National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014

3/14/2024, 12:48 PM

National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

Defines the "Director" of the Program to mean the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (currently, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy).

(Sec. 3) Designates NIST as the entity with primary responsibility for Program planning and coordination and expands the responsibilities of the other Program agencies, which include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Requires NIST to: (1) ensure that the Program includes the necessary components to promote implementation of windstorm risk reduction measures, (2) support the development of performance-based engineering tools, (3) request the assistance of federal agencies other than the Program agencies as necessary, (4) coordinate all federal post-windstorm investigations, and (5) issue recommendations to assist in informing the development of model codes.

Requires NSF to support research in economic and social factors influencing windstorm risk reduction measures.

Requires FEMA to: (1) promote the adoption of windstorm preparedness and mitigation measures, including for households, businesses, and communities; and (2) work closely with national standards and model building code organizations to promote the implementation of research results and promote better building practices within the building design and construction industry.

Requires the Directors of the Program agencies to each include in their agency's annual budget request a description of their agency's projected activities under the Program and an assessment of what they plan to spend on those activities.

Replaces provisions establishing an Interagency Working Group with provisions establishing the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which shall be composed of the heads of the Program agencies and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Directs the Committee to oversee Program planning and coordination and to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan, progress report, and coordinated budget for the Program.

(Sec. 4) Revises provisions providing for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction (currently, the National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction), which shall: (1) be composed of at least seven non-federal members, (2) provide recommendations to be considered by federal agencies in implementing the Program, and (3) offer assessments of the priorities of the Program's strategic plan, coordination of the Program, and Program revisions. Terminates the Committee on September 30, 2016.

Authorizes appropriations to the Program agencies for FY2014-FY2015 for carrying out the Program.

Congress
113

Number
HR - 1786

Introduced on
2013-04-26

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/15/2014

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

Defines the "Director" of the Program to mean the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (currently, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy).

(Sec. 3) Designates NIST as the entity with primary responsibility for Program planning and coordination and expands the responsibilities of the other Program agencies, which include the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Requires NIST to: (1) ensure that the Program includes the necessary components to promote implementation of windstorm risk reduction measures, (2) support the development of performance-based engineering tools, (3) request the assistance of federal agencies other than the Program agencies as necessary, (4) coordinate all federal post-windstorm investigations, and (5) issue recommendations to assist in informing the development of model codes.

Requires NSF to support research in economic and social factors influencing windstorm risk reduction measures.

Requires FEMA to: (1) promote the adoption of windstorm preparedness and mitigation measures, including for households, businesses, and communities; and (2) work closely with national standards and model building code organizations to promote the implementation of research results and promote better building practices within the building design and construction industry.

Requires the Directors of the Program agencies to each include in their agency's annual budget request a description of their agency's projected activities under the Program and an assessment of what they plan to spend on those activities.

Replaces provisions establishing an Interagency Working Group with provisions establishing the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which shall be composed of the heads of the Program agencies and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Directs the Committee to oversee Program planning and coordination and to develop and submit to Congress a strategic plan, progress report, and coordinated budget for the Program.

(Sec. 4) Revises provisions providing for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction (currently, the National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction), which shall: (1) be composed of at least seven non-federal members, (2) provide recommendations to be considered by federal agencies in implementing the Program, and (3) offer assessments of the priorities of the Program's strategic plan, coordination of the Program, and Program revisions. Terminates the Committee on September 30, 2016.

Authorizes appropriations to the Program agencies for FY2014-FY2015 for carrying out the Program.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Emergency Management

Potential Impact
Advisory bodies•
Atmospheric science and weather•
Building construction•
Department of Commerce•
Department of Homeland Security•
Emergency planning and evacuation•
Executive agency funding and structure•
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)•
National Science Foundation•
Natural disasters•
Research administration and funding•
Research and development

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary10/22/2014

National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

Defines the "Direct...


Latest Action7/15/2014
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.