,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cjfj ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #c1 #bjai,ms4 ,jackson ,lee 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,payne1 ,ms4 ,kaptur1 and ,mr4 ,johnson of ,georgia7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,small ,business1 ,energy and ,commerce1 ,education and ,labor1 the ,judiciary1 ,financial ,services1 and ,homeland ,security1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide for reform and reorganization of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,,fema ,modernization ,act of #bjai4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4 ,title ,i--,disaster ,response and ,recovery ,sec4 #aja4 ,office of ,disaster ,response2 ,office of ,disaster ,recovery2 ,office of ,long-,term ,recovery4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,medical disaster response and recovery training facility4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,labor training program4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,disaster ,emergency ,housing ,assistance ,grant ,program4 ,sec4 #aje4 ,housing post disaster stability4 ,sec4 #ajf4 ,prohibition on enforcement of immigration4 ,title ,,ii--,reports ,sec4 #bja4 ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency reports4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,government ,accountability ,office4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,circumstances which may impact first responders during a terrorist event4 ,title ,,iii--,disaster ,recovery ,small ,business ,grant ,program ,sec4 #cja4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,office of ,disaster ,recovery ,small ,business ,grants4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,compensation for victims of a federally declared disaster4 ,sec4 #cje4 ,reports and audits4 ,sec4 #cjf4 ,authorization of appropriations4 ,sec4 #cjg4 ,termination of authority4 ,title ,,iv--,administrative ,provisions ,sec4 #dja4 ,extension of authorities for pandemic and all-hazards preparedness4 ,sec4 #djb4 ,transfer of the ,surge ,capacity ,force4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of ,,fema4 7#b7 ,,fema ,the term ,,fema means the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 ,i ,disaster ,response and ,recovery #aja4 ,office of ,disaster ,response2 ,office of ,disaster ,recovery2 ,office of ,long-,term ,recovery 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that the ,office of ,response and ,recovery of the ,agency is divided into an ,office of ,disaster ,response and an ,office of ,disaster ,recovery1 subject to the requirements of this section4 7b7 ,office of ,disaster ,response 7#a7 ,duties ,the duties of the ,office of ,disaster ,response shall be as follows3 7,a7 ,lead ,federal disaster response4 7,b7 ,prepare for1 coordinate1 and facilitate ,federal support for ,state managed and locally executed multi-stakeholder engagement in planning and coordinating of disaster response4 7,c7 ,coordinate and manage ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency assigned staff and maintain awareness of other ,federal agency disaster response assigned staff or other personnel deployments to ,tribal and ,territorial1 ,state1 or local government offices to better collaborate and coordinate ,federal efforts in support of ,state managed and locally executed disaster preparedness and response activities4 7,d7 ,conduct public education on the disaster response roles of ,federal1 ,tribal and ,territorial1 ,state1 and local governments4 7,e7 ,any other duty determined appropriate by the ,administrator4 7#b7 ,officers ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall appoint an ,associate ,administrator of the ,office of ,disaster ,response and deputy associate administrators1 as determined appropriate4 7#c7 ,additional positions ,the ,administrator may create1 and appoint individuals to1 such positions as are considered necessary by the ,administrator1 including-- 7,a7 a military liaison officer to work with the defense coordinating officer2 and 7,b7 a ,liaison ,officer for ,asset ,acquisition and ,deployment in ,federal supported1 ,state managed1 and locally executed plan to support the delivery of funds1 equipment1 and resources to local jurisdictions in advance of pending disasters by facilitating engagement by the private sector with ,tribal and ,territorial and ,state and local governments in support of meeting the pending disaster response needs4 7c7 ,office of ,disaster ,recovery 7#a7 ,duties ,the duties of the ,office of ,disaster ,recovery shall be as follows3 7,a7 ,assess recovery following a disaster and make recommendations on the estimated time for recovery4 7,b7 ,provide definitions of what constitutes a short-term recovery and a long-term recovery1 and how this determination shall be made in assessing post disaster recovery periods4 7,c7 ,coordinate and manage ,federal assigned staff from the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency to be sent to work in ,tribal and ,territorial and ,state or local government agencies4 7,d7 ,carry out the accurate collection1 retention1 and reporting of data related to ,federal disaster recovery and shall act as a resource on post-disaster recovery efforts4 7,e7 ,submit to the ,committee on ,oversight and ,government ,reform of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate an annual report on the status of all recovery projects during the prior year1 including whether ,federal projects are on time1 within cost1 and meeting the needs and objectives of recovery4 7,f7 ,provide for civil engineers that make recommendations to the ,administrator and partnering ,federal agencies on the scope and severity of damage1 projections on rehabilitation1 demolition1 repair1 and reconstruction of critical infrastructure deemed essential to ,federal1 ,tribal and ,territorial1 ,state1 and local government1 accessing impacted areas1 or