National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015
PL 114-52 (H.R.23), enacted 09/30/2015

129 STAT. 496 
PUBLIC LAW 114–52—SEPT. 30, 2015 
Public Law 114–52 
114th Congress 
An Act 
To reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Windstorm Impact 
Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015’’. 
SEC. 2. 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 ‘‘Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy’’ 
and inserting ‘‘Director of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology’’. 
(b) LIFELINES.—Section 203 of the National Windstorm Impact 
Reduction Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15702) is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (4) as para-
graphs (3) through (5), respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(2) LIFELINES.—The term ‘lifelines’ means public works 
and utilities, including transportation facilities and infrastruc-
ture, oil and gas pipelines, electrical power and communication 
facilities and infrastructure, and water supply and sewage 
treatment facilities.’’. 
(c) WINDSTORM.—Paragraph (5) of such section, as redesignated 
by subsection (b), is amended by inserting ‘‘northeaster,’’ after ‘‘trop-
ical storm,’’. 
SEC. 3. NATIONAL WINDSTORM IMPACT REDUCTION PROGRAM. 
Section 204 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act 
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15703) is amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the National Wind-
storm Impact Reduction Program, the purpose of which is to achieve 
major measurable reductions in the losses of life and property 
from windstorms through a coordinated Federal effort, in coopera-
tion with other levels of government, academia, and the private 
sector, aimed at improving the understanding of windstorms and 
their impacts and developing and encouraging the implementation 
of cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce those impacts. 
‘‘(b) RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROGRAM AGENCIES.— 
National 
Windstorm 
Impact 
Reduction Act 
Reauthorization 
of 2015. 
42 USC 15701 
note. 
Sept. 30, 2015 
[H.R. 23] 
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129 STAT. 497 
PUBLIC LAW 114–52—SEPT. 30, 2015 
‘‘(1) LEAD AGENCY.—The National Institute of Standards 
and Technology shall have the primary responsibility for plan-
ning and coordinating the Program. In carrying out this para-
graph, the Director shall— 
‘‘(A) ensure that the Program includes the necessary 
components to promote the implementation of windstorm 
risk reduction measures by Federal, State, and local 
governments, national standards and model building code 
organizations, architects and engineers, and others with 
a role in planning and constructing buildings and lifelines; 
‘‘(B) support the development of performance-based 
engineering tools, and work with appropriate groups to 
promote the commercial application of such tools, including 
through wind-related model building codes, voluntary 
standards, and construction best practices; 
‘‘(C) request the assistance of Federal agencies other 
than the Program agencies, as necessary to assist in car-
rying out this Act; 
‘‘(D) coordinate all Federal post-windstorm investiga-
tions to the extent practicable; and 
‘‘(E) when warranted by research or investigative 
findings, issue recommendations to assist in informing the 
development of model codes, and provide information to 
Congress on the use of such recommendations. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL
INSTITUTE
OF
STANDARDS
AND
TECH-
NOLOGY.—In addition to the lead agency responsibilities 
described under paragraph (1), the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology shall be responsible for carrying out 
research and development to improve model building codes, 
voluntary standards, and best practices for the design, construc-
tion, and retrofit of buildings, structures, and lifelines. 
‘‘(3) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION.—The National Science 
Foundation shall support research in— 
‘‘(A) engineering and the atmospheric sciences to 
improve the understanding of the behavior of windstorms 
and their impact on buildings, structures, and lifelines; 
and 
‘‘(B) economic and social factors influencing windstorm 
risk reduction measures. 
‘‘(4) NATIONAL
OCEANIC
AND
ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRA-
TION.—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
shall support atmospheric sciences research to improve the 
understanding of the behavior of windstorms and their impact 
on buildings, structures, and lifelines. 
‘‘(5) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.—The Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency shall— 
‘‘(A) support— 
‘‘(i) the development of risk assessment tools and 
effective mitigation techniques; 
‘‘(ii) windstorm-related data collection and anal-
ysis; 
‘‘(iii) public outreach and information dissemina-
tion; and 
‘‘(iv) promotion of the adoption of windstorm 
preparedness and mitigation measures, including for 
households, businesses, and communities, consistent 
with the Agency’s all-hazards approach; and 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
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129 STAT. 498 
PUBLIC LAW 114–52—SEPT. 30, 2015 
‘‘(B) work closely with national standards and model 
building code organizations, in conjunction with the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, to promote 
the implementation of research results and promote better 
building practices within the building design and construc-
tion industry, including architects, engineers, contractors, 
builders, and inspectors.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c), and 
by striking subsections (e) and (f); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (c), as so redesignated, 
the following new subsections: 
‘‘(d) BUDGET ACTIVITIES.—The Director of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology, the Director of the National Science 
Foundation, the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, and the Director of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency shall each include in their agency’s annual budget 
request to Congress a description of their agency’s projected activi-
ties under the Program for the fiscal year covered by the budget 
request, along with an assessment of what they plan to spend 
on those activities for that fiscal year. 
‘‘(e) INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM 
IMPACT REDUCTION.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established an Interagency 
Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, 
chaired by the Director or the Director’s designee. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—In addition to the chair, the Committee 
shall be composed of— 
‘‘(A) the heads or such designees of— 
‘‘(i) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; 
‘‘(ii) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration; 
‘‘(iii) the National Science Foundation; 
‘‘(iv) the Office of Science and Technology Policy; 
and 
‘‘(v) the Office of Management and Budget; and 
‘‘(B) the head of any other Federal agency, or such 
designee, the chair considers appropriate. 
‘‘(3) MEETINGS.—The Committee shall meet not less than 
once a year at the call of the Director of the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology. 
‘‘(4) GENERAL PURPOSE AND DUTIES.—The Committee shall 
oversee the planning and coordination of the Program. 
‘‘(5) STRATEGIC PLAN.—The Committee shall develop and 
submit to Congress, not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act 
Reauthorization of 2015, a Strategic Plan for the Program 
that includes— 
‘‘(A) prioritized goals for the Program that will mitigate 
against the loss of life and property from future wind-
storms; 
Deadline. 
Assessment. 
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129 STAT. 499 
PUBLIC LAW 114–52—SEPT. 30, 2015 
‘‘(B) short-term, mid-term, and long-term research 
objectives to achieve those goals; 
‘‘(C) a description of the role of each Program agency 
in achieving the prioritized goals; 
‘‘(D) the methods by which progress towards the goals 
will be assessed; and 
‘‘(E) an explanation of how the Program will foster 
the transfer of research results into outcomes, such as 
improved model building codes. 
‘‘(6) PROGRESS REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of the National Windstorm Impact Reduc-
tion Act Reauthorization of 2015, the Committee shall submit 
to the Congress a report on the progress of the Program that 
includes— 
‘‘(A) a description of the activities funded under the 
Program, a description of how these activities align with 
the prioritized goals and research objectives established 
in the Strategic Plan, and the budgets, per agency, for 
these activities; 
‘‘(B) the outcomes achieved by the Program for each 
of the goals identified in the Strategic Plan; 
‘‘(C) a description of any recommendations made to 
change existing building codes that were the result of Pro-
gram activities; and 
‘‘(D) a description of the extent to which the Program 
has incorporated recommendations from the Advisory Com-
mittee on Windstorm Impact Reduction. 
‘‘(7) COORDINATED BUDGET.—The Committee shall develop 
a coordinated budget for the Program, which shall be submitted 
to the Congress not later than 60 days after the date of the 
President’s budget submission for each fiscal year.’’. 
SEC. 4. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT 
REDUCTION. 
Section 205 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act 
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15704) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 205. NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON WINDSTORM IMPACT 
REDUCTION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology shall establish an Advisory Committee 
on Windstorm Impact Reduction, which shall be composed of at 
least 7 and not more than 15 members who are qualified to provide 
advice on windstorm impact reduction and represent related sci-
entific, architectural, and engineering disciplines, none of whom 
may be employees of the Federal Government, including— 
‘‘(1) representatives of research and academic institutions; 
‘‘(2) industry standards development organizations; 
‘‘(3) emergency management agencies; 
‘‘(4) State and local government; and 
‘‘(5) 
business 
communities, 
including 
the 
insurance 
industry. 
Deadline. 
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129 STAT. 500 
PUBLIC LAW 114–52—SEPT. 30, 2015 
‘‘(b) ASSESSMENTS.—The Advisory Committee on Windstorm 
Impact Reduction shall offer assessments and recommendations 
on— 
‘‘(1) trends and developments in the natural, engineering, 
and social sciences and practices of windstorm impact mitiga-
tion; 
‘‘(2) the priorities of the Program’s Strategic Plan; 
‘‘(3) the coordination of the Program; 
‘‘(4) the effectiveness of the Program in meeting its pur-
poses; and 
‘‘(5) any revisions to the Program which may be necessary. 
‘‘(c) COMPENSATION.—The members of the Advisory Committee 
established under this section shall serve without compensation. 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.—At least every 2 years, the Advisory Committee 
shall report to the Director on the assessments carried out under 
subsection (b) and its recommendations for ways to improve the 
Program. 
‘‘(e) CHARTER.—Notwithstanding section 14(b)(2) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Advisory Committee 
shall not be required to file a charter subsequent to its initial 
charter, filed under section 9(c) of such Act, before the termination 
date specified in subsection (f) of this section. 
‘‘(f) TERMINATION.—The Advisory Committee shall terminate 
on September 30, 2017. 
‘‘(g) CONFLICT OF INTEREST.—An Advisory Committee member 
shall recuse himself from any Advisory Committee activity in which 
he has an actual pecuniary interest.’’. 
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 207 of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act 
of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 15706) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 207. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘(a) FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.—There are 
authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency for carrying out this title— 
‘‘(1) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2015; 
‘‘(2) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(3) $5,332,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
‘‘(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 2015; 
‘‘(2) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(3) $9,682,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
‘‘(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 2015; 
‘‘(2) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(3) $4,120,000 for fiscal year 2017. 
Recommenda- 
tions. 
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129 STAT. 501 
PUBLIC LAW 114–52—SEPT. 30, 2015 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 23: 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 114–62 (Comm. on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015): 
Jan.7, considered and passed House. 
July 23, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Sept. 16, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
‘‘(d) NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.— 
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 2015; 
‘‘(2) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2016; and 
‘‘(3) $2,266,000 for fiscal year 2017.’’. 
Approved September 30, 2015. 
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