H.R. 1245

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1245 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1245

To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 12, 2025

Mr. Edwards (for himself, Ms. Titus, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms. 
Tokuda, Mr. Sherman, and Mr. Neguse) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial 
Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Disaster Survivors 
Fairness Act of 2025''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Information sharing for federal agencies.
Sec. 3. Universal application for individual assistance.
Sec. 4. Repair and rebuilding.
Sec. 5. Direct assistance.
Sec. 6. State-managed housing pilot authority.
Sec. 7. Management costs.
Sec. 8. Funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance.
Sec. 9. Individual assistance dashboard.
Sec. 10. FEMA reports.
Sec. 11. Sheltering of emergency response personnel.
Sec. 12. Improved rental assistance.
Sec. 13. GAO report on preliminary damage assessments.
Sec. 14. Applicability.
Sec. 15. GAO report to Congress on challenges under public assistance 
alternative procedures.
(c) Definitions.--Except as otherwise provided, the terms used in 
this Act have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5122).

SEC. 2. INFORMATION SHARING FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES.

(a) Establishment of Unified Disaster Application System.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall establish and maintain a web-based 
interagency electronic information sharing system, to be known 
as the ``unified disaster application system'', to--
(A) facilitate the administration of the universal 
application for direct Federal disaster assistance 
established under section 3;
(B) carry out the purposes of disaster assistance 
programs swiftly, efficiently, and in accordance with 
applicable laws, regulations, and the privacy and data 
protections provided under this section; and
(C) support the detection, prevention, and 
investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination 
in the administration of disaster assistance programs.
(2) Authorities of administrator.--In establishing and 
maintaining the unified disaster application system under this 
subsection, the Administrator may collect and maintain disaster 
assistance information received from a disaster assistance 
agency, a block grant recipient, or an applicant for a disaster 
assistance program and share such information with any other 
disaster assistance agency or block grant recipient using such 
system.
(3) Requirements.--The Administrator shall ensure that the 
unified disaster application system established and maintained 
under this subsection--
(A) allows an applicant to receive status updates 
on an application for disaster assistance programs 
submitted though such system;
(B) allows for applicants to update disaster 
assistance information throughout the recovery journeys 
of such applicants in accordance with established 
application timeframes;
(C) allows for the distribution to applicants of 
information about additional recovery resources that 
may be available in a disaster stricken area;
(D) provides an applicant with information and 
documentation relating to an application for a disaster 
assistance program submitted by such applicant; and
(E) contains any other capabilities determined 
necessary by the head of a disaster assistance agency.
(b) Data Security.--The Administrator may facilitate the collection 
of disaster assistance information into the unified disaster 
application system established under subsection (a) only after the 
following requirements have been met:
(1) The Administrator certifies that the unified disaster 
application system substantially complies with the data 
security standards and best practices established pursuant to 
subchapter II of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, 
and any other applicable Federal information security policy.
(2) The Secretary of Homeland Security publishes a privacy 
impact assessment for the unified disaster application system, 
in accordance with section 208(b)(1)(B) of the E-Government Act 
of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note).
(3) The Administrator, after consulting with disaster 
assistance agencies, publishes standard rules of behavior for 
disaster assistance agencies, block grant recipients, and 
personnel granted access to disaster assistance information to 
protect such information from improper disclosure.
(c) Collection and Sharing of Additional Records and Information.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may authorize the 
additional collection, maintenance, sharing, and use of 
disaster assistance information by publishing a notice on the 
unified disaster application system established under 
subsection (a) that includes a detailed description of--
(A) the specific amendments to the collection, 
maintenance, and sharing of disaster assistance 
information authorized;
(B) why each such amendment to how disaster 
assistance information is collected, maintained, or 
shared is necessary to carry out the purposes of a 
disaster assistance program and consistent with the 
fair information practice principles; and
(C) the disaster assistance agencies and block 
grant recipients that will be granted access to the 
additional information to carry out the purposes of any 
disaster assistance program.
(2) Notice and publication requirements.--The publication 
of a notice under paragraph (1) of a revision to the unified 
disaster application system of records prior to any new 
collection, or uses, of Privacy Act categories of records, to 
carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program with 
regard to a disaster declared by the President under section 
401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191), shall be 
deemed to satisfy the notice and publication requirements of 
section 552a(e)(4) of title 5, United States Code, for the 
entire period of performance for any assistance provided under 
a disaster assistance program.
(3) Waiver of information collection requirements.--
(A) In general.--Upon the declaration of a major 
disaster or emergency pursuant to sections 401 or 501 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191) by the President, 
the Administrator may waive the requirements of 
subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States 
Code, with respect to voluntary collection of 
information for the entire period of performance for 
