[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 133 (Saturday, August 6, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PLANNING FOR ANIMAL WELLNESS ACT

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed 
to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 466, S. 4205.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 4205) to require the Administrator of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish a working 
     group relating to best practices and Federal guidance for 
     animals in emergencies and disasters, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, 
which had been reported from the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs, with an amendment to strike all after the 
enacting clause and insert in lieu thereof the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Planning for Animal Wellness 
     Act'' or the ``PAW Act''.

     SEC. 2. WORKING GROUP GUIDELINES.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
       (2) Working group.--The term ``working group'' means the 
     advisory working group established under subsection (b).
       (b) Working Group.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish 
     an advisory working group.
       (c) Membership.--The working group shall consist of--
       (1) not less than 2 representatives of State governments 
     with experience in animal emergency management;
       (2) not less than 2 representatives of local governments 
     with experience in animal emergency management;
       (3) not less than 2 representatives from academia;
       (4) not less than 2 veterinary experts;
       (5) not less than 2 representatives from nonprofit 
     organizations working to address the needs of households pets 
     and service animals in emergencies or disasters;
       (6) representatives from the Federal Animal Emergency 
     Management Working Group; and
       (7) any other members determined necessary by the 
     Administrator.
       (d) Duties.--The working group shall--
       (1) encourage and foster collaborative efforts among 
     individuals and entities working to address the needs of 
     household pets, service and assistance animals, and captive 
     animals, as appropriate, in emergency and disaster 
     preparedness, response, and recovery; and
       (2) review best practices and Federal guidance, as of the 
     date of enactment of this Act, on congregate and 
     noncongregate sheltering and evacuation planning relating to 
     the needs of household pets, service and assistance animals, 
     and captive animals, as appropriate, in emergency and 
     disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
       (e) No Compensation.--The members of the working group 
     shall serve on the working group on a voluntary basis.
       (f) Guidance Determination.--Not later than 1 year after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the working group shall 
     determine whether the best practices and Federal guidance 
     described in subsection (d)(2) are sufficient.
       (g) New Guidance.--Not later than 540 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, if the Administrator, in 
     consultation with the working group, determines that the best 
     practices and Federal guidance described in subsection (d)(2) 
     are insufficient, the Administrator, in consultation with the 
     working group, shall publish updated Federal guidance.
       (h) Sunset.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the working 
     group shall terminate on the date that is 4 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act.
       (2) Extension.--The Administrator may extend the date 
     described in paragraph (1) if the Administrator determines an 
     extension is appropriate.

  Mr. DURBIN. I ask that the committee-reported substitute amendment be 
agreed to; the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and 
passed; and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon 
the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The committee-reported amendment in the nature of a substitute was 
agreed to.
  The bill (S. 4205), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

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