[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3721 Introduced in Senate (IS)]








109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3721

  To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the United 
     States Emergency Management Authority, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 25, 2006

 Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. Salazar) introduced 
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee 
             on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the United 
     States Emergency Management Authority, 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.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Post Katrina Emergency Management 
Reform Act of 2006''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
              TITLE I--NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

Sec. 101. United States Emergency Management Authority.
Sec. 102. Conforming amendments relating to intelligence reform.
Sec. 103. Communication system grants.
Sec. 104. Technical and conforming amendments.
                   TITLE II--STAFFORD ACT AMENDMENTS

Sec. 201. General Federal assistance.
Sec. 202. National Disaster Recovery Strategy.
Sec. 203. Environmental mitigation.
Sec. 204. Disaster housing strategy.
Sec. 205. Essential services.
Sec. 206. Hazard mitigation grant program formula.
Sec. 207. Housing assistance.
Sec. 208. Maximum amount under individual assistance programs.
Sec. 209. Coordinating officers.
Sec. 210. Definitions.
Sec. 211. Catastrophic damage assistance.
Sec. 212. Individuals with disabilities.
Sec. 213. Disability coordinator.
Sec. 214. Temporary housing.
Sec. 215. GAO Study on accessibility of emergency shelters.
Sec. 216. Reunification.
Sec. 217. National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System.
Sec. 218. Federal assistance to individuals and households.
Sec. 219. Mental health services.
Sec. 220. Language services.
Sec. 221. Standards for state and local emergency preparedness 
                            operational plans.
Sec. 222. Transportation assistance and case management services to 
                            individuals and households.
Sec. 223. Non-federal assistance.
Sec. 224. Disaster coordination.
                    TITLE III--STAFFING IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 301. Strategic human capital plan.
Sec. 302. Career paths.
Sec. 303. National Homeland Security Academy.
Sec. 304. Surge capacity force.
Sec. 305. Establishment of Homeland Security rotation program at the 
                            Department of Homeland Security.
Sec. 306. Quarterly report on vacancy rate in employee positions.
             TITLE IV--PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS, AND TRAINING

Sec. 401. Definition.
Sec. 402. Emergency response framework.
Sec. 403. Review of the National Response Plan.
Sec. 404. Planning and preparedness.
Sec. 405. Training and exercises.
Sec. 406. Emergency support function assurance programs.
   TITLE V--PREVENTION OF FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE DURING EMERGENCIES

Sec. 501. Prohibition on excessive pass-through charges.
Sec. 502. Fraud prevention programs.
Sec. 503. Contingency Contracting Corps.
Sec. 504. Verification measures for Individuals and Households Program.
Sec. 505. Information Technology Systems.
Sec. 506. Registry of Debris Contractors.
Sec. 507. Use of certain supply schedules.
Sec. 508. Use of local firms and individuals.
Sec. 509. Advance contracting.
                   TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 601. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 602. Effective date.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) the term ``Authority'' means the United States 
        Emergency Management Authority established under section 512 of 
        the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by this Act;
            (2) the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of 
        the Authority;
            (3) the term ``catastrophic incident'' means any natural or 
        manmade incident, including an act of terrorism, that results 
        in extraordinary levels of casualties or damage, mass 
        evacuations, or disruption severely affecting the population, 
        infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, or 
        government functions in an area and may include an incident 
        with a sustained national impact over a prolonged period of 
        time, that may rapidly exceed resources available to State and 
        local government and private-sector authorities in the impacted 
        area, or may significantly interrupt governmental operations 
        and emergency services to such an extent that national security 
        could be threatened;
            (4) the term ``Department'' means the Department of 
        Homeland Security;
            (5) the term ``emergency response provider'' has the same 
        meaning given under section 2(6) of the Homeland Security Act 
        of 2002;
            (6) the term ``Federal coordinating officer'' means a 
        Federal coordinating officer as described in section 302 of the 
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 5143);
            (7) the term ``individual with a disability'' means an 
        individual with a disability as defined in section 3(2) of the 
        Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102(2));
            (8) the term ``National Advisory Council'' means the 
        National Advisory Council on Preparedness and Response 
        established under section 518 of the Homeland Security Act of 
        2002, as amended by this Act;
            (9) the term ``National Incident Management System'' means 
        the National Incident Management System as described in the 
        National Response Plan;
            (10) the term ``National Response Plan'' means the National 
        Response Plan prepared under Homeland Security Presidential 
        Directive 5 or any presidential directive meant to replace or 
        augment that directive;
            (11) the term ``Regional Office'' means a Regional Office 
        established under section 517 of the Homeland Security Act of 
        2002, as amended by this Act;
            (12) the term ``Regional Office strike team'' means a 
        Regional Office strike team established under section 517 of 
        the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by this Act;
            (13) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security; and
            (14) the term ``surge capacity'' means the ability to 
        rapidly and substantially increase the provision of search and 
        rescue capabilities, food, water, medicine, shelter and 
        housing, medical care, evacuation capacity, staffing, including 
        disaster assistance employees, and other resources necessary to 
        save lives and protect property during a catastrophic incident.

              TITLE I--NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

SEC. 101. UNITED STATES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

    Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking the title heading and inserting the 
        following:

            ``TITLE V--NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE'';

            (2) by striking sections 501 through 503;
            (3) by striking sections 506 and 507;
            (4) by redesignating sections 504, 505, 508, and 509 as 
        sections 536, 537, 538, and 539, respectively;
            (5) by redesignating section 510 (relating to procurement 
        of security countermeasures for the strategic national 
        stockpile) as section 540;
            (6) by redesignating section 510 (relating to urban and 
        other high risk area communications capabilities) as section 
        541;
            (7) by inserting before section 536, as so redesignated by 
        this section, the following:

``SEC. 501. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this title--
            ``(1) the term `all-hazards-plus' means an approach to 
        preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation that 
        emphasizes the development of capabilities that are common to 
        natural and man-made disasters, while also including the 
        development of capabilities that are uniquely relevant to 
        specific types of disasters;
            ``(2) the term `Authority' means the United States 
        Emergency Management Authority established under section 512;
            ``(3) the term `Administrator' means the Administrator of 
        the Authority;
            ``(4) the term `catastrophic incident' means any natural or 
        manmade incident, including an act of terrorism, that results 
        in extraordinary levels of casualties or damage, mass 
        evacuations, or disruption severely affecting the population, 
        infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, or 
        government functions in an area and may include an incident 
        with a sustained national impact over a prolonged period of 
        time, that may rapidly exceed resources available to State and 
        local government and private-sector authorities in the impacted 
        area, or may significantly interrupt governmental operations 
        and emergency services to such an extent that national security 
        could be threatened;
            ``(5) the term `emergency communications capabilities' 
        means the ability to provide and maintain, throughout an 
        emergency response operation, a continuous flow of information 
        among emergency responders, agencies, and government officials 
        from multiple disciplines and jurisdictions and at all levels 
        of government, in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist 
        attack, or other large-scale or catastrophic emergency, 
        including where there has been significant damage to, or 
        destruction of, critical infrastructure, including substantial 
        loss of ordinary telecommunications infrastructure and 
        sustained loss of electricity;
            ``(6) the term `Federal coordinating officer' means a 
        Federal coordinating officer as described in section 302 of the 
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 5143);
            ``(7) the terms `interoperable emergency communications 
        system' and `communications interoperability' mean the ability 
        of emergency response providers and relevant Federal, State, 
        and local government agencies to--
                    ``(A) communicate with each other as necessary, 
                using information technology systems and radio 
                communications systems; and
                    ``(B) exchange voice, data, or video with each 
                other on demand, in real time, as necessary;
            ``(8) the term `National Advisory Council' means the 
        National Advisory Council on Preparedness and Response 
        established under section 518;
            ``(9) the term `National Incident Management System' means 
        the National Incident Management System as described in the 
        National Response Plan;
            ``(10) the term `National Response Plan' means the National 
        Response Plan prepared under Homeland Security Presidential 
        Directive 5 or any presidential directive meant to replace or 
        augment that directive; and
            ``(11) the term `surge capacity' means the ability to 
        rapidly and substantially increase the provision of search and 
        rescue capabilities, food, water, medicine, shelter and 
        housing, medical care, evacuation capacity, staffing, including 
        disaster assistance employees, and other resources necessary to 
        save lives and protect property during a catastrophic incident, 
        or other natural or man-made disaster.

                ``Subtitle A--Preparedness and Response

``SEC. 511. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subtitle--
            ``(1) the term `Nuclear Incident Response Team' means a 
        resource that includes--
                    ``(A) those entities of the Department of Energy 
                that perform nuclear or radiological emergency support 
                functions (including accident response, search 
                response, advisory, and technical operations 
                functions), radiation exposure functions at the medical 
                assistance facility known as the Radiation Emergency 
                Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), radiological 
                assistance functions, and related functions; and
                    ``(B) those entities of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency that perform such support functions 
                (including radiological emergency response functions) 
                and related functions;
            ``(2) the term `Regional Advisory Council' means a Regional 
        Advisory Council on Preparedness and Response established under 
        section 513;
            ``(3) the term `Regional Administrator' means a Regional 
        Administrator for Preparedness and Response appointed under 
        section 517; and
            ``(4) the term `Regional Office' means a Regional Office 
        established under section 517.

``SEC. 512. UNITED STATES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

    ``(a) In General.--There is established in the Department the 
United States Emergency Management Authority, headed by an 
Administrator.
    ``(b) Mission.--The mission of the Authority is to--
            ``(1) lead the Nation's efforts to prepare for, respond to, 
        recover from, and mitigate the risks of natural and man-made 
        disasters, including catastrophic incidents;
            ``(2) partner with State and local governments and 
        emergency response providers, with other Federal agencies, with 
        the private sector, and with nongovernmental organizations to 
        build a national system of emergency management that can 
        effectively and efficiently utilize the full measure of the 
        Nation's resources to respond to a catastrophic incident or 
        other natural or man-made disaster;
            ``(3) develop a Federal response capability that, when 
        necessary and appropriate, can act effectively, rapidly, and 
        proactively to deliver assistance essential to saving lives or 
        protecting or preserving property or public health and safety 
        in a natural or man-made disaster;
            ``(4) fuse the Department's emergency response, 
        preparedness, recovery, mitigation, and critical infrastructure 
        assets into a new, integrated organization that can effectively 
        confront the challenges of a natural or man-made disaster;
            ``(5) develop and maintain robust Regional Offices that 
        will work with State and local governments and emergency 
        response providers to identify and address regional priorities;
            ``(6) under the leadership of the Secretary, coordinate 
        with the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Director of Customs 
        and Border Protection, the Director of Immigration and Customs 
        Enforcement, the National Operations Center, and other agencies 
        and offices in the Department to take full advantage of the 
        substantial range of resources in the Department that can be 
        brought to bear in preparing for and responding to a natural or 
        man-made disaster;
            ``(7) carry out the provisions of the Robert T. Stafford 
        Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et 
        seq.);
            ``(8) provide funding, training, exercises, technical 
        assistance, planning, and other assistance, to build local, 
        State, regional, and national capabilities, including 
        communications capabilities, necessary to respond to a 
        potential natural or man-made disaster;
            ``(9) implement an all-hazards-plus strategy for 
        preparedness that places priority on building those common 
        capabilities necessary to respond to both terrorist attacks and 
        natural disasters while also building the unique capabilities 
        necessary to respond to specific types of incidents that pose 
        the greatest risk to our Nation; and
            ``(10) promote, plan for, and facilitate the security and 
        resiliency of critical infrastructure and key resources, 
        including cyber infrastructure, against a natural or man-made 
        disaster, and the post-disaster restoration of such critical 
        infrastructure and key resources.
    ``(c) Administrator.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall be appointed by 
        the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
        Senate.
            ``(2) Qualifications.--The Administrator shall have not 
        less than 5 years of executive leadership and management 
        experience in the public or private sector, significant 
        experience in crisis management or another relevant field, and 
        a demonstrated ability to manage a substantial staff and 
        budget.
            ``(3) Reporting.--The Administrator shall report to the 
        Secretary, without being required to report through any other 
        official of the Department.
            ``(4) Principal advisor on emergency preparedness and 
        response.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator is the 
                principal emergency preparedness and response advisor 
                to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and 
                the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Advice and recommendations.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In presenting advice 
                        with respect to any matter to the President, 
                        the Homeland Security Council, or the 
                        Secretary, the Administrator shall, as the 
                        Administrator considers appropriate, inform the 
                        President, the Homeland Security Council, or 
                        the Secretary, as the case may be, of the range 
                        of emergency mitigation, preparedness, 
                        response, and recovery options with respect to 
                        that matter.
                            ``(ii) Advice on request.--The 
                        Administrator, as an emergency preparedness and 
                        response advisor, shall provide advice to the 
                        President, the Homeland Security Council, or 
                        the Secretary on a particular matter when the 
                        President, the Homeland Security Council, or 
                        the Secretary requests such advice.
                            ``(iii) Recommendations to congress.--After 
                        informing the Secretary, the Administrator may 
                        make such recommendations to Congress relating 
                        to emergency preparedness and response as the 
                        Administrator considers appropriate.
                    ``(C) Retention of authority.--Nothing in this 
                paragraph shall be construed as affecting the authority 
                of the Secretary under this Act.

``SEC. 513. AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall provide Federal 
leadership necessary to prepare for and respond to a natural or man-
made disaster, including--
            ``(1) carrying out the mission to reduce the loss of life 
        and property and protect the Nation from all hazards by leading 
        and supporting the Nation in a comprehensive, risk-based 
        emergency preparedness and response program of--
                    ``(A) mitigation, by taking sustained actions to 
                reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and 
                property from hazards and their effects;
                    ``(B) preparedness, by planning, training, and 
                building the emergency preparedness and response 
                workforce to prepare effectively for, mitigate against, 
                respond to, and recover from any hazard;
                    ``(C) response, by conducting emergency operations 
                to save lives and property through positioning 
                emergency equipment, personnel, and supplies, through 
                evacuating potential victims, through providing food, 
                water, shelter, and medical care to those in need, and 
                through restoring critical public services;
                    ``(D) recovery, by rebuilding communities so 
                individuals, businesses, and governments can function 
                on their own, return to normal life, and protect 
                against future hazards; and
                    ``(E) critical infrastructure protection, by 
                establishing an inventory of, and protections for, 
                public and private sector critical infrastructure, 
                including cyber and communications assets;
            ``(2) increasing efficiencies, by coordinating efforts 
        relating to mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and 
        infrastructure protection;
            ``(3) helping to ensure the effectiveness of emergency 
        response providers in responding to a natural or man-made 
        disaster;
            ``(4) providing the Federal Government's response to a 
        natural or man-made disaster, including--
                    ``(A) managing such response;
                    ``(B) directing the Domestic Emergency Support 
                Team, the National Disaster Medical System, and (when 
                operating as an organizational unit of the Department 
                under this title) the Nuclear Incident Response Team;
                    ``(C) overseeing the Metropolitan Medical Response 
                System; and
                    ``(D) coordinating other Federal response 
                resources, including requiring deployment of the 
                Strategic National Stockpile, in the event of a natural 
                or man-made disaster;
            ``(5) working with Federal, State, and local government 
        personnel, agencies, and authorities to build a comprehensive 
        national incident management system to respond to a natural or 
        man-made disaster;
            ``(6) with respect to the Nuclear Incident Response Team 
        (regardless of whether it is operating as an organizational 
        unit of the Department under this title)--
                    ``(A) establishing standards and certifying when 
                those standards have been met;
                    ``(B) conducting joint and other exercises and 
                training and evaluating performance; and
                    ``(C) providing funds to the Department of Energy 
                and the Environmental Protection Agency, as 
                appropriate, for homeland security planning, exercises 
                and training, and equipment;
            ``(7) helping to ensure that emergency response providers 
        acquire interoperable and sustainable technology;
            ``(8) assisting the President in carrying out the functions 
        under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
        Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
            ``(9) administering homeland security emergency management, 
        first responder, and other preparedness grants;
            ``(10) administering and implementing the National Response 
        Plan, including monitoring, evaluating, and ensuring the 
        readiness of each emergency support function under the National 
        Response Plan;
            ``(11) coordinating with the National Advisory Council;
            ``(12) ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure 
        by--
                    ``(A) carrying out the responsibilities under 
                paragraphs (2) through (6) of section 201(d);
                    ``(B) helping ensure the protection and resiliency 
                of key resources and critical infrastructure, including 
                cyber infrastructure, against a natural or man-made 
                disaster; and
                    ``(C) planning for, assisting with, and 
                facilitating, the restoration of key resources and 
                critical infrastructure, including cyber 
                infrastructure, in the event of a natural or man-made 
                disaster;
            ``(13) establishing in each Regional Office a Regional 
        Advisory Council on Preparedness and Response, to advise the 
        Regional Administrator of that Regional Office on emergency 
        preparedness and response issues specific to the region; and
            ``(14) otherwise carrying out the mission of the Authority 
        as described in section 512(b).
    ``(b) Additional Responsibilities Related to Catastrophic 
Incidents.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
        the Secretary and other senior Department officials, shall 
        develop a national emergency management system that is capable 
        of responding to catastrophic incidents.
            ``(2) Identification of resources.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall develop 
                and submit to Congress annually an estimate of the 
                resources of the Authority and other Federal agencies 
                needed for and devoted specifically to developing 
                local, State, and national capabilities necessary to 
                respond to a catastrophic incident.
                    ``(B) Contents.--Each estimate under subparagraph 
                (A) shall include the resources both necessary for and 
                devoted to--
                            ``(i) planning;
                            ``(ii) training and exercises;
                            ``(iii) Regional Office enhancements;
                            ``(iv) staffing, including for surge 
                        capacity during a catastrophic event;
                            ``(v) additional logistics capabilities;
                            ``(vi) other responsibilities under the 
                        Catastrophic Incident Annex and the 
                        Catastrophic Incident Supplement of the 
                        National Response Plan; and
                            ``(vii) State and local catastrophic 
                        preparedness.
    ``(c) All-Hazards-Plus Approach.--In carrying out the 
responsibilities of this section, the Administrator shall implement an 
all-hazards-plus strategy that places priority on building those common 
capabilities necessary to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and 
mitigate the risks of terrorist attacks and natural disasters, while 
also building the unique capabilities necessary to prepare for, respond 
to, recover from, and mitigate the risks of specific types of incidents 
that pose the greatest risk to the Nation.

``SEC. 514. AUTHORITY COMPONENTS.

    ``There are transferred to the Authority the following:
            ``(1) The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as 
        constituted on June 1, 2006, including all of its functions, 
        personnel, assets, components, and liabilities, and including 
        the functions of the Under Secretary for Federal Emergency 
        Management relating thereto.
            ``(2) The Directorate of Preparedness, as constituted on 
        June 1, 2006, including all of its functions, personnel assets, 
        components, and liabilities, and including the functions of the 
        Under Secretary for Preparedness relating thereto.

``SEC. 515. PRESERVING THE UNITED STATES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 
              AUTHORITY.

    ``(a) Distinct Entity.--The Authority shall be maintained as a 
distinct entity within the Department.
    ``(b) Reorganization.--Section 872 shall not apply to the 
Authority, including any function or organizational unit of the 
Authority.
    ``(c) Prohibition on Changes to Missions.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may not substantially or 
        significantly reduce the authorities, responsibilities, or 
        functions of the Authority or the capability of the Authority 
        to perform those responsibilities, except as otherwise 
        specifically provided in an Act enacted after the date of 
        enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act 
        of 2006.
            ``(2) Certain transfers prohibited.--No asset, function or 
        mission of the Authority may be diverted to the principal and 
        continuing use of any other organization, unit, or entity of 
        the Department, except for details or assignments that do not 
        reduce the capability of the Authority to perform its missions.

``SEC. 516. DIRECTORS.

    ``(a) In General.--There shall be in the Authority a Director for 
Preparedness and a Director for Response and Recovery, each of whom 
shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate, and shall report to the Administrator.
    ``(b) Qualifications.--
            ``(1) In general.--A Director shall have--
                    ``(A) not less than 5 years of--
                            ``(i) executive leadership and management 
                        experience in the public or private sector; and
                            ``(ii) significant experience in crisis 
                        management or another relevant field; and
                    ``(B) a demonstrated ability to manage a 
                substantial staff and budget.
            ``(2) Concurrent experience.--Service during any period of 
        time may be used in meeting the requirements under both clause 
        (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(A).
    ``(c) Initial Directors.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided under paragraph (2), 
        the individual serving as the Under Secretary for Preparedness 
        and the individual serving as the Under Secretary for the 
        Federal Emergency Management Agency on the effective date of 
        the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, may 
        serve as the Director for Preparedness and the Director of 
        Response and Recovery, respectively, until a Director for 
        Preparedness or a Director of Response and Recovery, as the 
        case may be, is appointed under subsection (a).
            ``(2) Prior confirmation.--Paragraph (1) shall apply if the 
        individual is serving as the Under Secretary for Preparedness 
        or the Under Secretary for the Federal Emergency Management 
        Agency, under an appointment by the President, by and with the 
        advice and consent of the Senate.

``SEC. 517. REGIONAL OFFICES.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Regional offices.--The Administrator shall establish 
        10 Regional Offices of the Authority.
            ``(2) Additional office.--In addition to the Regional 
        Offices established under paragraph (1), the Administrator may 
        designate the Office for National Capital Region Coordination 
        under section 882 as a Regional Office.
    ``(b) Management of Regional Offices.--
            ``(1) Regional administrator.--Each Regional Office shall 
        be headed by a Regional Administrator for Preparedness and 
        Response, who shall be appointed by the Administrator. Each 
        Regional Administrator for Emergency Preparedness and Response 
        shall report directly to the Administrator.
            ``(2) Qualifications.--Each Regional Office shall be headed 
        by an individual in the Senior Executive Service qualified to 
        act as a senior Federal coordinating officer to provide 
        strategic oversight of incident management when needed.
    ``(c) Responsibilities.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Regional Administrator shall work in 
        partnership with State and local governments, emergency 
        managers, emergency response providers, medical providers, the 
        private sector, nongovernmental organizations, 
        multijurisdictional councils of governments, and regional 
        planning commissions and organizations in the geographical area 
        served by the Regional Office to carry out the responsibilities 
        of a Regional Administrator under this section.
            ``(2) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of a Regional 
        Administrator include--
                    ``(A) ensuring effective, coordinated, and 
                integrated regional preparedness, mitigation, response, 
                and recovery activities and programs for natural and 
                man-made disasters (including planning, training, 
                exercises, and professional development);
                    ``(B) coordinating and integrating regional 
                preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery 
                activities and programs for natural and man-made 
                disasters (including planning, training, exercises, and 
                professional development), which shall include--
                            ``(i) providing regional and interstate 
                        planning assistance;
                            ``(ii) organizing, in consultation with the 
                        Administrator, regional training and exercise 
                        programs;
                            ``(iii) providing support and coordination 
                        officers for State and local government 
                        training and exercises;
                            ``(iv) participating in emergency 
                        preparedness and planning activities by State, 
                        regional, and local governments;
                            ``(v) assisting in the development of 
                        regional capabilities needed for a national 
                        catastrophic response system;
                            ``(vi) helping to coordinate and develop 
                        interstate agreements; and
                            ``(vii) coordinating the establishment of 
                        effective regional interagency emergency 
                        communications capabilities and communications 
                        interoperability, and reporting annually to the 
                        Administrator, who shall provide the 
                        information to the Director for Emergency 
                        Communications, on regional efforts to achieve 
                        these goals and on regional progress in meeting 
                        the goals of the National Emergency 
                        Communications Strategy developed under section 
                        535;
                    ``(C) establishing and overseeing 1 or more strike 
                teams within the region under subsection (e), which 
                shall serve as the focal point of the Federal 
                Government's initial response efforts for a natural or 
                man-made disaster within that region, and otherwise 
                building Federal response capabilities to respond to a 
                natural or man-made disaster within that region;
                    ``(D) working with the private sector to assess 
                weaknesses in critical infrastructure protection in the 
                region and to design and implement programs to address 
                those weaknesses;
                    ``(E) designating an individual responsible for, in 
                conjunction with other relevant Federal, State, and 
                local officials, the development of strategic and 
                operational regional plans to respond effectively to 
                natural or manmade disasters in the region in support 
                of the National Response Plan;
                    ``(F) coordinating all activities conducted under 
                this section with other Federal departments and 
                agencies; and
                    ``(G) performing such other duties relating to such 
                responsibilities as the Administrator may require.
    ``(d) Area Offices.--The Administrator shall establish an Area 
Office for the Pacific and an Area Office for the Caribbean, as 
components in the appropriate Regional Offices.
    ``(e) Regional Office Strike Teams.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--In coordination with other relevant 
        Federal agencies, each Regional Administrator shall establish 
        multi-agency strike teams that shall consist of--
                    ``(A) a designated Federal coordinating officer;
                    ``(B) personnel trained in incident management;
                    ``(C) public affairs, response and recovery, and 
                communications support personnel;
                    ``(D) a defense coordinating officer;
                    ``(E) liaisons to other Federal agencies;
                    ``(F) such other personnel as the Administrator or 
                Regional Administrator determines appropriate; and
                    ``(G) individuals from the agencies with primary 
                responsibility for each of the emergency support 
                functions in the National Response Plan, including the 
                following:
                            ``(i) Transportation.
                            ``(ii) Communications.
                            ``(iii) Public works and engineering.
                            ``(iv) Emergency management.
                            ``(v) Mass care.
                            ``(vi) Housing and human services.
                            ``(vii) Public health and medical services.
                            ``(viii) Urban search and rescue.
                            ``(ix) Public safety and security.
                            ``(x) External affairs.
            ``(2) Location of members.--The members of each Regional 
        Office strike team, including representatives from agencies 
        other than the Department, shall be based primarily at the 
        Regional Office that corresponds to that strike team.
            ``(3) Coordination.--Each Regional Office strike team shall 
        coordinate the training and exercises of that strike team with 
        the State and local governments and private sector and 
        nongovernmental entities which the strike team shall support 
        when a natural or man-made disaster occurs.
            ``(4) Preparedness.--Each Regional Office strike team shall 
        be trained, equipped, and staffed to be well prepared to 
        respond to natural and man-made disasters, including 
        catastrophic incidents.

