[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5097-5106]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   PROMOTING RESILIENCE AND EFFICIENCY IN PREPARING FOR ATTACKS AND 
                     RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES ACT

  Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3583) to reform and improve the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency, the Office of Emergency Communications, and the Office of 
Health Affairs of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3583

       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 ``Promoting 
     Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and 
     Responding to Emergencies Act'' or the ``PREPARE Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

         TITLE I--GRANTS, TRAINING, EXERCISES, AND COORDINATION

Sec. 101. Memoranda of understanding.
Sec. 102. Period of performance.
Sec. 103. Operation Stonegarden.
Sec. 104. Grants metrics.
Sec. 105. Grant management best practices.
Sec. 106. Administration and coordination of grants.
Sec. 107. Funding prohibition.
Sec. 108. Law enforcement terrorism prevention.
Sec. 109. Allowable uses.
Sec. 110. Maintenance of grant investments.
Sec. 111. National Domestic Preparedness Consortium.
Sec. 112. Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium.
Sec. 113. Emergency support functions.
Sec. 114. Review of National Incident Management System.
Sec. 115. Approval of certain equipment.
Sec. 116. Remedial action management program.

                        TITLE II--COMMUNICATIONS

Sec. 201. Office of Emergency Communications.
Sec. 202. Responsibilities of Office of Emergency Communications 
              Director.
Sec. 203. Annual reporting on activities of the Office of Emergency 
              Communications.
Sec. 204. National Emergency Communications Plan.
Sec. 205. Technical edits.
Sec. 206. Public Safety Broadband Network.
Sec. 207. Statewide interoperability coordinators.
Sec. 208. Communications training.

                    TITLE III--MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS

Sec. 301. Pre-event anthrax vaccination program for emergency response 
              providers.
Sec. 302. Chief Medical Officer.
Sec. 303. Medical Countermeasures Program.

                          TITLE IV--MANAGEMENT

Sec. 401. Mission support.
Sec. 402. Systems modernization.
Sec. 403. Strategic human capital plan.
Sec. 404. Activities related to children.

            TITLE V--FLOOD INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESS REFORMS

Sec. 501. Claims adjustment and engineering reports.
Sec. 502. Judicial review.

         TITLE I--GRANTS, TRAINING, EXERCISES, AND COORDINATION

     SEC. 101. MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle B of title XX of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 611 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 2024. MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING WITH DEPARTMENTAL 
                   COMPONENTS AND OFFICES.

       ``The Administrator shall enter into memoranda of 
     understanding with the heads of the following departmental 
     components and offices delineating the roles and 
     responsibilities of such components and offices regarding the 
     policy and guidance for grants under section 1406 of the 
     Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
     2007 (6 U.S.C. 1135), sections 2003 and 2004 of this Act, and 
     section 70107 of title 46, United States Code, as 
     appropriate:

[[Page 5098]]

       ``(1) The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection.
       ``(2) The Administrator of the Transportation Security 
     Administration.
       ``(3) The Commandant of the Coast Guard.
       ``(4) The Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis.
       ``(5) The Director of the Office of Emergency 
     Communications.
       ``(6) The Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law 
     Enforcement.
       ``(7) The Countering Violent Extremism Coordinator.
       ``(8) The Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.
       ``(9) The heads of other components or offices of the 
     Department, as determined by the Secretary.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 2023 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 2024. Memoranda of understanding with departmental components 
              and offices.''.

     SEC. 102. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.

       (a) Urban Area Security Initiative.--Section 2003 of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 604) is amended by--
       (1) redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
       (2) inserting after subsection (d) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(e) Period of Performance.--The Administrator shall make 
     funds provided under this section available for use by a 
     recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 36 
     months.''.
       (b) State Homeland Security Grant Program.--Section 2004 of 
     the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 605) is amended 
     by--
       (1) redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (2) inserting after subsection (e) the following the new 
     subsection:
       ``(f) Period of Performance.--The Administrator shall make 
     funds provided under this section available for use by a 
     recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 36 
     months.''.
       (c) Public Transportation Security Assistance Grant 
     Program.--Section 1406 of the Implementing Recommendations of 
     the 9/11 Commission Act (6 U.S.C. 1135; Public Law 110-53) is 
     amended by--
       (1) redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (n); and
       (2) inserting after subsection (l) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(m) Period of Performance.--The Secretary shall make 
     funds provided under this section available for use by a 
     recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 36 
     months.''.
       (d) Port Security Grant Program.--Section 70107 of title 
     46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsection:
       ``(n) Period of Performance.--The Secretary shall make 
     funds provided under this section available for use by a 
     recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 36 
     months.''.
       (e) Tribal Security Grant Program.--Section 2005 of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 606) is amended by--
       (1) redesignating subsections (h) through (k) subsections 
     (i) through (l), respectively; and
       (2) inserting after subsection (g) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(h) Period of Performance.--The Secretary shall make 
     funds provided under this section available for use by a 
     recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 36 
     months.''.

     SEC. 103. OPERATION STONEGARDEN.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title XX of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 2009. OPERATION STONEGARDEN.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
     Department a program to be known as `Operation Stonegarden'. 
     Under such program, the Secretary, acting through the 
     Administrator, shall make grants to eligible law enforcement 
     agencies, through the State Administrative Agency, to enhance 
     border security in accordance with this section.
       ``(b) Eligible Recipients.--To be eligible to receive a 
     grant under this section, a law enforcement agency shall--
       ``(1) be located in--
       ``(A) a State bordering either Canada or Mexico; or
       ``(B) a State or territory with a maritime border; and
       ``(2) be involved in an active, ongoing U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection operation coordinated through a sector 
     office.
       ``(c) Permitted Uses.--The recipient of a grant under this 
     section may use such grant for any of the following:
       ``(1) Equipment, including maintenance and sustainment 
     costs.
       ``(2) Personnel, including overtime and backfill, in 
     support of enhanced border law enforcement activities.
       ``(3) Any activity permitted for Operation Stonegarden 
     under the Department of Homeland Security's Fiscal Year 2015 
     Homeland Security Grant Program Notice of Funding 
     Opportunity.
       ``(4) Any other appropriate activity, as determined by the 
     Administrator, in consultation with the Commissioner of U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated $55,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 
     through 2020 for grants under this section.
       ``(e) Report.--The Administrator shall annually for each of 
     fiscal years 2016 through 2020 submit to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate a report containing information on the expenditure 
     of grants made under this section by each grant recipient.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (a) of section 2002 
     of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 603) is 
     amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary, through the 
     Administrator, may award grants under sections 2003, 2004, 
     and 2009 to State, local, and tribal governments, as 
     appropriate.''.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 2008 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 2009. Operation Stonegarden.''.

     SEC. 104. GRANTS METRICS.

       (a) In General.--To determine the extent to which grants 
     under sections 2003 and 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 603 and 604) have closed capability gaps 
     identified in State Preparedness Reports required under 
     subsection (c) of section 652 of the Post-Katrina Emergency 
     Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 752; title VI of the 
     Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007; 
     Public Law 109-295) and Threat and Hazard Identification and 
     Risk Assessments from each State and high-risk urban area, 
     the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     shall conduct and submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate an assessment of information provided in such 
     Reports and Assessments.
       (b) Assessment Requirements.--The assessment required under 
     subsection (a) shall include a comparison of successive State 
     Preparedness Reports and Threat and Hazard Identification and 
     Risk Assessments from each State and high-risk urban area.

     SEC. 105. GRANT MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES.