achieving stability in the recovery process4 7,g7 ,any other duty determined appropriate by the ,administrator4 7#b7 ,officers ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall appoint an ,associate ,administrator of the ,office of ,disaster ,recovery and deputy associate administrators1 as determined appropriate4 7#c7 ,additional positions ,the ,administrator may create1 and appoint individuals to1 such positions as are considered necessary by the ,administrator4 7d7 ,ombudsman 7#a7 ,establishment ,the ,office of ,disaster ,response and the ,office of ,disaster ,recovery shall each establish an office of a ,federal ombudsman that shall be an independent and impartial office that examines complaints that arise from disaster response or disaster assistance provided to individuals1 organizations1 or local1 ,state1 ,tribal or ,territorial governments the activities of which are funded by the ,federal ,government4 7#b7 ,annual report ,not later than #cfj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ombudsman of each office described in paragraph 7#a7 shall submit to ,congress a report on the activities of the office1 including-- 7,a7 the number of complaints submitted to the office2 7,b7 a description of any investigation conducted pursuant to such complaints2 7,c7 the resolution of any such investigation2 7,d7 the disposition of matters found to not be under the jurisdiction of the office or a ,department of ,homeland ,security component2 and 7,e7 recommendations on best practices or ways to improve the work of the office4 7e7 ,office of ,long-,term ,recovery ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall establish an ,office of ,long ,term ,recovery4 ,the duties of such ,office shall be determined by the ,administrator4 #ajb4 ,medical disaster response and recovery training facility ,section #cjc of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eadc7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,medical disaster response and recovery training facility 7#a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of the ,,fema ,modernization ,act of #bjai1 the ,president1 acting through the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 shall establish a medical disaster response and recovery training facility in accordance with this subsection4 7#b7 ,management ,the medical facility established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be managed by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services and in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 7#c7 ,capacity ,the facility established under this subsection shall have a capacity to train #hjj medical personnel annually1 which shall increase to #a1bjj annually on the date that is #e years after the date of enactment of the ,,fema ,modernization ,act of #bjai4 7#d7 ,report ,not later than #bdj days after the date of enactment of the ,,fema ,modernization ,act of #bjai the ,administrator shall submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security1 the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 the ,committee on ,ways and ,means1 and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,government ,affairs1 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs1 and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 ,pensions1 and the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate a report containing a plan to engage local and ,state government partners in promotion of the development of surge teams4 7d7 ,national ,disaster ,medical ,triage 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,president1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 in consultation with the ,national ,association of ,emergency ,medical ,technicians and the ,military ,health ,system1 shall establish a ,national ,disaster ,medical ,triage capacity that shall include the development of guidelines for ,tactical ,disaster ,casualty ,care which shall be used for medical evacuation protocols to be implemented by local and ,state governments in advance of certain major disasters1 as designated by the ,administrator in consultation with the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services and the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs to-- 7,a7 remove individuals with requisite health conditions1 including dialysis patients1 heart patients1 diabetics1 physically impaired individuals1 pregnant individuals1 those who have recently delivered a child1 and individuals recovering from surgery1 out of the path of danger2 and 7,b7 establish medical priorities policies for certain disaster situations1 as determined by the ,administrator1 to reduce loss of life and human suffering4 7#b7 ,local efforts ,in carrying out this subsection1 the ,administrator shall promote local efforts to develop compacts with medical systems to take patients for short-term disaster evacuation or to host locations for field hospitals when needed4 7#c7 ,liability protections 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to this paragraph1 a covered person shall be immune from suit and liability under ,federal and ,state law with respect to all claims for medical care by a board certified or accredited practitioner arising out of medical services provided to an individual in the course of a medical evacuation protocol described in paragraph 7#a74 7,b7 ,covered person ,the term covered person means a person-- 7i7 who is a health care provider licensed under the laws of the ,state in which the action giving rise to the claim described in subparagraph 7,a7 occurred2 7ii7 who was providing medical services that are within the scope of the person's license2 7iii7 was acting in accordance with a protocol described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7iv7 is acting in a volunteer capacity4 7,c7 ,willful misconduct ,this paragraph shall not apply in the case of willful misconduct 7as such term is defined in section #cai;,f-#c