I 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7159 
To reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 26, 2008 
Mr. MOORE of Kansas (for himself, Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida, Mr. 
HASTINGS of Florida, and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and 
in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for 
a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction 
Program, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Windstorm 
Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2008’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Section 202 of the National Windstorm Impact Re-
duction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15701) is amended— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) Global climate variability and climate 
change may alter the frequency and intensity of se-
vere windstorm events, but further research is need-
ed to identify any such linkages and, if appropriate, 
to incorporate climate-related impacts into wind-
storm risk and vulnerability assessments and mitiga-
tion activities.’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (5), as redesignated, by strik-
ing ‘‘interagency coordination’’ and inserting ‘‘co-
ordination among Federal agencies and with State 
and local governments’’. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) DIRECTOR.—Section 203(1) of the National 
Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 
15702(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘Office of Science and 
Technology Policy’’ and inserting ‘‘National Institute of 
Standards and Technology’’. 
(b) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.—Section 203 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15702) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through 
(4) as paragraphs (3) through (5), respectively; and 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(2) in conjunction with other Program agen-
cies, prepare an annual budget for the Program, 
which shall be submitted to the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget and shall include, for each Pro-
gram agency and for each major goal established for 
the Program components under subsection (c)— 
‘‘(A) the Program budget for the current 
fiscal year; and 
‘‘(B) the proposed Program budget for the 
subsequent fiscal year; 
‘‘(3) facilitate the preparation of the Inter-
agency Working Group’s biennial report to Congress 
and the National Science and Technology Council 
under subsection (j); 
‘‘(4) support research and development to im-
prove building codes, standards, and practices for 
design and construction of buildings, structures, and 
lifelines; 
‘‘(5) in conjunction with the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency, work closely with na-
tional standards and model building code organiza-
tions to promote the implementation of research re-
sults; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(6) in partnership with other Federal agencies, 
State and local governments, academia, and the pri-
vate sector, support— 
‘‘(A) the organization and deployment of 
comprehensive, discipline-oriented interagency 
teams to investigate major windstorm events; 
and 
‘‘(B) 
the 
gathering, 
publishing, 
and 
archiving of collected data and analysis results; 
and 
‘‘(7) participate in, coordinate, or support, as 
needed, other Program mitigation activities author-
ized under subsection (c).’’. 
(b) PROGRAM OFFICE DUTIES.—Section 204 of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 15703) is further amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (e); 
(2) by redesignating subsection (f) as sub-
section (j); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (d), as added 
by subsection (a)(3) of this Act, the following: 
‘‘(e) PROGRAM OFFICE.—The Program Office, estab-
lished under subsection (d)(1), shall— 
‘‘(1) ensure that all statutory requirements, in-
cluding reporting requirements, are met in accord-
ance with this Act; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(2) ensure coordination and synergy across the 
Program agencies in meeting the strategic goals and 
objectives of the Program; 
‘‘(3) implement an outreach program to identify 
and build effective partnerships with stakeholders in 
the construction and insurance industries, Federal, 
State, and local governments, academic and research 
institutions, and non-governmental entities, such as 
standards, codes, and technical organizations; 
‘‘(4) conduct studies on cross-cutting planning 
issues, particularly those that are significant for the 
development and updating of the strategic plan re-
quired under subsection (i); and 
‘‘(5) conduct analysis and evaluation studies to 
measure the progress and results achieved in meet-
ing the strategic goals and objectives of the Pro-
gram.’’. 
(c) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.—Section 204 of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 15703) is further amended by insert-
ing after subsection (e), as added by subsection (b)(3) of 
this Act, the following: 
‘‘(f) INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—There is established an 
Interagency Working Group on Wind Impact Reduc-
tion, which shall report to the Director. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The primary purpose of the 
Interagency Working Group is to coordinate activi-
ties and facilitate better communication among the 
Program agencies in reducing the impacts of wind-
storms. 
