POLISCOPE
Back to feed
FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing: Investing in Disaster Resilience and Mitigation

Original title: BUILDING SMARTER: THE BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN RESILIENCE AND MITIGATION

January 1, 2021

Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.

The Frame

What this does

The hearing explores policy approaches to disaster that could influence future federal infrastructure funding, building code requirements, and insurance standards for property owners.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Property owners

Changes in building codes or mitigation requirements directly impact construction costs and insurance premiums for property owners.

Insurance industry

The industry is involved in discussions regarding risk assessment and the financial impact of disaster-resilient infrastructure.

Home builders

The industry is affected by potential changes to national building standards and construction requirements.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2021.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript of a 2021 House subcommittee hearing focused on the economic and safety benefits of investing in infrastructure . Experts and officials discussed strategies for mitigating disaster risks and the role of building standards in protecting communities.

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on March 18, 2021, by the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
  • The session focused on the economic and safety outcomes of pre-disaster mitigation investments.
  • Witnesses included representatives from emergency management agencies, the insurance industry, and the home building sector.
  • The hearing record includes submissions from the BuildStrong Coalition and the SmarterSafer Coalition.
  • The record includes letters from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association.

Why It Matters

The hearing explores policy approaches to disaster that could influence future federal infrastructure funding, building code requirements, and insurance standards for property owners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
The hearing was held to examine the benefits of investing in and to better prepare communities for natural disasters.
Who testified at the hearing?
Witnesses included experts from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, The Pew Charitable Trusts, Zurich North America, and the National Association of Home Builders.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Show 1 more sponsor

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Pre-Disaster Investment

The hearing highlights a shift toward prioritizing pre-disaster mitigation funding over post-disaster recovery spending.

Connected Entities

personRussell J. StricklandExecutive Director, Maryland Emergency Management AgencyMap →
personRoy E. WrightCEO, Insurance Institute for Business and Home SafetyMap →
personBen HarperHead of Corporate Sustainability, Zurich North AmericaMap →
organizationSubcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency ManagementHouse subcommittee conducting the hearingMap →
personJohn C. FowkeChairman, National Association of Home BuildersMap →
personDina TitusChair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and EmergenMap →
personVelma SmithSenior Government Relations Officer, The Pew Charitable TrustsMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance40
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

Publisher tools

Share or embed this record

POLISCOPE publisher tools

Share or embed this record