,i #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hfef ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #g1 #bjbd,mr4 ,harder of ,california 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,scott ,franklin of ,florida1 ,mr4 ,neguse1 ,mr4 ,stanton1 ,mr4 ,thompson of ,california1 ,mr4 ,garamendi1 and ,ms4 ,hoyle of ,oregon7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,agriculture1 ,education and the ,workforce1 ,oversight and ,accountability1 ,armed ,services1 ,energy and ,commerce1 ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 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 ,a ,,bill ,to provide for the implementation of certain recommendations from the ,report of the ,wildland ,fire ,mitigation and ,management ,commission4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,modernizing ,wildfire ,safety and ,prevention ,act of #bjbd4 #b4 ,table of ,contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is the following3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title4,sec4 #b4 ,table of ,contents4,sec4 #c4 ,definition of ,report4,title ,i--,workforce ,development,sec4 #aja4 ,middle ,fire ,leaders ,academy 7,report ,recommendation #ee74,sec4 #ajb4 ,wildfire workforce grant program 7,report ,recommendation #hh74,title ,,ii--,wildland ,firefighter ,support,sec4 #bja4 ,fire ,service ,retention and ,retirement ,portability 7,report ,recommendation #hf74,sec4 #bjb4 ,wildland ,fire ,management ,casualty ,assistance ,program 7,report ,recommendation #hg74,title ,,iii--,wildfire ,smoke and ,public ,health,sec4 #cja4 ,national ,smoke ,monitoring and ,alert ,system 7,report ,recommendation #dd74,sec4 #cjb4 ,health risk assessment for ,wildfire ,smoke ,exposure 7,report ,recommendation #ajj74,title ,,iv--,fire ,mitigation and ,technology ,sec4 #dja4 ,improvements to wildfire forage loss programs 7,report ,recommendation #ei74,sec4 #djb4 ,improvements to ,,fema ,programs 7,report ,recommendations #ff and #fd74,sec4 #djc4 ,the ,wildland ,dynamic ,risk ,mapping ,program 7,report ,recommendation #aah74,sec4 #djd4 ,improvements to grant programs for community wildfire risk reduction and postfire recovery efforts 7,report ,recommendation #adb74,sec4 #dje4 ,joint ,office of the ,fire ,environment ,center 7,report ,recommendations #ajd1 #aje1 #ajf74,sec4 #djf4 ,interagency ,data ,collaboration ,environment 7,report ,recommendation #ajg74,sec4 #djg4 ,requirements related to payment timing for certain programs addressing wildfire damages 7,report ,recommendation #fa74 #c4 ,definition of ,report ,in this ,act1 the term ,report means the ,report of the ,wildland ,fire ,mitigation and ,management ,commission1 dated ,september #bjbc4 ,i ,workforce ,development #aja4 ,middle ,fire ,leaders ,academy 7,report ,recommendation #ee7 7a7 ,middle ,fire ,leaders ,academy ,not later than a #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,chief of the ,forest ,service shall create a ,middle ,fire ,leaders ,academy which shall be open to ,federal and non-,federal wildland fire response workforce employees4 ,the ,middle ,fire ,leaders ,academy shall provide-- 7#a7 rapid training and certification for emerging wildfire and beneficial fire leaders2 and 7#b7 additional and expanded training of sufficient quality to enable managers and decision makers responsible for addressing wildfire incidents and prescribed burns to make informed decisions regarding the beneficial application and management of fire1 including managing local fire regimes and other forms of beneficial fire use4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcd4 #ajb4 ,wildfire workforce grant program 7,report ,recommendation #hh7 7a7 ,grants authorized ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,education shall award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities to carry out a program described in subsection 7c74 7b7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this ,act1 an eligible entity shall submit to the ,secretary an application in such manner1 at such time1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7c7 ,use of funds ,an eligible entity that receives a grant under this ,act shall carry out an educational or vocational program that leads to a degree1 certificate1 or other recognized credential in wildfire emergency management1 including-- 7#a7 agricultural landscape planning relating to wildfire resilience2 7#b7 natural resource management relating to wildfire resilience2 7#c7 emergency management2 7#d7 emergency medical technician services2 7#e7 paramedic services2 7#f7 fire science2 7#g7 firefighting2 7#h7 community planning relating to wildfire resilience2 7#i7 safety and operations training for structural firefighters assigned to wildfire incidents2 or 7#aj7 any other program that trains individuals in the wildfire mitigation1 response1 or recovery workforce4 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,accredited local academy ,the term accredited local academy means a partnership1 between a local fire suppression organization and the office of the ,fire ,marshall of a ,state1 that delivers a ,state ,fire ,training program4 7#b7 ,accredited regional training program ,the term accredited regional training program means a partnership1 between a junior or community college or institution of higher education and the office of the ,fire ,marshall of a ,state1 that delivers an approved ,state ,fire ,training program within a given region4 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a junior or community college2 7,b7 an institution of higher education2 7,c7 an accredited regional training program2 7,d7 an accredited local academy2 or 7,e7 a nonprofit entity with experience administering education and training programs for fire service personnel4 7#d7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section #ajb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb74 7#e7 ,junior or community college ,the term junior or community college has the meaning given such term in section #cab of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajeh74 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcd4 ,,ii ,wildland ,firefighter ,support #bja4 ,fire ,service ,retention and ,retirement ,portability 7,report ,recommendation #hf7 7a7 ,break-in-,service consideration for ,federal wildland firefighter retirements ,notwithstanding sections #hccf7;c7 and #hdab7;d7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 not later than ,may #a1 #bjbd1 the ,secretary concerned1 in coordination with the ,secretary of ,labor1 shall promulgate regulations1 as necessary1 to ensure that a ,federal wildland firefighter would not forfeit previously made contributions or eligibility for firefighter retirement when the ,federal wildland firefighter has a voluntary break in service of not more than #b years4 7b7 ,retention of enhanced retirement benefits during period of non-,federal service ,section #ajd7;e77#b7 of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecbc7;e77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,any ,federal wildland firefighter 7as that term is defined in section #bja7;d7 of the ,modernizing ,wildfire ,safety and ,prevention ,act of #bjbd7 who retains coverage1 rights1 and benefits under such chapter #hc or #hd pursuant to this paragraph shall retain enhanced retirement benefits under either such chapter44 7c7 ,job-,sharing ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 a ,federal wildland firefighter or wildland fire support personnel may occupy a position in the civil service 7as that term is defined in section #baja of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code7 and a position with a ,tribal government under a job-share agreement even if the position with a ,tribal government is classified at a level higher than the civil service position1 including any level that is above that of the highest level applicable to the ,general ,schedule4 7d7 ,federal wildland firefighter ,in this section1 the term ,federal wildland firefighter means a person who is-- 7#a7 in a temporary1 seasonal1 or permanent position at the ,department of ,agriculture or the ,department of the ,interior or as a ,tribal firefighter who2 7,a7 maintains group1 emergency incident management1 or fire qualifications1 as established annually by the ,standards for ,wildland ,fire ,position ,qualifications published by the ,national ,wildfire ,coordinating ,group2 and 7,b7 primarily engages in or supports wildland fire management activities1 including forestry and rangeland technicians and positions concerning aviation1 engineering heavy equipment operations1 dispatch1 or fire and fuels management2 or 7#b7 a ,federal firefighter stationed on military installations under the ,department of ,defense who engages in or supports wildland fire management activities1 including forestry and rangeland technicians and positions concerning aviation1 engineering heavy equipment operations1 dispatch1 or fire and fuels management4 #bjb4 ,wildland ,fire ,management ,casualty ,assistance ,program 7,report ,recommendation #hg7 7a7 ,development of ,program ,not later than #f months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of the ,interior shall develop a ,wildland ,fire ,management ,casualty ,assistance ,program 7referred to in this section as the ,program7 to provide assistance to the next-of-kin of-- 7#a7 critically injured1 ill1 and deceased firefighters injury1 illness1 or death in the line of duty2 and 7#b7 wildland fire support personnel critically injured or killed in the line of duty4 7b7 ,aspects of ,program ,the ,program shall address the following3 7#a7 ,the initial and any subsequent notifications to the next-of-kin of a firefighter or wildland fire support personnel who-- 7,a7 was killed in the line of duty2 or 7,b7 requires hospitalization or treatment at a medical facility due to a line-of-duty injury or illness4 7#b7 ,the reimbursement of next-of-kin for expenses associated with travel to visit a firefighter or wildland fire support personnel who-- 7,a7 was killed in the line of duty2 or 7,b7 requires hospitalization or treatment at a medical facility due to a line-of-duty injury or illness4 7#c7 ,the qualifications1 assignment1 training1 duties1 supervision1 and accountability for the performance of casualty assistance responsibilities4 7#d7 ,the relief or transfer of casualty assistance officers1 including notification to survivors of critical injury or illness in the line of duty and next-of-kin of the reassignment of such officers to other duties4 7#e7 ,centralized1 short-term and long-term case management procedures for casualty assistance1 including rapid access by survivors of firefighters or wildland fire support personnel and casualty assistance officers to expert case managers and counselors4 7#f7 ,the provision1 through a computer accessible website and other means and at no cost to survivors and next-of-kin of firefighters or wildland fire support personnel1 of personalized1 integrated information on the benefits and financial assistance available to such survivors from the ,federal ,government4 7#g7 ,the provision of information to survivors and next-of-kin of firefighters or wildland fire support personnel on mechanisms for registering complaints about1 or requests for1 additional assistance related to casualty assistance4 7#h7 ,liaison with the ,department of the ,interior1 the ,department of ,justice1 and the ,social ,security ,administration to ensure prompt and accurate resolution of issues relating to benefits administered by those agencies for survivors of firefighters or wildland fire support personnel4 7#i7 ,data collection regarding the incidence and quality of casualty assistance provided to survivors of firefighters or wildland fire support personnel4 7c7 ,line of ,duty ,death benefits ,the ,program shall not affect existing authorities for ,line of ,duty ,death benefits for ,federal firefighters and wildland fire support personnel4 7d7 ,next-of-,kin defined ,in this section1 the term next of kin means person or persons in the highest category of priority as determined by the following list 7categories appear in descending order of priority73 7#a7 ,surviving legal spouse4 7#b7 ,children 7whether by current or prior marriage7 age #ah years or older in descending precedence by age4 7#c7 ,father or mother1 unless by court order custody has been vested in another 7adoptive parent takes precedence over natural parent72 7#d7 ,siblings 7whole or half7 age #ah years or older in descending precedence by age4 7#e7 ,grandfather or grandmother4 7#f7 ,any other relative 7precedence to be determined in accordance with the civil law of descent of the deceased former member's ,state of domicile at time of death74 7e7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section1 #a1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcd4 ,,iii ,wildfire ,smoke and ,public ,health #cja4 ,national ,smoke ,monitoring and ,alert ,system 