       The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency shall include in the annual Notice of Funding 
     Opportunity relating to grants under sections 2003 and 2004 
     of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 604 and 605) 
     an appendix that includes a summary of findings identified by 
     the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of 
     Homeland Security in audits of such grants and methods to 
     address areas identified for improvement and innovative 
     practices instituted by grant recipients.

     SEC. 106. ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION OF GRANTS.

       (a) In General.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) 
     of section 2021 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
     U.S.C. 611) are amended to read as follows:
       ``(1) In general.--Any State or high-risk urban area 
     receiving a grant under section 2003 or 2004 shall establish 
     a State planning committee or urban area working group to 
     assist in preparation and revision of the State, regional, or 
     local homeland security plan or the threat and hazard 
     identification and risk assessment, as the case may be, and 
     to assist in determining effective funding priorities for 
     grants under such sections 2003 and 2004.
       ``(2) Composition.--The State planning committees and urban 
     area working groups referred to in paragraph (1) shall 
     include at least one representative from each of the 
     following significant stakeholders:
       ``(A) Local or tribal government officials.
       ``(B) Emergency response providers, including 
     representatives of the fire service, law enforcement, 
     emergency medical services, and emergency managers.
       ``(C) Public health officials and other appropriate medical 
     practitioners.
       ``(D) Individuals representing educational institutions, 
     including elementary schools, community colleges, and other 
     institutions of higher education.
       ``(E) State and regional interoperable communications 
     coordinators, as appropriate.
       ``(F) State and major urban area fusion centers, as 
     appropriate.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (3) of section 2021(b) 
     (6 U.S.C. 611) is amended by inserting ``or urban area 
     working group, as the case may be,'' after ``planning 
     committee''.

     SEC. 107. FUNDING PROHIBITION.

       The Secretary of Homeland Security may not implement the 
     National Preparedness Grant Program or any successor grant 
     program unless the Secretary receives prior authorization 
     from Congress permitting such implementation.

     SEC. 108. LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORISM PREVENTION.

       (a) Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program.--
     Subsection (a) of section

[[Page 5099]]

     2006 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 607) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)--
       (A) by inserting ``States and high-risk urban areas use'' 
     after ``that''; and
       (B) by striking ``is used''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (I) to read 
     as follows:
       ``(I) activities as determined appropriate by the 
     Administrator, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary 
     for State and Local Law Enforcement within the Office of 
     Policy of the Department, through outreach to relevant 
     stakeholder organizations.''.
       (b) Office for State and Local Law Enforcement.--Subsection 
     (b)(4) of section 2006 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
     (6 U.S.C. 607) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``, including through 
     consultation with such agencies regarding Department programs 
     that may impact such agencies'' before the semicolon; and
       (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``ensure'' and 
     inserting ``certify''.

     SEC. 109. ALLOWABLE USES.

       Subsection (a) of section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act 
     of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
     ``including by working in conjunction with a National 
     Laboratory (as defined in section 2(3) of the Energy Policy 
     Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801(3))),'' after ``plans,'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (13) as 
     paragraphs (7) through (14), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(6) enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge 
     capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities, including the 
     development and maintenance of an initial pharmaceutical 
     stockpile, including medical kits and diagnostics sufficient 
     to protect first responders, their families, immediate 
     victims, and vulnerable populations from a chemical or 
     biological event;''; and
       (4) in subsection (b)(3)(B), by striking ``(a)(10)'' and 
     inserting ``(a)(11)''.

     SEC. 110. MAINTENANCE OF GRANT INVESTMENTS.

       Section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     609) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(g) Maintenance of Equipment.--Any applicant for a grant 
     under section 2003 or 2004 seeking to use funds to purchase 
     equipment, including pursuant to paragraphs (3), (4), (5), or 
     (9) of subsection (a) of this section, shall by the time of 
     the receipt of such grant develop a plan for the maintenance 
     of such equipment over its life-cycle that includes 
     information identifying which entity is responsible for such 
     maintenance.''.

     SEC. 111. NATIONAL DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM.

       Section 1204 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/
     11 Commission Act (6 U.S.C. 1102) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d), by amending paragraphs (1) and (2) 
     to read as follows:
       ``(1) for the Center for Domestic Preparedness, $65,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2016 and 2017; and
       ``(2) for the remaining Members of the National Domestic 
     Preparedness Consortium, $98,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2016 and 2017.''; and
       (2) in subsection (e), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1), by striking ``2007'' and inserting ``2015''.

     SEC. 112. RURAL DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS CONSORTIUM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security is 
     authorized to establish a Rural Domestic Preparedness 
     Consortium within the Department of Homeland Security 
     consisting of universities and nonprofit organizations 
     qualified to provide training to emergency response providers 
     from rural communities.
       (b) Duties.--The Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium 
     authorized under subsection (a) shall identify, develop, 
     test, and deliver training to State, local, and tribal 
     emergency response providers from rural communities, provide 
     on-site and mobile training, and facilitate the delivery of 
     training by the training partners of the Department of 
     Homeland Security.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Of amounts 
     appropriated for Continuing Training Grants of the Department 
     of Homeland Security, $5,000,000 is authorized to be used for 
     the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium authorized under 
     subsection (a).

     SEC. 113. EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS.

       (a) Update.--Paragraph (13) of section 504(a) of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 314(a)) is amended by 
     inserting ``, periodically updating (but not less often than 
     once every five years),'' after ``administering''.
       (b) Emergency Support Functions.--Section 653 of the Post-
     Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 
     753; title VI of the Department of Homeland Security 
     Appropriations Act, 2007; Public Law 109-295) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
     (e) and (f), respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(d) Coordination.--The President, acting through the 
     Administrator, shall develop and provide to Federal 
     departments and agencies with coordinating, primary, or 
     supporting responsibilities under the National Response 
     Framework performance metrics to ensure readiness to execute 
     responsibilities under the emergency support functions of 
     such Framework.''.

     SEC. 114. REVIEW OF NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

       Paragraph (2) of section 509(b) of the Homeland Security 
     Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 319(b)) is amended, in the matter 
     preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting ``, but not less 
     often than once every five years,'' after ``periodically''.

     SEC. 115. APPROVAL OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT.

       Section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     609) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) Review Process.--The Administrator shall develop and 
     implement a uniform process for reviewing applications to use 
     grants provided under section 2003 or 2004 to purchase 
     equipment or systems not included on the Authorized Equipment 
     List maintained by the Administrator.''.

     SEC. 116. REMEDIAL ACTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

       Section 650 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform 
     Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 750; title VI of the Department of 
     Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007; Public Law 109-
     295) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 650. REMEDIAL ACTION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Administrator, in coordination with 
     the National Council on Disability and the National Advisory 
     Council, shall establish a remedial action management program 
     to--
       ``(1) analyze training, exercises, and real world events to 
     identify lessons learned, corrective actions, and best 
     practices;
       ``(2) generate and disseminate, as appropriate, the lessons 
     learned, corrective actions, and best practices referred to 
     in paragraph (1); and
       ``(3) conduct remedial action tracking and long term trend 
     analysis.
       ``(b) Federal Corrective Actions.--The Administrator, in 
     coordination with the heads of appropriate Federal 
     departments and agencies, shall utilize the program 
     established in subsection (a) to collect information on 
     corrective actions identified by such Federal departments and 
     agencies during exercises and the response to natural 
     disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, 
     and shall, not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this section and annually thereafter for each of 
     the next four years, submit to Congress a report on the 
     status of such corrective actions.
       ``(c) Dissemination of After Action Reports.--The 
     Administrator shall provide electronically, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, to Congress and Federal, State, local, 
     tribal, and private sector officials after-action reports and 
     information on lessons learned and best practices from 
     responses to acts of terrorism, natural disasters, capstone 
     exercises conducted under the national exercise program under 
     section 648(b), and other emergencies or exercises.''.

