[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3092 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 482
117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3092

                          [Report No. 117-144]

     To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act to improve the provision of certain disaster assistance, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 27, 2021

Mr. Padilla (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Merkley, Mrs. Feinstein, Mrs. 
    Murray, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Heinrich, and Mr. Lujan) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
               Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

                           September 12, 2022

       Reported by Mr. Carper (for Mr. Peters), with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
     To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act to improve the provision of certain disaster assistance, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``FEMA Improvement, Reform, 
and Efficiency Act of 2021'' or the ``FIRE Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Agency;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the term ``Agency'' means the Federal 
        Emergency Management Agency;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the term ``emergency'' means an emergency 
        declared or determined to exist by the President under section 
        501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
        Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5191);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the terms ``Indian tribal government'', 
        ``local government'', and ``State'' have the meanings given 
        such terms in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
        Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122); 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) the term ``major disaster'' means a major 
        disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the 
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 5170).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. AUTHORITY FOR RELOCATION PROJECTS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Eligibility for Assistance.--An eligible applicant 
seeking public mitigation assistance under section 406 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172) 
or section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
4104c) may be eligible to receive such assistance for the relocation of 
an eligible structure if the entity--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) demonstrates that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the structure is at risk from future 
                damage, based on the most recently conducted hazard map 
                or State or local expert risk assessment, regardless of 
                whether the risk is of repetitive or heavy 
                damage;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the overall relocation project reduces 
                the risk to the structure and is cost effective; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the overall relocation project does 
                not increase risk to adjacent structures;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) complies with all other eligibility 
        requirements for relocation projects; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) complies with Federal requirements for the 
        project.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall apply to a major 
disaster declared by the President on or after the date of enactment of 
this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. RED FLAG WARNINGS AND PREDISASTER ACTIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the National Weather 
Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) conduct a study of, develop recommendations 
        for, and initiate a process for the use of Red Flag Warnings 
        and similar weather alert and notification methods, including 
        the use of emerging technologies, to establish--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) plans and actions, consistent with 
                law, that can be implemented prior to a wildfire event, 
                including pre-impact disaster declarations and surge 
                operations, that can limit the impact, duration, or 
                severity of the fire; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) mechanisms to increase interagency 
                collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster 
                assistance; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) submit to the Committee on Homeland Security 
        and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
        Representatives a comprehensive report regarding the study 
        described in paragraph (1), including any recommendations of 
        the Administrator, and the activities of the Administrator to 
        carry out paragraph (1).</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. ASSISTANCE FOR WILDFIRE DAMAGE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the application for assistance and consistency 
        of assistance provided by the Agency in response to wildfires; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the kinds of damage that result from 
        wildfires.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. GAO REPORT ON GAPS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report that examines--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) gaps in the policies of the Agency related to 
        wildfires, when compared to other hazards;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) disparities in regulations and guidance issued 
        by the Administrator, including any oversight of the programs 
        of the Agency, when addressing impacts of wildfires and other 
        hazards;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) ways to shorten the period of time between the 
        initiating of and the distribution of assistance, 
        reimbursements, and grants;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) the effectiveness of the programs of the 
        Agency in addressing wildfire hazards;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) ways to improve the ability of the Agency to 
        assist States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments 
        to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against 
        wildfire hazards;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) revising the application process for 
        assistance relating to wildfires to more effectively assess 
        uninsured and underinsured losses and serious needs; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) with respect to the community development 
        block grant disaster recovery and mitigation programs 
        authorized under title I of the Housing and Community 
        Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) establishing clear triggers for the 
                appropriation of funds related to those programs based 
                on the declaration of a major disaster that reaches 
                identified thresholds; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) amending title I of the Housing and 
                Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et 
                seq.) to permanently establish the requirements for 
                those programs and allow for the development of pre-
                disaster action plans.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. CRISIS COUNSELING CULTURAL COMPETENCY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5183) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``The President'' and inserting 
        the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--The President''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Cultural Competency.--The President shall, in 
consultation with affected States, local governments, and Indian tribal 
governments and cultural experts, ensure that any individual providing 
professional counseling services to victims of a major disaster as 
authorized under subsection (a), including those working for nonprofit 
partners and recovery organizations, is appropriately trained to 
address--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) cultural competency and respectful care 
        practices; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) impacts from major disasters in communities, 
        and to individuals, with socio-economically disadvantaged 
        backgrounds.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. CASE MANAGEMENT CULTURAL COMPETENCY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 426 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189d) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``The President'' and inserting 
        the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--The President''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Cultural Competency.--The President shall, in 
consultation with affected States, local governments, and Indian tribal 
governments and cultural experts, ensure that any individual providing 
case management services to victims of a major disaster as authorized 
under subsection (a), including those working for nonprofit partners 
and recovery organizations, is appropriately trained to address--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) cultural competency and respectful care 
