standards and model
building code organizations, architects and engineers,
building owners, and others with a role in preparing
for disasters, or the planning, constructing,
retrofitting, and insuring of buildings, structures,
and lifelines;
``(B) support the development of performance-based
seismic engineering tools, and work with the
appropriate groups to promote the commercial
application of such tools, through earthquake-related
building codes, standards, and construction practices;
``(C) ensure the use of social science research and
findings in informing research and technology
development priorities, communicating earthquake risks
to the public, developing earthquake risk mitigation
strategies, and preparing for earthquake disasters;
``(D) coordinate all Federal post-earthquake
investigations; and
``(E) when warranted by research or investigative
findings, issue recommendations for changes in model
codes to the relevant code development organizations,
and report back to Congress on whether such
recommendations were adopted.
``(2) National institute of standards and technology.--In
addition to the lead agency responsibilities described under
paragraph (1), the Institute shall be responsible for carrying
out research and development to improve building codes and
standards and practices for buildings, structures, and
lifelines. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the
Institute shall--
``(A) work, in conjunction with other appropriate
Federal agencies, to support the development of
improved seismic standards and model codes;
``(B) in coordination with other appropriate
Federal agencies, work closely with standards and model
code development organizations, professional societies,
and practicing engineers, architects, and others
involved in the construction of buildings, structures,
and lifelines, to promote better building practices,
including by--
``(i) developing technical resources for
practitioners on new knowledge and standards of
practice; and
``(ii) developing methods and tools to
facilitate the incorporation of earthquake
engineering principles into design and
construction practices;
``(C) develop tools, technologies, methods, and
practitioner guidance to feasibly and cost-effectively
retrofit existing buildings and structures to increase
their earthquake resiliency; and
``(D) work closely with national standards
organizations, and other interested parties, to develop
seismic safety standards and practices for new and
existing lifelines.
``(3) Federal emergency management agency.--
``(A) In general.--The Federal Emergency Management
Agency (in this paragraph referred to as the `Agency'),
consistent with the Agency's all hazards approach,
shall be responsible for facilitating the development
and adoption of standards, model building codes, and
better seismic building practices, developing tools to
assess earthquake hazards, promoting the adoption of
hazard mitigation measures, and carrying out a program
of direct assistance to States and localities to
mitigate earthquake risks to buildings, structures,
lifelines, and communities.
``(B) Director's duties.--The Director of the
Agency shall--
``(i) work closely with other relevant
Federal agencies, standards and model building
code development organizations, architects,
engineers, and other professionals, to
facilitate the development and adoption of
standards, model codes, and design and
construction practices to increase the
earthquake resiliency of new and existing
buildings, structures, and lifelines in the--
``(I) preparation, maintenance, and
wide dissemination of design guidance,
model building codes and standards, and
practices to increase the earthquake
resiliency of new and existing
buildings, structures, and lifelines;
``(II) development of performance-
based design guidelines and
methodologies supporting model codes
for buildings, structures, and
lifelines; and
``(III) development of methods and
tools to facilitate the incorporation
of earthquake engineering principles
into design and construction practices;
``(ii) develop tools, technologies, and
methods to assist local planners, and others,
to model and predict the potential impact of
earthquake damage in seismically hazardous
areas; and
``(iii) support the implementation of a
comprehensive earthquake education and public
awareness program, including the development of
materials and their wide dissemination to all
appropriate audiences, and support public
access to locality-specific information that
may assist the public in preparing for,
mitigating against, responding to, and
recovering from earthquakes and related
disasters.
``(C) State assistance grant program.--The Director
of the Agency shall operate a program of grants and
assistance to enable States to develop mitigation,
preparedness, and response plans, compare inventories
and conduct seismic safety inspections of critical
structures and lifelines, update building and zoning
codes and ordinances to enhance seismic safety,
increase earthquake awareness and education, and
encourage the development of multistate groups for such
purposes. The Director shall operate such programs in
coordination with the all hazards mitigation and
preparedness programs authorized by the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), in order to ensure that such
programs are as consistent as possible. In order to
qualify for assistance under this subparagraph, a State
must--
``(i) demonstrate that the assistance will
result in enhanced seismic safety in the State;
``(ii) provide 50 percent of the costs of
the activities for which assistance is being
given, except that the Director may lower or
waive the cost-share requirement for these
activities in exceptional cases of economic
hardship; and
``(iii) meet such other requirements as the
Director of the Agency shall prescribe.