                        TITLE II--COMMUNICATIONS

     SEC. 201. OFFICE OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.

       The Secretary of Homeland Security may not change the 
     location or reporting structure of the Office of Emergency 
     Communications of the Department of Homeland Security unless 
     the Secretary receives prior authorization from the Committee 
     on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate permitting such change.

     SEC. 202. RESPONSIBILITIES OF OFFICE OF EMERGENCY 
                   COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR.

       Subsection (c) of section 1801 of the Homeland Security Act 
     of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 571) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (3);
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (15) as 
     paragraphs (3) through (14), respectively;
       (3) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated, by striking ``, 
     in cooperation with the National Communications System,'';
       (4) in paragraph (9), as so redesignated, by striking ``the 
     Homeland Security Council,'';
       (5) in paragraph (12) by striking ``Assistant Secretary for 
     Grants and Training'' and inserting ``Assistant Administrator 
     of the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency'';
       (6) in paragraph (13), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``and'' at the end; and
       (7) by adding after paragraph (14), as so redesignated, the 
     following new paragraphs:
       ``(15) administer the Government Emergency 
     Telecommunications Service (GETS) and Wireless Priority 
     Service (WPS) programs, or successor programs; and
       ``(16) assess the impact of emerging technologies on 
     interoperable emergency communications.''.

     SEC. 203. ANNUAL REPORTING ON ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE OF 
                   EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS.

       Subsection (f) of section 1801 of the Homeland Security Act 
     of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 571) is amended to read as follows:

[[Page 5100]]

       ``(f) Annual Reporting of Office Activities.--The Director 
     of the Office of Emergency Communications shall, not later 
     than one year after the date of the enactment of this 
     subsection and annually thereafter for each of the next four 
     years, report to the Committee on Homeland Security and the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the activities and 
     programs of the Office, including specific information on 
     efforts to carry out paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of 
     subsection (c).''.

     SEC. 204. NATIONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN.

       Section 1802 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     572) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), in the matter preceding paragraph 
     (1)--
       (A) by striking ``, and in cooperation with the Department 
     of National Communications System (as appropriate),''; and
       (B) by inserting ``, but not less than once every five 
     years,'' after ``periodically''; and
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (10) as 
     paragraphs (4) through (11), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3) consider the impact of emerging technologies on the 
     attainment of interoperable emergency communications;''.

     SEC. 205. TECHNICAL EDITS.

       Title XVIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (d) of section 1801 (6 U.S.C. 571) by--
       (A) striking paragraph (2); and
       (B) redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and
       (2) in paragraph (1) of section 1804(b) (6 U.S.C. 574(b)), 
     in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``Assistant Secretary for Grants and Planning'' and inserting 
     ``Assistant Administrator of the Grant Programs Directorate 
     of the Federal Emergency Management Agency''.

     SEC. 206. PUBLIC SAFETY BROADBAND NETWORK.

       The Undersecretary of the National Protection and Programs 
     Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security shall 
     submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on the 
     Department of Homeland Security's responsibilities related to 
     the development of the nationwide Public Safety Broadband 
     Network authorized in section 6202 of the Middle Class Tax 
     Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (47 U.S.C. 1422; Public 
     Law 112-96), including information on efforts by the 
     Department to work with the First Responder Network Authority 
     of the Department of Commerce to identify and address cyber 
     risks that could impact the near term or long term 
     availability and operations of such network and 
     recommendations to mitigate such risks.

     SEC. 207. STATEWIDE INTEROPERABILITY COORDINATORS.

       (a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2004(b) of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 605(b)) is amended 
     by--
       (1) redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as 
     subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively; and
       (2) inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(B)(i) certification that the Governor of the State has 
     designated a Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, 
     including identification in such certification of the 
     individual so designated, who shall be responsible for--
       ``(I) coordinating the daily operations of the State's 
     interoperability efforts;
       ``(II) coordinating State interoperability and 
     communications projects and grant applications for such 
     projects;
       ``(III) establishing and maintaining working groups to 
     develop and implement key interoperability initiatives; and
       ``(IV) coordinating and updating, as necessary, a Statewide 
     Communications Interoperability Plan that specifies the 
     current status of State efforts to enhance communications 
     interoperability within the State, including progress, 
     modifications, or setbacks, and future goals for 
     communications interoperability among emergency response 
     agencies in the State; or
       ``(ii) if a Statewide Interoperability Coordinator has not 
     been designated in accordance with clause (i)--
       ``(I) certification that the State is performing in another 
     manner the functions described in subclauses (I) through (IV) 
     of such clause; and
       ``(II) identification in such certification of an 
     individual who has been designated by the State as the 
     primary point of contact for performance of such 
     functions;''.
       (b) Limitation on Application.--The amendment made by 
     subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to any grant for 
     which an application was submitted under the State Homeland 
     Security Grant Program under section 2004 of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 605) before the date of the 
     enactment of this section.

     SEC. 208. COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING.

       The Under Secretary for Management of the Department of 
     Homeland Security, in coordination with the appropriate 
     component heads, shall develop a mechanism, consistent with 
     the strategy required pursuant to the Department of Homeland 
     Security Interoperable Communications Act (Public Law 114-
     29), to verify that radio users within the Department receive 
     initial and ongoing training on the use of the radio systems 
     of such components, including interagency radio use 
     protocols.

                    TITLE III--MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS

     SEC. 301. PRE-EVENT ANTHRAX VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR EMERGENCY 
                   RESPONSE PROVIDERS.

       (a) Anthrax Preparedness.--
       (1) In general.--Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 526. ANTHRAX PREPAREDNESS.

       ``(a) Pre-Event Anthrax Vaccination Program for Emergency 
     Response Providers.--For the purpose of domestic preparedness 
     for and collective response to terrorism, the Secretary, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
     shall establish a program to provide anthrax vaccines from 
     the strategic national stockpile under section 319F-2(a) of 
     the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(a)) that 
     will be nearing the end of their labeled dates of use at the 
     time such vaccines are to be administered to emergency 
     response providers who are at high risk of exposure to 
     anthrax and who voluntarily consent to such administration, 
     and shall--
       ``(1) establish any necessary logistical and tracking 
     systems to facilitate making such vaccines so available;
       ``(2) distribute disclosures regarding associated benefits 
     and risks to end users; and
       ``(3) conduct outreach to educate emergency response 
     providers about the voluntary program.
       ``(b) Threat Assessment.--The Secretary shall--
       ``(1) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and 
     risk assessments of the threats posed by anthrax from an act 
     of terror;
       ``(2) leverage existing and emerging homeland security 
     intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance 
     prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with 
     respect to an anthrax terror attack; and
       ``(3) share information and provide tailored analytical 
     support on threats posed by anthrax to State, local, and 
     tribal authorities, as well as other national biosecurity and 
     biodefense stakeholders.''.
       (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting at the end of the items relating to title V the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 526. Anthrax preparedness.''.
       (b) Pilot Program.--
       (1) In general.--In carrying out the pre-event vaccination 
     program authorized in subsection (a) of section 526 of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a) of 
     this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
     coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
     shall carry out a pilot program to provide anthrax vaccines 
     to emergency response providers as so authorized. The 
     duration of the pilot program shall be 24 months from the 
     date the initial vaccines are administered to participants.
       (2) Preliminary requirements.--Prior to implementing the 
     pilot program under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security shall--
       (A) establish a communication platform for such pilot 
     program;
       (B) establish education and training modules for such pilot 
     program;
       (C) conduct economic analysis of such pilot program; and
       (D) create a logistical platform for the anthrax vaccine 
     request process under such pilot program.
       (3) Location.--In carrying out the pilot program under 
     paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     select emergency response providers based in at least two 
     States for participation in such pilot program.
       (4) Distribution of information.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security shall provide to each emergency response provider 
     who participates in the pilot program under paragraph (1) 
     disclosures and educational materials regarding the 
     associated benefits and risks of any vaccine provided under 
     such pilot program and of exposure to anthrax.
       (5) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and annually thereafter until one year 
     after the completion of the pilot program under paragraph 
     (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Energy 
     and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the 
     Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of 
     the Senate a report on the progress and results of such pilot 
     program, including the percentage of eligible emergency 
     response providers, as determined by each pilot location, 
     that volunteer to participate, the degree to which 
     participants obtain necessary vaccinations, as appropriate, 
     and recommendations to improve initial and recurrent 
     participation in such pilot program.

