IIB
112th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 2903
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 20, 2012
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
AN ACT
To reauthorize the programs and activities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Short title and table of contents
Short title
This Act may be cited
as the FEMA Reauthorization Act of
2012
.
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Title I—Reauthorization of FEMA and Modernization of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
Sec. 101. Reauthorization of Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Sec. 102. Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization.
Title II—Stafford Act and Other programs
Sec. 201. Reauthorization of urban search and rescue response system.
Sec. 202. Reauthorization of emergency management assistance compact grants.
Sec. 203. Disposal of excess property to assist other disaster survivors.
Sec. 204. Storage, sale, transfer, and disposal of housing units.
Sec. 205. Other methods of disposal.
Sec. 206. Establishment of criteria relating to administration of hazard mitigation assistance by States.
Sec. 207. Review of regulations and policies.
Sec. 208. Appeals process.
Sec. 209. Implementation of cost estimating.
Sec. 210. Tribal requests for a major disaster or emergency declaration under the Stafford Act.
Sec. 211. Individual assistance factors.
Sec. 212. Public assistance pilot program.
Sec. 213. Public assistance debris removal procedures.
Sec. 214. Use of funds.
Sec. 215. Reduction of authorization for emergency management performance grants.
Sec. 216. Technical correction.
Sec. 217. National Dam Safety Program Act reauthorization.
Reauthorization of FEMA and Modernization of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System
Reauthorization of Federal Emergency Management Agency
Section 699 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 811) is amended to read as follows:
Authorization of Appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title and the amendments made by this title for the salaries and expenses of the Agency—
for fiscal year 2012, $1,031,378,000, including amounts transferred from grant programs;
for fiscal year 2013, $1,031,378,000, including amounts transferred from grant programs; and
for fiscal year 2014, $1,031,378,000, including amounts transferred from grant programs.
.
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization
Short title
This section may be
cited as the Integrated Public Alert
and Warning System Modernization Act of 2012
.
Integrated public alert and warning system modernization
In general
To provide timely and effective disaster warnings under this section, the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall—
modernize the integrated public alert and
warning system of the United States (in this section referred to as the
public alert and warning system
) to ensure that the President
under all conditions is able to alert and warn governmental authorities and the
civilian population in areas endangered by disasters; and
implement the public alert and warning system.
Implementation requirements
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Administrator shall, consistent with the recommendations in the final report of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee (established under subsection (c))—
establish or adopt, as appropriate, common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures for the public alert and warning system;
include in the public alert and warning system the capability to adapt the distribution and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, or personal user preferences, as appropriate;
include in the public alert and warning system the capability to alert and warn, and provide the equivalent amount of information to individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs;
ensure that training, tests, and exercises are conducted for the public alert and warning system and that the system is incorporated into other training and exercise programs of the Department of Homeland Security, as appropriate;
establish and integrate into the National Incident Management System a comprehensive and periodic training program to instruct and educate Federal, State, Tribal, and local government officials in the use of the Common Alerting Protocol enabled Emergency Alert System;
conduct, at least once every 3 years, periodic nationwide tests of the public alert and warning system; and
ensure that the public alert and warning system is resilient, secure, and can withstand acts of terrorism and other external attacks.
System requirements
The public alert and warning system shall—
incorporate multiple communications technologies;
be designed to adapt to, and incorporate, future technologies for communicating directly with the public;
to the extent technically feasible, be designed to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population, including nonresident visitors and tourists and individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs, and improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts;
promote local and regional public and private partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response;
provide redundant alert mechanisms if practicable so as to reach the greatest number of people regardless of whether they have access to, or utilize, any specific medium of communication or any particular device; and
include a mechanism to ensure the protection of individual privacy.
Implementation plan
Not later than 180 days after the date of submission of the report of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a detailed plan to implement the public alert and warning system. The plan shall include a timeline for implementation, a spending plan, and recommendations for any additional authority that may be necessary to fully implement this subsection.
Maximum funds
The Administrator may use not more than $13,287,000 of the amount made available pursuant to section 699 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 811) for each of fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014 to carry out the provisions of this section.
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee
Establishment
Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency shall establish an advisory committee to be known as the Integrated
Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee (in this subsection referred
to as the Advisory Committee
).
Membership
The Advisory Committee shall be composed of the following members (or their designees) to be appointed by the Administrator as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act:
The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce.
The Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of Commerce.
Representatives of State and local governments, representatives of emergency management agencies, and representatives of emergency response providers, selected from among individuals nominated by national organizations representing governments and personnel.
Representatives from federally recognized Indian tribes and national Indian organizations.
Individuals who have the requisite technical knowledge and expertise to serve on the Advisory Committee, including representatives of—
communications service providers;
vendors, developers, and manufacturers of systems, facilities, equipment, and capabilities for the provision of communications services;
third-party service bureaus;
the broadcasting industry;
the national organization representing the licensees and permittees of noncommercial broadcast television stations;
the cellular industry;
the cable industry;
the satellite industry; and
national organizations representing individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs and national organizations representing the elderly.
Qualified representatives of such other stakeholders and interested and affected parties as the Administrator considers appropriate.
Chairperson
The Administrator shall serve as the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee.
Meetings
Initial meeting
The initial meeting of the Advisory Committee shall take place not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Other meetings
After the initial meeting, the Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.
Notice; open meetings
Meetings held by the Advisory Committee shall be duly noticed at least 14 days in advance and shall be open to the public.
Rules
Quorum
One-third of the members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum for conducting business of the Advisory Committee.
Subcommittees
To assist the Advisory Committee in carrying out its functions, the Chairperson may establish appropriate subcommittees composed of members of the Advisory Committee and other subject matter experts as the Chairperson considers necessary.
Additional rules
The Advisory Committee may adopt such other rules as are necessary to carry out its duties.
Consultation with nonmembers
The Advisory Committee and the program offices for the integrated public alert and warning system for the United States shall regularly meet with groups that are not represented on the Advisory Committee to consider new and developing technologies that may be beneficial to the public alert and warning system. Such groups may include—
the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency;
entities engaged in federally funded research; and
academic institutions engaged in relevant work and research.
Recommendations
The Advisory Committee shall develop recommendations for an integrated public alert and warning system, including—
recommendations for common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures for the public alert and warning system; and
recommendations to provide for a public alert and warning system that—
has the capability to adapt the distribution and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, or personal user preferences, as appropriate;
has the capability to alert and warn individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency;
incorporates multiple communications technologies;
is designed to adapt to, and incorporate, future technologies for communicating directly with the public;
is designed to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible, including nonresident visitors and tourists, and improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts;
promotes local and regional public and private partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response; and
provides redundant alert mechanisms if practicable in order to reach the greatest number of people regardless of whether they have access to, or utilize, any specific medium of communication or any particular device.
Initial and annual report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Advisory Committee shall submit to the Administrator, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report containing the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.
Federal advisory committee act
Neither the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) nor any rule, order, or regulation promulgated under that Act shall apply to the Advisory Committee.
Termination
The Advisory Committee shall terminate not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
Limitation on statutory construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of the Department of Commerce or the Federal Communications Commission.
Stafford Act and Other programs
Reauthorization of urban search and rescue response system
In general
Title III of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5141 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
National urban search and rescue response system
Definitions
In this section, the following definitions apply:
Administrator
The
term Administrator
means the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
Agency
The
term Agency
means the Federal Emergency Management
Agency.
Hazard
The
term hazard
has the meaning given that term by section
602.
Non-employee system member
The term non-employee System member
means a System member not employed by a sponsoring agency or participating
agency.
Participating agency
The term participating agency
means a State
or local government, nonprofit organization, or private organization that has
executed an agreement with a sponsoring agency to participate in the
System.
Sponsoring agency
The term sponsoring agency
means a State or
local government that is the sponsor of a task force designated by the
Administrator to participate in the System.
System
The
term System
means the National Urban Search and Rescue Response
System to be administered under this section.
System member
The term System member
means an individual
who is not a full-time employee of the Federal Government and who serves on a
task force or on a System management or other technical team.
Task force
The term task force
means an urban search
and rescue team designated by the Administrator to participate in the
System.
General authority
Subject to the requirements of this section, the Administrator shall continue to administer the emergency response system known as the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System.
Functions
In administering the System, the Administrator shall provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources to assist States and local governments in responding to hazards.
Task forces
Designation
The Administrator shall designate task forces to participate in the System. The Administrator shall determine the criteria for such participation.
Sponsoring agencies
Each task force shall have a sponsoring agency. The Administrator shall enter into an agreement with the sponsoring agency with respect to the participation of each task force in the System.
Composition
Participating agencies
A task force may include, at the discretion of the sponsoring agency, 1 or more participating agencies. The sponsoring agency shall enter into an agreement with each participating agency of the task force with respect to the participation of the participating agency on the task force.
Other individuals
A task force may also include, at the discretion of the sponsoring agency, other individuals not otherwise associated with the sponsoring agency or a participating agency of the task force. The sponsoring agency of a task force may enter into a separate agreement with each such individual with respect to the participation of the individual on the task force.
Management and technical teams
The Administrator shall maintain such management teams and other technical teams as the Administrator determines are necessary to administer the System.
Appointment of system members into Federal service
In general
The Administrator may appoint a System member into Federal service for a period of service to provide for the participation of the System member in exercises, preincident staging, major disaster and emergency response activities, and training events sponsored or sanctioned by the Administrator.
Nonapplicability of certain civil service laws
The Administrator may make appointments under paragraph (1) without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service.
Relationship to other authorities
The authority of the Administrator to make appointments under this subsection shall not affect any other authority of the Administrator under this Act.
Limitation
A System member who is appointed into Federal service under paragraph (1) shall not be considered an employee of the United States for purposes other than those specifically set forth in this section.
Compensation
Pay of system members
Subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may impose by regulation, the Administrator shall make payments to the sponsoring agency of a task force—
to reimburse each employer of a System member on the task force for compensation paid by the employer to the System member for any period during which the System member is appointed into Federal service under subsection (f)(1); and
to make payments directly to a non-employee System member on the task force for any period during which the non-employee System member is appointed into Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
Reimbursement for employees filling positions of system members
In general
Subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may impose by regulation, the Administrator shall make payments to the sponsoring agency of a task force to reimburse each employer of a System member on the task force for compensation paid by the employer to an employee filling a position normally filled by the System member for any period during which the System member is appointed into Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
Limitation
Costs incurred by an employer shall be eligible for reimbursement under subparagraph (A) only to the extent that the costs are in excess of the costs that would have been incurred by the employer had the System member not been appointed into Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
Method of payment
A System member shall not be entitled to pay directly from the Agency for a period during which the System member is appointed into Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
Personal injury, illness, disability, or death
In general
A System member who is appointed into Federal service under subsection (f)(1) and who suffers personal injury, illness, disability, or death as a result of a personal injury sustained while acting in the scope of such appointment shall, for the purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, be treated as though the member were an employee (as defined by section 8101 of that title) who had sustained the injury in the performance of duty.
Election of benefits
In general
If a System member (or, in the case of the death of the System member, the System member’s dependent) is entitled—
under paragraph (1) to receive benefits under subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, by reason of personal injury, illness, disability, or death, and
to receive benefits from a State or local government by reason of the same personal injury, illness, disability, or death,
Deadline
A System member or dependent shall make an election of benefits under subparagraph (A) not later than 1 year after the date of the personal injury, illness, disability, or death that is the reason for the benefits or until such later date as the Secretary of Labor may allow for reasonable cause shown.
Effect of election
An election of benefits made under this paragraph is irrevocable unless otherwise provided by law.
Reimbursement for State or local benefits
Subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may impose by regulation, in the event that a System member or dependent elects benefits from a State or local government under paragraph (2)(A), the Administrator shall reimburse the State or local government for the value of those benefits.
Liability
A System member appointed into Federal service under subsection (f)(1), while acting within the scope of the appointment, is deemed an employee of the Government under section 1346(b) of title 28, United States Code, and chapter 171 of that title, relating to tort claims procedure.
Employment and reemployment rights
With respect to a System member who is not a regular full-time employee of a sponsoring agency or participating agency, the following terms and conditions apply:
Service as a
System member is deemed service in the uniformed services
for
purposes of
chapter 43 of title 38,
United States Code, relating to employment and reemployment rights of
individuals who have performed service in the uniformed services (regardless of
whether the individual receives compensation for such participation). All
rights and obligations of such persons and procedures for assistance,
enforcement, and investigation shall be as provided for in such chapter.
Preclusion of
giving notice of service by necessity of appointment under this section is
deemed preclusion by military necessity
for purposes of
section
4312(b) of title 38, United States Code, pertaining to giving
notice of absence from a position of employment. A determination of such
necessity shall be made by the Administrator and shall not be subject to
judicial review.
Licenses and permits
If a System member holds a valid license, certificate, or other permit issued by any State or other governmental jurisdiction evidencing the member’s qualifications in any professional, mechanical, or other skill or type of assistance required by the System, the System member is deemed to be performing a Federal activity when rendering aid involving such skill or assistance during a period of appointment into Federal service under subsection (f)(1).
Advisory committee
In general
The Administrator shall establish and maintain an advisory committee to provide expert recommendations to the Administrator in order to assist the Administrator in administering the System.
Composition
The advisory committee shall be composed of members from geographically diverse areas, and shall include—
the chief officer or senior executive from at least three sponsoring agencies;
the senior emergency manager from at least two States that include sponsoring agencies; and
at least one representative recommended by the leaders of the task forces.
Inapplicability of termination requirement
Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the advisory committee under this subsection.
Preparedness cooperative agreements
In general
Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Administrator shall enter into an annual preparedness cooperative agreement with each sponsoring agency. Amounts made available to a sponsoring agency under such a preparedness cooperative agreement shall be for the following purposes:
Training and exercises, including training and exercises with other Federal, State, and local government response entities.
Acquisition and maintenance of equipment, including interoperable communications and personal protective equipment.
Medical monitoring required for responder safety and health in anticipation of and following a major disaster, emergency, or other hazard, as determined by the Administrator.
Availability of appropriations
Notwithstanding section 1552(b) of title 31, United States Code, amounts made available for cooperative agreements under this subsection that are not expended shall be deposited in an Agency account and shall remain available for such agreements without fiscal year limitation.
Response cooperative agreements
The Administrator shall enter into a response cooperative agreement with each sponsoring agency, as appropriate, under which the Administrator agrees to reimburse the sponsoring agency for costs incurred by the sponsoring agency in responding to a major disaster or emergency.
Obligations
The Administrator may incur all necessary obligations consistent with this section in order to ensure the effectiveness of the System.
Authorization of appropriations
In general
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the System and the provisions of this section $35,250,000 for each of fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Administrative expenses
The Administrator may use not to exceed 6 percent of the funds appropriated for a fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (1) for salaries, expenses, and other administrative costs incurred by the Administrator in carrying out this section.
.
Conforming amendments
Applicability of title 5, United States Code
Section 8101(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
in subparagraph
(D) by striking and
at the end;
by moving subparagraph (F) to appear after subparagraph (E);
in subparagraph (F)—
by
striking United States Code,
; and
by
adding and
at the end; and
by inserting after subparagraph (F) the following:
an individual who is a System member of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System during a period of appointment into Federal service pursuant to section 327 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act;
.
Inclusion as part of uniformed services for purposes of USERRA
Section 4303 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (13)
by inserting , a period for which a System member of the National Urban
Search and Rescue Response System is absent from a position of employment due
to an appointment into Federal service under section 327 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
before ,
and a period
; and
in paragraph (16)
by inserting after Public Health Service,
the following:
System members of the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System
during a period of appointment into Federal service under section 327 of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act,
.
Reauthorization of emergency management assistance compact grants
In general
Subtitle A of title VI of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Emergency management assistance compact grants
In general
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency may make grants to provide for implementation of the Emergency
Management Assistance Compact consented to by Congress in the joint resolution
entitled Joint resolution granting the consent of Congress to the
Emergency Management Assistance Compact
(Public Law
104–321; 110 Stat. 3877).
Eligible grant recipients
States and the Administrator of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact shall be eligible to receive grants under subsection (a).
Use of funds
A grant received under this section shall be used—
to carry out recommendations identified in the Emergency Management Assistance Compact after-action reports for the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons;
to administer compact operations on behalf of States, as such term is defined in the compact, that have enacted the compact;
to continue coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and appropriate Federal agencies;
to continue coordination with States and local governments and their respective national organizations; and
to assist State and local governments, emergency response providers, and organizations representing such providers with credentialing the providers and the typing of emergency response resources.
Coordination
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall consult with the Administrator of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact to ensure effective coordination of efforts in responding to requests for assistance.
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2012, 2013, and 2014. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
.
Repeal
Section 661 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 761) is repealed.
Disposal of excess property to assist other disaster survivors
Title III of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act as amended by this Act is further amended by adding at the end the following:
Disposal of excess materials, supplies, and equipment
In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the President determines that materials, supplies, or equipment acquired by the President pursuant to title IV or V for response or recovery efforts in connection with a major disaster or emergency are in excess of the amount needed for those efforts, the President may transfer the excess materials, supplies, or equipment directly to a State, local government, or relief or disaster assistance organization for the purpose of—
assisting disaster survivors in other major disasters and emergencies; and
assisting survivors in incidents caused by a hazard that do not result in a declaration of a major disaster or emergency if the Governor of the affected State certifies that—
there is an urgent need for the materials, supplies, or equipment; and
the State is unable to provide the materials, supplies, or equipment in a timely manner.
Hazard defined
In this section, the term hazard
has the
meaning given that term by section
602.
.
Storage, sale, transfer, and disposal of housing units
Definitions
In this section, the following definitions apply:
Administrator
The
term Administrator
means the Administrator of FEMA.
Emergency; major disaster
The terms emergency
and major
disaster
have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the
Stafford Act (42
U.S.C. 5122).
FEMA
The
term FEMA
means the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Hazard
The
term hazard
has the meaning given such term in section 602 of
the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5195a).
Stafford act
The term Stafford Act
means the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
Needs assessment; establishment of criteria
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall complete an assessment to determine the number of temporary housing units that FEMA needs to maintain in stock to respond appropriately to emergencies or major disasters occurring after the date of enactment of this Act.
Plan
In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a plan and guidelines for—
storing the number of temporary housing units that FEMA needs to maintain in stock, as determined by the Administrator under subsection (b); and
selling, transferring, donating, or otherwise disposing of the temporary housing units in the inventory of FEMA that are in excess of the number of temporary housing units that FEMA needs to maintain in stock, as determined by the Administrator under subsection (b).
Report
In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, 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 on the actions that the Administrator has taken to establish and implement the plan and guidelines established under paragraph (1).
Required information
In each report submitted under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall document the number of temporary housing units remaining in the inventory of FEMA and the number of units sold, transferred, donated, and otherwise disposed of pursuant to this section.
Update
The Administrator shall update the plan established under paragraph (1) as necessary to ensure that the Administrator maintains in the inventory of FEMA only those temporary housing units that are needed to respond appropriately to emergencies or major disasters.
Transfer of temporary housing units to States
In general
Notwithstanding section 408(d)(2) of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(d)(2)), and subject to the requirements of paragraph (2), the Administrator may transfer or donate to States, on a priority basis, pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(B), excess temporary housing units in the inventory of FEMA.
State requests
In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, a State may submit to the Administrator a request to receive excess temporary housing units under paragraph (1).
Eligibility
A State shall be eligible to receive excess temporary housing units under paragraph (1) if the State agrees—
to use the units to provide temporary housing to survivors of incidents that are caused by hazards and that the Governor of the State determines require State assistance;
to pay to store and maintain the units;
in the event of a major disaster or emergency declared for the State by the President under the Stafford Act, to make the units available to the President or to use the units to provide housing directly to survivors of the major disaster or emergency in the State;
to comply with the nondiscrimination provisions of section 308 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5151); and
to obtain and maintain hazard and flood insurance on the units.
Incidents
The incidents referred to in subparagraph (B)(i) may include incidents that do not result in a declaration of a major disaster or emergency by the President under the Stafford Act.
Distribution
Establishment of process
The Administrator shall establish a process—
to review requests submitted by States under paragraph (2); and
to distribute excess temporary housing units that are in the inventory of FEMA.
Allocation
If the number of temporary housing units requested by States under paragraph (2) exceeds the number of excess temporary housing units available, the Administrator shall allocate the available units among the States that have submitted a request.
Remaining temporary housing units
Temporary housing units that are not transferred or donated under paragraph (1) shall be sold, transferred, donated, or otherwise disposed of subject to the requirements of section 408(d)(2) of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(d)(2)) and other applicable provisions of law.
Limitation on statutory construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect section 689k of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (120 Stat. 1456). For purposes of that section, a transfer or donation to a State of a temporary housing unit under paragraph (1) shall be treated as a disposal to house individuals or households under section 408 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5174).
Other methods of disposal
Section 408(d)(2)(B) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(d)(2)(B)) is amended—
in clause (i) by
striking or
;
in clause (ii) by
striking the period at the end and inserting ; or
; and
by adding at the end the following:
may be sold, transferred, or donated directly to a State or other governmental entity or to a voluntary organization for the sole purpose of providing temporary housing to disaster victims in disasters and incidents caused by a hazard (as such term is defined in section 602) that do not result in a declaration of a major disaster or emergency if, as a condition of the sale, transfer, or donation, the State, other governmental agency, or voluntary organization agrees—
to comply with the nondiscrimination provisions of section 308; and
to obtain and maintain hazard and flood insurance for the housing units.
.
Establishment of criteria relating to administration of hazard mitigation assistance by States
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall establish the criteria required under section 404(c)(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c(c)(2)).
Review of regulations and policies
In general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall review regulations and policies relating to Federal disaster assistance to eliminate regulations the President determines are no longer relevant, to harmonize contradictory regulations, and to simplify and expedite disaster recovery and assistance.
Report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit 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 describing changes made to regulations as a result of the review required under subsection (a), together with any legislative recommendations relating thereto.
State hazard mitigation plans
The President, acting through the Administrator, shall revise regulations related to the submission of State Hazard Mitigation Plans to extend the hazard mitigation planning cycle to every 5 years, consistent with local planning cycles.
Appeals process
Section 423(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a(b)) is amended to read as follows:
Period for decision
In general
A decision regarding an appeal under subsection (a) shall be rendered within 60 days after the date on which the Federal official designated to administer such appeal receives notice of such appeal.
Failure to satisfy deadline
If the Federal official fails to satisfy the requirement under paragraph (1), the Federal official shall provide a written explanation of such failure to the applicant. The President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall transmit quarterly 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 on such failures.
.
Implementation of cost estimating
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall issue and begin to implement the regulations required by section 406(e)(3)(C) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(e)(3)(C)) to provide for cost estimation procedures that expedite recovery and to reduce the costs and time for completion of recovery projects through the creation of financial and performance incentives.
Tribal requests for a major disaster or emergency declaration under the Stafford Act
Major disaster requests
Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) is amended—
by striking
All requests for a declaration
and inserting (a)
In general.—All
requests for a declaration
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Indian tribal government requests
In general
The Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government may submit a request for a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists consistent with the requirements of subsection (a).
References
In implementing assistance authorized by the President under this Act in response to a request of the Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government for a major disaster declaration, any reference in this title or section 319 to a State or the Governor of a State is deemed to refer to an affected Indian tribal government or the Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government, as appropriate.
Savings provision
Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit an Indian tribal government from receiving assistance under this title through a declaration made by the President at the request of a State under subsection (a) if the President does not make a declaration under this subsection for the same incident.
Cost share adjustments for Indian tribal governments
In general
In providing assistance to an Indian tribal government under this title, the President may waive or adjust any payment of a non-Federal contribution with respect to the assistance if—
the President has the authority to waive or adjust the payment under another provision of this title; and
the President determines that the waiver or adjustment is necessary and appropriate.
Criteria for making determinations
The President shall establish criteria for making determinations under paragraph (1)(B).
.
Emergency requests
Section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Indian tribal government requests
In general
The Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government may submit a request for a declaration by the President that an emergency exists consistent with the requirements of subsection (a).
References
In implementing assistance authorized by the President under this title in response to a request of the Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government for an emergency declaration, any reference in this title or section 319 to a State or the Governor of a State shall be deemed to refer to an affected Indian tribal government or the Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government, as appropriate.
Savings provision
Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit an Indian tribal government from receiving assistance under this title through a declaration made by the President at the request of a State under subsection (a) if the President does not make a declaration under this subsection for the same incident.
.
Definitions
Section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) is amended—
in paragraph
(7)(B) by striking ; and
and inserting , that is not an
Indian tribal government as defined in paragraph (6); and
;
by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (10) as paragraphs (7) through (11), respectively;
by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
Indian tribal government
The term Indian tribal government
means
the governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo,
village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist
as an Indian tribe under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994
(25 U.S.C. 479a et
seq.).
