[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 82 (Thursday, May 17, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6303-S6308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mrs. Boxer, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. 
        Lautenberg, Mr. Leahy, Ms. Landrieu, and Mr. Akaka):
  S. 1427. A bill to establish the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
as an independent agency, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to 
remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, from the 
Department of Homeland Security and restore it as an independent, 
cabinet-level agency.
  In the days after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Americans witnessed 
incompetence on the part of FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, 
and the Administration in responding to a catastrophe of this 
magnitude. Countless Americans who were left behind were failed by 
their government when they needed help the most.
  Sadly, the tragedy continues for the more than 80,000 people still 
living in trailers and for the cities and towns still struggling to 
rebuild. In the years since the catastrophes of Katrina and Rita, 
FEMA's failures have continued.
  The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security found 
that FEMA awarded $3.6 billion in contracts to maintain trailers for 
hurricane victims to companies with no ties to the Gulf Coast region 
and bad paperwork.
  In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA wasted $1 
billion in improper payments to individuals. FEMA spent $900 million on 
trailers that could not be used in flood zones. And FEMA paid $1.8 
billion for hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins that were more expensive 
than apartments.
  It was reported recently that more than $40 million worth of 
stockpiled food for the 2006 hurricane season spoiled due to FEMA's 
lack of preparation.
  FEMA also disclosed in recent days that it will not have a new 
national response plan ready in time for the start of this year's 
hurricane season.
  It is past time to restore competence and accountability, and to 
reestablish FEMA as an independent agency outside the Department of 
Homeland Security.
  In the Clinton administration, the head of FEMA reported directly to 
the President of the United States and that direct communication meant 
the buck stopped with the President, instead of being lost in the 
bureaucracy.
  The Government Accountability Office says that managing the 
transformation of an agency of the size and complexity of the 
Department of Homeland Security will likely span a number of years. 
Unfortunately with regard to preparing and recovering from a disaster, 
we cannot wait years for the Department of Homeland Security to live up 
to its intended mission. When the next disaster or catastrophe happens, 
we cannot afford to say that we'll be ready next time.
  Under my legislation, the Director of FEMA reports directly to the 
President

[[Page S6304]]

and would have full authority to coordinate with all agencies and to 
take the necessary action to ensure resources and recovery personnel 
are deployed quickly in an emergency to impacted areas.
  When we created the Department of Homeland Security, in the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002, I said then that I was deeply concerned about 
moving FEMA under the Department of Homeland Security because when it 
operated as an independent agency, especially on September 11 and in 
the response thereafter, it was highly-functioning, and well-run.
  I remarked then that moving FEMA under the Department of Homeland 
Security must not force a highly-functioning and competent agency into 
a bureaucracy that will challenge integration and diminish FEMA's 
effectiveness in responding to crises of all kinds. Unfortunately, that 
seems to be exactly what has happened and that is exactly what we must 
fix.
  The bureaucracy created by moving FEMA under the Department of 
Homeland Security is clearly not working and we must ensure that FEMA 
has the ability and the authority to respond to a disaster or 
catastrophe. I thank all of my colleagues who have cosponsored this 
legislation and I hope that every Senator in this chamber will 
cosponsor this legislation.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1427

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Federal Emergency Management 
     Improvement Act of 2007''.

              TITLE I--FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

     SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title--
       (1) the term ``catastrophic incident'' means any natural 
     disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster that 
     results in extraordinary levels of casualties or damage or 
     disruption severely affecting the population (including mass 
     evacuations), infrastructure, environment, economy, national 
     morale, or government functions in an area;
       (2) the term ``Director'' means the Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency ;
       (3) the term ``Federal coordinating officer'' means a 
     Federal coordinating officer as described in section 302 of 
     the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5143);
       (4) the term ``interoperable'' has the meaning given the 
     term ``interoperable communications'' under section 
     7303(g)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism 
     Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 194(g)(1));
       (5) the term ``National Advisory Council'' means the 
     National Advisory Council established under section 508 of 
     the Homeland Security Act of 2002;
       (6) the term ``National Incident Management System'' means 
     a system to enable effective, efficient, and collaborative 
     incident management;
       (7) the term ``National Response Plan'' means the National 
     Response Plan or any successor plan prepared under section 
     104(b)(6);
       (8) the term ``Nuclear Incident Response Team'' means a 
     resource that includes--
       (A) those entities of the Department of Energy that perform 
     nuclear or radiological emergency support functions 
     (including accident response, search response, advisory, and 
     technical operations functions), radiation exposure functions 
     at the medical assistance facility known as the Radiation 
     Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS), 
     radiological assistance functions, and related functions; and
       (B) those entities of the Environmental Protection Agency 
     that perform such support functions (including radiological 
     emergency response functions) and related functions; and
       (9) the term ``tribal government'' means the government of 
     any entity described under section 2(10)(B) of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101).

     SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT OF AGENCY AND DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY 
                   DIRECTOR.

       (a) Establishment.--The Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     is established as an independent establishment in the 
     executive branch as defined under section 104 of title 5, 
     United States Code.
       (b) Director.--
       (1) In general.--The Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency shall be the head of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency. The Director shall be appointed by the 
     President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. 
     The Director shall report directly to the President.
       (2) Qualifications.--The Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency shall have significant experience, 
     knowledge, training, and expertise in the area of emergency 
     preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation as related 
     to natural disasters and other national cataclysmic events.
       (3) Executive schedule position.--Section 5312 of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.''.
       (4) Principal advisor on emergency management.--
       (A) In general.--The Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency is the principal advisor to the President, 
     the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security for all matters relating to emergency management in 
     the United States.
       (B) Advice and recommendations.--
       (i) In general.--In presenting advice with respect to any 
     matter to the President, the Homeland Security Council, or 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency shall, as the Director 
     considers appropriate, inform the President, the Homeland 
     Security Council, or the Secretary, as the case may be, of 
     the range of emergency preparedness, protection, response, 
     recovery, and mitigation options with respect to that matter.
       (ii) Advice on request.--The Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency, as the principal advisor on 
     emergency management, shall provide advice to the President, 
     the Homeland Security Council, or the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security on a particular matter when the President, the 
     Homeland Security Council, or the Secretary requests such 
     advice.
       (iii) Recommendations to congress.--After informing the 
     President, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency may make such recommendations to Congress relating to 
     emergency management as the Director considers appropriate.
       (5) Cabinet status.--The President shall designate the 
     Administrator to serve as a member of the Cabinet in the 
     event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-
     made disasters.
       (c) Deputy Director.--
       (1) In general.--The Deputy Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency shall assist the Director of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Deputy Director 
     shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice 
     and consent of the Senate.
       (2) Qualifications.--The Deputy Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency shall have significant 
     experience, knowledge, training, and expertise in the area of 
     emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation as 
     related to natural disasters and other national cataclysmic 
     events.
       (3) Executive schedule position.--Section 5313 of title 5, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (A) by striking the following:
       ``Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency.''.

     SEC. 103. MISSION.

       (a) Primary Mission.--The primary mission of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency is to reduce the loss of life and 
     property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including 
     natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made 
     disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-
     based, comprehensive emergency management system of 
     preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.
       (b) Specific Activities.--In support of the primary mission 
     of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director 
     shall--
       (1) lead the Nation's efforts to prepare for, protect 
     against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against the 
     risk of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-
     made disasters, including catastrophic incidents;
       (2) partner with State, local, and tribal governments and 
     emergency response providers, with other Federal agencies, 
     with the private sector, and with nongovernmental 
     organizations to build a national system of emergency 
     management that can effectively and efficiently utilize the 
     full measure of the Nation's resources to respond to natural 
     disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, 
     including catastrophic incidents;
       (3) develop a Federal response capability that, when 
     necessary and appropriate, can act effectively and rapidly to 
     deliver assistance essential to saving lives or protecting or 
     preserving property or public health and safety in a natural 
     disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;
       (4) integrate the Federal Emergency Management Agency's 
     emergency preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and 
     mitigation responsibilities to confront effectively the 
     challenges of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other 
     man-made disaster;
       (5) develop and maintain robust Regional Offices that will 
     work with State, local, and tribal governments, emergency 
     response providers, and other appropriate entities to 
     identify and address regional priorities;
       (6) coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the 
     Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Director of Customs and 
     Border Protection, the Director of Immigration and Customs 
     Enforcement, the National Operations Center, and other 
     agencies and offices

[[Page S6305]]

     in the Department of Homeland Security to take full advantage 
     of the substantial range of resources in that Department;
       (7) provide funding, training, exercises, technical 
     assistance, planning, and other assistance to build tribal, 
     local, State, regional, and national capabilities (including 
     communications capabilities), necessary to respond to a 
     natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made 
     disaster; and
       (8) develop and coordinate the implementation of a risk-
     based, all-hazards strategy for preparedness that builds 
     those common capabilities necessary to respond to natural 
     disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters 
     while also building the unique capabilities necessary to 
     respond to specific types of incidents that pose the greatest 
     risk to our Nation.

