A bi-partisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would inform better information sharing between federal agencies and local code-making powers to ensure more resilient infrastructure.
"U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced new bipartisan legislation to help local communities and private firms build stronger infrastructure that will withstand severe weather events," according to a press release from Senator Baldwin's office, dated February 27, 2020.
"The Built to Last Act helps ensure federal, state, local and private buildings, roads, and other infrastructure are more resilient to extreme weather events by equipping standards-developing organizations that issue building codes and other standards with the best available information on weather-related risks, including floods, hurricanes and wildfires," according to the press release.
The only agencies compelled to new action under the proposed law—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)—would be required to share new information with local and state authorities. The bill has support from the American Planning Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Enterprise Community Partners, and the National Ready Mix Concrete Association.
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