[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1796 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>





                                                 Union Calendar No. 319
118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 1796

                      [Report No. 118-390, Part I]

  To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency 
               Management Agency, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 24, 2023

  Ms. Titus (for herself, Mr. Graves of Louisiana, and Mr. Carter of 
  Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the 
 Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, 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

                           February 14, 2024

 Additional sponsors: Mr. Molinaro, Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon, Mr. Edwards, 
            Ms. Balint, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Case, and Mr. Neguse

                           February 14, 2024

 Reported from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with 
                              an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

                           February 14, 2024

    Committees on Financial Services and Small Business discharged; 
committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 
                       and ordered to be printed
 [For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 
                               24, 2023]


_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency 
               Management Agency, and for other purposes.


 


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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Disaster Survivors 
Fairness Act of 2023''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Information sharing for federal agencies.
Sec. 3. Universal application for individual assistance.
Sec. 4. Repair and rebuilding.
Sec. 5. Direct assistance.
Sec. 6. State-managed housing pilot authority.
Sec. 7. Management costs.
Sec. 8. Funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance.
Sec. 9. Individual assistance dashboard.
Sec. 10. FEMA reports.
Sec. 11. Sheltering of emergency response personnel.
Sec. 12. Improved rental assistance.
Sec. 13. GAO report on preliminary damage assessments.
Sec. 14. Applicability.
Sec. 15. GAO report to Congress on challenges under public assistance 
                            alternative procedures.
    (c) Definitions.--Except as otherwise provided, the terms used in 
this Act 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).

