,,ib ,union ,calendar ,no4 #dja #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hdaf ,report ,no4 #aag-efj1 ,part ,i ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #ai1 #bjbb,ms4 ,titus 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,graves of ,louisiana1 ,miss ,gonzlez-,coln1 and ,mr4 ,carter of ,louisiana7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,financial ,services1 and ,small ,business1 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 ,november #ae1 #bjbb,reported from the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure with an amendment,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic ,november #ae1 #bjbb;,committees on ,financial ,services and ,small ,business discharged2 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union and ordered to be printed,for text of introduced bill1 see copy of bill as introduced on ,july #ai1 #bjbb ,a ,,bill ,to improve individual assistance provided by 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 ,disaster ,survivors ,fairness ,act of #bjbb4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,information sharing for ,federal agencies4,sec4 #c4 ,universal application for individual assistance4,sec4 #d4 ,repair and rebuilding4,sec4 #e4 ,direct assistance4,sec4 #f4 ,state-managed housing pilot authority4,sec4 #g4 ,management costs4,sec4 #h4 ,post-disaster housing study4,sec4 #i4 ,funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance4,sec4 #aj4 ,individual assistance dashboard4,sec4 #aa4 ,,fema reports4,sec4 #ab4 ,sheltering of emergency response personnel4,sec4 #ac4 ,duplication of benefits4,sec4 #ad4 ,,gao report on preliminary damage assessments4,sec4 #ae4 ,applicability4 7c7 ,definitions ,except as otherwise provided1 the terms used in this ,act have the meanings given such terms in section #ajb of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eabb74 #b4 ,information sharing for ,federal agencies 7a7 ,establishment of electronic information sharing system 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall establish and maintain a web-based interagency electronic information sharing system1 to be known as ,disaster,assistance4gov1 to-- 7,a7 facilitate the administration of the universal application for ,federal disaster assistance established under section #c2 7,b7 carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs swiftly1 efficiently1 equitably1 and in accordance with applicable laws1 regulations1 and the privacy and data protections provided under this section2 and 7,c7 detect1 prevent1 and investigate waste1 fraud1 abuse1 or discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance programs4 7#b7 ,authorities of ,administrator ,in establishing and maintaining the electronic information sharing system under this subsection1 the ,administrator may collect and maintain disaster assistance information received from a disaster assistance agency or an applicant for a disaster assistance program and share such information with any other disaster assistance agency using such electronic information sharing system4 7b7 ,data security ,the ,administrator may facilitate the collection of disaster assistance information into the electronic information sharing system established under this section only after the following requirements have been met3 7#a7 ,the ,administrator certifies that the electronic information sharing system substantially complies with the data security standards and best practices of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology4 7#b7 ,the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security publishes a privacy impact assessment for the electronic information sharing system1 in accordance with section #bbb of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #adb74 7#c7 ,the ,administrator publishes standard rules of behavior for disaster assistance agencies and personnel granted access to disaster assistance information to protect such information from improper disclosure4 7c7 ,collection and sharing of additional records and information 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator may authorize the collection1 maintenance1 sharing1 and use of additional disaster assistance information by publishing a notice on ,disaster,assistance4gov that includes a detailed description of-- 7,a7 the specific amendments to the collection1 maintenance1 and sharing of disaster assistance information authorized2 7,b7 why each such amendment to how disaster assistance information is collected1 maintained1 or shared is necessary to carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program and consistent with the fair information practice principles2 and 7,c7 the disaster assistance agencies that will be granted access to the additional information to carry out the purposes of any disaster assistance program4 7#b7 ,notice and publication requirements ,the publication of a notice under paragraph 7#a7 of a revision to the ,disaster,assistance4gov system of records prior to any new collection1 or uses1 of ,privacy ,act categories of records1 to carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program with regard to a disaster declared by the ,president under section #dja or #eja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj2 #eaia71 shall be deemed to satisfy the notice and publication requirements of section #eeb;a7e77#d7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 for the #ij-;day period beginning on the date on which the publication under paragraph 7#a7 is made4 7#c7 ,waiver of information collection requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,upon the declaration of a major disaster or emergency pursuant to sections #dja or #eja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj2 #eaia71 the ,president may direct the ,administrator to waive the requirements of subchapter ,i of chapter #ce of title #dd1 ,united ,states ,code1 with respect to voluntary collection of information for the duration of such major disaster or emergency4 7,b7 ,transparency ,upon exercising the waiver authority under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,administrator shall-- 7i7 promptly post on a website of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency a brief justification for such waiver1 the anticipated period of time such waiver will be in effect1 and the agencies and offices within the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency to which such waiver shall apply2 and 7ii7 update the information relating to such waiver1 as applicable4 7#d7 ,,gao review of waiver of information collection requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall issue a report describing the benefits and potential risks associated with authorizing the waiver of the information collection requirements described in paragraph 7#c74 7,b7 ,contents ,the report required under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include an assessment of the extent to which a waiver described in paragraph 7#c7 would-- 7i7 affect the paperwork burden for individuals1 small businesses1 ,state1 local and tribal governments1 and other persons2 7ii7 affect the consistent application of ,federal laws relating to-- 7,i7 privacy and confidentiality2 7,,ii7 security of information2 and 7,,iii7 access to information2 and 7iii7 encourage or deter a ,state or other entity from participating in the voluntary collection of information for the duration of a major disaster or emergency4 7d7 ,use by other ,federal agencies 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator may permit a ,federal agency other than the disaster assistance agencies listed in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,c7 of subsection 7f77#b7 to use the electronic information sharing system established under this section for the purpose of facilitating disaster-related assistance if such agency enters into an agreement containing the terms described in paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,agency agreement ,an agreement between the ,administrator and another ,federal agency to use the electronic information sharing system established under this subsection shall contain the following terms3 7,a7 ,the ,federal agency shall-- 7i7 collect1 share1 maintain1 and use disaster assistance information in compliance with this section and in substantial compliance with the data security standards and best practices of the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology2 and 7ii7 train any personnel granted access to disaster assistance information on the rules of behavior established by the ,administrator under subsection 7b77#c74 7,b7 ,in the event of any unauthorized disclosure of disaster assistance information1 the ,federal agency shall-- 7i7 notify the ,administrator within #bd hours of discovering any such unauthorized disclosure2 7ii7 cooperate fully with the ,administrator in the investigation and remediation of any such disclosure2 7iii7 cooperate fully in the prosecution of a person responsible for such disclosure2 and 7iv7 assume the responsibility for any compensation1 civil liability1 or other remediation measures1 whether awarded by a judgment of a court or agreed as a compromise of any potential claims by or on behalf of an applicant1 including by obtaining credit monitoring and remediation services1 for an improper disclosure that is-- 7,i7 caused1 directly or indirectly1 by the acts or omissions of officers1 employees1 and contractors of the agency2 or 7,,ii7 from any electronic system of records that is created or maintained by the agency pursuant to section #eeb;a7e7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#c7 ,publication of agency agreement ,the ,administrator shall publish an agency agreement entered into under this subsection on the same website as the electronic information sharing system established under this section4 7e7 ,rule of construction ,the sharing of disaster assistance information that is subject to the requirements of section #eeb;a of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 by disaster assistance agencies shall not-- 7#a7 be construed as a matching program for purposes of section #eeb;a7a77#h7 of such title2 or 7#b7 be subject to the remaining computer matching provisions of section #eeb;a of such title4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,applicant ,the term applicant means-- 7,a7 a person who applies for disaster assistance from a disaster assistance program2 and 7,b7 a person on whose behalf a person described in subparagraph 7,a7 has applied for disaster assistance4 7#b7 ,disaster assistance agency ,the term disaster assistance agency means-- 7,a7 the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency2 7,b7 the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 7,c7 the ,small ,business ,administration2 7,d7 the ,department of ,agriculture2 and 7,e7 any other ,federal agency that the ,administrator permits to use the electronic information sharing system under subsection 7d74 7#c7 ,disaster assistance information ,the term disaster assistance information includes any personal1 biographical1 geographical1 and financial information that a disaster assistance agency is authorized to collect1 maintain1 share1 or use to process an application for disaster assistance or otherwise carry out a disaster assistance program4 7#d7 ,disaster assistance program ,the term disaster assistance program means-- 7,a7 any program that provides assistance to individuals and households under title ,,iv or title ,v of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj et seq472 and 7,b7 any other assistance program carried out by a disaster assistance agency that provides assistance to an individual1 household1 or organization related to a major disaster or emergency declared under sections #dja or #eja of such ,act1 including-- 7i7 disaster assistance1 long-term disaster recovery1 