THE SKYSCRAPER DEFENSE ACT

 

119TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION

H. R. ______

To ensure the safety, security, and defense of high-rise buildings within the United States from terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and industrial accidents, and for other purposes.

 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [DATE]

Mr./Ms. [SPONSOR NAME] introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

A BILL

To ensure the safety, security, and defense of high-rise buildings within the United States from terrorist attacks, natural disasters, and industrial accidents.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Skyscraper Defense Act” or 'SDA'.

 

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:

(1) The catastrophic destruction of a skyscraper resulting from a terrorist act, natural disaster, or accident within the United States would result in an unacceptable loss of life and severe economic destabilization. (2) Such destruction, particularly if the result of terrorism, could precipitate armed conflict, necessitate the expenditure of billions of taxpayer dollars, and destabilize United States foreign relations. (3) A definitive declaration by the United States that the defense of its high-rise structures is a matter of national priority will ensure that defensive measures meet rigorous federal standards and serve as a deterrent to hostile actors. (4) Establishing a global standard for vertical safety and defense will encourage international adoption of similar measures, thereby enhancing safety worldwide.

(b) PURPOSE.—The purposes of this Act are—

(1) to affirm the authority and responsibility of Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 14 of the Constitution to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces, extended herein to the defense of critical vertical infrastructure; and (2) to affirm Congressional authority under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1, 10, 11, 12, and 18, to provide for the common defense and define and punish offenses against the Law of Nations.

 

SEC. 3. INTERPRETATION.

(a) NO PREEMPTION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt the authority of State, local, or tribal governments to exercise defensive measures for high-rise buildings, provided such measures are not inconsistent with the requirements of this Act. This Act is intended to supplement local authority with Federal resources and standards. (b) NON-REPEAL.—This Act may not be repealed by implication.

 

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act: (1) COVERED HIGH-RISE BUILDING.—The term “covered high-rise building” means—

(A) any building comprised of 25 floors or more; or (B) any building of fewer than 25 floors designated by the Director based on symbolic importance, prominence in the skyline, or population density. (2) MAJOR CITY.—The term “major city” means a municipality with a population of 1,000,000 or more, according to the most recent Federal census. (3)

 

MAJOR EMERGENCY.—The term “major emergency” means an event that threatens the lives of occupants within a covered high-rise building or the physical integrity of such building. (4) AGENCY.—The term “Agency” means the Skyscraper Defense Agency established under section 5. (5) DIRECTOR.—The term “Director” means the Director of Skyscraper Defense.

 

SEC. 5. SKYSCRAPER DEFENSE AGENCY.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT. Within the Department of Homeland Security, a new agency shall be created, to be known as the “Skyscraper Defense Agency” (SDA). (b) DIRECTOR. The Agency shall be headed by a Director of Skyscraper Defense, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (c) DUTIES.

The Director shall—

(1) oversee the safety, security, and defense of all covered high-rise buildings; (2) certify in-place defensive measures including, but not limited to, aerial access points, robotic firefighting systems, and refuge centers; (3) designate specific covered high-rise buildings as “High Profile Buildings,” subjecting them to enhanced security requirements; and (4) coordinate Federal, State, and private emergency responders during major emergencies involving covered high-rise buildings.

 

SEC. 6. SKYSCRAPER DEFENDER TEAMS.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall establish and maintain teams of “Skyscraper Defenders” in each major city. (b) COMPOSITION.—

(1) SIZE: Each team shall consist of not fewer than 20 members.

(2) TRAINING: Members shall possess advanced certification in firefighting, emergency medical services, counter-terrorism, explosives detection, and tactical communications.

(3) VERTICAL ACCESS EXPERTISE: Members shall be trained in advanced vertical access techniques, including buildering, rappelling, and BASE jumping, to facilitate entry and egress when conventional routes are compromised.

(c) DEPLOYMENT: (1) HIGH PROFILE BUILDINGS: Buildings designated as “High Profile” shall maintain a Skyscraper Defender team on-premises 24/7.

