,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bai ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #bb 7legislative day1 ,january #c71 #bjac,received ,,an ,,act ,to improve and streamline disaster assistance for ,hurricane ,sandy1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,sandy ,recovery ,improvement ,act of #bjac4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,public assistance program alternative procedures4,sec4 #c4 ,federal assistance to individuals and households4,sec4 #d4 ,hazard mitigation4,sec4 #e4 ,dispute resolution pilot program4,sec4 #f4 ,unified ,federal review4,sec4 #g4 ,simplified procedures4,sec4 #h4 ,essential assistance4,sec4 #i4 ,individual assistance factors4,sec4 #aj4 ,tribal requests for a major disaster or emergency declaration under the ,stafford ,act4,sec4 #aa4 ,recommendations for reducing costs of future disasters4 #b4 ,public assistance program alternative procedures ,title ,,iv of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the second section #dbe 7relating to essential service providers7 as section #dbg2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 #dbh4 ,public assistance program alternative procedures 7a7 ,approval of projects ,the ,president1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 may approve projects under the alternative procedures adopted under this section for any major disaster or emergency declared on or after the date of enactment of this section4 ,the ,administrator may also apply the alternate procedures adopted under this section to a major disaster or emergency declared before enactment of this ,act for which construction has not begun as of the date of enactment of this ,act4 7b7 ,adoption ,the ,administrator1 in coordination with ,states1 tribal and local governments1 and owners or operators of private nonprofit facilities1 may adopt alternative procedures to administer assistance provided under sections #djc7;a77#c77;,a71 #djf1 #djg1 and #ejb7;a77#e74 7c7 ,goals of procedures ,the alternative procedures adopted under subsection 7a7 shall further the goals of-- 7#a7 reducing the costs to the ,federal ,government of providing such assistance2 7#b7 increasing flexibility in the administration of such assistance2 7#c7 expediting the provision of such assistance to a ,state1 tribal or local government1 or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility2 and 7#d7 providing financial incentives and disincentives for a ,state1 tribal or local government1 or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility for the timely and cost-effective completion of projects with such assistance4 7d7 ,participation ,participation in the alternative procedures adopted under this section shall be at the election of a ,state1 tribal or local government1 or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility consistent with procedures determined by the ,administrator4 7e7 ,minimum procedures ,the alternative procedures adopted under this section shall include the following3 7#a7 ,for repair1 restoration1 and replacement of damaged facilities under section #djf-- 7,a7 making grants on the basis of fixed estimates1 if the ,state1 tribal or local government1 or owner or operator of the private nonprofit facility agrees to be responsible for any actual costs that exceed the estimate2 7,b7 providing an option for a ,state1 tribal or local government1 or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility to elect to receive an in-lieu contribution1 without reduction1 on the basis of estimates of-- 7i7 the cost of repair1 restoration1 reconstruction1 or replacement of a public facility owned or controlled by the ,state1 tribal or local government or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility2 and 7ii7 management expenses2 7,c7 consolidating1 to the extent determined appropriate by the ,administrator1 the facilities of a ,state1 tribal or local government1 or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility as a single project based upon the estimates adopted under the procedures2 7,d7 if the actual costs of a project completed under the procedures are less than the estimated costs thereof1 the ,administrator may permit a grantee or subgrantee to use all or part of the excess funds for-- 7i7 cost-effective activities that reduce the risk of future damage1 hardship1 or suffering from a major disaster2 and 7ii7 other activities to improve future ,public ,assistance operations or planning2 7,e7 in determining eligible costs under section #djf1 the ,administrator shall make available1 at an applicant's request and where the ,administrator or the certified cost estimate prepared by the applicant's professionally licensed engineers has estimated an eligible ,federal share for a project of at least #e1jjj1jjj1 an independent expert panel to validate the estimated eligible cost consistent with applicable regulations and policies implementing this section2 and 7,f7 in determining eligible costs under section #djf1 the ,administrator shall1 at the applicant's request1 consider properly conducted and certified cost estimates prepared by professionally licensed engineers 7mutually agreed upon by the ,administrator and the applicant71 to the extent that such estimates comply with applicable regulations1 policy1 and guidance4 7#b7 ,for debris removal under sections #djc7;a77#c77;,a71 #djg1 and #ejb7;a77#e7-- 7,a7 making grants on the basis of fixed estimates to provide financial incentives and disincentives for the timely or cost-effective completion if the ,state1 tribal or local government1 or owner or operator of the private nonprofit facility agrees to be responsible to pay for any actual costs that exceed the estimate2 7,b7 using a sliding scale for determining the ,federal share for removal of debris and wreckage based on the time it takes to complete debris and wreckage