7,report ,recommendation #dd7 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service1 and in conjunction with the ,secretary of ,agriculture acting through the ,chief of the ,forest ,service1 the ,secretary of the ,interior1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention shall establish a nationally consistent smoke monitoring and alert system to provide consistent1 real-time information and forecasts on air quality impacts from wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment4 7b7 ,increase in smoke sensors ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 to ensure adequate and accessible data1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall increase the availability and use of air monitoring devices for wildfire smoke1 including1 to distinguish wildfire smoke from other forms of air pollution1 increasing the availability and use of-- 7#a7 speciation monitors2 and 7#b7 nonregulatory air monitors4 7c7 ,use of satellites ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall explore the use of satellites4 7d7 ,public county-,resolution smoke alert system for public health and roadways safety ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 acting through the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service and in coordination with the ,secretary of ,agriculture acting through the ,chief of the ,forest ,service1 the ,secretary of the ,interior1 and the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention shall establish a public county-resolution smoke alert system for public health and roadways safety which shall be based on levels of particulate matter4 ,the system established under this subsection shall be in addition to the ,national ,weather ,service ,dense ,smoke ,advisories1 which are based on visibility4 7e7 ,collection and dissemination of air quality and smoke alert information ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service shall collect all air quality forecasts1 including through ,air,now1 public notifications1 and alerts for smoke issued by ,federal1 ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial air agencies and disseminate them through weather forecast office networks to enable the ,wireless ,emergency ,alerts ,system to be extended to support smoke communications to protect public health4 7f7 ,forest ,service personnel and smoke monitoring equipment ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 acting through the ,chief of the ,forest ,service1 in coordination with the ,secretary of the ,interior1 shall expand the personnel and smoke monitoring equipment of the ,forest ,service to increase the capacity of the ,forest ,service to assess wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment1 and carry out prescribed fires4 7g7 ,interagency ,wildland ,fire ,air ,quality ,response ,program personnel and smoke monitoring equipment ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture and the ,secretary of the ,interior shall expand the personnel 7including air resource advisors7 of1 and smoke monitoring equipment available to1 the ,interagency ,wildland ,fire ,air ,quality ,response ,program established under section #aaad7;f7 of the ,john ,d4 ,dingell1 ,jr4 ,conservation1 ,management1 and ,recreation ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #agdh;b-#a7;f774 7h7 ,expansion of emergency response capacity 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall expand the emergency response capacity1 including personnel and equipment1 of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency-- 7,a7 to measure air pollution from wildfires that involve combustion of hazardous materials2 and 7,b7 to communicate information during smoke events resulting from wildfires4 7#b7 ,definition ,in this subsection1 the term hazardous materials means explosive1 flammable1 combustible1 corrosive1 oxidizing1 toxic1 infectious1 or radioactive materials that1 when involved in an accident and released in sufficient quantities1 put some portion of the general public in immediate danger from exposure1 contact1 inhalation1 or ingestion4 7i7 ,improvements to existing systems ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 in order to maintain the ,environmental ,protection ,agency ,air,now framework and technology as a state-of-the-art1 real-time resource for providing robust and actionable information to protect public health from wildfire smoke1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall1 as the ,administrator determines appropriate1 improve and modernize such ,air,now framework and technology1 including by making improvements to and otherwise modernizing ,air,now4gov1 ,air,now-,tech1 the ,air,now ,environmental ,protection ,agency and ,forest ,service ,fire and ,smoke ,map1 ,air,now ,forecast ,submittal ,system1 and the ,air,now mobile app4 7j7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #cb1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcd4 #cjb4 ,health risk assessment for ,wildfire ,smoke ,exposure 7,report ,recommendation #ajj7 7a7 ,in ,general ,not later than #b years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,director of the ,national ,institute for ,occupational ,safety and ,health1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,fire ,administration1 the ,chief of the ,forest ,service1 and the ,director of the ,office of ,wildland ,fire1 shall complete a human health risk assessment for worker exposure to wildfire smoke to estimate the nature and probability of adverse health effects in workers who may be exposed to hazards from wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment4 7b7 ,requirements for assessment ,the human health risk assessment required under subsection 7a7 shall address the following3 7#a7 ,the health problems for workers that may be caused by exposure to wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment4 7#b7 ,the probability that workers will experience health problems when exposed to different concentrations of wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment4 7#c7 ,the chemicals that workers are exposed to from wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment1 as well as the overall level and duration of such exposure4 7#d7 ,the differences in worker susceptibility to health effects from exposure to wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment4 7#e7 ,the effectiveness of mitigating both acute and cumulative exposures to wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment1 