[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1796 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 319
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1796
[Report No. 118-390, Part I]
To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 24, 2023
Ms. Titus (for herself, Mr. Graves of Louisiana, and Mr. Carter of
Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the
Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, 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
February 14, 2024
Additional sponsors: Mr. Molinaro, Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon, Mr. Edwards,
Ms. Balint, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Case, and Mr. Neguse
February 14, 2024
Reported from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with
an amendment
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
February 14, 2024
Committees on Financial Services and Small Business discharged;
committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
and ordered to be printed
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March
24, 2023]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Disaster Survivors
Fairness Act of 2023''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Information sharing for federal agencies.
Sec. 3. Universal application for individual assistance.
Sec. 4. Repair and rebuilding.
Sec. 5. Direct assistance.
Sec. 6. State-managed housing pilot authority.
Sec. 7. Management costs.
Sec. 8. Funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance.
Sec. 9. Individual assistance dashboard.
Sec. 10. FEMA reports.
Sec. 11. Sheltering of emergency response personnel.
Sec. 12. Improved rental assistance.
Sec. 13. GAO report on preliminary damage assessments.
Sec. 14. Applicability.
Sec. 15. GAO report to Congress on challenges under public assistance
alternative procedures.
(c) Definitions.--Except as otherwise provided, the terms used in
this Act have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5122).
SEC. 2. INFORMATION SHARING FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) Establishment of Unified Disaster Application System.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall establish and maintain a web-based
interagency electronic information sharing system, to be known
as the ``unified disaster application system'', to--
(A) facilitate the administration of the universal
application for direct Federal disaster assistance
established under section 3;
(B) carry out the purposes of disaster assistance
programs swiftly, efficiently, and in accordance with
applicable laws, regulations, and the privacy and data
protections provided under this section; and
(C) support the detection, prevention, and
investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination
in the administration of disaster assistance programs.
(2) Authorities of administrator.--In establishing and
maintaining the unified disaster application system under this
subsection, the Administrator may collect and maintain disaster
assistance information received from a disaster assistance
agency, a block grant recipient, or an applicant for a disaster
assistance program and share such information with any other
disaster assistance agency or block grant recipient using such
system.
(3) Requirements.--The Administrator shall ensure that the
unified disaster application system established and maintained
under this subsection--
(A) allows an applicant to receive status updates
on an application for disaster assistance programs
submitted though such system;
(B) allows for applicants to update disaster
assistance information throughout the recovery journeys
of such applicants in accordance with established
application timeframes;
(C) allows for the distribution to applicants of
information about additional recovery resources that
may be available in a disaster stricken area;
(D) provides an applicant with information and
documentation relating to an application for a disaster
assistance program submitted by such applicant; and
(E) contains any other capabilities determined
necessary by the head of a disaster assistance agency.
(b) Data Security.--The Administrator may facilitate the collection
of disaster assistance information into the unified disaster
application system established under subsection (a) only after the
following requirements have been met:
(1) The Administrator certifies that the unified disaster
application system substantially complies with the data
security standards and best practices established pursuant to
subchapter II of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code,
and any other applicable Federal information security policy.
(2) The Secretary of Homeland Security publishes a privacy
impact assessment for the unified disaster application system,
in accordance with section 208(b)(1)(B) of the E-Government Act
of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note).
(3) The Administrator, after consulting with disaster
assistance agencies, publishes standard rules of behavior for
disaster assistance agencies, block grant recipients, and
personnel granted access to disaster assistance information to
protect such information from improper disclosure.
(c) Collection and Sharing of Additional Records and Information.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may authorize the
additional collection, maintenance, sharing, and use of
disaster assistance information by publishing a notice on the
unified disaster application system established under
subsection (a) that includes a detailed description of--
(A) the specific amendments to the collection,
maintenance, and sharing of disaster assistance
information authorized;
(B) why each such amendment to how disaster
assistance information is collected, maintained, or
shared is necessary to carry out the purposes of a
disaster assistance program and consistent with the
fair information practice principles; and
(C) the disaster assistance agencies and block
grant recipients that will be granted access to the
additional information to carry out the purposes of any
disaster assistance program.
