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HR 4687 - 107

National Construction Safety Team Act

Became Public Law No: 107-231.

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Summary

35 Passed Senate amended Nov 28, 2006

National Construction Safety Team Act - Authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish National Construction Safety Teams for deployment within 48 hours after events causing the failure of a building that has resulted in or posed significant potential for substantial loss of life. Declares the purpose of Team investigations to be to improve the safety and structural integrity of buildings in the United States. Requires Teams to: (1) establish the likely technical cause(s) of the building failure; (2) evaluate the technical aspects of evacuation and emergency response procedures; (3) recommend specific improvements to building standards, codes, and practices; (4) recommend research and other appropriate actions needed to improve the structural safety of buildings and evacuation and emergency response procedures; and (5) consist of at least one NIST employee and other experts who are not NIST employees. Authorizes a Team, in investigating a building failure, to: (1) enter property where a building failure has occurred or where relevant materials are located; (2) inspect related records, facilities, and building components and materials; (3) move appropriate records, components, and materials; and (4) subpoena necessary witnesses and evidence. Requires a Team to: (1) conduct its actions in a way that does not interfere unnecessarily with building services or materials and that preserves evidence related to the building failure; (2) coordinate its investigations with search and rescue efforts and with qualified researchers conducting engineering or scientific research relating to the building failure; and (3) cooperate with State and local authorities carrying out any activities related to a Team's investigation. Directs NIST to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the head of each Federal agency that may conduct or sponsor a related investigation, providing for coordination of investigations. Grants a Team investigation priority over any other investigation of any other Federal agency, with the exception of related investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board or building failures that may have been caused by criminal acts. Requires Teams to ensure that evidence of such criminal acts is preserved. Requires: (1) the Director, on behalf of a Team, to hold public briefings on investigations, including final briefings after public reports required by this Act are issued; and (2) Teams to issue public reports after completing investigations, including an analysis of the cause of the building failure and any recommendations for changes to evacuation and emergency response procedures, improvements to building standards, and actions needed to prevent future failures. Requires NIST to review such reports, to conduct or encourage appropriate recommended research, and to promote adoption of Team recommendations by the Federal Government and other agencies and organizations. Requires the Director to: (1) report to specified congressional committees on Team investigations and recommendations, including on the extent to which those recommendations have been implemented, and on NIST actions to improve building safety and structural integrity in response; and (2) establish an advisory committee to advise the Director on carrying out this Act and to review the procedures developed for the establishment and deployment of Teams and Team reports. Requires such advisory committee to transmit to such congressional committees annual reports that include: (1) an evaluation of Team activities, along with recommendations for improving Team operation and effectiveness; and (2) an assessment of the implementation of Team recommendations. States that the authorities and restrictions applicable under this Act to the Director and Teams shall apply to the NIST's activities in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Authorizes NIST to use funds otherwise authorized by law to carry out this Act.

36 Passed House amended Nov 28, 2006

National Construction Safety Team Act - Authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish National Construction Safety Teams for deployment within 48 hours after events causing the failure of a building that has resulted in or posed significant potential for substantial loss of life. Requires Teams to: (1) consist of at least one NIST employee and other experts who are not NIST employees; (2) conduct investigations to establish the likely technical cause(s) of the building failure; (3) evaluate the technical aspects of evacuation and emergency response procedures; (4) recommend specific improvements to building standards, codes, and practices; and (5) recommend research and other appropriate actions needed to improve the structural safety of buildings and evacuation and emergency response procedures. Requires such a Team to: (1) conduct its actions in a way that does not interfere unnecessarily with building services or materials and that preserves evidence related to the building failure; (2) coordinate its investigations with search and rescue efforts and with qualified researchers conducting engineering or scientific research relating to the building failure; and (3) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the head of each Federal agency that may conduct or sponsor a related investigation, providing for coordination of investigations. Grants a Team investigation priority over any other investigation of any other Federal agency, with the exception of related investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board or building failures that may have been caused by criminal acts. Requires Teams to ensure that evidence of such criminal acts is preserved. Requires Teams to: (1) hold public briefings (and authorizes Teams to conduct public hearings) on investigations; and (2) issue public reports after completing investigations, including an analysis of the cause of the building failure and recommendations for changes to evacuation and emergency response procedures, improvements to building standards, and actions needed to prevent future failures. Requires NIST to review such reports, to conduct or encourage appropriate recommended research, and to promote adoption of Team recommendations by the Federal Government and other agencies and organizations. Requires the Director to: (1) report to specified congressional committees on Team investigations and recommendations and on NIST actions in response; and (2) establish an advisory committee to advise the Director on carrying out this Act and to review the procedures developed for the establishment and deployment of Teams and Team reports. Requires such advisory committee to transmit to such congressional committees annual reports that include: (1) an evaluation of Team activities, along with recommendations for improving Team operation and effectiveness; and (2) an assessment of the implementation of Team recommendations. States that the authorities and restrictions applicable under this Act to the Director and Teams shall apply to the NIST's activities in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Authorizes appropriations.