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Chief executive
The term Chief Executive
means the
person who is recognized by the Secretary of the Interior as the chief elected
administrative officer of an Indian tribal
government.
.
References
Title I of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 102 the following:
References
Except as otherwise specifically provided,
any reference in this Act to State and local
, State or
local
, or State, local
with respect to governments or
officials and any reference to a local government
in section 417
is deemed to refer also to Indian tribal governments and officials, as
appropriate.
.
Regulations
Issuance
The President shall issue regulations to carry out the amendments made by this section.
Factors
In issuing the regulations, the President shall consider the unique conditions that affect the general welfare of Indian tribal governments.
Individual assistance factors
In order to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need for assistance to individuals and to speed a declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in cooperation with representatives of State, tribal, and local emergency management agencies, shall review, update, and revise through rulemaking the factors considered under section 206.48 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (including section 206.48(b)(2) of such title relating to trauma and the specific conditions or losses that contribute to trauma), to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster.
Public assistance pilot program
Pilot program
In general
The President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and in coordination with States, tribal and local governments, and owners or operators of private non-profit facilities, shall establish and conduct a pilot program to—
reduce the costs
to the Government of providing assistance to States, tribal and local
governments, and owners or operators of private non-profit facilities under
section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C.
5172) (referred to in this section as the
Act
);
increase flexibility in the administration of section 406 of such Act; and
expedite the provision of assistance to States, tribal, and local governments provided under section 406 of the Act.
Participation
Only States, tribal and local governments, and owners or operators of private non-profit facilities that elect to participate in the pilot program may participate in the pilot program for their projects.
Administration
In general
For the purposes of the pilot program, the Administrator shall establish new procedures to administer assistance provided under section 406 of the Act.
New procedures
The new procedures established under subparagraph (A) shall include—
making grants on the basis of estimates agreed to by the State, tribal, or local government, or owner or operator of a private non-profit facility and the Administrator to provide financial incentives and disincentives for the State, tribal, or local government, or owner or operator of a private non-profit facility for the timely and cost-effective completion of projects under section 406 of the Act;
notwithstanding sections 406(c)(1)(A) and 406(c)(2)(A) of the Act, providing an option for a State, tribal, or local government, or owner or operator of a private non-profit facility to elect to receive an in-lieu contribution, without reduction, on the basis of estimates of the cost of repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facility owned or controlled by the State, tribal, or local government and of management expenses;
consolidating, to the extent determined appropriate by the Administrator, the facilities of a State, tribal, or local government, or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility as a single project based upon the estimates established under the pilot procedures; and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the actual costs of a project completed under the pilot procedures are less than the estimated costs thereof, the Administrator may permit a grantee or sub grantee to use all or part of the excess funds for cost-effective activities that reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, or suffering from a major disaster.
Waiver
The Administrator may waive such regulations or rules applicable to the provisions of assistance in section 406 of the Act as the Administrator determines are necessary to carry out the pilot program under this section.
Report
In general
Not later than October 31, 2015, 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 regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program under this section.
Contents
The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—
an assessment by the Administrator of any administrative or financial benefits of the pilot program;
an assessment by the Administrator of the effect, including any savings in time and cost, of the pilot program;
any other findings and conclusions of the Administrator with respect to the pilot program; and
any recommendations of the Administrator for additional authority to continue or make permanent the pilot program.
Deadline for initiation of implementation
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall begin implementation of the pilot program under this section.
Pilot program duration
The Administrator may not approve a project under the pilot program under this section after December 31, 2014.
Public assistance debris removal procedures
In general
The President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall establish new procedures to administer assistance for debris and wreckage removal provided under sections 403(a)(3)(A), 407, and 502(a)(5) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)(3)(A), 5173, and 5192(a)(5)).
