National Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2008
Key claim: This Senate bill would reauthorize the federal program that researches how to reduce hurricane and other windstorm damage through 2013, put NIST in charge of coordinating it, and assign supporting roles to NSF, NOAA, FEMA, and other agencies.
Abstract
(S3638 · 110th Congress) National Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. Designates the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the lead agency for Program planning, management, and coordination. (Repeals provisions regarding the existing Interagency Working Group responsible for Program planning, management, and coordination.) Establishes the Interagency Working Group on Wind Impact Reduction (IWG) to coordinate activities and facilitate communication among Program agencies in reducing the impacts of windstorms. Requires the Director of NIST to: (1) establish a Program Office to ensure coordination and synergy across Program agencies; (2) prepare the Program’s annual budget; (3) facilitate preparation of the IWG’s biennial report to Congress and the National Science and Technology Council; (4) support research and development for building codes and standards; (5) promote implementation of research results; (6) support deployment of interagency teams to investigate major windstorm events and data collection and analysis; and (7) participate in, coordinate, or support other Program mitigation activities. Sets forth: (1) the duties of the Program Office and of the IWG (including preparation of an interim working plan for Program operations and a strategic plan for achieving Program objectives); and (2) supportive roles of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Army Corps of Engineers. Authorizes appropriations for the Program for FY2009-FY2013. Latest action (2008-09-26): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9718-9720)
Why this matters
Reauthorization bills like this one set the terms under which specialized, multi-agency research programs continue to receive appropriations and determine which agency holds coordinating authority. Designating NIST as lead while assigning execution roles to NSF, NOAA, and FEMA is a recurring pattern in federal R&D governance where a standards agency is used to align mission agencies around a shared research portfolio. Tracking these introductions — even those not enacted — shows how Congress periodically revisits the structure and lifespan of hazard-research programs.