[[Page 5101]]

     Each such report shall include a discussion of plans to 
     continue such pilot program to provide vaccines to emergency 
     response providers under subsection (a) of section 526 of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a) of 
     this section.
       (6) Deadline for implementation.--The Secretary of Homeland 
     Security shall begin implementing the pilot program under 
     paragraph (1) by not later than the date that is one year 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 302. CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER.

       (a) In General.--Subsection (c) of section 516 of the 
     Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321e) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting 
     ``and shall establish medical and human, animal, and 
     occupational health exposure policy, guidance, strategies, 
     and initiatives,'' before ``including--'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the semicolon at 
     the end the following: ``, including advice on how to prepare 
     for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate 
     against the medical effects of terrorist attacks or other 
     high consequence events utilizing chemical, biological, 
     radiological, or nuclear agents or explosives'';
       (3) in paragraph (2), by inserting before the semicolon at 
     the end the following: ``, including coordinating the 
     Department's policy, strategy and preparedness for pandemics 
     and emerging infectious diseases'';
       (4) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``emergency medical 
     services and medical first responder stakeholders,'' after 
     ``the medical community'';
       (5) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end; and
       (6) by adding after paragraph (7) the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(8) ensuring that the workforce of the Department has 
     evidence-based policy, standards, requirements, and metrics 
     for occupational health and operational medicine programs;
       ``(9) directing and maintaining a coordinated system for 
     medical support for the Department's operational activities;
       ``(10) providing oversight of the Department's medical 
     programs and providers, including--
       ``(A) reviewing and maintaining verification of the 
     accreditation of the Department's health provider workforce;
       ``(B) developing quality assurance and clinical policy, 
     requirements, standards, and metrics for all medical and 
     health activities of the Department;
       ``(C) providing oversight of medical records systems for 
     employees and individuals in the Department's care and 
     custody; and
       ``(D) providing medical direction for emergency medical 
     services activities of the Department; and
       ``(11) as established under section 527, maintaining a 
     medical countermeasures stockpile and dispensing system, as 
     necessary, to facilitate personnel readiness, and protection 
     for working animals, employees, and individuals in the 
     Department's care and custody in the event of a chemical, 
     biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosives attack, 
     naturally occurring disease outbreak, or pandemic.''.
       (b) Medical Liaisons.--The Chief Medical Officer of the 
     Department of Homeland Security may provide medical liaisons 
     to the components of the Department to provide subject matter 
     expertise on medical and public health issues and a direct 
     link to the Chief Medical Officer. Such expertise may include 
     the following:
       (1) Providing guidance on health and medical aspects of 
     policy, planning, operations, and workforce health 
     protection.
       (2) Identifying and resolving component medical issues.
       (3) Supporting the development and alignment of medical and 
     health systems.
       (4) Identifying common gaps in medical and health 
     standards, policy, and guidance, and enterprise solutions to 
     bridge such gaps.

     SEC. 303. MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.), as amended by section 301 of 
     this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``SEC. 527. MEDICAL COUNTERMEASURES.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a medical 
     countermeasures program to facilitate personnel readiness, 
     and protection for working animals, employees, and 
     individuals in the Department's care and custody, in the 
     event of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or 
     explosives attack, naturally occurring disease outbreak, or 
     pandemic, and to support Department mission continuity.
       ``(b) Oversight.--The Chief Medical Officer, established 
     under section 516, shall provide programmatic oversight of 
     the medical countermeasures program established pursuant to 
     subsection (a), and shall--
       ``(1) develop Department-wide standards for medical 
     countermeasure storage, security, dispensing, and 
     documentation;
       ``(2) maintain a stockpile of medical countermeasures, 
     including antibiotics, antivirals, and radiological 
     countermeasures, as appropriate;
       ``(3) preposition appropriate medical countermeasures in 
     strategic locations nationwide, based on threat and employee 
     density, in accordance with applicable Federal statutes and 
     regulations;
       ``(4) provide oversight and guidance on dispensing of 
     stockpiled medical countermeasures;
       ``(5) ensure rapid deployment and dispensing of medical 
     countermeasures in a chemical, biological, radiological, 
     nuclear, or explosives attack, naturally occurring disease 
     outbreak, or pandemic;
       ``(6) provide training to Department employees on medical 
     countermeasure dispensing; and
       ``(7) support dispensing exercises.
       ``(c) Medical Countermeasures Working Group.--The Chief 
     Medical Officer shall establish a medical countermeasures 
     working group comprised of representatives from appropriate 
     components and offices of the Department to ensure that 
     medical countermeasures standards are maintained and guidance 
     is consistent.
       ``(d) Medical Countermeasures Management.--Not later than 
     180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the 
     Chief Medical Officer shall develop and submit to the 
     Secretary an integrated logistics support plan for medical 
     countermeasures, including--
       ``(1) a methodology for determining the ideal types and 
     quantities of medical countermeasures to stockpile and how 
     frequently such methodology shall be reevaluated;
       ``(2) a replenishment plan; and
       ``(3) inventory tracking, reporting, and reconciliation 
     procedures for existing stockpiles and new medical 
     countermeasure purchases.
       ``(e) Stockpile Elements.--In determining the types and 
     quantities of medical countermeasures to stockpile under 
     subsection (d), the Chief Medical Officer shall utilize, if 
     available--
       ``(1) Department chemical, biological, radiological, and 
     nuclear risk assessments; and
       ``(2) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance 
     on medical countermeasures.
       ``(f) Report.--No later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this section, the Chief Medical Officer shall 
     report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate on progress in achieving 
     the requirements of this section.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by 
     section 301 of this Act, is further amended by inserting at 
     the end of the items relating to title V the following new 
     item:

``Sec. 527. Medical countermeasures.''.

                          TITLE IV--MANAGEMENT

     SEC. 401. MISSION SUPPORT.