(2) OTHER AREAS: The Director may authorize the creation of teams in areas outside of major cities based on risk assessment.

 

SEC. 7. PROTOCOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND ARCHITECTURE.

(a) AERIAL RESPONSE FLEET.: The Director shall station a squadron of not fewer than eight heavy-lift helicopters in each major city. Each helicopter shall be equipped with—

(1) fire suppression foam cannons; (2) heavy-lift hydraulic winches; and (3) remote operation systems capable of deploying and controlling robotic firefighting pods.

(b) FIREFIGHTING PODS: The Agency shall oversee the development and deployment of—

(1) ROBOTIC FIREFIGHTING PODS (RFP): Unmanned units armed with suppression cannons, thermal imaging, and fireproof shielding for initial rapid response; and

(2) MANNED FIREFIGHTING PODS (MFP): Units designed to transport Skyscraper Defenders into compromised structures.

(c) REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION: All covered high-rise buildings for which construction commences after the date of enactment of this Act shall incorporate the following:

(1) INDEPENDENT OXYGEN SYSTEMS: Dedicated oxygen delivery systems on each floor, with sufficient masks for all occupants and emergency personnel.

(2) REFUGE CENTERS: Hardened, fireproof, and reinforced shelters located not more than two floors from the roof and at other strategic intervals. Such centers shall possess independent air, water, and power supplies.

(3) AERIAL ACCESS: Not fewer than two Agency-certified helicopter landing zones or winching stations.

(4) EXTERNAL EGRESS SYSTEMS: Fireproof external elevators or escape pods capable of operation independent of the building’s main power, housed within the building’s exterior design or refuge centers.

(5) STANDPIPES: Dedicated standpipes on each floor with sufficient fire hose coverage.

(6) GREEN MATERIALS: Construction materials, including furnishings, shall be 100 percent fireproof and free of toxic compounds (including cyanide-generating synthetics), exceeding current LEED standards with the goal of total energy independence.

 

(d) AERIAL DEFENSE.—The Agency is authorized to develop and deploy non-kinetic anti-aircraft defense systems, utilizing directed sonic or air-blast technology, to divert unauthorized aircraft or missiles threatening covered high-rise buildings.

 

SEC. 8. TRAINING AND EDUCATION.

(a) SIMULATION TRAINING.—The Agency shall develop building-specific simulation programs for Skyscraper Defender teams to prepare for worst-case scenarios. (b) OCCUPANT TRAINING.—Permanent occupants of covered high-rise buildings shall be required to attend an annual “Building Emergency Seminar” covering—

(1) operation of standpipes; (2) fire suppression and fire-block creation; and (3) evacuation procedures.

 

SEC. 9. RETROFITTING AND CERTIFICATION.

(a) RETROFIT MANDATE.—Existing covered high-rise buildings designated as “High Profile” by the Agency shall be required to retrofit to meet the standards set forth in Section 7 within a timeframe determined by the Director.

(b) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to provide low-interest loans and tax incentives to owners of covered high-rise buildings to offset the costs of required retrofitting.

(c) SAFETY RATING SYSTEM: (1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Director shall establish a numerical safety rating system based on the presence of defensive measures (sprinklers, roof access, refuge centers, etc.).

(2) CERTIFICATION.—Buildings achieving a minimum score shall be designated as “Skyscraper Defense Certified.” Scores shall be publicly available.

 

SEC. 10. INCIDENT INVESTIGATION.

In the event of a major emergency involving a covered high-rise building, the Agency shall convene an investigative team comprising forensic experts, structural engineers, and criminal investigators to determine the cause and issue public recommendations.

 

SEC. 11. OCCUPANT’S BILL OF RIGHTS.

There is established an “Occupant’s Bill of Rights” for tenants and residents of covered high-rise buildings, which shall include—

(1) the right to know the building’s current Agency Safety Rating;

(2) the right to 24-hour access to the roof for emergency egress;

(3) the right to 24-hour availability of supplementary oxygen on all floors; and

(4) the right to participate in regular evacuation drills coordinated with local emergency responders.