SEC. 2. INFORMATION SHARING FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    (a) Establishment of Unified Disaster Application System.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
        Management Agency shall establish and maintain a web-based 
        interagency electronic information sharing system, to be known 
        as the ``unified disaster application system'', to--
                    (A) facilitate the administration of the universal 
                application for direct Federal disaster assistance 
                established under section 3;
                    (B) carry out the purposes of disaster assistance 
                programs swiftly, efficiently, and in accordance with 
                applicable laws, regulations, and the privacy and data 
                protections provided under this section; and
                    (C) support the detection, prevention, and 
                investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination 
                in the administration of disaster assistance programs.
            (2) Authorities of administrator.--In establishing and 
        maintaining the unified disaster application system under this 
        subsection, the Administrator may collect and maintain disaster 
        assistance information received from a disaster assistance 
        agency, a block grant recipient, or an applicant for a disaster 
        assistance program and share such information with any other 
        disaster assistance agency or block grant recipient using such 
        system.
            (3) Requirements.--The Administrator shall ensure that the 
        unified disaster application system established and maintained 
        under this subsection--
                    (A) allows an applicant to receive status updates 
                on an application for disaster assistance programs 
                submitted though such system;
                    (B) allows for applicants to update disaster 
                assistance information throughout the recovery journeys 
                of such applicants in accordance with established 
                application timeframes;
                    (C) allows for the distribution to applicants of 
                information about additional recovery resources that 
                may be available in a disaster stricken area;
                    (D) provides an applicant with information and 
                documentation relating to an application for a disaster 
                assistance program submitted by such applicant; and
                    (E) contains any other capabilities determined 
                necessary by the head of a disaster assistance agency.
    (b) Data Security.--The Administrator may facilitate the collection 
of disaster assistance information into the unified disaster 
application system established under subsection (a) only after the 
following requirements have been met:
            (1) The Administrator certifies that the unified disaster 
        application system substantially complies with the data 
        security standards and best practices established pursuant to 
        subchapter II of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, 
        and any other applicable Federal information security policy.
            (2) The Secretary of Homeland Security publishes a privacy 
        impact assessment for the unified disaster application system, 
        in accordance with section 208(b)(1)(B) of the E-Government Act 
        of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note).
            (3) The Administrator, after consulting with disaster 
        assistance agencies, publishes standard rules of behavior for 
        disaster assistance agencies, block grant recipients, and 
        personnel granted access to disaster assistance information to 
        protect such information from improper disclosure.
    (c) Collection and Sharing of Additional Records and Information.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator may authorize the 
        additional collection, maintenance, sharing, and use of 
        disaster assistance information by publishing a notice on the 
        unified disaster application system established under 
        subsection (a) that includes a detailed description of--
                    (A) the specific amendments to the collection, 
                maintenance, and sharing of disaster assistance 
                information authorized;
                    (B) why each such amendment to how disaster 
                assistance information is collected, maintained, or 
                shared is necessary to carry out the purposes of a 
                disaster assistance program and consistent with the 
                fair information practice principles; and
                    (C) the disaster assistance agencies and block 
                grant recipients that will be granted access to the 
                additional information to carry out the purposes of any 
                disaster assistance program.
            (2) Notice and publication requirements.--The publication 
        of a notice under paragraph (1) of a revision to the unified 
        disaster application system of records prior to any new 
        collection, or uses, of Privacy Act categories of records, to 
        carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program with 
        regard to a disaster declared by the President under section 
        401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
        Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191), shall be 
        deemed to satisfy the notice and publication requirements of 
        section 552a(e)(4) of title 5, United States Code, for the 
        entire period of performance for any assistance provided under 
        a disaster assistance program.
            (3) Waiver of information collection requirements.--
                    (A) In general.--Upon the declaration of a major 
                disaster or emergency pursuant to sections 401 or 501 
                of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
                Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191) by the President, 
                the Administrator may waive the requirements of 
                subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States 
                Code, with respect to voluntary collection of 
                information for the entire period of performance for 
                any assistance provided under a disaster assistance 
                program.
                    (B) Transparency.--Upon exercising the waiver 
                authority under subparagraph (A), the Administrator 
                shall--
                            (i) promptly post on a website of the 
                        Federal Emergency Management Agency a brief 
                        justification for such waiver, the anticipated 
                        period of time such waiver will be in effect, 
                        and the disaster assistance offices within the 
                        Federal Emergency Management Agency to which 
                        such waiver shall apply; and
                            (ii) update the information relating to 
                        such waiver, as applicable.
            (4) GAO review of waiver of information collection 
        requirements.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
                of the United States shall issue a report describing 
                the benefits and potential risks associated with 
                authorizing the waiver of the information collection 
                requirements described in paragraph (3).
                    (B) Contents.--The report required under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment of the 
                extent to which a waiver described in paragraph (3) 
                would--
                            (i) affect the paperwork burden for 
                        individuals, small businesses, State, local and 
                        tribal governments, and other persons;
                            (ii) affect the consistent application of 
                        Federal laws relating to--
                                    (I) privacy and confidentiality;
                                    (II) security of information; and
                                    (III) access to information; and
                            (iii) encourage or deter a State or other 
                        entity from participating in the voluntary 
                        collection of information for the duration of a 
                        major disaster or emergency.
    (d) Use by Other Federal Agencies.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator may permit a Federal 
        agency other than a disaster assistance agency listed in 
        subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (f)(3) to use the 
        unified disaster application system established under 
        subsection (a) for the purpose of facilitating disaster-related 
        assistance if such agency enters into an agreement containing 
        the terms described in paragraph (2).
            (2) Agency agreement.--An agreement entered into under 
        paragraph (1) shall contain the following terms:
                    (A) The Federal agency shall--
                            (i) collect, share, maintain, and use 
                        disaster assistance information in compliance 
                        with this section and any policies of the 
                        Federal Emergency Management Agency and any 
                        information protection and use policies of such 
                        Federal agency; and
                            (ii) train any personnel granted access to 
                        disaster assistance information on the rules of 
                        behavior established by the Administrator under 
                        subsection (b)(3).
                    (B) In the event of any unauthorized disclosure of 
                disaster assistance information, the Federal agency 
                shall--
                            (i) notify the Administrator within 24 
                        hours of discovering any such unauthorized 
                        disclosure;
                            (ii) cooperate fully with the Administrator 
                        in the investigation and remediation of any 
                        such disclosure;
                            (iii) cooperate fully in the prosecution of 
                        a person responsible for such disclosure; and
                            (iv) assume the responsibility for any 
                        compensation, civil liability, or other 
                        remediation measures, whether awarded by a 
                        judgment of a court or agreed as a compromise 
                        of any potential claims by or on behalf of an 
                        applicant, including by obtaining credit 
                        monitoring and remediation services, for an 
                        improper disclosure that is--
                                    (I) caused, directly or indirectly, 
                                by the acts or omissions of officers, 
                                employees, and contractors of the 
                                agency; or
                                    (II) from any electronic system of 
                                records that is created or maintained 
                                by the agency pursuant to section 
                                552a(e) of title 5, United States Code.
            (3) Publication of agency agreement.--The Administrator 
        shall publish an agency agreement entered into under this 
        subsection on the same website as the unified disaster 
        application system established under subsection (a).
    (e) Rule of Construction.--The sharing and use of disaster 
assistance information that is subject to the requirements of section 
552a of title 5, United States Code, by disaster assistance agencies 
and block grant recipients--
            (1) shall not be--
                    (A) construed as a matching program for purposes of 
                section 552a(a)(8) of such title; or
                    (B) subject to the remaining computer matching 
                provisions of section 552a of such title; and
            (2) shall be in addition to any other law providing for the 
        sharing or use of such information.
    (f) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means--
                    (A) a person who applies for disaster assistance 
                from a disaster assistance program; and
                    (B) a person on whose behalf a person described in 
                subparagraph (A) has applied for disaster assistance.
            (2) Block grant recipient.--The term ``block grant 
        recipient'' means a State, local government, or Indian Tribe 
        that receives assistance through the disaster assistance 
        program described in paragraph (5)(B)(i).
            (3) Disaster assistance agency.--The term ``disaster 
        assistance agency'' means--
                    (A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
                    (B) the Department of Housing and Urban 
                Development;
                    (C) the Small Business Administration;
                    (D) the Department of Agriculture; and
                    (E) any other Federal agency that the Administrator 
                permits to use the unified disaster application system 
                under subsection (d).
            (4) Disaster assistance information.--The term ``disaster 
        assistance information'' includes any personal, demographic, 
        biographical, geographical, financial information, or other 
        information that a disaster assistance agency or block grant 
        recipient is authorized to collect, maintain, share, or use to 
        process an application for disaster assistance or otherwise 
        carry out a disaster assistance program.
            (5) Disaster assistance program.--The term ``disaster 
        assistance program'' means--
                    (A) any program that provides assistance to 
                individuals and households under title IV or title V of 
                the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
                Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.); or
                    (B) any other assistance program carried out by a 
                disaster assistance agency that provides assistance to 
                an individual, household, or organization related to a 
                major disaster or emergency declared under sections 401 
                or 501 of such Act, including--
                            (i) assistance for activities related to 
                        disaster relief, long-term recovery, 
                        restoration of infrastructure and housing, 
                        economic revitalization, and mitigation that 
                        are authorized under title I of the Housing and 
                        Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 
                        5301 et seq.);
                            (ii) any loan that is authorized under 
                        section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 
                        U.S.C. 636(b)); and
                            (iii) the distribution of food benefit 
                        allotments as authorized under section 412 of 
                        the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
                        Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5179) and 
                        section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
                        U.S.C. 2014(h)).

