Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to: (1) establish within the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program a Katrina Assistance Program to provide assistance to impacted small and medium-sized manufacturers in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina; and (2) carry out an engineering performance study of the effects of Hurricane Katrina in the areas of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi covered by the President's major disaster declarations of August 29, 2005. Requires the study to examine physical structures damaged due to excessive wind, storm surge, and flooding.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3826 Introduced in House (IH)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3826
To provide for the establishment of a Katrina Assistance Program
through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 20, 2005
Mr. Melancon (for himself and Mr. Gordon) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the establishment of a Katrina Assistance Program
through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership 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. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) it is estimated that 2,500 small and medium-sized
manufacturers employing approximately 100,000 workers have been
significantly impacted by Hurricane Katrina in Alabama,
Louisiana, and Mississippi;
(2) local Centers under the Manufacturing Extension
Partnership program, with their small budgets, are overwhelmed
by the magnitude of the rebuilding efforts required after
Hurricane Katrina; and
(3) rebuilding local manufacturing capabilities will employ
people and is essential to begin rebuilding the economy of the
areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
SEC. 2. PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT.
Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
shall establish within the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program
established under sections 25 and 26 of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l) a Katrina
Assistance Program, to provide assistance to impacted small and medium-
sized manufacturers in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The Katrina Assistance Program shall--
(1) establish triage teams, consisting of personnel from
within the national network of Manufacturing Extension
Partnership Centers established under section 25 of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C.
278k) and local experts, the purpose of which shall be to
assess the needs of impacted manufacturers;
(2) develop virtual assistance centers, consisting of
databases incorporating the results and recommendations of the
triage team assessments;
(3) assess the potential disruption on national
manufacturing supply chains as a result of Hurricane Katrina,
and develop recommendations of how to minimize such disruption;
and
(4) assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in the
areas affected by Hurricane Katrina with--
(A) finding alternative sources for raw materials
or supplies;
(B) finding alternate locations to resume
operations;
(C) designing facilities and selecting equipment;
(D) making financial decisions with respect to
capital investments and rate of return calculations;
(E) conducting rebuilding studies; and
(F) any other needs of the impacted small and
medium-sized manufacturing community.
SEC. 4. NO MATCHING FUND REQUIREMENT.
Assistance under the Program established under this Act shall be
exempt from matching requirements for the Manufacturing Extension
Partnership program under the National Institute of Standards and
Technology Act.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of
Commerce $60,000,000 for the Katrina Assistance Program established
under this Act.
SEC. 6. BUILT ENVIRONMENT INVESTIGATION FOR HURRICANE KATRINA.
(a) In General.--Under the authority provided by the National
Construction Safety Team Act, the Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall carry out an engineering performance
study of the effects of Hurricane Katrina in the areas of Louisiana,
Alabama, and Mississippi covered by the President's major disaster
declarations of August 29, 2005. The study shall be based on an
examination of physical structures damaged due to excessive wind, storm
surge, and flooding, including--
(1) key physical infrastructures such as ports, utilities,
lifelines associated with infrastructure facilities, and
transportation systems; and
(2) engineered and nonengineered buildings.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the study shall be to--
(1) develop new knowledge concerning practices related to
building standards and codes; and
(2) review the adequacy of current building codes and
standards for excessive wind, storm surge, and flooding.
(c) Meetings and Conferences.--Consistent with the authority
provided by the National Construction Safety Team Act, the Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall convene public
meetings and conferences to inform the public, government authorities,
and relevant professional associations regarding findings and
recommendations of the study.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology $3,000,000 for carrying out this section.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Science.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards.
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