any assistance provided under a disaster assistance 
program.
(B) Transparency.--Upon exercising the waiver 
authority under subparagraph (A), the Administrator 
shall--
(i) promptly post on a website of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency a brief 
justification for such waiver, the anticipated 
period of time such waiver will be in effect, 
and the disaster assistance offices within the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency to which 
such waiver shall apply; and
(ii) update the information relating to 
such waiver, as applicable.
(4) GAO review of waiver of information collection 
requirements.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, 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 (3).
(B) Contents.--The report required under 
subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment of the 
extent to which a waiver described in paragraph (3) 
would--
(i) affect the paperwork burden for 
individuals, small businesses, State, local and 
tribal governments, and other persons;
(ii) affect the consistent application of 
Federal laws relating to--
(I) privacy and confidentiality;
(II) security of information; and
(III) access to information; and
(iii) encourage or deter a State or other 
entity from participating in the voluntary 
collection of information for the duration of a 
major disaster or emergency.
(d) Use by Other Federal Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may permit a Federal 
agency other than a disaster assistance agency listed in 
subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (f)(3) to use the 
unified disaster application system established under 
subsection (a) for the purpose of facilitating disaster-related 
assistance if such agency enters into an agreement containing 
the terms described in paragraph (2).
(2) Agency agreement.--An agreement entered into under 
paragraph (1) shall contain the following terms:
(A) The Federal agency shall--
(i) collect, share, maintain, and use 
disaster assistance information in compliance 
with this section and any policies of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency and any 
information protection and use policies of such 
Federal agency; and
(ii) train any personnel granted access to 
disaster assistance information on the rules of 
behavior established by the Administrator under 
subsection (b)(3).
(B) In the event of any unauthorized disclosure of 
disaster assistance information, the Federal agency 
shall--
(i) notify the Administrator within 24 
hours of discovering any such unauthorized 
disclosure;
(ii) cooperate fully with the Administrator 
in the investigation and remediation of any 
such disclosure;
(iii) cooperate fully in the prosecution of 
a person responsible for such disclosure; and
(iv) assume the responsibility for any 
compensation, civil liability, or other 
remediation measures, whether awarded by a 
judgment of a court or agreed as a compromise 
of any potential claims by or on behalf of an 
applicant, including by obtaining credit 
monitoring and remediation services, for an 
improper disclosure that is--
(I) caused, directly or indirectly, 
by the acts or omissions of officers, 
employees, and contractors of the 
agency; or
(II) from any electronic system of 
records that is created or maintained 
by the agency pursuant to section 
552a(e) of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Publication of agency agreement.--The Administrator 
shall publish an agency agreement entered into under this 
subsection on the same website as the unified disaster 
application system established under subsection (a).
(e) Rule of Construction.--The sharing and use of disaster 
assistance information that is subject to the requirements of section 
552a of title 5, United States Code, by disaster assistance agencies 
and block grant recipients--
(1) shall not be--
(A) construed as a matching program for purposes of 
section 552a(a)(8) of such title; or
(B) subject to the remaining computer matching 
provisions of section 552a of such title; and
(2) shall be in addition to any other law providing for the 
sharing or use of such information.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means--
(A) a person who applies for disaster assistance 
from a disaster assistance program; and
(B) a person on whose behalf a person described in 
subparagraph (A) has applied for disaster assistance.
(2) Block grant recipient.--The term ``block grant 
recipient'' means a State, local government, or Indian Tribe 
that receives assistance through the disaster assistance 
program described in paragraph (5)(B)(i).
(3) Disaster assistance agency.--The term ``disaster 
assistance agency'' means--
(A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(B) the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development;
(C) the Small Business Administration;
(D) the Department of Agriculture; and
(E) any other Federal agency that the Administrator 
permits to use the unified disaster application system 
under subsection (d).
(4) Disaster assistance information.--The term ``disaster 
assistance information'' includes any personal, demographic, 
biographical, geographical, financial information, or other 
information that a disaster assistance agency or block grant 
recipient is authorized to collect, maintain, share, or use to 
process an application for disaster assistance or otherwise 
carry out a disaster assistance program.
(5) Disaster assistance program.--The term ``disaster 
assistance program'' means--
(A) any program that provides assistance to 
individuals and households under title IV or title V of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.); or
(B) any other assistance program carried out by a 
disaster assistance agency that provides assistance to 
an individual, household, or organization related to a 
major disaster or emergency declared under sections 401 
or 501 of such Act, including--
(i) assistance for activities related to 
disaster relief, long-term recovery, 
restoration of infrastructure and housing, 
economic revitalization, and mitigation that 
are authorized under title I of the Housing and 
Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 
5301 et seq.);
(ii) any loan that is authorized under 
section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 636(b)); and
(iii) the distribution of food benefit 
allotments as authorized under section 412 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5179) and 
section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
U.S.C. 2014(h)).