       (a) Establishment.--The Administrator of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency shall designate an individual to 
     serve as the chief management official and principal advisor 
     to the Administrator on matters related to the management of 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including management 
     integration in support of emergency management operations and 
     programs.
       (b) Mission and Responsibilities.--The Administrator of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency, acting through the 
     official designated pursuant to subsection (a), shall be 
     responsible for the management and administration of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency, including with respect 
     to the following:
       (1) Procurement.
       (2) Human resources and personnel.
       (3) Information technology and communications systems.
       (4) Real property investment and planning, facilities, 
     accountable personal property (including fleet and other 
     material resources), records and disclosure, privacy, safety 
     and health, and sustainability and environmental management.
       (5) Security for personnel, information technology and 
     communications systems, facilities, property, equipment, and 
     other material resources.
       (6) Any other management duties that the Administrator may 
     designate.
       (c) Mount Weather Emergency Operations and Associated 
     Facilities.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as 
     limiting or otherwise affecting the role or responsibility of 
     the Assistant Administrator for National Continuity with 
     respect to the matters described in subsection (b) as they 
     relate to the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center and 
     associated facilities. The management and administration of 
     the Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center and associated 
     facilities remains the responsibility of the Assistant 
     Administrator for National Continuity.
       (d) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and 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 includes--
       (1) a review of financial, human capital, information 
     technology, real property planning, and acquisition 
     management of headquarters and all regional offices of the 
     Federal Emergency Management Agency; and

[[Page 5102]]

       (2) a strategy for capturing financial, human capital, 
     information technology, real property planning, and 
     acquisition data.

     SEC. 402. SYSTEMS MODERNIZATION.

       Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and 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 on the Federal Emergency Management 
     Agency's efforts to modernize its grants and financial 
     information technology systems, including the following:
       (1) A summary of all previous efforts to modernize such 
     systems.
       (2) An assessment of long term cost savings and 
     efficiencies gained through such modernization effort.
       (3) A capability needs assessment.
       (4) Estimated quarterly costs.
       (5) Estimated acquisition life cycle dates, including 
     acquisition decision events.

     SEC. 403. STRATEGIC HUMAN CAPITAL PLAN.

       Subsection (c) of section 10107 of title 5, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``2007'' and inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 404. ACTIVITIES RELATED TO CHILDREN.

       Paragraph (2) of section 503(b) of the Homeland Security 
     Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 313(b)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end 
     and inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(I) integrate the needs of children into the Agency's 
     activities to prepare for, protect against, respond to, 
     recover from, and mitigate against natural disasters, acts of 
     terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including by 
     appointing a technical expert to coordinate such activities, 
     as necessary.''.

            TITLE V--FLOOD INSURANCE CLAIMS PROCESS REFORMS

     SEC. 501. CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT AND ENGINEERING REPORTS.

       Section 1312 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 
     (42 U.S.C. 4019) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new subsections:
       ``(d) Final Engineering Reports.--The Administrator shall 
     require that, in the case of any on-site inspection of a 
     property by an engineer for the purpose of assessing any 
     claim for losses covered by a policy for flood insurance 
     coverage provided under this title, the final engineering 
     report shall be provided to the insured under the policy, as 
     follows:
       ``(1) Timing.--The final engineering report may not be 
     transmitted to any other person, employer, agency, or entity, 
     before it is transmitted to the insured.
       ``(2) Prohibition on alterations; certification.--The final 
     engineering report may not include alterations by, or at the 
     request of, anyone other than the responsible in charge for 
     such report and shall include a certification, signed by the 
     responsible in charge for the report, that it does not 
     contain any such alterations.
       ``(3) Transmittal.--The final engineering report shall be 
     transmitted to the insured in a manner as the Administrator 
     shall provide that provides reasonable assurance that it was 
     transmitted directly to the insured by the responsible in 
     charge.
       ``(4) Reports covered.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `final engineering report' means an engineering 
     report, survey, or other document in connection with such 
     claim that--
       ``(A) is based on such on-site inspection;
       ``(B) contains final conclusions with respect to an 
     engineering issue or issues involved in such claim; and
       ``(C) is signed by the responsible in charge or affixed 
     with the seal of such responsible in charge, or both.
       ``(e) Claims Adjustment Reports.--The Administrator shall 
     require that, in the case of any on-site inspection of a 
     property by a claims adjustor for the purpose of assessing 
     any claim for losses covered by a policy for flood insurance 
     coverage provided under this title, any report shall be 
     provided to the insured under the policy, as follows:
       ``(1) Timing.--Such report may not be transmitted to any 
     other person, employer, agency, or entity, before it is 
     transmitted to the insured.
       ``(2) Prohibition on alterations; certification.--The 
     report may not include alterations by, or at the request of, 
     anyone other than such preparer and shall include a 
     certification, signed by the preparer of the report, that it 
     does not contain any such alterations.
       ``(3) Transmittal.--The report shall be transmitted to the 
     insured in a manner as the Administrator shall provide that 
     provides reasonable assurance that it was transmitted 
     directly to the insured by the preparer.
       ``(4) Reports covered.--For purposes of this subsection, 
     the term `report' means any report or document in connection 
     with such claim that is based on such on-site inspection by 
     the claims adjustor, including any adjustment report and 
     field report. Such term also includes any draft, preliminary 
     version, or copy of any such report and any amendments or 
     additions to any such report. Such term does not include any 
     engineering report, as such term is defined for purposes of 
     subsection (d).''.

     SEC. 502. JUDICIAL REVIEW.

       (a) Government Program With Industry Assistance.--Section 
     1341 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 
     4072) is amended by striking ``within one year after the date 
     of mailing of notice of disallowance or partial disallowance 
     by the Administrator'' and inserting the following: ``not 
     later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning upon 
     the date of the occurrence of the losses involved in such 
     claim or, in the case of a denial of a claim for losses that 
     is appealed to the Administrator, not later than (1) the 
     expiration of the 90-day period beginning upon the date of a 
     final determination upon appeal denying such claim in whole 
     or in part, or (2) the expiration of such 2-year period, 
     whichever is later''.
       (b) Industry Program With Federal Financial Assistance.--
     Section 1333 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 
     U.S.C. 4053) is amended by striking ``within one year after 
     the date of mailing of notice of disallowance or partial 
     disallowance of the claim'' and inserting the following: 
     ``not later than the expiration of the 2-year period 
     beginning upon the date of the occurrence of the losses 
     involved in such claim or, in the case of a denial of a claim 
     for losses that is appealed to the Administrator, not later 
     than (1) the expiration of the 90-day period beginning upon 
     the date of a final determination upon appeal denying such 
     claim in whole or in part, or (2) the expiration of such 2-
     year period, whichever is later''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Arizona (Ms. McSally) and the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Arizona.


                             General Leave

  Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3583, the Promoting 
Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and Responding to 
Emergencies, or PREPARE Act, which I introduced during my tenure as 
chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on 
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
  The PREPARE Act is part of the Committee on Homeland Security's 
effort to authorize and ensure the efficiency of the Department of 
Homeland Security's operations. The provisions of this bill were 
informed by the subcommittee's oversight this Congress and discussions 
with stakeholders.
  This was a bipartisan process, and I am pleased that the 
subcommittee's ranking member, Congressman Payne, joined me in 
sponsoring this bill. This bill is an example of how we should be 
working together in Congress to get things done.
  The PREPARE Act makes a number of improvements to the operations at 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Office of Health Affairs, and 
Office of Emergency Communications. The bill authorizes, for the first 
time, Operation Stonegarden, which provides grants to law enforcement 
agencies along the border to enhance border security. These funds are 
vital to the security of border communities, like the ones in my 
district in southern Arizona.
  We must ensure that grant programs like the State Homeland Security 
Grant Program and the Urban Areas Security Initiative are providing a 
return on investment and assisting in the closure of capability gaps. 
That is why the bill requires FEMA to analyze data included in yearly 
State Preparedness Reports and Threat and Hazard Identification and 
Risk Assessments to gauge year-over-year improvements.
  The bill also requires FEMA to share information on grants management 
best practices with grant recipients so that they may benefit from 
innovative practices used by other grantees. In addition, the bill sets 
the period of performance for these grant programs at 3 years, to 
ensure grant recipients have sufficient time to make sound investments.

