#aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,in the ,house of ,representatives1 ,u4 ,s41 ,november #ag1 #bjbb ,,amendment3 ,that the bill from the ,senate 7,s4 #cjib7 entitled ,an ,act to amend the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act to improve the provision of certain disaster assistance1 and for other purposes41 do pass with the following ,strike out all after the enacting clause and insert3 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,,fema ,improvement1 ,reform1 and ,efficiency ,act of #bjbb or the ,,fire ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act-- 7#a7 the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,agency2 7#b7 the term ,agency means the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency2 7#c7 the term appropriate committees of ,congress means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 and 7,b7 the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure and the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 7#d7 the term emergency means an emergency declared or determined to exist by the ,president under section #eja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaia72 7#e7 the terms ,indian tribal government1 local government1 and ,state 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 #eabb72 and 7#f7 the term major disaster means a major disaster declared by the ,president under section #dja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj74 #c4 ,report on relocation assistance 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall submit a report regarding the use of relocation assistance under sections #bjc1 #djd1 and #djf of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eacc1 #eagj;c1 #eagb7 for wildfire risk to the appropriate committees of ,congress4 7b7 ,contents ,the report submitted under subsection 7a7 shall include the following3 7#a7 ,any information on relocation projects that have been carried out due to fire risks or denied by the ,agency1 including the number and value of projects either carried out or denied4 7#b7 ,a discussion of the possible benefits or disadvantages of providing relocation assistance that may reduce1 but not eliminate1 the risk of loss due to wildfires4 7#c7 ,a discussion of how the ,agency may optimize relocation assistance when entire ,states or geographic areas are considered subject to a fire risk4 7#d7 ,an analysis of whether other mitigation measures are more cost-effective than relocation assistance when the applicant is applying to move from a high-risk to a medium-risk or low-risk area with respect to wildfires4 7#e7 ,an analysis of the need for the ,federal ,government to produce wildfire maps that identify high-risk1 moderate-risk1 and low-risk wildfire zones4 7#f7 ,an analysis of whether other mitigation measures promote greater resilience to wildfires when compared to relocation or1 if additional data is required in order to carry out such an analysis1 a discussion of the additional data required4 7#g7 ,a discussion of the ability of ,states1 local governments1 and ,indian tribal governments to demonstrate fire risk1 and whether the level of this ability impacts the ability of ,states1 local governments1 or ,indian tribal governments to access relocation assistance1 including an assessment of existing fire mapping products and capabilities and recommendations on redressing any gaps in the ability of the ,agency to assist ,states1 local governments1 and ,indian tribal governments in demonstrating fire risk4 7#h7 ,an evaluation of-- 7,a7 the scope of the data available to the ,agency regarding historical wildfire losses2 7,b7 how such data is utilized in benefit-cost analysis determinations by the ,agency2 7,c7 what additional data1 if any1 may be pertinent to such determinations2 and 7,d7 what1 if any1 alternative methods may be relevant to the determination of cost effectiveness4 7#i7 ,a discussion of the extent to which the decision process for relocation assistance appropriately considers the change in future risks for wildfires due to a changing climate4 7#aj7 ,an analysis of whether statutes and regulations regarding relocation assistance by the ,agency present barriers for ,states1 local governments1 or ,indian tribal governments trying to access funding to reduce wildfire risk4 7#aa7 ,an analysis of-- 7,a7 how1 if at all1 the ,agency has modified policies and procedures to determine the eligibility of proposed relocation or mitigation projects with respect to wildfires2 7,b7 the cost effectiveness of such projects1 in light of the increasing losses and obligations for wildfires in recent years2 and 7,c7 the effectiveness of any modifications described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#ab7 ,an analysis of how1 if at all1 recent changes in the availability of fire insurance has resulted in modifications of policy or procedure with respect to determining the cost efficacy of relocation assistance for wildfires4 7#ac7 ,an analysis of how to define repetitive loss and repetitively damaged properties in the context of wildfires4 7#ad7 ,other related issues that the ,administrator determines appropriate4 #d4 ,red flag warnings and predisaster actions ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator1 in coordination with the ,national ,weather ,service of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 shall-- 7#a7 conduct a study of1 develop recommendations for1 and initiate a process for the use of forecasts and data1 including information that supports the ,red ,flag ,warnings of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration and similar weather alert and notification methods1 to establish-- 7,a7 plans and actions1 consistent with