post-disaster restoration of infrastructure and housing1 post-disaster economic revitalization1 and pre-disaster mitigation under title ,i of the ,housing and ,community ,development ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ecja et seq472 7ii7 any loan that is authorized under section #g7;b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;b772 and 7iii7 the distribution of food benefit allotments as authorized under section #dab of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagi7 and section #e7;h7 of the ,food ,stamp ,act of #aigg 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjad7;h774 #c4 ,universal application for individual assistance 7a7 ,universal application ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall develop and establish a universal application for ,federal disaster assistance for individuals in areas impacted by emergencies or disasters4 7b7 ,consultation and support 7#a7 ,consultation ,in carrying out this section1 the ,administrator shall consult with the following3 7,a7 ,the ,director of the ,office of ,management and ,budget4 7,b7 ,the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration4 7,c7 ,the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 7,d7 ,the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7#b7 ,support ,the entities described in paragraph 7#a7 shall provide prompt support to the ,administrator4 7c7 ,survey ,the application established under subsection 7a7 shall include a voluntary survey to collect the demographic data of an applicant4 7d7 ,,gao assessment on identity theft and disaster fraud in disaster assistance programs ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall-- 7#a7 conduct an assessment of improper and potentially fraudulent ,federal disaster assistance for individuals made to victims of major disasters declared in #bjbj and #bjba1 including through identity theft2 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 that describes-- 7,a7 the prevalence of improper and potentially fraudulent ,federal disaster assistance for individuals made to registrants who used invalid information to apply for disaster assistance1 including through identity theft2 7,b7 the number of disaster victims whose claims for ,federal disaster assistance for individuals were denied due to another individual filing a fraudulent application using their personal identifying information2 7,c7 the adequacy of existing fraud prevention protocols in place on the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency's online application for ,federal disaster assistance for individuals2 and 7,d7 recommendations for improving the identity verification protocols in place for ,federal disaster assistance for individuals4 #d4 ,repair and rebuilding 7a7 ,in general ,section #djh7;b77#a7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd7;b77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking rendered uninhabitable and inserting damaged by a major disaster2 and 7#b7 by striking uninhabitable1 as a result of damage caused by a major disaster and inserting damaged by a major disaster4 7b7 ,hazard mitigation ,section #djh of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,hazard mitigation 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,president may provide financial assistance to individuals and households1 whose primary residence1 utilities1 or residential infrastructure are damaged by a major disaster1 for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce threats to life and property1 or future damage to such residence1 utilities1 or infrastructure in future disasters4 7,b7 ,relationship to other assistance ,a recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph shall not be required to show that the assistance can be met through other means1 except insurance proceeds4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7h7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7 by inserting 1 financial assistance for hazard mitigation under subsection 7c77#e77;,a71 after subsection 7c77#a77;,a77i72 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 ,hazard mitigation ,the maximum financial assistance any individual or household may receive under subsection 7c77#e7 shall be equivalent to the amount set forth in paragraph 7#a7 with respect to a single major disaster4 4 #e4 ,direct assistance 7a7 ,in general ,section #djh7;c7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd7;c77 is further amended by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,repairs 7,a7 ,financial assistance for repairs ,the ,president may provide financial assistance for the repair of owner-occupied private residences1 utilities1 and residential infrastructure 7such as a private access route7 damaged by a major disaster1 or with respect to individuals with disabilities1 rendered inaccessible by a major disaster4 7,b7 ,direct assistance for repairs 7i7 ,in general ,the ,president may provide direct assistance to individuals and households who are unable to make use of financial assistance under subparagraph 7,a7 and when there is a lack of available resources1 for-- 7,i7 the repair of owner-occupied private residences1 utilities1 and residential infrastructure 7such as a private access route7 damaged by a major disaster1 or with respect to individuals with disabilities1 rendered inaccessible by a disaster2 and 7,,ii7 eligible hazard mitigation measures that reduce the likelihood and future damage to such residences1 utilities1 and infrastructure4 7ii7 ,eligibility ,a recipient of assistance under this subparagraph shall not be eligible for assistance under paragraph 7#a71 unless otherwise determined by the ,administrator4 7,c7 ,relationship to other assistance ,a recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph shall not be required to show that the assistance can be met through other means1 except insurance proceeds4 4 7b7 ,state- or indian tribal government-administered assistance and