of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg-f;d74 7e7 ,incident ,medical ,recovery ,management ,team ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of the ,,fema ,modernization ,act of #bjai1 the ,president1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency and in consultation with the ,american ,college of ,surgeons and the ,department of ,defense ,health ,agency1 shall establish an ,incident ,medical ,recovery ,management ,team to determine best practices in implementing an ,advanced ,trauma ,life ,support capabilities1 to assess health impacts that result from federally declared disasters4 4 #ajc4 ,labor training program 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,administrator shall establish a program to provide education and job training to those who become unemployed or underemployed due to the effects of a federally declared disaster and who have enrolled for disaster assistance through a federally created or recognized program4 ,to qualify for assistance under this section1 an individual shall have been employed1 receiving government employment assistance or benefits1 or enrolled in a high school1 college1 or training program at the time of the disaster4 ,such assistance may be in the form of unemployment benefits1 job training programs1 and displaced worker assistance4 7b7 ,use of funds ,funds provided under the program shall be used for-- 7#a7 retraining or new employment skills training or education to fill positions that will transition the person into new jobs2 and 7#b7 providing incentives to employers who employ individuals who are receiving housing assistance under section #ajb or have filed a disaster claim under the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator to carry out this section #ajj1jjj1jjj1 for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjcj4 #ajd4 ,disaster ,emergency ,housing ,assistance ,grant ,program 7a7 ,establishment ,there shall be established a ,disaster ,emergency ,housing ,assistance ,grant ,program under which ,administrator of ,,fema may authorize the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 pursuant to the authority under section #djh of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd7 and according to the terms of such section1 to provide immediate housing and urban development assistance that meets the particular housing needs of survivors of a federally declared disaster event4 7b7 ,funding ,there are authorized to be appropriated not more than #cjj1jjj1jjj1 for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjcj to carry out the program under this section4 7c7 ,authority ,the ,president may grant to the ,administrator of ,,fema approval to activate a ,disaster ,emergency ,housing ,assistance ,grant ,program4 7d7 ,waiver ,the requirements of section #djh of such ,act may be waived for #ahj days by the ,president if a request for a waiver is made by the ,administrator and agreed to by the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development in the case of a federally declared major disaster wherein #fj percent or more of the housing stock is severely damaged1 destroyed1 or is otherwise render medically unsafe for human habitation1 which shall include condominiums and housing cooperatives4 #aje4 ,housing post disaster stability 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #cfe days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of ,,fema1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development and with the advice of the ,bureau of ,consumer ,financial ,protection1 shall establish mechanisms to stabilize housing economies within areas designated as ,federal disasters for the period of #fj months into a long-term recovery such that the available housing designated as low- and moderate-income housing is maintained at a rate that meets #ij percent or more of the pre-disaster low- to moderate-income housing levels for the population impacted by the disaster4 7b7 ,requirements ,in establishing the mechanisms under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall ensure the following3 7#a7 ,multi-unit housing owners or operators who receive disaster-related loans provided by the ,small ,business ,administration1 or provided with other ,federal funding to recover1 rehabilitate1 or construct new housing1 are prohibited from raising rents on those multi-family housing units for the first #ah months of occupancy following the disaster-related repairs or construction have ended4 7#b7 ,beginning on the date that is #ah months after a report of construction is completed and an necessary inspections certify that a segment of multifamily housing is approved for occupancy1 for a period of #cj months after occupancy begins with respect to each unit that was repaired or created using ,federal assistance1 the cost of rent for such unit shall not increase by more than #aj percent of the rent charged for the month prior to the disaster4 7#c7 ,new multi-unit housing rental rates should be comparable to the rents charged for similar rentals serving the market impacted by the disaster4 7#d7 ,with respect to any unit of housing designated as a single1 individually owned housing unit in a multi-unit building by local tax records at least #bd months prior to a ,federally declared major disaster-- 7,a7 homeowners or purchasers of such a unit shall qualify for housing repair and new construction assistance under a loan program carried out by the ,secretary that provides for ,federal guaranteed loans at the #a4be percent2 and 7,b7 owners or operators of such a multi-unit building shall qualify for assistance for reconstruction or repair of common areas under a loan program carried out by the ,secretary that provides for ,federal guaranteed loans at a rate of #d4e percent4 #ajf4 ,prohibition on enforcement of immigration ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 during a federally declared disaster1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security