``SEC. 518. NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE.

    ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, 
the Secretary shall establish an advisory body under section 871(a), to 
be known as the National Advisory Council on Preparedness and Response.
    ``(b) Responsibilities.--The National Advisory Council shall advise 
the Administrator on all aspects of emergency preparedness and 
response.
    ``(c) Membership.--
            ``(1) In general.--The members of the National Advisory 
        Council shall be appointed by the Administrator, and shall, to 
        the extent practicable, represent a geographic (including urban 
        and rural) and substantive cross section of State and local 
        government officials and emergency managers, and emergency 
        response providers, from State and local governments, the 
        private sector, and nongovernmental organizations, including as 
        appropriate--
                    ``(A) members selected from the emergency 
                preparedness and response fields, including fire 
                service, law enforcement, hazardous materials response, 
                emergency medical services, and emergency preparedness 
                and response personnel, or organizations representing 
                such members;
                    ``(B) health scientists, emergency and inpatient 
                medical providers, and public health professionals;
                    ``(C) experts representing standards setting 
                organizations;
                    ``(D) State and local government officials with 
                expertise in terrorism preparedness and emergency 
                preparedness and response;
                    ``(E) elected State and local government 
                executives;
                    ``(F) experts in public and private sector 
                infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and 
                communications;
                    ``(G) representatives of the disabled and other 
                special needs populations; and
                    ``(H) such other individuals as the Administrator 
                determines to be appropriate.
    ``(d) Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 871(a) and 
        subject to paragraph (2), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
        U.S.C. App.), including subsections (a), (b), and (d) of 
        section 10 of such Act, and section 552b(c) of title 5, United 
        States Code, shall apply to the Advisory Council.
            ``(2) Termination.--Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the Federal 
        Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the 
        Advisory Council.

``SEC. 519. NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM INTEGRATION CENTER.

    ``(a) In General.--There is in the Authority a National Incident 
Management System Integration Center.
    ``(b) Responsibilities.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator, through the National 
        Incident Management System Integration Center, and in 
        consultation with other Federal departments and agencies and 
        the National Advisory Council, shall ensure ongoing management 
        and maintenance of the National Incident Management System, the 
        National Response Plan, any other document or tool in support 
        of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5, or any other 
        Homeland Security Presidential Directive relating to incident 
        management and response.
            ``(2) Specific responsibilities.--The National Incident 
        Management System Integration Center shall--
                    ``(A) periodically review, and revise, as 
                appropriate, the National Incident Management System 
                and the National Response Plan;
                    ``(B) review other matters relating to the National 
                Incident Management System and the National Response 
                Plan, as the Administrator may require;
                    ``(C) develop and implement a national program for 
                National Incident Management System and National 
                Response Plan education and awareness;
                    ``(D) oversee all aspects of the National Incident 
                Management System, including the development of 
                compliance criteria and implementation activities at 
                Federal, State, and local government levels;
                    ``(E) provide guidance and assistance to States and 
                local governments and emergency response providers, in 
                adopting the National Incident Management System; and
                    ``(F) perform such other duties relating to such 
                responsibilities as the Administrator may require.

``SEC. 520. NATIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER.

    ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `situational 
awareness' means information gathered from a variety of sources that, 
when communicated to emergency preparedness and response managers and 
decision makers, can form the basis for incident management 
decisionmaking.
    ``(b) Establishment.--There is established in the Department a 
National Operations Center.
    ``(c) Purpose.--The purposes of the National Operations Center are 
to--
            ``(1) coordinate the national response to any natural or 
        man-made disaster, as determined by the Secretary;
            ``(2) provide situational awareness and a common operating 
        picture for the entire Federal Government, and for State and 
        local governments as appropriate, for an event described in 
        paragraph (1);
            ``(3) collect and analyze information to help deter, 
        detect, and prevent terrorist acts;
            ``(4) disseminate terrorism and disaster-related 
        information to Federal, State, and local governments;
            ``(5) ensure that critical terrorism and disaster-related 
        information reaches government decision-makers; and
            ``(6) perform such other duties as the Secretary may 
        require.
    ``(d) Responsibilities.--The National Operations Center shall carry 
out the responsibilities of the Homeland Security Operations Center, 
the National Response Coordination Center, and the Interagency Incident 
Management Group, as constituted on September 1, 2005.

``SEC. 521. CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER.

    ``(a) In General.--There is in the Authority a Chief Medical 
Officer, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate. The Chief Medical Officer shall 
report directly to the Administrator.
    ``(b) Qualifications.--The individual appointed as Chief Medical 
Officer shall possess a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of 
medicine and public health.
    ``(c) Responsibilities.--The Chief Medical Officer shall have the 
primary responsibility within the Department for medical issues related 
to natural and man-made disasters, including--
            ``(1) serving as the principal advisor to the Secretary and 
        the Administrator on medical and public health issues;
            ``(2) coordinating the biosurveillance and detection 
        activities of the Department;
            ``(3) ensuring internal and external coordination of all 
        medical preparedness and response activities of the Department, 
        including training, exercises, and equipment support;
            ``(4) serving as the Department's primary point of contact 
        with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, 
        the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of 
        Transportation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other 
        Federal departments or agencies, on medical and public health 
        issues;
            ``(5) serving as the Department's primary point of contact 
        for State and local government, the medical community, and 
        others within and outside the Department, with respect to 
        medical and public health matters;
            ``(6) discharging, in coordination with the Under Secretary 
        for Science and Technology, the responsibilities of the 
        Department related to Project Bioshield;
            ``(7) establishing doctrine and priorities for the National 
        Disaster Medical System, consistent with the National Response 
        Plan and the National Incident Management System, supervising 
        its medical components, and exercising predeployment 
        operational control, including--
                    ``(A) determining composition of the teams;
                    ``(B) overseeing credentialing of the teams; and
                    ``(C) training personnel of the teams;
            ``(8) managing the Metropolitan Medical Response System, 
        including establishing doctrine and priorities for the 
        Metropolitan Medical Response System, consistent with the 
        National Response Plan and the National Incident Management 
        System, and developing and overseeing standards, plans, 
        training, and exercises and coordinating with the Office of 
        Grants and Training on the use and distribution of Metropolitan 
        Medical Response grants;
            ``(9) assessing and monitoring long-term health issues of 
        emergency managers and emergency response providers;
            ``(10) developing and updating, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services, guidelines for State 
        and local governments for medical response plans for chemical, 
        biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive weapon attacks;
            ``(11) developing, in consultation with the Secretary of 
        Health and Human Services, appropriate patient tracking 
        capabilities to execute domestic patient movement and 
        evacuations, including a system that has the capacity of 
        electronically maintaining and transmitting the health 
        information of hospital patients;
            ``(12) establishing and providing oversight for the 
        Department's occupational health and safety program, including 
        workforce health; and
            ``(13) performing such other duties relating to such 
        responsibilities as the Secretary or the Administrator may 
        require.
    ``(d) Long-Term Health Assessment Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Chief Medical Officer, in 
        consultation with the Director of the National Institute for 
        Occupational Safety and Health, shall establish a program to 
        assess, monitor, and study the health and safety of emergency 
        managers and emergency response providers, following Incidents 
        of National Significance declared by the Secretary under the 
        National Response Plan.
            ``(2) Cooperative agreements.--In carrying out the program 
        under this subsection, the Chief Medical Officer shall enter 
        into cooperative agreements, as necessary, with medical 
        institutions in the areas affected by an Incident of National 
        Significance.

``SEC. 522. PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS.

    ``The Administrator shall promote public and community 
preparedness.

``SEC. 523. BASIC LIFE SUPPORTING FIRST AID EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `age-appropriate' means information, 
        education, and skills suitable for the individual to understand 
        and perform;
            ``(2) the term `appropriate municipal entity' means an 
        agency of a unit of local government that is an emergency 
        response provider or provides other similar medical services or 
        training, including a fire department, law enforcement agency, 
        hospital, school nurse, or emergency medical services provider;
            ``(3) the term `children' means individuals under the age 
        of 18 years enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12;
            ``(4) the term `emergency medical professional' means an 
        individual certified by a State in emergency medical services;
            ``(5) the term `life supporting first aid' includes 
        cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the use of an automatic external 
        defibrillator, the Heimlich maneuver, blood-borne and 
        biohazardous precautions, bleed control, and other life-
        sustaining procedures in the event of an emergency; and
            ``(6) the term `selected organization' means the 
        organization contracting with the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security under subsection (b).
    ``(b) Authority.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting 
through the Chief Medical Officer, and in consultation with the 
Secretary of Education, shall enter into an agreement with an 
organization, under which such organization shall provide funds to 
appropriate municipal entities to provide education and training in 
life supporting first aid to children, including scene safety 
procedures.
    ``(c) Eligibility.--In selecting an organization, the Secretary 
shall consider and give priority to an organization that--
            ``(1) has experience in training individuals (especially 
        children) to be active bystanders, equipped with life 
        supporting first aid skills to assist during emergencies;
            ``(2) recognizes that life supporting first aid techniques 
        are essential to maintaining life before the arrival of 
        emergency response providers;
            ``(3) uses emergency medical professionals as instructors 
        to teach life supporting first aid techniques to children and 
        adults;
            ``(4) works with Federal, State, and local government 
        entities and the private sector to highlight the importance of 
        public emergency preparedness and effective emergency response;
            ``(5) has developed and implemented, before the date of 
        entering a contract under subsection (b), a testing component 
        for evaluation, accountability, and data collection; and
            ``(6) is an affiliate of the Citizens Corps of the 
        Department of Homeland Security.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--Funds provided under this section by the 
        selected organization to an appropriate municipal entity shall 
        be used--
                    ``(A) to create age-appropriate educational 
                materials regarding life supporting first aid to be 
                distributed to children;
                    ``(B) to conduct training and clinical instruction 
                of children in life supporting first aid; and
                    ``(C) for data collection and statistical analysis.
            ``(2) Priority.--In providing funds to appropriate 
        municipal entities under this section, the selected 
        organization shall give priority to emergency medical services, 
        fire departments, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, and 
        school nurses.

``SEC. 524. SAVER PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--In the Department there is a System Assessment 
and Validation for Emergency Responders Program to provide impartial 
evaluations of emergency response equipment and systems.
    ``(b) Requirements.--The program established under subsection (a) 
shall--
            ``(1) provide impartial, practitioner relevant, and 
        operationally oriented assessments and validations of emergency 
        response provider equipment and systems that have not already 
        been third-party certified to a standard adopted by the 
        Department, including--
                    ``(A) commercial, off-the-shelf emergency response 
                provider equipment and systems in all equipment list 
                categories of the Standardized Equipment List published 
                by the Interagency Board for Equipment Standardization 
                and Interoperability; and
                    ``(B) such other equipment or systems as the 
                Secretary determines are appropriate;
            ``(2) provide information that enables decision-makers and 
        emergency response providers to better select, procure, use, 
        and maintain emergency response provider equipment or systems;
            ``(3) assess and validate the performance of products 
        within a system and subsystems; and
            ``(4) provide information and feedback to emergency 
        response providers through the Responder Knowledge Base of the 
        National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, or 
        other appropriate forum.
    ``(c) Assessment and Validation Process.--The assessment and 
validation of emergency response provider equipment and systems shall 
use multiple evaluation techniques, including--
            ``(1) operational assessments of equipment performance on 
        vehicle platforms;
            ``(2) technical assessments on a comparative basis of 
        system component performance across makes and models under 
        controlled conditions; and
            ``(3) integrative assessments on an individual basis of 
        system component interoperability and compatibility with other 
        system components.
    ``(d) Personal Protective Equipment.--To the extent practical, the 
assessment and validation of personal protective equipment under this 
section shall be conducted by the National Personal Protective 
Technology Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety 
and Health.

``SEC. 525. NATIONAL SEARCH AND RESCUE RESPONSE SYSTEM.

    ``(a) National Search and Rescue Response System.--There is 
established in the Authority an emergency response system known as the 
National Search and Rescue Response System that provides a national 
network of standardized search and rescue resources to assist State and 
local governments in responding to any natural or man-made disaster.
    ``(b) Administration of the System.--
            ``(1) Task force participation.--The Administrator shall 
        select eligible search and rescue teams that are sponsored by 
        State and local government entities to participate as task 
        forces in the National Search and Rescue Response System. The 
        Administrator shall determine the criteria for such 
        participation.
            ``(2) Agreements with sponsoring agencies.--The 
        Administrator shall enter into an agreement with the State or 
        local government entity that sponsors each search and rescue 
        team selected under paragraph (1) with respect the team's 
        participation as a task force in the National Search and Rescue 
        Response System.
            ``(3) Management and technical teams.--The Administrator 
        shall maintain such management and other technical teams as are 
        necessary to administer the National Search and Rescue Response 
        System.

``SEC. 526. METROPOLITAN MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEM.

    ``(a) In General.--There is in the Authority a Metropolitan Medical 
Response System. Under the Metropolitan Medical Response System, the 
Assistant Secretary for Grants and Planning, in coordination with the 
Chief Medical Officer, shall administer grants to develop, maintain, 
and enhance medical preparedness systems that are capable of responding 
effectively to a public health crisis or mass-casualty event caused by 
a natural or man-made disaster.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--The Metropolitan Medical Response System shall 
make grants to local governments to enhance any of the following 
activities:
            ``(1) Medical surge capacity.
            ``(2) Mass prophylaxis.
            ``(3) Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and 
        explosive detection, response, and decontamination 
        capabilities.
            ``(4) Emergency communications capabilities.
            ``(5) Information sharing and collaboration capabilities.
            ``(6) Regional collaboration.
            ``(7) Triage and pre-hospital treatment.
            ``(8) Medical supply management and distribution.
            ``(9) Fatality management.
            ``(10) Such other activities as the Secretary may provide.

``SEC. 527. THE NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE SIMULATION AND ANALYSIS CENTER.

    ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `National 
Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center' means the National 
Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center established under section 
1016(d) of the USA PATRIOT Act (42 U.S.C. 5195c(d)).
    ``(b) Authority.--
            ``(1) In general.--There is in the Authority the National 
        Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center which shall serve 
        as a source of national competence to address critical 
        infrastructure protection and continuity through support for 
        activities related to--
                    ``(A) counterterrorism, threat assessment, and risk 
                mitigation; and
                    ``(B) a natural or man-made disaster.
            ``(2) Infrastructure modeling.--
                    ``(A) Particular support.--The support provided 
                under paragraph (1) shall include modeling, simulation, 
                and analysis of the systems comprising critical 
                infrastructure, in order to enhance critical 
                infrastructure preparedness, protection, response, and 
                recovery activities.
                    ``(B) Relationship with other agencies.--Each 
                Federal agency and department with critical 
                infrastructure responsibilities under Homeland Security 
                Presidential Directive 7, or any successor to such 
                directive, shall establish a formal relationship, 
                including an agreement regarding information sharing, 
                between the elements of such agency or department and 
                the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis 
                Center.
                    ``(C) Purpose.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The purpose of the 
                        relationship under subparagraph (B) shall be to 
                        permit each Federal agency and department 
                        described in subparagraph (B) to take full 
                        advantage of the capabilities of the National 
                        Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center 
                        (particularly vulnerability and consequence 
                        analysis), consistent with its work load 
                        capacity and priorities, for real-time response 
                        to reported and projected emergencies, natural 
                        disasters, terrorist attacks, or other 
                        catastrophic incidents.
                            ``(ii) Recipient of certain support.--
                        Modeling, simulation, and analysis provided 
                        under this subsection shall be provided to 
                        relevant Federal agencies and departments, 
                        including Federal agencies and departments with 
                        critical infrastructure responsibilities under 
                        Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7, or 
                        any successor to such directive.

``SEC. 528. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE COMPACT.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator, 
may make grants for the purposes of administering and improving the 
Emergency Management Assistance Compact consented to by the Joint 
Resolution entitled `Joint Resolution granting the consent of Congress 
to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact' (Public Law 104-321; 
110 Stat. 3877).
    ``(b) Uses.--A grant under this section shall be used to--
            ``(1) carry out recommendations identified in after-action 
        reports for the 2004 and 2005 hurricane season issued under the 
        Emergency Management Assistance Compact;
            ``(2) coordinate with the Department and other Federal 
        Government agencies;
            ``(3) coordinate with State and local government entities 
        and their respective national associations;
            ``(4) assist State and local governments, emergency 
        response providers, and organizations representing such members 
        with credentialing emergency response providers and the typing 
        of emergency response resources; or
            ``(5) administer the operations of the Emergency Management 
        Assistance Compact.

``SEC. 529. OFFICE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TERRORISM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department an 
Office for the Prevention of Terrorism, which shall be headed by a 
Director.
    ``(b) Director.--
            ``(1) Reporting.--The Director of the Office for the 
        Prevention of Terrorism shall report directly to the Secretary.
            ``(2) Qualifications.--The Director of the Office for the 
        Prevention of Terrorism shall have an appropriate background 
        with experience in law enforcement, intelligence, or other 
        anti-terrorist functions.
    ``(c) Assignment of Personnel.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall assign to the Office 
        for the Prevention of Terrorism permanent staff and other 
        appropriate personnel detailed from other components of the 
        Department to carry out the responsibilities under this 
        section.
            ``(2) Liaisons.--The Secretary shall designate senior 
        employees from each component of the Department that has 
        significant antiterrorism responsibilities to act a liaison 
        between that component and the Office for the Prevention of 
        Terrorism.
    ``(d) Responsibilities.--The Director of the Office for the 
Prevention of Terrorism shall--
            ``(1) coordinate policy and operations between the 
        Department and State and local government agencies relating to 
        preventing acts of terrorism within the United States;
            ``(2) serve as a liaison between State and local law 
        enforcement agencies and the Department;
            ``(3) in coordination with the Office of Intelligence, 
        develop better methods for the sharing of intelligence with 
        State and local law enforcement agencies;
            ``(4) work with the Assistant Secretary of the Office of 
        Grants and Training to ensure that homeland security grants to 
        State and local agencies, including the Law Enforcement 
        Terrorism Prevention Program, Commercial Equipment Direct 
        Assistance Program, grants to support fusion centers and other 
        law enforcement-oriented programs are adequately focused on 
        terrorism prevention activities; and
            ``(5) coordinate with the Authority, the Department of 
        Justice, the National Institute of Justice, law enforcement 
        organizations, and other appropriate entities to develop 
        national voluntary consensus standards for training and 
        personal protective equipment to be used in a tactical 
        environment by law enforcement officers.
    ``(e) Pilot Project.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Director of the Office for the 
        Prevention of Terrorism, in coordination with the Director for 
        Response, shall establish a pilot project to determine the 
        efficacy and feasibility of establishing law enforcement 
        deployment teams.
            ``(2) Function.--The law enforcement deployment teams 
        participating in the pilot program under this subsection shall 
        form the basis of a national network of standardized law 
        enforcement resources to assist State and local governments in 
        responding to a natural or man-made disaster.
    ``(f) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to 
affect the roles or responsibilities of the Department of Justice.

``SEC. 530. DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.

    ``(a) Cybersecurity and Telecommunications.--There is in the 
Department an Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and 
Telecommunications.
    ``(b) United States Fire Administration.--The Administrator of the 
United States Fire Administration shall have a rank equivalent to an 
assistant secretary of the Department.

