Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management

The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management has jurisdiction over the authorization and oversight of programs promoting economic development in communities suffering economic distress; the authorization and oversight of Federal real estate programs, including construction, repair and alterations, maintenance, protection, and enhancement of such real property; and the authorization and oversight of programs addressing the Federal management of emergencies and disasters, including a variety of measures affecting homeland security.

The economic development activities of the Subcommittee include jurisdiction over the Economic Development Administration (“EDA”) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Appalachian Regional Commission (“ARC”), the Denali Commission, the Delta Regional Authority (“DRA”), the Northern Great Plains Regional Authority, and the newly authorized Southwest Border Regional Commission, Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, and Northern Border Regional Commission.

The asset management activities of the Subcommittee include measures affecting the Public Buildings Service (“PBS”) of the General Services Administration (“GSA”), including the planning, site and design, construction, acquisition, renovation, maintenance, and protection of public buildings, courthouses, and border facilities. The location, use, accessibility, energy conservation, security, health and safety, transfer or exchange of Federal buildings as well as issues related to leasing space for Federal employees also fall under the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction. The Subcommittee also has authority over the following public infrastructure: the physical plant and infrastructure of the Capitol Complex, the buildings of the Smithsonian Institution, the facilities of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the International Center for Foreign Chanceries, Union Station Redevelopment, and Judiciary Centers. The Subcommittee is further responsible for naming Federal buildings and courthouses.

The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the Federal management of natural and manmade disasters from all hazards through programs authorized by the Stafford Act, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and Title VI of the Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, the “Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act” (“Post Katrina Act”). Programs such as the Disaster Relief Program, Individuals and Household Program, the Public Assistance Program, and the Hazard Mitigation Program under the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction help the nation prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. The Subcommittee is also responsible for the all-hazards nature of the National Preparedness System (“NPS”) and a national preparedness goal that is consistent with the National Incident Management System (“NIMS”) and the National Response Framework (“NRF”). These programs, plans, and directives form the basis of the national approach to emergency preparedness and response.

The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management has jurisdiction over the following agencies and issues: