[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 178 (Thursday, November 17, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8560-H8566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                DISASTER SURVIVORS FAIRNESS ACT OF 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 8416) to improve individual assistance provided 
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 8416

       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 2022''.
       (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. Individual assistance post-disaster housing study.
Sec. 9. Funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance.
Sec. 10. Individual assistance dashboard.
Sec. 11. FEMA reports.
Sec. 12. Sheltering of emergency response personnel.
Sec. 13. GAO report on preliminary damage assessments.
Sec. 14. Applicability.
       (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 Electronic Information Sharing 
     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 ``DisasterAssistance.gov'', 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, equitably, 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, inequitable allocation of resources, or 
     discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance 
     programs.
       (2) Authorities of administrator.--In establishing and 
     maintaining the electronic information sharing 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 electronic information sharing system.
       (b) Data Security.--The Administrator may facilitate the 
     collection of disaster assistance information into the 
     electronic information sharing system established under this 
     section only after the following requirements have been met:
       (1) The Administrator certifies that the electronic 
     information sharing 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 electronic information sharing 
     system, in accordance with section 222 of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 142).
       (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 
     collection, maintenance, sharing, and use of additional 
     disaster assistance information by publishing a notice on 
     DisasterAssistance.gov 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 
     DisasterAssistance.gov 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), the President may direct the 
     Administrator to waive the requirements of subchapter I of 
     chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, with respect to 
     voluntary collection of information for the duration of such 
     major disaster or emergency.
       (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 
     electronic information sharing system established under this 
     section 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

[[Page H8561]]

       (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 electronic information 
     sharing system established under this section.
       (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 shall not--
       (1) be construed as a matching program for purposes of 
     section 552a(a)(8) of such title; or
       (2) be subject to the remaining computer matching 
     provisions of section 552a of such title.
       (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;
       (E) any other Federal agency that the Administrator permits 
     to use the electronic information sharing 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.); and
       (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 victims 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 victims 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)''; and
       (B) 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

[[Page H8562]]

     ``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.

        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) by striking subparagraph (F);
       (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), (I), and (J) 
     as subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), and (I), respectively; and
       (C) 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--

       (I) ``2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph 
     or'' and
       (II) ``, whichever occurs sooner''; 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.''.

     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)(C)) 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) 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. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE POST-DISASTER HOUSING STUDY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency shall--
       (1) conduct a study and develop a plan under which the 
     Agency will address the challenges associated with providing 
     housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or 
     emergencies pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
     Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), 
     including circumstances in which--
       (A) the presence of multiple families within a single 
     household; and
       (B) the near loss of a community, with the majority of 
     homes destroyed in such community, with discrete assessments 
     on flood, wildfire, and earthquake events; and
       (2) make recommendations for legislative changes needed to 
     address the challenges described in paragraph (1).
       (b) Consultation.--In conducting the study under subsection 
     (a), the Administrator shall consult with other relevant 
     Federal agencies and stakeholders.
       (c) Report to Congress.--Upon completion of the activities 
     carried out under subsection (a), 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 (a).

     SEC. 9. 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) Funding 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 enter into a cooperative 
     agreement to provide funding to a State agency established 
     under subsection (c) to establish and 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 enter into a 
     cooperative agreement to establish a website under this 
     subsection only to provide 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 enters into a 
     cooperative agreement 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. 10. 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 30 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.
       ``(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. 11. FEMA REPORTS.

       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 an annual income under 
     75 percent of the national median household income;
       (D) individuals with an annual income over 125 percent of 
     the national median household income; and
       (E) individuals with an 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.

     SEC. 12. 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

[[Page H8563]]

