Individual assistance factors

(a)

In general

In order to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need for assistance to individuals and households and to speed a declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (referred to in this Act as the Administrator), in cooperation with representatives of State and local emergency management agencies, shall review, update, and revise through rulemaking the factors considered under section 206.48(b) of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster. (b)

Consideration of a contiguous county

In reviewing, updating, and revising the factors referenced in subsection (a) the Administrator shall include as a factor whether a contiguous county in an adjacent state has been designated in a major disaster or emergency as a result of the same incident. (c)

Report

Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s current regulations, policies, procedures, and practices on— (1)recommending major disaster or emergency declarations in order to provide assistance to individuals and households; and (2)making post-declaration designations of the need for assistance to individuals and households in a county that is contiguous to a State that has received a major disaster or emergency declaration for the same incident.