SEC. 3. UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Universal Application.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall develop and establish a universal 
application for direct Federal disaster assistance for individuals in 
areas impacted by emergencies or disasters.
    (b) Consultation and Support.--
            (1) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the 
        Administrator shall consult with the following:
                    (A) The Director of the Office of Management and 
                Budget.
                    (B) The Administrator of the Small Business 
                Administration.
                    (C) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
                    (D) The Secretary of Agriculture.
            (2) Support.--The entities described in paragraph (1) shall 
        provide prompt support to the Administrator.
    (c) Survey.--The application established under subsection (a) shall 
include a voluntary survey to collect the demographic data of an 
applicant.
    (d) GAO Assessment on Identity Theft and Disaster Fraud in Disaster 
Assistance Programs.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) conduct an assessment of improper and potentially 
        fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals made to 
        survivors of major disasters declared in 2020 and 2021, 
        including through identity theft; and
            (2) 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 that describes--
                    (A) the prevalence of improper and potentially 
                fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals 
                made to registrants who used invalid information to 
                apply for disaster assistance, including through 
                identity theft;
                    (B) the number of disaster survivors whose claims 
                for Federal disaster assistance for individuals were 
                denied due to another individual filing a fraudulent 
                application using their personal identifying 
                information;
                    (C) the adequacy of existing fraud prevention 
                protocols in place on the Federal Emergency Management 
                Agency's online application for Federal disaster 
                assistance for individuals; and
                    (D) recommendations for improving the identity 
                verification protocols in place for Federal disaster 
                assistance for individuals.

SEC. 4. REPAIR AND REBUILDING.