     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. 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, 9, and 12 shall 
     only apply to amounts appropriated on or after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Carter) and the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8416, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Louisiana?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8416. This legislation, 
introduced by Subcommittee Chair Dina Titus, significantly improves 
disaster assistance programs for individuals and families.
  It is undeniable that climate change has transformed the nature and 
severity of natural disasters in the United States. This has caused 
real and devastating impacts for those who find themselves living in 
the path of these disasters. Their lives will be upended by the loss of 
savings, homes, loved ones, and peace of mind.
  Survivors turn to their government, especially to the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, for support after what may have 
been the worst day of their lives. We know this by firsthand experience 
in my home State of Louisiana. In Congress, we must do everything in 
our power to ensure that Federal Government offers a hand of support 
that is fair, capable, and compassionate.
  This package includes several key provisions to improve disaster 
assistance programs and survivor outcomes. First, this package will 
create universal application for direct Federal assistance and enable 
Federal agencies to share relevant disaster assistance information with 
each other.
  The bureaucracy of the current application and evaluation process can 
leave survivors so overwhelmed that they give up hope on accessing the 
aid they are, in fact, entitled to. I have heard this from my own 
constituents. It is a travesty. It adds insult to injury. That is why I 
support this substantial step forward to cut red tape, streamline 
survivors' access to assistance, and reduce the time it takes for our 
communities to recover.
  Second, this legislation gives FEMA new authorities that 
significantly expand the agency's ability to make disaster damaged 
homes more resilient. It is common sense to encourage mitigation 
activities in disaster-prone areas. Homes that were impacted once by a 
disaster are likely to be impacted again, and those hard-hit households 
may need extra help to rebuild stronger.
  Third, several amendments were made to the Stafford Act which enables 
FEMA to support innovative post-disaster housing solutions. Natural 
disasters can exacerbate housing crises already existing in communities 
much like those which I represent. This bill seeks to help.
  For example, it authorizes the agency to provide direct repair 
assistance to homeowners, which may reduce the amount of time survivors 
spend in temporary shelters or housing before returning home. It also 
authorizes FEMA to reimburse States that implement their own innovative 
post-disaster housing solutions.
  Lastly, this legislation includes a series of reports and studies 
that may identify existing challenges in the administration of current 
post-disaster housing programs and propose new solutions.
  H.R. 8416 is designed to put survivors first and get them back on 
their feet after disasters faster. Disasters recognize no boundaries, 
and we must in turn strengthen and continually improve our disaster 
preparedness, response, and recovery systems from sea to shining sea.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this effort, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Small Business,

                               Washington, DC, September 23, 2022.
     Hon. Peter A. DeFazio,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman DeFazio: I am writing with respect to H.R. 
     8416, the ``Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022''. Thank 
     you for consulting with the Committee on Small Business 
     regarding the matters in H.R. 8416 that fall within the 
     Committee's jurisdiction.
       As a result of your consultation with us on this measure 
     and in order to expeditiously move the bill to the floor, I 
     forego further consideration of H.R. 8416. The Committee on 
     Small Business takes this action with our mutual 
     understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction over the 
     subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and 
     the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as 
     the bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may 
     address any remaining issues that fall within our 
     jurisdiction. Further, I request your support for the 
     appointment of an appropriate number of conferees from the 
     Committee on Small Business during any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter 
     confirming our understanding regarding H.R. 8416 and would 
     ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be 
     included in the Committee Report and the Congressional Record 
     during floor consideration of the measure. Thank you for the 
     cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this 
     matter and others between our respective committees.
           Sincerely,
                                               Nydia M. Velazquez,
     Chairwoman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and 
           Infrastructure,
                                Washington DC, September 26, 2022.
     Hon. Nydia M. Velazquez,
     Chairwoman, Committee on Small Business,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Velazquez: Thank you for your letter 
     regarding H.R. 8416, the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 
     2022. I appreciate your decision to waive formal 
     consideration of the bill.
       I agree that the Committee on Small Business has valid 
     jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important 
     legislation, and I further agree that by forgoing formal 
     consideration of the bill, the Committee on Small Business is 
     not waiving any jurisdiction over any relevant subject 
     matter. Additionally, if requested I will support the 
     appointment of conferees from the Committee