``(D) Federal emergency management agency role and
responsibility.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed
to diminish the role and responsibility of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency with regard to all hazards
preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
``(4) United states geological survey.--The United States
Geological Survey (in this paragraph referred to as the
`Survey') shall conduct research and other activities necessary
to characterize and identify earthquake hazards, assess
earthquake risks, monitor seismic activity, and provide real-
time earthquake information. In carrying out this paragraph,
the Director of the Survey shall--
``(A) conduct a systematic assessment of the
seismic risks in each region of the Nation prone to
earthquakes, including, where appropriate, the
establishment and operation of intensive monitoring
projects on hazardous faults, detailed seismic hazard
and risk studies in urban and other developed areas
where earthquake risk is determined to be significant,
and engineering seismology studies;
``(B) work with officials of State and local
governments to ensure that they are knowledgeable about
the specific seismic risks in their areas;
``(C) develop standard procedures, in consultation
with the Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, for issuing earthquake alerts, including
aftershock advisories, and, to the extent possible,
ensure that such alerts are compatible with the
Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System program
authorized by section 202 of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5132);
``(D) issue when justified, and notify the Director
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency of, an
earthquake prediction or other earthquake advisory,
which may be evaluated by the National Earthquake
Prediction Evaluation Council;
``(E) operate, as integral parts of the Advanced
National Seismic Research and Monitoring System, a
National Earthquake Information Center and a national
seismic network, together providing timely and accurate
information on earthquakes world-wide;
``(F) support the operation of regional seismic
networks in areas of higher seismic risk;
``(G) develop and support seismic instrumentation
of buildings and other structures to obtain data on
their response to earthquakes for use in engineering
studies and assessment of damage;
``(H) monitor and assess Earth surface deformation
as it pertains to the evaluation of earthquake hazards
and impacts;
``(I) work with other Program agencies to maintain
awareness of, and where appropriate cooperate with,
earthquake risk reduction efforts in other countries,
to ensure that the Program benefits from relevant
information and advances in those countries;
``(J) maintain suitable seismic hazard maps in
support of building codes for structures and lifelines,
including additional maps needed for performance-based
design approaches, and, to the extent possible, ensure
that such maps are developed consistent with the
multihazard advisory maps authorized by section 203(k)
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133(k));
``(K) conduct a competitive, peer-reviewed process
which awards grants and cooperative agreements to
complement and extend related internal Survey research
and monitoring activities; and
``(L) operate, in cooperation with the National
Science Foundation, a Global Seismographic Network for
detection of earthquakes around the world and research
into fundamental earth processes.
``(5) National science foundation.--The National Science
Foundation shall be responsible for funding basic research that
furthers the understanding of earthquakes, earthquake
engineering, and community preparation and response to
earthquakes. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of
the National Science Foundation shall--
``(A) support multidisciplinary and
interdisciplinary research that will improve the
resiliency of communities to earthquakes, including--
``(i) research that improves the safety and
performance of buildings, structures, and
lifelines, including the use of the large-scale
experimental and computational facilities of
the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for
Engineering Earthquake Simulation;
``(ii) research to support more effective
earthquake mitigation and response measures,
such as developing better knowledge of the
specific types of vulnerabilities faced by
segments of the community vulnerable to
earthquakes, addressing the barriers they face
in adopting mitigation and preparation
measures, and developing methods to better
communicate the risks of earthquakes and to
promote mitigation; and
``(iii) research on the response of
communities, households, businesses, and
emergency responders to earthquakes;
``(B) support research to understand earthquake
processes, earthquake patterns, and earthquake
frequencies;
``(C) encourage prompt dissemination of significant
findings, sharing of data, samples, physical
collections, and other supporting materials, and
development of intellectual property so research
results can be used by appropriate organizations to
mitigate earthquake damage;
``(D) work with other Program agencies to maintain
awareness of, and where appropriate cooperate with,
earthquake risk reduction research efforts in other
countries, to ensure that the Program benefits from
relevant information and advances in those countries;
and
``(E) include to the maximum extent practicable
diverse institutions, including Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving
institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska
Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-
serving institutions.''; and
(3) in subsection (c)(1) by inserting ``on Natural Hazards
Risk Reduction established under section 301 of the Natural
Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2010'' after ``Interagency
Coordinating Committee''.
SEC. 105. POST-EARTHQUAKE INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM.
