Committee Approves Bill to Mitigate Wind and Earthquake Hazards

Washington DC Dec 1, 2011 – the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology approved H.R. 3479, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2011, authored by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL). The legislation reauthorizes the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP), supporting the development of hazard reduction measures, and the creation of disaster-resilient communities.

“Over the years, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program has been instrumental in developing and advancing earthquake knowledge and raising awareness of earthquake hazards,” said Chairman Ralph Hall (R-TX). “The National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program has supported activities to improve the understanding of windstorms and their impacts, while developing and encouraging the implementation of cost-effective mitigation measures.”

An amendment offered by Rep. Biggert that was unanimously approved makes a number of improvements to the underlying legislation. The amendment strengthens post-earthquake investigation reporting and highlights the contribution of the National Labs to disaster research and development.

 

“We can’t stop earthquakes, but we can be ready, and this legislation will mobilize the scientific expertise needed to save lives,” said Biggert. “These important programs are critical to maintaining the early-warning systems, building codes, emergency planning, and other tools that keep Americans safe during an emergency. I appreciate Chairman Hall’s support in helping to move this important bill through the Committee process, and I look forward to its passage on the House floor.”

Committee Republicans accepted two minority amendments. One addresses earthquake and windstorm preparedness outreach to individuals with special needs, while the other enhances research into fires at the wildland-urban interface. Republicans defeated three minority amendments that would have significantly increased the cost of the legislation. The amendments would have increased the authorization levels for the windstorm and earthquake programs by $224.1 million when compared to H.R. 3479, and would have increased the authorization level of the earthquake program dramatically above the President’s request.

Additional cosponsors of H.R. 3479 include: Chairman Hall, Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX), Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), and Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-MS). The bill was reported out of Committee by a vote of 21-12.,

Subcommittee Approves Bill to Mitigate Wind and Earthquake Hazards

Nov 15, 2011. Washington DC – Today, the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation approved a Committee Print of the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2011, a draft authored by Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL). The Committee Print would reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP). The draft supports the development of hazard reduction measures, and the creation of disaster-resilient communities.

Subcommittee Chairman Ben Quayle (R-AZ) said, “As we have tragically witnessed this year, earthquakes and windstorms take lives, destroy homes and businesses, and cause billions of dollars in damage in the United States and around the world. The effects of these disasters can reverberate for decades.” Praising the NEHRP and NWIRP programs, Quayle said “Both programs are targeted federal research and development efforts to mitigate the loss of life and property due to wind and earthquake related hazards.”

A bipartisan Manager’s Amendment offered by Rep. Biggert was unanimously approved, making a number of improvements to the underlying draft legislation and ensuring that activities are coordinated rather than duplicated between the two programs. Biggert noted that the Committee Print attempts “to make certain that these agencies continue to conduct the important research and development necessary to ensure that our communities are as prepared as possible for natural disasters, while being mindful of the current budget situation and the federal deficit.”

Subcommittee Republicans defeated an amendment offered by the minority that would authorize the programs for five years instead of three, and significantly increase the cost of the legislation by a total of $618 million more than the Committee Print. The amendment was defeated along a party-line vote of 10-3

Subcommittee Approves Bill to Mitigate Wind and Earthquake Hazards