        practices; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) impacts from major disasters in communities, 
        and to individuals, with socio-economically disadvantaged 
        backgrounds.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. STUDY AND PLAN FOR DISASTER HOUSING 
              ASSISTANCE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) conduct a study and develop a plan, consistent 
        with law, under which the Agency will address providing housing 
        assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when 
        presented with challenges such as--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the lack of proof of ownership or 
                ownership documentation;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the presence of multiple families 
                within a single household; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the near loss of a community, with the 
                majority of homes destroyed in that community, 
                including as a result of a wildfire, earthquake, or 
                other event causing a major disaster; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) make recommendations for legislative changes 
        needed to address--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the unmet needs of survivors of major 
                disasters or emergencies who are unable to document or 
                prove ownership of the household;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the presence of multiple families 
                within a single household; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the near loss of a community, with the 
                majority of homes destroyed in that community, 
                including as a result of a wildfire, earthquake, or 
                other event causing a major disaster.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Comprehensive Report.--The Administrator shall submit 
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives a report that provides a detailed discussion 
of the plans developed under subsection (a)(1) and the recommendations 
of the Administrator under subsection (a)(2).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after submission of 
the report and recommendations under subsection (b), the Administrator 
shall brief the committees described in subsection (b) on the findings 
and any recommendations made pursuant to this section.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. REIMBURSEMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding the extent to 
which the Agency is using housing solutions proposed by a State or 
local government to reduce the time or cost required to implement 
housing solutions after a major disaster.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 11. WILDFIRE INSURANCE STUDY BY THE NATIONAL 
              ACADEMIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Study.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to 
        enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences 
        to conduct a study of--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) potential solutions to address the 
                availability and affordability of insurance for 
                wildfire perils in all regions of the United States, 
                including consideration of a national all natural 
                hazards insurance program;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the ability of States, communities, 
                and individuals to mitigate wildfire risks, including 
                the affordability and feasibility of such mitigation 
                activities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the current and potential future 
                effects of land use policies and building codes on the 
                potential solutions;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) the reasons why many properties at 
                risk of wildfire lack insurance coverage;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) the role of insurers in providing 
                incentives for wildfire risk mitigation 
                efforts;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) the state of catastrophic insurance 
                and reinsurance markets and the approaches in providing 
                insurance protection to different sectors of the 
                population of the United States;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) the role of the Federal Government and 
                State and local governments in providing incentives for 
                feasible wildfire risk mitigation efforts and the cost 
                of providing assistance in the absence of 
                insurance;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (H) the state of modeling and mapping 
                wildfire risk and solutions for accurately and 
                adequately identifying future wildfire risk;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (I) approaches to insuring wildfire risk 
                in the United States; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (J) such other issues that may be 
                necessary or appropriate for the report.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Consultation.--The agreement to conduct the 
        study described in subsection (a), shall require that, in 
        conducting the study, the National Academy of Sciences shall 
        consult with State insurance regulators, consumer 
        organizations, representatives of the insurance and reinsurance 
        industry, policyholders, and other organizations and experts, 
        as appropriate.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Submission.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress the 
results of the study commissioned under subsection (a).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this 
section.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 12. INCREASED CAP FOR EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS BASED ON 
              REGIONAL COST OF LIVING.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding the benefits 
and drawbacks of establishing a maximum amount for assistance provided 
for an emergency that is based on the cost of living in the region in 
which the emergency occurs.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 13. FACILITATING DISPOSAL OF TEMPORARY TRANSPORTABLE 
              HOUSING UNITS TO SURVIVORS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 408(d)(2)(B)(i) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(d)(2)(B)(i)) is 
amended by inserting ``, with priority given to a survivor of a major 
disaster who suffered a property loss as a result of the major 
disaster'' after ``any person''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 14. DEADLINE ON CODE ENFORCEMENT AND FLOODPLAIN 
              MANAGEMENT COST ELIGIBILITY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 406(a)(2)(D) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(a)(2)(D)) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``period of not more than 180 
        days'' and all that follows and inserting the following: 
        ``period of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) except as provided in clause 
                        (ii), not more than 1 year after the major 
                        disaster is declared; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) for flooding and other 
                        natural catastrophes, including a major 
                        disaster declared in relation to a fire or 
                        earthquake, not more than 1 year after the date 
                        on which incident occurs or the major disaster 
                        is declared.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 15. PERMIT APPLICATIONS FOR TRIBAL UPGRADES TO EMERGENCY 
              OPERATIONS CENTERS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 614(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196c(a)) is amended by 
inserting ``and Indian tribal governments'' after ``grants to 
States''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``FEMA Improvement, Reform, and 
Efficiency Act of 2022'' or the ``FIRE Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act--
            (1) the term ``Administrator'' means the Administrator of 
        the Agency;
            (2) the term ``Agency'' means the Federal Emergency 
        Management Agency;
            (3) the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
                    (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and 
                Governmental Affairs and the Committee on 
                Appropriations of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of 
                the House of Representatives;
            (4) the term ``emergency'' means an emergency declared or 
        determined to exist by the President under section 501 of the 
        Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 5191);
            (5) the terms ``Indian tribal government'', ``local 
        government'', and ``State'' have the meanings given such terms 
        in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
        Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122); and
            (6) the term ``major disaster'' means a major disaster 
        declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. 
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 5170).