law1 that can be implemented prior to a wildfire event1 including pre-impact disaster declarations and surge operations1 that can limit the impact1 duration1 or severity of the fire2 and 7,b7 mechanisms to increase interagency collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster assistance2 and 7#b7 submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a comprehensive report regarding the study described in paragraph 7#a71 including any recommendations of the ,administrator1 and the activities of the ,administrator to carry out paragraph 7#a74 #e4 ,assistance for wildfire damage ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of ,congress regarding-- 7#a7 the application for assistance and consistency of assistance provided by the ,agency in response to wildfires2 and 7#b7 the kinds of damage that result from wildfires4 #f4 ,,gao report on gaps ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report that examines-- 7#a7 gaps in the policies of the ,agency related to wildfires1 when compared to other hazards2 7#b7 disparities in regulations and guidance issued by the ,administrator1 including any oversight of the programs of the ,agency1 when addressing impacts of wildfires and other hazards2 7#c7 ways to shorten the period of time between the initiating of and the distribution of assistance1 reimbursements1 and grants2 7#d7 the effectiveness of the programs of the ,agency in addressing wildfire hazards2 7#e7 ways to improve the ability of the ,agency to assist ,states1 local governments1 and ,indian tribal governments to prepare for1 respond to1 recover from1 and mitigate against wildfire hazards2 7#f7 revising the application process for assistance relating to wildfires to more effectively assess uninsured and underinsured losses and serious needs2 and 7#g7 ways to improve the disaster assistance programs of agencies other than the ,agency4 #g4 ,crisis counseling effective communication 7a7 ,in general ,section #daf of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eahc7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,the ,president and inserting the following3 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7b7 ,training ,each ,state1 local agency1 or private mental health organization providing professional counseling services described in subsection 7a7 shall ensure that1 any individual providing professional counseling services to victims of a major disaster as authorized under subsection 7a71 including individuals working for nonprofit partners and recovery organizations1 is appropriately trained to address impacts from major disasters in communities1 and to individuals1 with socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds4 4 7b7 ,rule of applicability ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #h4 ,case management effective communication 7a7 ,in general ,section #dbf of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eahi;d7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,the ,president and inserting the following3 7a7 ,in general ,the ,president 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7b7 ,training ,each ,state1 local government agency1 or qualified private organization providing professional counseling services described in subsection 7a7 shall ensure that any individual providing case management services to victims of a major disaster as authorized under subsection 7a71 including individuals working for nonprofit partners and recovery organizations1 is appropriately trained to address impacts from major disasters in communities1 and to individuals1 with socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds4 4 7b7 ,rule of applicability ,the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #i4 ,study and plan for disaster housing assistance 7a7 ,study ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall-- 7#a7 conduct a study and develop a plan1 consistent with law1 under which the ,agency will address providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when presented with challenges such as-- 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 that community1 including as a result of a wildfire1 earthquake1 or other event causing a major disaster2 and 7#b7 make recommendations for legislative changes needed to address-- 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 that community1 including as a result of a wildfire1 earthquake1 or other event causing a major disaster4 7b7 ,comprehensive report ,the ,administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report that provides a detailed discussion of the plans developed under subsection 7a77#a7 and the recommendations of the ,administrator under subsection 7a77#b74 7c7 ,briefing ,not later than #cj days after submission of the report and recommendations under subsection 7b71 the ,administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of ,congress on the findings and any recommendations made pursuant to this section4 #aj4 ,reimbursement ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall brief the appropriate committees of ,congress regarding the extent to which the ,agency is using housing solutions proposed by a ,state or local government to reduce the time or cost required to implement housing solutions after a major disaster4 #aa4 ,permit applications for ,tribal upgrades to ,emergency ,operations ,centers 7a7 ,in general ,section #fad7;a7 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaif;c7a77 is amended-- 7#a7 by inserting and ,indian tribal governments after grants to ,states2 and 7#b7 by striking ,state and local and inserting ,state1 local1 and ,tribal4 7b7 ,applicability ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this ,act4 ,clerk4