    (a) In General.--Section 408(b)(1) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(b)(1)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``rendered uninhabitable'' and inserting 
        ``damaged by a major disaster''; and
            (2) by striking ``uninhabitable, as a result of damage 
        caused by a major disaster'' and inserting ``damaged by a major 
        disaster''.
    (b) Hazard Mitigation.--Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is 
amended--
            (1) in subsection (c) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Hazard mitigation.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The President may provide 
                financial assistance to individuals and households 
                whose primary residence, utilities, or residential 
                infrastructure are damaged by a major disaster, for 
                cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce 
                threats to life and property, or future damage to such 
                residence, utilities, or infrastructure in future 
                disasters.
                    ``(B) Relationship to other assistance.--A 
                recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph 
                shall not be required to show that the assistance can 
                be met through other means, except insurance 
                proceeds.''; and
            (2) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``, financial 
                assistance for hazard mitigation under subsection 
                (c)(5)(A),'' after ``subsection (c)(1)(A)(i)'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``paragraphs (1) 
                and (2)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1), (2), and 
                (3)''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Hazard mitigation.--The maximum financial assistance 
        any individual or household may receive under subsection (c)(5) 
        shall be equivalent to the amount set forth in paragraph (1) 
        with respect to a single major disaster.''.

SEC. 5. DIRECT ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 408(c) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)) is further 
amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
            ``(2) Repairs.--
                    ``(A) Financial assistance for repairs.--The 
                President may provide financial assistance for the 
                repair of owner-occupied private residences, utilities, 
                and residential infrastructure (such as a private 
                access route) damaged by a major disaster, or with 
                respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered 
                inaccessible by a major disaster.
                    ``(B) Direct assistance for repairs.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The President may 
                        provide direct assistance to individuals and 
                        households who are unable to make use of 
                        financial assistance under subparagraph (A) and 
                        when there is a lack of available resources, 
                        for--
                                    ``(I) the repair of owner-occupied 
                                private residences, utilities, and 
                                residential infrastructure (such as a 
                                private access route) damaged by a 
                                major disaster, or with respect to 
                                individuals with disabilities, rendered 
                                inaccessible by a disaster; and
                                    ``(II) eligible hazard mitigation 
                                measures that reduce the likelihood and 
                                future damage to such residences, 
                                utilities, and infrastructure.
                            ``(ii) Eligibility.--A recipient of 
                        assistance under this subparagraph shall not be 
                        eligible for assistance under paragraph (1), 
                        unless otherwise determined by the 
                        Administrator.
                    ``(C) Relationship to other assistance.--A 
                recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph 
                shall not be required to show that the assistance can 
                be met through other means, except insurance 
                proceeds.''.
    (b) State- or Indian Tribal Government-Administered Assistance and 
Other Needs Assistance.--Section 408(f) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) is 
amended--
            (1) by striking ``subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e)'' 
        each place it appears and inserting ``paragraphs (1)(B), 
        (2)(B), and (4) of subsection (c) and subsection (e)''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ``subsection (c)(1)(B), 
        (c)(4), or (e)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)(B), (2)(B), or 
        (4) of subsection (c) or subsection (e)''.

SEC. 6. STATE-MANAGED HOUSING PILOT AUTHORITY.

    (a) In General.--Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (f)(3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) by striking ``A State'' and inserting 
                        the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--A State''; and
                            (ii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) Transparency.--The President shall 
                        make public the criteria used to evaluate 
                        applications under clause (i) and determine if 
                        a State or Indian tribal government meets the 
                        criteria described in subparagraph (B) to 
                        administer grants described in paragraph 
                        (1)(A).'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)(ii)--
                            (i) in subclause (I) by striking ``; and'' 
                        and inserting a semicolon;
                            (ii) in subclause (II) by striking the 
                        period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
                        and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                                    ``(III) outline the approach of the 
                                State to help disaster survivors create 
                                a permanent housing plan; and
                                    ``(IV) outline the approach of the 
                                State to provide individual disaster 
                                survivors some choice of communities 
                                and properties, as practicable.'';
                    (C) by striking subparagraph (F);
                    (D) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), (I), 
                and (J) as subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), and (I), 
                respectively; and
                    (E) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated--
                            (i) in clause (ii) by striking ``Not later 
                        than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
                        this paragraph, the'' and inserting ``The''; 
                        and
                            (ii) in clause (iii) by striking ``2 
                        years'' and inserting ``10 years''; and
            (2) in subsection (g)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``paragraph (2)'' 
                and inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) Disaster assistance.--In the case of assistance 
        provided under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(2)(B), and (c)(4), 
        the Federal share shall be not less than 75 percent.''.
    (b) GAO Assessment.--Upon the expiration of the authority to carry 
out section 408(f) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) as a pilot program, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report on the 
effectiveness, successes, and challenges of any pilot program carried 
out pursuant to such section and make recommendations on how to improve 
the provision of assistance under such section.