SEC. 3. REPORT ON RELOCATION ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report 
regarding the use of relocation assistance under sections 203, 404, and 
406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5133, 5170c, 5172) for wildfire risk to the appropriate 
committees of Congress.
    (b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            (1) Any information on relocation projects that have been 
        carried out due to fire risks or denied by the Agency, 
        including the number and value of projects either carried out 
        or denied.
            (2) A discussion of the possible benefits or disadvantages 
        of providing relocation assistance that may reduce, but not 
        eliminate, the risk of loss due to wildfires.
            (3) A discussion of how the Agency may optimize relocation 
        assistance when entire States or geographic areas are 
        considered subject to a fire risk.
            (4) An analysis of whether other mitigation measures are 
        more cost-effective than relocation assistance when the 
        applicant is applying to move from a high-risk to a medium-risk 
        or low-risk area with respect to wildfires.
            (5) An analysis of the need for the Federal Government to 
        produce wildfire maps that identify high-risk, moderate-risk, 
        and low-risk wildfire zones.
            (6) An analysis of whether other mitigation measures 
        promote greater resilience to wildfires when compared to 
        relocation or, if additional data is required in order to carry 
        out such an analysis, a discussion of the additional data 
        required.
            (7) A discussion of the ability of States, local 
        governments, and Indian tribal governments to demonstrate fire 
        risk, and whether the level of this ability impacts the ability 
        of States, local governments, or Indian tribal governments to 
        access relocation assistance, including an assessment of 
        existing fire mapping products and capabilities and 
        recommendations on redressing any gaps in the ability of the 
        Agency to assist States, local governments, and Indian tribal 
        governments in demonstrating fire risk.
            (8) An evaluation of--
                    (A) the scope of the data available to the Agency 
                regarding historical wildfire losses;
                    (B) how such data is utilized in benefit-cost 
                analysis determinations by the Agency;
                    (C) what additional data, if any, may be pertinent 
                to such determinations; and
                    (D) what, if any, alternative methods may be 
                relevant to the determination of cost effectiveness.
            (9) A discussion of the extent to which the decision 
        process for relocation assistance appropriately considers the 
        change in future risks for wildfires due to a changing climate.
            (10) An analysis of whether statutes and regulations 
        regarding relocation assistance by the Agency present barriers 
        for States, local governments, or Indian tribal governments 
        trying to access funding to reduce wildfire risk.
            (11) An analysis of--
                    (A) how, if at all, the Agency has modified 
                policies and procedures to determine the eligibility of 
                proposed relocation or mitigation projects with respect 
                to wildfires;
                    (B) the cost effectiveness of such projects, in 
                light of the increasing losses and obligations for 
                wildfires in recent years; and
                    (C) the effectiveness of any modifications 
                described in subparagraph (A).
            (12) An analysis of how, if at all, recent changes in the 
        availability of fire insurance has resulted in modifications of 
        policy or procedure with respect to determining the cost 
        efficacy of relocation assistance for wildfires.
            (13) An analysis of how to define repetitive loss and 
        repetitively damaged properties in the context of wildfires.
            (14) A discussion of whether any legislative, regulatory, 
        or policy changes are necessary for the Agency to better 
        implement relocation assistance to reduce risk from wildfires.
            (15) Other related issues that the Administrator determines 
        appropriate.