(2) Notice and publication requirements.--The publication
of a notice under paragraph (1) of a revision to the unified
disaster application system of records prior to any new
collection, or uses, of Privacy Act categories of records, to
carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program with
regard to a disaster declared by the President under section
401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191), shall be
deemed to satisfy the notice and publication requirements of
section 552a(e)(4) of title 5, United States Code, for the
entire period of performance for any assistance provided under
a disaster assistance program.
(3) Waiver of information collection requirements.--
(A) In general.--Upon the declaration of a major
disaster or emergency pursuant to sections 401 or 501
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191) by the President,
the Administrator may waive the requirements of
subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States
Code, with respect to voluntary collection of
information for the entire period of performance for
any assistance provided under a disaster assistance
program.
(B) Transparency.--Upon exercising the waiver
authority under subparagraph (A), the Administrator
shall--
(i) promptly post on a website of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency a brief
justification for such waiver, the anticipated
period of time such waiver will be in effect,
and the disaster assistance offices within the
Federal Emergency Management Agency to which
such waiver shall apply; and
(ii) update the information relating to
such waiver, as applicable.
(4) GAO review of waiver of information collection
requirements.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
of the United States shall issue a report describing
the benefits and potential risks associated with
authorizing the waiver of the information collection
requirements described in paragraph (3).
(B) Contents.--The report required under
subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment of the
extent to which a waiver described in paragraph (3)
would--
(i) affect the paperwork burden for
individuals, small businesses, State, local and
tribal governments, and other persons;
(ii) affect the consistent application of
Federal laws relating to--
(I) privacy and confidentiality;
(II) security of information; and
(III) access to information; and
(iii) encourage or deter a State or other
entity from participating in the voluntary
collection of information for the duration of a
major disaster or emergency.
(d) Use by Other Federal Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may permit a Federal
agency other than a disaster assistance agency listed in
subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (f)(3) to use the
unified disaster application system established under
subsection (a) for the purpose of facilitating disaster-related
assistance if such agency enters into an agreement containing
the terms described in paragraph (2).
(2) Agency agreement.--An agreement entered into under
paragraph (1) shall contain the following terms:
(A) The Federal agency shall--
(i) collect, share, maintain, and use
disaster assistance information in compliance
with this section and any policies of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency and any
information protection and use policies of such
Federal agency; and
(ii) train any personnel granted access to
disaster assistance information on the rules of
behavior established by the Administrator under
subsection (b)(3).
(B) In the event of any unauthorized disclosure of
disaster assistance information, the Federal agency
shall--
(i) notify the Administrator within 24
hours of discovering any such unauthorized
disclosure;
(ii) cooperate fully with the Administrator
in the investigation and remediation of any
such disclosure;
(iii) cooperate fully in the prosecution of
a person responsible for such disclosure; and
(iv) assume the responsibility for any
compensation, civil liability, or other
remediation measures, whether awarded by a
judgment of a court or agreed as a compromise
of any potential claims by or on behalf of an
applicant, including by obtaining credit
monitoring and remediation services, for an
improper disclosure that is--
(I) caused, directly or indirectly,
by the acts or omissions of officers,
employees, and contractors of the
agency; or
(II) from any electronic system of
records that is created or maintained
by the agency pursuant to section
552a(e) of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Publication of agency agreement.--The Administrator
shall publish an agency agreement entered into under this
subsection on the same website as the unified disaster
application system established under subsection (a).
