[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.

                          ____________________