     SEC. 104. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

       (a) In General.--The Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency shall provide Federal leadership necessary 
     to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, or 
     mitigate against a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or 
     other man-made disaster, including--
       (1) helping to ensure the effectiveness of emergency 
     response providers to terrorist attacks, major disasters, and 
     other emergencies;
       (2) with respect to the Nuclear Incident Response Team, 
     regardless of whether it is operating as an organizational 
     unit of the Department of Homeland Security, and in 
     consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security--
       (A) establishing standards and certifying when those 
     standards have been met;
       (B) conducting joint and other exercises and training and 
     evaluating performance; and
       (C) providing funds to the Department of Energy and the 
     Environmental Protection Agency, as appropriate, for homeland 
     security planning, exercises and training, and equipment;
       (3) providing the Federal Government's response to 
     terrorist attacks and major disasters, including--
       (A) managing such response;
       (B) directing the Domestic Emergency Support Team, the 
     National Disaster Medical System, and, in consultation with 
     the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Nuclear Incident 
     Response Team (when that team is operating as an 
     organizational unit of the Department of Homeland Security);
       (C) overseeing the Metropolitan Medical Response System; 
     and
       (D) coordinating other Federal response resources, 
     including requiring deployment of the Strategic National 
     Stockpile, in the event of a terrorist attack or major 
     disaster;
       (4) aiding the recovery from terrorist attacks and major 
     disasters;
       (5) building a comprehensive national incident management 
     system with Federal, State, and local government personnel, 
     agencies, and authorities, to respond to such attacks and 
     disasters;
       (6) consolidating existing Federal Government emergency 
     response plans into a single, coordinated national response 
     plan;
       (7) helping ensure the acquisition of operable and 
     interoperable communications capabilities by Federal, State, 
     local, and tribal governments and emergency response 
     providers;
       (8) assisting the President in carrying out the functions 
     under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) and carrying out all 
     functions and authorities given to the Director under that 
     Act;
       (9) carrying out the mission of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency to reduce the loss of life and property and 
     protect the Nation from all hazards by leading and supporting 
     the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency 
     management system of--
       (A) mitigation, by taking sustained actions to reduce or 
     eliminate long-term risks to people and property from hazards 
     and their effects;
       (B) preparedness, by planning, training, and building the 
     emergency management profession to prepare effectively for, 
     mitigate against, respond to, and recover from any hazard;
       (C) response, by conducting emergency operations to save 
     lives and property through positioning emergency equipment, 
     personnel, and supplies, through evacuating potential 
     victims, through providing food, water, shelter, and medical 
     care to those in need, and through restoring critical public 
     services; and
       (D) recovery, by rebuilding communities so individuals, 
     businesses, and governments can function on their own, return 
     to normal life, and protect against future hazards;
       (10) increasing efficiencies, by coordinating efforts 
     relating to preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and 
     mitigation;
       (11) helping to ensure the effectiveness of emergency 
     response providers in responding to a natural disaster, act 
     of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;
       (12) supervising grant programs administered by the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency;
       (13) administering and ensuring the implementation of the 
     National Response Plan, including coordinating and ensuring 
     the readiness of each emergency support function under the 
     National Response Plan;
       (14) coordinating with the National Advisory Council 
     established under section 508 of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002;
       (15) preparing and implementing the plans and programs of 
     the Federal Government for--
       (A) continuity of operations;
       (B) continuity of government; and
       (C) continuity of plans;
       (16) minimizing, to the extent practicable, overlapping 
     planning and reporting requirements applicable to State, 
     local, and tribal governments and the private sector;
       (17) maintaining and operating within the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency the National Response Coordination Center 
     or its successor;
       (18) developing a national emergency management system that 
     is capable of preparing for, protecting against, responding 
     to, recovering from, and mitigating against catastrophic 
     incidents;
       (19) assisting the President in carrying out the functions 
     under the national preparedness goal and the national 
     preparedness system and carrying out all functions and 
     authorities of the Director under the national preparedness 
     System;
       (20) carrying out all authorities of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency; and
       (21) otherwise carrying out the mission of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency as described in section 103.
       (b) All-Hazards Approach.--In carrying out the 
     responsibilities under this section, the Director shall 
     coordinate the implementation of a risk-based, all-hazards 
     strategy that builds those common capabilities necessary to 
     prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, or 
     mitigate against natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and 
     other man-made disasters, while also building the unique 
     capabilities necessary to prepare for, protect against, 
     respond to, recover from, or mitigate against the risks of 
     specific types of incidents that pose the greatest risk to 
     the Nation.
       (c) Conflict of Authorities.--If the Director determines 
     that there is a conflict between any authority of the 
     Director under this Act, the amendments made by this Act, or 
     the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) and any authority of 
     another Federal officer, the Director shall request that the 
     President make such determinations as may be necessary 
     regarding such authorities.

     SEC. 105. REGIONAL OFFICES.

       (a) In General.--There are in the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency 10 regional offices, as identified by the 
     Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
       (b) Management of Regional Offices.--
       (1) Regional administrator.--Each Regional Office shall be 
     headed by a Regional Administrator who shall be appointed by 
     the Director, after consulting with State, local, and tribal 
     government officials in the region. Each Regional 
     Administrator shall report directly to the Director and be in 
     the Senior Executive Service.
       (2) Qualifications.--
       (A) In general.--Each Regional Administrator shall be 
     appointed from among individuals who have a demonstrated 
     ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland 
     security.
       (B) Considerations.--In selecting a Regional Administrator 
     for a Regional Office, the Director shall consider the 
     familiarity of an individual with the geographical area and 
     demographic characteristics of the population served by such 
     Regional Office.
       (c) Responsibilities.--
       (1) In general.--The Regional Administrator shall work in 
     partnership with State, local, and tribal governments, 
     emergency managers, emergency response providers, medical 
     providers, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, 
     multijurisdictional councils of governments, and regional 
     planning commissions and organizations in the geographical 
     area served by the Regional Office to carry out the 
     responsibilities of a Regional Administrator under this 
     section.
       (2) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of a Regional 
     Administrator include--
       (A) ensuring effective, coordinated, and integrated 
     regional preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and 
     mitigation activities and programs for natural disasters, 
     acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters (including 
     planning, training, exercises, and professional development);
       (B) assisting in the development of regional capabilities 
     needed for a national catastrophic response system;
       (C) coordinating the establishment of effective regional 
     operable and interoperable emergency communications 
     capabilities;
       (D) staffing and overseeing 1 or more strike teams within 
     the region under subsection (f), to serve as the focal point 
     of the Federal Government's initial response efforts for 
     natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made 
     disasters within that region, and otherwise building Federal 
     response capabilities to respond to natural disasters, acts 
     of terrorism, and other man-made disasters within that 
     region;
       (E) designating an individual responsible for the 
     development of strategic and operational regional plans in 
     support of the National Response Plan;
       (F) fostering the development of mutual aid and other 
     cooperative agreements;
       (G) identifying critical gaps in regional capabilities to 
     respond to populations with special needs;
       (H) maintaining and operating a Regional Response 
     Coordination Center or its successor; and

[[Page S6306]]