[[Page 5103]]

  To ensure FEMA is operating efficiently and effectively, the bill 
requires the Administrator to designate an individual to serve as 
FEMA's chief management official and take steps to address the findings 
and recommendations of a number of GAO reports. The bill also requires 
FEMA to update its strategic human capital plan so it has the workforce 
it needs to complete its important mission.
  It is vital that our Nation's first responders have the tools that 
they need to communicate. That is why the bill seeks to ensure that the 
First Responder Network Authority and the Department of Homeland 
Security work together to secure the nationwide public safety broadband 
network that is under development against cyberattacks.
  After hearing much concern from first responders who rely on the 
technical assistance and programming of the Office of Emergency 
Communication, the bill prohibits the Secretary of Homeland Security 
from reorganizing OEC without prior authorization.

                              {time}  1715

  A 2015 GAO review of interoperability at the Department noted that 
CBP and ICE personnel reported the lack of interoperability along the 
border resulted in missed apprehensions and jeopardized agent safety.
  As a result, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to 
ensure that DHS' radio users, such as Border Patrol agents, CBP 
officers, and ICE agents receive ongoing training on the use of radio 
systems, including interagency radio use protocols.
  This provision builds upon legislation signed into the law by the 
President that requires DHS to develop a strategy to achieve and 
maintain interoperability among its components.
  To address the chemical and biological threats we face, the PREPARE 
Act authorizes responsibilities of the Department's Chief Medical 
Officer and establishes a pilot program to provide anthrax vaccines to 
first responders on a voluntary basis.
  I want to thank my successor, Chairman Donovan, for his leadership in 
continuing to shepherd the PREPARE Act to the floor today.
  I would also like to thank Chairman Shuster, Chairman Upton, and 
Chairman Hensarling for working with us to advance this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, the PREPARE Act builds efficiencies and increases 
coordination for preparedness improvements while providing greater 
accountability for taxpayers.
  I urge all Members to join me in supporting this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                   Washington, DC, March 10, 2016.
     Hon. Michael McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: I write concerning H.R. 3583, the 
     ``Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for 
     Attacks and Responding to Emergencies Act''. This legislation 
     includes matters that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of 
     the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
       In order to expedite Floor consideration of H.R. 3583, the 
     Committee on ``Transportation and Infrastructure will forgo 
     action on this bill. However, this is conditional on our 
     mutual understanding that forgoing consideration of the bill 
     does not prejudice the Committee with respect to the 
     appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matters contained in the bill or 
     similar legislation that fall within the Committee's Rule X 
     jurisdiction. I request you urge the Speaker to name members 
     of the Committee to any conference committee named to 
     consider such provisions.
       Please place a copy of this letter and your response 
     acknowledging our jurisdictional interest in the Committee 
     report for H.R. 3583, as well as in the Congressional Record 
     during House Floor consideration of the bill. I look forward 
     to working with the Committee on Homeland Security as the 
     bill moves through the legislative process.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Shuster,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                   Washington, DC, March 11, 2016.
     Hon. Bill Shuster,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Shuster: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 3583, the ``Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in 
     Preparing for Attacks and Responding to Emergencies Act'' or 
     ``PREPARE Act.'' I appreciate your support in bringing this 
     legislation before the House of Representatives, and 
     accordingly, understand that the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure will forego consideration of the bill.
       The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration on this bill at 
     this time, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
     does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter 
     contained in this bill or similar legislation in the future. 
     In addition, should a conference on this bill be necessary, I 
     would support a request by the Committee on Transportation 
     and Infrastructure for conferees on those provisions within 
     your jurisdiction.
       I will insert copies of this exchange in the report on H.R. 
     3583 as well as the Congressional Record during consideration 
     of this bill on the House floor. I thank you for your 
     cooperation in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                                   Washington, DC, March 11, 2016.
     Hon. Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: I write regarding H.R. 3583, the 
     ``PREPARE Act.'' Although the bill was referred to the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce, I wanted to notify you that 
     the Committee will forgo action on the bill so that it may 
     proceed expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
       This is done with the understanding that the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce's jurisdictional interests over this and 
     similar legislation are in no way altered. In addition, the 
     Committee reserves the right to seek conferees on H.R. 3583 
     and requests your support when such a request is made.
       I would appreciate your response confirming this 
     understanding with respect to H.R. 3583 and ask that a copy 
     of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the 
     House floor.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Fred Upton,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                   Washington, DC, March 11, 2016.
     Hon. Fred Upton,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Upton: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 3583, the ``PREPARE Act.'' I appreciate your support in 
     bringing this legislation before the House of 
     Representatives, and accordingly, understand that the 
     Committee on Energy and Commerce will forego consideration of 
     the bill.
       The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration on this bill at 
     this time, the Committee on Energy and Commerce does not 
     waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in 
     this bill or similar legislation in the future. In addition, 
     should a conference on this bill be necessary, I would 
     support a request by the Committee on Energy and Commerce for 
     conferees on those provisions within your jurisdiction.
       I will insert copies of this exchange in the Congressional 
     Record during consideration of this bill on the House floor. 
     I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                   Washington, DC, March 22, 2016.
     Hon. Michael McCaul,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office 
         Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McCaul: I am writing concerning H.R. 3583, 
     the Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for 
     Attacks and Responding to Emergencies Act.
       As a result of your having consulted with the Committee on 
     Financial Services concerning provisions in the bill that 
     fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, I agree to forgo action 
     on the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House 
     Floor. The Committee on Financial Services takes this action 
     with our mutual understanding that, by foregoing

[[Page 5104]]

     consideration of H.R. 3583 at this time, we do 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 or similar 
     legislation moves forward so that we may address any 
     remaining issues that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. 
     Our Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of 
     an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation, and 
     requests your support for any such request.
       Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter 
     confirming this understanding with respect to H.R. 3583 and 
     would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this 
     matter be included in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration thereof.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Jeb Hensarling,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                               Committee on Homeland Security,

