II Calendar No. 566 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 3980 [Report No. 111–291] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 3, 2009 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs September 16, 2010 Reported by Mr. Lieberman, with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic AN ACT To provide for identifying and eliminating redundant reporting requirements and developing meaningful performance metrics for homeland security preparedness grants, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act.

2.

Identification of reporting redundancies and development of performance metrics for homeland security preparedness grant programs

(a)

In general

Title XX of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

2023.

Identification of reporting redundancies and development of performance metrics

(a)

In general

The Administrator shall, for grants under sections 2003 and 2004 and any other grants specified by the Administrator, submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress by not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act, and by October 1st every 2 years thereafter, that— (1)identifies redundant rules, regulations, and requirements for reporting by recipients of such grants, and includes a plan for eliminating such identified redundancies and requirements; (2)includes a plan for developing and improving the performance metrics required under section 2022(a)(4) for such grants; and (3)includes an assessment of each program under which such grants are awarded. (b)

Plan requirements

Each plan under subsection (a)— (1)shall be developed in coordination with State, local, tribal, and territorial governments; and (2)shall include a proposed timeline for actions to implement the plan. (c)

Program assessment requirements

Each program assessment under subsection (a)(3) shall include— (1)a brief summary of the program purposes, objectives, and performance goals, and of the key findings of the assessment; (2)an assessment of the quality of the program’s performance metrics, and the extent to which necessary performance data are collected; (3)a summary of how the program’s strengths and weaknesses are impeding or contributing to its failures or successes, including reasons for any substantial variation from the targeted level of performance of the program; (4)a description of the extent to which any trends, developments, or emerging conditions affect the need to change the mission of the program or the way that the program is being carried out; (5)an identification of the best practices used in the program for allocating resources in an efficient and effective manner that resulted in positive outcomes and the key reasons why such practices resulted in positive outcomes; (6)recommendations for program modifications to improve the results that the program achieves; (7)a summary of key results of the program assessment that support maximizing the amount of funds appropriated for the program; and (8)an assessment of the quality of customer service offered to recipients of funds under the program and a strategy for improving such service.

. (b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to title XX the following new item: Sec. 2023. Identification of reporting redundancies and development of performance metrics. .

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act.

2.

Identification of reporting redundancies and development of performance metrics for homeland security preparedness grant programs

(a)

In general

Title XX of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

2023.

Identification of reporting redundancies and development of performance metrics

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term covered grants means grants awarded under section 2003, grants awarded under section 2004, and any other grants specified by the Administrator. (b)

Initial report

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes— (1)an assessment of redundant reporting requirements imposed by the Administrator on State, local, and tribal governments in connection with the awarding of grants, including— (A)a list of each discrete item of data requested by the Administrator from grant recipients as part of the process of administering covered grants; (B)identification of the items of data from the list described in subparagraph (A) that are required to be submitted by grant recipients on multiple occasions or to multiple systems; and (C)identification of the items of data from the list described in subparagraph (A) that are not necessary to be collected in order for the Administrator to effectively and efficiently administer the programs under which covered grants are awarded; (2)a plan, including a specific timetable, for eliminating any redundant and unnecessary reporting requirements identified under paragraph (1); and (3)a plan, including a specific timetable, for promptly developing a set of quantifiable performance measures and metrics to assess the effectiveness of the programs under which covered grants are awarded. (c)

Biennial reports

Not later than 1 year after the date on which the initial report is required to be submitted under subsection (b), and once every 2 years thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a grants management report that includes— (1)the status of efforts to eliminate redundant and unnecessary reporting requirements imposed on grant recipients, including— (A)progress made in implementing the plan required under subsection (b)(2); (B)a reassessment of the reporting requirements to identify and eliminate redundant and unnecessary requirements; (2)the status of efforts to develop quantifiable performance measures and metrics to assess the effectiveness of the programs under which the covered grants are awarded, including— (A)progress made in implementing the plan required under subsection (b)(3); (B)progress made in developing and implementing additional performance metrics and measures for grants, including as part of the comprehensive assessment system required under section 649 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 749); and (3)a performance assessment of each program under which the covered grants are awarded, including— (A)a description of the objectives and goals of the program; (B)an assessment of the extent to which the objectives and goals described in subparagraph (A) have been met, based on the quantifiable performance measures and metrics required under this section, section 2022(a)(4), and section 649 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 749); (C)recommendations for any program modifications to improve the effectiveness of the program, to address changed or emerging conditions; and (D)an assessment of the experience of recipients of covered grants, including the availability of clear and accurate information, the timeliness of reviews and awards, and the provision of technical assistance, and recommendations for improving that experience. (d)

Grants program measurement study

(1)

In general

Not later than 30 days after the enactment of Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act, the Administrator shall enter into a contract with the National Academy of Public Administration under which the National Academy of Public Administration shall assist the Administrator in studying, developing, and implementing— (A)quantifiable performance measures and metrics to assess the effectiveness of grants administered by the Department, as required under this section and section 649 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 749); and (B)the plan required under subsection (b)(3). (2)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date on which the contract described in paragraph (1) is awarded, the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the findings and recommendations of the study conducted under paragraph (1). (3)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection.

. (b)

Technical and conforming amendment

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 adding at the end the following: Sec. 2023. Identification of reporting redundancies and development of performance metrics. .

September 16, 2010 Reported with an amendment