[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7758-H7759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PLANNING FOR ANIMAL WELLNESS ACT
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
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.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 4205
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 ``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.
[[Page H7759]]
(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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Arkansas
(Mr. Crawford) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
General Leave
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on S. 4205.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
There was no objection.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4205, the Planning for Animal
Wellness Act. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee marked up
the companion bill, H.R. 7789, introduced by Representative Titus
earlier this summer.
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to
establish a working group of experts to review and, if necessary,
update its guidance for addressing the needs of animals and pets
before, during, and after disasters.
Animals are among the most vulnerable when disaster strikes. Like
people, they may be displaced or require evacuation and sheltering.
However, disaster shelters are often unable or unwilling to accommodate
animals. Pets are beloved members of the family, and owners should not
have to choose between abandoning their animals and getting to safety.
When individuals are forced to make this terrible decision, they often
refuse to evacuate before a natural disaster.
This bill will remove barriers to ensure animal welfare is properly
considered in emergency planning so that all members of the family--
human and pet--are safe during disasters.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
S. 4205, the Planning for Animal Wellness, or PAW Act, establishes a
FEMA working group to determine Federal guidance on animal care during
emergencies and natural disasters.
We have seen citizens impacted by disasters reluctant to evacuate if
they can't bring their pets with them. This can greatly affect the
ability of emergency managers and local first responders to keep
individuals safe.
Whether it is service animals, household pets, or farm animals, we
have made improvements to address this issue; however, problems still
persist.
Given this fact, the bill establishes a working group to review
FEMA's policies, determine best practices, and make recommendations to
help better prepare and respond to disasters.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation and reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Congressional Animal
Protection Caucus, I rise in support of S. 4205, the Planning for
Animal Wellness, or PAW Act. This is the Senate companion to
legislation I introduced along with Chairman DeFazio to help protect
our beloved pets during disasters.
When preparing for and responding to disasters, animal welfare often
is not taken into consideration. Sadly, some owners make the risky
decision of refusing to evacuate in order to stay with their pets. We
have seen heartbreaking pictures of people on their roofs during floods
clinging to their animals, along with their children and a few
household possessions.
The PAW Act establishes a FEMA advisory group to align agency
guidance with current best practices in animal welfare for emergency
preparedness. This will ensure first responders and Federal disaster
response workers can help pet owners plan to keep every member of their
family, even the furry and feathered ones, safe during a disaster.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this bipartisan
legislation. I also thank Senators Peters and Johnson for their
leadership on this in the other Chamber. I urge your vote in support.
Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume
to close.
Mr. Speaker, the PAW Act will help identify persistent problem areas
and best practices when it comes to dealing with pets and animals in
disasters and ultimately improve our response to disasters to save more
lives.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation and yield back the
balance of my time.
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge my colleagues as well to
support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House
suspend the rules and pass the bill, S. 4205.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROY. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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