H. R. 4687—6
appropriate adoption by the Federal Government, and encour-
age the appropriate adoption by other agencies and organiza-
tions, of the recommendations of the Team with respect to—
(A) technical aspects of evacuation and emergency
response procedures;
(B) specific improvements to building standards, codes,
and practices; and
(C) other actions needed to help prevent future building
failures.
SEC. 10. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY
ANNUAL REPORT.
Not later than February 15 of each year, the Director shall
transmit to the Committee on Science of the House of Representa-
tives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate a report that includes—
(1) a summary of the investigations conducted by Teams
during the prior fiscal year;
(2) a summary of recommendations made by the Teams
in reports issued under section 8 during the prior fiscal year
and a description of the extent to which those recommendations
have been implemented; and
(3) a description of the actions taken to improve building
safety and structural integrity by the National Institute of
Standards and Technology during the prior fiscal year in
response to reports issued under section 8.
SEC. 11. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND FUNCTIONS.—The Director, in consulta-
tion with the United States Fire Administration and other appro-
priate Federal agencies, shall establish an advisory committee to
advise the Director on carrying out this Act and to review the
procedures developed under section 2(c)(1) and the reports issued
under section 8.
(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—On January 1 of each year, the advisory
committee shall transmit to the Committee on Science of the House
of Representatives and to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate a report that includes—
(1) an evaluation of Team activities, along with rec-
ommendations to improve the operation and effectiveness of
Teams; and
(2) an assessment of the implementation of the rec-
ommendations of Teams and of the advisory committee.
(c) DURATION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—Section 14 of the Fed-
eral Advisory Committee Act shall not apply to the advisory com-
mittee established under this section.
SEC. 12. ADDITIONAL APPLICABILITY.
The authorities and restrictions applicable under this Act to
the Director and to Teams shall apply to the activities of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology in response to
the attacks of September 11, 2001.
SEC. 13. AMENDMENT.
Section 7 of the National Bureau of Standards Authorization
Act for Fiscal Year 1986 (15 U.S.C. 281a) is amended by inserting
‘‘, or from an investigation under the National Construction Safety
Team Act,’’ after ‘‘from such investigation’’.
H. R. 4687—7
SEC. 14. CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to confer any authority
on the National Institute of Standards and Technology to require
the adoption of building standards, codes, or practices.
SEC. 15. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology is author-
ized to use funds otherwise authorized by law to carry out this
Act.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.