[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7070 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 763
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7070
[Report No. 118-933]
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
to conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating the cost-
effectiveness of certain mitigation projects, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 22, 2024
Mr. Stanton (for himself and Mr. LaMalfa) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
December 19, 2024
Additional sponsors: Ms. Titus, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Harder of California,
Mr. Case, Mr. Neguse, and Mr. Levin
December 19, 2024
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January
22, 2024]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
to conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating the cost-
effectiveness of certain mitigation projects, 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.
This Act may be cited as the ``Wildfire Response Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM POLICY.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 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
safety, including for the fire management assistance program under
section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187), irrespective of the incident period
for a declared fire.
SEC. 3. CHANGES TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE POLICY GUIDE.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, 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
challenges, including debris removal, emergency protective measures,
and the resulting toxicity of drinking water resources.
SEC. 4. MITIGATION COST-EFFECTIVENESS.
(a) 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 203 and 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133; 5170c),
including--
(1) the establishment of pre-calculated benefits criterion
for common defensible space mitigation projects for wildfire
mitigation;
(2) the use of nature-based infrastructure in wildfire
mitigation;
(3) considerations for vegetation management for wildfire
mitigation;
(4) reducing the negative effects of wildfire smoke on
public health; and
(5) lessening the impact of wildfires on water
infrastructure.
(b) Updated Criteria.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue such guidance as
is necessary to--
(1) update criteria for evaluating the cost-effectiveness
of mitigation projects under sections 203 and 404 of the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5133; 5170c) based on the results of the review
conducted under subsection (a); and
(2) prioritize projects under such sections based on the
criteria updated under paragraph (1).
SEC. 5. WAIVER OF DUPLICATE BENEFITS.
Section 1210(a) of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law
115-254) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ``between January 1, 2016,
and December 31, 2021'' and inserting ``during the period
beginning on January 1, 2016, and ending on the date on which
the provision contained in such amendment is struck pursuant to
paragraph (4)'';
(2) in paragraph (4) by striking ``5'' and inserting
``10'';
(3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) Prohibition on income threshold.--In carrying out the
amendment made by paragraph (1), no income threshold may be
applied to limit the eligibility of a recipient from qualifying
for a waiver under the amendment made by such paragraph.''.
Union Calendar No. 763
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7070
[Report No. 118-933]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
to conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating the cost-
effectiveness of certain mitigation projects, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 19, 2024
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed