Proposal Could Give NIST Disaster-Study Authority

Along with the recent release of a federally sponsored building performance study evaluating the collapse of the World Trade Center towers has come a proposal to grant the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) authority over future disaster investigations.

The draft legislation, now before the House Science Committee, would direct NIST to put together a team of public and private sector experts within 48 hours of a disaster. NIST would also have full access to the site to collect and move evidence, as well as issue subpoenas.

As the proposal is being considered by the House, companion legislation is expected to be drafted in the Senate.

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