Section 11 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42
U.S.C. 7705e) is amended by striking ``There is established'' and all
that follows through ``conduct of such earthquake investigations.'' and
inserting ``The Program shall include a post-earthquake investigations
program, the purpose of which is to investigate major earthquakes so as
to learn lessons which can be applied to reduce the loss of lives and
property in future earthquakes. The lead Program agency, in
consultation with each Program agency, shall organize investigations to
study the implications of the earthquakes in the areas of
responsibility of each Program agency. The investigations shall begin
as rapidly as possible and may be conducted by grantees and
contractors. The Program agencies shall ensure that the results of the
investigations are disseminated widely.''.
SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 12 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act
of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706) is amended--
(1) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following:
``(9) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency for carrying out this Act--
``(A) $10,238,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(B) $10,545,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(C) $10,861,000 for fiscal year 2012;
``(D) $11,187,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(E) $11,523,000 for fiscal year 2014.'';
(2) by adding at the end of subsection (b) the following:
``(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the United States
Geological Survey for carrying out this Act--
``(A) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, of which
$36,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System;
``(B) $92,100,000 for fiscal year 2011, of which
$37,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System;
``(C) $94,263,000 for fiscal year 2012, of which
$38,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System;
``(D) $96,491,000 for fiscal year 2013, of which
$39,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System; and
``(E) $98,786,000 for fiscal year 2014, of which
$40,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the
Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System.'';
(3) by adding at the end of subsection (c) the following:
``(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the National
Science Foundation for carrying out this Act--
``(A) $64,125,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(B) $66,049,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(C) $68,030,000 for fiscal year 2012;
``(D) $70,071,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(E) $72,173,000 for fiscal year 2014.''; and
(4) by adding at the end of subsection (d) the following:
``(3) There are authorized to be appropriated to the National
Institute of Standards and Technology for carrying out this Act--
``(A) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(B) $7,700,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(C) $7,931,000 for fiscal year 2012;
``(D) $8,169,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(E) $8,414,000 for fiscal year 2014.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 14 of the National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7708) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(a) Establishment.--''; and
(2) by striking subsection (b).
TITLE II--WIND
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``National Windstorm Impact
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2010''.
SEC. 202. PURPOSE.
Section 202 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004
(42 U.S.C. 15701) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 202. PURPOSE.
``It is the purpose of the Congress in this title to achieve a
major measurable reduction in losses of life and property from
windstorms through the establishment and maintenance of an effective
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. The objectives of such Program
shall include--
``(1) the education of households, businesses, and
communities about the risks posed by windstorms, and the
identification of locations, structures, lifelines, and
segments of the community which are especially vulnerable to
windstorm damage and disruption, and the dissemination of
information on methods to reduce those risks;
``(2) the development of technologically and economically
feasible design and construction methods and procedures to make
new and existing structures, in areas of windstorm risk,
windstorm resilient, giving high priority to the development of
such methods and procedures for lifelines, structures
associated with a potential high loss of life, and structures
that are especially needed in times of disasters, such as
hospitals and public safety and shelter facilities;
``(3) the implementation, in areas of major windstorm risk,
of instrumentation to record and gather data on windstorms and
the characteristics of the wind during those events, and
continued research to increase the understanding of windstorm
phenomena;
``(4) the development, publication, and promotion, in
conjunction with State and local officials and professional
organizations, of model building codes and standards and other
means to encourage consideration of information about windstorm
risk in making decisions about land use policy and construction
activity; and
``(5) the facilitation of the adoption of windstorm risk
mitigation measures in areas of windstorm risk by households,
businesses, and communities through outreach, incentive
programs, and other means.''.
SEC. 203. DEFINITIONS.
Section 203(1) of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of
2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702(1)) is amended by striking ``Director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy'' and inserting ``Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology''.
SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
Section 204 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004
(42 U.S.C. 15703) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program.
