Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

Fixing Gaps in Hurricane Preparedness Act

Summary

The "Fixing Gaps in Hurricane Preparedness Act" aims to improve public understanding and response to hurricane forecasts and warnings. It directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct research and development in social, behavioral, and economic sciences related to hurricane preparedness. This includes studying how the public receives, interprets, and responds to hurricane forecasts, with a focus on vulnerable populations.

Expected Effects

The Act will likely lead to more effective hurricane warnings and preparedness strategies. This will be achieved by tailoring communication methods to different demographic and geographic groups. The research will inform updates to existing hurricane forecasts and warnings, potentially saving lives and reducing property damage.

Potential Benefits

  • Improved understanding of public response to hurricane warnings.
  • More effective communication strategies for diverse populations.
  • Enhanced preparedness and reduced vulnerability to hurricanes.
  • Economic valuation of improved warning lead times.
  • Data-driven updates to hurricane forecasts and warnings.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for increased government spending on research and development.
  • Possible delays in implementation due to bureaucratic processes.
  • Risk that research findings may not be effectively translated into actionable policies.
  • The pilot study may not be representative of all hurricane-prone areas.
  • Data collection could raise privacy concerns if not properly managed.

Constitutional Alignment

The Act aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It promotes the well-being of citizens by improving disaster preparedness. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).