17 Reported to House with amendment(s) Nov 28, 2006

National Construction Safety Team Act - Authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish National Construction Safety Teams for deployment within 48 hours after events causing the failure of a building that has resulted in or posed significant potential for substantial loss of life.. Requires Teams to: (1) consist of at least one NIST employee and other experts who are not NIST employees; (2) conduct investigations to establish the likely technical cause(s) of the building failure; (3) evaluate the technical aspects of evacuation and emergency response procedures; (4) recommend specific improvements to building standards, codes, and practices; and (5) recommend research and other appropriate actions needed to improve the structural safety of buildings and evacuation and emergency response procedures. Requires such a Team to: (1) conduct its actions in a way that does not interfere unnecessarily with building services or materials and that preserves evidence related to the building failure; (2) coordinate its investigations with search and rescue efforts and with qualified researchers conducting engineering or scientific research relating to the building failure; and (3) enter into a memorandum of understanding with the head of each Federal agency that may conduct or sponsor a related investigation, providing for coordination of investigations. Grants a Team investigation priority over any other investigation of any other Federal agency, with the exception of related investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board or building failures that may have been caused by criminal acts. Requires Teams to ensure that evidence of such criminal acts is preserved. Requires Teams to: (1) hold public briefings (and authorizes Teams to conduct public hearings) on investigations; and (2) issue public reports after completing investigations, including an analysis of the cause of the building failure and recommendations for changes to evacuation and emergency response procedures, improvements to building standards, and actions needed to prevent future failures. Requires NIST to review such reports, to conduct or encourage appropriate recommended research, and to promote adoption of Team recommendations by the Federal Government and other agencies and organizations. Requires the Director to: (1) report to specified congressional committees on Team investigations and recommendations and on NIST actions in response; and (2) establish an advisory committee to advise the Director on carrying out this Act and to review the procedures developed for the establishment and deployment of Teams and Team reports. Requires such advisory committee to transmit to such congressional committees annual reports that include: (1) an evaluation of Team activities, along with recommendations for improving Team operation and effectiveness; and (2) an assessment of the implementation of Team recommendations. States that the authorities and restrictions applicable under this Act to the Director and Teams shall apply to the NIST's activities in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Authorizes appropriations.

00 Introduced in House Nov 28, 2006

National Construction Safety Team Act - Authorizes the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish National Construction Safety Teams for deployment within 48 hours after events causing the failure of a building that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential for such loss of life. Requires Teams to: (1) consist of at least one NIST employee and other experts who are not NIST employees; (2) conduct investigations to establish the likely technical cause(s) of the building failure; (3) evaluate the technical aspects of evacuation and emergency response procedures; (4) recommend specific improvements to building standards, codes, and practices; and (5) recommend research and other appropriate actions needed to improve the structural safety of buildings and evacuation and emergency response procedures. Requires such a Team to coordinate its investigations with any search and rescue efforts being undertaken at the site of the building failure. Requires the Director to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the head of each Federal agency that may conduct or sponsor a related investigation, providing for coordination of investigations. Grants a Team investigation priority over any other investigation of any other Federal agency, with the exception of related investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board or building failures that may have been caused by criminal acts. Requires: (1) Teams to issue public reports after completing investigations; (2) NIST to review such reports, to conduct or encourage appropriate recommended research, and to promote adoption of Team recommendations by the Federal Government and encourage adoption by other agencies and organizations; and (3) the Director to report to Congress on Team investigations and recommendations and on NIST actions in response and to establish an advisory committee.

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Timeline

Oct 1, 2002

Signed by President.

Oct 1, 2002

Signed by President.

Oct 1, 2002

Became Public Law No: 107-231.

Oct 1, 2002

Became Public Law No: 107-231.

Sep 20, 2002

Presented to President.

Sep 20, 2002

Presented to President.

Sep 17, 2002

Mr. Boehlert moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.

Sep 17, 2002

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 4687.

Sep 17, 2002

Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H6278-6283; text: CR H6279-6280)

Sep 17, 2002

On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H6278-6283; text: CR H6279-6280)

Sep 17, 2002

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sep 10, 2002

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Sep 9, 2002

Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8391-8392)

Sep 9, 2002

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Sep 9, 2002

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Jul 23, 2002

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 510.

Jul 22, 2002

Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

Jul 15, 2002

Received in the Senate.

Jul 12, 2002

Rule H. Res. 475 passed House.

Jul 12, 2002

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 475. (consideration: CR H4557-4564; text of measure as reported in House: CR H4561-4563)

Jul 12, 2002

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4687 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science now printed in the bill (H. Rept. 107-530). Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments.

Jul 12, 2002

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 475 and Rule XXIII.

Jul 12, 2002

The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Chairman of the Committee.

Jul 12, 2002

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4687.

Jul 12, 2002

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4687.

Jul 12, 2002

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

Jul 12, 2002

The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

Jul 12, 2002

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 338 - 23 (Roll no. 295).

Jul 12, 2002

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Jul 12, 2002

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 338 - 23 (Roll no. 295).

Jul 9, 2002

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 475 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4687 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science now printed in the bill (H. Rept. 107-530). Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments.

Jun 25, 2002

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 107-530.

Jun 25, 2002

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 107-530.

Jun 25, 2002

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 320.

May 22, 2002

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

May 22, 2002

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

May 9, 2002

Introduced in House

May 9, 2002

Introduced in House

May 9, 2002

Referred to the House Committee on Science.

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