may not enforce the immigration laws 7as such term is defined in section #aja of the ,immigration and ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaja77 with respect to any alien who is seeking assistance1 including housing1 as a result of such disaster4 ,,ii ,reports #bja4 ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency reports 7a7 ,casework management system report ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit a report on the ability of ,,fema to support a ,state managed and locally executed casework management system to coordinate and deliver direct assistance to disaster survivors in placing applications for ,federal post disaster assistance to the following3 7#a7 ,the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#c7 ,the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#d7 ,the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#e7 ,the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#f7 ,the ,committee on ,house ,administration of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#g7 ,the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,government ,affairs of the ,senate4 7#h7 ,the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate4 7#i7 ,the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate4 7#aj7 ,the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs of the ,senate4 7#aa7 ,the ,committee on ,rules and ,administration of the ,senate4 7b7 ,after-,action reports ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,administrator of ,,fema shall submit to the committees listed in subsection 7a7 an after-action report on the activities of the ,office of ,disaster ,response and the ,office of ,disaster ,recovery1 including-- 7#a7 the types of disasters responded to2 7#b7 the resources needed2 7#c7 strengths and weaknesses of the response or mitigation effort2 7#d7 lessons learned2 and 7#e7 recommendations on how to improve4 7c7 ,catastrophic resource reports 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,administrator of ,,fema shall develop and submit to the committees listed in subsection 7a7 an estimate of the resources of ,,fema and other ,federal agencies that are needed for and devoted specifically to developing the disaster response capabilities of ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments4 7#b7 ,classified annex ,at the discretion of the ,secretary1 the ,administrator may include in the estimate under paragraph 7#a7 a classified annex that reports on what the ,federal ,government has on hand to meet a range of response or recovery needs related to specific types of events1 which may include floods1 wildfires1 earth movements1 windstorms1 disease outbreaks1 manmade disasters such as chemical attacks1 cyberattacks1 or radiological incidents4 7#c7 ,contents ,each estimate under paragraph 7#a7 shall include an estimate of the resources both necessary for and devoted to-- 7,a7 planning2 7,b7 training and exercises2 7,c7 ,regional ,office enhancements2 7,d7 staffing1 including for surge capacity during a catastrophic incident2 7,e7 additional logistics capabilities2 7,f7 other responsibilities under the catastrophic incident annex and the catastrophic incident supplement of the ,national ,response ,framework2 7,g7 reporting on the costs of support of ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments' catastrophic incident preparedness planning2 and 7,h7 covering increases in the fixed costs or expenses of ,,fema1 including rent or property acquisition costs or expenses1 taxes1 contributions to the working capital fund of the ,department of ,homeland ,security1 and security costs for the year after the year in which such estimate is submitted4 7d7 ,report on technology ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of ,,fema shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a study on what technology may provide better predictive information on the detection of pending disasters and what technology may better measure the scope of a disaster4 7e7 ,volunteers and disaster response report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the head of the ,office of ,disaster ,response shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a volunteers and disaster response report that specifies-- 7#a7 the role that volunteers fill in disaster response and rescue2 and 7#b7 recommendations on the contributions of volunteers and best practices for official disaster response1 without formalizing the role of volunteers in disaster response4 7f7 ,compilation of fatality and missing persons data ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,president declares a major disaster or emergency under the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq471 the ,administrator of ,,fema shall submit to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a report that compiles the number of fatalities and missing persons as a result of such major disaster or emergency1 including the causes of such fatalities1 based on data from-- 7#a7 local and ,state jurisdictions2 7#b7 mortuary services that operated in the area of such major disaster or emergency2 and 7#c7 forensics experts1 anthropologists1 and other resources the ,administrator deems appropriate for determining accurate and complete fatality and missing persons data4 7g7 ,federal reimbursements ,not later than #bdj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of ,,fema shall submit to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and the ,committee on ,commerce1 ,science1 and ,transportation of the ,senate a report on the status of ,federal reimbursements owed to local and ,state governments for activities related to disaster recovery incurred following a presidential 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 seq47 in the years #bjaj through #bjag4 7h7 ,long-,term recovery 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #bdj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of ,,fema1 acting through the ,office of ,long-,term ,recovery1 shall submit to the committees specified in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#i7 of subsection 7a7 a report that assesses the means of providing short- and long-term housing for people impacted by federally declared disasters following ,september #aa1 #bjja1 ,hurricanes ,katrina1 ,sandy1 ,harvey1 and ,maria1 and the ,camp ,fire 7,paradise1 ,california74 7#b7 ,considerations ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall consider-- 7,a7 how mucking out of homes or property post disaster occurred2 7,b7 how long it took for construction repairs to be performed2 and 7,c7 the adequacy of labor and materials to meet demand and note any challenges to a rapid recovery of housing and critical infrastructure posed by materials supply1 labor supply or contracting expertise in the disaster area4 7#c7 ,assessment ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 assess the feasibility and efficiency of providing long-term housing at hotels or other equivalent daily rate accommodation2 7,b7 consider alternatives that may include private residences1 mass construction of temporary housing1 ,federal property1 or planned communities for occupancy for under #e years in the event of significant loss of housing stock2 and 7,c7 make recommendations on how best to resettle individuals who will be displaced from homes permanently or for a long-term recovery that will last #c or more years4 #bjb4 ,government ,accountability ,office 7a7 ,biennial reports ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and biennially thereafter1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the activities of the ,office of ,disaster ,response and the ,office of ,disaster ,recovery1 including recommendations and assessments of the effectiveness of the offices4 7b7 ,office of ,disaster recovery efforts report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on long-term recovery efforts following ,hurricane ,andrew1 the attacks of ,september #aa1 #bjja1 ,hurricane ,katrina1 ,hurricane ,ike1 ,hurricane ,sandy1 ,hurricane ,harvey1 ,hurricane ,maria1 ,hurricane ,florence1 and ,california wild fires4 7#b7 ,content of report ,the report shall contain the following3 7,a7 ,information on defining a long-term recovery1 the stages of a long-term recovery1 and the transition from ,federal ,government responsibilities for long-term recovery efforts to ,state and local leadership4 7,b7 ,an assessment of the personnel needed1 and the types of expertise or certifications required1 to accomplish the administration and management of recovery efforts for each of the disasters described in subsection 7a74 7,c7 ,an analysis of the success and efficiency of the long-term disaster recovery1 and best practices learned that may be applied to future long-term disaster recovery plans4 7,d7 ,recommendations of the ,comptroller ,general for what should be defined as a long-term disaster recovery project using existing authority and responsibility of ,,fema to advise and make recommendations to the ,president regarding ,presidential ,disaster ,declarations4 7,e7 ,recommendations of ,,fema on the capacity and competence of ,,fema to manage multiple major ,presidential ,disaster ,declarations simultaneously of the magnitude of #c1 #d1 or all #e of the disasters described in subsection 7a7 occurring within weeks of each other4 7,f7 ,,fema's capability 7as such term is defined in section #gda of title #f1 ,united ,states ,code7 and capacities of the ,federal ,government to respond to a range of catastrophic events occurring either singularly or concurrently1 including an assessment of the capacities of each ,federal agency and the total capacity of the ,federal ,government4 7c7 ,pets ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report assessing the activity of the ,federal ,government relating to-- 7#a7 the ,pets ,evacuation and ,transportation ,standards ,act of #bjjf 7,public ,law #aji-cjh72 7#b7 disaster response resources for pets2 and 7#c7 the activity of the ,federal ,government during the #bjag hurricane season with respect to-- 7,a7 evacuation1 rescue1 and boarding facilities for animals2 7,b7 feeding and housing of animals2 and 7,c7 transition to post-disaster placement of animals4 7d7 ,national all-,hazards disaster insurance program ,not later than #cbj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to ,congress a report on-- 7#a7 the feasibility and design of a national all-hazards disaster insurance program2 7#b7 the risk of property owners continuing to underinsure or have no insurance on homes and the implications of those actions on the financial stability of the housing market2 7#c7 the challenge of developing actuarial tables to determine premiums and the setting options for premium payments for disaster declaration policies to be collected annual1 quarterly1 or monthly2 and 7#d7 the challenges and feasibility of selling policies at the same time a property casualty policy is purchased4 7e7 ,homelessness ,not later than #ab months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to ,congress a report on homelessness that contains a collection of data based upon registrations for disaster assistance1 information provided by ,national ,voluntary ,organizations ,active in ,disaster1 ,bureau of the ,census data1 and other sources that provide information on the state of homelessness in an area impacted by a disaster4 ,such report shall-- 7#a7 include an analysis of individuals who were housed or receiving housing assistance at the time of the disaster and because of the disaster may be at risk of homelessness2 7#b7 determine the best measures for assessing the potential for homelessness during the long-term recovery from a disaster2 and 7#c7 make recommendations on how local and ,state jurisdictions can identify the homeless during disaster response and how to structure