U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

49–010 

" ! SENATE 

114TH CONGRESS

1st Session 

REPORT 

2015

114–62 

Calendar No. 114 

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 

JUNE 11, 2015.—Ordered to be printed 


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(II) 

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 


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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 

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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. 3P.L. 108–360, Title II, National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act (2004). 

4 National Science and Technology Council, Windstorm Impact Reduction Implementation 

Plan, 2006, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/windstormlimpactl reductionlimplementationlplanlfinal.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/nwirplfy11-12lbienniallreportltolcongress.pdf. 

ple, 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

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. 

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

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 

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ment, 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 


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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 esti- mates 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 

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 


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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 


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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 

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ment 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. 


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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 øDirector 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. 

ø(2)¿(3) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means the National 

Windstorm Impact Reduction Program established by section 

204(a). 

ø(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. 


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ø(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] 

ø(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. 

ø(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. 

ø(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: 

ø(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. 

ø(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. 

ø(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. 

ø(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 costeffective mitigation measures to reduce those impacts. 


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(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 


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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. 

ø(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. 


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ø(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— 

ø(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; 

ø(2) a description of plans for technology transfer and coordination with natural hazard mitigation activities supported by 

the Federal Government; 

ø(3) a statement of strategic goals and priorities for each 

Program component area; 

ø(4) a description of how the Program will achieve such 

goals, including detailed responsibilities for each agency; and 

ø(5) a description of plans for cooperation and coordination 

with interested public and private sector entities in each program component area. 

ø(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. 


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(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. 

øSEC. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT 

REDUCTION. 

[42 U.S.C. 15704] 

ø(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. 


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14 

ø(b) ASSESSMENT.—The Advisory Committee shall assess— 

ø(1) trends and developments in the science and engineering 

of windstorm impact reduction; 

ø(2) the effectiveness of the Program in carrying out the activities under section 204(d); 

ø(3) the need to revise the Program; and 

ø(4) the management, coordination, implementation, and activities of the Program. 

ø(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). 

ø(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. 


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15 

øSEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

[42 U.S.C. 15706] 

ø(a) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Management 

Agency for carrying out this title— 

ø(1) $8,700,000 for fiscal year 2006; 

ø(2) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2007; and 

ø(3) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2008. 

ø(b) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.—There are authorized to 

be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for carrying 

out this title— 

ø(1) $8,700,000 for fiscal year 2006; 

ø(2) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2007; and 

ø(3) $9,400,000 for fiscal year 2008. 

ø(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— 

ø(1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2006; 

ø(2) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; and 

ø(3) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008. 

ø(d) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.— 

There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration for carrying out this title— 

ø(1) $2,100,000 for fiscal year 2006; 

ø(2) $2,200,000 for fiscal year 2007; and 

ø(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. 

Æ 


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