other needs assistance ,section #djh7;f7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd7;f77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subsections 7c77#a77;,b71 7c77#d71 and 7e7 each place it appears and inserting paragraphs 7#a77;,b71 7#b77;,b71 and 7#d7 of subsection 7c7 and subsection 7e72 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c77;,a7 by striking subsection 7c77#a77;,b71 7c77#d71 or 7e7 and inserting paragraph 7#a77;,b71 7#b77;,b71 or 7#d7 of subsection 7c7 or subsection 7e74 #f4 ,state-managed housing pilot authority ,section #djh of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7f77#c7-- 7,a7 by striking subparagraph 7,f72 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,g71 7,h71 7,i71 and 7,j7 as subparagraphs 7,f71 7,g71 7,h71 and 7,i71 respectively2 and 7,c7 in subparagraph 7,i71 as so redesignated-- 7i7 in clause 7ii7 by striking ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this paragraph1 the and inserting ,the2 and 7ii7 in clause 7iii7 by striking-- 7,i7 #b years after the date of enactment of this paragraph or and 7,,ii7 1 whichever occurs sooner2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7g7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c72 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,disaster assistance ,in the case of assistance provided under subsections 7c77#a77;,b71 7c77#b77;,b71 and 7c77#d71 the ,federal share shall be not less than #ge percent4 4 #g4 ,management costs ,section #cbd7;b77#b7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eafe;b7b77#b77;,c77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,individual assistance ,a grantee under section #djh7;f7 may be reimbursed not more than #ab percent of the total award amount under each such section4 7,d7 ,crisis counseling assistance1 training1 and case management services ,a grantee and subgrantee1 cumulatively1 may be reimbursed not more than #ae percent of the total amount of the grant award under either section #daf or #dbf4 4 #h4 ,post-disaster housing study 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall-- 7#a7 conduct a study and develop a plan under which the ,agency will address the challenges associated with providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies1 including circumstances in which-- 7,a7 the presence of multiple families within a single household2 and 7,b7 the near loss of a community1 with the majority of homes destroyed in such community1 with discrete assessments on flood1 wildfire1 and earthquake events2 and 7#b7 make recommendations for legislative changes needed to address the challenges described in paragraph 7#a74 7b7 ,report to ,congress ,upon completion of the activities carried out under subsection 7a71 the ,administrator shall submit to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate a report containing the study and recommendations required under subsection 7a74 #i4 ,funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance 7a7 ,use of services of other agencies ,section #bja7;a7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaca7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#g71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 post-disaster assistance4 4 7b7 ,funding for online guides for assistance ,section #bja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaca7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,funding for online guides for assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency may enter into a cooperative agreement to provide funding to a ,state agency established under subsection 7c7 to establish and operate a website to provide information relating to post-disaster recovery funding and resources to a community or an individual impacted by a major disaster or emergency4 7#b7 ,management ,a website created under this subsection shall be-- 7,a7 managed by the ,state agency2 and 7,b7 suitable for the residents of the ,state of the ,state agency4 7#c7 ,content ,the ,administrator may enter into a cooperative agreement to establish a website under this subsection only to provide #a or more of the following3 7,a7 ,a list of ,federal1 ,state1 and local sources of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that may be available to a community after a major disaster or emergency4 7,b7 ,a list of ,federal1 ,state1 and local sources of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that may be available to an individual impacted by a major disaster or emergency4 7,c7 ,a technical guide that lists and explains the costs and benefits of alternatives available to a community to mitigate the impacts of a major disaster or emergency and prepare for sequential hazards such as flooding after a wildfire4 7#d7 ,cooperation ,a ,state agency that enters into a cooperative agreement under this subsection shall cooperate with the ,secretary of the ,interior1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development1 the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration1 and the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency in developing a website under this subsection4 7#e7 ,updates ,a ,state agency that receives funding to establish a website under this subsection shall update the website not less than once every #f years4 4 #aj4 ,individual assistance dashboard ,title ,,iv of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #dca4 ,individual assistance dashboard 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #cj days after a declaration by the ,president that a major disaster exists under section #dja1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall publish on a website of the ,agency an interactive web tool displaying the following information with respect to such disaster3 7#a7 ,the number of applications for assistance under section #djh1 including a description of the number of applications for assistance related to housing under such section and the number of applications