SEC. 3. UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) Universal Application.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall develop and establish a universal 
application for direct Federal disaster assistance for individuals in 
areas impacted by emergencies or disasters.
(b) Consultation and Support.--
(1) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the 
Administrator shall consult with the following:
(A) The Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget.
(B) The Administrator of the Small Business 
Administration.
(C) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(D) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(2) Support.--The entities described in paragraph (1) shall 
provide prompt support to the Administrator.
(c) Survey.--The application established under subsection (a) shall 
include a voluntary survey to collect the demographic data of an 
applicant.
(d) GAO Assessment on Identity Theft and Disaster Fraud in Disaster 
Assistance Programs.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct an assessment of improper and potentially 
fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals made to 
survivors of major disasters declared in 2020 and 2021, 
including through identity theft; and
(2) 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--
(A) the prevalence of improper and potentially 
fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals 
made to registrants who used invalid information to 
apply for disaster assistance, including through 
identity theft;
(B) the number of disaster survivors whose claims 
for Federal disaster assistance for individuals were 
denied due to another individual filing a fraudulent 
application using their personal identifying 
information;
(C) the adequacy of existing fraud prevention 
protocols in place on the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency's online application for Federal disaster 
assistance for individuals; and
(D) recommendations for improving the identity 
verification protocols in place for Federal disaster 
assistance for individuals.

SEC. 4. REPAIR AND REBUILDING.

(a) In General.--Section 408(b)(1) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(b)(1)) is 
amended--
(1) by striking ``rendered uninhabitable'' and inserting 
``damaged by a major disaster''; and
(2) by striking ``uninhabitable, as a result of damage 
caused by a major disaster'' and inserting ``damaged by a major 
disaster''.
(b) Hazard Mitigation.--Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is 
amended--
(1) in subsection (c) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Hazard mitigation.--
``(A) In general.--The President may provide 
financial assistance to individuals and households 
whose primary residence, utilities, or residential 
infrastructure are damaged by a major disaster, for 
cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce 
threats to life and property, or future damage to such 
residence, utilities, or infrastructure in future 
disasters.
``(B) 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 means, except insurance 
proceeds.''; and
(2) in subsection (h)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``, financial 
assistance for hazard mitigation under subsection 
(c)(5)(A),'' after ``subsection (c)(1)(A)(i)'';
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking ``paragraphs (1) 
and (2)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1), (2), and 
(3)''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Hazard mitigation.--The maximum financial assistance 
any individual or household may receive under subsection (c)(5) 
shall be equivalent to the amount set forth in paragraph (1) 
with respect to a single major disaster.''.

SEC. 5. DIRECT ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General.--Section 408(c) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)) is further 
amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Repairs.--
``(A) Financial assistance for repairs.--The 
President may provide financial assistance for the 
repair of owner-occupied private residences, utilities, 
and residential infrastructure (such as a private 
access route) damaged by a major disaster, or with 
respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered 
inaccessible by a major disaster.
``(B) Direct assistance for repairs.--
``(i) In general.--The President may 
provide direct assistance to individuals and 
households who are unable to make use of 
financial assistance under subparagraph (A) and 
when there is a lack of available resources, 
for--
``(I) the repair of owner-occupied 
private residences, utilities, and 
residential infrastructure (such as a 
private access route) damaged by a 
major disaster, or with respect to 
individuals with disabilities, rendered 
inaccessible by a disaster; and
``(II) eligible hazard mitigation 
measures that reduce the likelihood and 
future damage to such residences, 
utilities, and infrastructure.
``(ii) Eligibility.--A recipient of 
assistance under this subparagraph shall not be 
eligible for assistance under paragraph (1), 
unless otherwise determined by the 
Administrator.
``(C) 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 means, except insurance 
proceeds.''.
(b) State- or Indian Tribal Government-Administered Assistance and 
Other Needs Assistance.--Section 408(f) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) is 
amended--
(1) by striking ``subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e)'' 
each place it appears and inserting ``paragraphs (1)(B), 
(2)(B), and (4) of subsection (c) and subsection (e)''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ``subsection (c)(1)(B), 
(c)(4), or (e)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)(B), (2)(B), or 
(4) of subsection (c) or subsection (e)''.

SEC. 6. STATE-MANAGED HOUSING PILOT AUTHORITY.

(a) In General.--Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(3)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``A State'' and inserting 
the following:
``(i) In general.--A State''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii) Transparency.--The President shall 
make public the criteria used to evaluate 
applications under clause (i) and determine if 
a State or Indian tribal government meets the 
criteria described in subparagraph (B) to 
administer grants described in paragraph 
(1)(A).'';
(B) in subparagraph (C)(ii)--
(i) in subclause (I) by striking ``; and'' 
and inserting a semicolon;
(ii) in subclause (II) by striking the 
period at the end and inserting a semicolon; 
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(III) outline the approach of the 
State to help disaster survivors create 
a permanent housing plan; and
``(IV) outline the approach of the 
State to provide individual disaster 
survivors some choice of communities 
and properties, as practicable.'';
(C) by striking subparagraph (F);
(D) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), (I), 
and (J) as subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), and (I), 
respectively; and
(E) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated--
(i) in clause (ii) by striking ``Not later 
than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this paragraph, the'' and inserting ``The''; 
and
(ii) in clause (iii) by striking ``2 
years'' and inserting ``10 years''; and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``paragraph (2)'' 
and inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Disaster assistance.--In the case of assistance 
provided under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(2)(B), and (c)(4), 
the Federal share shall be not less than 75 percent.''.
(b) GAO Assessment.--Upon the expiration of the authority to carry 
out section 408(f) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) as a pilot program, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report on the 
effectiveness, successes, and challenges of any pilot program carried 
out pursuant to such section and make recommendations on how to improve 
the provision of assistance under such section.

SEC. 7. MANAGEMENT COSTS.

(a) In General.--Section 324(b)(2) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165b(b)(2)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Individual assistance.--A grantee under 
section 408(f) may be reimbursed not more than 12 
percent of the total award amount under each such 
section.
``(D) Crisis counseling assistance, training, and 
case management services.--A grantee and subgrantee, 
cumulatively, may be reimbursed not more than 15 
percent of the total amount of the grant award under 
either section 416 or 426.''.
(b) Administrative Costs.--Section 408(f)(1) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174), 
as amended by section 5(b) of this Act, is amended--
(1) by striking ``(A) Grant to state.--'' and all that 
follows through ``subsection (g),'' and inserting ``Subject to 
subsection (g),''; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B).

SEC. 8. FUNDING FOR ONLINE GUIDES FOR POST-DISASTER ASSISTANCE.

(a) Use of Services of Other Agencies.--Section 201(a) of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5131(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and 
inserting ``; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) post-disaster assistance.''.
(b) Grants for Online Guides for Assistance.--Section 201 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5131) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Funding for Online Guides for Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency may provide funding to a State 
agency established under subsection (c) to establish, update, 
or 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 emergency.
``(2) Management.--A website created under this subsection 
shall be--
``(A) managed by the State agency; and
``(B) suitable for the residents of the State of 
the State agency.
``(3) Content.--The Administrator may provide funding to a 
State agency under this subsection to establish a website that 
contains only 1 or more of the following:
``(A) A list of Federal, State, and local sources 
of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that 
may be available to a community after a major disaster 
or emergency.
``(B) A list of Federal, State, and local sources 
of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that 
may be available to an individual impacted by a major 
disaster or emergency.
``(C) 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 wildfire.
``(4) Cooperation.--A State agency that receives funding 
under this subsection shall cooperate with the Secretary of the 
Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Small 
Business Administration, and the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency in developing a website under this 
subsection.
``(5) Updates.--A State agency that receives funding to 
establish a website under this subsection shall update the 
website not less than once every 6 months.''.

SEC. 9. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DASHBOARD.

Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 431. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DASHBOARD.

``(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after a declaration by 
the President that a major disaster exists under section 401, 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 disaster:
``(1) The number of applications for assistance under 
section 408, 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 408(e).
``(2) The number of applications for such assistance that 
are approved.
``(3) The number of applications for such assistance that 
are denied.
``(4) A ranked list of the reasons for the denial of such 
applications, including the number of applications for each 
reason for denial.
``(5) If available, the dollar amount of assistance 
provided pursuant to section 408 to applicants who are--
``(A) property owners with a household annual 
income--
``(i) above the national median household 
income; and
``(ii) below the national median household 
income; and
``(B) renters with a household annual income--
``(i) above the national median household 
income; and
``(ii) below the national median household 
income.
``(6) The estimated percentage of residential property that 
was destroyed as a result of the major disaster, if available.
``(7) Any other information that the Administrator 
determines to be relevant.
``(b) Personally Identifiable Information.--The Administrator shall 
ensure that none of the information published under subsection (a) 
contains the personally identifiable information of an applicant.''.