``SEC. 531. CREDENTIALING.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `credential' means to provide documentation 
        that can authenticate and verify the qualifications and 
        identity of managers of incidents, emergency response 
        providers, and other appropriate personnel, including by 
        ensuring that such personnel possess a minimum common level of 
        training, experience, physical and medical fitness, and 
        capability appropriate for their position;
            ``(2) the term `credentialing' means evaluating an 
        individual's qualifications for a specific position under 
        guidelines created in this section and assigning such 
        individual a qualification under the standards developed in 
        this section; and
            ``(3) the term `credentialed' means an individual has been 
        evaluated for a specific position under the guidelines created 
        under this section.
    ``(b) Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall enter into a 
        memorandum of understanding to collaborate with State and local 
        governments, emergency response providers, and the 
        organizations that represent them, to establish in consultation 
        with the Authority nationwide standards for credentialing all 
        personnel who are likely to respond to an emergency or major 
        disaster.
            ``(2) Contents.--The standards developed under paragraph 
        (1) shall--
                    ``(A) include the minimum professional 
                qualifications, certifications, training, and education 
                requirements for specific emergency response functional 
                positions that are applicable to Federal, State and 
                local government;
                    ``(B) be compatible with the National Incident 
                Management System; and
                    ``(C) be consistent with standards for advance 
                registration for health professions volunteers under 
                section 319I of the Public Health Services Act (42 
                U.S.C. 247d-7b).
            ``(3) Timeframe.--The Administrator shall develop standards 
        under paragraph (1) not later than 6 months after the date of 
        enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act 
        of 2006.
    ``(c) Credentialing of Department Personnel.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act 
        of 2006, the Secretary and the Administrator shall ensure that 
        all personnel of the Department (including temporary personnel 
        and individuals in the surge capacity force established under 
        section 304 of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act 
        of 2006) who are likely to respond to an emergency or major 
        disaster are credentialed.
            ``(2) Strategic human capital plan.--Not later than 90 days 
        after completion of the credentialing under paragraph (1), the 
        Administrator shall evaluate whether the workforce of the 
        Authority complies with the Strategic Human Capital Plan of the 
        Authority developed under section 301 of the Post Katrina 
        Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and is sufficient to 
        respond to a catastrophic incident.
    ``(d) Integration With National Response Plan.--
            ``(1) Distribution of standards.--Not later than 6 months 
        after the date of enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency 
        Management Reform Act of 2006, the Administrator shall provide 
        the standards developed under subsection (b) to all Federal 
        agencies that have responsibilities under the National Response 
        Plan.
            ``(2) Credentialing of agencies.--Not later than 180 days 
        after the date on which the standards are provided under 
        paragraph (1), each agency described in paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) ensure that all employees or volunteers of 
                that agency who are likely to respond to an emergency 
                or major disaster are credentialed; and
                    ``(B) submit to the Secretary the name of each 
                credentialed employee or volunteer of such agency.
            ``(3) Leadership.--The Administrator shall provide 
        leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to an agency 
        described in paragraph (1) to facilitate the credentialing 
        process of that agency.
    ``(e) Documentation and Database System.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act 
        of 2006, the Administrator shall establish and maintain a 
        documentation and database system of Federal emergency response 
        providers and all other Federal personnel credentialed to 
        respond to an emergency or major disaster.
            ``(2) Accessibility.--The documentation and database system 
        established under paragraph (1) shall be accessible to the 
        Federal coordinating officer and other appropriate officials 
        preparing for or responding to an emergency or major disaster.
            ``(3) Considerations.--The Administrator shall consider 
        whether the credentialing system can be used to regulate access 
        to areas affected by a major disaster.
    ``(f) Guidance to State and Local Governments.--Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency 
Management Reform Act of 2006, the Administrator shall--
            ``(1) in collaboration with the Emergency Management 
        Assistance Compact provide detailed written guidance, 
        assistance, and expertise to State and local governments to 
        facilitate the credentialing of State and local emergency 
        response providers commonly or likely to be used in responding 
        to an emergency or major disaster; and
            ``(2) in coordination with the Emergency Management 
        Assistance Compact and appropriate national professional 
        organizations, assist State and local governments with 
        credentialing the personnel of the State or local government 
        under the guidance provided under paragraph (1).
    ``(g) Grants.--The Secretary may make grants to State and local 
governments, emergency response providers, and organizations that 
represent them.
    ``(h) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and 
annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report 
describing the implementation of this section, including the number and 
level of qualification of Federal personnel trained and ready to 
respond to an emergency or major disaster.

``SEC. 532. TYPING OF RESOURCES.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `typed' means an asset or resource that has 
        been evaluated for a specific function under the guidelines 
        created under this section; and
            ``(2) the term `typing' means to define in detail the 
        minimum capabilities of an asset or resource.
    ``(b) Requirements.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator, shall enter into a 
        memorandum of understanding to collaborate with the State and 
        local governments, emergency response providers, and 
        organizations that represent them, to establish in consultation 
        with the Administration, nationwide standards for typing of 
        resources commonly or likely to be used in responding to an 
        emergency or major disaster.
            ``(2) Contents.--The standards developed under paragraph 
        (1) shall--
                    ``(A) be applicable to Federal, State, and local 
                government; and
                    ``(B) be compatible with the National Incident 
                Management System.
    ``(c) Typing of Department Resources and Assets.--Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency 
Management Reform Act of 2006, the Secretary shall ensure that all 
resources and assets of the Department that are commonly or likely to 
be used to respond to an emergency or major disaster are typed.
    ``(d) Integration With National Response Plan.--
            ``(1) Distribution of standards.--Not later than 6 months 
        after the date of enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency 
        Management Reform Act of 2006, the Administrator shall provide 
        the standards developed under subsection (b) to all Federal 
        agencies that have responsibilities under the National Response 
        Plan.
            ``(2) Typing of agencies, assets and resources.--Not later 
        than 180 days after the date on which the standards are 
        provided under paragraph (1), each agency described in 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) ensure that all resources and assets 
                (including teams, equipment, and other assets) of that 
                agency that are commonly or likely to be used to 
                respond to an emergency or major disaster are typed; 
                and
                    ``(B) submit to the Secretary a list of all types 
                resources and assets.
            ``(3) Leadership.--The Administrator shall provide 
        leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to an agency 
        described in paragraph (1) to facilitate the typing process of 
        that agency.
    ``(e) Documentation and Database System.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act 
        of 2006, the Administrator shall establish and maintain a 
        documentation and database system of Federal resources and 
        assets commonly or likely to be used to respond to an emergency 
        or major disaster.
            ``(2) Accessibility.--The documentation and database system 
        established under paragraph (1) shall be accessible to the 
        Federal coordinating officer and other appropriate officials 
        preparing for or responding to an emergency or major disaster.
    ``(f) Guidance to State and Local Governments.--Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency 
Management Reform Act of 2006, the Administrator in collaboration with 
State and local governments, emergency response providers, and the 
organizations that represent them, shall--
            ``(1) provide detailed written guidance, assistance, and 
        expertise to State and local governments to facilitate the 
        typing of the resources and assets of State and local 
        governments likely to be used in responding to an emergency or 
        major disaster; and
            ``(2) assist State and local governments with typing 
        resources and assets of State or local governments under the 
        guidance provided under paragraph (1).
    ``(g) Grants.--The Secretary may make grants to State and local 
governments, emergency response providers, and the organizations that 
represent them, to develop and maintain a database of typed resources 
of State and local governments.
    ``(h) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and 
annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the 
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report 
describing the implementation of this section, including the number and 
type of Federal resources and assets ready to respond to an emergency 
or major disaster.

``SEC. 533. PROVIDING SECURE ACCESS TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

    ``Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of the Post 
Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, and in coordination 
with appropriate national professional organizations, Federal, State, 
and local government agencies, and private-sector and nongovernmental 
entities, the Administrator shall create model standards or guidelines 
that States may adopt in conjunction with critical infrastructure 
owners and operators and their employees to permit access to restricted 
areas in the event of an emergency or major disaster.

``SEC. 534. IMPROVEMENTS TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS.

    ``(a) Measures to Improve Information Technology Systems.--The 
Administrator shall take appropriate measures to update and improve the 
information technology systems of the Authority, including measures 
to--
            ``(1) ensure that the multiple information technology 
        systems of the Authority (including the National Emergency 
        Management Information System, the Logistics Information 
        Management System III, and the Automated Deployment Database) 
        are fully compatible and can share and access information from 
        each other;
            ``(2) ensure technology enhancements reach the headquarters 
        and regional offices of the Authority in a timely fashion, to 
        allow seamless integration;
            ``(3) develop and maintain a testing environment that 
        ensures that all system components are properly and thoroughly 
        tested before their release;
            ``(4) ensure that the information technology systems of the 
        Authority have the capacity to track disaster response 
        personnel, mission assignments task orders, commodities, and 
        supplies used in response to an emergency or major disaster;
            ``(5) make appropriate improvements to the National 
        Emergency Management Information System to address current 
        shortcomings; and
            ``(6) provide training, manuals, and guidance on 
        information technology systems to personnel, including disaster 
        response personnel, to help ensure employees can properly use 
        information technology systems.
    ``(b) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment 
of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, the 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives a report describing the 
implementation of this section, including any actions taken, 
improvements made, any remaining problems and describing any additional 
funding needed to make necessary and appropriate improvements to the 
information technology systems of the Authority.

``SEC. 535. HURRICANE AND TSUNAMI EVACUATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall provide technical 
assistance to States and local governments that experience hurricanes, 
tsunamis or other severe weather events, including the preparation of 
hurricane evacuation studies and evacuation plans assessing current 
storm surge estimates, evacuation zones, evacuation clearance times, 
transportation capacity, and shelter capacity.
    ``(b) Plan and Schedule.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform 
        Act of 2006, the Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) establish a plan and schedule for completing, 
                maintaining, and periodically updating evacuation 
                studies carried out by the Administrator to ensure that 
                States and local governments that experience 
                hurricanes, tsunamis, or other severe weather events 
                have current and complete information available to them 
                for the preparation of their own evacuation plans; and
                    ``(B) include in the plan and schedule annual 
                maintenance and updates of existing hurricane 
                evacuation studies following each hurricane season for 
                those basins impacted by a hurricane.
            ``(2) Previously initiated studies.--Any evacuation study 
        initiated prior to the promulgation of a plan and schedule 
        established under subsection (a) shall be completed not later 
        than January 1, 2008.
    ``(c) Assistance and Guidelines.--The Administrator shall develop 
guidelines for the preparation of, and assist each State that is 
eligible for assistance under this section in producing a State pre-
storm evacuation and shelter plan which shall address the following:
            ``(1) Information, guidance, and data contained in current 
        hurricane evacuation studies and other models or projections of 
        current storm surge estimates, evacuation zones, evacuation 
        clearance times, transportation capacity, and shelter capacity.
            ``(2) Guidance regarding storm surge and evacuation-related 
        estimates projections provided by the National Weather Service 
        or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            ``(3) State planning assumptions, procedures and guidelines 
        for pre-storm evacuation-decision making and sheltering based 
        on current hurricane evacuation studies and published guidance 
        by the Authority.
            ``(4) Transportation and shelter capabilities or resources 
        that will be available and used by the State and by each 
        county, parish or municipality to implement the State pre-storm 
        evacuation and shelter plan.
            ``(5) Estimated costs for the State and for each county or 
        parish to provide pre-storm evacuation and sheltering based on 
        historical data, current cost estimates developed by the State 
        Comptroller that are updated after each hurricane season.
            ``(6) Document limitations on State, county, parish, or 
        city resources or capability to provide for pre-storm 
        evacuation and shelter and the planning assumptions of the 
        State regarding the need for Federal assistance to compensate 
        for such limitations.
    ``(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, 
and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall report to the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives on the actions taken by the Administrator to carry out 
the provisions of this section, including the status of evacuation 
studies, State evacuation and shelter plans, and the incorporation of 
lessons learned from post-storm assessments.''; and
            (8) by inserting after section 541 (as redesignated by 
        paragraph (6) of this subsection) the following:

                 ``Subtitle B--Emergency Communications

``SEC. 551. DEFINITIONS.

    ``In this subtitle--
            ``(1) the term `eligible region' means--
                    ``(A) 2 or more contiguous incorporated 
                municipalities, counties, parishes, Indian tribes or 
                other general purpose jurisdictions that--
                            ``(i) have joined together to enhance 
                        emergency communications capabilities or 
                        communications interoperability between 
                        emergency response providers in those 
                        jurisdictions and with State and Federal 
                        officials; and
                            ``(ii) includes the largest city in any 
                        metropolitan statistical area, as defined by 
                        the Office of Management and Budget; or
                    ``(B) any other area the Secretary determines to be 
                consistent with the definition of a region in the 
                national preparedness guidance issued under Homeland 
                Security Presidential Directive 8;
            ``(2) the term `National Emergency Communications Strategy' 
        means the strategy established under section 553; and
            ``(3) the term `Office of Emergency Communications' means 
        the office established under section 552.

``SEC. 552. OFFICE OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--There is established in the Authority an Office 
of Emergency Communications.
    ``(b) Director.--The head of the Office of Emergency Communications 
shall be the Director for Emergency Communications. The Director shall 
report to the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and 
Telecommunications.
    ``(c) Responsibilities.--The Director for Emergency Communications 
shall--
            ``(1) assist the Secretary in developing and implementing 
        the program described in section 7303(a)(1) of the Intelligence 
        Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 
        194(a)(1));
            ``(2) carry out the responsibilities and authorities of the 
        Department relating to the development and implementation of a 
        strategy to achieve communications interoperability and 
        emergency communications capabilities and promulgating grant 
        guidance for that purpose;
            ``(3) carry out the responsibilities under section 541;
            ``(4) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach and foster the 
        development of emergency communications capabilities and 
        interoperable communications systems by State and local 
        governments and public safety agencies, and by regional 
        consortia thereof, by--
                    ``(A) developing, updating, and implementing a 
                national strategy to achieve emergency communications 
                capabilities, with goals and timetables;
                    ``(B) developing, updating, and implementing a 
                national strategy to achieve communications 
                interoperability, with goals and timetables;
                    ``(C) developing a national architecture, which 
                defines the components of an interoperable system and 
                how the components are constructed;
                    ``(D) establishing and maintaining a task force 
                that represents the broad customer base of public 
                safety agencies of State and local governments, and 
                Federal agencies, involved in public safety disciplines 
                such as law enforcement, firefighting, emergency 
                medical services, public health, and disaster recovery, 
                in order to receive input and coordinate efforts to 
                achieve emergency communications capabilities and 
                communications interoperability;
                    ``(E) working with the Office of Grants and 
                Training Interoperable Communications Technical 
                Assistance Program to provide technical assistance to 
                State and local government officials and the Regional 
                Advisory Councils established under section 513;
                    ``(F) promoting a greater understanding of the 
                importance of emergency communications capabilities, 
                communications interoperability, and the benefits of 
                sharing resources among all levels of Federal, State, 
                and local government;
                    ``(G) promoting development of standard operating 
                procedures for incident response and facilitating the 
                sharing of information on best practices (including 
                from governments abroad) for achieving emergency 
                communications capabilities and communications 
                interoperability;
                    ``(H) making recommendations to Congress about any 
                changes in Federal law necessary to remove barriers to 
                achieving emergency communications capabilities and 
                communications interoperability;
                    ``(I) funding and conducting pilot programs, as 
                necessary, in order to--
                            ``(i) evaluate and validate technology 
                        concepts in real-world environments to achieve 
                        emergency communications capabilities and 
                        communications interoperability;
                            ``(ii) encourage more efficient use of 
                        resources, including equipment and spectrum; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) test and deploy public safety 
                        communications systems that are less prone to 
                        failure, support nonvoice services, consume 
                        less spectrum, and cost less;
                    ``(J) liaisoning with the private sector to develop 
                solutions to improve emergency communications 
                capabilities and achieve communications 
                interoperability;
                    ``(K) using modeling and simulation for training 
                exercises and command and control functions at the 
                operational level; and
                    ``(L) performing other functions necessary to 
                improve emergency communications capabilities and 
                achieve communications interoperability;
            ``(5) administer the responsibilities and authorities of 
        the Department relating to the Integrated Wireless Network 
        Program;
            ``(6) administer the National Communications System of the 
        Department under the Preparedness Directorate;
            ``(7) administer responsibilities and authorities of the 
        Department related to the Emergency Alert System and the 
        Integrated Public Alert and Warning System of the Federal 
        Emergency Management Agency;
            ``(8) administer the responsibilities and authorities of 
        the Office of Interoperability and Compatibility;
            ``(9) coordinate the establishment of a national response 
        capability with initial and ongoing planning, implementation, 
        and training for the deployment of backup communications 
        services in the event of a catastrophic loss of local and 
        regional emergency communications services;
            ``(10) assist the President, the National Security Council, 
        the Homeland Security Council, the Director of the Office of 
        Science and Technology Policy, and the Director of the Office 
        of Management and Budget in ensuring the operability of the 
        telecommunications functions and responsibilities of the 
        Federal Government;
            ``(11) review, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary 
        for Grants and Training, all interoperable emergency 
        communications plans of Federal, State, and local governments, 
        including Statewide and tactical interoperability plans; and
            ``(12) through the National Communications System, create 
        an interactive database that contains an inventory of emergency 
        communications assets maintained by the Federal Government and 
        where appropriate, State and local governments and the private 
        sector, that--
                    ``(A) can be deployed rapidly following a natural 
                or man-made disaster to assist emergency response 
                providers and State and local governments; and
                    ``(B) includes land mobile radio systems, satellite 
                phones, portable infrastructure equipment, backup power 
                system equipment, and other appropriate equipment and 
                systems.

``SEC. 553. NATIONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY.

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the completion of 
the baseline assessment under section 554, and in cooperation with 
State and local governments, Federal departments and agencies, 
emergency response providers, and the private sector, the Secretary, 
acting through the Director for Emergency Communications, shall develop 
a National Emergency Communications Strategy to achieve emergency 
communications capabilities and interoperable emergency communications.
    ``(b) Contents.--The National Emergency Communication Strategy 
shall--
            ``(1) include, in consultation with the National Institute 
        of Standards and Technology, a process for expediting national 
        voluntary consensus-based emergency communications equipment 
        standards for the purchase and use by public safety agencies of 
        interoperable emergency communications equipment and 
        technologies;
            ``(2) identify the appropriate emergency communications 
        capabilities and communications interoperability necessary for 
        Federal, State, and local governments to operate during natural 
        and man-made disasters.
            ``(3) address both short-term and long-term solutions to 
        achieving Federal, State, and local emergency communications 
        capabilities and interoperable emergency communications 
        systems, including provision of commercially available 
        equipment that facilitates operability, interoperability, 
        coordination, and integration among emergency communications 
        systems;
            ``(4) identify how Federal Government departments and 
        agencies that respond to natural or man-made disasters can work 
        effectively with State and local governments, in all States, 
        and with such other entities as are necessary to implement the 
        strategy;
            ``(5) include measures to identify and overcome all 
        obstacles to achieving interoperable emergency communications;
            ``(6) set goals and establish timetables for the 
        development of an emergency, command-level communication system 
        based on equipment available across the United States and a 
        nationwide interoperable emergency communications system;
            ``(7) identify appropriate and reasonable measures public 
        safety agencies should employ to ensure that their network 
        infrastructure maintains operability during a natural or man-
        made disaster;
            ``(8) include education of State and local emergency 
        response personnel about the availability of backup emergency 
        communications assets and their importance in planning for 
        natural and man-made disasters; and
            ``(9) identify, in consultation with the Federal 
        Communications Commission, measures States and localities 
        should employ to ensure operability of 911, E911 and public 
        safety answering points during natural and man-made disasters.

``SEC. 554. ASSESSMENTS AND REPORTS.

    ``(a) Baseline Operability and Interoperability Assessment.--Not 
later than June 1, 2000, and periodically thereafter, but not less 
frequently than every 5 years, the Secretary, acting through the 
Director for Emergency Communications, shall conduct an assessment of 
Federal, State, and local governments to--
            ``(1) define the range of emergency communications 
        capabilities and communications interoperability needed for 
        specific events;
            ``(2) assess the capabilities to meet such communications 
        needs;
            ``(3) determine the degree to which necessary emergency 
        communications capabilities and communications interoperability 
        have been achieved;
            ``(4) ascertain the needs that remain for communications 
        interoperability to be achieved;
            ``(5) assess the ability of communities to provide and 
        maintain emergency communications capabilities and 
        communications interoperability among emergency response 
        providers, and government officials in the event of a natural 
        or man-made disaster, including when there is substantial 
        damage to ordinary communications infrastructure or a sustained 
        loss of electricity;
            ``(6) include a national interoperable emergency 
        communication inventory that--
                    ``(A) identifies for each Federal department and 
                agency--
                            ``(i) the channels and frequencies used;
                            ``(ii) the nomenclature used to refer to 
                        each channel or frequency used; and
                            ``(iii) the types of communications system 
                        and equipment used;
                    ``(B) identifies the interoperable emergency 
                communication systems in use for public safety systems 
                in the United States; and
                    ``(C) provides a listing of public safety mutual 
                aid channels in operation and their ability to connect 
                to an interoperable emergency communications system;
            ``(7) compile a list of best practices among communities 
        for providing and maintaining emergency communications 
        capabilities and communications interoperability in the event 
        of a natural or man-made disaster; and
            ``(8) evaluate the feasibility and desirability of the 
        Department developing, on its own or in conjunction with the 
        Department of Defense, a mobile communications capability, 
        modeled on the Army Signal Corps, that could be deployed to 
        support emergency communications at the site of acts of 
        terrorism, natural disasters, or other emergencies.
    ``(b) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, 
and annually thereafter until the date that is 10 years after such 
date, the Secretary, acting through the Director for Emergency 
Communications, shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of 
the Department in implementing and achieving the goals of this 
subtitle, including a description of the findings of the most recent 
nationwide assessment conducted under subsection (a).

``SEC. 555. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS GRANT 
              PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Assessment of Grants and Standards Programs.--The Secretary, 
acting through the Director for Emergency Communications, in 
coordination with other Federal departments and agencies, shall review 
Federal emergency communications grants and standards programs across 
the Federal government to--
            ``(1) integrate and coordinate Federal grant guidelines for 
        the use of Federal assistance relating to interoperable 
        emergency communications and emergency communications 
        capabilities;
            ``(2) assess and make recommendations to ensure that such 
        guidelines are consistent across the Federal Government; and
            ``(3) assess and make recommendations to ensure conformity 
        with the goals and objectives identified in the National 
        Emergency Communications Strategy.
    ``(b) Denial of Eligibility for Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may prohibit any State or 
        local government from using Federal homeland security 
        assistance administered by the Department to achieve, maintain, 
        or enhance interoperable emergency communications capabilities 
        if--
                    ``(A) such government has not complied with the 
                requirement to submit a Statewide Interoperable 
                Communications Plan under section 7303(f) of the 
                Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 
                2004 (6 U.S.C. 194(f));
                    ``(B) the State or local government has not taken 
                adequate steps to maintain operability of network 
                infrastructure during a natural or man-made disaster; 
                or
                    ``(C) a grant request does not comply with 
                interoperable communications equipment standards after 
                those standards have been developed through a voluntary 
                consensus-based process or are promulgated pursuant to 
                the authority under paragraph (2).
            ``(2) Standards.--If the Secretary determines that 
        inadequate progress is being made on the completion of 
        voluntary consensus-based interoperable communications 
        equipment standards, the Secretary may promulgate such 
        standards and include them in interoperable communications 
        grant guidance.

``SEC. 556. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS INTEROPERABILITY RESEARCH AND 
              DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a comprehensive 
research and development program to promote emergency communications 
capabilities and communications interoperability among emergency 
response providers, including by--
            ``(1) promoting research on a competitive basis through the 
        Directorate of Science and Technology Homeland Security 
        Advanced Research Projects Agency; and
            ``(2) establishing a Center of Excellence under the 
        Department of Homeland Security Centers of Excellence Program, 
        using a competitive process, focused on enhancing information 
        and communications systems for emergency response providers.
    ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the program established under 
subsection (a) include--
            ``(1) understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the 
        diverse public safety communications systems currently in use;
            ``(2) examining how current and emerging technology can 
        make public safety organizations more effective, and how 
        Federal, State, and local government agencies can use this 
        technology in a coherent and cost-effective manner;
            ``(3) exploring Federal, State, and local government 
        policies that shall move systematically towards long-term 
        solutions;
            ``(4) evaluating and validating technology concepts, and 
        promoting the deployment of advanced public safety information 
        technologies for emergency communications capabilities and 
        communications interoperability; and
            ``(5) advancing the creation of a national strategy to 
        enhance emergency communications capabilities, promote 
        interoperability and efficient use of spectrum in 
        communications systems, improve information sharing across 
        organizations, and use advanced information technology to 
        increase the effectiveness of first responders in valuable new 
        ways.

``SEC. 557. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PILOT PROJECTS.

    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act 
        of 2006, the Secretary shall establish not fewer than 2 pilot 
        projects to develop and evaluate strategies and technologies 
        for providing and maintaining emergency communications 
        capabilities communications interoperability among emergency 
        response providers and government officials in the event of a 
        natural or man-made disaster in which there is significant 
        damage to, or destruction of, critical infrastructure, 
        including substantial loss of ordinary telecommunications 
        infrastructure and sustained loss of electricity.
            ``(2) Interoperable data communications.--At least 1 pilot 
        project under this section shall involve the development of 
        interoperable data communications, including medical and victim 
        information, so that this information can be shared among 
        responders, as needed, at all levels of government.
    ``(b) Selection Criteria.--In selecting areas for the location of 
the pilot projects under this section, the Secretary shall consider--
            ``(1) the risk to the area from a large-scale terrorist 
        attack or natural disaster;
            ``(2) the number of potential victims from a large-scale 
        terrorist attack or natural disaster in the area;
            ``(3) the capabilities of the emergency communications 
        systems of the area and capabilities for the development of 
        modeling and simulation training and command and control 
        functions; and
            ``(4) such other criteria as the Secretary may determine 
        appropriate.