SEC. 4. RED FLAG WARNINGS AND PREDISASTER ACTIONS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator, in coordination with the National Weather Service of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall--
            (1) conduct a study of, develop recommendations for, and 
        initiate a process for the use of Red Flag Warnings and similar 
        weather alert and notification methods, including the use of 
        emerging technologies, to establish--
                    (A) plans and actions, consistent with law, that 
                can be implemented prior to a wildfire event, including 
                pre-impact disaster declarations and surge operations, 
                that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the 
                fire; and
                    (B) mechanisms to increase interagency 
                collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster 
                assistance; and
            (2) submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a 
        comprehensive report regarding the study described in paragraph 
        (1), including any recommendations of the Administrator, and 
        the activities of the Administrator to carry out paragraph (1).

SEC. 5. ASSISTANCE FOR WILDFIRE DAMAGE.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress 
regarding--
            (1) the application for assistance and consistency of 
        assistance provided by the Agency in response to wildfires; and
            (2) the kinds of damage that result from wildfires.

SEC. 6. GAO REPORT ON GAPS.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report that examines--
            (1) gaps in the policies of the Agency related to 
        wildfires, when compared to other hazards;
            (2) disparities in regulations and guidance issued by the 
        Administrator, including any oversight of the programs of the 
        Agency, when addressing impacts of wildfires and other hazards;
            (3) ways to shorten the period of time between the 
        initiating of and the distribution of assistance, 
        reimbursements, and grants;
            (4) the effectiveness of the programs of the Agency in 
        addressing wildfire hazards;
            (5) ways to improve the ability of the Agency to assist 
        States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments to 
        prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against 
        wildfire hazards;
            (6) revising the application process for assistance 
        relating to wildfires to more effectively assess uninsured and 
        underinsured losses and serious needs; and
            (7) ways to improve the disaster assistance programs of 
        agencies other than the Agency.

SEC. 7. CRISIS COUNSELING CULTURAL COMPETENCY.

    Section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5183) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The President'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--The President''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Cultural Competency.--The President shall, in consultation 
with affected States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments 
and cultural experts, ensure that any individual providing professional 
counseling services to victims of a major disaster as authorized under 
subsection (a), including those working for nonprofit partners and 
recovery organizations, is appropriately trained to address--
            ``(1) cultural competency and respectful care practices; 
        and
            ``(2) impacts from major disasters in communities, and to 
        individuals, with socio-economically disadvantaged 
        backgrounds.''.

SEC. 8. CASE MANAGEMENT CULTURAL COMPETENCY.

    Section 426 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189d) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``The President'' and inserting the 
        following:
    ``(a) In General.--The President''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Cultural Competency.--The President shall, in consultation 
with affected States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments 
and cultural experts, ensure that any individual providing case 
management services to victims of a major disaster as authorized under 
subsection (a), including those working for nonprofit partners and 
recovery organizations, is appropriately trained to address--
            ``(1) cultural competency and respectful care practices; 
        and
            ``(2) impacts from major disasters in communities, and to 
        individuals, with socio-economically disadvantaged 
        backgrounds.''.