removal2 7,c7 allowing use of program income from recycled debris without offset to the grant amount2 7,d7 reimbursing base and overtime wages for employees and extra hires of a ,state1 tribal or local government1 or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility performing or administering debris and wreckage removal2 7,e7 providing incentives to a ,state or tribal or local government to have a debris management plan approved by the ,administrator and have pre-qualified #a or more debris and wreckage removal contractors before the date of declaration of the major disaster2 and 7,f7 if the actual costs of projects under subparagraph 7,a7 are less than the estimated costs of the project1 the ,administrator may permit a grantee or subgrantee to use all or part of the excess funds for-- 7i7 debris management planning2 7ii7 acquisition of debris management equipment for current or future use2 and 7iii7 other activities to improve future debris removal operations1 as determined by the ,administrator4 7f7 ,waiver authority ,until such time as the ,administrator promulgates regulations to implement this section1 the ,administrator may-- 7#a7 waive notice and comment rulemaking1 if the ,administrator determines the waiver is necessary to expeditiously implement this section2 and 7#b7 carry out the alternative procedures under this section as a pilot program4 7g7 ,overtime payments ,the guidelines for reimbursement for costs under subsection 7e77#b77;,d7 shall ensure that no ,state or local government is denied reimbursement for overtime payments that are required pursuant to the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bja et seq474 7h7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not earlier than #c years1 and not later than #e years1 after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,homeland ,security shall submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the alternative procedures for the repair1 restoration1 and replacement of damaged facilities under section #djf authorized under this section4 7#b7 ,contents ,the report shall contain an assessment of the effectiveness of the alternative procedures1 including-- 7,a7 whether the alternative procedures helped to improve the general speed of disaster recovery2 7,b7 the accuracy of the estimates relied upon2 7,c7 whether the financial incentives and disincentives were effective2 7,d7 whether the alternative procedures were cost effective2 7,e7 whether the independent expert panel described in subsection 7e77#a77;,e7 was effective2 and 7,f7 recommendations for whether the alternative procedures should be continued and any recommendations for changes to the alternative procedures4 4 #c4 ,federal assistance to individuals and households ,section #djh7;c77#a77;,b7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd7;c77#a77;,b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating clauses 7ii7 and 7iii7 as clauses 7iii7 and 7iv71 respectively2 7#b7 by inserting after clause 7i7 the following3 7ii7 ,lease and repair of rental units for temporary housing 7,i7 ,in general ,the ,president1 to the extent the ,president determines it would be a cost-effective alternative to other temporary housing options1 may-- 7aa7 enter into lease agreements with owners of multifamily rental property located in areas covered by a major disaster declaration to house individuals and households eligible for assistance under this section2 and 7bb7 make repairs or improvements to properties under such lease agreements1 to the extent necessary to serve as safe and adequate temporary housing4 7,,ii7 ,improvements or repairs ,under the terms of any lease agreement for property entered into under this subsection1 the value of the improvements or repairs-- 7aa7 shall be deducted from the value of the lease agreement2 and 7bb7 may not exceed the value of the lease agreement4 2 and 7#c7 in clause 7iv7 7as so redesignated7 by striking clause 7ii7 and inserting clause 7iii74 #d4 ,hazard mitigation 7a7 ,streamlined procedures2 advance assistance ,section #djd of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj;c7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,streamlined procedures 7#a7 ,in general ,for the purpose of providing assistance under this section1 the ,president shall ensure that-- 7,a7 adequate resources are devoted to ensure that applicable environmental reviews under the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi and historic preservation reviews under the ,national ,historic ,preservation ,act are completed on an expeditious basis2 and 7,b7 the shortest existing applicable process under the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi and the ,national ,historic ,preservation ,act is utilized4 7#b7 ,authority for other expedited procedures ,the ,president may utilize expedited procedures in addition to those required under paragraph 7#a7 for the purpose of providing assistance under this section1 such as procedures under the ,prototype ,programmatic ,agreement of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 for the consideration of multiple structures as a group and for an analysis of the cost-effectiveness and fulfillment of cost-share requirements for proposed hazard mitigation measures4 7e7 ,advance assistance ,the ,president may provide not more than #be percent of the amount of the estimated cost of hazard mitigation measures to a ,state grantee eligible for a grant under this section before eligible costs are incurred4 4 7b7 ,establishment of criteria relating to administration of hazard mitigation assistance by states ,section #djd7;c77#b7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj;c7c77#b77 is amended by inserting after applications submitted under paragraph 7#a74 the following3 ,until such time as the ,administrator promulgates regulations to implement this