I 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6144 
To reduce vulnerability to natural disasters in foreign countries through 
the use of disaster mitigation techniques. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 
Mr. BLUMENAUER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on International Relations 
A BILL 
To reduce vulnerability to natural disasters in foreign 
countries through the use of disaster mitigation techniques. 
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 ‘‘International Disaster 
Risk Reduction Act of 2006’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The devastating impacts of natural disas-
ters can be mitigated by assisting communities to 
build in safer locations, construct sturdier dwellings, 
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enforce sound building practices, and protect natural 
ecosystems. 
(2) By 2050, two billion people are expected to 
be especially vulnerable to floods due to growing 
populations, indiscriminate logging, rapid urbaniza-
tion, and increasing development along coasts and in 
other hazardous regions. 
(3) According to a study by the World Bank 
and the United States Geological Survey during the 
1990s, $40 billion invested in preventive measures 
could have saved $280 billion in disaster relief funds 
and saved countless lives. 
SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FOR DISASTER MITIGATION EFFORTS. 
Section 491(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 
(22 U.S.C. 2292(b)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: ‘‘Assistance relating to disaster 
preparedness under the preceding sentence shall include 
assistance to reduce vulnerability of humans and property 
to natural disasters through the use of disaster mitigation 
techniques, including to assist communities to build in 
safer locations, construct sturdier dwellings, promulgate 
and enforce sound building codes and practices, develop 
comprehensive land use plans that include disaster pre-
paredness and risk reduction, and protect natural eco-
systems.’’. 
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SEC. 4. INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF DISASTER 
MITIGATION TECHNIQUES. 
(a) INITIATIVE.—The Secretary of State, in consulta-
tion with the heads of other appropriate departments and 
agencies of the Government of the United States, shall de-
velop and implement an initiative to reduce vulnerability 
of humans and property to natural disasters in foreign 
countries by encouraging the use of disaster mitigation 
techniques, including disaster mitigation techniques de-
scribed in section 491(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act 
of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292(b)), as amended by section 3 
of this Act, by foreign governments in regions considered 
especially vulnerable to natural disasters. 
(b) UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE.—The initiative re-
quired by subsection (a) shall include the provision of as-
sistance under section 491(b) of the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2292(b)), as amended by section 
3 of this Act, relating to the use of disaster mitigation 
techniques. 
(c) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The Secretary of State 
shall appoint an advisory committee of experts in the 
science of natural disasters and disaster mitigation, hu-
manitarian relief and development, international diplo-
macy, and professionals in the fields of urban, community, 
and regional planning (including transportation and land 
use), architecture, landscape architecture, and urban de-
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sign to advise the Secretary on the development and imple-
mentation of the initiative required by subsection (a). 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State should 
submit to the Committee on International Relations of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign 
Relations of the Senate a report that contains a descrip-
tion of the initiative required by subsection (a) and a plan 
for its implementation. 
SEC. 5. REGULATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State 
shall promulgate regulations which require that— 
(1) efforts to reduce vulnerability to future dis-
asters through the use of disaster mitigation tech-
niques, including techniques described in section 
491(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 
U.S.C. 2292(b)), as amended by section 3 of this 
Act, shall be included in all United States assistance 
programs, projects, and activities for international 
disaster relief and rehabilitation; and 
(2) such programs, projects, and activities may 
only be provided in ways that reduce overall vulner-
ability to natural disasters in the impacted area. 
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(b) UPDATE.—The Secretary of State may periodi-
cally revise the regulations promulgated pursuant to sub-
section (a). 
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated for fiscal year 2007 and each subsequent fiscal 
year such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act 
and the amendment made by section 3 of this Act. 
(b) AVAILABILITY.—Amounts appropriated pursuant 
to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) 
are authorized to remain available until expended. 
Æ 
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