for assistance to address other needs under section #djh7;e74 7#b7 ,the number of applications for such assistance that are approved4 7#c7 ,the number of applications for such assistance that are denied4 7#d7 ,a ranked list of the reasons for the denial of such applications1 including the number of applications for each reason for denial4 7#e7 ,the dollar amount of assistance provided pursuant to section #djh to-- 7,a7 property owners2 and 7,b7 renters4 7#f7 ,the estimated percentage of residential property that was destroyed as a result of the major disaster4 7b7 ,personally identifiable information ,the ,administrator shall ensure that none of the information published under subsection 7a7 contains the personally identifiable information of an applicant4 4 #aa4 ,,fema reports ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall submit to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,government ,affairs of the ,senate a report with respect to fiscal year #bjaf through the most recent fiscal year ending before the date of enactment of this ,act1 and an annual report for any fiscal year beginning on or after the date of enactment of this ,act1 describing-- 7#a7 the average amount of individual assistance and individual and household assistance provided under section #djh of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq47 to1 and the rate of denial of individual assistance and individual and household assistance provided under such section for-- 7,a7 all individuals2 7,b7 households2 7,c7 individuals and households with an annual income under #ge percent of the national median household income2 7,d7 individuals with an annual income over #abe percent of the national median household income2 and 7,e7 individuals with an annual income between #ge percent and #abe percent of the national median household income2 and 7#b7 an explanation for any factors causing an increase in the rate of denial of the assistance described in paragraph 7#a71 if applicable4 #ab4 ,sheltering of emergency response personnel ,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 7e7 ,sheltering of emergency response personnel 7#a7 ,in general ,for any major disaster for which the ,president has authorized emergency protective measures for an area within the jurisdiction of a ,state1 tribal1 or local government1 the ,administrator may reimburse the ,state1 tribal1 or local government for costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel1 including individuals that are a part of the same predisaster household as such personnel1 in exclusive-use congregate or non-congregate settings if the ,governor of the ,state or chief executive of the tribal or local government determines that the damage or disruption to such area is of such a magnitude as to disrupt the provision of emergency protective measures within such area4 7#b7 ,limitation of assistance 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator may only reimburse a ,state1 tribal1 or local government for the costs of sheltering emergency response personnel under paragraph 7#a7 for such a period of time as the ,administrator determines reasonable based in the individual characteristics of and impacts to the affected area1 including the extent of damage1 the availability of alternative housing options1 the availability of utilities1 and disruptions to transportation infrastructure4 7,b7 ,maximum duration of reimbursement ,the period of reimbursement under subparagraph 7,a7 may not exceed the #f-month period beginning on the date on which the incident period ends4 7#c7 ,definition ,in this subsection1 the term emergency response personnel means-- 7,a7 employees or contracted employees providing law enforcement1 fire suppression1 rescue1 emergency medical1 emergency management1 or emergency communications services2 and 7,b7 elected officials1 except members of ,congress1 responsible for the overseeing or directing emergency response operations or recovery activities4 4 #ac4 ,duplication of benefits ,section #cab7;b77#d7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaee7;b77#d77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 ,limitation on use of income criteria ,in carrying out subparagraph 7,a71 the ,president may not impose additional income criteria on a potential grant recipient who has accepted a qualified disaster loan in determining eligibility for duplications of benefit relief4 4 #ad4 ,,gao report on preliminary damage assessments 7a7 ,in general ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct a study on the practices1 including the accuracy of such practices1 that the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency uses when conducting preliminary damage assessments for the purposes of providing assistance under section #djh of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db4 ,u4,s4,c4 #eagd74 7b7 ,contents ,the ,comptroller ,general shall include in the study conducted under subsection 7a7 the following3 7#a7 ,a comparison of the process and procedures used by the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency to complete preliminary damage assessments to the process and procedures used by private insurance companies following a major disaster4 7#b7 ,a review of training provided to individuals conducting preliminary damage assessments4 7#c7 ,a comparison of damage estimates for homes owned by individuals above the national median income to homes owned by individuals at or below the national median income4 #ae4 ,applicability ,the amendments made by sections #d1 #e1 #g1 #i1 and #ab shall only apply to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this ,act4 ,november #ae1 #bjbb,reported from the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure with an amendment,november #ae1 #bjbb;,committees on ,financial ,services and ,small ,business discharged2 committed to the ,committee of the ,whole ,house on the ,state of the ,union and ordered to be printed