(e) Rule of Construction.--The sharing and use of disaster
assistance information that is subject to the requirements of section
552a of title 5, United States Code, by disaster assistance agencies
and block grant recipients--
(1) shall not be--
(A) construed as a matching program for purposes of
section 552a(a)(8) of such title; or
(B) subject to the remaining computer matching
provisions of section 552a of such title; and
(2) shall be in addition to any other law providing for the
sharing or use of such information.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means--
(A) a person who applies for disaster assistance
from a disaster assistance program; and
(B) a person on whose behalf a person described in
subparagraph (A) has applied for disaster assistance.
(2) Block grant recipient.--The term ``block grant
recipient'' means a State, local government, or Indian Tribe
that receives assistance through the disaster assistance
program described in paragraph (5)(B)(i).
(3) Disaster assistance agency.--The term ``disaster
assistance agency'' means--
(A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(B) the Department of Housing and Urban
Development;
(C) the Small Business Administration;
(D) the Department of Agriculture; and
(E) any other Federal agency that the Administrator
permits to use the unified disaster application system
under subsection (d).
(4) Disaster assistance information.--The term ``disaster
assistance information'' includes any personal, demographic,
biographical, geographical, financial information, or other
information that a disaster assistance agency or block grant
recipient is authorized to collect, maintain, share, or use to
process an application for disaster assistance or otherwise
carry out a disaster assistance program.
(5) Disaster assistance program.--The term ``disaster
assistance program'' means--
(A) any program that provides assistance to
individuals and households under title IV or title V of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.); or
(B) any other assistance program carried out by a
disaster assistance agency that provides assistance to
an individual, household, or organization related to a
major disaster or emergency declared under sections 401
or 501 of such Act, including--
(i) assistance for activities related to
disaster relief, long-term recovery,
restoration of infrastructure and housing,
economic revitalization, and mitigation that
are authorized under title I of the Housing and
Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
5301 et seq.);
(ii) any loan that is authorized under
section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(b)); and
(iii) the distribution of food benefit
allotments as authorized under section 412 of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5179) and
section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7
U.S.C. 2014(h)).
SEC. 3. UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Universal Application.--The Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall develop and establish a universal
application for direct Federal disaster assistance for individuals in
areas impacted by emergencies or disasters.
(b) Consultation and Support.--
(1) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator shall consult with the following:
(A) The Director of the Office of Management and
Budget.
(B) The Administrator of the Small Business
Administration.
(C) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(D) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(2) Support.--The entities described in paragraph (1) shall
provide prompt support to the Administrator.
(c) Survey.--The application established under subsection (a) shall
include a voluntary survey to collect the demographic data of an
applicant.
(d) GAO Assessment on Identity Theft and Disaster Fraud in Disaster
Assistance Programs.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct an assessment of improper and potentially
fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals made to
survivors of major disasters declared in 2020 and 2021,
including through identity theft; and
(2) submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate a report that describes--
(A) the prevalence of improper and potentially
fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals
made to registrants who used invalid information to
apply for disaster assistance, including through
identity theft;
(B) the number of disaster survivors whose claims
for Federal disaster assistance for individuals were
denied due to another individual filing a fraudulent
application using their personal identifying
information;
(C) the adequacy of existing fraud prevention
protocols in place on the Federal Emergency Management
Agency's online application for Federal disaster
assistance for individuals; and
(D) recommendations for improving the identity
verification protocols in place for Federal disaster
assistance for individuals.
SEC. 4. REPAIR AND REBUILDING.
(a) In General.--Section 408(b)(1) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(b)(1)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``rendered uninhabitable'' and inserting
``damaged by a major disaster''; and
(2) by striking ``uninhabitable, as a result of damage
caused by a major disaster'' and inserting ``damaged by a major
disaster''.
(b) Hazard Mitigation.--Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (c) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Hazard mitigation.--
``(A) In general.--The President may provide
financial assistance to individuals and households
whose primary residence, utilities, or residential
infrastructure are damaged by a major disaster, for
cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce
threats to life and property, or future damage to such
residence, utilities, or infrastructure in future
disasters.
