I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 57 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 5, 2011 Mr. Scalise introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to make improvements in the provision of Federal disaster assistance, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Disaster Recovery Improvement Act.

2.

Repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall issue and begin to implement the regulations required by section 406(e)(3)(C) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(e)(3)(C)) to provide for cost estimation procedures that expedite recovery and to reduce the costs and time for completion of recovery projects through the creation of financial and performance incentives.

3.

Appeals process

Section 423(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a(b)) is amended to read as follows: (b)

Period for decision

(1)

In general

A decision regarding an appeal under subsection (a) shall be rendered within 60 days after the date on which the Federal official designated to administer such appeal receives notice of such appeal. (2)

Failure to satisfy deadline

If the Federal official fails to satisfy the requirement under paragraph (1), the Federal official shall provide a written explanation of such failure to the applicant. The President shall transmit quarterly to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on such failures. .

4.

Individual assistance factors

In order to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need for assistance to individuals and to speed a declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 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 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster.

5.

Household pets and service animals

Section 502(a) of Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5192(a)) is amended— (1)by striking and at the end of paragraph (7); (2)by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following: (9)provide assistance for rescue, care, shelter, and essential needs— (A)to individuals with household pets and service animals; and (B)to such pets and animals. .