                                    Washington, DC. April 6, 2016.
     Hon. Jeb Hensarling,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Hensarling: Thank you for your letter 
     regarding H.R. 3583, the ``Promoting Resilience and 
     Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and Responding to 
     Emergencies Act.'' I appreciate your support in bringing this 
     legislation before the House of Representatives, and 
     accordingly, understand the Committee on Financial Services 
     will forgo action on the bill.
       The Committee on Homeland Security concurs with the mutual 
     understanding that by forgoing action on this bill, the 
     Committee on Financial Services does not waive any 
     jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this bill 
     or similar legislation in the future. In addition, should a 
     conference on this bill be necessary, I would support your 
     request to have the Committee on Financial Services 
     represented on the conference committee.
       I will insert copies of this exchange into the 
     Congressional Record during consideration of this bill on the 
     House floor. I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                Michael T. McCaul,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3583, the 
Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and 
Responding to Emergencies Act, also known as the PREPARE Act.
  Before I begin, I would like to commend former Emergency Preparedness 
Subcommittee Chairperson McSally and Ranking Member Payne, Jr., for 
their close collaboration in developing this legislation.
  H.R. 3583 is the product of extensive bipartisan oversight carried 
out by the subcommittee and will make communities better prepared to 
respond to manmade and natural disasters.
  In particular, this measure makes a number of improvements related to 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency's administration of the 
Homeland Security Grant Program, authorizes activities of the National 
Domestic Preparedness Consortium and the Rural Domestic Preparedness 
Consortium, and addresses ongoing interoperability challenges both 
within the Department of Homeland Security and the State and local 
level.
  A provision I authored at the full committee to improve the Homeland 
Security Grant Program is also included. That provision directs FEMA to 
enter into a memorandum of understanding with the DHS' Office of Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties regarding policy and guidance in the Urban 
Areas Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant 
Program.
  Under current grant guidance, grantees are permitted to use funding 
for activities related to countering violent extremism.
  By requiring FEMA to consult with DHS' Office of Civil Rights and 
Civil Liberties in developing its grant guidance related to CVE, we 
will ensure that the activities carried out by the grantees do not 
target ordinary citizens simply because of their religion or ethnic 
background.
  Additionally, to address shortcomings of the National Incident 
Management System, commonly called NIMS, revealed at a series of full 
committee hearings examining the heroic response of the 2013 Boston 
Marathon bombings, the committee accepted an amendment I authored 
requiring FEMA to review and revise NIMS once every 5 years.
  Regular review of NIMS will ensure that its protocols are responsive 
to the current threat environment, incident management requirements, 
and lessons learned from previous incidents.
  Finally, the bill includes important provisions to improve Federal 
interoperable communications capabilities added by Subcommittee Ranking 
Member Payne, Jr.
  To improve interoperable communications on the State and local level, 
H.R. 3583 includes Mr. Payne's Statewide Interoperable Communications 
Act, which facilitates coordination of emergency communication 
purchases and policies within a State.
  The bill also addresses interoperability challenges at DHS by 
requiring that the Undersecretary for Management verify that all radio 
users at the Department receive initial and ongoing training in the use 
of DHS' radio systems.
  I commend Ranking Member Payne, Jr., on his work on the bill and his 
ongoing efforts to address the interoperability challenges that 
continue to hamstring Federal, State, and local first responders.
  H.R. 3583 will go far in helping first responders do their job better 
and safer and will make our communities better prepared and more 
resilient.
  I urge my colleagues to support the PREPARE Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Donovan), the chairman of the Subcommittee 
on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications.
  Mr. DONOVAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman McSally for yielding.
  As chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on 
Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, I rise today in 
strong support of H.R. 3583, the PREPARE Act, of which I am pleased to 
be an original sponsor.
  Introduced by the subcommittee's former Chairwoman, Representative 
McSally, the PREPARE Act seeks to enhance accountability at the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, Office of Emergency Communications, and 
Office of Health Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
  The Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications Subcommittee 
is fortunate to work with a very engaged stakeholder community, and 
many of the provisions of this bill were formed through hearings, 
briefings, and meetings with those stakeholders.
  For example, the bill sets the period of performance for a number of 
grant programs at 3 years. We heard from numerous stakeholder groups 
that FEMA's reduction of the period of performance from 3 years to 2 
years inhibited their ability to make meaningful grant investments.
  I am pleased that FEMA has changed the period of performance back to 
3 years, and the PREPARE Act codifies that timeline.
  The PREPARE Act prohibits FEMA from implementing its National 
Preparedness Grant Program proposal, which was widely opposed by first 
responders.
  It seeks to ensure greater outreach by the Department to law 
enforcement agencies through the Office of State and local law 
enforcement.
  It prohibits the Undersecretary of National Protection and Programs 
Directorate from reorganizing or changing the location of the Office of 
Emergency Communications without authorization of Congress.
  Stakeholder groups such as the International Association of Chiefs of 
Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Major Cities Chiefs, 
and National Sheriffs' Association have expressed their great concern 
about the impact this proposed reorganization would have on the Office 
of Emergency Communications and its work with first responders to 
achieve and maintain interoperability communications.
  It authorizes the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which 
provides vital training for first responders, and it authorizes a 
voluntary anthrax

[[Page 5105]]

vaccination program for first responders to help protect those who 
protect us.
  The PREPARE Act also includes flood insurance provisions of great 
importance to my constituents. Superstorm Sandy devastated Staten 
Island and South Brooklyn 3\1/2\ years ago, claiming dozens of lives 
and destroying thousands of homes.
  Unfortunately, since then, my constituents have gone through the 
storm after the storm. Damage inspectors shamelessly doctored their 
reports to blame pre-existing conditions for Sandy's destruction, 
cheating Sandy victims out of insurance proceedings they rightfully 
deserved.
  By applying lessons learned in the aftermath of that fateful day, 
title V of the PREPARE Act will make two important improvements to the 
National Flood Insurance Program.
  First, this legislation will empower and protect policyholders by 
requiring engineers and inspectors employed to assess flood insurance 
claims to provide policyholders with copies of the reports listing 
flood damage to their homes. This will prevent fraud and increase 
efficiency and transparency by giving policyholders more information 
about their claims at a critical stage in the process.
  Second, this legislation will improve the flood insurance claims 
appeal process by fixing an archaic and confusing court filing deadline 
that prevents policyholders from using the FEMA appeals process for 
fear of missing their opportunity to seek relief in Federal court.
  The bill will set a firm start date for the claim's statute of 
limitations and pause the statute of limitations while policyholders 
pursue their appeal at the agency level.
  Ultimately, this legislation will reduce costly litigation, saving 
taxpayers and policyholders money.
  I am pleased to work with Chairwoman McSally and Ranking Member Payne 
on this bipartisan legislation. I would like to thank Chairman McCaul 
and Ranking Member Thompson for their leadership in moving it forward.
  I would particularly like to thank Chairman Hensarling and 
Subcommittee Chairman Luetkemeyer of the Financial Services Committee 
for working with me to advance the flood insurance process reforms in 
this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 3583.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3583 seeks to resolve gaps in the Department of 
Homeland Security's efforts to build State and local capabilities to 
prevent, protect against, and respond to manmade and natural disasters.
  Again, this bipartisan legislation is a product of careful oversight 
and significant stakeholder outreach. I urge my colleagues to support 
the PREPARE Act.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. McSALLY. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 3583.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the 
Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and 
Responding to Emergencies Act (PREPARE Act/H.R. 3583). In addition to 
enhancing accountability at the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA), the Office of Emergency Communications, and the Office of 
Health Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this 
legislation makes critical reforms to the National Flood Insurance 
Program's (NFIP) claims process.
  Nearly three and a half years have passed since Superstorm Sandy 
devastated New Jersey, New York, and other parts of the Northeast, yet 
thousands of victims are still fighting for fair and equitable 
treatment from the NFIP. Following Sandy, these homeowners were further 
victimized by the unconscionable misconduct of certain insurance 
companies and engineering firms who defrauded them, all of which was 
enabled by FEMA's inadequate control and oversight.
  The Sandy Claims Review Process was launched after my colleagues and 
I pushed FEMA to reopen a robust and thorough claims process to review 
all potential Sandy-related underpayments. To date, over 19,000 NFIP 
policyholders have entered the review process. More than 7,000 
policyholders have been offered additional claims payments, with over 
$46 million in actual payments made and over $89 million in proposed 
payments. Homeowners who pursued litigation outside of the claims 
process have received nearly $160 million in settlements.
  Those who dutifully paid their premiums with the expectation that the 
NFIP would be there following a disaster deserve every penny owed to 
them. The tens of millions of dollars paid out thus far should have 
been in the hands of policyholders years ago. These homeowners were 
betrayed following Sandy, and reforms are necessary to restore consumer 
trust and taxpayer confidence in the NFIP.
  In a report released last month, the DHS Office of Inspector General 
(OIG) found that FEMA does not provide adequate oversight of its NFIP 
Write Your Own (WYO) Program. As a result, FEMA ``is unable to ensure 
that WYO companies are properly implementing the NFIP and is unable to 
identify systemic problems in the program. Furthermore, without 
adequate internal controls in place, FEMA's NFIP funds may be at risk 
for fraud, waste, abuse, or mismanagement.''
   Of particular concern are altered or falsified engineering reports 
that resulted in dramatically lower claim payments for Sandy victims. 
Last year, 60 Minutes' ``The Storm after the Storm'' reported on 
allegations of engineering reports receiving drastic alterations after 
being submitted to the insurer by the on-site engineer inspector. 
FEMA's then-Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance told 60 
Minutes that he was not going to ``conceal that fact that it happened. 
Because in the last three weeks, I've seen evidence of it.'' This was 
subsequently confirmed in delegation briefings I hosted with FEMA.
  Title V of the PREPARE Act will require any final engineering reports 
and/or claims adjustment reports--certified and free of alterations--to 
be provided to the policyholder first, before any employer or agency. 
It also amends the claims appeal process to provide policyholders with 
more time to consider legal remedies. Together these provisions will 
help reform a fundamentally broken system and provide policyholders 
with the transparency and fairness they are entitled to throughout the 
NFIP claims process.
  FEMA must deliver on its promises. That begins with the completion of 
the ongoing Sandy Claims Review Process and a resolution to Sandy-
related litigation. Every suspected instance of fraud must be 
investigated and bad actors must be expelled. FEMA must closely monitor 
the performance of specific inspectors and adjustors that may not be 
illegal, but simply shoddy and incompetent. The NFIP Transformation 
Task Force must continue its implementation of OIG's seven 
recommendations to improve its oversight. Together with the PREPARE 
Act, these actions can restore accountability and ensure lasting 
reform.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3583, 
the ``Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and 
Responding to Emergencies Act,'' also known as the ``PREPARE Act.''
  I became Ranking Member of the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee in 
the beginning of 2013.
  I took on that position because I represent the 10th Congressional of 
New Jersey, which according to the New York Times, encompasses the two 
most dangerous miles in America.
  From major mass transit arteries and chemical facilities to homes and 
schools, my district is vulnerable to a variety of man-made and natural 
disasters.
  Our community's first responders must be prepared to respond to every 
worst-case scenario. That is why I was proud to work with Ms. McSally 
to author the ``PREPARE Act.''
  In my capacity as Ranking Member of the Emergency Preparedness 
Subcommittee, I have had the opportunity to hear from first responders 
and emergency managers across the country, as well as doctors, public 
health experts, and individuals advocating to ensure the needs of 
children are incorporated into disaster response plans.
  I am pleased to say that H.R. 3583 is responsive to the calls to 
action we have heard on the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee.
  For example, the Subcommittee has conducted extensive oversight of 
progress related to interoperable communications, and we have learned 
that the important governance structures--developed with support of the 
Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program--have suffered 
since the program was eliminated in 2011.
  To preserve the progress States have made on emergency communications 
planning and coordination, H.R. 3583 includes my Statewide