``(B) Relationship to other assistance.--A
recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph
shall not be required to show that the assistance can
be met through other means, except insurance
proceeds.''; and
(2) in subsection (h)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``, financial
assistance for hazard mitigation under subsection
(c)(5)(A),'' after ``subsection (c)(1)(A)(i)'';
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``paragraphs (1)
and (2)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1), (2), and
(3)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Hazard mitigation.--The maximum financial assistance
any individual or household may receive under subsection (c)(5)
shall be equivalent to the amount set forth in paragraph (1)
with respect to a single major disaster.''.
SEC. 5. DIRECT ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 408(c) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)) is further
amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Repairs.--
``(A) Financial assistance for repairs.--The
President may provide financial assistance for the
repair of owner-occupied private residences, utilities,
and residential infrastructure (such as a private
access route) damaged by a major disaster, or with
respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered
inaccessible by a major disaster.
``(B) Direct assistance for repairs.--
``(i) In general.--The President may
provide direct assistance to individuals and
households who are unable to make use of
financial assistance under subparagraph (A) and
when there is a lack of available resources,
for--
``(I) the repair of owner-occupied
private residences, utilities, and
residential infrastructure (such as a
private access route) damaged by a
major disaster, or with respect to
individuals with disabilities, rendered
inaccessible by a disaster; and
``(II) eligible hazard mitigation
measures that reduce the likelihood and
future damage to such residences,
utilities, and infrastructure.
``(ii) Eligibility.--A recipient of
assistance under this subparagraph shall not be
eligible for assistance under paragraph (1),
unless otherwise determined by the
Administrator.
``(C) Relationship to other assistance.--A
recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph
shall not be required to show that the assistance can
be met through other means, except insurance
proceeds.''.
(b) State- or Indian Tribal Government-Administered Assistance and
Other Needs Assistance.--Section 408(f) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) is
amended--
(1) by striking ``subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e)''
each place it appears and inserting ``paragraphs (1)(B),
(2)(B), and (4) of subsection (c) and subsection (e)''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ``subsection (c)(1)(B),
(c)(4), or (e)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)(B), (2)(B), or
(4) of subsection (c) or subsection (e)''.
SEC. 6. STATE-MANAGED HOUSING PILOT AUTHORITY.
(a) In General.--Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``A State'' and inserting
the following:
``(i) In general.--A State''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) Transparency.--The President shall
make public the criteria used to evaluate
applications under clause (i) and determine if
a State or Indian tribal government meets the
criteria described in subparagraph (B) to
administer grants described in paragraph
(1)(A).'';
(B) in subparagraph (C)(ii)--
(i) in subclause (I) by striking ``; and''
and inserting a semicolon;
(ii) in subclause (II) by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(III) outline the approach of the
State to help disaster survivors create
a permanent housing plan; and
``(IV) outline the approach of the
State to provide individual disaster
survivors some choice of communities
and properties, as practicable.'';
(C) by striking subparagraph (F);
(D) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), (I),
and (J) as subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), and (I),
respectively; and
(E) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated--
(i) in clause (ii) by striking ``Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this paragraph, the'' and inserting ``The'';
and
(ii) in clause (iii) by striking ``2
years'' and inserting ``10 years''; and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``paragraph (2)''
and inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Disaster assistance.--In the case of assistance
provided under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(2)(B), and (c)(4),
the Federal share shall be not less than 75 percent.''.
(b) GAO Assessment.--Upon the expiration of the authority to carry
out section 408(f) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) as a pilot program, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report on the
effectiveness, successes, and challenges of any pilot program carried
out pursuant to such section and make recommendations on how to improve
the provision of assistance under such section.
SEC. 7. MANAGEMENT COSTS.
(a) In General.--Section 324(b)(2) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165b(b)(2)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Individual assistance.--A grantee under
section 408(f) may be reimbursed not more than 12
percent of the total award amount under each such
section.
