42 USC Ch. 148: WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION

From Title 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE

CHAPTER 148—WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION

Sec.

15701.
Findings.

15702.
Definitions.

15703.
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

15704.
National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction.

15705.
Savings clause.

15706.
Authorization of appropriations.

15707.
Coordination.

        

§15701. Findings

The Congress finds the following:

(1) Hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, and thunderstorms can cause significant loss of life, injury, destruction of property, and economic and social disruption. All States and regions are vulnerable to these hazards.

(2) The United States currently sustains several billion dollars in economic damages each year due to these windstorms. In recent decades, rapid development and population growth in high-risk areas has greatly increased overall vulnerability to windstorms.

(3) Improved windstorm impact reduction measures have the potential to reduce these losses through—

(A) cost-effective and affordable design and construction methods and practices;

(B) effective mitigation programs at the local, State, and national level;

(C) improved data collection and analysis and impact prediction methodologies;

(D) engineering research on improving new structures and retrofitting existing ones to better withstand windstorms, atmospheric-related research to better understand the behavior and impact of windstorms on the built environment, and subsequent application of those research results; and

(E) public education and outreach.

(4) There is an appropriate role for the Federal Government in supporting windstorm impact reduction. An effective Federal program in windstorm impact reduction will require interagency coordination, and input from individuals, academia, the private sector, and other interested non-Federal entities.

(Pub. L. 108–360, title II, §202, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675.)

Short Title

Pub. L. 108–360, title II, §201, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675, provided that: "This Act [probably should be 'this title', enacting this chapter and amending section 1885d of this title] may be cited as the 'National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004'."

§15702. Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) Director

The term "Director" means the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

(2) Program

The term "Program" means the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program established by section 15703(a) of this title.

(3) 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) Windstorm

The term "windstorm" means any storm with a damaging or destructive wind component, such as a hurricane, tropical storm, tornado, or thunderstorm.

(Pub. L. 108–360, title II, §203, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1676.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title II of Pub. L. 108–360, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15701 of this title and Tables.

§15703. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program

(a) Establishment

There is established the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

(b) Objective

The objective of the Program is the achievement of major measurable reductions in losses of life and property from windstorms. The objective is to be achieved through a coordinated Federal effort, in cooperation with other levels of government, academia, and the private sector, aimed at improving the understanding of windstorms and their impacts and developing and encouraging implementation of cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.

(c) Interagency Working Group

Not later than 90 days after October 25, 2004, 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.

(d) 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 chapter 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 October 25, 2004, 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 15704 of this title.

(Pub. L. 108–360, title II, §204, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1676.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), was in the original "this title", meaning title II of Pub. L. 108–360, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15701 of this title and Tables.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security.

§15704. National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction

(a) Establishment

The Director shall establish a National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, consisting of not less than 11 and not more than 15 non-Federal members representing a broad cross section of interests such as the research, technology transfer, design and construction, and financial communities; materials and systems suppliers; State, county, and local governments; the insurance industry; and other representatives as designated by the Director.

(b) Assessment

The Advisory Committee shall assess—

(1) trends and developments in the science and engineering of windstorm impact reduction;

(2) the effectiveness of the Program in carrying out the activities under section 15703(d) of this title;

(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.

(Pub. L. 108–360, title II, §205, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1678.)

References in Text

Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (d), is section 14 of Pub. L. 92–463, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§15705. Savings clause

Nothing in this chapter supersedes any provision of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 [42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.]. No design, construction method, practice, technology, material, mitigation methodology, or hazard reduction measure of any kind developed under this chapter shall be required for a home certified under section 616 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5415), pursuant to standards issued under such Act, without being subject to the consensus development process and rulemaking procedures of that Act.

(Pub. L. 108–360, title II, §206, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1679.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title II of Pub. L. 108–360, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15701 of this title and Tables.
The National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, referred to in text, is title VI of Pub. L. 93–383, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 700, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 70 (§5401 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5401 of this title and Tables.

§15706. Authorization of appropriations

(a) Federal Emergency Management Agency

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out this chapter—

(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 chapter—

(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 chapter—

(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 chapter—

(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.

(Pub. L. 108–360, title II, §207, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1679.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title II of Pub. L. 108–360, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15701 of this title and Tables.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security.

§15707. Coordination

The Secretary of Commerce, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies carrying out activities under this chapter and the statutes amended by this chapter shall work together to ensure that research, technologies, and response techniques are shared among the programs authorized in this chapter in order to coordinate the Nation's efforts to reduce vulnerability to the hazards described in this chapter.

(Pub. L. 108–360, title II, §209, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1680.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title II of Pub. L. 108–360, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675, which is classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15701 of this title and Tables.