119 HR 3177 IH: To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that cost estimates, acquisition of proper materials, and any other activity related to certain projects under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act are performed by professionals licensed in the relevant State, and for other purposes. U.S. House of Representatives 2025-05-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3177IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMay 5, 2025Mr. Ezell (for himself, Mr. Carbajal, and Mr. Buchanan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that cost estimates, acquisition of proper materials, and any other activity related to certain projects under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act are performed by professionals licensed in the relevant State, and for other purposes.

1.

Cost estimates by appropriately licensed professionals

(a)

In general

The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall use appropriately licensed professionals to perform any covered activity with respect to a project eligible for assistance under sections 406 or 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172; 42 U.S.C. 5189f). (b)

Requirements

(1)

Consent of appropriately licensed professional

The Administrator may not disapprove, with respect to a project described under subsection (a), any plan, rebuilding proposal, material suggestion for rebuilding, or direct purchase of materials without the direct consent of an appropriately licensed professional. (2)

Purchase approval

Any purchase suggested by an appropriately licensed professional for any project described under subsection (a) shall be approved by the Administrator. (3)

Acceptance of plans, projects, and materials

Unless fraud is evident and traceable, any plans proposed, projects prepared, and materials requested or purchased by an appropriately licensed professional may not be rejected, rescinded, or stalled by the Administrator. (4)

Contract process

The Administrator may not reject or hinder the process of entering into a contract with an appropriately licensed professional if such process is suggested by a State or local government. (5)

State hiring responsibility

It shall be the responsibility of the State to hire an appropriately licensed professional to develop the scope of work related to performing a covered activity. (6)

Employee of FEMA

Any employee of the Agency that assists directly with the management of a rebuilding project eligible for assistance under section 406 or 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172; 42 U.S.C. 5189f) shall be an appropriately licensed professional. (c)

Regulations

The Administrator shall update regulations and policies, to the extent necessary, to implement the requirements of this Act. (d)

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Appropriately licensed professional

The term appropriately licensed professional means an individual— (A)who is— (i)employed by the Agency to perform a covered activity; or (ii)contracted by the Agency or a State or local governmental entity; and (B)licensed— (i)in the State in which a project described under this section shall be carried out; and (ii)as an engineer, architect, builder, tradesperson, or any other profession related to performing a covered activity relating to such project. (2)

Covered activity

The term covered activity includes— (A)preparing a cost estimate for a project eligible for assistance under section 406 or 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172; 42 U.S.C. 5189f); and (B)purchasing the proper materials, equipment, vehicles, and any other items necessary to carry out a project described under subparagraph (A).