An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 109-227 to require the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program to assist businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina, and require the National Institute of Standards and Technology to study the effects of Katrina on buildings to determine whether to recommend any changes in building codes.

1. Adds SEC. 10. KATRINA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM at the end of the bill

   Adds a section

   Inserted: SEC. 10. KATRINA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

   Inserted: (a) 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.

   Inserted: (b) Purposes.--The Katrina Assistance Program shall--

   Inserted: (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 assist impacted manufacturers;

   Inserted: (2) develop virtual assistance centers, consisting of databases incorporating the results and recommendations of the triage team assessments;

   Inserted: (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

   Inserted: (4) provide assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, consistent with the authorities of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program established under section 25 and 26 of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278k and 278l).

   Inserted: (c) No Matching Fund Requirement.--Assistance under the Program established under this section shall be exempt from matching requirements for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program under the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act.

   Inserted: (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce such sums as may be necessary for the Katrina Assistance Program established under this section.

   Inserted: SEC. 11. BUILT ENVIRONMENT INVESTIGATION FOR HURRICANE KATRINA.

   Inserted: (a) In General.--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--

   Inserted: (1) key physical infrastructures such as ports, utilities, lifelines associated with infrastructure facilities, and transportation systems; and

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   Inserted: (2) engineered and nonengineered buildings.

   Inserted: (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the study shall be to--

   Inserted: (1) develop new knowledge concerning practices related to building standards and codes; and

   Inserted: (2) review the adequacy of current building codes and standards for excessive wind, storm surge, and flooding.

   Inserted: (c) Meetings and Conferences.--The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology may convene public meetings and conferences to inform the public, government authorities, and relevant professional associations regarding findings and recommendations of the study.

   Inserted: (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.

   Original wording

   At the end of the bill, add the following new sections:

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As printed