I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5807 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 17, 2012 Ms. Richardson introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To require an audit of the extent to which regional FEMA offices are able to support coordinated and integrated Federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities to respond to an act of terrorism or other incident, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the FEMA Regional Office Oversight Act.

2.

Delegation of authorities to the regional offices review

(a)

In general

The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall audit how all regional offices within the Federal Emergency Management Agency are carrying out delegated authorities pursuant to the Post-Katrina Emergency Management and Reform Act of 2006 and a memorandum executed in July 2009 by the Administrator. (b)

Contents

The audit shall assess, at a minimum, the following: (1)The ability of each regional office to— (A)support coordinated and integrated Federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities to respond to an act of terrorism or other incident within that region; (B)foster better dissemination of homeland security information through better regional operable and interoperable emergency communications capabilities; (C)effectively conducts ongoing oversight of the use of grants made under sections 2002, 2003, and 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 603, 604, and 605) and funding within the region to promote greater preparedness and response capabilities and prevent waste and fraud; (D)coordinate, on an ongoing basis, with State, local, and tribal governments, emergency response providers, and other appropriate entities to identify and address regional priorities; (E)identify critical gaps in regional capabilities to respond to populations with special needs; (F)conduct all procurements in a timely and secure manner that prevents waste and fraud and is consistent with Federal Emergency Management Agency procurement policies and programs; and (G)engage in employment practices that are consistent with Federal requirements and are transparent, efficient, and ethical. (2)The impact of the delegation of authorities on the Administrator’s ability to achieve consistency throughout the regions. (3)The adequacy of oversight by the Administrator of how the regions are executing the delegated authorities and carrying out assigned responsibilities. (4)The impact of the delegation of authorities on the Federal Emergency Management Agency and specific regions to address Office of Inspector General and Comptroller General of the United States recommendations in a timely manner.