recovery efforts to minimize homelessness4 7f7 ,peer-to-,peer lodging ,not later than #bdj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to ,congress a report on the use of emergency disaster housing provided by peer-to-peer lodging or short-term rental by ,,fema staff and other owners of peer-to-peer lodging who donate1 rent1 or lease housing to individuals impacted by disasters during #bjag and #bjah4 7g7 ,post-,disaster civic engagement ,not later than #h months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general shall submit to ,congress a report on civic engagement following a disaster1 including #i_/aa and ,hurricanes ,katrina1 ,harvey1 ,michael1 ,marie1 and ,florence4 ,the report shall-- 7#a7 analyze how jurisdictions provided support for citizen voting after those events2 7#b7 include analysis of the role that ,federal1 ,tribal and ,territorial1 ,state1 and local governments play in facilitating disaster survivors' reconnection with the public election voting process2 7#c7 state any actions governments have taken that have impeded civic participation in the form of registering to vote and casting a ballot in a public election2 and 7#d7 make recommendations on what can be done to protect voting by persons impacted by disasters4 #bjc4 ,circumstances which may impact first responders during a terrorist event 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states 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 describes select ,state and local programs and policies1 as appropriate1 related to the preparedness and protection of first responders4 ,the report may include information on-- 7#a7 the degree to which such programs and policies include consideration of the presence of a first responder's family in an area impacted by a terrorist attack2 7#b7 the availability of personal protective equipment for first responders2 7#c7 the availability of home ,medkits for first responders and their families for biological incident response2 and 7#d7 other related factors4 7b7 ,context ,in preparing the report required under subsection 7a71 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states may1 as appropriate1 provide information-- 7#a7 in a format that delineates high risk urban areas from rural communities2 and 7#b7 on the degree to which the selected ,state and local programs and policies included in such report were developed or are being executed with funding from the ,department of ,homeland ,security1 including grant funding from the ,state ,homeland ,security ,grant ,program or the ,urban ,area ,security ,initiative under sections #bjjb and #bjjc1 respectively1 of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #fjc2 #fjd74 7c7 ,homeland security consideration ,after issuance of the report required under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall consider such report's findings and assess its applicability for ,federal first responders4 ,,iii ,disaster ,recovery ,small ,business ,grant ,program #cja4 ,short title ,this title may be cited as the ,disaster ,recovery ,small ,business ,grant ,act4 #cjb4 ,definitions ,in this title1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,claim ,the term claim means a claim by an injured concern under this title for payment for substantial economic injury suffered by the injured concern as a result of a federally declared disaster4 7#b7 ,claimant ,the term claimant means an injured concern that submits a claim under section #cjd7;b74 7#c7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration4 7#d7 ,injured concern ,the term injured concern-- 7,a7 means a small business concern that is located in an area that is a qualified disaster area as a result of a federally declared disaster2 and 7,b7 does not include-- 7i7 a lender that holds a mortgage on or security interest in real or personal property affected by a federally declared disaster2 or 7ii7 a person that holds a lien on real or personal property affected by the a federally declared disaster4 7#e7 ,office ,the term ,office means the ,office of ,disaster ,recovery ,small ,business ,grants established by section #cjc4 #cjc4 ,office of ,disaster ,recovery ,small ,business ,grants 7a7 ,in general ,there is established within the ,small ,business ,administration an office to be known as the ,office of ,disaster ,recovery ,small ,business ,grants4 7b7 ,purpose ,the ,office shall receive1 process1 and pay claims in accordance with section #cjd4 7c7 ,funding ,the ,office-- 7#a7 shall be funded from funds made available under this title2 and 7#b7 may reimburse any other ,federal agency for provision of assistance in the receipt and processing of claims4 7d7 ,personnel 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,office may appoint and fix the compensation of such temporary personnel as are necessary to carry out the duties of the ,office1 without regard to the provisions of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 governing appointments in the competitive service4 7#b7 ,personnel from other agencies ,on the request of the ,administrator1 the head of any other ,federal agency may detail1 on a reimbursable basis1 any of the personnel of the agency to the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency to assist the ,office in carrying out the duties of the ,office under this title4 7#c7 ,effect on other ,,sba duties ,the establishment of the ,office shall not diminish the authority of1 or funding available to1 the ,administrator to carry out the responsibilities of the ,small ,business ,act4 #cjd4 ,compensation for victims of a federally declared disaster 7a7 ,in general ,each injured concern may receive compensation for substantial economic injury suffered as a result of a federally declared disaster1 as determined by the ,administrator4 7b7 ,submission of claims ,not later than #a year after the date on which interim final regulations are promulgated under subsection 7h71 an injured concern may