``(b) Program Activities.--The activities of the Program shall be
designed to--
``(1) research and develop cost-effective, feasible
methods, tools, and technologies to reduce the risks posed by
windstorms to the built environment, especially to lessen the
risk to existing structures and lifelines;
``(2) improve the understanding of windstorms and their
impacts on households, businesses, communities, buildings,
structures, and lifelines, through interdisciplinary and
multidisciplinary research that involves engineering, natural
sciences, and social sciences; and
``(3) facilitate the adoption of windstorm risk reduction
measures by households, businesses, communities, local, State
and Federal governments, national standards and model building
code organizations, architects and engineers, building owners,
and others with a role in planning for disasters and planning,
constructing, retrofitting, and insuring buildings, structures,
and lifelines through--
``(A) grants, contracts, cooperative agreements,
and technical assistance;
``(B) development of hazard maps, standards,
guidelines, voluntary consensus standards, and other
design guidance for windstorm risk reduction for
buildings, structures, and lifelines;
``(C) outreach and information dissemination to
communities on site specific windstorm hazards and ways
to reduce the risks from those hazards; and
``(D) development and maintenance of a repository
of information, including technical data, on windstorm
hazards and risk reduction;
``(c) Responsibilities of Program Agencies.--
``(1) Lead agency.--The National Institute of Standards and
Technology (in this section referred to as the `Institute')
shall be responsible for planning and coordinating the Program.
In carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the Institute
shall--
``(A) ensure that the Program includes the
necessary components to promote the implementation of
windstorm risk reduction measures by households,
businesses, communities, local, State, and Federal
governments, national standards and model building code
organizations, architects and engineers, building
owners, and others with a role in planning and
preparing for disasters, and planning constructing, and
retrofitting, and insuring buildings, structures, and
lifelines;
``(B) support the development of performance-based
engineering tools, and work with the appropriate groups
to promote the commercial application of such tools,
through wind-related building codes, standards, and
construction practices;
``(C) ensure the use of social science research and
findings in informing the development of technology and
research priorities, in communicating windstorm risks
to the public, in developing windstorm risk mitigation
strategies, and in preparing for windstorm disasters;
``(D) coordinate all Federal post-windstorm
investigations; and
``(E) when warranted by research or investigative
findings, issue recommendations for changes in model
codes to the relevant code development organizations,
and report back to Congress on whether such
recommendations were adopted.
``(2) National institute of standards and technology.--In
addition to the lead agency responsibilities described under
paragraph (1), the Institute shall be responsible for carrying
out research and development to improve model codes, standards,
design guidance and practices for the construction and retrofit
of buildings, structures, and lifelines. In carrying out this
paragraph, the Director of the Institute shall--
``(A) support the development of instrumentation,
data processing, and archival capabilities, and
standards for the instrumentation and its deployment,
to measure wind, wind loading, and other properties of
severe wind and structure response;
``(B) coordinate with other appropriate Federal
agencies to make the data described in subparagraph (A)
available to researchers, standards and code
developers, and local planners;
``(C) support the development of tools and methods
for the collection of data on the loss of and damage to
structures, and data on surviving structures after
severe windstorm events;
``(D) improve the knowledge of the impact of severe
wind on buildings, structures, lifelines, and
communities;
``(E) develop cost-effective windstorm impact
reduction tools, methods, and technologies;
``(F) work, in conjunction with other appropriate
Federal agencies, to support the development of wind
standards and model codes; and
``(G) in conjunction with other appropriate Federal
agencies, work closely with standards and model code
development organizations, professional societies, and
practicing engineers, architects, and others involved
in the construction of buildings, structures, and
lifelines, to promote better building practices,
including by--
``(i) supporting the development of
technical resources for practitioners to
implement new knowledge; and
``(ii) supporting the development of
methods and tools to incorporate wind
engineering principles into design and
construction practices.
``(3) Federal emergency management agency.--The Federal
Emergency Management Agency, consistent with the Agency's all
hazards approach, shall support the development of risk
assessment tools and effective mitigation techniques, assist
with windstorm-related data collection and analysis, and
support outreach, information dissemination, and implementation
of windstorm preparedness and mitigation measures by
households, businesses, and communities, including by--
``(A) working to develop or improve risk-assessment
tools, methods, and models;
``(B) work closely with other appropriate Federal
agencies to develop and facilitate the adoption of
windstorm impact reduction measures, including by--
``(i) developing cost-effective retrofit
measures for existing buildings, structures,
and lifelines to improve windstorm performance;
``(ii) developing methods, tools, and
technologies to improve the planning, design,
and construction of new buildings, structures,
and lifelines;
``(iii) supporting the development of model
wind codes and standards for buildings,
structures, and lifelines; and
``(iv) developing technical resources for
practitioners that reflect new knowledge and
standards of practice; and
``(C) develop and disseminate guidelines for the
construction of windstorm shelters.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to diminish the role and
responsibility of the Federal Emergency Management Agency with
regard to all hazards preparedness, response, recovery, and
mitigation.