paragraph1 the ,administrator may waive notice and comment rulemaking1 if the ,administrator determines doing so is necessary to expeditiously implement this section1 and may carry out this section as a pilot program44 7c7 ,applicability ,the authority under the amendments made by this section shall apply to-- 7#a7 any major disaster or emergency declared under the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq47 on or after the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7#b7 a major disaster or emergency declared under that ,act before the date of enactment of this ,act for which the period for processing requests for assistance has not ended as of the date of enactment of this ,act4 #e4 ,dispute resolution pilot program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,federal emergency ,management ,agency4 7#b7 ,eligible assistance ,the term eligible assistance means assistance-- 7,a7 under section #djc1 #djf1 or #djg of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj;b1 #eagb1 #eagc72 7,b7 for which the legitimate amount in dispute is not less than #a1jjj1jjj1 which sum the ,administrator shall adjust annually to reflect changes in the ,consumer ,price ,index for all ,urban ,consumers published by the ,department of ,labor2 7,c7 for which the applicant has a non-,federal share2 and 7,d7 for which the applicant has received a decision on a first appeal4 7b7 ,procedures 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this section1 and in order to facilitate an efficient recovery from major disasters1 the ,administrator shall establish procedures under which an applicant may request the use of alternative dispute resolution1 including arbitration by an independent review panel1 to resolve disputes relating to eligible assistance4 7#b7 ,binding effect ,a decision by an independent review panel under this section shall be binding upon the parties to the dispute4 7#c7 ,considerations ,the procedures established under this section shall-- 7,a7 allow a party of a dispute relating to eligible assistance to request an independent review panel for the review2 7,b7 require a party requesting an independent review panel as described in subparagraph 7,a7 to agree to forgo rights to any further appeal of the dispute relating to any eligible assistance2 7,c7 require that the sponsor of an independent review panel for any alternative dispute resolution under this section be-- 7i7 an individual or entity unaffiliated with the dispute 7which may include a ,federal agency1 an administrative law judge1 or a reemployed annuitant who was an employee of the ,federal ,government7 selected by the ,administrator2 and 7ii7 responsible for identifying and maintaining an adequate number of independent experts qualified to review and resolve disputes under this section2 7,d7 require an independent review panel to-- 7i7 resolve any remaining disputed issue in accordance with all applicable laws1 regulations1 and ,agency interpretations of those laws through its published policies and guidance2 7ii7 consider only evidence contained in the administrative record1 as it existed at the time at which the ,agency made its initial decision2 7iii7 only set aside a decision of the ,agency found to be arbitrary1 capricious1 an abuse of discretion1 or otherwise not in accordance with law2 and 7iv7 in the case of a finding of material fact adverse to the claimant made on first appeal1 only set aside or reverse such finding if the finding is clearly erroneous2 7,e7 require an independent review panel to expeditiously issue a written decision for any alternative dispute resolution under this section2 and 7,f7 direct that if an independent review panel for any alternative dispute resolution under this section determines that the basis upon which a party submits a request for alternative dispute resolution is frivolous1 the independent review panel shall direct the party to pay the reasonable costs to the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency relating to the review by the independent review panel4 ,any funds received by the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency under the authority of this section shall be deposited to the credit of the appropriation or appropriations available for the eligible assistance in dispute on the date on which the funds are received4 7c7 ,sunset ,a request for review by an independent review panel under this section may not be made after ,december #ca1 #bjae4 7d7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #bgj days after the termination of authority under this section under subsection 7c71 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives a report analyzing the effectiveness of the program under this section4 7#b7 ,contents ,the report submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a determination of the availability of data required to complete the report2 7,b7 an assessment of the effectiveness of the program under this section1 including an assessment of whether the program expedited or delayed the disaster recovery process2 7,c7 an assessment of whether the program increased or decreased costs to administer section #djc1 #djf1 or #djg of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act2 7,d7 an assessment of the procedures and safeguards that the independent review panels established to ensure objectivity and accuracy1 and the extent to which they followed those procedures and safeguards2 7,e7 a recommendation as to whether any aspect of the program under this section should be made a permanent authority2 and 7,f7 recommendations for any modifications to the authority or the administration of the authority under this section in order to improve the disaster recovery process4 #f4 ,unified ,federal review ,title ,,iv of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7as amended by this ,act7 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 #dbi4 ,unified ,federal review 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this section1 and in consultation with the ,council on ,environmental ,quality and the ,advisory ,council on ,historic ,preservation1 the ,president shall establish an expedited and unified interagency review process to ensure compliance with environmental and historic requirements under ,federal law relating to disaster recovery projects1 in order to expedite the recovery process1 consistent with applicable law4 7b7 ,contents ,the review process established under this section shall include mechanisms to expeditiously address delays that may occur during the recovery from a major disaster and be updated1 as appropriate1 consistent with applicable law4 4 #g4 ,simplified procedures ,section #dbb of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eahi7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,if the ,federal estimate and inserting 7a7 ,in general4--,if the ,federal estimate2 7#b7 by inserting 7or1 if the ,administrator has established a threshold under subsection 7b71 the amount established under subsection 7b77 after #ce1jjj the first place it appears2 7#c7 by inserting or1 if applicable1 the amount established under subsection 7b71 after #ce1jjj amount the second place it appears2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following3 7b7 ,threshold 7#a7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this subsection1 the ,president1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency 7in this section referred to as the ,administrator71 shall-- 7,a7 complete an analysis to determine whether an increase in the threshold for eligibility under subsection 7a7 is appropriate1 which shall include consideration of cost-effectiveness1 speed of recovery1 capacity of grantees1 past performance1 and accountability measures2 and 7,b7 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 regarding the analysis conducted under subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,amount ,after the ,administrator submits the report required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,president shall direct the ,administrator to-- 7,a7 immediately establish a threshold for eligibility under this section in an appropriate amount1 without regard to chapter #e of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code2 and 7,b7 adjust the threshold annually to reflect changes in the ,consumer ,price ,index for all ,urban ,consumers published by the ,department of ,labor4 7#c7 ,review ,not later than #c years after the date on which the ,administrator establishes a threshold under paragraph 7#b71 and every #c years thereafter1 the ,president1 acting through the ,administrator1 shall review the threshold for eligibility under this section4 4 #h4 ,essential assistance 7a7 ,other needs assistance ,section #djh7;e77#a7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd7;e77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the paragraph heading by inserting child care1 after dental12 and 7#b7 by inserting child care1 after dental14 7b7 ,salaries and benefits ,section #djc of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj;b7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,salaries and benefits 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,president declares a major disaster or emergency for an area within the jurisdiction of a ,state1 tribal1 or local government1 the ,president may reimburse the ,state1 tribal1 or local government for costs relating to-- 7,a7 basic pay and benefits for permanent employees of the ,state1 tribal1 or local government conducting emergency protective measures under this section1 if-- 7i7 the work is not typically performed by the employees2 and 7ii7 the type of work may otherwise be carried out by contract or agreement with private organizations1 firms1 or individuals42 or 7,b7 overtime and hazardous duty compensation for permanent employees of the ,state1 tribal1 or local government conducting emergency protective measures under this section4 7#b7 ,overtime ,the guidelines for reimbursement for costs under paragraph 7#a7 shall ensure that no ,state1 tribal1 or local government is denied reimbursement for overtime payments that are required pursuant to the ,fair ,labor ,standards ,act of #aich 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #bja et seq474 7#c7 ,no effect on mutual aid pacts ,nothing in this subsection shall affect the ability of the ,president to reimburse labor force expenses provided pursuant to an authorized mutual aid pact4 4 #i4 ,individual assistance factors ,in order to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need for assistance to individuals1 to clarify the threshold for eligibility and to speed a declaration of a major disaster or emergency under the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq471 not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 in cooperation with representatives of ,state1 tribal1 and local emergency management agencies1 shall review1 update1 and revise through rulemaking the factors considered under section #bjf4dh of title #dd1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7including section #bjf4dh7;b77#b7 of such title relating to trauma and the specific conditions or losses that contribute to trauma71 to measure the severity1 magnitude1 and impact of a disaster4 #aj4 ,tribal requests for a major disaster or emergency declaration under the ,stafford ,act 7a7 ,major disaster requests ,section #dja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,all requests for a declaration and inserting 7a7 ,in general4--,all requests for a declaration2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7b7 ,indian tribal government requests 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,chief ,executive of an