       (I) performing such other duties relating to such 
     responsibilities as the Director may require.
       (3) Training and exercise requirements.--
       (A) Training.--The Director shall require each Regional 
     Administrator to undergo specific training periodically to 
     complement the qualifications of the Regional Administrator. 
     Such training, as appropriate, shall include training with 
     respect to the National Incident Management System, the 
     National Response Plan, and such other subjects as determined 
     by the Director.
       (B) Exercises.--The Director shall require each Regional 
     Administrator to participate as appropriate in regional and 
     national exercises.
       (d) Area Offices.--
       (1) In general.--There is an Area Office for the Pacific 
     and an Area Office for the Caribbean, as components in the 
     appropriate Regional Offices.
       (2) Alaska.--The Director shall establish an Area Office in 
     Alaska, as a component in the appropriate Regional Office.
       (e) Regional Advisory Council.--
       (1) Establishment.--Each Regional Administrator shall 
     establish a Regional Advisory Council.
       (2) Nominations.--A State, local, or tribal government 
     located within the geographic area served by the Regional 
     Office may nominate officials, including Adjutants General 
     and emergency managers, to serve as members of the Regional 
     Advisory Council for that region.
       (3) Responsibilities.--Each Regional Advisory Council 
     shall--
       (A) advise the Regional Administrator on emergency 
     management issues specific to that region;
       (B) identify any geographic, demographic, or other 
     characteristics peculiar to any State, local, or tribal 
     government within the region that might make preparedness, 
     protection, response, recovery, or mitigation more 
     complicated or difficult; and
       (C) advise the Regional Administrator of any weaknesses or 
     deficiencies in preparedness, protection, response, recovery, 
     and mitigation for any State, local, and tribal government 
     within the region of which the Regional Advisory Council is 
     aware.
       (f) Regional Office Strike Teams.--
       (1) In general.--In coordination with other relevant 
     Federal agencies, each Regional Administrator shall oversee 
     multi-agency strike teams authorized under section 303 of the 
     Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5144) that shall consist of--
       (A) a designated Federal coordinating officer;
       (B) personnel trained in incident management;
       (C) public affairs, response and recovery, and 
     communications support personnel;
       (D) a defense coordinating officer;
       (E) liaisons to other Federal agencies;
       (F) such other personnel as the Director or Regional 
     Administrator determines appropriate; and
       (G) individuals from the agencies with primary 
     responsibility for each of the emergency support functions in 
     the National Response Plan.
       (2) Other duties.--The duties of an individual assigned to 
     a Regional Office strike team from another relevant agency 
     when such individual is not functioning as a member of the 
     strike team shall be consistent with the emergency 
     preparedness activities of the agency that employs such 
     individual.
       (3) Location of members.--The members of each Regional 
     Office strike team, including representatives from agencies 
     other than the Department, shall be based primarily within 
     the region that corresponds to that strike team.
       (4) Coordination.--Each Regional Office strike team shall 
     coordinate the training and exercises of that strike team 
     with the State, local, and tribal governments and private 
     sector and nongovernmental entities which the strike team 
     shall support when a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or 
     other man-made disaster occurs.
       (5) Preparedness.--Each Regional Office strike team shall 
     be trained as a unit on a regular basis and equipped and 
     staffed to be well prepared to respond to natural disasters, 
     acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including 
     catastrophic incidents.
       (6) Authorities.--If the Director determines that statutory 
     authority is inadequate for the preparedness and deployment 
     of individuals in strike teams under this subsection, the 
     Director shall report to Congress regarding the additional 
     statutory authorities that the Director determines are 
     necessary.

     SEC. 106. NATIONAL INTEGRATION CENTER.

       (a) In General.--There is established in the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency a National Integration Center.
       (b) Responsibilities.--
       (1) In general.--The Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, through the National Integration Center, 
     and in consultation with other Federal departments and 
     agencies and the National Advisory Council, shall ensure 
     ongoing management and maintenance of the National Incident 
     Management System, the National Response Plan, and any 
     successor to such system or plan.
       (2) Specific responsibilities.--The National Integration 
     Center shall periodically review, and revise as appropriate, 
     the National Incident Management System and the National 
     Response Plan, including--
       (A) establishing, in consultation with the Director of the 
     Corporation for National and Community Service, a process to 
     better use volunteers and donations;
       (B) improving the use of Federal, State, local, and tribal 
     resources and ensuring the effective use of emergency 
     response providers at emergency scenes; and
       (C) revising the Catastrophic Incident Annex, finalizing 
     and releasing the Catastrophic Incident Supplement to the 
     National Response Plan, and ensuring that both effectively 
     address response requirements in the event of a catastrophic 
     incident.
       (c) Incident Management.--
       (1) In general.--
       (A) National response plan.--The Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the 
     Secretary, shall ensure that the National Response Plan 
     provides for a clear chain of command to lead and coordinate 
     the Federal response to any natural disaster, act of 
     terrorism, or other man-made disaster.
       (B) Director of the federal emergency management agency.--
     The chain of the command specified in the National Response 
     Plan shall--
       (i) provide for a role for the Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency consistent with the role of the 
     Director under this Act and the amendments made by this Act; 
     and
       (ii) provide for a role for the Federal Coordinating 
     Officer consistent with the responsibilities under section 
     302(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5143(b)).
       (2) Principal federal official.--The Principal Federal 
     Official (or the successor thereto) shall not--
       (A) direct or replace the incident command structure 
     established at the incident; or
       (B) have directive authority over the Senior Federal Law 
     Enforcement Official, Federal Coordinating Officer, or other 
     Federal and State officials.

     SEC. 107. CREDENTIALING AND TYPING.