``(D) Crisis counseling assistance, training, and
case management services.--A grantee and subgrantee,
cumulatively, may be reimbursed not more than 15
percent of the total amount of the grant award under
either section 416 or 426.''.
(b) Administrative Costs.--Section 408(f)(1) of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174),
as amended by section 5(b) of this Act, is amended--
(1) by striking ``(A) Grant to state.--'' and all that
follows through ``subsection (g),'' and inserting ``Subject to
subsection (g),''; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B).
SEC. 8. FUNDING FOR ONLINE GUIDES FOR POST-DISASTER ASSISTANCE.
(a) Use of Services of Other Agencies.--Section 201(a) of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5131(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) post-disaster assistance.''.
(b) Grants for Online Guides for Assistance.--Section 201 of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5131) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Funding for Online Guides for Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency may provide funding to a State
agency established under subsection (c) to establish, update,
or operate a website to provide information relating to post-
disaster recovery funding and resources to a community or an
individual impacted by a major disaster or emergency.
``(2) Management.--A website created under this subsection
shall be--
``(A) managed by the State agency; and
``(B) suitable for the residents of the State of
the State agency.
``(3) Content.--The Administrator may provide funding to a
State agency under this subsection to establish a website that
contains only 1 or more of the following:
``(A) A list of Federal, State, and local sources
of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that
may be available to a community after a major disaster
or emergency.
``(B) A list of Federal, State, and local sources
of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that
may be available to an individual impacted by a major
disaster or emergency.
``(C) A technical guide that lists and explains the
costs and benefits of alternatives available to a
community to mitigate the impacts of a major disaster
or emergency and prepare for sequential hazards such as
flooding after a wildfire.
``(4) Cooperation.--A State agency that receives funding
under this subsection shall cooperate with the Secretary of the
Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration, and the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency in developing a website under this
subsection.
``(5) Updates.--A State agency that receives funding to
establish a website under this subsection shall update the
website not less than once every 6 months.''.
SEC. 9. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DASHBOARD.
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 431. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DASHBOARD.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after a declaration by
the President that a major disaster exists under section 401, the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall publish
on a website of the Agency an interactive web tool displaying the
following information with respect to such disaster:
``(1) The number of applications for assistance under
section 408, including a description of the number of
applications for assistance related to housing under such
section and the number of applications for assistance to
address other needs under section 408(e).
``(2) The number of applications for such assistance that
are approved.
``(3) The number of applications for such assistance that
are denied.
``(4) A ranked list of the reasons for the denial of such
applications, including the number of applications for each
reason for denial.
``(5) If available, the dollar amount of assistance
provided pursuant to section 408 to applicants who are--
``(A) property owners with a household annual
income--
``(i) above the national median household
income; and
``(ii) below the national median household
income; and
``(B) renters with a household annual income--
``(i) above the national median household
income; and
``(ii) below the national median household
income.
``(6) The estimated percentage of residential property that
was destroyed as a result of the major disaster, if available.
``(7) Any other information that the Administrator
determines to be relevant.
``(b) Personally Identifiable Information.--The Administrator shall
ensure that none of the information published under subsection (a)
contains the personally identifiable information of an applicant.''.
SEC. 10. FEMA REPORTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate a report with
respect to fiscal year 2016 through the most recent fiscal year ending
before the date of enactment of this Act, and an annual report for any
fiscal year beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act,
describing--
(1) the average amount of individual assistance and
individual and household assistance provided under section 408
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) to, and the rate of
denial of individual assistance and individual and household
assistance provided under such section for--
(A) all individuals;
(B) households;
(C) individuals and households with a reported
annual income under 75 percent of the national median
household income;
(D) individuals with a reported annual income over
125 percent of the national median household income;
and
(E) individuals with a reported annual income
between 75 percent and 125 percent of the national
median household income; and
(2) an explanation for any factors causing an increase in
the rate of denial of the assistance described in paragraph
(1), if applicable.