``SEC. 558. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND INTEROPERABILITY GRANTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, through the Office of the Grants 
and Training, shall make grants to States and eligible regions for 
initiatives necessary to improve emergency communications capabilities 
and to achieve short-term or long-term solutions to statewide, 
regional, national, and, where appropriate, international 
interoperability.
    ``(b) Use of Grant Funds.--Grants awarded under subsection (a) may 
be used for initiatives to achieve short-term or long-term solutions 
for emergency communications capabilities and communications 
interoperability within the State or region and to assist with any 
aspect of the communication life cycle, including--
            ``(1) statewide or regional communications planning;
            ``(2) system design and engineering;
            ``(3) procurement and installation of equipment;
            ``(4) exercises;
            ``(5) modeling and simulation exercises for operational 
        command and control functions;
            ``(6) other activities determined by the Secretary to be 
        integral to the achievement of emergency communications 
        capabilities and communications interoperability; and
            ``(7) technical assistance and training.
    ``(c) Coordination.--The Secretary shall ensure that the Office of 
Grants and Training coordinates its activities with the Office of 
Emergency Communications, the Directorate of Science and Technology and 
other Federal entities so that grants awarded under this section, and 
other grant programs related to homeland security, fulfill the purposes 
of this section and facilitate the achievement of emergency 
communications capabilities and communications interoperability 
consistent with the national strategy.
    ``(d) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--A State or eligible region desiring a 
        grant under this section shall submit an application at such 
        time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as 
        the Secretary may reasonably require.
            ``(2) Minimum contents.--At a minimum, each application 
        submitted under paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) identify the critical aspects of the 
                communications life cycle, including planning, system 
                design and engineering, procurement and installation, 
                and training for which funding is requested;
                    ``(B) describe how--
                            ``(i) the proposed use of funds would be 
                        consistent with and address the goals in any 
                        applicable State homeland security plan, and, 
                        unless the Secretary determines otherwise, are 
                        consistent with the national strategy and 
                        architecture; and
                            ``(ii) the applicant intends to spend funds 
                        under the grant, to administer such funds, and 
                        to allocate such funds among any participating 
                        local governments; and
                    ``(C) be consistent with the Interoperable 
                Communications Plan required by section 7303(f) of the 
                Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 
                2004 (6 U.S.C. 194(f)).
    ``(e) State Review and Submission.--
            ``(1) In general.--To ensure consistency with State 
        homeland security plans, an eligible region applying for a 
        grant under this section shall submit its application to each 
        State within which any part of the eligible region is located 
        for review before submission of such application to the 
        Secretary.
            ``(2) Deadline.--Not later than 30 days after receiving an 
        application from an eligible region under paragraph (1), each 
        such State shall transmit the application to the Secretary.
            ``(3) State disagreement.--If the Governor of any such 
        State determines that a regional application is inconsistent 
        with the State homeland security plan of that State, or 
        otherwise does not support the application, the Governor 
        shall--
                    ``(A) notify the Secretary in writing of that fact; 
                and
                    ``(B) provide an explanation of the reasons for not 
                supporting the application at the time of transmission 
                of the application.
    ``(f) Award of Grants.--
            ``(1) Considerations.--In approving applications and 
        awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall 
        consider--
                    ``(A) the nature of the threat to the State or 
                eligible region from natural or man-made disasters;
                    ``(B) the location, risk, or vulnerability of 
                critical infrastructure and key national assets, 
                including the consequences from damage to critical 
                infrastructure in nearby jurisdictions as a result of a 
                natural or man-made disaster;
                    ``(C) the size of the population, and the 
                population density of the area, that will be served by 
                the interoperable emergency communications systems, 
                except that the Secretary shall not establish a minimum 
                population requirement that would disqualify from 
                consideration an area that otherwise faces significant 
                threats, vulnerabilities, or consequences from a 
                natural or man-made disaster;
                    ``(D) the extent to which grants will be used to 
                implement emergency communications and interoperability 
                solutions--
                            ``(i) consistent with the national strategy 
                        and compatible with national infrastructure and 
                        equipment standards; and
                            ``(ii) more efficient and cost effective 
                        than current approaches;
                    ``(E) the number of jurisdictions within regions 
                participating in the development of emergency 
                communications capabilities and interoperable emergency 
                communications systems, including the extent to which 
                the application includes all incorporated 
                municipalities, counties, parishes, and tribal 
                governments within the State or eligible region, and 
                their coordination with Federal and State agencies;
                    ``(F) the extent to which a grant would expedite 
                the achievement of emergency communications 
                capabilities and communications interoperability in the 
                State or eligible region with Federal, State, and local 
                government agencies;
                    ``(G) the extent to which a State or eligible 
                region, given its financial capability, demonstrates 
                its commitment to expeditiously achieving emergency 
                communications capabilities and communications 
                interoperability by supplementing Federal funds with 
                non-Federal funds;
                    ``(H) whether the State or eligible region is on or 
                near an international border;
                    ``(I) whether the State or eligible region 
                encompasses an economically significant border 
                crossing;
                    ``(J) whether the State or eligible region has a 
                coastline bordering an ocean or international waters;
                    ``(K) the extent to which geographic barriers pose 
                unusual obstacles to achieving emergency communications 
                capabilities or communications interoperability;
                    ``(L) the threats, vulnerabilities, and 
                consequences faced by the State or eligible region 
                related to at-risk site or activities in nearby 
                jurisdictions, including the need to respond to natural 
                or man-made disasters arising in those jurisdictions;
                    ``(M) the need to achieve nationwide emergency 
                communications capabilities and communications 
                interoperability, consistent with the national 
                strategies;
                    ``(N) the extent to which the State has formulated 
                a State executive interoperability committee or 
                conducted similar statewide planning efforts; and
                    ``(O) such other factors as are specified by the 
                Secretary in writing.
            ``(2) Review panel.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
                review panel under section 871(a) to assist in 
                reviewing grant applications under this section.
                    ``(B) Recommendations.--The review panel 
                established under subparagraph (A) shall make 
                recommendations to the Secretary regarding applications 
                for grants under this section.
                    ``(C) Membership.--The review panel established 
                under subparagraph (A) shall include individuals with 
                technical expertise in emergency communications and 
                communications interoperability and emergency response 
                providers and other relevant State and local officials.
            ``(3) Availability of funds.--Any grant funds awarded that 
        may be used to support emergency communications capabilities or 
        communications interoperability shall, as the Secretary may 
        determine, remain available for up to 3 years, consistent with 
        section 7303(e) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism 
        Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 194(e)).''.

SEC. 102. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO INTELLIGENCE REFORM.

    Section 7303(g) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention 
Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 194(g)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) Interoperable emergency communications system and 
        communications interoperability.--The terms `interoperable 
        emergency communications system' and `communications 
        interoperability' mean the ability of emergency response 
        providers and relevant Federal, State, and local government 
        agencies to--
                    ``(A) communicate with each other as necessary, 
                using information technology systems and radio 
                communications systems; and
                    ``(B) exchange voice, data, or video with each 
                other on demand, in real time, as necessary.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Emergency communications capabilities.--The term 
        `emergency communications capabilities' means the ability to 
        provide and maintain, throughout an emergency response 
        operation, a continuous flow of information among emergency 
        responders, agencies, and government officials from multiple 
        disciplines and jurisdictions and at all levels of government 
        in the event of a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other 
        large-scale or catastrophic emergency, including where there 
        has been significant damage to, or destruction of, critical 
        infrastructure, substantial loss of ordinary telecommunications 
        infrastructure, and sustained loss of electricity.''.

SEC. 103. COMMUNICATION SYSTEM GRANTS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the term ``demonstration project'' means a 
        demonstration project established under subsection (b)(1);
            (2) the term ``emergency response provider'' has the 
        meaning given that term in section 2(7) of the Homeland 
        Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101(6)), as redesignated by this 
        Act; and
            (3) the term ``interoperable emergency communications 
        system'' has the meaning given that term in paragraph (10) of 
        section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101), 
        as amended by this Act.
    (b) In General.--
            (1) Establishment.--There is established in the Department 
        an ``International Border Community Interoperable 
        Communications Demonstration Project''.
            (2) Minimum number of communities.--The Secretary shall 
        select not fewer than 6 communities to participate in a 
        demonstration project.
            (3) Location of communities.--Not fewer than 3 of the 
        communities selected under paragraph (2) shall be located on 
        the northern border of the United States and not fewer than 3 
        of the communities selected under paragraph (2) shall be 
        located on the southern border of the United States.
    (c) Project Requirements.--A demonstration project shall--
            (1) address the interoperable emergency communications 
        system needs of police officers, firefighters, emergency 
        medical technicians, National Guard, and other emergency 
        response providers;
            (2) foster interoperable emergency communications systems--
                    (A) among Federal, State, local, and tribal 
                government agencies in the United States involved in 
                preventing or responding to terrorist attacks or other 
                catastrophic events; and
                    (B) with similar agencies in Canada or Mexico;
            (3) identify common international cross-border frequencies 
        for communications equipment, including radio or computer 
        messaging equipment;
            (4) foster the standardization of equipment for 
        interoperable emergency communications systems;
            (5) identify solutions that will facilitate communications 
        interoperability across national borders expeditiously;
            (6) ensure that emergency response providers can 
        communicate with each other and the public at disaster sites or 
        in the event of a terrorist attack or other catastrophic event;
            (7) provide training and equipment to enable emergency 
        response providers to deal with threats and contingencies in a 
        variety of environments; and
            (8) identify and secure appropriate joint-use equipment to 
        ensure communications access.
    (d) Distribution of Funds.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall distribute funds under 
        this section to each community participating in a demonstration 
        project through the State, or States, in which each community 
        is located.
            (2) Other participants.--Not later than 60 days after 
        receiving funds under paragraph (1), a State receiving funds 
        under this section shall make the funds available to the local 
        governments and emergency response providers selected by the 
        Secretary to participate in a demonstration project.
    (e) Reporting.--Not later than December 31, 2007, and each year 
thereafter in which funds are appropriated for a demonstration project, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives a report on the demonstration 
projects.

SEC. 104. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Executive Schedule.--
            (1) Administrator.--Section 5313 of title 5, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``Administrator of the United States Emergency Management 
        Authority.''.
            (2) Directors.--Section 5314 of title 5, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``Directors, United States Emergency Management 
        Authority.''.
            (3) FEMA officers.--
                    (A) Federal insurance administrator.--Section 5315 
                of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking 
                ``Federal Insurance Administrator, Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency.'' and inserting ``Insurance 
                Administrator, United States Emergency Management 
                Agency.''.
                    (B) Inspector general.--Section 5315 of title 5, 
                United States Code, is amended by striking ``Inspector 
                General, Federal Emergency Management Agency.'' and 
                inserting ``Inspector General, United States Emergency 
                Management Agency.''.
                    (C) Chief information officer.--Section 5315 of 
                title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking 
                ``Chief Information Officer, Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency.'' and inserting ``Chief Information 
                Officer, United States Emergency Management Agency.''.
    (b) Officers of the Department.--Section 103(a) of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 113(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
            ``(5) An Administrator of the United States Emergency 
        Management Authority.'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (2); and
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (10) (as 
        amended by this subsection) as paragraphs (2) through (9), 
        respectively.
    (c) References.--Any reference to the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, or the Director thereof, in any law, rule, regulation, 
certificate, directive, instruction, or other official paper in force 
on the effective date of this title shall be considered to refer and 
apply to the United States Emergency Management Authority and the 
Administrator thereof, respectively.
    (d) Table of Contents.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of 
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by 
striking the items relating to title V and sections 501 through 509 and 
inserting the following:

             ``TITLE V--NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

``Sec. 501. Definitions.
                ``Subtitle A--Preparedness and Response

``Sec. 511. Definitions.
``Sec. 512. United States Emergency Management Authority.
``Sec. 513. Authorities and responsibilities.
``Sec. 514. Authority components.
``Sec. 515. Preserving the United States Emergency Management 
                            Authority.
``Sec. 516. Directors.
``Sec. 517. Regional Offices.
``Sec. 518. National Advisory Council on Preparedness and Response.
``Sec. 519. National Incident Management System Integration Center.
``Sec. 520. National Operations Center.
``Sec. 521. Chief Medical Officer.
``Sec. 522. Public and community preparedness.
``Sec. 523. Basic life supporting first aid education for children.
``Sec. 524. SAVER Program.
``Sec. 525. National Search and Rescue Response System.
``Sec. 526. Metropolitan Medical Response System.
``Sec. 527. National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center.
``Sec. 528. Emergency Management Assistance Compact authorization.
``Sec. 529. Office for the Prevention of Terrorism.
``Sec. 530. Department officials.
``Sec. 531. Credentialing.
``Sec. 532. Typing of resources.
``Sec. 533. Providing secure access to critical infrastructure.
``Sec. 534. Improvements to information technology systems.
``Sec. 535. Hurricane and tsunami evacuation technical assistance.
``Sec. 536. Nuclear incident response.
``Sec. 537. Conduct of certain public health-related activities.
``Sec. 538. Use of national private sector networks in emergency 
                            response.
``Sec. 539. Use of commercially available technology, goods, and 
                            services.
``Sec. 540. Procurement of security countermeasures for strategic 
                            national stockpile.
``Sec. 541. Urban and other high risk area communications capabilities.
                 ``Subtitle B--Emergency Communications

``Sec. 551. Definitions.
``Sec. 552. Office of Emergency Communications.
``Sec. 553. National Emergency Communications Strategy.
``Sec. 554. Assessments and reports.
``Sec. 555. Coordination of Federal emergency communications grant 
                            programs.
``Sec. 556. Emergency communications interoperability research and 
                            development.
``Sec. 557. Emergency communications pilot projects.
``Sec. 558. Emergency communications and interoperability grants.''.

                   TITLE II--STAFFORD ACT AMENDMENTS

SEC. 201. GENERAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.

    Section 402 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170a) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``In any major disaster, the President'' 
        and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--In any major disaster, the President'';
            (2) in subsection (a)(1), as so designated by this section, 
        by striking ``efforts'' and inserting ``response or recovery 
        efforts, including precautionary evacuations'';
            (3) in subsection (a)(2), as so designated by this section, 
        by striking the semicolon and inserting ``, including 
        precautionary evacuations;''; and
            (4) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) provide accelerated Federal assistance and Federal 
        support where necessary to save lives, prevent human suffering, 
        or mitigate severe damage, which may be provided in the absence 
        of a specific request and in which case the President--
                    ``(A) shall, to the extent practicable, notify and 
                coordinate with a State in which such assistance or 
                support is provided; and
                    ``(B) shall not, in notifying and coordinating with 
                a State under subparagraph (A), delay or impede the 
                rapid deployment, use, and distribution of critical 
                resources to victims of a major disaster.
    ``(b) Recovery Efforts.--In any major disaster, the President may 
assist State and local governments in short-term and long-term recovery 
from the consequences of a major disaster and coordinate any such 
federal assistance provided by--
            ``(1) identifying federal programs and agencies to support 
        the implementation of short-term and long-term recovery efforts 
        of State, regional, local, tribal governments;
            ``(2) directing any Federal agency, with or without 
        reimbursement to utilize its authorities and resources to--
                    ``(A) support State, and local governments, 
                nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector 
                by conducting a postdisaster assessment of social, 
                economic, and environmental impacts; and
                    ``(B) provide technical assistance, guidance, and 
                resources to State and local governments to undertake 
                long-term recovery activities;
            ``(3) creating a plan that clearly outlines the roles, 
        responsibilities, and shared activities of each Federal 
        department and agency involved in long-term recovery 
        activities;
            ``(4) coordinating long-term recovery activities and 
        mitigation provided by all Federal agencies, nongovernmental 
        organizations, the private sector, and State and local 
        governments; and
            ``(5) providing technical assistance and other advice to 
        State and local governments affected by the major disaster to--
                    ``(A) assess social, economic, and environmental 
                impacts (including impacts to living resources) of the 
                major disaster on the affected geographic region;
                    ``(B) support coordinated, multi-scale planning 
                that takes postdisaster assessments and hazard and risk 
                modeling into account;
                    ``(C) coordinate data sharing and information 
                management between Federal agencies, State and local 
                governments, nongovernmental organizations, and the 
                private sector;
                    ``(D) coordinate implementation of plans for long-
                term recovery activities; and
                    ``(E) manage, control, and mitigate hazard risk in 
                a way that reduces injuries, loss of life, damage to 
                the natural environment, and damage and destruction of 
                property, including damage to living resources and 
                facilities.
    ``(c) Long-Term Recovery Offices.--The President may establish and 
operate long-term recovery offices in any area in which the President 
has declared a major disaster.
    ``(d) Guidelines.--The President shall promulgate and maintain 
guidelines to assist Governors in making requests under this section by 
defining the types of assistance available to affected States and the 
circumstances under which such requests are likely to be approved.''.

SEC. 202. NATIONAL DISASTER RECOVERY STRATEGY.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Agriculture, the 
Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Administrator 
of the Small Business Administration, and State and local government 
officials, shall develop, coordinate, and maintain a National Disaster 
Recovery Strategy.
    (b) Contents.--The National Disaster Recovery Strategy shall--
            (1) outline the most efficient and cost effective Federal 
        programs that will meet the short-term and long-term recovery 
        needs of States, local governments, and individuals affected by 
        a major disaster;
            (2) clearly define the role, programs, authorities, and 
        responsibilities of each Federal department or agency that may 
        be of assistance in providing assistance in the recovery from a 
        major disaster;
            (3) describe in detail the programs that will be offered by 
        the departments and agencies described in paragraph (2), 
        including--
                    (A) discussing funding issues;
                    (B) detailing how responsibilities under the 
                National Disaster Recovery Strategy will be shared; and
                    (C) addressing other matters concerning the 
                cooperative effort to provide recovery assistance.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and on May 1 of every year thereafter, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
House of Representatives a report describing in detail the National 
Disaster Recovery Strategy and any additional authorities necessary to 
implement any portions of the National Disaster Recovery Strategy.

SEC. 203. ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 322(c)(1) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165(c)(1)) is 
amended by inserting ``or man-made'' after ``natural''.
    (b) Hazard Mitigation.--The second sentence of section 404(a) of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5170c(a)) is amended by inserting ``or man-made'' after 
``natural''.

SEC. 204. DISASTER HOUSING STRATEGY.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and State and local 
government officials, shall develop, coordinate, and maintain a 
National Disaster Housing Strategy.
    (b) Contents.--The National Disaster Housing Strategy shall--
            (1) outline the most efficient and cost effective Federal 
        programs that will best meet the short-term and long-term 
        housing needs of individuals and households affected by major 
        disasters;
            (2) clearly define the role, programs, authorities, and 
        responsibilities of each entity in providing housing assistance 
        in the event of a major disaster, including--
                    (A) the Authority;
                    (B) the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development;
                    (C) the Department of Agriculture;
                    (D) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
                    (E) the Department of Health and Human Services;
                    (F) any other Federal agency that may provide 
                housing assistance in the event of a major disaster;
                    (G) the American Red Cross; and
                    (H) State and local governments;
            (3) describe in detail the programs that will be offered by 
        the entities described in paragraph (2), including--
                    (A) outlining any funding issues;
                    (B) detailing how responsibilities under the 
                National Disaster Housing Strategy will be shared; and
                    (C) addressing other matters concerning the 
                cooperative effort to provide housing assistance during 
                a major disaster;
            (4) consider methods through which housing assistance can 
        be provided to individuals and households where employment and 
        other resources for living are available;
            (5) describe programs directed to meet the needs of special 
        needs and low income populations;
            (6) describe plans for the operation of clusters of housing 
        provided to individuals and households, including but not 
        limited to access to public services, site management, 
        security, and site density; and
            (7) describe any additional authorities necessary to carry 
        out any portion of the strategy.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, and on May 1 of every year thereafter, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a 
report describing in detail the National Disaster Housing Strategy, 
including programs directed to meeting the needs of special needs 
populations.

SEC. 205. ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

    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. 425. ESSENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS.

    ``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `essential service 
provider' means an entity that--
            ``(1) provides--
                    ``(A) telecommunications service;
                    ``(B) electrical power;
                    ``(C) natural gas;
                    ``(D) water and sewer services; or
                    ``(E) any other essential service, as determined by 
                the President;
            ``(2) is--
                    ``(A) a municipal entity;
                    ``(B) a nonprofit entity; or
                    ``(C) a private, for-profit entity; and
            ``(3) is contributing to efforts to respond to an emergency 
        or major disaster.
    ``(b) Authorization.--In an emergency or major disaster, the 
President may use Federal equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, 
and other non-monetary resources to assist an essential service 
provider, in exchange for reasonable compensation.
    ``(c) Compensation.--
            ``(1) In general.--The President shall, by regulation, 
        establish a mechanism to set reasonable compensation to the 
        Federal Government for the provision of assistance under 
        subsection (b).
            ``(2) Criteria.--The mechanism established under paragraph 
        (1)-
                    ``(A) shall reflect the cost to the government (or 
                if this is not readily obtainable, the full market 
                value under the applicable circumstances) for 
                assistance provided under subsection (b) in setting 
                compensation;
                    ``(B) shall have, to the maximum degree feasible, 
                streamlined procedures for determining compensation; 
                and
                    ``(C) may, at the President's discretion, be based 
                on a good faith estimate of cost to the government 
                rather than an actual accounting of costs.
            ``(3) Periodic review.--The President shall periodically 
        review, and if necessary revise, the regulations established 
        under paragraphs (1) and (2) to ensure that these regulations 
        result in full compensation to the government for transferred 
        resources. Such reviews shall occur no less frequently than 
        once every 2 years, and the results of such reviews shall be 
        reported 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.''.

SEC. 206. HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM FORMULA.

    The third sentence of section 404(a) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c(a)) is 
amended by striking ``7.5 percent'' and inserting ``15 percent for the 
amount spent up to $2,000,000,000, 10 percent for amounts between 
$2,000,000,000 and $10,000,000,000, and 7.5 percent on amounts spent 
between $10,000,000,000 and $35,333,000,000''.

SEC. 207. HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

    Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Consent of individual or household.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), 
                the President shall seek the consent of each individual 
                or household before providing such individual or 
                household with a direct housing assistance option.
                    ``(B) Rejection of direct housing assistance.--If 
                an individual or household does not provide consent 
                under subparagraph (A), such individual or household 
                shall remain eligible for any other assistance 
                available under this section.''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(1)--
                    (A) by striking ``Temporary'' in the paragraph 
                heading;
                    (B) in paragraph (1)(B)--
                            (i) in clause (i), by striking ``housing 
                        units'' and inserting ``semi-permanent, or 
                        permanent housing''; and
                            (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``housing 
                        units'' and inserting ``semi-permanent, or 
                        permanent housing'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by inserting ``or semi-permanent'' 
                        after ``permanent''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``insular'' and 
                        ``remote''.

SEC. 208. MAXIMUM AMOUNT UNDER INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

    Section 408(c) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (2)(C); and
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking subparagraph (B); and
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as 
                subparagraph (B).

SEC. 209. COORDINATING OFFICERS.

    Section 302(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5143(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) serve as a primary point of contact for, and provide 
        situational awareness to, the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security.''.