       The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the 
     administrators of the Emergency Management Assistance 
     Compact, State, local, and tribal governments, and 
     organizations that represent emergency response providers, to 
     collaborate on developing standards for deployment 
     capabilities, including credentialing of personnel and typing 
     of resources likely needed to respond to natural disasters, 
     acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

     SEC. 108. DISABILITY COORDINATOR.

       (a) In General.--After consultation with organizations 
     representing individuals with disabilities, the National 
     Council on Disabilities, and the Interagency Coordinating 
     Council on Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities, 
     established under Executive Order No. 13347 (6 U.S.C. 312 
     note), the Director of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency shall appoint a Disability Coordinator. The Disability 
     Coordinator shall report directly to the Director, in order 
     to ensure that the needs of individuals with disabilities are 
     being properly addressed in emergency preparedness and 
     disaster relief.
       (b) Responsibilities.--The Disability Coordinator shall be 
     responsible for--
       (1) providing guidance and coordination on matters related 
     to individuals with disabilities in emergency planning 
     requirements and relief efforts in the event of a natural 
     disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster;
       (2) interacting with the staff of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, the National Council on Disabilities, the 
     Interagency Coordinating Council on Preparedness and 
     Individuals with Disabilities established under Executive 
     Order No. 13347 (6 U.S.C. 312 note), other agencies of the 
     Federal Government, and State, local, and tribal government 
     authorities regarding the needs of individuals with 
     disabilities in emergency planning requirements and relief 
     efforts in the event of a natural disaster, act of terrorism, 
     or other man-made disaster;
       (3) consulting with organizations that represent the 
     interests and rights of individuals with disabilities about 
     the needs of individuals with disabilities in emergency 
     planning requirements and relief efforts in the event of a 
     natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made 
     disaster;
       (4) ensuring the coordination and dissemination of best 
     practices and model evacuation plans for individuals with 
     disabilities;
       (5) ensuring the development of training materials and a 
     curriculum for training of emergency response providers, 
     State, local, and tribal government officials, and others on 
     the needs of individuals with disabilities;
       (6) promoting the accessibility of telephone hotlines and 
     websites regarding emergency preparedness, evacuations, and 
     disaster relief;
       (7) working to ensure that video programming distributors, 
     including broadcasters, cable operators, and satellite 
     television services, make emergency information accessible to 
     individuals with hearing and vision disabilities;
       (8) ensuring the availability of accessible transportation 
     options for individuals with disabilities in the event of an 
     evacuation;
       (9) providing guidance and implementing policies to ensure 
     that the rights and wishes of individuals with disabilities 
     regarding post-evacuation residency and relocation are 
     respected;
       (10) ensuring that meeting the needs of individuals with 
     disabilities are included in

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     the components of the national preparedness system 
     established under section 644 of the Post-Katrina Emergency 
     Management Reform Act of 2006; and
       (11) any other duties as assigned by the Director of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency.

     SEC. 109. NATIONAL OPERATIONS CENTER.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``situational 
     awareness'' means information gathered from a variety of 
     sources that, when communicated to emergency managers and 
     decision makers, can form the basis for incident management 
     decisionmaking.
       (b) Establishment.--The National Operations Center is the 
     principal operations center for the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency and shall--
       (1) provide situational awareness and a common operating 
     picture for the entire Federal Government, and for State, 
     local, and tribal governments as appropriate, in the event of 
     a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made 
     disaster; and
       (2) ensure that critical terrorism and disaster-related 
     information reaches government decision-makers.

     SEC. 110. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (1) In general.--Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended--
       (A) in section 501, by striking all after ``In this title'' 
     and inserting ``the term `tribal government' means the 
     government of any entity described under section 2(10)(B).'';
       (B) by striking sections 503 through 507, 509, 510, 513, 
     and 515;
       (C) in section 508--
       (i) by striking ``Administrator'' each place that term 
     appears and inserting ``Director of Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency''; and
       (ii) in subsection (c)--

       (I) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``in consultation with 
     the Secretary,'' before ``and shall, to the extent 
     practicable''; and
       (II) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, in consultation 
     with the Secretary,'' before ``shall designate'';

       (D) in section 512(c), by striking ``Administrator'' each 
     place that term appears and inserting ``Secretary''; and
       (E) in section 514--
       (i) by striking subsection (a); and
       (ii) redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections 
     (a) and (b), respectively.
       (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents for the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101) is amended by 
     striking the items relating to sections 503 through 510, 513 
     and 515.

