Committee Passes Bipartisan Reauthorization of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act

(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup to consider H.R. 1786, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2013 (NWIRP).  The legislation directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support activities to improve the understanding of windstorms and their impacts, and to develop and encourage the implementation of cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.

Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson said in her opening statement, “NWIRP is an important program that can reduce the vulnerability of our communities to natural disasters.  This program can help us build stronger and safer communities before a disaster occurs rather than after.” She continued later in her statement, “I think it is important that we authorize the NWIRP agencies adequately, allow room for the program to grow, and include social science research in the program.”

Vice Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, Frederica Wilson cosponsored the manager’s amendment and said, “As a lifelong Floridian and survivor of Hurricane Andrew and other major windstorms, I can attest that today’s action was important for protecting lives and property across the country.  I was delighted to see a smooth and productive bipartisan process and pleased to see an increase in the authorization level for FEMA.”

H.R. 1786, as amended, passed the Committee by voice vote and was reported favorably out of Committee.

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