SEC. 9. STUDY AND PLAN FOR DISASTER HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator shall--
            (1) conduct a study and develop a plan, consistent with 
        law, under which the Agency will address providing housing 
        assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when 
        presented with challenges such as--
                    (A) the lack of proof of ownership or ownership 
                documentation;
                    (B) the presence of multiple families within a 
                single household; and
                    (C) the near loss of a community, with the majority 
                of homes destroyed in that community, including as a 
                result of a wildfire, earthquake, or other event 
                causing a major disaster; and
            (2) make recommendations for legislative changes needed to 
        address--
                    (A) the unmet needs of survivors of major disasters 
                or emergencies who are unable to document or prove 
                ownership of the household;
                    (B) the presence of multiple families within a 
                single household; and
                    (C) the near loss of a community, with the majority 
                of homes destroyed in that community, including as a 
                result of a wildfire, earthquake, or other event 
                causing a major disaster.
    (b) Comprehensive Report.--The Administrator shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report that provides a detailed 
discussion of the plans developed under subsection (a)(1) and the 
recommendations of the Administrator under subsection (a)(2).
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after submission of the 
report and recommendations under subsection (b), the Administrator 
shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the findings and 
any recommendations made pursuant to this section.

SEC. 10. REIMBURSEMENT.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress 
regarding the extent to which the Agency is using housing solutions 
proposed by a State or local government to reduce the time or cost 
required to implement housing solutions after a major disaster.

SEC. 11. WILDFIRE INSURANCE STUDY BY THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES.

    (a) Study.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall seek to enter 
        into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to 
        conduct a study of--
                    (A) potential solutions to address the availability 
                and affordability of insurance for wildfire perils in 
                all regions of the United States, including 
                consideration of a national all natural hazards 
                insurance program;
                    (B) the ability of States, communities, and 
                individuals to mitigate wildfire risks, including the 
                affordability and feasibility of such mitigation 
                activities;
                    (C) the current and potential future effects of 
                land use policies and building codes on the potential 
                solutions;
                    (D) the reasons why many properties at risk of 
                wildfire lack insurance coverage;
                    (E) the role of insurers in providing incentives 
                for wildfire risk mitigation efforts;
                    (F) the state of catastrophic insurance and 
                reinsurance markets and the approaches in providing 
                insurance protection to different sectors of the 
                population of the United States;
                    (G) the role of the Federal Government and State 
                and local governments in providing incentives for 
                feasible wildfire risk mitigation efforts and the cost 
                of providing assistance in the absence of insurance;
                    (H) the state of modeling and mapping wildfire risk 
                and solutions for accurately and adequately identifying 
                future wildfire risk;
                    (I) approaches to insuring wildfire risk in the 
                United States; and
                    (J) such other issues that may be necessary or 
                appropriate for the report.
            (2) Consultation.--The agreement to conduct the study 
        described in subsection (a) shall require that, in conducting 
        the study, the National Academy of Sciences shall consult with 
        State insurance regulators, consumer organizations, 
        representatives of the insurance and reinsurance industry, 
        policyholders, and other organizations and experts, as 
        appropriate.
    (b) Submission.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress the results of 
the study commissioned under subsection (a).

SEC. 12. INCREASED CAP FOR EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS BASED ON REGIONAL 
              COST OF LIVING.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 
the Administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress 
regarding the benefits and drawbacks of establishing a maximum amount 
for assistance provided for an emergency that is based on the cost of 
living in the region in which the emergency occurs.

SEC. 13. FACILITATING DISPOSAL OF TEMPORARY TRANSPORTABLE HOUSING UNITS 
              TO SURVIVORS.

    Section 408(d)(2)(B)(i) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(d)(2)(B)(i)) is amended by 
inserting ``, with priority given to a survivor of a major disaster who 
suffered a property loss as a result of the major disaster'' after 
``any person''.

SEC. 14. DEADLINE ON CODE ENFORCEMENT AND MANAGEMENT COST ELIGIBILITY.

    Section 406(a)(2)(D) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(a)(2)(D)) is amended by 
striking ``180 days'' and inserting ``1 year''.

SEC. 15. PERMIT APPLICATIONS FOR TRIBAL UPGRADES TO EMERGENCY 
              OPERATIONS CENTERS.

    Section 614(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5196c(a)) is amended by inserting 
``and Indian tribal governments'' after ``grants to States''.
                                                       Calendar No. 482

117th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 3092

                          [Report No. 117-144]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

     To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act to improve the provision of certain disaster assistance, 
                        and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           September 12, 2022

                       Reported with an amendment