SEC. 210. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or, regardless of 
        cause, any fire, flood, or explosion'' and inserting ``any 
        fire, flood, or explosion (regardless of cause), any act of 
        domestic terrorism or international terrorism (as those terms 
        are defined in section 2331 of title 18, United States Code), 
        any outbreak of infectious disease, any chemical release, or 
        any other incident'';
            (2) in paragraph (9), by inserting ``(including museums, 
        zoos, performing arts organizations, community centers, 
        libraries, homeless shelters, senior citizen centers, 
        rehabilitation facilities, and shelter workshops)'' after 
        ``general public''; and
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as 
        paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively, and inserting after 
        paragraph (5) the following:
            ``(6) Individual with a disability.--The term `individual 
        with a disability' means an individual with a disability as 
        defined in section 3(2) of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
        of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102(2)).''.

SEC. 211. CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE ASSISTANCE.

    The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating title VII as title VIII;
            (2) by redesignating sections 701 through 705 as 
        subsections 801 through 805, respectively; and
            (3) by inserting after title VI, the following:

              ``TITLE VII--CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE ASSISTANCE

``SEC. 701. ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--Following a declaration of a major disaster, if 
a damage assessment indicates that damages qualify as catastrophic, the 
President may provide, in addition to other relief available under 
section 408, the assistance provided for in this title or alter the 
assistance available under section 408 as described in this title.
    ``(b) Regulations.--The President shall promulgate regulations 
establishing a threshold for a catastrophic damages determination which 
consider the following factors:
            ``(1) The dollar amount per capita of damage to the State, 
        its political subdivisions, or a region.
            ``(2) The impact on the ability of the State, its political 
        subdivisions, or regions to perform response and recovery 
        activities, as well as capacity to provide basic services to 
        citizenry.
            ``(3) The estimated impact of revenue loss to the State, 
        its political subdivisions, or a region.
            ``(4) The number of individuals and households displaced 
        from their predisaster residences by the event.
            ``(5) The severity of loss of housing stock, utility 
        services, and alternative living accommodations.
            ``(6) The severity of the impact on employment rates in the 
        State, its political subdivisions, or a region.
            ``(7) The anticipated length and difficulty of the recovery 
        process.
            ``(8) Other factors that the President deems relevant.

``SEC. 702. CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE.

    ``(a) In General.--
            ``(1) Types of assistance.--In the event of a catastrophic 
        damages determination under section 701 the President may 
        provide to an individual or household any type of assistance 
        authorized under section 408 in the event of a major disaster.
            ``(2) Terms.--Except as provided in subsection (b), 
        assistance under paragraph (1) shall be provided on the same 
        terms and conditions as under section 408.
    ``(b) Maximum Amount; Federal Share.--
            ``(1) Maximum amount.--The President may increase the 
        maximum amount of assistance under subsection (a)(1), which may 
        not exceed twice the maximum amount authorized under section 
        408(h).
            ``(2) Federal share.--The President may increase the 
        Federal share of the costs eligible to be paid using assistance 
        provided under subsection (a)(1) to not more than--
                    ``(A) 100 percent for assistance provided under 
                section 408(g)(2) during the 3-month period beginning 
                on the date on which the President declared the major 
                disaster; and
                    ``(B) 90 percent for assistance provided under 
                section 408(g)(2) during the period beginning on the 
                day after the date described in subparagraph (A) and 
                ending on the date that is 9 months after the date on 
                which the President declared the major disaster.

``SEC. 703. MORTGAGE AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) Eligible Person.--In this section, the term `eligible person' 
means an individual or household who--
            ``(1) resides in his or her predisaster primary residence;
            ``(2) has experienced a loss of at least 20 percent of his 
        or her predisaster income as a result of a major disaster;
            ``(3) has a rent or mortgage payment that constitutes at 
        least 25 percent of his or her post-disaster income; and
            ``(4) as a result of financial hardship caused by the 
        incident determined to have caused catastrophic damage, is 
        subject to--
                    ``(A) dispossession or eviction from the residence 
                of the individual or household; or
                    ``(B) foreclosure of a mortgage or lien or 
                termination of a lease entered into before the date on 
                which the catastrophic incident was declared.
    ``(b) Assistance.--The President may provide assistance to eligible 
persons to make mortgage or rental payments.
    ``(c) Limitations.--Assistance under subsection (b) shall be 
included against the assistance limitation under section 702(b)(1). 
Such assistance shall be provided as an alternative to other housing 
assistance described in sections 408(b) and 702(a).
    ``(d) Promulgation of Rules and Verification Requirements.--Not 
later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the Post Katrina 
Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, the President shall promulgate 
rules and issue verification requirements, documents, and procedures to 
administer the program authorized under this section.
    ``(e) Period of Assistance.--The President may not provide 
assistance to an individual or household under subsection (b) for more 
than 12 months during the 18-month period beginning on the date of the 
declaration of a major disaster by the President.

``SEC. 704. DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--The President may provide to an individual 
unemployed as a result of a major disaster causing catastrophic damage 
as determined under section 701(a) any assistance authorized under 
section 410 in the event of a major disaster for the period authorized 
under subsection (b).
    ``(b) Duration of Assistance.--The President may provide assistance 
to an individual under subsection (a) for not more than 52 weeks after 
the date on which the President declared the major disaster that 
resulted in the unemployment of that individual.

``SEC. 705. COMMUNITY DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
President may provide to a local government located in an area for 
which the President has determined has suffered catastrophic damage 
from a major disaster any assistance authorized under section 417 in 
the event of a major disaster.
    ``(b) Maximum Amount and Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) Maximum amount.--In providing assistance under 
        subsection (a), the President may waive the limitations under 
        section 417(b) on the maximum amount of a loan under section 
        417. The President may establish additional criteria for 
        eligibility for assistance provided in excess of the limitation 
        under Sec. 417(b) in order to ensure that the additional 
        assistance is awarded to those jurisdictions most impacted by 
        the major disaster.
            ``(2) Use of funds.--The President may authorize a local 
        government receiving assistance under subsection (a) to use 
        that assistance for salaries, including overtime, of employees 
        of that local government.

``SEC. 706. REIMBURSEMENT FOR PURCHASES.

    ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Disaster period.--The term `disaster period' means, 
        with respect to any State that includes an area for which a 
        major disaster has been declared in accordance with section 
        401, the period beginning on the earliest date on which any 
        area of the State was so declared and ending on the latest date 
        for which any such declaration of an area of the State 
        terminates.
            ``(2) Survivor.--The term `survivor' means an individual 
        who--
                    ``(A) resides in an area for which a major disaster 
                has been declared in accordance with section 401; or
                    ``(B) resided in an area described in subparagraph 
                (A) during the 7 days immediately preceding the date of 
                declaration of a major disaster described in 
                subparagraph (A).
    ``(b) Reimbursement.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        law, the President may reimburse a community for each purchase 
        of supplies (such as food, personal hygiene products, linens, 
        and clothing) distributed to survivors. The Federal share of 
        such assistance shall be 90 percent.
            ``(2) Eligible purchases.--Reimbursement under paragraph 
        (1) shall be available only with respect to supplies that--
                    ``(A) are purchased with taxpayer dollars; and
                    ``(B) would otherwise be eligible for reimbursement 
                if purchased by a survivor.
    ``(c) Period of Applicability.--This section and the authority 
provided by this section apply only to a community assisting survivors 
from a State during the disaster period of the State.''.

SEC. 212. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

    (a) Standards.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall develop standards to accommodate 
individuals with disabilities, which shall include standards for--
            (1) the accessibility of, and communications and programs 
        in, shelters, recovery centers, and other facilities; and
            (2) devices used in connection with disaster operations, 
        including first aid stations, mass feeding areas, portable 
        payphone stations, portable toilets, and temporary housing.
    (b) Nondiscrimination in Disaster Assistance.--Section 308(a) of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5151(a)) is amended by inserting ``disability,'' after ``age,''.
    (c) Essential Assistance.--Section 403(a) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``durable medical 
        equipment,'' after ``medicine''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting ``durable medical 
        equipment,'' after ``medicine''.
    (d) Repair, Restoration, and Replacement of Damaged Facilities.--
Section 406(e)(1)(A)(ii) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(e)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by 
inserting ``disability accessibility requirements,'' after 
``specifications'' .
    (e) Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households.--Section 408 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``, or with respect 
        to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible or 
        uninhabitable,'' after ``uninhabitable''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)(1)(A)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); 
                and
                    (C) by inserting after clause (i) the following:
                            ``(ii) meets the physical accessibility 
                        requirements for individuals with disabilities; 
                        and''.
    (f) Emergency Public Transportation.--Section 419 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5186) 
is amended by inserting ``The President shall ensure to the maximum 
extent practicable that temporary public transportation services under 
this section are planned, designed, and carried out to meet the needs 
of individuals with disabilities and others with special needs.'' at 
the end.
    (g) Exercises.--The Administrator shall include individuals with 
disabilities in preparedness and planning activities.

SEC. 213. DISABILITY COORDINATOR.

    The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
is amended by inserting after section 302 the following:

``SEC. 302A. DISABILITY COORDINATOR.

    ``(a) In General.--After consultation with organizations 
representing individuals with disabilities and the Interagency 
Coordinating Council on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities 
established under Executive Order 13347 (6 U.S.C. 312 note), the 
Administrator of the United States Emergency Management Agency shall 
appoint a Disability Coordinator. The Disability Coordinator shall 
report directly to the Administrator, in order to ensure that the needs 
of individuals with disabilities are being properly addressed in 
emergency preparedness and disaster relief.
    ``(b) Responsibilities.--The Disability Coordinator shall be 
responsible for--
            ``(1) providing guidance and coordination on matters 
        related to individuals with disabilities in emergency planning 
        requirements and relief efforts in the event of a major 
        disaster;
            ``(2) interacting directly with Administration staff, the 
        Interagency Coordinating Council on Preparedness and 
        Individuals with Disabilities established under Executive Order 
        No. 13347 (6 U.S.C. 312 note), other agencies of the Federal 
        Government, and State and local government authorities 
        regarding the needs of individuals with disabilities in 
        emergency planning requirements and relief efforts in the event 
        of a major disaster;
            ``(3) consulting with organizations that represent the 
        interests and rights of individuals with disabilities about the 
        needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency planning 
        requirements and relief efforts in the event of a major 
        disaster;
            ``(4) coordinating and disseminating best practices and 
        model evacuation plans for individuals with disabilities;
            ``(5) developing a curriculum for first responder training 
        on the needs of individuals with disabilities, including the 
        needs of individuals with physical disabilities and the needs 
        of individuals with psychiatric disabilities;
            ``(6) developing training materials for State and local 
        governmental officials, first responders, and others about the 
        importance of allowing individuals with disabilities to retain 
        their durable medical equipment, wheelchairs, service animals, 
        and other assistive devices, to the maximum extent possible, in 
        the aftermath of a major disaster;
            ``(7) working with the Director of the Centers for Medicare 
        and Medicaid Services, durable medical equipment regional 
        carriers, manufacturers and suppliers of durable medical 
        equipment, and medical professionals to draft an emergency 
        response plan for the temporary loan or replacement of durable 
        medical equipment in the event of a major disaster;
            ``(8) ensuring the accessibility of telephone hotlines and 
        websites regarding emergency preparedness, evacuations, and 
        disaster relief;
            ``(9) working with the Chairman of the Federal 
        Communications Commission to ensure that video programming 
        distributors, including broadcasters, cable operators, and 
        satellite television services, make emergency information 
        accessible to individuals with hearing and vision disabilities;
            ``(10) coordinating the availability of accessible 
        transportation options for individuals with disabilities in the 
        event of an evacuation;
            ``(11) providing guidance and implementing policies to 
        ensure that the rights and wishes of individuals with 
        disabilities regarding post-evacuation residency and relocation 
        are respected;
            ``(12) ensuring that meeting the needs of individuals with 
        disabilities are included in any Federal emergency response 
        plans; and
            ``(13) any other duties relevant to emergency preparedness 
        an response for individuals with disabilities.''.

SEC. 214. TEMPORARY HOUSING.

    Section 408(c)(1)(B) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)(1)(B)) is amended by adding 
at the end the following--
                            ``(iv) Accessibility.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--Not less than 5 
                                percent of the total housing units 
                                provided under this subparagraph for a 
                                major disaster shall be made accessible 
                                for persons with mobility impairments. 
                                Not less than an additional 2 percent 
                                of such units shall be made accessible 
                                for persons with hearing or vision 
                                impairments.
                                    ``(II) Increases.--The President 
                                may increase a percentage under 
                                subclause (I) for any area upon request 
                                by any State or local government or 
                                agency, based upon demonstration to the 
                                reasonable satisfaction of the 
                                President of a need for a higher 
                                percentage, based on census data or 
                                other available data on the location of 
                                people with disabilities, or in 
                                response to evidence of a need for 
                                higher percentage or number received in 
                                any other manner. In reviewing a 
                                request under this subclause, or 
                                otherwise assessing the existence of 
                                such needs, the President shall take 
                                into account the expected needs of 
                                eligible persons with an without 
                                disabilities''.

SEC. 215. GAO STUDY ON ACCESSIBILITY OF EMERGENCY SHELTERS.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a national study regarding whether, and, if so, to what extent, 
emergency shelters for use in response to a major disaster, as that 
term is defined in section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)) are accessible 
to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
a report summarizing the results of this study to the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of 
the House of Representatives.

SEC. 216. REUNIFICATION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Child locator center.--The term ``Child Locator 
        Center'' means the National Emergency Child Locator Center 
        established under subsection (c).
            (2) Declared event.--The term ``declared event'' means 
        major disaster or emergency declared under the short title.
            (3) Displaced adult.--The term ``displaced adult'' means an 
        individual 21 years of age or older who is displaced from the 
        habitual residence of that individual as a result of a declared 
        event.
            (4) Displaced child.--The term ``displaced child'' means an 
        individual under 21 years of age who is displaced from the 
        habitual residence of that individual as a result of a declared 
        event.
    (b) National Emergency Child Locator Center.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Attorney General of the United 
        States, in coordination with the Authority, shall establish 
        within the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children 
        the National Emergency Child Locator Center.
            (2) Purposes.--The purposes of the Child Locator Center are 
        to--
                    (A) enable individuals to provide to the Child 
                Locator Center the name of and other identifying 
                information about a displaced child or a displaced 
                adult who may have information about the location of a 
                displaced child;
                    (B) enable individuals to receive information about 
                other sources of information about displaced children 
                and displaced adults; and
                    (C) assist law enforcement in locating displaced 
                children.
            (3) Responsibilities and duties.--The responsibilities and 
        duties of the Child Locator Center are to--
                    (A) establish a toll-free telephone number to 
                receive reports of displaced children and information 
                about displaced adults that may assist in locating 
                displaced children;
                    (B) create a website to provide information about 
                displaced children;
                    (C) deploy its staff to the location of a declared 
                event to gather information about displaced children;
                    (D) assist in the reunification of displaced 
                children with their families;
                    (E) provide information to the public about 
                additional resources for disaster assistance;
                    (F) work in partnership with Federal, State, and 
                local law enforcement agencies;
                    (G) provide technical assistance in locating 
                displaced children;
                    (H) share information on displaced children and 
                displaced adults with governmental agencies and 
                nongovernmental organizations providing disaster 
                assistance;
                    (I) use its resources to gather information about 
                displaced children;
                    (J) refer reports of displaced adults to an entity 
                designated by the Attorney General to provide technical 
                assistance in locating displaced adults;
                    (K) enter into cooperative agreements with Federal 
                and State agencies as necessary to implement the 
                mission of the Child Locator Center; and
                    (L) develop an emergency response plan to prepare 
                for the activation of the Child Locator Center.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 403(1) of the Missing 
Children's Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5772(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (B), by adding ``or'' after the 
        semicolon; and
            (3) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
                    ``(C) the individual is an individual under 21 
                years of age who is displaced from the habitual 
                residence of that individual as a result of an 
                emergency or major disaster (as those terms are defined 
                in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
                Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
                5122)).''.

SEC. 217. NATIONAL EMERGENCY FAMILY REGISTRY AND LOCATOR SYSTEM.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the term ``displaced individual'' means an individual 
        displaced by an emergency or major disaster; and
            (2) the term ``National Emergency Family Registry and 
        Locator System'' means the National Emergency Family Registry 
        and Locator System established under subsection (b).
    (b) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a National 
Emergency Family Registry and Locator System to help reunify families 
separated after an emergency or major disaster.
    (c) Operation of System.--The National Emergency Family Registry 
and Locator System shall--
            (1) allow a displaced individual to voluntarily register, 
        by submitting personal information to be entered into a 
        database (such as the name, current location of residence, and 
        any other relevant information that could be used by others 
        seeking to locate that individual);
            (2) include a means of providing information submitted 
        under paragraph (1) to a family member of a displaced 
        individual and to law enforcement officials; and
            (3) be accessible through the Internet and through a toll-
        free number, to receive reports of displaced individuals.
    (d) Publication of Information.--Not later than 210 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a 
mechanism to inform the public about the National Emergency Family 
Registry and Locator System and its potential usefulness for assisting 
to reunite displaced individuals with their families.
    (e) Coordination.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter a memorandum of 
understanding with the Department of Justice, the National Center for 
Missing and Exploited Children, the Department of Health and Human 
Services, and the American Red Cross and other relevant private 
organizations that will enhance the sharing of information to 
facilitate reuniting displaced individuals with their families.

SEC. 218. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS.

    (a) Shared Households.--
            (1) 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--
                    (A) by striking ``The President may'' and inserting 
                the following:
                    ``(A) In general.--The President may''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) Shared households.--
                            ``(i) Definition.--In this subparagraph, 
                        the term `member of the predisaster household' 
                        means an individual who was a member of the 
                        predisaster household of the individual or a 
                        member of the predisaster household seeking 
                        assistance, as the case may be.
                            ``(ii) Eligibility for shared households.--
                        The President may not deny assistance to an 
                        individual or household under this section 
                        because a member of the predisaster household 
                        has already received assistance under this 
                        section, if the individual or household seeking 
                        assistance--
                                    ``(I) has evacuated the predisaster 
                                residence of that individual or 
                                household and who for good cause, as 
                                determined by the President, resides in 
                                a different location than a member of 
                                the predisaster household who has 
                                already received assistance under this 
                                section;
                                    ``(II) is a victim of domestic 
                                violence, dating violence, sexual 
                                assault or stalking and, in order to 
                                protect his or her safety or because of 
                                family or household break-up or 
                                divorce, resides in a different 
                                residence than the member of the 
                                predisaster household who has already 
                                received assistance under this section; 
                                or
                                    ``(III) has other good cause, as 
                                determined by the President, for 
                                maintaining a separate household from 
                                the member of the predisaster household 
                                who has already received assistance 
                                under this section.''.
            (2) Regulations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the President shall issue regulations to 
        carry out the amendments made by this subsection.
    (b) Utility Costs and Fair Market Rent.--
            (1) In general.--Section 408(c)(1)(A) of the Robert T. 
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 5174(c)(1)(A)) is amended--
                    (A) in clause (ii) by inserting ``(as determined by 
                the Department of Housing and Urban Development)'' 
                after ``rent'';
                    (B) in clause (ii) by inserting ``security 
                deposits'' after ``hookups'';
                    (C) in clause (ii) by adding ``The assistance 
                provided under clause (i) may be used for tenant-paid 
                utilities, except telephones.'' at the end; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(iii) Adjustments to amount.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--The President 
                                shall provide assistance under clause 
                                (i) in an amount up to 120 percent of 
                                fair market rent plus the costs 
                                described in clause (ii) if the 
                                President determines that, as a result 
                                of rental market changes caused by the 
                                major disaster and its consequences, 
                                the fair market rent does not 
                                accurately reflect the reasonable cost 
                                of rental units available to 
                                individuals and households receiving 
                                assistance under clause (i). The 
                                President may provide assistance over 
                                120 percent of fair market rent if the 
                                President determines that due to 
                                extraordinary circumstances a higher 
                                percentage is necessary. The President 
                                shall publicly announce any adjustment 
                                to the fair market rent in accordance 
                                with this subsection.
                                    ``(II) Persons with disabilities.--
                                The President shall adjust the amount 
                                of assistance under clause (i) if the 
                                President deems such adjustment 
                                necessary to accommodate the special 
                                housing needs of an individual with 
                                disabilities as defined in section 3(2) 
                                of the Americans with Disabilities Act 
                                of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102(2)).''.
            (2) Emergency.--Section 408(c) of the Robert T. Stafford 
        Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
        5174(c)) is amended--
                    (A) In paragraph 6, by striking ``and'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) in paragraph 7, by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) provide excellerated Federal assistance in Federal 
        support where necessary to save lives, prevent human suffering, 
        or mitigate severe damage, which may be provided in the absence 
        of a specific request in which the President--
                    ``(A) shall, to the extent practicable, notify and 
                coordinate with a State in which such assistance or 
                support is provided; and
                    ``(B) shall not, in notifying and coordinating with 
                a State under subparagraph (A), delay or impede the 
                rapid deployment, use, and distribution of critical 
                resources to victims of an emergency.''.
    (c) Guidance on Housing Assistance.--Section 408(c) of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5174(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Public guidance on housing assistance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The President shall issue public 
                guidance in simple terms explaining--
                            ``(i) all types of housing assistance 
                        available under this Act to individuals and 
                        households affected by a major disaster;
                            ``(ii) the specific requirements that 
                        individuals and households shall meet to be 
                        eligible for different types of housing 
                        assistance under this Act, including 
                        requirements for continuation of housing 
                        assistance provided;
                            ``(iii) procedures for applying for such 
                        assistance;
                            ``(iv) any relevant local condition; and
                            ``(v) any modifications of previously 
                        announced policies or procedures.
                    ``(B) Form of issuing guidance.--The President 
                shall--
                            ``(i) post the guidance described in 
                        subparagraph (A) on the website of the 
                        Authority;
                            ``(ii) provide a copy of the guidance 
                        described in subparagraph (A) to any individual 
                        or household who requests housing assistance; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) take other reasonable steps to 
                        ensure that the guidance described in 
                        subparagraph (A) is freely accessible to the 
                        public.
                    ``(C) Accessibility.--The guidance under 
                subparagraph (A) shall be issued in formats that may be 
                understood by individuals with--
                            ``(i) vison impairments;
                            ``(ii) limited English proficiency; and
                            ``(iii) other special needs.
                    ``(D) Revisions.--Any revisions to the guidance 
                described in subparagraph (A) shall be publicized as 
                described in subparagraph (B).
                    ``(E) Deadline.--Not later than 5 days after 
                declaring a major disaster, the President shall 
                publicize the guidance described in this section and 
                any local modifications. The President shall also 
                publicize any subsequent modifications to the policy 
                guidance described in this section within not later 
                than 2 days of the date of any such modification.''.

SEC. 219. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended by 
striking section 416 and inserting the following:

``SEC. 416. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

    ``(a) In General.--The President is authorized to provide mental 
health and substance abuse services to individuals affected by a major 
disaster (including children and other vulnerable populations, and 
emergency response providers responding to a major disaster) to relieve 
or prevent mental health or substance abuse problems caused or 
aggravated by such major disaster or its aftermath.
    ``(b) Types of Assistance.--The assistance provided under 
subsection (a) may include providing financial assistance to Federal, 
State, or local government agencies or private mental health or 
substance abuse organizations to provide mental health or substance 
abuse services or train individuals to provide such services.
    ``(c) Duration of Assistance.--The President may provide an award 
of financial assistance described in this section for a period of no 
more than 9 months after the date of notice of the grant award. The 
President may extend the period of such an award for 90 days because of 
documented extraordinary circumstances. In limited circumstances, such 
as disasters of a catastrophic nature, the President may extend the 
period of such an award beyond 90 days if the President determines it 
is in the public interest.''.
    (b) Response Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration and other Federal agencies providing mental health or 
substance abuse services, in coordination with the Administrator and 
State and local government officials with responsibilities for 
providing mental health or substance abuse prevention and services, 
shall--
            (1) conduct a survey of mental health or substance abuse 
        services and any applicable support services available to 
        individuals affected by major disasters and to emergency 
        response providers responding to major disasters; and
            (2) develop a strategy for the adequate provision of mental 
        health and substance abuse services to individuals affected by 
        major disasters and to emergency response providers responding 
        to major disasters.

