Sec. 3. National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee
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There is established within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration an interagency committee, to be known as the National Integrated Heat Health Information System Interagency Committee (in this section referred to as the Committee ). The Committee shall coordinate agencies represented on the Committee to execute, as appropriate, activities across such agencies to ensure a united Federal approach to reducing health risks from heat. In order to carry out and achieve the purpose described in subsection (b), the Committee shall include the following:
The Director of the National Integrated Heat Health Information System. Not fewer than 1 representative from each of the following: From the Department of Commerce, the following: From the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the following: The National Weather Service. The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. The National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. The National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Bureau of the Census. From the Department of Health and Human Services, the following:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Preparedness and Response. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The National Institutes of Health. The Indian Health Service. From the Department of the Interior, the following: The Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Bureau of Land Management. The National Park Service. The Office of Hawaiian Relations.
From the Environmental Protection Agency, the following: The Office of Air and Radiation, if the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines appropriate. The Office of Research and Development, if the Administrator determines appropriate. The Office of International and Tribal Affairs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Department of Defense. The Department of Agriculture. The Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Department of Transportation.
The Department of Energy. The Department of Labor, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Department of Veteran Affairs. The Department of Education. The Department of State. The United States Agency for International Development. Such other Federal agencies as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere considers appropriate. The head of an agency specified in paragraph (1)(B) shall, in appointing representatives of the agency to the Committee, select representatives who have expertise in areas relevant to the responsibilities of the Committee, such as weather prediction, health impacts, behavioral science, public health hazard preparedness and response, or mental health services.
The members of the Committee shall select 3 individuals from among such members to serve as co-chairs of the Committee, subject to the approval of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Of the co-chairs first selected, one shall be from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, one shall be from the Department of Health and Human Services, and one shall be from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Subsequent co-chairs shall be selected from among the members of the Committee, except the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall have the opportunity to maintain a co-chair position.
Each co-chair shall serve for a term of not more than 5 years. The co-chairs of the Committee shall, in consultation with the Director of the National Integrated Heat Health Information System— determine the agenda of the Committee, in consultation with other members of the Committee; direct the work of the Committee; and convene meetings of the Committee not less frequently than once each fiscal quarter. The Committee shall coordinate an integrated, Federal Government-wide approach to reducing health risks and impacts of heat, including by— developing the strategic plan required by subsection (e); coordinating across Federal agencies on heat-health communication, engagement, research, service delivery, and workforce development; and building capacity and partnerships with Federal and non-Federal entities.
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Committee shall submit to Congress and make available on a public website a 5-year strategic plan that outlines the goals and projects of the Committee, including how the Committee will improve coordination and integration of interagency Federal capacity and capabilities to address health risks of heat, including— a strategy for improving and coordinating existing Federal data collection and data management to include sharing of data and statistics on heat-related illnesses and mortalities and other impacts to inform heat-related activities; a strategy for improving and coordinating Federal activities to understand user gaps and needs, conduct research, foster innovative solutions, and provide actionable information and services; and mechanisms for financing heat planning and preparedness within such agencies as the Committee considers appropriate.
The head of an agency represented on the Committee may implement the portions of the strategic plan required by paragraph
(1)that are relevant to that agency. Not later than 5 years after the submission of the strategic plan required by paragraph (1), and every 5 years thereafter, the Committee shall brief Congress on an update of the plan, which shall include progress made toward goals outlined in the previous plan and new priorities that emerge. In carrying out the responsibilities of the Committee, the Committee shall consult with relevant— regional, State, Tribal, and local governments; international organizations and partners; research institutions; nongovernmental organizations and associations; medical experts with expertise in emergency response; and environmental health, economic or business development, or other stakeholders.