H.R. 5709

Climate Resilient Communities Act

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I

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 5709

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 29, 2020

Mr. Neguse (for himself and Mr. Rooney of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To require the Comptroller General to evaluate and issue a report on the structural and economic impacts of climate resiliency at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including recommendations on how to improve the building codes and standards that the Agency uses to prepare for climate change and address resiliency in housing, public buildings, and infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Climate Resilient Communities Act.

2.

Climate resiliency report by GAO

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and every 5 years thereafter, the Comptroller General shall evaluate and issue a report to Congress on the structural and economic impacts of climate resiliency at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including recommendations on how to improve the Agency’s use of building codes and standards to prepare for climate change and address resiliency in housing, public buildings, and infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

(b)

Report issues

The report required under subsection (a) shall include the following:

(1)

Economic analysis of the benefits to considering and prioritizing resiliency when building new infrastructure.

(2)

Number of structures (buildings, roads, bridges) that were not destroyed because of pre-disaster mitigation planning, and the resultant cost savings.

(3)

Economic analysis of the benefits to considering and prioritizing resiliency when rebuilding after natural disasters.

(4)

Recommendations to improve the building codes and standards that FEMA uses to consider climate impacts and risks, including—

(A)

flooding;

(B)

wildfires;

(C)

hurricanes;

(D)

heat waves;

(E)

droughts;

(F)

rises in sea level; and

(G)

extreme weather.

(5)

Assessment of the building codes and standards that are currently being used by FEMA to make resiliency decisions, including recommendations for updates to such codes and standards.