     SEC. 111. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this Act shall be construed to detract from the 
     Department of Homeland Security's primary mission to secure 
     the homeland from terrorist attacks.

               TITLE II--TRANSFER AND SAVINGS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title, unless otherwise provided or indicated by 
     the context--
       (1) the term ``Federal agency'' has the meaning given to 
     the term ``agency'' by section 551(1) of title 5, United 
     States Code;
       (2) the term ``function'' means any duty, obligation, 
     power, authority, responsibility, right, privilege, activity, 
     or program; and
       (3) the term ``office'' includes any office, 
     administration, agency, institute, unit, organizational 
     entity, or component thereof.

     SEC. 202. TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS.

       There are transferred to the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency established under section 101 of this Act all 
     functions which the Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency of the Department of Homeland Security 
     exercised before the date of the enactment of this title, 
     including all the functions described under section 505 of 
     the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (before the repeal of that 
     section under section 104 of this Act).

     SEC. 203. PERSONNEL PROVISIONS.

       (a) Appointments.--The Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency may appoint and fix the compensation of 
     such officers and employees, including investigators, 
     attorneys, and administrative law judges, as may be necessary 
     to carry out the respective functions transferred under this 
     title. Except as otherwise provided by law, such officers and 
     employees shall be appointed in accordance with the civil 
     service laws and their compensation fixed in accordance with 
     title 5, United States Code.
       (b) Experts and Consultants.--The Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency may obtain the services of 
     experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of 
     title 5, United States Code, and compensate such experts and 
     consultants for each day (including traveltime) at rates not 
     in excess of the rate of pay for level IV of the Executive 
     Schedule under section 5315 of such title. The Director of 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency may pay experts and 
     consultants who are serving away from their homes or regular 
     place of business, travel expenses and per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence at rates authorized by sections 5702 and 5703 of 
     such title for persons in Government service employed 
     intermittently.

     SEC. 204. DELEGATION AND ASSIGNMENT.

       Except where otherwise expressly prohibited by law or 
     otherwise provided by this title, the Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency may delegate any of the functions 
     transferred to the Director of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency by this title and any function transferred 
     or granted to such Director after the effective date of this 
     title to such officers and employees of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency as the Director may designate, and may 
     authorize successive redelegations of such functions as may 
     be necessary or appropriate. No delegation of functions by 
     the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under 
     this section or under any other provision of this title shall 
     relieve such Director of responsibility for the 
     administration of such functions.

     SEC. 205. REORGANIZATION.

       The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is 
     authorized to allocate or reallocate any function transferred 
     under section 202 among the officers of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, and to establish, consolidate, alter, or 
     discontinue such organizational entities in the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency as may be necessary or 
     appropriate.

     SEC. 206. RULES.

       The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is 
     authorized to prescribe, in accordance with the provisions of 
     chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code, such rules 
     and regulations as the Director determines necessary or 
     appropriate to administer and manage the functions of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency.

     SEC. 207. TRANSFER AND ALLOCATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS AND 
                   PERSONNEL.

       Except as otherwise provided in this title, the personnel 
     employed in connection with, and the assets, liabilities, 
     contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of 
     appropriations, authorizations, allocations, and other funds 
     employed, used, held, arising from, available to, or to be 
     made available in connection with the functions transferred 
     by this title, subject to section 1531 of title 31, United 
     States Code, shall be transferred to the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency. Unexpended funds transferred pursuant to 
     this section shall be used only for the purposes for which 
     the funds were originally authorized and appropriated.

     SEC. 208. INCIDENTAL TRANSFERS.

       The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, at 
     such time or times as the Director shall provide, is 
     authorized to make such determinations as may be necessary 
     with regard to the functions transferred by this title, and 
     to make such additional incidental dispositions of personnel, 
     assets, liabilities, grants, contracts, property, records, 
     and unexpended balances of appropriations, authorizations, 
     allocations, and other funds held, used, arising from, 
     available to, or to be made available in connection with such 
     functions, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of 
     this title. The Director of the Office of Management and 
     Budget shall provide for the termination of the affairs of 
     all entities terminated by this title and for such further 
     measures and dispositions as may be necessary to effectuate 
     the purposes of this title.

     SEC. 209. EFFECT ON PERSONNEL.