New procedures
The new procedures established under subsection (a) may include—
making grants on the basis of fixed estimates to provide financial incentives and disincentives for the timely or cost effective completion of projects under sections 403(a)(3)(A), 407, and 502(a)(5) of such Act if the State, tribal, or local government, or owner or operator of the private non-profit facility agrees to be responsible to pay for any actual costs that exceed the estimate;
using a sliding scale for the Federal share for removal of debris and wreckage based on the time it takes to complete debris and wreckage removal;
allowing utilization of program income from recycled debris without offset to grant amount;
reimbursing base and overtime wages for employees and extra hires of a State, tribal, or local government, or owner or operator of a private non-profit facility performing or administering debris and wreckage removal; and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the actual costs of projects under subsection (b)(1) are less than the estimated costs thereof, the Administrator may permit a grantee or sub grantee to use all or part of the excess funds for any of the following purposes:
Debris management planning.
Acquisition of debris management equipment for current or future use.
Other activities to improve future debris removal operations, as determined by the Administrator.
Use of funds
Unless otherwise specified in this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall use amounts authorized pursuant to section 699 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 811) for reviews, reports, and studies included in this Act.
Reduction of authorization for emergency management performance grants
Section 662(f)(5) of the Post-Katrina
Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 762) is amended by striking
$950,000,000
and inserting $946,600,000
.
Technical correction
Section 202(c) of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C.
5132(c)) is amended by striking section 611(c)
and inserting section 611(d)
.
National Dam Safety Program Act reauthorization
Short title
This section may be cited as the Dam Safety Act of
2012
.
Purpose
The purpose of this section is to reduce the risks to life and property from dam failure in the United States through the reauthorization of an effective national dam safety program that brings together the expertise and resources of Federal and non-Federal communities in achieving national dam safety hazard reduction.
Amendments to the National Dam Safety Program Act
Administrator
In general
The National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467 et
seq.) is amended by striking Director
each place
it appears and inserting Administrator
.
Conforming amendment
Section 2(3) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 467(3)) is
amended in the paragraph heading by striking Director
and inserting
Administrator
.
Inspection of dams
Section 3(b)(1) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 467a(b)(1)) is amended by
striking or maintenance
and inserting maintenance,
condition, or provision for emergency operations
.
National dam safety program
Objectives
Section 8(c)(4) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 467f(c)(4)) is amended to read as follows:
develop and implement a comprehensive dam safety hazard education and public awareness program to assist the public in mitigating against, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from dam incidents;
.
Board
Section
8(f)(4) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 467f(f)(4)) is amended by
inserting , representatives from nongovernmental organizations,
after State agencies
.
Authorization of appropriations
National dam safety program
Annual amounts
Section 13(a)(1) of such Act (33 U.S.C.
467j(a)(1)) is amended by striking $6,500,000 for fiscal
year 2007, $7,100,000 for fiscal year 2008, $7,600,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$8,300,000 for fiscal year 2010, and $9,200,000 for fiscal year 2011
and inserting $8,024,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through
2015
.
Maximum amount of allocation
In general
Section 13(a)(2)(B) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 467j(a)(2)(B)) is amended
by striking 50 percent of the reasonable cost of implementing the State
dam safety program
and inserting the amount of funds committed
by the State to implement dam safety program activities
.
Applicability
The amendment made by subclause (I) shall apply to fiscal year 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter.
National dam inventory
Section 13(b) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 467j(b))
is amended by striking $650,000 for fiscal year 2007, $700,000 for
fiscal year 2008, $750,000 for fiscal year 2009, $800,000 for fiscal year 2010,
and $850,000 for fiscal year 2011
and inserting $383,000 for
each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015
.
Research
Section
13(c) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 467j(c)) is amended by
striking $1,600,000 for fiscal year 2007, $1,700,000 for fiscal year
2008, $1,800,000 for fiscal year 2009, $1,900,000 for fiscal year 2010, and
$2,000,000 for fiscal year 2011
and inserting $1,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015
.
Dam safety training
Section 13(d) of
such Act (33 U.S.C.
467j(d)) is amended by striking $550,000 for fiscal year
2007, $600,000 for fiscal year 2008, $650,000 for fiscal year 2009, $700,000
for fiscal year 2010, and $750,000 for fiscal year 2011
and inserting
$750,000 for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015
.
Staff
Section 13(e) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 467j(e))
is amended by striking $700,000 for fiscal year 2007, $800,000 for
fiscal year 2008, $900,000 for fiscal year 2009, $1,000,000 for fiscal year
2010, and $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2011
and inserting $436,000
for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015
.
Passed the House of Representatives September 19, 2012.
Karen L. Haas,
Clerk.