SEC. 220. LANGUAGE SERVICES.

    (a) Definition.--For purposes of this section--
            (1) the term ``documents'' includes--
                    (A) emergency notifications, public broadcasts, 
                flyers, brochures, applications, and letters containing 
                important information regarding assistance authorized 
                to be provided by the President under this Act;
                    (B) notices pertaining to the reduction, denial, or 
                termination of services or benefits under this Act, 
                including the right to appeal such actions; and
                    (C) notices of the availability of free language 
                services and other outreach materials; and
            (2) the term ``appropriate population segments'' includes 
        groups comprising a substantial portion of limited English 
        proficient individuals in the area for which the President 
        declares a major disaster.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to assist providers of 
disaster relief related services
            (1) to improve, through effective communication, the 
        quality of disaster relief related information and services for 
        individuals with limited English proficiency or individuals 
        with disabilities or individuals with other special needs; and
            (2) to meet their obligation and responsibility to ensure 
        equal access to such services for such individuals.
    (c) Reasonable Steps To Ensure Effective Communication With People 
With Limited English Proficiency or Individuals With Disabilities.--In 
carrying out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, the President shall--
            (1) ensure that all Federal entities that provide 
        assistance under this Act maintain, on a continuing and updated 
        basis, the capability to administer competent interpretation 
        and translation services;
            (2) consult available census data and communicate with 
        State and local governments and relevant non-governmental 
        organizations for the purposes of--
                    (A) identifying individuals with limited English 
                proficiency; and
                    (B) including such individuals in disaster 
                preparedness planning;
            (3) direct all Federal agencies to implement disaster 
        relief assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
        and Emergency Assistance Act by providing to appropriate 
        population segments, in a timely manner, competent 
        interpretation services and translated documents;
            (4) provide documents to individuals with disabilities or 
        other special needs in formats they can understand;
            (5) ensure that translated documents are provided to 
        organizations that could assist with their distribution to 
        affected population segments;
            (6) have available for activation disaster assistance 
        employees sufficient to comply with (1), (2), (3), and (4); and
            (7) develop and maintain an informational clearinghouse of 
        model language assistance programs and best practices for State 
        and local governments in providing disaster and emergency 
        related services.
    (d) Technical Assistance for Development of Plans and Programs.--
Section 201(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131(b)) is amended by inserting ``with and 
without English proficiency, disabilities, or other special needs,'' 
after ``to individuals''.

SEC. 221. STANDARDS FOR STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS 
              OPERATIONAL PLANS.

    (a) Standards.--Section 613 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196b) is amended by 
redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h) and inserting the 
following:
    ``(g) Standards for State and Local Emergency Preparedness Plans.--
In approving standards for State and local emergency preparedness plans 
under subsection (b)(3), the Administrator shall ensure that such plans 
take into account the needs of individuals with special needs and 
requirements as described in Section 611(f) and individuals with pets 
as described in Section 611(g).''.
    (b) Planning for Special Needs.--Section 611 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196) 
is amended by redesignating subsections (f) through (k) as subsections 
(h) through (m) and inserting the following:
    ``(f) The Administrator of the United States Emergency Management 
Authority, shall take appropriate actions to ensure that each State, in 
its Homeland Security Strategy or other homeland security plan, 
provides detailed and comprehensive pre-disaster and post-disaster 
plans for individuals with special needs and their care givers, 
including but not limited to individuals with disabilities and 
individuals with chronic diseases, including those with service 
animals, individuals with limited English proficiency, children, and 
the elderly in emergencies, including but not limited to plans for 
medical care, evacuations and sheltering. Further, in the case of 
evacuation planning, the Administrator shall also ensure that such 
plans address the needs of those unable to evacuate themselves, 
including those individuals with low-income or without access to 
private transportation and those requiring specialized transportation 
because of medical conditions.''.
    (c) Planning for Individuals With Pets.--Section 611 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5196) is amended by inserting after subsection (f), as added by 
subparagraph (b), the following:
    ``(g) The Administrator of the United States Emergency Management 
Authority shall take appropriate actions to ensure that State and local 
emergency preparedness, evacuation, and sheltering plans take into 
account the needs of individuals with household pets prior to, during, 
and following a major disaster.''.
    (d) Assistance to States and Local Authorities.--Section 611(l)(1) 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 
as redesignated by subsection (b) of this section is amended by 
striking the period at the end of the first sentence and adding the 
following: ``in addition, the Administrator may provide financial and 
technical support including the services of subject matter experts, 
such as pediatricians and geriatricians, on the basis of programs or 
projects approved by the Administrator, to States and local authorities 
for the purpose of developing and implementing plans for individuals 
with special needs and requirements as identified in subsection 611(f), 
including procurement of facilities and medical equipment and supplies 
for the care of such individuals, and individuals with pets as 
identified in subsection 611 (g), including the procurement, 
construction, leasing, or renovating of emergency shelter facilities 
and materials that will accommodate individuals with disabilities, 
individuals with special needs, and individuals with pets or service 
animals.''.
    (e) Report to Congress.--Not later than one year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--
            (1) submit to Congress a report evaluating the adequacy of 
        the plans of the States to evacuate individuals with special 
        needs and requirements, as defined in subsection (b) of this 
        section in emergencies or major disasters that would warrant 
        their evacuation; and
            (2) include in the report a discussion of--
                    (A) whether or not the States have the resources 
                necessary to implement fully their evacuation and 
                sheltering plans; and
                    (B) the manner in which the plans of the States are 
                integrated with the response plans of the Federal 
                Government for emergencies that would require the 
                evacuation and sheltering of individuals with special 
                needs.
    (f) Training Programs.--
            (1) In general.--Section 611(h)(1) of the Robert T. 
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as 
        redesignated by subsection (b) of this section is amended by 
        striking subparagraph (A) and insert the following:
                    ``(A) conduct or arrange by contract or otherwise, 
                the training programs for the instruction of emergency 
                preparedness and response officials and other persons 
                in the organization, operation and techniques of 
                emergency preparedness and response, including but not 
                limited to planning for and responding to individuals 
                with special needs''.
            (2) Emergency assistance.--Section 502 of the Robert T. 
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 5192) is amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking the semicolon 
                and inserting ``, including precautionary 
                evacuations;'';
                    (B) in subsection (b), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``, including precautionary evacuations.''; 
                and
                    (C) adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Guidelines.--The President shall promulgate and maintain 
guidelines to assist Governors in making requests under this section by 
defining the types of assistance available to affected States and the 
circumstances under which such requests are likely to be approved.''.

SEC. 222. TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE AND CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO 
              INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS.

    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. 425. TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS.

    ``The President may provide transportation assistance to relocate 
individuals displaced from their predisaster primary residences as a 
result of an incident declared under this Act or otherwise transported 
from their predisaster primary residences under section 403(a)(3) or 
502, to and from alternative locations for short or long-term 
accommodation or to return an individual or household to their 
predisaster primary residence or alternative location as deemed 
necessary by the President.

``SEC. 426. CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

    ``The President may provide case management services, including 
financial assistance to state or local agencies or qualified private 
organizations to provide such services, to victims of major disasters 
to identify and address unmet needs.''.

SEC. 223. NON-FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.

    Section 801 (b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5201), as redesignated by this Act, 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by striking the period at the end of 
        the first sentence and adding the following: ``including from 
        foreign organizations and governments.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Receipt and Coordination of Gifts From Foreign Sources.--
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 612, the President or his 
delegate shall coordinate receipt of gifts or assistance from foreign 
sources with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State with 
regard to--
            ``(1) the identification of emergency requirements for 
        which such gifts or assistance is required and appropriate, and
            ``(2) procedures for receipt, distribution, and monitoring 
        of the use of such gifts or assistance.''.

SEC. 224. DISASTER COORDINATION.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense 
and the Secretary of State, develop policies and procedures relating to 
the effective coordination of disaster assistance from non-Federal 
entities, including private and foreign entities and governments, as 
provided under section 801 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act, as redesignated by this Act, including--
            (1) coordination with other disaster assistance from the 
        Federal Government, and State and local governments and other 
        sources;
            (2) identification of requirements for utilization that are 
        necessary and appropriate for such assistance;
            (3) receipt and distribution; and
            (4) monitoring to ensure of its appropriate final use.

                    TITLE III--STAFFING IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 301. STRATEGIC HUMAN CAPITAL PLAN.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Homeland Security and the 
                Committee on Government Reform of the House of 
                Representatives; and
            (2) the term ``strategic human capital plan'' means the 
        plan developed under subsection (b).
    (b) Plan Development.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress a strategic plan to shape and 
improve the workforce of the Authority.
    (c) Contents.--The strategic human capital plan shall include--
            (1) a workforce gap analysis, including an assessment of--
                    (A) the critical skills and competencies that will 
                be needed in the workforce of the Authority to support 
                the mission and responsibilities of, and effectively 
                manage, the Authority during the 10-year period 
                beginning on the date of enactment of this Act;
                    (B) the skills and competencies of the workforce of 
                the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the day 
                before the date of enactment of this Act and projected 
                trends in that workforce, based on expected losses due 
                to retirement and other attrition; and
                    (C) the staffing levels of each category of 
                employee, including gaps in the workforce of the 
                Federal Emergency Management Agency on the day before 
                the date of enactment of this Act and the projected 
                workforce of the Authority that should be addressed to 
                ensure that the Authority has continued access to the 
                critical skills and competencies described in 
                subparagraph (A);
            (2) a plan of action for developing and reshaping the 
        workforce of the Authority to address the gaps in critical 
        skills and competencies identified under paragraph (1)(C), 
        including--
                    (A) specific recruiting and retention goals, 
                including the use of bonus authority under sections 
                5753 and 5754 of title 5, United States Code, 
                (including the program objectives of the Authority to 
                be achieved through such goals);
                    (B) specific strategies for developing, training, 
                deploying, compensating, and motivating and retaining 
                the Authority workforce and its ability to fulfill the 
                Authority's mission and responsibilities (including the 
                program objectives of the Department and the Authority 
                to be achieved through such strategies);
                    (C) specific strategies for recruiting individuals 
                who have served in multiple State agencies with 
                emergency management responsibilities; and
                    (D) specific strategies for the development, 
                training, and coordinated and rapid deployment of the 
                Surge Capacity Force established by section 304; and
            (3) a discussion that--
                    (A) details the number of employees of the 
                Department not employed by the Authority serving in the 
                Surge Capacity Force and the qualifications or 
                credentials of such individuals;
                    (B) details the number of individuals not employed 
                by the Department serving in the Surge Capacity Force 
                and the qualifications or credentials of such 
                individuals;
                    (C) describes the training given to the Surge 
                Capacity Force during the last year;
                    (D) states whether the Surge Capacity Force is able 
                to adequately prepare for, respond to, and recover from 
                a natural or man-made disaster, including catastrophic 
                incident; and
                    (E) describes any additional authorities or 
                resources necessary to address any deficiencies in the 
                Surge Capacity Force.
    (d) Annual Updates.--Not later than May 1, 2007, and May 1 of each 
year thereafter until 2012, the Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress an update of the strategic human 
capital plan, including an assessment by the Administrator, using 
results-oriented performance measures, of the progress of the 
Department and the Authority in implementing the strategic human 
capital plan.
    (e) Comptroller General Review.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        Administrator submits the strategic human capital plan under 
        subsection (b), the Comptroller General of the United States 
        shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
        evaluating the plan.
            (2) Updates.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        Administrator submits an update of the strategic human capital 
        plan under subsection (d), the Comptroller General shall submit 
        to the appropriate committees of Congress a report evaluating 
        the updated plan.

SEC. 302. CAREER PATHS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) ensure that appropriate career paths for personnel are 
        identified, including the education, training, experience, and 
        assignments necessary for career progression within the 
        Authority; and
            (2) publish information on the career paths described in 
        paragraph (1).
    (b) Education, Training, and Experience.--The Administrator shall 
ensure that all personnel of the Authority are provided the opportunity 
to acquire the education, training, and experience necessary to qualify 
for promotion within the Authority, including the opportunity to 
participate in the Rotation Program established under section 305.
    (c) Policy.--The Administrator shall establish a policy for 
assigning Authority personnel to positions that provide for a balance 
between--
            (1) the need for such personnel to serve in career 
        enhancing positions; and
            (2) the need to require service in a position for 
        sufficient period of time to provide the stability necessary--
                    (A) to carry out the duties of that position; and
                    (B) for responsibility and accountability for 
                actions taken in that position.

SEC. 303. NATIONAL HOMELAND SECURITY ACADEMY.

    (a) Establishment of National Homeland Security Academy.--
            (1) In general.--Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 
        2002 (6 U.S.C. 361 et seq.) is amended by adding after section 
        801 the following:

``SEC. 802. NATIONAL HOMELAND SECURITY ACADEMY.

    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary--
                    ``(A) shall establish the National Homeland 
                Security Academy (referred to in this section as the 
                `Academy') within the Authority; and
                    ``(B) may enter into cooperative agreements with 
                other agencies or entities to utilize space and provide 
                for the lease of real property for the Academy or any 
                component of the Academy.
            ``(2) Composition.--The Academy shall consist of--
                    ``(A) the National Homeland Security Education and 
                Strategy Center (referred to in this section as the 
                `Strategy Center') to provide fundamental instruction 
                and develop a homeland security curriculum focusing 
                primarily on the Federal Government's overall strategy, 
                goals, methods, and techniques;
                    ``(B) a communications network capable of 
                delivering distance learning opportunities, at the 
                direction of the Strategy Center;
                    ``(C) the programs of the Center for Homeland 
                Defense and Security located at the Naval Postgraduate 
                School, and such programs shall be incorporated into 
                the Academy in a manner to be determined by the 
                Secretary; and
                    ``(D) the National Homeland Security Education 
                Network, which--
                            ``(i) shall be composed of representatives 
                        from all of the academies and training centers 
                        within the jurisdiction of the Department;
                            ``(ii) shall work with the Academy to 
                        develop a standardized homeland security 
                        curriculum to be incorporated, as appropriate, 
                        at each academy and training center to ensure 
                        that the focus of the individual centers is 
                        coordinated with the centralized educational 
                        strategies and goals of the Academy; and
                            ``(iii) shall not affect the respective 
                        missions and goals of the participating 
                        academies and training centers.
            ``(3) Mission.--The mission of the Academy shall be to--
                    ``(A) establish an educational system to--
                            ``(i) cultivate leaders in homeland 
                        security; and
                            ``(ii) ensure that Federal, State, local, 
                        tribal, and private sector officials get the 
                        full range of skills needed to provide robust 
                        homeland security;
                    ``(B) provide strategic education and training to 
                carry out the missions of the Department of Homeland 
                Security;
                    ``(C) provide cross-disciplinary and joint 
                education and training to Federal, State, and local 
                government officials responsible for the direct 
                application and execution of vital homeland security 
                missions; and
                    ``(D) focus primarily on shorter-term classes and 
                exercises to maximize participation by the homeland 
                security community.
            ``(4) Enrollment target.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Strategy Center shall have 
                an initial annual enrollment target of 1,000 resident 
                students, as described in subsection (b)(3)(A).
                    ``(B) Non-resident students.--The enrollment target 
                under subparagraph (A) does not include non-resident 
                students, including students who participate in 
                electronic learning systems.
            ``(5) Responsibilities.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In addition to providing 
                traditional course work and hands-on training 
                exercises, the Academy shall encourage the development 
                and use of modern technology to ensure that the 
                training offered at the Academy, and to organizations 
                and individuals receiving instruction over electronic 
                learning systems--
                            ``(i) is tailored to the unique needs of 
                        the individuals and groups that need training;
                            ``(ii) efficiently uses such technology; 
                        and
                            ``(iii) translates directly into practical 
                        skills.
                    ``(B) Instructional materials.--The Academy shall 
                develop instructional requirements for courses related 
                to its mission that are supported with materials that 
                are adequately reviewed and continuously updated.
                    ``(C) Certification.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Academy may 
                        establish certification criteria for students 
                        in areas related to its mission, in 
                        consultation with the Network established under 
                        subsection (e).
                            ``(ii) Recertification.--The criteria 
                        established under clause (i) shall include 
                        requirements for recertification and ensure the 
                        availability of needed assessment tools.
                    ``(D) Information repository.--The Academy shall 
                provide a repository of approved instructional 
                materials, instructional software, and other materials 
                that are easily accessible by participants.
                    ``(E) Communication networks.--The Academy shall 
                certify, and operate, if necessary, a secure, reliable 
                communication system capable of delivering 
                instructional materials to participants at any time and 
                place.
                    ``(F) Instruction and expertise.--The Academy shall 
                certify instructors, experts, counselors, and other 
                individuals who can provide answers and advice to 
                students over communication systems.
            ``(6) Strategy center.--
                    ``(A) Responsibilities.--The Strategy Center 
                shall--
                            ``(i) provide curriculum development and 
                        classroom instruction for resident students 
                        that focus on the strategic goals, methods, and 
                        techniques for homeland security;
                            ``(ii) provide instruction--
                                    ``(I) primarily to Federal 
                                employees described under subsection 
                                (b)(3)(A) with homeland security 
                                responsibilities; and
                                    ``(II) to small numbers of State 
                                and local government officials and 
                                private individuals; and
                            ``(iii) direct the operation of the 
                        Academy's electronic learning systems.
                    ``(B) Curriculum.--The curriculum taught at the 
                Strategy Center shall--
                            ``(i) include basic education about 
                        homeland security, the Department, and the 
                        relationship of the directorates within the 
                        Department;
                            ``(ii) include the relationship between the 
                        Department and other Federal, State, and local 
                        agencies with homeland security 
                        responsibilities; and
                            ``(iii) be developed with assistance from 
                        the National Homeland Security Education 
                        Network.
    ``(b) Administration.--
            ``(1) Executive director.--The Secretary shall appoint an 
        Executive Director for the Academy, who shall--
                    ``(A) administer the operations of the Academy;
                    ``(B) establish an Academic Board, to be headed by 
                the Dean of the Academic Board, appointed under 
                paragraph (2);
                    ``(C) hire initial staff and faculty, as 
                appropriate and necessary;
                    ``(D) contract with practitioners and experts, as 
                appropriate, to supplement academic instruction; and
                    ``(E) make recommendations to the Secretary 
                regarding long-term staffing and funding levels for the 
                Academy.
            ``(2) Dean of the academic board.--The Executive Director 
        shall appoint, with the approval of the Secretary, a permanent 
        professor to serve as Dean of the Academic Board and perform 
        such duties as the Executive Director may prescribe.
            ``(3) Director of admissions.--The Executive Director shall 
        appoint, with the approval of the Secretary, a Director of 
        Admissions, who shall--
                    ``(A) grant admission to the Strategy Center to--
                            ``(i) new employees of the Department, who 
                        have clear homeland security responsibilities;
                            ``(ii) mid-level executive employees of the 
                        Department, including employees that receive 
                        academy or other training, who demonstrate a 
                        need for cross-disciplinary or advanced 
                        education and training and have been endorsed 
                        by the appropriate Under Secretary;
                            ``(iii) other Federal employees with 
                        homeland security responsibilities who have 
                        been endorsed by the head of their agency;
                            ``(iv) State and local employees who--
                                    ``(I) demonstrate a clear 
                                responsibility for providing homeland 
                                security; and
                                    ``(II) possess the nomination of 
                                the Governor of their State, or Head of 
                                applicable jurisdiction; and
                            ``(v) private sector applicants who 
                        demonstrate a clear responsibility for 
                        providing homeland security;
                    ``(B) ensure that students from each level of 
                government and the private sector are included in all 
                programs and classes, whenever appropriate; and
                    ``(C) perform such duties as the Executive Director 
                may prescribe.
    ``(c) Board of Visitors.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--Before the Academy admits any 
        students, the Secretary shall establish a Board of Visitors (in 
        this section referred to as the `Board') to--
                    ``(A) assist in the development of curriculum and 
                programs at the Academy; and
                    ``(B) recommend the site for the location of the 
                Strategy Center.
            ``(2) Membership.--
                    ``(A) Composition.--The Board will be composed of--
                            ``(i) the Secretary, or designee, who shall 
                        serve as chair;
                            ``(ii) the Executive Director of the 
                        Academy, or designee, who shall be a nonvoting 
                        member;
                            ``(iii) the Chairman of the Committee on 
                        Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
                        the Senate, or designee;
                            ``(iv) the Ranking Member of the Committee 
                        on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
                        of the Senate, or designee;
                            ``(v) the Chairman of the Committee on 
                        Homeland Security of the House of 
                        Representatives, or designee;
                            ``(vi) the Ranking Member of the Committee 
                        on Homeland Security of the House of 
                        Representatives, or designee;
                            ``(vii) the Secretary of Health and Human 
                        Services, or designee;
                            ``(viii) the Secretary of Defense, or 
                        designee;
                            ``(ix) the Secretary of Education, or 
                        designee;
                            ``(x) the Secretary of Transportation, or 
                        designee;
                            ``(xi) the Director of the Federal Bureau 
                        of Investigation, or designee;
                            ``(xii) 4 persons, who shall be appointed 
                        by the Secretary for 2-year terms to represent 
                        State and local governments; and
                            ``(xiii) 4 persons, who shall be appointed 
                        by the Secretary for 2-year terms to represent 
                        first responders.
                    ``(B) Prohibition.--Any person described under 
                subparagraph (A), whose membership on the Board would 
                create a conflict of interest, shall not serve as a 
                member of the Board.
                    ``(C) Vacancies.--If a member of the Board dies or 
                resigns from office, the official who designated the 
                member shall designate a successor for the unexpired 
                portion of the term.
            ``(3) Duties.--
                    ``(A) Academy visits.--The Board shall visit the 
                Academy not less than annually, and may, with the 
                approval of the Secretary, make other visits to the 
                Academy in connection with the duties of the Board or 
                to consult with the Executive Director of the Academy.
                    ``(B) Inquiries.--The Board shall inquire into the 
                curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal 
                affairs, academic methods, student body composition, 
                and other matters relating to the Academy that the 
                Board decides to consider.
                    ``(C) Reports.--
                            ``(i) Annual report.--Not later than 60 
                        days after each annual visit, the Board shall 
                        submit a written report to the Secretary, which 
                        describes its action, and of its views and 
                        recommendations pertaining to the Academy.
                            ``(ii) Additional reports.--Any report of a 
                        visit, other than the annual visit, shall, if 
                        approved by a majority of the members of the 
                        Board, be submitted to the Secretary not later 
                        than 60 days after the approval.
            ``(4) Travel expenses.--The members of the Board shall be 
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business 
        in the performance of services for the Board.
    ``(d) Reports to Congress.--
            ``(1) Curriculum and attendance.--The Secretary shall 
        submit an annual report that describes the curriculum of, and 
        enrollment at, the Academy to--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
                    ``(B) the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
                House of Representatives.
            ``(2) Feasibility report.--Not later than 1 year after the 
        establishment of the Academy, the Secretary shall submit a 
        report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
        Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of 
        the House of Representatives that--
                    ``(A) recommends an appropriate combination of 
                students from Federal, State, and local government and 
                the private sector, and the percentage of costs related 
                to the education of each of these student groups that 
                should be reimbursable;
                    ``(B) describes the feasibility of expanding the 
                Academy in regional offices of the Authority or other 
                government or university programs to provide ongoing 
                education and training for Federal employees with 
                homeland security responsibilities; and
                    ``(C) describes the feasibility of providing 
                education for the general public through electronic 
                learning systems.
    ``(e) National Homeland Security Education Network.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--The Executive Director of the Academy 
        shall establish a National Homeland Security Education Network 
        (referred to in this section as the `Network'), as described 
        under subsection (a)(2)(B).
            ``(2) Membership.--The Network shall be comprised of 
        representatives from Federal training and certification 
        organizations, including--
                    ``(A) the National Homeland Security Academy;
                    ``(B) the Office of Domestic Preparedness;
                    ``(C) the National Domestic Preparedness 
                Consortium;
                    ``(D) the Center for Homeland Defense and Security 
                at the Naval Postgraduate School;
                    ``(E) the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, 
                including all schools or training and education 
                programs managed or co-located with the Center;
                    ``(F) the Customs and Border Protection Academy;
                    ``(G) the Border Patrol Academy;
                    ``(H) the Bureau of Immigration and Customs 
                Enforcement Academy;
                    ``(I) the Secret Service Academy;
                    ``(J) the United States Coast Guard Academy, 
                including all schools within the jurisdiction of the 
                Coast Guard Academy;
                    ``(K) the Emergency Management Institute;
                    ``(L) the Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
                Service Training Program;
                    ``(M) the Federal Air Marshal Training Center;
                    ``(N) the National Fire Academy; and
                    ``(O) other relevant training facilities within the 
                Department.
            ``(3) Curriculum requirements.--The curriculum and course 
        work developed as part of the Network shall be incorporated 
        into the curriculum of the institutions listed under paragraph 
        (2), as appropriate, to ensure that students at these 
        institutions understand how their homeland security 
        responsibilities relate to other homeland security 
        responsibilities in the Department and other Federal, State, 
        and local agencies. The training centers and academies listed 
        under paragraph (2) shall retain their respective missions and 
        goals.
            ``(4) Semi-annual meetings.--The Executive Director and the 
        Dean of the Academic Board shall meet with the Network not less 
        than once every 6 months to--
                    ``(A) discuss curriculum requirements; and
                    ``(B) coordinate training activities within the 
                Network.
            ``(5) Reports.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter, the 
        Network shall submit a report to the Committee on Homeland 
        Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, 
        which describes the Network's--
                    ``(A) strategy for using advanced instructional 
                technologies;
                    ``(B) plans for future improvement; and
                    ``(C) success in working with other organizations 
                in achieving the goals described under subparagraphs 
                (A) and (B).''.
            (2) Technical amendment.--Section 1(b) of the Homeland 
        Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) is amended by 
        inserting after the item relating to section 801 the following:

``Sec. 802. National Homeland Security Academy.''.
    (b) State and Local Education and Training Coordinator.--The 
Secretary, through the Administrator, shall appoint a State and Local 
Education and Training Coordinator, who shall--
            (1) serve as the primary point of contact between Federal, 
        State, and local training facilities, the National Homeland 
        Security Academy, and the Authority, in order to--
                    (A) maximize the ability of the Academy to identify 
                non-Academy programs that meet specific training goals 
                and are crucial to the Nation's homeland security 
                mission; and
                    (B) assist the Academy and the Authority in 
                determining where to direct Federal training funds; and
            (2) at least semiannually, conduct meetings with a 
        coalition of State and local education and training facilities 
        to--
                    (A) allow State and local fire, rescue, and law 
                enforcement training facilities to provide input on 
                decisions made concerning the training of first 
                responders; and
                    (B) increase curriculum coordination between the 
                Academy and Federal, State, and local facilities.