submit to the ,administrator a written claim for compensation for substantial economic injury suffered as a result of a federally declared disaster4 7c7 ,handling of claims ,the ,administrator shall investigate1 adjust1 grant1 deny1 settle1 or compromise any claim submitted under subsection 7b74 7d7 ,amount of grant 7#a7 ,in general ,any grant made to an injured concern-- 7,a7 shall be limited to the amount necessary to compensate the injured concern for substantial economic injury described in paragraph 7#b7 suffered as a result of a federally declared disaster during the period beginning on ,august #be1 #bjag1 and ending on ,august #be1 #bjbi2 7,b7 shall not include-- 7i7 interest on the amount of the payment before the date of settlement or payment of a claim2 or 7ii7 punitive damages or any other form of noncompensatory damages2 and 7,c7 shall not exceed #ajj1jjj1 except in the case of a grant application for which the ,administrator determines that a greater amount up to #bej1jjj is appropriate4 7#b7 ,substantial economic injury ,under paragraph 7#a71 an injured concern may receive payment for substantial economic injury consisting of #a or more of the following3 7,a7 ,an uninsured or underinsured property loss4 7,b7 ,damage to or destruction of physical infrastructure4 7,c7 ,damage to or destruction of tangible assets or inventory4 7,d7 ,a business interruption loss4 7,e7 ,overhead costs4 7,f7 ,employee wages for work not performed4 7,g7 ,an insurance deductible4 7,h7 ,a temporary relocation expense4 7,i7 ,debris removal and other cleanup costs4 7,j7 ,any other type of substantial economic injury that the ,administrator determines to be appropriate4 7#c7 ,burden of proof 7,a7 ,in general ,a claimant shall have the burden of demonstrating substantial economic injury4 7,b7 ,absence of documents ,if documentary evidence substantiating substantial economic injury is not reasonably available1 the ,administrator may pay a claim based on an affidavit or other documentation executed by the claimant4 7e7 ,payment of claims 7#a7 ,determination and payment of amount 7,a7 ,in general ,to the maximum extent practicable1 not later than #ahj days after the date on which a claim is submitted under subsection 7b71 the ,administrator shall-- 7i7 determine the amount1 if any1 to be paid for the claim2 and 7ii7 pay the amount4 7,b7 ,priority ,the ,administrator may establish priorities for processing and paying claims based on-- 7i7 an assessment of the needs of the claimants2 and 7ii7 any other criteria that the ,administrator determines to be appropriate4 7,c7 ,parameters of determination ,in determining and paying a claim1 the ,administrator shall determine only-- 7i7 whether the claimant is an injured concern2 and 7ii7 whether the injuries that are the subject of the claim resulted from a federally declared disaster4 7,d7 ,insurance and other benefits 7i7 ,in general ,subject to clause 7ii71 to prevent recovery by a claimant in excess of the equivalent of actual amount of the substantial economic injury suffered by the claimant in accordance with subsection 7d71 the ,administrator shall reduce the amount to be paid for the claim by an amount that is equal to the sum of the payments or settlements of any kind that were paid1 or will be paid1 with respect to the claim1 including payments by an insurance company4 7ii7 ,government loans ,clause 7i7 shall not apply to the receipt by a claimant of any ,federal1 ,tribal and ,territorial1 ,state1 or local government loan that is required to be repaid by the claimant4 7#b7 ,advance or partial payments ,at the request of a claimant1 the ,administrator may make #a or more advance or partial payments before the final approval of a grant4 7f7 ,recovery of funds improperly paid or misused ,the ,administrator may recover any portion of a payment on a grant that was improperly paid to the claimant as a result of-- 7#a7 fraud or misrepresentation on the part of the claimant or a representative of the claimant2 7#b7 a material mistake on the part of the ,administrator2 7#c7 the payment of insurance or benefits described in subsection 7e77#a77;,d7 that were not taken into account in determining the amount of the payment2 or 7#d7 the failure of the claimant to cooperate in an audit4 7g7 ,appeals of decisions 7#a7 ,right of appeal ,a claimant may appeal a decision concerning payment of a claim by filing1 not later than #fj days after the date on which the claimant is notified that the claim of the claimant will or will not be paid1 a notice of appeal in the case of a decision on a claim relating to a business loss1 with the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,administration4 7#b7 ,period for decision ,a decision concerning an appeal under paragraph 7#a7 shall be rendered not later than #ij days after the date on which the notice of appeal is received4 7h7 ,regulations ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 not later than #de days after the date of enactment of this title-- 7#a7 the ,administrator shall promulgate and publish in the ,federal ,register interim final regulations for the processing and payment of claims2 and 7#b7 the ,administrator and the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall jointly promulgate and publish in the ,federal ,register procedures under which a dispute concerning payment of a claim may be settled through an appeals process described in subsection 7g74 7i7 ,public information ,at the time of publication of interim final regulations under subsection 7h71 the ,administrator shall publish a clear1 concise1 and easily understandable explanation of the grant program established under this title the procedural and other requirements of the regulations promulgated under subsection 7h74 ,such explanation shall be-- 7#a7 disseminated through brochures1 pamphlets1 radio1 television1 the print news media1 and such other media as the ,administrator determines to be likely to reach