``(4) National oceanic and atmospheric administration.--The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall support
atmospheric sciences research and data collection to improve
the understanding of the behavior of windstorms and their
impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines, including by--
``(A) working with other appropriate Federal
agencies to develop and deploy instrumentation to
measure speed and other characteristics of wind, and to
collect, analyze, and make available such data;
``(B) working with officials of State and local
governments to ensure that they are knowledgeable
about, and prepared for, the specific windstorm risks
in their area;
``(C) supporting the development of suitable wind
speed maps and other derivative products that support
building codes and other hazard mitigation approaches
for buildings, structures, and lifelines, and, to the
extent possible, ensure that such maps and other
derivative products are developed consistent with the
multihazard advisory maps authorized by section 203(k)
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133(k));
``(D) conducting a competitive, peer-reviewed
process which awards grants and cooperative agreements
to complement the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's wind-related and storm surge-related
research and data collection activities;
``(E) working with other appropriate Federal
agencies and State and local governments to develop or
improve risk-assessment tools, methods, and models; and
``(F) working with other appropriate Federal
agencies to develop storm surge models to better
understand the interaction between windstorms and
bodies of water.
``(5) National science foundation.--The National Science
Foundation shall be responsible for funding basic research that
furthers the understanding of windstorms, wind engineering, and
community preparation and response to windstorms. In carrying
out this paragraph, the Director of the National Science
Foundation shall--
``(A) support multidisciplinary and
interdisciplinary research that will improve the
resiliency of communities to windstorms, including--
``(i) research that improves the safety and
performance of buildings, structures, and
lifelines;
``(ii) research to support more effective
windstorm mitigation and response measures,
such as developing better knowledge of the
specific types of vulnerabilities faced by
segments of the community vulnerable to
windstorms, addressing the barriers they face
in adopting mitigation and preparation
measures, and developing methods to better
communicate the risks of windstorms and to
promote mitigation; and
``(iii) research on the response of
communities to windstorms, including on the
effectiveness of the emergency response, and
the recovery process of communities,
households, and businesses;
``(B) support research to understand windstorm
processes, windstorm patterns, and windstorm
frequencies;
``(C) encourage prompt dissemination of significant
findings, sharing of data, samples, physical
collections, and other supporting materials, and
development of intellectual property so research
results can be used by appropriate organizations to
mitigate windstorm damage;
``(D) work with other Program agencies to maintain
awareness of, and where appropriate cooperate with,
windstorm risk reduction research efforts in other
countries, to ensure that the Program benefits from
relevant information and advances in those countries;
and
``(E) include to the maximum extent practicable
diverse institutions, including Historically Black
Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving
institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska
Native-serving institutions, and Native Hawaiian-
serving institutions.''.
SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 207 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program of
2004 (42 U.S.C. 15706) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency.--There are authorized to
be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying
out this title--
``(1) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2010;
``(2) $9,972,500 for fiscal year 2011;
``(3) $10,271,600 for fiscal year 2012;
``(4) $10,579,800 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(5) $10,897,200 for fiscal year 2014.
``(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 2010;
``(2) $9,972,500 for fiscal year 2011;
``(3) $10,271,600 for fiscal year 2012;
``(4) $10,579,800 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(5) $10,897,200 for fiscal year 2014.
``(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 2010;
``(2) $4,243,600 for fiscal year 2011;
``(3) $4,370,900 for fiscal year 2012;
``(4) $4,502,000 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(5) $4,637,100 for fiscal year 2014.
``(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 2010;
``(2) $2,334,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(3) $2,404,000 for fiscal year 2012;
``(4) $2,476,100 for fiscal year 2013; and
``(5) $2,550,400 for fiscal year 2014.''.
TITLE III--INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL HAZARDS RISK
REDUCTION
SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON NATURAL HAZARDS RISK
REDUCTION.
(a) In General.--There is established an Interagency Coordinating
Committee on Natural Hazards Risk Reduction, chaired by the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
(1) Membership.--In addition to the chair, the Committee
shall be composed of--
(A) the directors of--
(i) the Federal Emergency Management
Agency;
(ii) the United State Geological Survey;
(iii) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration;
(iv) the National Science Foundation;
(v) the Office of Science and Technology
Policy; and
(vi) the Office of Management and Budget;
and
(B) the head of any other Federal agency the
Committee considers appropriate.