SEC. 304. SURGE CAPACITY FORCE.

    (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Surge Capacity Force'' 
means the Surge Capacity Force established under subsection (b).
    (b) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a Surge 
        Capacity Force for deployment of individuals for natural or 
        man-made disasters, including catastrophic incidents, as 
        determined by the Administrator.
            (2) Employees designated to serve.--The Secretary shall 
        designate employees of the Department who are not employees of 
        the Authority to serve on the Surge Capacity Force.
    (c) Capabilities.--The Administrator shall--
            (1) include a sufficient number of individuals credentialed 
        in accordance with section 205 that are capable of deploying 
        rapidly and efficiently after activation to prepare for, 
        respond to, and recover from a natural or man-made disaster, 
        including a catastrophic incident; and
            (2) include a sufficient number of full-time, highly-
        trained individuals credentialed in accordance with section 205 
        to lead and manage the Surge Capacity Force.
    (d) Training.--The Administrator shall provide appropriate and 
continuous training to individuals serving in the Surge Capacity Force 
to ensure such personnel are adequately trained on the Authority's 
programs and policies relevant to assistance provided by the Authority 
as a result of an emergency or major disaster.
    (e) Database.--The Administrator shall establish and maintain a 
database regarding the members of the Surge Capacity Force that 
includes the skills, qualifications, and disaster management experience 
of such members.
    (f) Annuitants.--If an individual receiving an annuity from the 
Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund becomes temporarily 
reemployed under this section, such annuity shall not be discontinued 
on that basis. An individual so reemployed as a Surge Capacity Force 
employee shall not be considered an employee for the purposes of 
chapter 83 or 84 of title 5, United States Code.
    (g) No Impact on Authority Personnel Ceiling.--Surge Capacity Force 
members under this section shall not be counted against any personnel 
ceiling applicable to the Authority.
    (h) Expenses.--The Administrator may provide members of the Surge 
Capacity Force with travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under 
subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, for the 
purpose of participating in any training that relates to service as a 
member of the Surge Capacity Force.

SEC. 305. ESTABLISHMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ROTATION PROGRAM AT THE 
              DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

    (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 
        2002 (6 U.S.C. 361 et seq.) is amended by inserting after 
        section 843 the following:

``SEC. 844. HOMELAND SECURITY ROTATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish the 
        Homeland Security Rotation Program (in this section referred to 
        as the `Rotation Program') for employees of the Department. The 
        Rotation Program shall use applicable best practices, including 
        those from the Chief Human Capital Officers Council.
            ``(2) Goals.--The Rotation Program established by the 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) be established in accordance with the Human 
                Capital Strategic Plan of the Department;
                    ``(B) provide middle and senior level employees in 
                the Department the opportunity to broaden their 
                knowledge through exposure to other components of the 
                Department;
                    ``(C) expand the knowledge base of the Department 
                by providing for rotational assignments of employees to 
                other components;
                    ``(D) build professional relationships and contacts 
                among the employees in the Department;
                    ``(E) invigorate the workforce with exciting and 
                professionally rewarding opportunities;
                    ``(F) incorporate Department human capital 
                strategic plans and activities, and address critical 
                human capital deficiencies, recruitment and retention 
                efforts, and succession planning within the Federal 
                workforce of the Department; and
                    ``(G) complement and incorporate (but not replace) 
                rotational programs within the Department in effect on 
                the date of enactment of this section.
            ``(3) Administration.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Chief Human Capital Officer 
                shall administer the Rotation Program.
                    ``(B) Responsibilities.--The Chief Human Capital 
                Officer shall--
                            ``(i) provide oversight of the 
                        establishment and implementation of the 
                        Rotation Program;
                            ``(ii) establish a framework that supports 
                        the goals of the Rotation Program and promotes 
                        cross-disciplinary rotational opportunities;
                            ``(iii) establish eligibility for employees 
                        to participate in the Rotation Program and 
                        select participants from employees who apply;
                            ``(iv) establish incentives for employees 
                        to participate in the Rotation Program, 
                        including promotions and employment 
                        preferences;
                            ``(v) ensure that the Rotation Program 
                        provides professional education and training;
                            ``(vi) ensure that the Rotation Program 
                        develops qualified employees and future leaders 
                        with broad-based experience throughout the 
                        Department;
                            ``(vii) provide for greater interaction 
                        among employees in components of the 
                        Department; and
                            ``(viii) coordinate with rotational 
                        programs within the Department in effect on the 
                        date of enactment of this section.
            ``(4) Allowances, privileges, and benefits.--All 
        allowances, privileges, rights, seniority, and other benefits 
        of employees participating in the Rotation Program shall be 
        preserved.
            ``(5) Reporting.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        the establishment of the Rotation Program, the Secretary shall 
        submit a report on the status of the Rotation Program, 
        including a description of the Rotation Program, the number of 
        employees participating, and how the Rotation Program is used 
        in succession planning and leadership development to--
                    ``(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                Governmental Affairs of the Senate;
                    ``(B) the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
                House of Representatives; and
                    ``(C) the Committee on Government Reform of the 
                House of Representatives.''.
            (2) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 1(b) of 
        the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101) is amended by 
        inserting after the item relating to section 843 the following:

``Sec. 844. Homeland Security Rotation Program.''.

SEC. 306. QUARTERLY REPORT ON VACANCY RATE IN EMPLOYEE POSITIONS.

    (a) Definition.--In this section the term ``appropriate committees 
of Congress'' means--
            (1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
        Affairs of the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on 
        Government Reform of the House of Representatives.
    (b) Initial Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall develop and 
        submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on 
        the vacancies in employee positions of the Federal Emergency 
        Management Agency on the day before the date of enactment of 
        this Act and the vacancies in employee positions the Authority 
        established under this Act.
            (2) Contents.--The report under this subsection shall 
        include--
                    (A) vacancies of each category of employee 
                position;
                    (B) the number of applicants for each vacancy for 
                which public notice has been given;
                    (C) the length of time that each vacancy has been 
                pending;
                    (D) hiring-cycle time for each vacancy that has 
                been filled; and
                    (E) a plan for reducing the hiring-cycle time and 
                reducing the current and anticipated vacancies with 
                highly-qualified personnel.
    (c) Quarterly Updates.--Not later than 3 months after submission of 
the initial report, and every 3 months thereafter until 5 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to 
the appropriate committees of Congress an update of the report under 
subsection (b), including an assessment by the Administrator of the 
progress of the Authority in filling vacant employee positions of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency on the day before the date of 
enactment to this Act, and vacant employee positions of the Authority 
established under this Act.

             TITLE IV--PLANNING, PREPAREDNESS, AND TRAINING

SEC. 401. DEFINITION.

    In this title, the term ``Emergency Support Function Annex'' means 
an Emergency Support Function Annex to the National Response Plan.

SEC. 402. EMERGENCY RESPONSE FRAMEWORK.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator, 
shall employ the National Incident Management System and the National 
Response Plan as the framework for emergency response and domestic 
incident management.
    (b) Use by Federal Agencies.--
            (1) National response plan.--The National Response Plan 
        shall be the governing plan for any Federal involvement or 
        assistance in a natural or man-made disaster or other incident 
        of national significance.
            (2) National incident management system.--The National 
        Incident Management System shall be the incident management 
        system for any Federal involvement or assistance in a natural 
        or manmade disaster or other incident of national significance.

SEC. 403. REVIEW OF THE NATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN.

    (a) Review and Revision of Plan.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than May 1, 2007, the Secretary, 
        acting through the Administrator, and in conjunction with the 
        Federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations that are 
        signatories to the National Response Plan and with the National 
        Advisory Council, shall--
                    (A) conduct a comprehensive review of the adequacy 
                of the National Response Plan, including incorporating 
                lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina of 2005; and
                    (B) revise and update the National Response Plan, 
                as appropriate, to incorporate the findings of the 
                review under subparagraph (A) and the changes to the 
                National Response Plan required under paragraph (2).
            (2) Changes required.--The comprehensive review and update 
        required under paragraph (1) shall ensure the following:
                    (A) Principal federal official.--
                            (i) In general.--That the position of 
                        Principal Federal Official under the National 
                        Response Plan is eliminated.
                            (ii) Chain of command.--That the National 
                        Response Plan provides for a clear chain of 
                        command to lead and coordinate the Federal 
                        response to any natural or man-made disaster. 
                        The chain of the command specified in the 
                        National Response Plan shall provide for a role 
                        for the Administrator consistent with the 
                        Administrator's role as the principal emergency 
                        preparedness and response advisor to the 
                        President, the Homeland Security Council, and 
                        the Secretary under section 512(c)(4) of the 
                        Homeland Security Act of 2002 and the 
                        Administrator's responsibility to manage the 
                        response of the Federal Government to a natural 
                        or man-made disaster under section 513(a)(4) of 
                        that Act and shall provide for a role for the 
                        Federal Coordinating Officer consistent with 
                        the responsibilities under section 302(b) of 
                        the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
                        Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5143(b).
                            (iii) Incidents of national significance 
                        that are not stafford act declarations.--The 
                        President or the Secretary may designate a 
                        Federal coordinating officer for Incidents of 
                        National Significance or other domestic 
                        incidents not considered an emergency or major 
                        disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
                        Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. In such 
                        cases, the Federal coordinating officer shall 
                        have all the authorities and responsibilities 
                        the Federal coordinating officer would have 
                        under section 302 (b) of the Robert T. Stafford 
                        Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 5143(b)), in addition to any others 
                        the President, the Secretary, or the 
                        Administrator may assign.
                    (B) Mass care, housing, and human services 
                emergency support function.--That, in consultation with 
                the Department of Justice and the Department of Health 
                and Human Services, the National Response Plan includes 
                measures to reunify families separated after a major 
                disaster or catastrophic event, including the location 
                of missing children, and that the appropriate agency or 
                quasi-governmental organization is assigned timely 
                responsibility for that task.
                    (C) Public health and medical emergency support 
                function.--That, in consultation with the Secretary of 
                Health and Human Services and other relevant Federal 
                agencies, the National Response Plan, including any 
                Emergency Support Function Annex relating to public 
                health and medical services--
                            (i) addresses the public health and medical 
                        needs of evacuees, special-needs populations, 
                        and the general population that is affected by 
                        a natural or man-made disaster; and
                            (ii) assigns and clarifies the 
                        responsibility for mortuary activities.
                    (D) Search and rescue.--That, in consultation with 
                the member agencies or departments of the National 
                Search and Rescue Committee, the National Response 
                Plan, including Emergency Support Function Annex 9 
                (relating to urban search and rescue)--
                            (i) addresses the full range of search and 
                        rescue requirements and environments for 
                        natural and man-made disasters; and
                            (ii) designates coordinating, primary, and 
                        supporting agencies appropriate to a range of 
                        environments of natural or man-made disasters.
                    (E) Senior federal law enforcement officer.--That, 
                in consultation with the Attorney General, the National 
                Response Plan clearly describes--
                            (i) the roles and responsibilities of the 
                        Senior Federal Law Enforcement Officer;
                            (ii) how the roles and responsibilities of 
                        the Senior Federal Law Enforcement Officer 
                        relate to the roles and responsibilities of 
                        other law enforcement entities; and
                            (iii) how the roles and responsibilities of 
                        the Senior Federal Law Enforcement Officer 
                        relate to the roles and responsibilities of 
                        Federal agencies provided for under Emergency 
                        Support Function Annex 13 of the National 
                        Response Plan (relating to public safety and 
                        security).
                    (F) Infrastructure protection emergency support 
                function.--That, in consultation with other Federal 
                departments and agencies responsible for infrastructure 
                restoration, the need for an additional emergency 
                support function annex within the National Response 
                Plan focused on the identification, protection, 
                resiliency, and restoration of critical infrastructure 
                and key resources is considered.
                    (G) Maritime salvage.--That, in consultation with 
                the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Secretary of the 
                Navy, and the Chief Engineer of the United States Army 
                Corps of Engineers, the National Response Plan--
                            (i) assigns a single Federal agency to 
                        coordinate maritime-salvage needs during a 
                        natural or man-made disaster;
                            (ii) clarifies the responsibilities of the 
                        coordinating agency assigned under clause (i) 
                        and other Federal agencies relating to maritime 
                        salvage; and
                            (iii) considers the need for an additional 
                        Emergency Support Function Annex within the 
                        National Response Plan focused on maritime 
                        salvage and wreck removal.
                    (H) Catastrophic incidents.--The timely completion 
                of the Catastrophic Incident Supplement to the National 
                Response Plan, and that the Catastrophic Incident 
                Supplement effectively addresses response requirements 
                in the event of a catastrophic incident.
            (3) Consultation with state and local governments.--In 
        reviewing and revising the National Response Plan under 
        paragraph (1), and in making any subsequent significant 
        revision of the National Response Plan, the Secretary and the 
        Administrator shall, to the fullest extent possible, consult 
        with State and local government officials, including through 
        the National Advisory Council.
            (4) Accessibility.--In revising or updating the National 
        Response Plan under paragraph (1)(B), and in any subsequent 
        revision of the National Response Plan, the Secretary, acting 
        through the Administrator, shall ensure that the National 
        Response Plan is written in a manner that provides clear, 
        unambiguous, and accessible guidance and information, and 
        whenever possible, uses plain English.
    (b) Reporting.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Administrator, shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
        Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
        Representatives--
                    (A) not later than May 1, 2007, a report on the 
                results of its review under subsection (a), including a 
                detailed discussion of how the changes to the National 
                Response Plan described in subsection (a)(2) have been 
                implemented; and
                    (B) after May 1, 2007, a copy of any proposed 
                change, not later than 30 days before the date of 
                implementing that proposed change to the National 
                Response Plan.

SEC. 404. PLANNING AND PREPAREDNESS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator, 
in conjunction with other Federal departments and agencies with 
coordinating, primary, and supporting roles under the National Response 
Plan and its annexes, and in consultation with State and local 
government officials, including through the National Advisory Council, 
shall develop a unified system of strategic and operational plans to 
respond effectively to natural or man-made disasters, in support of the 
National Response Plan. These plans shall include plans for specific 
geographic regions and for specific types of high-risk events, and 
shall include, at a minimum, the following elements:
            (1) Concepts of operation for appropriate disaster and 
        catastrophic incidents.
            (2) Critical tasks and Department and Agency 
        responsibilities, consistent with the National Response Plan 
        and all Emergency Support Functions.
            (3) Detailed resource and personnel requirements and 
        sourcing for the accomplishment of critical tasks and 
        capabilities.
            (4) Creation and maintenance of asset inventories by 
        departments and agencies with Emergency Support Function 
        responsibilities.
            (5) Incorporation of deployable interagency headquarters 
        units, including crisis planning teams, to manage the response 
        and to ensure unity of effort by all response organizations.
            (6) Provision for special needs populations in all 
        planning.
    (b) Catastrophic Planning.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the requirements of 
        subsection (a), the Administrator shall develop comprehensive 
        operational plans to respond to catastrophic incidents.
            (2) Contents.--The plans developed under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) shall include the elements under subsection 
                (a); and
                    (B) shall--
                            (i) be based on specific identified 
                        national and regional risks;
                            (ii) be developed in conjunction with State 
                        and local government officials and other 
                        relevant Federal departments and agencies;
                            (iii) provide for the surge capacity 
                        necessary to respond proportionately to the 
                        scale of the event;
                            (iv) provide, where necessary and 
                        appropriate for the proactive, rapid, and self-
                        sustaining deployment and integration of 
                        Federal resources and personnel essential to 
                        save lives, prevent suffering, and preserve 
                        property or public health and safety;
                            (v) address the implementation of the 
                        appropriate means of ensuring continuity of 
                        government and command structures in the 
                        affected area;
                            (vi) include planning for the emergency 
                        sheltering, accommodation (including details on 
                        feeding, protecting, and managing), relocation, 
                        transportation, placement, and long-term 
                        housing of large populations of displaced 
                        victims in the event of a catastrophic 
                        incident, that includes identifying housing 
                        options in different regions of the country, 
                        site options for temporary, semi-permanent, and 
                        permanent housing, and available land and 
                        property that could serve to shelter mass 
                        populations during catastrophic events; and
                            (vii) address the recovery of areas 
                        affected by the catastrophe.
    (c) Standards and Guidance.--The Secretary, acting through the 
Administrator, shall--
            (1) provide clear standardization, guidance, and assistance 
        with planning at the Federal, State, and local levels; and
            (2) ensure--
                    (A) a common terminology, approach and framework 
                for all strategic and operational planning; and
                    (B) that planning considers current threats, both 
                natural and man-made.
    (d) Planning.--
            (1) In general.--Planning under subsections (a) and (b) 
        shall, at a minimum, address the following matters:
                    (A) Health and medical.--
                            (i) In general.--Preparedness and 
                        deployment of health and medical resources, 
                        including clearly defining the responsibility 
                        for logistics, security, and other support 
                        assets, and the ability to track these 
                        resources.
                            (ii) National disaster medical system.--
                        With respect to the National Disaster Medical 
                        System, the provision of resources to equip, 
                        staff and train National Disaster Medical 
                        System teams, transportation, logistics and 
                        communications capabilities, and training and 
                        outreach programs and patient triage and 
                        tracking capabilities.
                    (B) Human services.--Operational plans for the 
                expeditious location of missing children and the 
                reunification of families, to include--
                            (i) clarification of the role of the 
                        National Center for Missing and Exploited 
                        Children;
                            (ii) appropriate coordination and 
                        information-sharing between the Authority, the 
                        Department of Justice, the National Center for 
                        Missing and Exploited Children, the Department 
                        of Health and Human Services, the Red Cross, 
                        other relevant nongovernmental organizations, 
                        and Federal, State, and local emergency 
                        management and law enforcement agencies, 
                        including the development of advance 
                        cooperative agreements as necessary to 
                        facilitate implementation during response; and
                            (iii) appropriate public information 
                        gathering and dissemination mechanisms.
                    (C) Search and rescue.--In consultation with the 
                National Search and Rescue Committee, development of a 
                National Search and Rescue Plan that includes the 
                search and rescue requirements of a multi-environment 
                (air, water, or land) disaster including, providing for 
                a unified coordination structure, asset deployment, a 
                communications network, and sharing of information with 
                state and local search and rescue units.
                    (D) Evacuation.--In coordination with State and 
                local governments, plans to support mass evacuations in 
                advance of, or following, a natural or manmade 
                disaster, that address--
                            (i) keeping families together throughout 
                        evacuation and sheltering;
                            (ii) populations lacking the means to 
                        evacuate themselves and individuals with 
                        special needs;
                            (iii) policies and provisions for 
                        evacuating pets;
                            (iv) the deployment and employment of 
                        various transportation modes necessary to 
                        expedite mass evacuations, together with 
                        appropriate security escorts;
                            (v) information and guidance to the public; 
                        and
                            (vi) short-term and long-term sheltering 
                        following evacuation.
                    (E) Coordination with department of defense.--In 
                conjunction with the Department of Defense, including 
                the United States Northern Command, the United States 
                Pacific Command, the National Guard Bureau, and the 
                National Advisory Council, develop plans for military 
                support of civilian authorities under the National 
                Response Plan, including--
                            (i) the coordinated deployment, and the 
                        reception, staging, onward movement, and 
                        integration of appropriate units and personnel 
                        of the regular components and reserve 
                        components of the Armed Forces in response to 
                        natural and man-made disasters under the 
                        National Response Plan;
                            (ii) the coordination, command, and control 
                        of units and personnel in order to facilitate 
                        and ensure integrated military support for the 
                        response to natural and man-made disasters 
                        under the National Response Plan;
                            (iii) the identification of response assets 
                        (including helicopters, boats, medical supplies 
                        and personnel, food and water, communications 
                        equipment, and other assets) required for 
                        military support for the response to natural 
                        and man-made disasters under the National 
                        Response Plan, and the development of 
                        procedures and guidelines for the pre-
                        positioning or pre-assembly of such assets;
                            (iv) procedures for expedited requests and 
                        approvals of Federal payment for, or Federal 
                        reimbursement of, the costs of the States in 
                        deploying members of the National Guard in 
                        State status under the National Response Plan;
                            (v) procedures for coordination between the 
                        Department of Defense and the State governments 
                        to ensure that the military support provided 
                        under the National Response Plan meets 
                        applicable State requirements;
                            (vi) procedures for identifying units and 
                        personnel of the regular components of the 
                        Armed Forces that have capabilities suitable 
                        for purposes of providing military support to 
                        natural and man-made disasters under the 
                        National Response Plan;
                            (vii) military support for the distribution 
                        by the Department and the Authority of basic 
                        commodities in response to a catastrophic 
                        event; and
                            (viii) plans for the timely and appropriate 
                        employment of reconnaissance assets to ensure 
                        situational awareness throughout the Federal 
                        Government in the wake of a natural or man-made 
                        disaster or catastrophic incident.
                    (F) Private sector and nongovernmental 
                organizations.--To the extent possible, and 
                appropriate, incorporate coordination with and 
                integration of support from the private sector and 
                nongovernmental organizations whether in accordance 
                with, or in the absence of, prior agreements. Planning 
                shall also incorporate the means to communicate and 
                coordinate with such entities during response efforts.
                    (G) Maritime salvage.--In coordination with 
                Federal, State, or local government agencies that have 
                or may have maritime salvage responsibilities, 
                including the United States Coast Guard, the United 
                States Navy, the Authority, and the United States Army 
                Corps of Engineers, plans to allow salvage to proceed 
                in a timely manner during a natural or man-made 
                disaster and, where appropriate, provide for a national 
                emergency salvage contract to one or more qualified 
                national salvors that would allow immediate access to 
                commercial salvage assets.
    (e) National and Inter-Agency Preparedness.--The Secretary, acting 
through the Administrator, shall ensure the following:
            (1) Asset inventory.--In conjunction with the appropriate 
        Federal agencies and departments with coordinating, primary, 
        and supporting responsibilities under the National Response 
        Plan, the development of an inventory of Federal resources, 
        including assets and personnel with particular skills that are 
        available for deployment and employment in response to natural 
        and man-made disasters.
            (2) Prescripted mission assignments.--To the extent 
        practicable and where appropriate, the development of 
        prescripted mission assignments in conjunction with the 
        appropriate Federal agencies and departments with coordinating, 
        primary and supporting responsibilities under the National 
        Response Plan.
            (3) Representation at military commands.--In consultation 
        with the Department of Defense--
                    (A) the determination of appropriate 
                representatives of the Department to the United States 
                Northern Command and, as appropriate, the United States 
                Pacific Command; and
                    (B) the integration of such representatives into 
                national planning, training, exercising, and responses 
                to a natural or man-made disaster to promote better 
                coordination.
            (4) Coordination with department of health and human 
        services.--Not later than March 1, 2007, the Secretary of 
        Homeland Security and the Secretary of Health and Human 
        Services shall--
                    (A) establish a memorandum of understanding 
                defining the respective roles and responsibilities of 
                their respective departments in providing for public 
                health and medical care under the National Response 
                Plan or in the event that the Secretary of Health and 
                Human Services declares a public health emergency under 
                section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
                300hh et. seq.) and for coordinating their respective 
                activities in such an event, including but not limited 
                to deployment, operational control and re-supply of 
                National Disaster Medical System and Metropolitan 
                Medical Response System assets; and
                    (B) create a pilot project for establishing 
                ``special needs registries'' in which individuals could 
                voluntarily enroll. The registries would include an 
                individual's location, medical needs, transportation 
                needs, mobility, emergency contact information, etc., 
                and which emergency and evacuation personnel and 
                transportation providers would be used in the event of 
                an emergency to best meet the needs of special needs 
                individuals and seniors in the community.
    (f) Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than May 1, 2007, and annually 
        thereafter until May 1, 2017, the Secretary of Homeland 
        Security, acting through the Administrator, shall submit a 
        report to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
        Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of 
        the House of Representatives describing all Federal planning 
        and preparedness efforts relating to the National Response 
        Plan, including an evaluation of the status of national 
        disaster planning, particularly for catastrophic incidents.
            (2) Initial report.--The initial report submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall include findings on the status and progress 
        in completing the national operational plans described in 
        subsections (a) through (d) and the preparedness efforts 
        described in subsection (e).