prospective claimants2 and 7#b7 provided in ,english1 ,spanish1 and any other language that the ,administrator determines to be appropriate4 7j7 ,coordination ,in carrying out this section1 the ,administrator shall coordinate with the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 other ,federal1 ,state and local agencies1 and any other individual or entity1 as the ,administrator determines to be necessary to ensure the efficient administration of the claims process4 7k7 ,applicability of debt collection requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,section #cgaf of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 shall not preclude any payment on a claim4 7#b7 ,assignment and exemption from claims of creditors 7,a7 ,assignment ,no assignment1 release1 or commutation of a payment due or payable under this title shall be valid4 7,b7 ,exemption 7i7 ,in general ,a payment under this title shall be exempt from all claims of creditors and from levy1 execution1 attachment1 or other remedy for recovery or collection of a debt4 7ii7 ,nonwaivable exemption ,the exemption provided by clause 7i7 may not be waived4 #cje4 ,reports and audits 7a7 ,reports ,not later than #a year after the date of promulgation of interim final regulations under section #cjd7;h7 and annually thereafter1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report that describes the claims submitted under section #cjd7;b7 during the year preceding the date of submission of the report1 including1 with respect to each claim-- 7#a7 the amount claimed2 7#b7 a brief description of the nature of the claim2 and 7#c7 the status or disposition of the claim1 including the amount of any payment on the claim4 7b7 ,audits ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall-- 7#a7 conduct an annual audit of the payment of all claims submitted under section #cjd7;b72 and 7#b7 not later than #abj days after the date on which the ,administrator submits the initial report required by subsection 7a7 and annually thereafter1 submit to ,congress a report on the results of the audit4 #cjf4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title-- 7#a7 to the ,office of ,disaster ,recovery ,small ,business ,grants established under section #cjc to administer the claims process1 #be1jjj1jjj2 and 7#b7 for payment of claims1 #ige1jjj1jjj4 7b7 ,availability ,amounts made available under subsection 7a7 shall remain available until expended4 #cjg4 ,termination of authority ,the authority provided by this title terminates on the date that is #bj years after the date of enactment of this ,act4 ,,iv ,administrative ,provisions #dja4 ,extension of authorities for pandemic and all-hazards preparedness 7a7 ,temporary reassignment of ,state and local personnel during a public health emergency ,section #cai7;e77#h7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d7e77#h77 is amended by striking #bjah and inserting #bjbi4 7b7 ,exemption from certain disclosure requirements ,section #cai,l7e77#a77;,c7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bdg;d-#g7;e77#a77;,c77 is amended by striking #ab years after the date of enactment of the ,pandemic and ,all-,hazards ,preparedness ,act and inserting #ab years after the date of enactment of the ,,fema ,modernization ,act of #bjai4 #djb4 ,transfer of the ,surge ,capacity ,force ,section #cjc of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eadc7 is further amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,surge capacity force 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall-- 7,a7 prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a plan to transfer the authority of the ,surge ,capacity ,force for deployment of individuals to respond to natural disasters1 acts of terrorism1 and other man-made disasters1 including catastrophic incidents2 and 7,b7 at such time as determined appropriate by the ,administrator1 transfer such authority and continue the management and operation of the ,surge ,capacity ,force4 7#b7 ,employees designated to serve ,the plan shall include procedures under which the ,administrator shall designate employees ,executive agencies1 as appropriate1 to serve on the ,surge ,capacity ,force4 7#c7 ,capabilities ,the plan shall ensure that the surge capacity force-- 7,a7 includes a sufficient number of individuals credentialed in accordance with section #eaj of the ,post-,katrina ,emergency ,management ,reform ,act of #bjjf 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #cbj7 that are capable of deploying rapidly and efficiently after activation to prepare for1 respond to1 and recover from natural disasters1 acts of terrorism1 and other man-made disasters1 including catastrophic incidents2 and 7,b7 includes a sufficient number of full-time1 highly trained individuals credentialed in accordance with such section to lead and manage the ,surge ,capacity ,force4 7#d7 ,training ,the plan shall ensure that the ,administrator provides appropriate and continuous training to members of the ,surge ,capacity ,force to ensure such personnel are adequately trained on the ,agency's programs and policies for natural disasters1 acts of terrorism1 and other man-made disasters4 7#e7 ,no impact on agency personnel ceiling ,surge ,capacity ,force members shall not be counted against any personnel ceiling applicable to the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 7#f7 ,expenses ,the ,administrator may provide members of the ,surge ,capacity ,force with travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e for the purpose of participating in any training that relates to service as a member of the ,surge ,capacity ,force4 7#g7 ,immediate implementation of surge capacity force involving ,federal employees ,as soon as practicable1 the ,administrator shall develop and implement any elements of the plan needed to establish the portion of the ,surge ,capacity ,force consisting of individuals designated under those procedures 4