‘‘(3) 
DUTIES.—The 
Interagency 
Working 
Group shall— 
‘‘(A) facilitate Program planning, analysis, 
and evaluation; 
‘‘(B) facilitate coordination and synergy 
across the Program agencies in meeting the 
strategic goals and objectives of the Program; 
‘‘(C) prepare the coordinated interagency 
budget for the Program; 
‘‘(D) prepare the interim working plan re-
quired under subsection (h); 
‘‘(E) prepare the strategic plan with stake-
holder input required under subsection (i); 
‘‘(F) prepare the biennial report to Con-
gress and the National Science and Technology 
Council required under subsection (j); 
‘‘(G) work with States, local governments, 
non-governmental organizations, industry, aca-
demia, and research institutions, as appro-
priate; and 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(H) in partnership with State and local 
governments, academia, and the private sector, 
facilitate— 
‘‘(i) the organization and deployment 
of comprehensive discipline-oriented inter-
agency teams to investigate major wind-
storm events; and 
‘‘(ii) the gathering, publishing, and 
archiving of collected data and analysis re-
sults. 
‘‘(4) MEMBERSHIP.—The Interagency Working 
Group shall be comprised of 1 representative from— 
‘‘(A) the National Institute of Standards 
and Technology; 
‘‘(B) the National Science Foundation; 
‘‘(C) the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration; 
‘‘(D) the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency; 
‘‘(E) the Department of Transportation; 
‘‘(F) the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration; 
‘‘(G) the United States Army Corps of En-
gineers; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(H) the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy; and 
‘‘(I) the Office of Management and Budg-
et. 
‘‘(5) CHAIR.—The Program Director referred 
to in subsection (d)(1) shall chair the Interagency 
Working Group. 
‘‘(6) DUTIES
OF
THE
CHAIR.—The Chair 
shall— 
‘‘(A) convene at least 4 Interagency Work-
ing Group meetings per year, the first of which 
shall be convened not later than 90 days after 
the date of the enactment of the National 
Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization 
Act of 2008; 
‘‘(B) ensure the timely submission of the 
Interagency Working Group’s biennial report to 
Congress and the National Science and Tech-
nology Council required under subsection (j); 
and 
‘‘(C) carry out such other duties as nec-
essary to carry out this Act.’’. 
(d) PROGRAM AGENCIES.—Section 204 of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 15703) is further amended by inserting after 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
subsection (f), as added by subsection (c) of this Act, the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(g) PROGRAM AGENCIES.— 
‘‘(1) NATIONAL
SCIENCE
FOUNDATION.—The 
National Science Foundation shall support research 
in engineering and the atmospheric sciences to im-
prove the understanding of the behavior of wind-
storms and the impact of windstorms on buildings, 
structures, and lifelines. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL
OCEANIC
AND
ATMOSPHERIC 
ADMINISTRATION.—The National Oceanic and At-
mospheric Administration shall support atmospheric 
sciences research to improve the understanding of 
the behavior of windstorms and the impact of wind-
storms on buildings, structures, and lifelines through 
wind observations, modeling, and analysis. 
‘‘(3) 
FEDERAL
EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT 
AGENCY.—The Federal Emergency Management 
Agency shall support— 
‘‘(A) the development of risk assessment 
tools, effective mitigation techniques, and re-
lated guidance documents and products; 
‘‘(B) windstorm-related data collection and 
analysis; 
‘‘(C) evacuation planning; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(D) public outreach and information dis-
semination; and 
‘‘(E) the implementation of mitigation 
measures consistent with the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency’s all-hazards ap-
proach. 
‘‘(4) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.—The 
Department of Transportation shall— 
‘‘(A) support research aimed at under-
standing, measuring, predicting, and designing 
for wind effects on transportation infrastruc-
ture, including bridges; and 
‘‘(B) assist in evacuation planning. 
‘‘(5) NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE AD-
MINISTRATION.—The 
National 
Aeronautics 
and 
Space Administration shall support— 
‘‘(A) research to improve understanding of 
the regional and global behavior of windstorms; 
and 
‘‘(B) dissemination and utilization of ob-
servational data from existing satellites and 
sensors, forecasts, and other analytical products 
that can aid in reducing windstorm impacts. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(6) UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGI-
NEERS.—The United States Army Corps of Engi-
neers shall— 
‘‘(A) support research to improve under-
standing of wind effects on storm surge and 
other flooding; and 
‘‘(B) support development of evacuation 
plans and other activities or tools that will re-
duce the potential for loss of life or structure 
damage as a result of windstorms.’’. 
(e) INTERIM WORKING PLAN; STRATEGIC PLAN.— 
Section 204 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15703) is further 
amended by inserting after subsection (g), as added by 
subsection (d) of this Act, the following: 
‘‘(h) INTERIM WORKING PLAN.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
Interagency Working Group shall submit to Congress an 
interim working plan that will guide the implementation 
of Program operations until approval of the strategic plan 
under subsection (i). 
