---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 15703"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "15703"
heading: "National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/15703"
units:
  - "Chapter 148 — Windstorm Impact Reduction"
---

# §15703. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program

- (a) **Establishment—** There is established the National [Windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) Impact Reduction [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3), the purpose of which is to achieve major measurable reductions in the losses of life and property from [windstorms](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) through a coordinated Federal effort, in cooperation with other levels of government, academia, and the private sector, aimed at improving the understanding of [windstorms](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) and their impacts and developing and encouraging the implementation of cost-effective mitigation measures to reduce those impacts.
- (b) **Responsibilities of Program agencies—**
  - (1) **Lead agency—** The National Institute of Standards and Technology shall have the primary responsibility for planning and coordinating the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3). In carrying out this paragraph, the [Director](/usc/42/15702.md?p=1) shall—
    - (A) ensure that the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) includes the necessary components to promote the implementation of [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) risk reduction measures by Federal, [State](/usc/42/15702.md?p=4), 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](/usc/42/15702.md?p=2);
    - (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](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19);
    - (C) request the assistance of Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) other than the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), as necessary to assist in carrying out this chapter;
    - (D) coordinate all Federal post-[windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) investigations 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 Technology—** In addition to the lead [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) responsibilities described under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall be responsible for carrying out research and development to improve model building codes, voluntary standards, and best [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) for the design, [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7), and retrofit of buildings, structures, and [lifelines](/usc/42/15702.md?p=2).
  - (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](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) and their impact on buildings, structures, and [lifelines](/usc/42/15702.md?p=2); and
    - (B) economic and social factors influencing [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) risk reduction measures.
  - (4) **National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—** The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall support atmospheric sciences research to improve the understanding of the behavior of [windstorms](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) and their impact on buildings, structures, and [lifelines](/usc/42/15702.md?p=2).
  - (5) **Federal Emergency Management Agency—** The Federal Emergency Management [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall—
    - (A) support—
      - (i) the development of risk assessment tools and effective mitigation techniques;
      - (ii) [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5)-related data collection and analysis;
      - (iii) public outreach and information dissemination; and
      - (iv) promotion of the adoption of [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) preparedness and mitigation measures, including for households, businesses, and communities, consistent with the [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)’s all-hazards approach; and
    - (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](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) within the building design and [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) industry, including architects, engineers, contractors, builders, and inspectors.
- (c) **Program components—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) shall consist of three primary mitigation components: improved understanding of [windstorms](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5), [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) impact assessment, and [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) impact reduction. The components shall be implemented through activities such as data collection and analysis, risk assessment, outreach, technology transfer, and research and development. To the extent practicable, research activities authorized under this chapter shall be peer-reviewed, and the components shall be designed to be complementary to, and avoid duplication of, other public and private hazard reduction efforts.
  - (2) **Understanding of windstorms—** Activities to enhance the understanding of [windstorms](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) shall include research to improve knowledge of and data collection on the impact of severe wind on buildings, structures, and infrastructure.
  - (3) **Windstorm impact assessment—** Activities to improve [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) impact assessment shall include—
    - (A) development of mechanisms for collecting and inventorying information on the performance of buildings, structures, and infrastructure in [windstorms](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) and improved collection of pertinent information from sources, including the design and [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) industry, insurance companies, and building officials;
    - (B) research, development, and technology transfer to improve loss estimation and risk assessment systems; and
    - (C) research, development, and technology transfer to improve simulation and computational modeling of [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) impacts.
  - (4) **Windstorm impact reduction—** Activities to reduce [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) impacts shall include—
    - (A) development of improved outreach and implementation mechanisms to translate existing information and research findings into cost-effective and affordable [practices](/usc/42/17061.md?p=19) for design and [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) professionals, and [State](/usc/42/15702.md?p=4) and local officials;
    - (B) development of cost-effective and affordable [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5)-resistant systems, structures, and materials for use in new [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) and retrofit of existing [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7); and
    - (C) outreach and information dissemination related to cost-effective and affordable [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) techniques, loss estimation and risk assessment methodologies, and other pertinent information regarding [windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) phenomena to Federal, [State](/usc/42/15702.md?p=4), and local officials, the [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) industry, and the general public.
- (d) **Budget activities—** The [Director](/usc/42/15702.md?p=1) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the [Director](/usc/42/15702.md?p=1) of the National Science Foundation, the [Director](/usc/42/15702.md?p=1) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the [Director](/usc/42/15702.md?p=1) of the Federal Emergency Management [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) shall each include in their [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)’s annual budget request to Congress a description of their [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1)’s projected activities under the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) 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](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) Impact Reduction, chaired by the [Director](/usc/42/15702.md?p=1) or the [Director](/usc/42/15702.md?p=1)’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](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1);
      - (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](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), 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](/usc/42/15702.md?p=1) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
  - (4) **General purpose and duties—** The Committee shall oversee the planning and coordination of the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3).
  - (5) **Strategic plan—** The Committee shall develop and submit to Congress, not later than 1 year after September 30, 2015, a Strategic Plan for the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) that includes—
    - (A) prioritized goals for the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) that will mitigate against the loss of life and property from future [windstorms](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5);
    - (B) short-term, mid-term, and long-term research objectives to achieve those goals;
    - (C) a description of the role of each [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) 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](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) will foster the transfer of research results into outcomes, such as improved model building codes.
  - (6) **Progress report—** Not later than 18 months after September 30, 2015, the Committee shall submit to the Congress a report on the progress of the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) that includes—
    - (A) a description of the activities funded under the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3), a description of how these activities align with the prioritized goals and research objectives established in the Strategic Plan, and the budgets, per [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), for these activities;
    - (B) the outcomes achieved by the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) 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 [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) activities; and
    - (D) a description of the extent to which the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3) has incorporated recommendations from the [Advisory Committee](/usc/42/17061.md?p=2) on [Windstorm](/usc/42/15702.md?p=5) Impact Reduction.
  - (7) **Coordinated budget—** The Committee shall develop a coordinated budget for the [Program](/usc/42/15702.md?p=3), 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.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 108–360, title II, § 204, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1676; Pub. L. 114–52, § 3, Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 496.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(1)(C), was in the original “this Act” and was translated as reading “this title”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. See below.

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), was in the original “this title”, meaning title II of Pub. L. 108–360, Oct. 25, 2004, 118 Stat. 1675, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15701 of this title and Tables.

### Amendments

2015—Subsecs. (a), (b). Pub. L. 114–52, § 3(1), added subsecs. (a) and (b) and struck out former subsecs. (a) and (b) which related to the establishment and objective of the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 114–52, § 3(1), (2), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which established an Interagency Working Group.

Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 114–52, § 3(2), (3), added subsecs. (d) and (e), redesignated former subsec. (d) as (c), and struck out former subsec. (e) which required an implementation plan from the Interagency Working Group.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 114–52, § 3(2), struck out subsec. (f) which required biennial reports on the status of the windstorm impact reduction program.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of all functions, personnel, assets, components, authorities, grant programs, and liabilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management relating thereto, to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, see section 315(a)(1) of Title 6, Domestic Security.