[[Page H8564]]

     on Small Business should a House-Senate conference be 
     convened on this legislation. Finally, this exchange of 
     letters will be included in the committee report and the 
     Congressional Record when the bill is considered on the 
     floor.
       Thank you again, and I look forward to continuing to work 
     collaboratively with the Committee on Small Business on this 
     important issue.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Peter A. DeFazio,
     Chair.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                               Washington, DC, September 28, 2022.
     Hon. Peter DeFazio,
     Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and 
         Infrastructure, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman DeFazio: I am writing to acknowledge your 
     letter dated September 28, 2022, regarding the waiver by the 
     Committee on Financial Services of any Rule X jurisdiction 
     claims over the matters contained in H.R. 8416, the 
     ``Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022.'' The Committee on 
     Financial Services confirms our mutual understanding that our 
     Committee does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject 
     matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our 
     Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as 
     this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may 
     address any remaining issues within our jurisdiction.
       The Committee on Financial Services further confirms our 
     interest in appointment of outside conferees from the 
     Committee should this bill or similar language be considered 
     in a conference with the Senate.
       We request that you ensure that this exchange of letters is 
     included in the Congressional Record during Floor 
     consideration of the bill. We look forward to continuing to 
     work with you as this measure moves through the legislative 
     process.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Maxine Waters,
     Chairwoman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and 
           Infrastructure,
                                Washington DC, September 28, 2022.
     Hon. Maxine Waters,
     Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Waters: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 8416, the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022. I 
     appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this 
     legislation.
       I acknowledge that by foregoing formal consideration on 
     H.R. 8416, the Committee on Financial Services does not waive 
     any future jurisdictional claims to provisions in this or 
     similar legislation, and that your Committee will be 
     consulted and involved on any matters in your Committee's 
     jurisdiction should this legislation move forward. In 
     addition, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I 
     would support your effort to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving provisions within this legislation on 
     which the Committee on Financial Services has a valid 
     jurisdictional claim.
       I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation, 
     and I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in 
     the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R. 
     8416.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Peter A. DeFazio,
                                                            Chair.

  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 8416, Disaster Survivors Fairness Act, makes a 
series of changes to FEMA's Individuals and Households Programs.
  Federal disaster assistance programs will be accessed through a new, 
universal application that cuts through the bureaucracy and red tape 
survivors face when seeking disaster assistance.
  In my own district, we have had so much suffering from wildfire. The 
Camp fire destroyed the town of Paradise and displaced so many, as well 
as the Dixie fire last year. We just lost folks in a community called 
Klamath River, as well as Beckwourth and Happy Camp. I could name many 
others.
  But, Madam Speaker, when a disaster hits you and when it hits a 
family, they need solutions, and they need them soon because they are 
going to live in a hotel or a motel. They are going to live with 
friends. They are going to live on someone's couch. They are going to 
have to leave the State. So when we can more immediately get them the 
assistance they need, it is more humane. It certainly allays a lot of 
suffering for folks who have already suffered too much already.
  So with a streamlined application process we will update an existing 
website to view that application through disasterAssistance.gov, an 
interagency information-sharing system between FEMA and other Federal 
agencies involved in disaster recovery. This will serve a dual purpose 
of increased coordination and reduce waste, fraud and abuse.
  The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act also opens up and clarifies 
FEMA's authority related to home rebuilding and repairs allowing 
commonsense solutions that prioritize the survivors' needs in returning 
home and mitigating for future disasters, as my constituents are 
dealing with in the town of Greenville in northern California. We would 
like to expedite that process and not have red tape slow down their 
ability to rebuild and come back home.
  So, Madam Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus), who 
is the author of this legislation.
  Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Disaster 
Survivors Fairness Act which I introduced to address housing needs for 
victims in the aftermath of disasters.
  In June, my subcommittee held an informal roundtable with 
stakeholders to identify post-disaster housing needs when it comes to 
emergency management and what the government can do to be helpful.
  It is no surprise that climate change and the related severe weather 
events are changing the emergency management landscape. Today's 
disasters cause more damage, they have greater impacts on communities, 
they are more expensive, and they require more time to recover.
  This legislation will cut red tape by providing States more 
flexibility to pursue the most appropriate post-disaster housing 
solutions for them, for their locations, for their geography, and for 
their demography.
  It will deliver valuable resources to those in need by expanding 
eligibility for hazard mitigation assistance. It will provide oversight 
to ensure assistance is not being prioritized for wealthy homeowners 
and that everyone will benefit from the program. It will save taxpayer 
dollars by reducing the need for long-term sheltering that can cost 
FEMA upwards of $300,000 per unit. We all remember the pictures of the 
trailers after Katrina.
  So, Madam Speaker, I believe that this is commonsense legislation, it 
is broadly supported, and I ask my colleagues to vote for it. I thank 
the chair for yielding me time.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Graves), who is the lead Republican sponsor of this 
bill.
  Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
California for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I want to first thank my friend from Nevada for 
working with us on this legislation. This is important. I thank my 
colleague from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) as well as Miss Gonzalez-Colon 
from Puerto Rico. These are all folks, Madam Speaker, who have been 
through the aftermath of disasters. Of course, the lead sponsor whom we 
are working on this legislation with is the chair of the Economic 
Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee.
  Just to explain what happens here, in the aftermath of a disaster--
and as the gentleman from California noted, this can be a forest fire, 
it could be a flood, it could be a hurricane, an earthquake, or other 
types of disasters--you have an alphabet soup of agencies that come in 
and offer assistance. It could be FEMA, it could be the Small Business 
Administration, it could be the Department of Agriculture, it could be 
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or others.
  Madam Speaker, the last thing in the world the victim of a disaster 
needs is to be revictimized by their own government bureaucracy. 
Whether your home was destroyed in a forest fire, it was blown away in 
a hurricane, or it was destroyed in a flood, you need help. You don't 
need bureaucracy. Yet, each agency has its own process.
  This bill brings common sense to that. It relieves the stress of 
being a disaster victim, and it provides a universal application. You 
do it one time, the data is shared. You don't have to come in and fill 
out the same information over and over and over again.
  I wish somebody could do this at a doctor's office. Just make a note.
  Madam Speaker, this bill goes beyond there though. It also ensures 
that as taxpayers we are not coming in and