(2) Meetings.--The Committee shall not meet less than 2
times a year at the call of the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology.
(3) General purpose and duties.--The Committee shall
oversee the planning and coordination of the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program, and shall make proposals for planning
and coordination of any other Federal research for natural
hazard mitigation that the Committee considers appropriate.
(4) Strategic plans.--The Committee shall develop and
submit to Congress, not later than one year after the date of
enactment of this Act--
(A) a Strategic Plan for the National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program that includes--
(i) prioritized goals for such Program that
will mitigate against the loss of life and
property from future earthquakes;
(ii) short-term, mid-term, and long-term
research objectives to achieve those goals;
(iii) a description of the role of each
Program agency in achieving the prioritized
goals;
(iv) the methods by which progress towards
the goals will be assessed;
(v) an explanation of how the Program will
foster the transfer of research results onto
outcomes, such as improved building codes;
(vi) a description of the role of social
science in informing the development of the
prioritized goals and research objectives; and
(vii) a description of how the George E.
Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering
Simulation and the Advanced National Seismic
Research and Monitoring System will be used in
achieving the prioritized goals and research
objectives; and
(B) a Strategic Plan for the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Program that includes--
(i) prioritized goals for such Program that
will mitigate against the loss of life and
property from future windstorms;
(ii) short-term, mid-term, and long-term
research objectives to achieve those goals;
(iii) a description of the role of each
Program agency in achieving the prioritized
goals;
(iv) the methods by which progress towards
the goals will be assessed;
(v) an explanation of how the Program will
foster the transfer of research results onto
outcomes, such as improved building codes; and
(vi) a description of the role of social
science in informing the development of the
prioritized goals and research objectives.
(5) Progress reports.--Not later than one year after the
date of enactment of this Act, and at least once every two
years thereafter, the Committee shall submit to the Congress--
(A) a report on the progress of the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program that includes--
(i) a description of the activities funded
for the previous two years of the Program, a
description of how these activities align with
the prioritized goals and research objectives
established in the Strategic Plan, and the
budgets, per agency, for these activities;
(ii) the outcomes achieved by the Program
for each of the goals identified in the
Strategic Plan;
(iii) a description of any recommendations
made to change existing building codes that
were the result of Program activities; and
(iv) a description of the extent to which
the Program has incorporated recommendations
from the Advisory Committee on Earthquake
Hazards Reduction; and
(B) a report on the progress of the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program that includes--
(i) a description of the activities funded
for the previous two years of the Program, a
description of how these activities align with
the prioritized goals and research objectives
established in the Strategic Plan, and the
budgets, per agency, for these activities;
(ii) the outcomes achieved by the Program
for each of the goals identified in the
Strategic Plan;
(iii) a description of any recommendations
made to change existing building codes that
were the result of Program activities; and
(iv) a description of the extent to which
the Program has incorporated recommendations
from the Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact
Reduction.
(6) Coordinated budget.--The Committee shall develop a
coordinated budget for the National Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Program and a coordinated budget for the National
Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. These budgets shall be
submitted to the Congress at the time of the President's budget
submission for each fiscal year.
(b) Advisory Committees on Natural Hazards Reduction.--
(1) In general.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall establish an Advisory Committee
on Earthquake Hazards Reduction, an Advisory Committee on
Windstorm Impact Reduction, and other such advisory committees
as the Director considers necessary to advise the Institute on
research, development, and technology transfer activities to
mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
(2) Advisory committee on earthquake hazards reduction.--
The Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction shall be
composed of at least 11 members, none of whom may be employees
of the Federal Government, including representatives of
research and academic institutions, industry standards
development organizations, emergency management agencies, State
and local government, and business communities who are
qualified to provide advice on earthquake hazards reduction and
represent all related scientific, architectural, and
engineering disciplines. The recommendations of the Advisory
Committee shall be considered by Federal agencies in
implementing the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program.
(3) Advisory committee on windstorm impact reduction.--The
Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction shall be
composed of at least 7 members, none of whom may be employees
of the Federal Government, including representatives of
research and academic institutions, industry standards
development organizations, emergency management agencies, State
and local government, and business communities who are
qualified to provide advice on windstorm impact reduction and
represent all related scientific, architectural, and
engineering disciplines. The recommendations of the Advisory
Committee shall be considered by Federal agencies in
implementing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.
