I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5709 
To require the Comptroller General to evaluate and issue a report on the 
structural and economic impacts of climate resiliency at the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, including recommendations on how to 
improve the building codes and standards that the Agency uses to pre-
pare for climate change and address resiliency in housing, public build-
ings, and infrastructure such as roads and bridges. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 29, 2020 
Mr. NEGUSE (for himself and Mr. ROONEY of Florida) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To require the Comptroller General to evaluate and issue 
a report on the structural and economic impacts of cli-
mate resiliency at the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, including recommendations on how to improve 
the building codes and standards that the Agency uses 
to prepare for climate change and address resiliency in 
housing, public buildings, and infrastructure such as 
roads and bridges. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Climate Resilient Com-
munities Act’’. 
SEC. 2. CLIMATE RESILIENCY REPORT BY GAO. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act and every 5 years thereafter, 
the Comptroller General shall evaluate and issue a report 
to Congress on the structural and economic impacts of cli-
mate resiliency at the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency (FEMA), including recommendations on how to 
improve the Agency’s use of building codes and standards 
to prepare for climate change and address resiliency in 
housing, public buildings, and infrastructure such as roads 
and bridges. 
(b) REPORT ISSUES.—The report required under 
subsection (a) shall include the following: 
(1) Economic analysis of the benefits to consid-
ering and prioritizing resiliency when building new 
infrastructure. 
(2) Number of structures (buildings, roads, 
bridges) that were not destroyed because of pre-dis-
aster mitigation planning, and the resultant cost 
savings. 
(3) Economic analysis of the benefits to consid-
ering and prioritizing resiliency when rebuilding 
after natural disasters. 
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(4) Recommendations to improve the building 
codes and standards that FEMA uses to consider 
climate impacts and risks, including— 
(A) flooding; 
(B) wildfires; 
(C) hurricanes; 
(D) heat waves; 
(E) droughts; 
(F) rises in sea level; and 
(G) extreme weather. 
(5) Assessment of the building codes and stand-
ards that are currently being used by FEMA to 
make resiliency decisions, including recommenda-
tions for updates to such codes and standards. 
Æ 
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