affected ,indian tribal government may submit a request for a declaration by the ,president that a major disaster exists consistent with the requirements of subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,references ,in implementing assistance authorized by the ,president under this ,act in response to a request of the ,chief ,executive of an affected ,indian tribal government for a major disaster declaration1 any reference in this title or title ,,iii 7except sections #caj and #cbf7 to a ,state or the ,governor of a ,state is deemed to refer to an affected ,indian tribal government or the ,chief ,executive of an affected ,indian tribal government1 as appropriate4 7#c7 ,savings provision ,nothing in this subsection shall prohibit an ,indian tribal government from receiving assistance under this title through a declaration made by the ,president at the request of a ,state under subsection 7a7 if the ,president does not make a declaration under this subsection for the same incident4 7c7 ,cost share adjustments for ,indian tribal governments 7#a7 ,in general ,in providing assistance to an ,indian tribal government under this title1 the ,president may waive or adjust any payment of a non-,federal contribution with respect to the assistance if-- 7,a7 the ,president has the authority to waive or adjust the payment under another provision of this title2 and 7,b7 the ,president determines that the waiver or adjustment is necessary and appropriate4 7#b7 ,criteria for making determinations ,the ,president shall establish criteria for making determinations under paragraph 7#a77;,b74 4 7b7 ,emergency requests ,section #eja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaia7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,indian tribal government requests 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,chief ,executive of an affected ,indian tribal government may submit a request for a declaration by the ,president that an emergency exists consistent with the requirements of subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,references ,in implementing assistance authorized by the ,president under this title in response to a request of the ,chief ,executive of an affected ,indian tribal government for an emergency declaration1 any reference in this title or title ,,iii 7except sections #caj and #cbf7 to a ,state or the ,governor of a ,state is deemed to refer to an affected ,indian tribal government or the ,chief ,executive of an affected ,indian tribal government1 as appropriate4 7#c7 ,savings provision ,nothing in this subsection shall prohibit an ,indian tribal government from receiving assistance under this title through a declaration made by the ,president at the request of a ,state under subsection 7a7 if the ,president does not make a declaration under this subsection for the same incident4 4 7c7 ,definitions ,section #ajb of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eabb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#g77;,b7 by striking 2 and and inserting 1 that is not an ,indian tribal government as defined in paragraph 7#f72 and2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#f7 through 7#aj7 as paragraphs 7#g7 through 7#aa71 respectively2 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#e7 the following3 7#f7 ,indian tribal government ,the term ,indian tribal government means the governing body of any ,indian or ,alaska ,native tribe1 band1 nation1 pueblo1 village1 or community that the ,secretary of the ,interior acknowledges to exist as an ,indian tribe under the ,federally ,recognized ,indian ,tribe ,list ,act of #aiid 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #dgi;a et seq474 2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following3 7#ab7 ,chief executive ,the term ,chief ,executive means the person who is the ,chief1 ,chairman1 ,governor1 ,president1 or similar executive official of an ,indian tribal government4 4 7d7 ,references ,title ,i of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq47 is amended by adding after section #ajb the following3 #ajc4 ,references ,except as otherwise specifically provided1 any reference in this ,act to ,state and local1 ,state or local1 ,state1 and local1 ,state1 or local1 or ,state1 local 7including plurals7 with respect to governments or officials and any reference to a local government in sections #djf7;d77#c7 and #dag is deemed to refer also to ,indian tribal governments and officials1 as appropriate4 4 7e7 ,regulations 7#a7 ,issuance ,the ,president shall issue regulations to carry out the amendments made by this section4 7#b7 ,factors ,in issuing the regulations1 the ,president shall consider the unique conditions that affect the general welfare of ,indian tribal governments4 #aa4 ,recommendations for reducing costs of future disasters 7a7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall submit to ,congress recommendations for the development of a national strategy for reducing future costs1 loss of life1 and injuries associated with extreme disaster events in vulnerable areas of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,national strategy ,the national strategy should-- 7#a7 respect the constitutional role and responsibilities of ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments and the private sector2 7#b7 consider the vulnerability of the ,united ,states to damage from flooding1 severe weather events1 and other hazards2 7#c7 analyze gaps and duplication of emergency preparedness1 response1 recovery1 and mitigation measures provided by ,federal1 ,state1 and local entities2 and 7#d7 include recommendations on how to improve the resiliency of local communities and ,states for the purpose of lowering future costs of disaster response and recovery4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,january #ad1 #bjac4,karen ,l4 ,haas1,clerk