(4) Assessments.--The Advisory Committee on Earthquake
Hazards Reduction and the Advisory Committee on Windstorm
Impact Reduction shall offer assessments on--
(A) trends and developments in the natural, social,
and engineering sciences and practices of earthquake
hazards or windstorm impact mitigation;
(B) the priorities of the Programs' Strategic
Plans;
(C) the coordination of the Programs; and
(D) and any revisions to the Programs which may be
necessary.
(5) Reports.--At least every two years, the Advisory
Committees shall report to the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology on the assessments
carried out under paragraph (4) and their recommendations for
ways to improve the Programs. In developing recommendations for
the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, the Advisory
Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction shall consider the
recommendations of the United States Geological Survey
Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee.
(c) Coordination of Federal Disaster Research, Development, and
Technology Transfer.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction of the
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources of the National Science
and Technology Council shall submit a report to the Congress
identifying--
(1) current Federal research, development, and technology
transfer activities that address hazard mitigation for natural
disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados,
wildfires, floods, and the current budgets for these
activities;
(2) areas of research that are common to two or more of the
hazards identified in paragraph (1); and
(3) opportunities to create synergies between the research
activities for the hazards identified in paragraph (1).
TITLE IV--NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TEAM ACT AMENDMENTS
SEC. 401. NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TEAM ACT AMENDMENTS.
The National Construction Safety Team Act (15 U.S.C. 7301 et seq.)
is amended--
(1) in section 2(a)--
(A) by striking ``a building or buildings'' and
inserting ``a building, buildings, or infrastructure'';
and
(B) by striking ``To the maximum extent
practicable, the Director shall establish and deploy a
Team within 48 hours after such an event.'' and
inserting ``The Director shall make a decision whether
to deploy a Team within 72 hours after such an
event.'';
(2) in section 2(b)(1), by striking ``buildings'' and
inserting ``buildings or infrastructure'';
(3) in section 2(b)(2)(A), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(4) in section 2(b)(2)(D), by striking ``buildings'' and
inserting ``buildings or infrastructure'';
(5) in section 2(c)(1), by striking ``the United States
Fire Administration and'';
(6) in section 2(c)(1)(G), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(7) in section 2(c)(1)(J)--
(A) by striking ``building'' and inserting
``building or infrastructure''; and
(B) by inserting ``and the National Windstorm
Impact Reduction Act of 2004'' after ``Act of 1977'';
(8) in section 4(a), by striking ``investigating a
building'' and inserting ``investigating building and
infrastructure'';
(9) in section 4(a)(1)--
(A) by striking ``a building'' and inserting ``a
building or infrastructure''; and
(B) by striking ``building'' both of the other
places it appears and inserting ``building or
infrastructure'';
(10) in section 4(a)(3), by striking ``building'' both
places it appears and inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(11) in section 4(b), by striking ``building'' both places
it appears and inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(12) in section 4(c)(1) and (2), by striking ``building''
both places it appears and inserting ``building or
infrastructure'';
(13) by amending section 4(d)(1) to read as follows:
``(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, a Team investigation shall have priority over any
other investigation which is related to the purpose and duties
set forth in section 2(b) and undertaken by any other Federal
agency.'';
(14) in section 4(d)(3) and (4), by striking ``building''
both places it appears and inserting ``building or
infrastructure'';
(15) in section 4, by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(5) Infrastructure investigations.--With respect to an
investigation relating to an infrastructure failure, a Federal
agency with primary jurisdiction over the failed infrastructure
which is conducting an investigation and asserts priority over
the Team investigation shall have such priority. Such priority
shall not otherwise affect the authority of the Team to
continue its investigation under this Act.'';
(16) in section 7(a), by striking ``on request and at
reasonable cost'';
(17) in section 7(c), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(18) in section 8(1) and (4), by striking ``building'' both
places it appears and inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(19) in section 9, by striking ``the United States Fire
Administration and'';
(20) in section 9(2)(C), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building or infrastructure'';
(21) in section 10(3), by striking ``building'' and
inserting ``building and infrastructure'';
(22) in section 11(a), by striking ``the United States Fire
Administration and''; and
(23) by striking section 12.
TITLE V--FIRE RESEARCH PROGRAM
SEC. 501. FIRE RESEARCH PROGRAM.
Section 16(a)(1) of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278f(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``fires at the
wildland-urban interface,'' after ``but not limited to,''; and
(2) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``fires at the
wildland-urban interface,'' after ``types of fires,
including''.
Passed the House of Representatives March 2, 2010.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk.