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. Geo-
logical 
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 signifi-
cant 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 hurri-
canes 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 re-
ports 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 sup-
pression 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 as-
sessing the risks these hazards pose to communities. 
Instrumentation, monitoring, and data gathering to 
characterize earthquakes and wind events are impor-
tant 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 esti-
mated 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 de-
veloping 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 Provi-
sions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and 
Other Structures and the Guidance for Seismic Per-
formance Assessment of Buildings are two examples. 
(8) Research to understand the institutional, 
social, behavioral, and economic factors that influ-
ence 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 haz-
ards-related research and development effort should 
be to reduce the loss of life and damage to commu-
nities 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, transpor-
tation, drinking water, and other services is vital im-
mediately 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 para-
graphs (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 meth-
ods, tools, and technologies to reduce the risk 
posed by earthquakes to the built environment, 
especially to lessen the risk to existing struc-
tures and lifelines; 
‘‘(B) improve the understanding of earth-
quakes and their effects on households, busi-
nesses, communities, buildings, structures, and 
lifelines, through interdisciplinary and multi-
disciplinary research that involves engineering, 
natural sciences, and social sciences; and 
‘‘(C) facilitate the adoption of earthquake 
risk reduction measures by households, busi-
nesses, communities, local, State, and Federal 
governments, national standards and model 
building code organizations, architects and engi-
neers, building owners, and others with a role 
in planning for disasters and planning, con-
structing, retrofitting, and insuring buildings, 
structures, and lifelines through— 
‘‘(i) grants, contracts, cooperative 
agreements, and technical assistance;
‘‘(ii) development of standards, guide-
lines, voluntary consensus standards, and 
other design guidance for earthquake haz-
ards risk reduction for buildings, struc-
tures, and lifelines; 
‘‘(iii) outreach and information dis-
semination to communities on location-spe-
cific earthquake hazards and methods to 
reduce the risks from those hazards; and 
‘‘(iv) development and maintenance of 
a repository of information, including tech-
nical data, on seismic risk and hazards re-
duction.’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraphs (3) through 
(5); 
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(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 plan-
ning 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 imple-
mentation of earthquake hazards risk reduction 
measures by households, businesses, commu-
nities, local, State, and Federal governments, 
national standards and model building code or-
ganizations, architects and engineers, building 
owners, and others with a role in preparing for 
disasters, or the planning, constructing, retro-
fitting, and insuring of buildings, structures, 
and lifelines; 
‘‘(B) support the development of perform-
ance-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 re-
search and findings in informing research and 
technology 
development 
priorities, 
commu-
nicating earthquake risks to the public, devel-
oping earthquake risk mitigation strategies, and 
preparing for earthquake disasters; 
‘‘(D) coordinate all Federal post-earth-
quake investigations; and 
‘‘(E) when warranted by research or inves-
tigative findings, issue recommendations for
changes in model codes to the relevant code de-
velopment 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 re-
sponsibilities described under paragraph (1), the In-
stitute 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 Di-
rector of the Institute shall— 
‘‘(A) work, in conjunction with other ap-
propriate Federal agencies, to support the de-
velopment of improved seismic standards and 
model codes; 
‘‘(B) in coordination with other appro-
priate Federal agencies, work closely with 
standards and model code development organi-
zations, professional societies, and practicing 
engineers, architects, and others involved in the 
construction of buildings, structures, and life-
lines, to promote better building practices, in-
cluding by—
‘‘(i) developing technical resources for 
practitioners on new knowledge and stand-
ards of practice; and 
‘‘(ii) developing methods and tools to 
facilitate the incorporation of earthquake 
engineering principles into design and con-
struction practices; 
‘‘(C) develop tools, technologies, methods, 
and practitioner guidance to feasibly and cost- 
effectively retrofit existing buildings and struc-
tures 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 Emer-
gency Management Agency (in this paragraph 
referred to as the ‘Agency’), consistent with the 
Agency’s all hazards approach, shall be respon-
sible for facilitating the development and adop-
tion 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 com-
munities. 
‘‘(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 profes-
sionals, to facilitate the development and 
adoption of standards, model codes, and 
design and construction practices to in-
crease the earthquake resiliency of new 
and existing buildings, structures, and life-
lines 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 life-
lines;
‘‘(II) development of perform-
ance-based 
design 
guidelines 
and 
methodologies supporting model codes 
for buildings, structures, and lifelines; 
and 
‘‘(III) development of methods 
and tools to facilitate the incorpora-
tion of earthquake engineering prin-
ciples into design and construction 
practices; 
‘‘(ii) develop tools, technologies, and 
methods to assist local planners, and oth-
ers, to model and predict the potential im-
pact 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-spe-
cific information that may assist the public 
in preparing for, mitigating against, re-
sponding to, and recovering from earth-
quakes and related disasters.
‘‘(C) STATE
ASSISTANCE
GRANT
PRO-
GRAM.—The Director of the Agency shall oper-
ate a program of grants and assistance to en-
able 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 edu-
cation, and encourage the development of 
multistate groups for such purposes. The Direc-
tor shall operate such programs in coordination 
with the all hazards mitigation and prepared-
ness programs authorized by the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance 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 eco-
nomic 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 Emer-
gency Management Agency with regard to all 
hazards preparedness, response, recovery, and 
mitigation. 
‘‘(4) UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.— 
The United States Geological Survey (in this para-
graph referred to as the ‘Survey’) shall conduct re-
search 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 para-
graph, 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 appro-
priate, the establishment and operation of in-
tensive monitoring projects on hazardous faults,
detailed seismic hazard and risk studies in 
urban and other developed areas where earth-
quake risk is determined to be significant, and 
engineering seismology studies; 
‘‘(B) work with officials of State and local 
governments to ensure that they are knowledge-
able about the specific seismic risks in their 
areas; 
‘‘(C) develop standard procedures, in con-
sultation 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 Inte-
grated Public Alerts and Warning System pro-
gram authorized by section 202 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5132); 
‘‘(D) issue when justified, and notify the 
Director of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency of, an earthquake prediction or 
other earthquake advisory, which may be evalu-
ated by the National Earthquake Prediction 
Evaluation Council;
‘‘(E) operate, as integral parts of the Ad-
vanced National Seismic Research and Moni-
toring System, a National Earthquake Informa-
tion Center and a national seismic network, to-
gether providing timely and accurate informa-
tion on earthquakes world-wide; 
‘‘(F) support the operation of regional seis-
mic networks in areas of higher seismic risk; 
‘‘(G) develop and support seismic instru-
mentation 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 de-
formation 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 ef-
forts in other countries, to ensure that the Pro-
gram 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 activi-
ties; and 
‘‘(L) operate, in cooperation with the Na-
tional Science Foundation, a Global Seis-
mographic Network for detection of earth-
quakes around the world and research into fun-
damental earth processes. 
‘‘(5) NATIONAL
SCIENCE
FOUNDATION.—The 
National Science Foundation shall be responsible for 
funding basic research that furthers the under-
standing of earthquakes, earthquake engineering, 
and community preparation and response to earth-
quakes. In carrying out this paragraph, the Director 
of the National Science Foundation shall— 
‘‘(A) support multidisciplinary and inter-
disciplinary research that will improve the resil-
iency of communities to earthquakes, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(i) research that improves the safety 
and performance of buildings, structures, 
and lifelines, including the use of the large- 
scale experimental and computational fa-
cilities of the George E. Brown, Jr. Net-
work for Engineering Earthquake Simula-
tion; 
‘‘(ii) research to support more effec-
tive earthquake mitigation and response 
measures, such as developing better knowl-
edge of the specific types of vulnerabilities 
faced by segments of the community vul-
nerable to earthquakes, addressing the bar-
riers 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 com-
munities, 
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 mate-
rials, 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 re-
search 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 prac-
ticable diverse institutions, including Histori-
cally Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic- 
serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Univer-
sities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and 
Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)(1) by inserting ‘‘on Nat-
ural Hazards Risk Reduction established under sec-
tion 301 of the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act
of 2010’’ after ‘‘Interagency Coordinating Com-
mittee’’. 
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 Pro-
gram shall include a post-earthquake investigations pro-
gram, the purpose of which is to investigate major earth-
quakes so as to learn lessons which can be applied to re-
duce the loss of lives and property in future earthquakes. 
The lead Program agency, in consultation with each Pro-
gram agency, shall organize investigations to study the im-
plications 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 car-
rying 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 Re-
duction 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 wind-
storms, and the identification of locations, struc-
tures, 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 eco-
nomically feasible design and construction methods 
and procedures to make new and existing structures, 
in areas of windstorm risk, windstorm resilient, giv-
ing 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 re-
search to increase the understanding of windstorm 
phenomena; 
‘‘(4) the development, publication, and pro-
motion, 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 construc-
tion activity; and
‘‘(5) the facilitation of the adoption of wind-
storm risk mitigation measures in areas of wind-
storm risk by households, businesses, and commu-
nities 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 Tech-
nology Policy’’ and inserting ‘‘Director of the National In-
stitute of Standards and Technology’’. 
SEC. 204. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PRO-
GRAM. 
Section 204 of the National Windstorm Impact Re-
duction 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 Na-
tional 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, espe-
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 plan-
ning 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 imple-
mentation of windstorm risk reduction meas-
ures by households, businesses, communities, 
local, State, and Federal governments, national 
standards and model building code organiza-
tions, architects and engineers, building owners, 
and others with a role in planning and pre-
paring for disasters, and planning constructing, 
and retrofitting, and insuring buildings, struc-
tures, and lifelines; 
‘‘(B) support the development of perform-
ance-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 re-
search and findings in informing the develop-
ment of technology and research priorities, in 
communicating windstorm risks to the public, 
in developing windstorm risk mitigation strate-
gies, and in preparing for windstorm disasters; 
‘‘(D) coordinate all Federal post-windstorm 
investigations; and 
‘‘(E) when warranted by research or inves-
tigative findings, issue recommendations for 
changes in model codes to the relevant code de-
velopment 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 re-
sponsibilities described under paragraph (1), the In-
stitute 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 In-
stitute shall— 
‘‘(A) support the development of instru-
mentation, data processing, and archival capa-
bilities, 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 plan-
ners; 
‘‘(C) support the development of tools and 
methods for the collection of data on the loss of 
and damage to structures, and data on sur-
viving 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 im-
pact reduction tools, methods, and technologies; 
‘‘(F) work, in conjunction with other ap-
propriate Federal agencies, to support the de-
velopment of wind standards and model codes; 
and 
‘‘(G) in conjunction with other appropriate 
Federal agencies, work closely with standards 
and model code development organizations, pro-
fessional societies, and practicing engineers, ar-
chitects, and others involved in the construction 
of buildings, structures, and lifelines, to pro-
mote better building practices, including by— 
‘‘(i) supporting the development of 
technical resources for practitioners to im-
plement new knowledge; and 
‘‘(ii) supporting the development of 
methods and tools to incorporate wind en-
gineering principles into design and con-
struction practices. 
‘‘(3) 
FEDERAL
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT 
AGENCY.—The Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, consistent with the Agency’s all hazards ap-
proach, shall support the development of risk assess-
ment 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 meas-
ures, including by— 
‘‘(i) developing cost-effective retrofit 
measures for existing buildings, structures, 
and lifelines to improve windstorm per-
formance; 
‘‘(ii) developing methods, tools, and 
technologies to improve the planning, de-
sign, and construction of new buildings, 
structures, and lifelines; 
‘‘(iii) supporting the development of 
model wind codes and standards for build-
ings, structures, and lifelines; and 
‘‘(iv) developing technical resources 
for practitioners that reflect new knowl-
edge 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 pre-
paredness, response, recovery, and mitigation. 
‘‘(4) NATIONAL
OCEANIC
AND
ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION.—The National Oceanic and At-
mospheric 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 Fed-
eral agencies to develop and deploy instrumen-
tation to measure speed and other characteris-
tics 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 spe-
cific windstorm risks in their area; 
‘‘(C) supporting the development of suit-
able 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 pos-
sible, ensure that such maps and other deriva-
tive products are developed consistent with the 
multihazard advisory maps authorized by sec-
tion 203(k) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5133(k)); 
‘‘(D) conducting a competitive, peer-re-
viewed process which awards grants and cooper-
ative 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 Fed-
eral agencies and State and local governments 
to develop or improve risk-assessment tools, 
methods, and models; and 
‘‘(F) working with other appropriate Fed-
eral agencies to develop storm surge models to 
better understand the interaction between wind-
storms and bodies of water. 
‘‘(5) NATIONAL
SCIENCE
FOUNDATION.—The 
National Science Foundation shall be responsible for 
funding basic research that furthers the under-
standing of windstorms, wind engineering, and com-
munity preparation and response to windstorms. In
carrying out this paragraph, the Director of the Na-
tional Science Foundation shall— 
‘‘(A) support multidisciplinary and inter-
disciplinary research that will improve the resil-
iency of communities to windstorms, includ-
ing— 
‘‘(i) research that improves the safety 
and performance of buildings, structures, 
and lifelines; 
‘‘(ii) research to support more effec-
tive windstorm mitigation and response 
measures, such as developing better knowl-
edge of the specific types of vulnerabilities 
faced by segments of the community vul-
nerable to windstorms, addressing the bar-
riers 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 com-
munities to windstorms, including on the 
effectiveness of the emergency response, 
and the recovery process of communities, 
households, and businesses;
‘‘(B) support research to understand wind-
storm processes, windstorm patterns, and wind-
storm frequencies; 
‘‘(C) encourage prompt dissemination of 
significant findings, sharing of data, samples, 
physical collections, and other supporting mate-
rials, 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 re-
search 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 prac-
ticable diverse institutions, including Histori-
cally Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic- 
serving institutions, Tribal Colleges and Univer-
sities, Alaska Native-serving institutions, and 
Native Hawaiian-serving institutions.’’. 
SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 207 of the National Windstorm Impact Re-
duction Program of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15706) is amended 
to read as follows:
‘‘SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘(a) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGEN-
CY.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Fed-
eral 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 ADMIN-
ISTRATION.—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 
CO-
ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON 
NATURAL HAZARDS RISK RE-
DUCTION 
SEC. 301. INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON 
NATURAL HAZARDS RISK REDUCTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established an Inter-
agency Coordinating Committee on Natural Hazards Risk 
Reduction, chaired by the Director of the National Insti-
tute 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 Manage-
ment Agency;
(ii) the United State Geological Sur-
vey; 
(iii) the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration; 
(iv) the National Science Foundation; 
(v) the Office of Science and Tech-
nology 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 Tech-
nology. 
(3) GENERAL
PURPOSE
AND
DUTIES.—The 
Committee shall oversee the planning and coordina-
tion of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
Program and the National Windstorm Impact Re-
duction Program, and shall make proposals for plan-
ning 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 to-
wards the goals will be assessed; 
(v) an explanation of how the Pro-
gram 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 objec-
tives; 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 in-
cludes— 
(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 to-
wards the goals will be assessed; 
(v) an explanation of how the Pro-
gram 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 objec-
tives. 
(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 Na-
tional Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program 
that includes— 
(i) a description of the activities fund-
ed for the previous two years of the Pro-
gram, a description of how these activities 
align with the prioritized goals and re-
search objectives established in the Stra-
tegic Plan, and the budgets, per agency, 
for these activities; 
(ii) the outcomes achieved by the Pro-
gram for each of the goals identified in the 
Strategic Plan; 
(iii) a description of any recommenda-
tions made to change existing building 
codes that were the result of Program ac-
tivities; and
(iv) a description of the extent to 
which the Program has incorporated rec-
ommendations from the Advisory Com-
mittee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction; 
and 
(B) a report on the progress of the Na-
tional Windstorm Impact Reduction Program 
that includes— 
(i) a description of the activities fund-
ed for the previous two years of the Pro-
gram, a description of how these activities 
align with the prioritized goals and re-
search objectives established in the Stra-
tegic Plan, and the budgets, per agency, 
for these activities; 
(ii) the outcomes achieved by the Pro-
gram for each of the goals identified in the 
Strategic Plan; 
(iii) a description of any recommenda-
tions made to change existing building 
codes that were the result of Program ac-
tivities; and 
(iv) a description of the extent to 
which the Program has incorporated rec-
ommendations from the Advisory Com-
mittee on Windstorm Impact Reduction. 
(6) COORDINATED
BUDGET.—The Committee 
shall develop a coordinated budget for the National 
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program and a co-
ordinated budget for the National Windstorm Im-
pact Reduction Program. These budgets shall be 
submitted to the Congress at the time of the Presi-
dent’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 estab-
lish an Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards 
Reduction, an Advisory Committee on Windstorm 
Impact Reduction, and other such advisory commit-
tees as the Director considers necessary to advise 
the Institute on research, development, and tech-
nology 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 employ-
ees of the Federal Government, including represent-
atives of research and academic institutions, indus-
try standards development organizations, emergency 
management agencies, State and local government, 
and business communities who are qualified to pro-
vide advice on earthquake hazards reduction and 
represent all related scientific, architectural, and en-
gineering 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 IM-
PACT
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 representa-
tives of research and academic institutions, industry 
standards development organizations, emergency 
management agencies, State and local government, 
and business communities who are qualified to pro-
vide advice on windstorm impact reduction and rep-
resent all related scientific, architectural, and engi-
neering disciplines. The recommendations of the Ad-
visory 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 nat-
ural, social, and engineering sciences and prac-
tices of earthquake hazards or windstorm im-
pact mitigation; 
(B) the priorities of the Programs’ Stra-
tegic 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 Re-
duction shall consider the recommendations of the 
United States Geological Survey Scientific Earth-
quake Studies Advisory Committee.
(c) COORDINATION
OF FEDERAL DISASTER RE-
SEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND
TECHNOLOGY
TRANS-
FER.—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 earth-
quakes, 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 
CON-
STRUCTION 
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 infra-
structure’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘To the maximum extent 
practicable, the Director shall establish and de-
ploy 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 ‘‘build-
ings’’ 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 Wind-
storm 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 in-
frastructure’’; 
(11) in section 4(b), by striking ‘‘building’’ both 
places it appears and inserting ‘‘building or infra-
structure’’; 
(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 fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as otherwise pro-
vided 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 fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(5) INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTIGATIONS.—With 
respect to an investigation relating to an infrastruc-
ture failure, a Federal agency with primary jurisdic-
tion over the failed infrastructure which is con-
ducting 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 ‘‘build-
ing’’ 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 Stand-
ards 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
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 3820 
AN ACT 
To reauthorize Federal natural hazards reduction 
programs, and for other purposes.