in decreasing adverse health effects from such wildfire smoke4 7c7 ,best practices ,not later than #f months after completing the human health risk assessment under subsection 7a71 the ,director of the ,national ,institute for ,occupational ,safety and ,health shall develop and publish best practices to mitigate worker exposure to wildfire smoke1 including wildfire smoke in the built environment4 ,such best practices shall be informed by the human health assessment completed under subsection 7a74 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,director of the ,national ,institute for ,occupational ,safety and ,health to carry out this section #a1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjbg4 ,,iv ,fire ,mitigation and ,technology #dja4 ,improvements to wildfire forage loss programs 7,report ,recommendation #ei7 7a7 ,livestock forage program ,section #aeja7;c77#d77;,a77ii7 of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ijha7;c77#d77;,a77ii77 is amended by inserting 7including a prescribed fire1 beneficial fire1 and wildfire managed for resource objectives7 before the period4 7b7 ,emergency livestock assistance program ,section #aeja7;d77#a7 of the ,agricultural ,act of #bjad 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ijha7;d77#a77 is amended by striking and wildfires and inserting wildfires1 beneficial fires1 prescribed fires1 and wildfires managed for resource objectives4 #djb4 ,improvements to ,,fema ,programs 7,report ,recommendations #ff and #fd7 7a7 ,in general ,section #cbd of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eafe;b7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b77#b7-- 7,a7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b7 as clauses 7i7 and 7ii71 respectively1 and adjusting the margins accordingly2 and 7,b7 in the matter preceding clause 7i71 as so redesignated1 by striking provide the following percentage rates and inserting 8provide-- 7,a7 excess funds for management costs as described in subsection 7c72 and 7,b7 the following percentage rates 2 7#b7 by redesignating subsection 7c7 as subsection 7d72 and 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 the following3 7c7 ,use of excess funds for management costs 7#a7 ,definition ,in this subsection1 the term excess funds for management costs means the difference between-- 7,a7 the amount of the applicable specific management costs authorized under subsection 7b77#a7 and subsection 7b77#b77;,b72 and 7,b7 as of the date on which the grant award is closed1 the amount of funding for management costs activities expended by the grantee or subgrantee receiving the financial assistance for costs described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,availability of excess funds for management costs ,the ,president may make available to a grantee or subgrantee receiving financial assistance under section #djc1 #djd1 #djf1 #djg1 or #ejb any excess funds for management costs4 7#c7 ,use of funds ,excess funds for management costs made available to a grantee or subgrantee under paragraph 7#b7 may be used for-- 7,a7 activities associated with building capacity to prepare for1 recover from1 or mitigate the impacts of a major disaster or emergency declared under section #dja or #eja1 respectively2 and 7,b7 management costs associated with any-- 7i7 major disaster2 7ii7 emergency2 7iii7 disaster preparedness measure2 or 7iv7 mitigation activity or measure authorized under section #bjc1 #bjd1 #bje1 or #djd4 7#d7 ,availability ,excess funds for management costs made available to a grantee or subgrantee under paragraph 7#b7 shall remain available to the grantee or subgrantee until the date that is #e years after the date on which the excess funds for management costs are made available under paragraph 7#b74 4 7b7 ,applicability ,the amendments made by subsection 7a7 shall apply with respect to any grant award in relation to a major disaster or emergency declared under section #dja or #eja1 respectively1 of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj1 #eaia7-- 7#a7 the declaration of which is made on or after the date of enactment of this ,act2 and 7#b7 that is funded with amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this ,act4 7c7 ,,gao study ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives a report-- 7#a7 on the actual management costs described in section #cbd of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eafe;b7 during the period of a major disaster declaration under section #dja of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj7 to determine whether the amount set aside for those management costs after the date of enactment of this ,act is appropriate2 and 7#b7 that includes the management costs described in section #cbd of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eafe;b7 for each disaster declared under during the period of a major disaster declaration under section #dja of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj7 during the #e-year period preceding the date of the report1 the amount set aside for those management costs1 the use of those management costs1 the length of each disaster1 and the reason for the length of each disaster4 7d7 ,no additional funds ,no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the amendments made by subsection 7a74 7e7 ,treatment of multiple events stemming from same wildfire 7#a7 ,major disaster assistance programs ,section #dja of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eagj7 is amended-- 7d7 ,wildland fire major disaster declaration ,in the case of an initial wildland fire major disaster declaration under this section1 the declaration shall include any landslide1 mudslide1 flood1 or other natural disaster event which stems from the wildland fire occuring within the #c-year period beginning on the first date of the wildland fire4 4 7#b7 ,emergency assistance programs ,section #eja of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaia7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,wildland fire major disaster declaration ,in the case of an initial wildland fire major disaster declaration under this section1 the declaration shall include any landslide1 mudslide1 flood1 or other natural disaster event which stems from the wildland fire occuring within the #c-year period beginning on the first date of the wildland fire4 4 7#c7 ,effective date ,the amendments made by this subsection shall apply with respect to events occurring after