‘‘(i) STRATEGIC PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this subsection, the 
Interagency Working Group shall submit to Con-
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
gress a strategic plan for achieving the objectives of 
the Program. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The strategic plan shall in-
clude— 
‘‘(A) strategic goals and objectives for each 
Program component area to be achieved in the 
areas of data collection and analysis, risk as-
sessment, outreach, technology transfer, and re-
search and development; 
‘‘(B) an assessment of the strategic prior-
ities required to fill critical gaps in knowledge 
and practice to ensure reduction in future wind-
storm impacts based on a review of past and 
current public and private sector efforts, includ-
ing windstorm mitigation activities supported 
by the Federal Government; 
‘‘(C) measurable outputs and outcomes to 
achieve the strategic goals and objectives; 
‘‘(D) a description of how the Program will 
achieve such goals and objectives including de-
tailed responsibilities for each Program agency; 
and 
‘‘(E) plans for cooperation and coordina-
tion with interested public and private sector 
entities in each Program component area. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(3) INITIAL
DEVELOPMENT.—The strategic 
plan— 
‘‘(A) shall be developed with stakeholder 
input; and 
‘‘(B) shall not be initially required to be 
reviewed by the National Advisory Committee 
on Windstorm Impact Reduction. 
‘‘(4) REGULAR UPDATES.—Not less frequently 
than once every 3 years, the strategic plan— 
‘‘(A) shall be updated with stakeholder 
input; and 
‘‘(B) shall be reviewed by the National Ad-
visory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduc-
tion.’’. 
(f) BIENNIAL REPORT.—Section 204(j) of such Act, 
as redesignated by subsection (b)(2) of this Act, is amend-
ed to read as follows: 
‘‘(j) BIENNIAL REPORT.—The Interagency Working 
Group, on a biennial basis, and not later than 90 days 
after the end of the preceding 2 fiscal years, shall— 
‘‘(1) after considering the recommendations of 
the advisory committee established under section 
205, prepare a biennial report that describes the sta-
tus of the Program, including— 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(A) Program activities and progress 
achieved during the preceding 2 fiscal years in 
meeting goals established for each Program 
component under subsection (c); 
‘‘(B) challenges and impediments to the 
fulfillment of the Program’s objectives; and 
‘‘(C) any recommendations for legislative 
and other action the Interagency Working 
Group considers necessary and appropriate; and 
‘‘(2) submit the report prepared under para-
graph (1) to Congress and the National Science and 
Technology Council.’’. 
SEC. 5. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM 
IMPACT REDUCTION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 205(a) of the National 
Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 
15704(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘The Director’’, and in-
serting ‘‘Not later than 6 months after the date of the 
enactment of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction 
Reauthorization Act of 2008, the Director’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 205(b)(2) 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 15704(b)(2)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘section 204(d)’’ and inserting ‘‘section 204(c)’’. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
‘‘(1) LEAD AGENCY.—From the amounts appro-
priated for the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology pursuant to subsection (a)(1)— 
‘‘(A) up to $1,000,000 per fiscal year may 
be allocated for carrying out the lead agency 
planning, management, and coordination func-
tions assigned to the National Institute of 
Standards 
and 
Technology 
under 
section 
204(d); and 
‘‘(B) not greater than 8 percent of such 
amounts may be allocated for managing the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology 
assigned research and development responsibil-
ities. 
‘‘(2) OTHER PROGRAM AGENCIES.—From the 
amounts appropriated to each of the Program agen-
cies under paragraphs (2) through (7) of subsection 
(a), not greater than 8 percent may be allocated to 
each such agency for carrying out planning, manage-
ment, and coordination functions assigned to such 
agency under this Act, including participation in the 
Interagency Working Group. 
‘‘(c) REMAINDER AUTHORIZED FOR PROGRAM AC-
TIVITIES.—Any amounts appropriated pursuant to sub-
section (a) that are not allocated under subsection (b) 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS
shall be allocated to Program activities carried out in ac-
cordance with the objectives of the Program, including— 
‘‘(1) data collection and analysis; 
‘‘(2) risk assessment; 
‘‘(3) outreach; 
‘‘(4) technology transfer; and 
‘‘(5) research and development.’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
00:50 Oct 02, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H7159.IH
H7159
wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with BILLS