[[Page H8565]]

spending money over and over and over again on the same homes. It 
changes the threshold for assistance to come in and offer hazard 
mitigation assistance for these homes to make them more resilient and 
to address vulnerabilities. It ensures that if someone floods or there 
is a repetitive flood, we don't allow it to continue happening. We 
bring solutions to the table.

  I am embarrassed to admit this, but in the district that I represent, 
there was a home that had flood insurance claims 42 times--42 times. As 
ridiculous as it is as a taxpayer to see that happen--can you imagine 
the homeowner having to go through this over and over and over again?
  Thankfully, we have solved that problem in that case, but this bill 
prevents further similar problems from occurring.
  Lastly, Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Louisiana for working 
with us on section 12 of this legislation. This clarifies something 
that we did in the Disaster Response Reform Act of 2018 that ensures if 
you have a local entity like a sheriff's office or others that brings a 
housing solution to the table that is at least 50 percent or less the 
cost of what a similar solution would cost the Federal Government, they 
can get reimbursed for that.
  Said another way, Madam Speaker, this saves the Federal Government 50 
percent of the money or more of housing solutions whenever a local 
agency like a sheriff's office or others bring solutions to the table 
for their own victims. As my friend from Nevada has said, in some cases 
we have seen FEMA spending $250,000 per trailer--$250,000.

                              {time}  1315

  We have seen local entities come in and bring solutions to the table 
for $32,000, turning around and selling the trailers back, and 
recouping everything but $7,000.
  This is about taxpayers. It is about efficiency. It is about better 
solutions, more resilient communities.
  Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this amendment.
  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).
  Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, when a natural disaster 
strikes across the country, be it a hurricane, a wildfire, or an 
earthquake, American families are displaced. It is very important that 
we do our best to streamline whatever assistance has been deemed 
appropriate in the wake of that disaster.
  So when we see a bill that streamlines the disaster recovery process 
for FEMA, that provides for a universal application for Federal 
disaster assistance for individuals residing in the areas hit by a 
natural disaster so that universal application can be used by multiple 
agencies, it is all beneficial. When you see a bill that streamlines 
the ability to provide direct assistance to individuals and households, 
thereby eliminating some bureaucratic obstacles, and a bill that 
provides more flexibility to States, I strongly encourage the support 
of language like that in a legislative endeavor.
  Whereas we may not agree with 100 percent of the language that is in 
a bill, it is our duty to measure the overall benefit for the citizens 
that we serve, and I rise in support.
  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, whether you have, as a victim, endured a wildfire, 
flood, hurricane, earthquake, or any other calamity, and the different 
forms of government are there to assist, in earnest, in good faith, 
let's get them an easier process to do so.
  One-stop shopping is much preferable to folks that have suffered 
disaster and are displaced, their families spread out, and they are 
struggling. Via this legislation, I appreciate my colleague from Nevada 
pushing this forward and recognizing that.
  We struggle in my own district with the Camp fire and the Dixie fire 
and so much devastation there. Two entire towns disappeared with 
Paradise and Greenville, and another small town, Canyondam. These folks 
are displaced, and they are looking for answers.
  With the programmatic changes that are available in H.R. 8416, it 
will indeed streamline the application process, via disasters, through 
the several Federal agencies to help them navigate what we are calling 
today the alphabet soup of agencies to get a faster recovery. That is 
what we all want.
  Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I appreciate the 
efforts my colleagues have been able to bring forward. I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation includes a series of reforms that 
will streamline Federal assistance and benefit survivors like they have 
never been benefited before. It is our duty to make disaster assistance 
fair and accessible to each and every survivor.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this good, bipartisan 
legislation, and I applaud my colleagues for joining us in working in 
unison to do what is best for the American people. I completely support 
this incredible legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the House 
Committee on Homeland Security, I rise in support of H.R. 8416, the 
``Disasters of Survivors Fairness Act of 2022.''
  The Federal Emergency Management Agency's mission is to help 
Americans prepare for, respond, and recover from disasters.
  From day one, FEMA has been committed to protecting and serving 
Americans who have been impacted by disasters.
  Unfortunately, though, the toll of disasters is much greater on most 
Americans than it is on those who are wealthier.
  A 2020 FEMA National Advisory Committee report stated that disaster 
relief programs ``provide an additional boost to wealthy homeowners and 
others with less need, while lower-income individuals and others sink 
further into poverty after disasters.''
  It is unfair that any survivor of disasters must suffer because of 
disparities in FEMA disaster response that have gone unchallenged for 
far too long.
  For example, FEMA records show that low-income homeowners were denied 
30 percent of the time compared to higher-income owners, who were 
denied 13 percent of the time, a 17-point difference.
  Unfortunately, these disparities reveal the experience of African 
American and Hispanic Americans.
  Threats posed by natural disasters intensify existing social and 
racial and ethnic inequities. After a natural disaster, people in 
disadvantaged communities have worse outcomes due to stresses or 
exposures to other risks associated with a disaster.
  Low-income people and people of color are more likely to live in 
disaster-prone areas, live in lower-quality housing that is less safe 
when disasters occur, and have chronic illnesses that make them more 
vulnerable.
  As climate change accelerates and intensifies, the natural disasters 
that it causes take a steeper toll each year.
  Since climate change affects health in a variety of ways, disaster 
mitigation and response planning must be scoped in advance to 
ameliorate the consequences, hardships, and inequities.
  To ensure that FEMA will lead equitable health interventions during 
disaster response, we must enable it to provide evidence-based policy, 
programming, and service delivery designed to protect health and 
promote health equity during disaster response and recovery.
  Our nation is ill-prepared to deal with successive extreme weather 
events occurring nearly simultaneously, just as in 2017, when 
Hurricanes Harvey, Jose and Maria hit within days of each other, while 
wildfires burned in California.
  One thing is certain after speaking with the people of Houston who, 
unfortunately, are all too familiar with these problems: We require a 
disaster recovery system that is designed to help the people who truly 
need it.
  H.R. 8416 would:
  develop a universal application for federal disaster assistance;
  remove the requirement that households must be rendered 
uninhabitable;
  authorize the president to provide direct assistance to individuals 
and households;
  remove the requirement that a household must be rendered 
uninhabitable;
  allow FEMA to enter agreements with state agencies to provide funding 
for a website that will have information related to post disaster 
recovery funding and resources; and save taxpayer dollars by ensuring 
that FEMA resources are going to those who need the most help.