the date of the enactment of this ,act4 7f7 ,fire management assistance program policy ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall recommend such regulations or guidance as are necessary to make eligible assessments and emergency stabilization to protect public safety1 including for the fire management assistance program under section #dbj of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eahg71 irrespective of the incident period for a declared fire4 7g7 ,changes to public assistance policy guide ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall amend the ,public ,assistance ,program and ,policy ,guide of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency to include guidance on wildfire-specific recovery challenges1 including debris removal1 emergency protective measures1 and the resulting toxicity of drinking water resources4 7h7 ,mitigation cost ,effectiveness 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency shall conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating the cost effectiveness of projects intended to mitigate the impacts of wildfire under sections #bjc and #djd of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eacc2 #eagj;c71 including-- 7,a7 the establishment of precalculated benefits criterion for common defensible space mitigation projects for wildfire mitigation2 7,b7 the use of nature-based infrastructure in wildfire mitigation2 7,c7 considerations for vegetation management for wildfire mitigation2 7,d7 reducing the negative effects of wildfire smoke on public health2 and 7,e7 lessening the impact of wildfires on water infrastructure4 7#b7 ,updated criteria ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall issue such guidance as is necessary to-- 7,a7 update criteria for evaluating the cost effectiveness of mitigation projects under sections #bjc and #djd of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eacc2 #eagj;c7 based on the results of the review conducted under paragraph 7#a72 and 7,b7 prioritize such projects based on the criteria updated under subparagraph 7,a74 #djc4 ,the ,wildland ,dynamic ,risk ,mapping ,program 7,report ,recommendation #aah7 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #c years after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration shall work jointly with the ,national ,aeronautical and ,space ,agency1 ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 ,united ,states ,fire ,administration1 universities1 and ,national ,laboratories to-- 7#a7 develop dynamic risk and hazard maps for the wildland and built environments in the ,united ,states2 and 7#b7 ensure that such dynamic risk maps are updated as required to reflect each wildfire season-- 7,a7 changes in the natural environment1 such as postflood or fire alterations2 7,b7 rapidly changing environmental conditions2 7,c7 measure changes in fuels moisture on the temporal scale2 and 7,d7 utilize both remote sensing technologies and on the ground monitoring4 7b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration to carry out this section #ae1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjbi4 #djd4 ,improvements to grant programs for community wildfire risk reduction and postfire recovery efforts 7,report ,recommendation #adb7 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretaries shall1 with respect to the grant programs for community wildfire risk reduction and postfire recovery efforts carried out by each such ,secretary-- 7#a7 increase the accessibility of such grant programs2 7#b7 reduce the complexity of the application process for grants under such programs1 including-- 7,a7 by reducing the amount of information required to apply2 and 7,b7 to the maximum extent practicable1 enabling auto-populating fields in the online applications for such grants2 7#c7 reduce administrative burden with respect to such grant programs1 including by-- 7,a7 aligning program applications to reduce separate applications for similar programs2 and 7,b7 developing a common section for applications to reduce duplicative questions2 7#d7 review the statutory and administrative barriers that impede the ability of communities to quickly access funds under each such grant program2 7#e7 increase technical assistance provided to applicants1 recipients1 and subrecipients2 and 7#f7 increase outreach to potential applicants for such grant programs1 including by-- 7,a7 providing appropriate dedicated staff to assist individuals and communities in identifying and applying for grants under such grant programs2 and 7,b7 notifying potential applicants of eligibility and open application seasons with respect to such grant programs4 7b7 ,secretaries defined ,in this section1 the term ,secretaries means the ,secretary of the ,interior1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 acting through the ,chief of the ,forest ,service1 the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 the ,administrator of the ,small ,business ,administration1 and the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 #dje4 ,joint ,office of the ,fire ,environment ,center 7,report ,recommendations #ajd1 #aje1 #ajf7 7a7 ,establishment 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than a #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration shall establish a joint office1 which shall be known as the ,joint ,office of the ,fire ,environment ,center4 7#b7 ,structure ,the ,joint ,office shall be comprised of the following branches3 7,a7 ,technology and ,engineering ,technology and ,engineering1 which shall-- 7i7 focus on modeling and the building and testing of technology2 and 7ii7 may enter into public-private partnerships4 7,b7 ,data ,services ,data ,services1 which shall-- 7i7 be responsible for testing artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to support managers1 firefighters1 and public health officials on the ground1 including producing decision consequence data1 modeling risk1 and suggesting resources based on fire and smoke conditions at the time and place of ignition detection2 and 7ii7 working with ,state1 local1 and ,tribal entities on data sharing4 7,c7 ,analysis and ,prediction ,analysis and ,prediction4 7,d7 ,education and ,consultation ,education and ,consultation1 which shall be responsible for incident management4 7,e7 ,other ,any other branch determined necessary or appropriate by the ,board4 7b7 ,functions of ,joint ,office 7#a7 ,in general 7,a7 ,availability of products and information ,the ,joint ,office shall make available any products and information developed by the ,joint ,office to-- 7i7 geographic area coordination centers2 7ii7 incident management teams2 7iii7 land managers2 7iv7 air quality and water provider agencies2 7v7 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal governments2 and 7vi7 public health agencies4 7,b7 ,services and support ,the ,joint ,office shall provide real-time1 science-based1 and data-rich scientific and technical analytic services1 decision support1 and predictive services to inform land and fuels management1 community risk reduction1 and fire management and response1 including the following3 7i7 ,prefire mitigation and risk reduction ,prefire mitigation and risk reduction activities for landscapes and communities1 including through assessments and modeling of-- 7,i7 climate condition2 7,,ii7 fuels2 7,,iii7 home ignition2 7,,iv7 structure-to-structure spread2 and 7,v7 values at risk4 7ii7 ,public health and safety during and after fire ,activities that better protect public health and safety during and after a fire1 including mapping services and data provision to support evacuation decisions in communities at risk and air quality monitoring and forecast data to support health risk information that helps protect the public from smoke impacts associated with fire4 7iii7 ,fire response and management ,fire response and management1 including-- 7,i7 response preparedness and initial attack readiness for new fires2 7,,ii7 deployment of response resources2 and 7,,iii7 firefighter movement decisions during active fire management4 7iv7 ,postfire activities ,postfire activities1 including-- 7,i7 vegetation recovery2 7,,ii7 debris flows and flooding2 7,,iii7 watershed protection2 and 7,,iv7 ecosystem health4 7,c7 ,coordination of functions ,the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 in coordination with each of the agencies specified in subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,j7 of subsection 7c77#a71 shall operate as a collective entity to produce accessible products and services for a variety of users and uses in fire management1 including by-- 7i7 developing timely1 manager-focused models1 technologies1 assessments1 and forecasts to support fire operational decisionmaking1 and short- and long-term fire planning2 and 7ii7 integrating the existing specialties of the constituent land management1 community preparedness1 and public health agencies4 7#b7 ,technological common operating environment 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,joint ,office shall develop a technological common operating environment for practitioners across the spectrum of risk mitigation1 prescribed fire1 response1 and postdisaster response to shepherd the creation of highly dynamic decision support tools4 7,b7 ,public health information ,the ,joint ,office shall ensure that public health information that is essential to integrate into this common operating environment is provided to ensure its products accurately reflect the depth and breadth of the wildfire issues4 ,information provided shall include air quality data and forecasts and information pertaining to the built environment4 7c7 ,board of the ,joint ,office 7#a7 ,number and appointment ,the ,joint ,office shall be governed by a board1 comprised of #ab members1 as follows3 7,a7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 appointed by the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7,b7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,united ,states ,fire ,administration1 appointed by the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,fire ,administration4 7,c7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency1 appointed by the ,administrator of the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 7,d7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,national ,weather ,service1 appointed by the ,director of the ,national ,weather ,service4 7,e7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,forest ,service1 appointed by the ,chief of the ,forest ,service4 7,f7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,department of the ,interior1 appointed by the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7,g7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,bureau of ,land ,management1 appointed by the ,director of the ,bureau of ,land ,management4 7,h7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 appointed by the ,director of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs4 7,i7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,national ,park ,service1 appointed by the ,director of the ,national ,park ,service4 7,j7 ,one member who is a career employee of the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service1 appointed by the ,director of the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service4 7,k7 ,two members who are non-,federal representatives of the wildfire community1 appointed by the ,board4 ,there initial terms can be #a year each4 7#b7 ,terms 7,a7 ,in general ,each member shall be appointed for a term of #e years1 except as provided in paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c74 7,b7 ,terms of initial appointees ,of the members first appointed-- 7i7 the members appointed under subparagraphs 7,i71 7,j71 and 7,k7 of paragraph 7#a7 shall be appointed for terms of #a year2 7ii7 the members appointed under subparagraphs 7,d7 and 7,g7 of paragraph 7#a7 shall be appointed for terms of #b years2 7iii7 the members appointed under subparagraphs 7,f7 and 7,h7 of paragraph 7#a7 shall be appointed for terms of #c years2 and 7iv7 the members appointed under subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,e7 of paragraph 7#a7 shall be appointed for terms of #d years4 7,c7 ,vacancies ,any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term4 ,a member may serve after the expiration of that member's term until a successor has taken office4 ,a vacancy in the ,board shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made4 7#c7 ,prohibition of compensation of ,federal employees ,members of the ,board who are career employees of the ,united ,states may not receive additional pay1 allowances1 or benefits by reason of their service on the ,board4 7#d7 ,travel expenses ,each member shall receive travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#e7 ,quorum #g members of the ,board shall constitute a quorum4 7#f7 ,chairperson2 ,vice ,chairperson ,the ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson of the ,board shall be elected by the members of the ,board4 ,the term of office of the ,chairperson and ,vice ,chairperson shall be #a year4 7#g7 ,meetings ,the ,board shall meet at least quarterly and at a call of a majority of its members4 7d7 ,director and staff of ,joint ,office2 experts and consultants 7#a7 ,director ,the ,joint ,office shall have a ,director who shall be appointed by the ,board4 ,to the extent or in the amounts provided in advance in appropriation ,acts1 the ,director shall be paid at a rate of basic pay not to exceed the rate of basic pay for level ,,ii of the ,executive ,schedule4 ,the budget and decisionmaking authority for the ,joint ,office is vested in the ,director4 7#b7 ,chief ,information ,officer1 ,chief ,financial ,officer1 ,chief ,technology ,officer1 and ,chief ,operating ,officer ,with the approval of the ,board1 the ,director may appoint a ,chief ,information ,officer1 ,chief ,financial ,officer1 ,chief ,technology ,officer1 and ,chief ,operating ,officer4 7#c7 ,staff ,with the approval of the ,board1 the ,director may appoint at least #ajj personnel and may appoint such additional personnel as the ,director considers appropriate4 7#d7 ,applicability of certain civil service laws ,the ,director and staff of the ,joint ,office shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 governing appointments in the competitive service1 and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of that title relating to classification and ,general ,schedule pay rates4 7#e7 ,experts and consultants ,with the approval of the ,joint ,office1 the ,director may procure temporary and intermittent services under section #caji7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equivalent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay under the ,general ,schedule4 7#f7 ,staff of ,federal agencies ,upon request of the ,director1 the head of any ,federal department or agency may detail1 on a reimbursable basis1 any of the personnel of that department or agency to the ,joint ,office to assist it in carrying out its duties under this ,act4 7e7 ,contract authority ,the ,joint ,office may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for supplies and services4 7f7 ,consultation ,in carrying out its functions under this section1 the ,joint ,office is encouraged to consult with and share relevant data with the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,national ,aeronautical and ,space ,agency1 the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 and the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention4 7g7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this section1 the following definitions shall apply3 7#a7 ,joint ,office ,the term ,joint ,office means the ,joint ,office of the ,fire ,environment ,center established under subsection 7a77#a74 7#b7 ,board ,the term ,board means the ,board of the ,joint ,office established by subsection 7c74 7#c7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,joint ,office required by subsection 7d74 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration to carry out this section #aej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcd4 #djf4 ,interagency ,data ,collaboration ,environment 7,report ,recommendation #ajg7 7a7 ,expansion of information system ,not later than a #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,fire ,administration shall expand the ,national ,emergency ,response ,information ,system to include real-time information and analytics tools relating to prescribed fires as well as wildfires that do not impact structures and infrastructure4 ,the expansion of this system shall be compatible with1 and shared with1 existing wildland fire information collection at the ,fire ,environment ,center established under section #dje4 7b7 ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center 7#a7 ,creation ,the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,fire ,administration shall create a data center to be known as the ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center4 ,the ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center shall be a public1 government1 scientific research data catalog and repository available to assist the wildfire communities research and share data4 7#b7 ,data and modeling collaboration environment ,the ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center shall provide a data and modeling collaboration environment for researchers across the wildfire community to engage with data across agencies and disciplines4 7#c7 ,open access ,the ,administrator shall ensure that the ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center is in compliance with the guidance on public access policies as specified in the ,memorandum from the ,office of ,science and ,technology ,policy of the ,executive ,office of the ,president that was issued on ,august #be1 #bjbb4 7#d7 ,information to be included in ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center repository ,the ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center shall include in its repository information on the following areas3 7,a7 ,outcomes and impacts of wildfire and associated management actions4 7,b7 ,real-time data on new fire starts4 7,c7 ,the effectiveness of wildfire risk mitigation measures4 7,d7 ,public health research related to wildland fire and fires in the built environment4 7#e7 ,information to be included on website ,the ,administrator of the ,united ,states ,fire ,administration shall coordinate with the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 acting through the ,chief of the ,forest ,service1 to include on the publicly accessible website of the ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center-- 7,a7 information on postwildfire impacts and ,state and ,federal programs and funding opportunities to address such impacts2 7,b7 ,state and ,federal best practices relating to the short- and long-term mitigation of wildfire2 and 7,c7 with respect to wildfire1 information on ecological recovery1 assessment science1 and ,state and ,federal emergency declaration processes4 7#f7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the ownership of individual agencies over their data sources4 7c7 ,findable1 accessible1 interoperable1 and reusable requirement 7#a7 ,access requirement for ,u4,s4 ,department of the ,interior ,library along with the ,national ,emergency ,training ,center ,library and ,national ,forest ,service ,library ,through the ,wildfire ,digital ,data ,center1 the ,u4,s4 ,department of the ,interior ,library along with the ,national ,emergency ,training ,center ,library and ,national ,forest ,service ,library shall provide services to make federally funded wildland and structural fire research data systems and data products findable1 accessible1 interoperable1 and reusable 7,,fair74 7#b7 ,the services required by subparagraph 7,a7 shall be integrated with the ,national ,emergency ,response ,information ,system of the ,united ,states ,fire ,administration to better collect data and model the built environment4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #ae1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbe through #bjcd4 #djg4 ,requirements related to payment timing for certain programs addressing wildfire damages 7,report ,recommendation #fa7 7a7 ,emergency forest restoration program ,section #djg7;b7 of the ,agricultural ,credit ,act of #aigh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #bbjf7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,the and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,the 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,payments for emergency measures to address wildfire ,in the case of an application for a payment by an owner of nonindustrial private forest land who carries out emergency measures to restore the land after the land is damaged by a wildfire1 if the ,secretary approves such application1 the ,secretary shall provide payment to such owner not later than #ij days after the date on which the application was submitted to the ,secretary4 4 7b7 ,emergency watershed program ,section #djc of the ,agricultural ,credit ,act of #aigh 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #bbjc7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7c7 ,payments for emergency watershed protection measures ,to address wildfire damage ,in the case of an application for a payment for emergency watershed protection measures addressing a sudden impairment of a watershed caused by a wildfire1 if the ,secretary approves such application1 the ,secretary shall provide such payment not later than #ij days after the date on which the application was submitted to the ,secretary4 4 7c7 ,community facilities direct loan and grant programs 7#a7 ,direct loan program ,section #cjf7;a77#a7 of the ,consolidated ,farm and ,rural ,development ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibf7;a77#ai77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 ,if the ,secretary approves an application for an essential community facilities loan under this paragraph that is submitted by an owner of nonindustrial private forest land 7as defined in section #djg of the ,agricultural ,credit ,act of #aigh7 who carries out emergency measures 7as defined in such section7 to restore the land after the land is damaged by a wildfire and the ,secretary approves the application1 the ,secretary shall provide the loan to the owner within #ij days after date the application is submitted4 7#b7 ,grant program ,section #cjf7;a77#ai7 of such ,act 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibf7;a77#ai77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,payments for emergency measures to address wildfire ,if the ,secretary approves an application for a grant under this paragraph that is submitted by an owner of nonindustrial private forest land 7as defined in section #djg of the ,agricultural ,credit ,act of #aigh7 who carries out emergency measures 7as defined in such section7 to restore the land after the land is damaged by a wildfire and the ,secretary approves the application1 the ,secretary shall provide the grant to the owner within #ij days after date the application is submitted4 4 7d7 ,disaster relief and mitigation programs ,the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eaba et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 in section #bjc1 by adding at the end the following3 7m7 ,assistance for wildfire mitigation ,if the ,president approves an application for financial assistance under this section to implement predisaster hazard mitigation measures related to the mitigation of wildfires1 the ,president shall provide such assistance within #ij days after the date such application is submitted4 2 7#b7 in section #djd1 by adding at the end the following3 7h7 ,assistance for wildfire mitigation ,if the ,president approves an application for hazard mitigation assistance under this section that is related to the mitigation of wildfires1 the ,president shall provide such assistance within #ij days after the date such application is submitted4 2 7#c7 in section #djg7;e71 by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,payments related to wildfire ,notwithstanding the requirements of paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b71 if the ,president approves an application for a grant under this section to remove debris or wreckage resulting from a wildfire1 such grant shall be paid in full no later than the date that is #ij days after the last day such wildfire occurred4 4 7#d7 in section #djh-- 7,a7 by redesignating subsections 7i7 and 7j7 as subsections 7j7 and 7k71 respectively2 and 7,b7 by inserting after subsection 7h7 the following3 7i7 ,payments related to wildfire ,if the ,president approves an application for financial assistance under this section for necessary expenses or serious needs related to a wildfire1 the ,president shall provide such assistance within #ij days after the last day such wildfire occurred4 4 7e7 ,small ,business ,administration disaster loan program ,the ,small ,business ,administration ,disaster ,loan program under ,section #g7;b7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating the second paragraph 7#af7 7relating to statute of limitations7 as paragraph 7#ag72 and 7#b7 by inserting after paragraph 7#ag7 7as so redesignated71 the following new paragraph3 7#ah7 ,emergency measures to address wildfire ,if the ,administrator approves an application for a loan under this subsection that is submitted by an owner of nonindustrial private forest land 7as defined in section #djg of the ,agricultural ,credit ,act of #aigh7 who carries out emergency measures 7as defined in such section7 to restore the land after the land is damaged by a wildfire1 the ,administrator shall ensure that such loan is disbursed not later than #ij days after date of such approval4 4