SEC. 7. MANAGEMENT COSTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 324(b)(2) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165b(b)(2)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) Individual assistance.--A grantee under 
                section 408(f) may be reimbursed not more than 12 
                percent of the total award amount under each such 
                section.
                    ``(D) Crisis counseling assistance, training, and 
                case management services.--A grantee and subgrantee, 
                cumulatively, may be reimbursed not more than 15 
                percent of the total amount of the grant award under 
                either section 416 or 426.''.
    (b) Administrative Costs.--Section 408(f)(1) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174), 
as amended by section 5(b) of this Act, is amended--
            (1) by striking ``(A) Grant to state.--'' and all that 
        follows through ``subsection (g),'' and inserting ``Subject to 
        subsection (g),''; and
            (2) by striking subparagraph (B).

SEC. 8. FUNDING FOR ONLINE GUIDES FOR POST-DISASTER ASSISTANCE.

    (a) Use of Services of Other Agencies.--Section 201(a) of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5131(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(8) post-disaster assistance.''.
    (b) Grants for Online Guides for Assistance.--Section 201 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5131) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Funding for Online Guides for Assistance.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal 
        Emergency Management Agency may provide funding to a State 
        agency established under subsection (c) to establish, update, 
        or operate a website to provide information relating to post-
        disaster recovery funding and resources to a community or an 
        individual impacted by a major disaster or emergency.
            ``(2) Management.--A website created under this subsection 
        shall be--
                    ``(A) managed by the State agency; and
                    ``(B) suitable for the residents of the State of 
                the State agency.
            ``(3) Content.--The Administrator may provide funding to a 
        State agency under this subsection to establish a website that 
        contains only 1 or more of the following:
                    ``(A) A list of Federal, State, and local sources 
                of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that 
                may be available to a community after a major disaster 
                or emergency.
                    ``(B) A list of Federal, State, and local sources 
                of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that 
                may be available to an individual impacted by a major 
                disaster or emergency.
                    ``(C) A technical guide that lists and explains the 
                costs and benefits of alternatives available to a 
                community to mitigate the impacts of a major disaster 
                or emergency and prepare for sequential hazards such as 
                flooding after a wildfire.
            ``(4) Cooperation.--A State agency that receives funding 
        under this subsection shall cooperate with the Secretary of the 
        Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of 
        Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Small 
        Business Administration, and the Administrator of the Federal 
        Emergency Management Agency in developing a website under this 
        subsection.
            ``(5) Updates.--A State agency that receives funding to 
        establish a website under this subsection shall update the 
        website not less than once every 6 months.''.

SEC. 9. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DASHBOARD.

    Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 431. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DASHBOARD.

    ``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after a declaration by 
the President that a major disaster exists under section 401, the 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall publish 
on a website of the Agency an interactive web tool displaying the 
following information with respect to such disaster:
            ``(1) The number of applications for assistance under 
        section 408, including a description of the number of 
        applications for assistance related to housing under such 
        section and the number of applications for assistance to 
        address other needs under section 408(e).
            ``(2) The number of applications for such assistance that 
        are approved.
            ``(3) The number of applications for such assistance that 
        are denied.
            ``(4) A ranked list of the reasons for the denial of such 
        applications, including the number of applications for each 
        reason for denial.
            ``(5) If available, the dollar amount of assistance 
        provided pursuant to section 408 to applicants who are--
                    ``(A) property owners with a household annual 
                income--
                            ``(i) above the national median household 
                        income; and
                            ``(ii) below the national median household 
                        income; and
                    ``(B) renters with a household annual income--
                            ``(i) above the national median household 
                        income; and
                            ``(ii) below the national median household 
                        income.
            ``(6) The estimated percentage of residential property that 
        was destroyed as a result of the major disaster, if available.
            ``(7) Any other information that the Administrator 
        determines to be relevant.
    ``(b) Personally Identifiable Information.--The Administrator shall 
ensure that none of the information published under subsection (a) 
contains the personally identifiable information of an applicant.''.

SEC. 10. FEMA REPORTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate a report with 
respect to fiscal year 2016 through the most recent fiscal year ending 
before the date of enactment of this Act, and an annual report for any 
fiscal year beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act, 
describing--
            (1) the average amount of individual assistance and 
        individual and household assistance provided under section 408 
        of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
        Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) to, and the rate of 
        denial of individual assistance and individual and household 
        assistance provided under such section for--
                    (A) all individuals;
                    (B) households;
                    (C) individuals and households with a reported 
                annual income under 75 percent of the national median 
                household income;
                    (D) individuals with a reported annual income over 
                125 percent of the national median household income; 
                and
                    (E) individuals with a reported annual income 
                between 75 percent and 125 percent of the national 
                median household income; and
            (2) an explanation for any factors causing an increase in 
        the rate of denial of the assistance described in paragraph 
        (1), if applicable.
    (b) Information Required.--In the report submitted under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall describe the number of homeowners and the 
number of renters for each category of individuals and households 
described in subparagraphs (C) through (E) of subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 11. SHELTERING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL.

    Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
    ``(e) Sheltering of Emergency Response Personnel.--
            ``(1) In general.--For any major disaster for which the 
        President has authorized emergency protective measures for an 
        area within the jurisdiction of a State, tribal, or local 
        government, the Administrator may reimburse the State, tribal, 
        or local government for costs relating to sheltering emergency 
        response personnel, including individuals that are a part of 
        the same predisaster household as such personnel, in exclusive-
        use congregate or non-congregate settings if the Governor of 
        the State or chief executive of the tribal or local government 
        determines that the damage or disruption to such area is of 
        such a magnitude as to disrupt the provision of emergency 
        protective measures within such area.
            ``(2) Limitation of assistance.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may only 
                reimburse a State, tribal, or local government for the 
                costs of sheltering emergency response personnel under 
                paragraph (1) for such a period of time as the 
                Administrator determines reasonable based in the 
                individual characteristics of and impacts to the 
                affected area, including the extent of damage, the 
                availability of alternative housing options, the 
                availability of utilities, and disruptions to 
                transportation infrastructure.
                    ``(B) Maximum duration of reimbursement.--The 
                period of reimbursement under subparagraph (A) may not 
                exceed the 6-month period beginning on the date on 
                which the incident period ends.
            ``(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `emergency 
        response personnel' means--
                    ``(A) employees or contracted employees providing 
                law enforcement, fire suppression, rescue, emergency 
                medical, emergency management, or emergency 
                communications services; and
                    ``(B) elected officials, except members of 
                Congress, responsible for the overseeing or directing 
                emergency response operations or recovery 
                activities.''.

SEC. 12. IMPROVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Section 408(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5174(c)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``, including local post-
disaster rent increases,'' after ``accommodation provided''.
    (b) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
shall conduct a study to examine the unique challenges of renters when 
seeking Federal disaster assistance and any disparities of assistance 
provided to homeowners and renters pursuant to section 408 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5174) and develop a plan that addresses any identified 
challenges and disparities, including any recommendations for 
legislative action.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Upon completion of the activities carried 
out under subsection (b), 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 containing the study and recommendations 
required under subsection (b).
    (d) Consultation.--In completing the study and report required 
under subsections (b) and (c), the Administrator shall consult with 
appropriate Federal entities and stakeholders involved in disaster 
housing.

SEC. 13. GAO REPORT ON PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the practices, including the accuracy of such 
practices, that the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses when 
conducting preliminary damage assessments for the purposes of providing 
assistance under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42. U.S.C. 5174).
    (b) Contents.--The Comptroller General shall include in the study 
conducted under subsection (a) the following:
            (1) A comparison of the process and procedures used by the 
        Federal Emergency Management Agency to complete preliminary 
        damage assessments to the process and procedures used by 
        private insurance companies following a major disaster.
            (2) A review of training provided to individuals conducting 
        preliminary damage assessments.
            (3) A comparison of damage estimates for homes owned by 
        individuals above the national median income to homes owned by 
        individuals at or below the national median income.

SEC. 14. APPLICABILITY.

    The amendments made by sections 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 shall only apply 
to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 15. GAO REPORT TO CONGRESS ON CHALLENGES UNDER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE 
              ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the challenges to States and Territories of the 
United States in obtaining assistance under section 428 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5189f).
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study described in subsection (a), 
the Comptroller General shall study the challenges for assistance 
described in subsection (a) faced by the following:
            (1) Rural areas, as such term is defined in section 423 of 
        the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a).
            (2) Small impoverished communities, as such term is defined 
        in section 203 of such Act.
            (3) Other communities, areas, or individuals that the 
        Comptroller General determines pertinent.
    (c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress 
a report describing the results of the study required under subsection 
(a).
                                                 Union Calendar No. 319

118th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                               H. R. 1796

                      [Report No. 118-390, Part I]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency 
               Management Agency, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           February 14, 2024

 Reported from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with 
                              an amendment

                           February 14, 2024

    Committees on Financial Services and Small Business discharged; 
committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 
                       and ordered to be printed