(b) Information Required.--In the report submitted under subsection
(a), the Administrator shall describe the number of homeowners and the
number of renters for each category of individuals and households
described in subparagraphs (C) through (E) of subsection (a)(1).
SEC. 11. SHELTERING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL.
Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(e) Sheltering of Emergency Response Personnel.--
``(1) In general.--For any major disaster for which the
President has authorized emergency protective measures for an
area within the jurisdiction of a State, tribal, or local
government, the Administrator may reimburse the State, tribal,
or local government for costs relating to sheltering emergency
response personnel, including individuals that are a part of
the same predisaster household as such personnel, in exclusive-
use congregate or non-congregate settings if the Governor of
the State or chief executive of the tribal or local government
determines that the damage or disruption to such area is of
such a magnitude as to disrupt the provision of emergency
protective measures within such area.
``(2) Limitation of assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator may only
reimburse a State, tribal, or local government for the
costs of sheltering emergency response personnel under
paragraph (1) for such a period of time as the
Administrator determines reasonable based in the
individual characteristics of and impacts to the
affected area, including the extent of damage, the
availability of alternative housing options, the
availability of utilities, and disruptions to
transportation infrastructure.
``(B) Maximum duration of reimbursement.--The
period of reimbursement under subparagraph (A) may not
exceed the 6-month period beginning on the date on
which the incident period ends.
``(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `emergency
response personnel' means--
``(A) employees or contracted employees providing
law enforcement, fire suppression, rescue, emergency
medical, emergency management, or emergency
communications services; and
``(B) elected officials, except members of
Congress, responsible for the overseeing or directing
emergency response operations or recovery
activities.''.
SEC. 12. IMPROVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 408(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5174(c)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``, including local post-
disaster rent increases,'' after ``accommodation provided''.
(b) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
shall conduct a study to examine the unique challenges of renters when
seeking Federal disaster assistance and any disparities of assistance
provided to homeowners and renters pursuant to section 408 of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5174) and develop a plan that addresses any identified
challenges and disparities, including any recommendations for
legislative action.
(c) Report to Congress.--Upon completion of the activities carried
out under subsection (b), the Administrator shall submit to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate a report containing the study and recommendations
required under subsection (b).
(d) Consultation.--In completing the study and report required
under subsections (b) and (c), the Administrator shall consult with
appropriate Federal entities and stakeholders involved in disaster
housing.
SEC. 13. GAO REPORT ON PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study on the practices, including the accuracy of such
practices, that the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses when
conducting preliminary damage assessments for the purposes of providing
assistance under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42. U.S.C. 5174).
(b) Contents.--The Comptroller General shall include in the study
conducted under subsection (a) the following:
(1) A comparison of the process and procedures used by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency to complete preliminary
damage assessments to the process and procedures used by
private insurance companies following a major disaster.
(2) A review of training provided to individuals conducting
preliminary damage assessments.
(3) A comparison of damage estimates for homes owned by
individuals above the national median income to homes owned by
individuals at or below the national median income.
SEC. 14. APPLICABILITY.
The amendments made by sections 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 shall only apply
to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 15. GAO REPORT TO CONGRESS ON CHALLENGES UNDER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall
conduct a study on the challenges to States and Territories of the
United States in obtaining assistance under section 428 of the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5189f).
(b) Contents.--In conducting the study described in subsection (a),
the Comptroller General shall study the challenges for assistance
described in subsection (a) faced by the following:
(1) Rural areas, as such term is defined in section 423 of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a).
(2) Small impoverished communities, as such term is defined
in section 203 of such Act.
(3) Other communities, areas, or individuals that the
Comptroller General determines pertinent.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress
a report describing the results of the study required under subsection
(a).
Union Calendar No. 319
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 1796
[Report No. 118-390, Part I]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
February 14, 2024
Reported from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with
an amendment
February 14, 2024
Committees on Financial Services and Small Business discharged;
committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union
and ordered to be printed