       (a) In General.--Except as otherwise provided by this 
     title, the transfer pursuant to this title of full-time 
     personnel (except special Government employees) and part-time 
     personnel holding permanent positions shall not cause any 
     such employee to be separated or reduced in grade or 
     compensation for one year after the date of transfer of such 
     employee under this title.
       (b) Executive Schedule Positions.--Except as otherwise 
     provided in this title, any person who, on the day preceding 
     the effective date of this title, held a position compensated 
     in accordance with the Executive Schedule prescribed in 
     chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, and who, without a 
     break in service, is appointed in the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency to a position having duties comparable to 
     the duties performed immediately preceding such appointment 
     shall continue to be compensated in such new position at not 
     less than the rate provided for such previous position, for 
     the duration of the service of such person in such new 
     position.

     SEC. 210. SAVINGS PROVISIONS.

       (a) Continuing Effect of Legal Documents.--All orders, 
     determinations, rules, regulations, permits, agreements, 
     grants, contracts, certificates, licenses, registrations, 
     privileges, and other administrative actions--
       (1) which have been issued, made, granted, or allowed to 
     become effective by the President, any Federal agency or 
     official thereof, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, in 
     the performance of functions which are transferred under this 
     title, and
       (2) which are in effect at the time this title takes 
     effect, or were final before the effective date of this title 
     and are to become effective on or after the effective date of 
     this title,
     shall continue in effect according to their terms until 
     modified, terminated, superseded, set aside, or revoked in 
     accordance with law by the President, the Director of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency or other authorized 
     official, a court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation 
     of law.
       (b) Proceedings Not Affected.--The provisions of this title 
     shall not affect any proceedings, including notices of 
     proposed rulemaking, or any application for any license, 
     permit, certificate, or financial assistance pending before 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the time this 
     title takes effect, with respect to functions transferred by 
     this title but such proceedings and applications shall 
     continue. Orders shall be issued

[[Page S6308]]

     in such proceedings, appeals shall be taken therefrom, and 
     payments shall be made pursuant to such orders, as if this 
     title had not been enacted, and orders issued in any such 
     proceedings shall continue in effect until modified, 
     terminated, superseded, or revoked by a duly authorized 
     official, by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by 
     operation of law. Nothing in this subsection shall be deemed 
     to prohibit the discontinuance or modification of any such 
     proceeding under the same terms and conditions and to the 
     same extent that such proceeding could have been discontinued 
     or modified if this title had not been enacted.
       (c) Suits Not Affected.--The provisions of this title shall 
     not affect suits commenced before the effective date of this 
     title, and in all such suits, proceedings shall be had, 
     appeals taken, and judgments rendered in the same manner and 
     with the same effect as if this title had not been enacted.
       (d) Nonabatement of Actions.--No suit, action, or other 
     proceeding commenced by or against the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency, or by or against any individual in the 
     official capacity of such individual as an officer of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall abate by reason of 
     the enactment of this title.
       (e) Administrative Actions Relating to Promulgation of 
     Regulations.--Any administrative action relating to the 
     preparation or promulgation of a regulation by the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency relating to a function 
     transferred under this title may be continued by the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency with the same effect as if this 
     title had not been enacted.

     SEC. 211. SEPARABILITY.

       If a provision of this title or its application to any 
     person or circumstance is held invalid, neither the remainder 
     of this title nor the application of the provision to other 
     persons or circumstances shall be affected.

     SEC. 212. TRANSITION.

       The Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is 
     authorized to utilize--
       (1) the services of such officers, employees, and other 
     personnel of the Federal Emergency Management Agency with 
     respect to functions transferred by this title; and
       (2) funds appropriated to such functions for such period of 
     time as may reasonably be needed to facilitate the orderly 
     implementation of this title.

     SEC. 213. REFERENCES.

       Any reference in any other Federal law, Executive order, 
     rule, regulation, or delegation of authority, or any document 
     of or pertaining to a department, agency, or office from 
     which a function is transferred by this title--
       (1) to the head of such department, agency, or office is 
     deemed to refer to the head of the department, agency, or 
     office to which such function is transferred; or
       (2) to such department, agency, or office is deemed to 
     refer to the department, agency, or office to which such 
     function is transferred.

     SEC. 214. ADDITIONAL CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Recommended Legislation.--After consultation with the 
     appropriate committees of the Congress and the Director of 
     the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency shall prepare and submit 
     to Congress recommended legislation containing technical and 
     conforming amendments to reflect the changes made by this 
     Act.
       (b) Submission to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after 
     the effective date of this title, the Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency shall submit the recommended 
     legislation referred to under subsection (a).
                                 ______