[[Page 5106]]

Interoperable Communications Enhancement Act, which passed the House as 
a stand-alone measure in July.
  H.R. 3583 also includes language I offered to address communications 
training gaps at DHS by requiring all radio users to receive initial 
and ongoing training consistent with the DHS Interoperable 
Communications Strategy, which was required under legislation I wrote 
last year.
  The ``PREPARE Act'' also makes important progress in the area of 
biopreparedness, particularly related to improving how DHS manages its 
medical countermeasures program and establishing a voluntary anthrax 
vaccination program for first responders.
  To address concerns the Subcommittee heard from organizations like 
Save the Children related to the unique needs of children during 
disasters, the Committee accepted an amendment I offered directing FEMA 
to appoint a technical expert to ensure that children are incorporated 
into disaster preparedness, planning, response, and recovery 
activities.
  As the father of triplets, I have worked hard to improve the way the 
Federal government helps schools keep children safe during disasters 
and to address gaps in disaster planning that affect children. I 
appreciate the Committee's support for my efforts to ensure H.R. 3583 
improves the way the needs of children are integrated into emergency 
planning.
  Finally, the bill guarantees homeland security grant program 
recipients three years to use their grant funds, which will help ensure 
that limited funds are spent effectively and deliberately.
  H.R. 3583 also includes common-sense provisions requiring grantees to 
have maintenance plans in place before using Federal money to procure 
important emergency response equipment, directing FEMA to include grant 
management best practices in its annual Notice of Funding Opportunity, 
and charging FEMA to provide information to Congress on how grant funds 
are closing capability gaps.
  On the subject of the Homeland Security Grant Program, I would like 
to once again, on the record, voice my opposition to the funding cuts 
proposed in the President's FY 2017 budget request.
  First responders across the country have made clear over and over 
again that these important grant dollars are critical to building and 
maintaining preparedness and response capabilities.
  State and local governments are already struggling to absorb cuts to 
homeland security grant funding that have occurred over the last 
decade, and every first responder I have spoken to tells me that 
planning, training, and exercise opportunities would further suffer 
with more cuts.
  I urge appropriators to reject the proposed funding cuts and to 
provide additional funding to these grant programs.
  Before I conclude, I would like to congratulate the former 
Subcommittee Chairman McSally on bringing this legislation to the 
floor, and I thank her for working with me as she developed the bill.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3583.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as the Ranking Member of the Judiciary 
Committee and Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and 
Investigations, I rise in support of H.R. 3583, the PREPARE Act, a bill 
that provides an important additional tool in preparing for attacks and 
responding to emergencies.
  I support this legislation, because it requires multiple emergency 
agencies to coordinate and improve overall preparedness for attacks and 
emergencies.
  Specifically, H.R. 3583 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to 
require the Federal Emergency management Agency (FEMA) to enter into 
memoranda of understanding with U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP), the Transportation Security Administration, the Coast Guard, the 
Office of Intelligence and Analysis, the Office of Emergency 
Communication (OEC), the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement, 
the Countering Violent Extremism Coordinator, the Office for Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties, and other Department of Homeland Security 
offices and components to delineate their responsibilities for awarding 
grants to:
  Public Transportation Agencies to improve security under 
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.
  High-risk urban areas and state, local, and tribal governments to 
protect against terrorism under the UASI and the State Homeland 
Security Grant Program.
  Implementation of Area Maritime Transportation Security Plans and 
facility security plans, provide port security services, and train law 
enforcement personnel.
  The PREPARE Act is a smart bill that will enable the Department of 
Homeland Security to establish a social media working group to identify 
and provide guidance and best practices for the emergency preparedness 
and response community.
  The social media group will submit an annual report that includes:
  A review and analysis of social media technologies used to support 
preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
  A review of best practices and lessons learned.
  Recommendations to improve DHS's use of social media technologies for 
emergency management purposes.
  Recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of 
information disseminated through such technologies, and recommendations 
on how to access such information during emergencies.
  A review of available training for government officials.
  A review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss 
and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security 
concerns.
  In today's increasingly advanced and complex technology, social media 
is easily and heavily utilized by terrorists as a dangerous recruiting 
tool.
  Mr. Speaker, the PREPARE Act will equip the Department of Homeland 
Security with vital tools and resources to prevent and remove social 
media threats and recruitment tactics implemented by terrorist groups.
  The PREPARE Act will further require FEMA to integrate the needs of 
children into its activities to protect against natural disasters, acts 
of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including by appointing a 
technical expert to coordinate such activities.
  This is a comprehensive bill that will protect all Americans in every 
corner of this nation.
  I urge all Members to join me in voting to pass H.R. 3583.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. McSally) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 3583, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________