National Construction Safety Team Act
Latest action · Oct 1, 2002 Became Public Law No: 107-231.
Progress
Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.
- IntroducedMay 9, 2002
- Passed HouseJul 12, 2002
- Passed SenateSep 9, 2002
- To the PresidentSep 20, 2002
- Became lawOct 1, 2002Public Law 107-231
Summary
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.
Recorded votes 1
Newest first. Open one to see how every member voted.
| Roll call | Question | Result | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House 295 | On Passage | Passed338–23 | Jul 12, 2002 |
Cosponsors 14
Members who signed on, in the order they did. Signatures ran from May 9, 2002 to Jun 4, 2002; 11 are original cosponsors, there from the day it was introduced.
| Seat | Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-NY | Anthony D. Weiner | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| D-NC | Bob Etheridge | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| R-CT | Christopher Shays | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| R-MD | Constance A. Morella | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| R-NY | Felix J. Grucci Jr. | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| R-VA | J. Randy Forbes | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| D-MI | James A. Barcia | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| D-CA | Joe Baca | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| D-CT | John B. Larson | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| D-NY | Steve Israel | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| R-MI | Vernon J. Ehlers | Original | May 9, 2002 |
| D-CT | Rosa L. DeLauro | May 16, 2002 | |
| D-CO | Mark Udall | May 20, 2002 | |
| D-NY | Michael R. McNulty | Jun 4, 2002 |
Committees 1
Where it was sent and what each committee and subcommittee did with it, in order.
| Chamber | Committee | What it did |
|---|---|---|
| House | Science, Space, and Technology Committee | Referred May 9, 2002Markup May 22, 2002Reported Jun 25, 2002 |
Actions 31
Everything that happened, newest first.
- Oct 1, 2002Signed by President.
- Oct 1, 2002Became Public Law No: 107-231.
- Sep 20, 2002Presented to President.
- Sep 17, 2002Mr. Boehlert moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
- Sep 17, 2002DEBATE - 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, 2002Resolving 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, 2002Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Sep 10, 2002Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sep 9, 2002Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S8391-8392)
- Sep 9, 2002Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Jul 23, 2002Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 510.
- Jul 22, 2002Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- Jul 15, 2002Received in the Senate.
- Jul 12, 2002Rule H. Res. 475 passed House.
- Jul 12, 2002Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 475. (consideration: CR H4557-4564; text of measure as reported in House: CR H4561-4563)
- Jul 12, 2002Rule 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, 2002House 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, 2002The Speaker designated the Honorable Michael K. Simpson to act as Chairman of the Committee.
- Jul 12, 2002GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4687.
- Jul 12, 2002The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4687.
- Jul 12, 2002The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- Jul 12, 2002The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
- Jul 12, 2002Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 338 - 23 (Roll no. 295).
- Jul 12, 2002Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jul 9, 2002Rules 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, 2002Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science. H. Rept. 107-530.
- Jun 25, 2002Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 320.
- May 22, 2002Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
- May 22, 2002Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- May 9, 2002Introduced in House
- May 9, 2002Referred to the House Committee on Science.
In the Congressional Record 6
Days the Record’s own index lists this bill, newest first, with the pages and the members it names. Pages starting H are the House, S the Senate, E Extensions of Remarks.
| Where | In the Record | Members | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | Debate and remarks H6278–H6283Text printed H6278–H6280Amendments H6278 | Anthony D. Weiner D-NY, Christopher Shays R-CT, Constance A. Morella R-MD, Felix J. Grucci Jr. R-NY, Sheila Jackson Lee D-TX, Sherwood Boehlert R-NY | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Senate | Debate and remarks S8391, S8392Amendments S8389 | Ernest F. Hollings D-SC (amendment), Harry Reid D-NV, John McCain R-AZ | Sep 9, 2002 |
| Senate | Debate and remarks S7179 | Harry Reid D-NV | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Senate | Debate and remarks S7175 | Harry Reid D-NV | Jul 22, 2002 |
| Extensions | Debate and remarks E1256 | Joseph Crowley D-NY | Jul 15, 2002 |
Research
What has been written about this bill: committee reports, cost estimates, the sponsor’s authority statement, printed hearings and the Congressional Research Service’s work.