[[Page H8566]]

  I have seen the dedication and hard work of FEMA professionals who 
provide relief to victims of disasters. But the unending string of 
disasters is stretching the fabric of emergency response systems across 
the nation. The pain and financial hardship that they cost the American 
people can be seen in headlines across the country.
  We in Congress must do our part to enable FEMA to do more without 
diminishing the support of communities before, during, and after 
disasters.
  No one was prepared for five days of subfreezing temperatures, ice- 
and snow-covered roads, and a failed energy grid throughout the state 
of Texas.
  Texas power providers, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) 
and Entergy Corporation, did not provide the needed weatherization of 
power generating and delivery equipment after being warned in 2011 
after a cold snap that the system would fail if these steps were not 
taken.
  The number of additional deaths uses mortality data from the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention to compare the number of deaths from 
all causes that were reported in Texas during and after the storm with 
the number of fatalities that are normally reported during ordinary 
conditions.
  That method is known as ``excess fatalities'' and has been employed 
during other disasters, like the COVID-19 pandemic, to estimate related 
death tolls.
  In the aftermath of the storm millions of Texans struggled with the 
effects of the deadly winter storm, people of color and low-income 
communities who were disproportionately affected by blackouts and burst 
pipes could now face the hardest journey to recovery, experts said.
  Hurricane Harvey hit a thousand square mile of Texas, just as in the 
past when Ike struck, but the telling sign of Blue Tarp Roofs are only 
in low-income, black, and brown communities' years after the storms 
have passed.
  In the past the tools and resources available to FEMA to support 
disaster reponse and recovery have been limited to meals, water, trap.
  Local, tribal, territorial, and state governments had to make request 
for aid to be provided.
  For more substantial assistance, government contracting, and awards 
must be put into place, which can take months and in some cases years 
to get resources to victims.
  This is too much time for survivors to have to wait for help.
  The historic winter weather exacerbated pre-existing disparities like 
poor infrastructure and lack of resources in marginalized communities. 
Black and Latino communities who were disproportionately hit by COVID-
19 now must struggle to recover from one of the worst weather events to 
ever hit Texas.
  The nine-county Houston metro area impacted by Hurricane Harvey 
covers 9,444 square miles, an area larger than five states. Including 
New Hampshire, New Jersy, and Connecticut.
  Hurricane Harvey dropped 21 trillion gallons of rainfall on Texas and 
Louisiana, most of it on the Houston Metroplex.
  At its peak on September 1, 2017, one-third of Houston was 
underwater.
  Hurricane Harvey is the largest housing disaster to strike the U.S. 
in our nation's history.
  Hurricane Harvey damaged 203,000 homes, of which 12,700 were 
destroyed.
  These are not simply numbers, these are families. Son and daughters, 
mothers and fathers, friends, mentors, and caretakers, all who are 
deserving of ample disaster response and recover efforts.
  There was no way to pre-prepare for Hurricanes Harvey, Katrina, Ian, 
or any of the other major disaster event.
  What we can do is learn as much as possible and apply those lessons 
to future disaster response and recovery efforts.
  When there is a catastrophic event, like Hurricane Harvey, there are 
important and valuable lessons that can help us to meet future 
challenges.
  My constituents in Houston understand that our capacity to deal with 
hurricanes directly reflects our ability to respond to a terrorist 
attack in Texas or New York, an earthquake in California, or a 
nationwide pandemic.
  On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that COVID-
19 was a pandemic, which had by that date reached at least 114 
countries, sickening over 100,000 people, and killing more than 4,000.
  It is the duty of Congress to make sure that FEMA is prepared to meet 
any challenge while bringing equity to the response made during 
disasters.
  The work of the FEMA Office of Disaster Recovery and the Office of 
Disaster Recovery are critical when disaster strikes and for this 
reason, they should be a permanent part of the agency.
  This is one of the reasons, I introduced the FEMA Modernization Act 
(H.R. 3060) in the 116th Congress.
  H.R. 3060:
  makes permanent the FEMA Office of Disaster Response and the FEMA 
Office of Disaster Recovery;
  creates an ombudsman for each office to assist survivors and 
victims';
  establishes a new National Disaster Medical Triage Capacity and an 
Incident Medical Recovery Management Team to set best practices for 
Advanced Trauma Life Support capabilities, enable medical evaluations, 
and assess health impacts that result from disasters;
  creates an office of ombudsman to work within the agency to create 
equity and access;
  provides for accurate reporting on deaths and missing persons; and
  reports data on effective casework management for the provision of 
survivor benefits and services.
  All survivors of disaster deserve a fair chance at obtaining disaster 
recovery and relief. We owe it to those who were ripped from their 
homes and left with nothing.
  This bill provides the program support that is needed, since there is 
nowhere in the United States immune from disaster.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 8416, as amended.
  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. ROSENDALE. Madam 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.

                          ____________________