Strengthen NIST infrastructure safety investigations and recommendations

This bill seeks to modernize the language of the National Construction Safety Team Act to enable the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to better investigate structural failures beyond just buildings. The proposed updates would broaden NIST's scope to study failures of structures like bridges, dams, and other critical infrastructure. This will inform the development of stronger engineering standards, best practices, and building codes to enhance public safety across the built environment. By expanding NIST's investigative authority, the bill aims to leverage the agency's technical expertise to identify causes of structural failures and provide recommendations to prevent future incidents and protect American lives. This legislative measure recognizes the evolving needs in construction safety and strives to equip NIST with the necessary tools to safeguard the nation's infrastructure.