Committee report
Congressional Budget Office cost estimates 2
- Jun 7, 2002H.R. 4687, National Construction Safety Team Act<p>Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Science on May 22, 2002</p>
- Jun 7, 2002H.R. 4687, National Construction Safety Team ActCost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Science on May 22, 2002
CRS reports 4
Congressional Research Service work that CRS links to this bill or the law it became, newest first.
About this bill 1
Products that name it in their title: its number, its law number or one of its short titles.
| Product | Title | Kind | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| IF11867 | Surfside Building Collapse: The Role of the National Construction Safety Team Act and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Archived | Resource | Jun 30, 2021 |
Also cite it 3
Products on other subjects that cite it, usually among other measures.
| Product | Title | Kind | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| IF12496 | NIST Update on Champlain Towers Collapse Investigation Archived | Resource | Sep 13, 2023 |
| R46868 | Overview of FY2022 Appropriations for Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) | Report | May 11, 2022 |
| R46829 | Domestic Terrorism: Overview of Federal Criminal Law and Constitutional Issues | Report | Jul 2, 2021 |
Amendments 2
Amendments offered to this bill.
| Amendment | Description | Offered by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAmdt 530 | An amendment to specify that team members who are not Federal employees shall be considered as Federal Government contractors; to clarify the definition of what constitutes criminal acts as it applies to building failures; to clarify that no new requirements with respect to adoption of building standards, are imposed upon the NIS; and to change the authorization level in the bill from $25 million to such sums as may be necessary. | Sherwood Boehlert R-NY | On agreeing to the Boehlert amendment (A001) Agreed to by voice vote. |
| SA 4514 | To provide for the establishment of investigative teams to assess building performance and emergency response and evacuation procedures in the wake of any building failure that has resulting in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential of substantial loss of life. | Ernest F. Hollings D-SC | Amendment SA 4514 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. |
Related bills 2
Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.
| Bill | Title | Relationship | Latest action |
|---|---|---|---|
| HRES 475 | Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4687) to provide for the establishment of investigative teams to assess building performance and emergency response and evacuation procedures in the wake of any building failure that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential of substantial loss of life. | Procedurally related | Jul 12, 2002 |
| S 2496 | National Construction Safety Team Act of 2002 | Related bill | May 9, 2002 |
Titles 6
Every title it has carried, official and short, at each stage.
- Official Title as Introduced
- To provide for the establishment of investigative teams to assess building performance and emergency response and evacuation procedures in the wake of any building failure that has resulted in substantial loss of life or that posed significant potential of substantial loss of life.
- Short Titles as Introduced
- National Construction Safety Team Act
- Short Titles as Reported to House
- National Construction Safety Team Act
- Short Titles as Passed House
- National Construction Safety Team Act
- Short Titles as Passed Senate
- National Construction Safety Team Act
- Short Titles as Enacted
- National Construction Safety Team Act
Subjects
Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Emergency Management.
- Accident prevention
- Administrative procedure
- Building construction
- Building laws
- Building materials
- Business records
- Commerce
- Conflict of interests
- Congress
- Congressional reporting requirements
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Criminal investigation
- Department of Commerce
- Earthquake engineering
- Emergency Management
- Evacuation of civilians
- Evidence (Law)
- Federal advisory bodies
- Federal-local relations
- Federal-state relations
- Government Operations and Politics
- Government paperwork
- Government publicity
- Governmental investigations
- Law
- Office buildings
- Public meetings of administrative bodies
- Rescue work
- Research
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Subpoena
- Transportation and Public Works
- Transportation safety
- Witnesses
Text 6
Each version as it was printed, newest first.
- —Enrolled Bill
- Sep 12, 2002Engrossed Amendment Senate
- Jul 23, 2002Placed on Calendar Senate
- Jul 12, 2002Engrossed in House
- Jun 25, 2002Reported in House
- May 9, 2002Introduced in House
Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov; cost estimates are the Congressional Budget Office's, and the hearings are the printed hearings GovInfo publishes, which can appear months after the hearing.
