National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024

HR 9252 reauthorizes and updates the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program through 2029, increasing annual funding from $6.2 million to $8.0 million for research and mitigation efforts. The bill expands the program’s focus to include wind-driven rain, storm surge, and climate change impacts on windstorms, requiring new research on interdisciplinary collaboration (e.g., social scientists with engineers) and emerging technologies like machine learning. It directs federal agencies to support community resilience, property owner adoption of protective building methods, and analysis of future research infrastructure needs. The legislation directly affects federal agencies, researchers, construction industry stakeholders, and communities vulnerable to windstorms by mandating specific research priorities and funding levels through 2029.