SEC. 405. TRAINING AND EXERCISES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator, in conjunction with other 
Federal departments and agencies with coordinating, primary, or support 
functions under the National Response Plan and in consultation with the 
National Advisory Committee, shall develop and implement a national 
training and exercise program to prepare for a fully coordinated and 
effective national response to natural and man-made disasters.
    (b) Requirements.--The training and exercise program under 
subsection (a) shall at a minimum include the following:
            (1) State and emergency management organizations.--With 
        respect to State and emergency organizations--
                    (A) incorporate input from States and emergency 
                management organizations in developing the national 
                exercise and training programs under subsection (a); 
                and
                    (B) develop exercise and training programs for 
                States and emergency management organizations relating 
                to conducting disaster and catastrophic response 
                training and exercises on the National Response Plan, 
                State disaster plans, the Catastrophic Incident Annex 
                to the National Response Plan, and operational plans 
                developed under section 404.
            (2) Incorporation of disaster response entities.--
        Incorporate all Federal departments and agencies with any 
        responsibilities under the National Response Plan, emergency 
        agencies of State and local governments, and first responder 
        groups outside of government, including exercises relating to 
        large-scale natural and man-made disasters, including 
        catastrophic incidents, that simulate the partial or complete 
        incapacitation of emergency response providers from State and 
        local government.
            (3) Scope.--Programs to address the unique requirements of 
        the various special needs populations.
            (4) Surge capacity.--A training program on disaster 
        response and recovery for employees of the Federal government 
        designated as part of the surge capacity of the Federal 
        Government, including disaster assistance employees.
            (5) Senior officials.--A training program that ensures that 
        senior level officials from Federal agencies and departments 
        with responsibilities under the National Response Plan, 
        including senior military officers and officials with 
        responsibilities related to mitigation, preparedness, response, 
        and recovery from a natural or man-made disaster on a national 
        level are trained in the National Response Plan, National 
        Incident Management System, and, as appropriate, the Defense 
        Support to Civil Authorities mission of the Department of 
        Defense.
            (6) Elected officials.--A training program for Federal, 
        State, and local government elected officials regarding the 
        National Response Plan, National Incident Management System, 
        and, as appropriate, the Defense Support to Civil Authorities 
        mission of the Department of Defense.
            (7) Procedures.--Procedures for implementing lessons 
        learned from exercises into disaster response plans and 
        programs.
    (c) Reports.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than May 1, 2007, and annually 
        thereafter until May 1, 2017, the Administrator shall submit to 
        the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
        the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
        of Representatives a report regarding the development and 
        implementation of national exercise and training programs under 
        subsection (a) by the Administrator.
            (2) Initial report.--The initial report submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall describe the status and progress of the 
        national exercise and training programs under subsection (b).

SEC. 406. EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION ASSURANCE PROGRAMS.

    (a) Entity Reports and Certification.--Not later than February 1, 
2007, and annually thereafter, each agency or entity designated as a 
primary or support organization for any emergency support function 
under the National Response Plan and annexes thereof shall provide the 
coordinating organization for that emergency support function with a 
detailed description of its plan to fulfill its responsibilities under 
such Plan and annexes, including identification of key personnel and 
organizations or offices responsible for such functions, and the 
staffing and budget allocated for these purposes for the current year 
and staffing and budget needs for the succeeding year. Each such agency 
or entity shall include in each such report a certification that the 
agency or entity is capable and prepared to fulfill its 
responsibilities under such Plan and annexes. If such agency or entity 
concludes that the agency or entity is not capable and prepared, the 
agency or entity should submit a remedial plan to the Administrator and 
the coordinating organization for the relevant emergency support 
function.
    (b) Coordinating Organization Reports and Certification.--Each 
agency or entity designated as the coordinating organizations under the 
National Response Plan and annexes thereof shall evaluate plans 
submitted by the primary and support agencies or entities in subsection 
(a). Not later than March 1, 2007, and annually thereafter, each 
coordinating organization for an emergency support function under the 
Plan and its annexes thereof shall provide the Administrator with a 
detailed description of its coordinated plan with primary and support 
entities or agencies for the relevant emergency support function to 
fulfill its responsibilities under the Plan and its annexes thereof, 
including identification of key personnel and organizations or offices 
responsible for such functions, and the staffing and budget allocated 
for these purposes for the current year and staffing and budget needs 
for the succeeding year. Each such agency or entity shall include in 
each such report a certification that the coordinating, primary, and 
support agencies or entities are capable and prepared to fulfill their 
responsibilities under such Plan and annexes. If such agency or entity 
concludes that the coordinating, primary, or support agency or entity 
is not capable and prepared, the agency or entity should submit a 
remedial plan to the Administrator and the coordinating organization 
for the relevant emergency support function.
    (c) Evaluation and Report to Congress by the Administrator.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall ensure that each 
        agency or entity designated as a coordinating, primary, or 
        support organization under the National Response Plan and 
        annexes thereof is capable and prepared to carry out its 
        responsibilities including appropriate operational plans, 
        staffing, resources, and training.
            (2) Reports.--Not later than June 1, 2007, and annually 
        thereafter, the Administrator shall submit a report to the 
        Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
        Senate and the Homeland Security Committee of the House of 
        Representatives that--
                    (A) evaluates and verifies the readiness of such 
                agencies or entities for the purposes under paragraph 
                (1);
                    (B) includes an appendix that identifies the level 
                of funding and staffing each agency or entity has 
                designated to meet its responsibilities under the 
                National Response Plan; and
                    (C) in those cases where the Administrator 
                determines that an agency or entity is not capable or 
                prepared to fulfill its responsibilities, identifies 
                the deficiencies and develops an alternative mechanism 
                to ensure that the necessary capabilities are in place 
                to meet the requirements of the plan.

   TITLE V--PREVENTION OF FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE DURING EMERGENCIES

SEC. 501. PROHIBITION ON EXCESSIVE PASS-THROUGH CHARGES.

    (a) Regulations Required.--Not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator for Federal Procurement 
Policy shall prescribe regulations prohibiting excessive pass-through 
charges on contracts or subcontracts (or task or delivery orders) that 
are entered into for or on behalf of an executive agency that are in 
excess of the simplified acquisition threshold, as specified in section 
4(11) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 
403(11)).
    (b) Scope of Regulations.--The regulations prescribed under this 
section shall not apply to any firm, fixed-price contract or 
subcontract (or task or delivery order) that is--
            (1) awarded on the basis of adequate price competition; or
            (2) for the acquisition of a commercial item, as defined in 
        section 4(12) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act 
        (41 U.S.C. 403(12)).
    (c) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) The term ``excessive pass-through charge'' means a 
        charge by a covered contractor or subcontractor for overhead or 
        profit on work performed by a covered lower-tier contractor 
        (other than charges for the direct costs of managing lower-tier 
        contracts and overhead and profit based on such direct costs).
            (2) The term ``covered contractor'' means the following:
                    (A) A contractor that assigns work accounting for 
                more than 90 percent of the cost of contract 
                performance (not including overhead or profit) to 
                subcontractors.
                    (B) In the case of a contract providing for the 
                development or production of a system of systems, a 
                contractor that assigns work accounting for more than 
                90 percent of the cost of contract performance (not 
                including overhead or profit) for any particular system 
                under such contract to subcontractors.
            (3) The term ``covered lower-tier contractor'' means the 
        following:
                    (A) With respect to a covered contractor described 
                by paragraph (2)(A) in a contract, any lower-tier 
                subcontractor under such contract.
                    (B) With respect to a covered contractor described 
                by paragraph (2)(B) in a contract, any lower-tier 
                subcontractor on a system under such contract for which 
                such covered contractor has assigned work accounting 
                for more than 90 percent of the cost of contract 
                performance (not including overhead or profit).
            (4) The term ``executive agency'' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 4 of the Office of Federal Procurement 
        Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403).
    (d) Effective Date.--The regulations prescribed under this section 
shall apply to contracts awarded on or after the date that is 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
    (e) GAO Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to 
Congress that--
            (1) determines the total number all contracts and 
        subcontracts described under subsection (a) entered into during 
        the 2-year period preceding the date of enactment of this Act 
        to carry out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
        Emergency Assistance Act or relating to Hurricane Katrina;
            (2) determines the number of the contracts and subcontracts 
        described under paragraph (1) of this subsection to which the 
        prohibition under subsection (a) would have applied if this 
        section had been in effect during that 2-year period; and
            (3) determines the number of the contracts and subcontracts 
        described under paragraph (1) of this subsection to which the 
        prohibition under subsection (a) would have applied if--
                    (A) this section had been in effect during that 2-
                year period; and
                    (B) the term ``80 percent'' is substituted for the 
                term ``90 percent'' each place it appears in subsection 
                (c).

SEC. 502. FRAUD PREVENTION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Report.--
            (1) Analysis.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
        on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and 
        the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
        Representatives a report containing an analysis of fraud 
        prevention programs used by the Department in connection with 
        assistance programs. The analysis should assess, among other 
        relevant issues, the effectiveness of, and adherence to, the 
        fraud prevention controls used in such programs for 
        registration and payment processes.
            (2) Recommendations.--The report required under this 
        subsection shall include recommendations for additional fraud 
        prevention controls, including requiring that data provided by 
        registrants be validated against other Federal Government or 
        third-party sources to determine the accuracy of identification 
        and residence information.
    (b) Training.--The Secretary shall conduct training on fraud 
awareness for key Department personnel, including contracting officers 
and the Surge Capacity Force established under section 304(b), for the 
purpose of preventing fraud in the assistance programs of the 
Department.

SEC. 503. CONTINGENCY CONTRACTING CORPS.

    (a) Establishment and Purpose.--The Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget, in consultation with the heads of other relevant 
executive agencies, is authorized to establish and maintain a 
Contingency Contracting Corps (hereafter in this section referred to as 
the ``Corps''). The Corps shall be composed of contracting officers of 
executive agencies who are trained and available to perform on a 
temporary and volunteer basis services necessary to assist agencies 
with contracting activities during emergencies.
    (b) Service.--An employee of an executive agency shall receive the 
approval of such agency prior to performing services for the Corps 
under subsection (a) that reduce substantially the amount of time such 
employee is able to perform his or her normal job functions, and may 
perform such services for not more than one year. An employee 
performing services for the Corps in accordance with this subsection 
shall not be removed from his or her job as a result of performing such 
services.
    (c) Training.--Members of the Corps shall receive training on 
contingency contracting from the Defense Acquisition University or the 
Federal Acquisition Institute. The training shall be provided using 
available funds in the Acquisition Workforce Training Fund established 
under section 37(h)(3)(A) of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy 
Act (41 U.S.C. 433(h)(3)(A)).
    (d) Contingency Contracting Regulations.--Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Office of Federal Procurement Policy shall revise the Federal 
Acquisition Regulation to compile the relevant sections relating to 
contingency contracting into a single chapter or annex.

SEC. 504. VERIFICATION MEASURES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator shall prescribe regulations--
            (1) establishing an identity verification process for 
        Individuals and Households Program (IHP) registrants applying 
        via the Internet or by telephone to provide reasonable 
        assurance that disaster assistance payments are made only to 
        qualified individuals;
            (2) developing procedures to improve the existing review 
        process of duplicate registrations containing the exact same 
        social security numbers and to identify the reasons why 
        registrations flagged as invalid or as potential duplicates 
        have been overridden and approved for payment;
            (3) establishing an address verification process for IHP 
        registrants applying via the Internet or by telephone to 
        provide reasonable assurance that disaster assistance payments 
        are made only to qualified individuals;
            (4) establishing procedures for entering into agreements 
        with other agencies, such as the Social Security 
        Administration, to periodically authenticate information 
        contained in the IHP registrations;
            (5) establishing procedures to collect duplicate expedited 
        assistance payments or to offset these amounts against future 
        payments;
            (6) ensuring that future distributions of IHP debit cards 
        include instructions on the proper use of IHP funds, similar to 
        those instructions provided to recipients of IHP checks and 
        electronic fund transfers, to prevent improper usage;
            (7) ensuring that any systems or processes established 
        pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (6) are fully tested before 
        implementation for quality assurance; and
            (8) providing an expedited and simplified review and appeal 
        process for IHP registrants whose disaster assistance 
        applications are denied.

SEC. 505. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS.

    The Secretary shall ensure that information technology systems have 
functions to help ensure the validity of claims for assistance under 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), to deter waste, fraud, and abuse.

SEC. 506. REGISTRY OF DEBRIS CONTRACTORS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the term ``registry'' means the registry created under 
        subsection (b); and
            (2) the terms ``small business concern'', ``small business 
        concern owned and controlled by socially and economically 
        disadvantaged individuals'', ``small business concern owned and 
        controlled by women'', and ``small business concern owned and 
        controlled by service-disabled veterans'' have the meanings 
        given those terms under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 
        et seq.).
    (b) Registry.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall create a registry 
        of contractors who are capable of performing debris removal, 
        distribution of supplies, reconstruction, and other disaster or 
        emergency relief activities.
            (2) Contents.--The registry shall include, for each 
        business concern--
                    (A) the name of the business concern;
                    (B) the location of the business concern;
                    (C) the area served by the business concern;
                    (D) the type of good or service provided by the 
                business concern; and
                    (E) whether the business concern is--
                            (i) a small business concern;
                            (ii) a small business concern owned and 
                        controlled by socially and economically 
                        disadvantaged individuals;
                            (iii) a small business concern owned and 
                        controlled by women; or
                            (iv) a small business concern owned and 
                        controlled by service-disabled veterans.
            (3) Source of information.--
                    (A) Submission.--Information maintained in the 
                registry shall be submitted on a voluntary basis by 
                business concerns.
                    (B) Attestation.--Each business concern submitting 
                information to the registry shall submit--
                            (i) an attestation that the information is 
                        true; and
                            (ii) documentation supporting such 
                        attestation.
                    (C) Verification.--The Administrator of the United 
                States Emergency Management Authority shall verify that 
                the documentation submitted by each business concern 
                supports the information submitted by that business 
                concern.
                    (D) Enforcement penalties for misrepresentation.--
                Any business concern that misrepresents the status of 
                that business concern as a small business concern, a 
                small business concern owned and controlled by socially 
                and economically disadvantaged individuals, a small 
                business concern owned and controlled by women, or a 
                small business concern owned and controlled by service-
                disabled veterans shall be subject to the criminal and 
                civil provisions of section 1001 of title 18, United 
                States Code, and sections 3729 through 3733 of title 
                31, United States Code.
            (4) Availability of registry.--The registry shall be made 
        generally available on the Internet site of the United States 
        Emergency Management Authority .
            (5) Consultation of registry.--As part of the acquisition 
        planning for contracting for debris removal, distribution of 
        supplies in a disaster, reconstruction, and other disaster or 
        emergency relief activities, a Federal agency shall consult the 
        registry.

SEC. 507. USE OF CERTAIN SUPPLY SCHEDULES.

    Section 502(c) of title 40, United States Code, is amended by 
striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator may provide for the 
        use by State or local governments of Federal supply schedules 
        of the General Services Administration for--
                    ``(A) automated data processing equipment 
                (including firmware), software, supplies, support 
                equipment, and services (as contained in Federal supply 
                classification code group 70); and
                    ``(B) procurement of supplies or services to be 
                used to prepare for or respond to a emergency or major 
                disaster declared by the President under the Robert T. 
                Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
                (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq).''.

SEC. 508. USE OF LOCAL FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS.

    The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended by striking section 307 and 
inserting the following:

``SEC. 307. USE OF LOCAL FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS.

    ``(a) Contracts or Agreements With Private Entities.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the expenditure of Federal funds for 
        debris clearance, distribution of supplies, reconstruction, and 
        other major disaster or emergency assistance activities which 
        may be carried out by contract or agreement with private 
        organizations, firms, or individuals, preference shall be 
        given, to the maximum extent practicable, to those 
        organizations, firms, and individuals residing or doing 
        business primarily in the area affected by such major disaster 
        or emergency.
            ``(2) Construction.--This subsection shall not be 
        considered to restrict the use of Department of Defense 
        resources under this Act in the provision of assistance in a 
        major disaster.
    ``(b) Implementation.--
            ``(1) Contracts not to entities in area.--Any expenditure 
        of Federal funds for debris clearance, distribution of 
        supplies, reconstruction, and other major disaster or emergency 
        assistance activities which may be carried out by contract or 
        agreement with private organizations, firms, or individuals, 
        not awarded to an organization, firm, or individual residing or 
        doing business primarily in the area affected by such major 
        disaster shall be justified in writing in the contract file.
            ``(2) Transition.--To the maximum extent feasible and 
        practicable, following the declaration of an emergency or major 
        disaster, an agency performing response, relief, and 
        reconstruction activities shall transition work performed under 
        contracts in effect on the date on which the President declares 
        the emergency or major disaster to organizations, firms, and 
        individuals residing or doing business primarily in any area 
        affected by the major disaster or emergency.''.

SEC. 509. ADVANCE CONTRACTING.

    (a) Initial Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report 
        under paragraph (2) identifying--
                    (A) recurring disaster response requirements, 
                including specific goods and services, for which the 
                Authority is capable of contracting for in advance of 
                natural or man-made disasters in a cost effective 
                manner;
                    (B) recurring disaster response requirements, 
                including specific goods and services, for which the 
                Authority can not contract in advance of a natural or 
                manmade disaster in a cost-effective manner; and
                    (C) a contracting strategy that maximizes the use 
                of advance contracts to the extent practical and cost 
                effective.
            (2) Submission.--The report under paragraph (1) shall be 
        submitted to--
                    (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                Governmental Affairs the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
                of Representatives.
    (b) Entering Into Contracts.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall enter into 1 or more 
contracts through the use of competitive procedures for each type of 
goods or services identified under subsection (a)(1)(A), and in 
accordance with the contracting strategy identified in subsection 
(a)(1)(C). Any contract for goods or services identified in subsection 
(a)(1)(A) previously awarded under competitive procedures may be 
maintained in fulfilling this requirement.
    (c) Maintenance of Contracts.--After the date described under 
subsection (b), the Administrator shall have the responsibility to 
maintain contracts for appropriate levels of goods and services in 
accordance with subsection (a)(1)(C).
    (d) Report on Contracts Not Using Competitive Procedures.--At the 
end of each fiscal quarter, beginning with the first fiscal quarter 
occurring at least 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall submit a report on each disaster assistance 
contract entered into by the Authority by other than competitive 
procedures to--
            (1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
        Affairs the Senate; and
            (2) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
        Representatives.

                   TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 601. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
            (1) for fiscal year 2007--
                    (A) $249,000,000 for ``Administrative and Regional 
                Operations''; and
                    (B) $240,000,000 for ``Readiness, Mitigation, 
                Response, and Recovery'';
            (2) for fiscal year 2008--
                    (A) $273,900,000 for ``Administrative and Regional 
                Operations''; and
                    (B) $264,000,000 for ``Readiness, Mitigation, 
                Response, and Recovery''; and
            (3) for fiscal year 2009--
                    (A) $301,290,000 for ``Administrative and Regional 
                Operations''; and
                    (B) $290,400,000 for ``Readiness, Mitigation, 
                Response, and Recovery''.
    (b) Communications.--There are authorized to be appropriated--
            (1) to carry out section 528 of the Homeland Security Act 
        of 2002 (as amended by this Act), $4,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2007 through 2010, and such amounts appropriated under 
        this section shall remain available for 3 fiscal years after 
        the date on which such funds are appropriated; and
            (2) to carry out section 558 of the Homeland Security Act 
        of 2002 (as added by this Act)--
                    (A) $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2007;
                    (B) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;
                    (C) $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    (D) $800,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
                    (E) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
                    (F) such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year 
                thereafter; and
            (3) for the operations of the Office for Emergency 
        Communications and to carry out subtitle B of title V of the 
        Homeland Security Act of 2002 except for section 558 (as added 
        by this Act)--
                    (A) $127,232,000 for fiscal year 2007;
                    (B) $126,549,000 for fiscal year 2008;
                    (C) $125,845,000 for fiscal year 2009;
                    (D) $125,121,000 for fiscal year 2010; and
                    (E) such sums as are necessary for each fiscal year 
                thereafter.
    (c) Other Authorizations.--Except as provided in subsections (b) 
and (c), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this Act, and the amendments made by this Act.

SEC. 602. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take affect on 
January 1, 2007.
                                 <all>