SEC. 10. FEMA REPORTS.

(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, 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 2016 through the most recent fiscal year ending 
before the date of enactment of this Act, and an annual report for any 
fiscal year beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act, 
describing--
(1) the average amount of individual assistance and 
individual and household assistance provided under section 408 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) to, and the rate of 
denial of individual assistance and individual and household 
assistance provided under such section for--
(A) all individuals;
(B) households;
(C) individuals and households with a reported 
annual income under 75 percent of the national median 
household income;
(D) individuals with a reported annual income over 
125 percent of the national median household income; 
and
(E) individuals with a reported annual income 
between 75 percent and 125 percent of the national 
median household income; and
(2) an explanation for any factors causing an increase in 
the rate of denial of the assistance described in paragraph 
(1), if applicable.
(b) Information Required.--In the report submitted under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall describe the number of homeowners and the 
number of renters for each category of individuals and households 
described in subparagraphs (C) through (E) of subsection (a)(1).

SEC. 11. SHELTERING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL.

Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
``(e) Sheltering of Emergency Response Personnel.--
``(1) In general.--For any major disaster for which the 
President has authorized emergency protective measures for an 
area within the jurisdiction of a State, tribal, or local 
government, the Administrator may reimburse the State, tribal, 
or local government for costs relating to sheltering emergency 
response personnel, including individuals that are a part of 
the same predisaster household as such personnel, 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 area.
``(2) Limitation of assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator may only 
reimburse a State, tribal, or local government for the 
costs of sheltering emergency response personnel under 
paragraph (1) for such a period of time as the 
Administrator determines reasonable based in the 
individual characteristics of and impacts to the 
affected area, including the extent of damage, the 
availability of alternative housing options, the 
availability of utilities, and disruptions to 
transportation infrastructure.
``(B) Maximum duration of reimbursement.--The 
period of reimbursement under subparagraph (A) may not 
exceed the 6-month period beginning on the date on 
which the incident period ends.
``(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `emergency 
response personnel' means--
``(A) employees or contracted employees providing 
law enforcement, fire suppression, rescue, emergency 
medical, emergency management, or emergency 
communications services; and
``(B) elected officials, except members of 
Congress, responsible for the overseeing or directing 
emergency response operations or recovery 
activities.''.

SEC. 12. IMPROVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) In General.--Section 408(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5174(c)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ``, including local post-
disaster rent increases,'' after ``accommodation provided''.
(b) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
shall conduct a study to examine the unique challenges of renters when 
seeking Federal disaster assistance and any disparities of assistance 
provided to homeowners and renters pursuant to section 408 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5174) and develop a plan that addresses any identified 
challenges and disparities, including any recommendations for 
legislative action.
(c) Report to Congress.--Upon completion of the activities carried 
out under subsection (b), 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 (b).
(d) Consultation.--In completing the study and report required 
under subsections (b) and (c), the Administrator shall consult with 
appropriate Federal entities and stakeholders involved in disaster 
housing.

SEC. 13. GAO REPORT ON PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS.

(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the practices, including the accuracy of such 
practices, that the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses when 
conducting preliminary damage assessments for the purposes of providing 
assistance under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174).
(b) Contents.--The Comptroller General shall include in the study 
conducted under subsection (a) the following:
(1) 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 disaster.
(2) A review of training provided to individuals conducting 
preliminary damage assessments.
(3) 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 income.

SEC. 14. APPLICABILITY.

The amendments made by sections 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 shall only apply 
to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 15. GAO REPORT TO CONGRESS ON CHALLENGES UNDER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE 
ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES.

(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the challenges to States and Territories of the 
United States in obtaining assistance under section 428 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5189f).
(b) Contents.--In conducting the study described in subsection (a), 
the Comptroller General shall study the challenges for assistance 
described in subsection (a) faced by the following:
(1) Rural areas, as such term is defined in section 423 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a).
(2) Small impoverished communities, as such term is defined 
in section 203 of such Act.
(3) Other communities, areas, or individuals that the 
Comptroller General determines pertinent.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress 
a report describing the results of the study required under subsection 
(a).
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