117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 3092 

AN ACT 

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to improve the provision of certain 

disaster assistance, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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1 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

2 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘FEMA Improvement, 

3 Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2022’’ or the ‘‘FIRE Act’’. 

4 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

5 In this Act— 

6 (1) the term ‘‘Administrator’’ means the Ad7 ministrator of the Agency; 

8 (2) the term ‘‘Agency’’ means the Federal 

9 Emergency Management Agency; 

10 (3) the term ‘‘appropriate committees of Con11 gress’’ means— 

12 (A) the Committee on Homeland Security 

13 and Governmental Affairs and the Committee 

14 on Appropriations of the Senate; and 

15 (B) the Committee on Transportation and 

16 Infrastructure and the Committee on Appro17 priations of the House of Representatives; 

18 (4) the term ‘‘emergency’’ means an emergency 

19 declared or determined to exist by the President 

20 under section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 

21 Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 

22 5191); 

23 (5) the terms ‘‘Indian tribal government’’, 

24 ‘‘local government’’, and ‘‘State’’ have the meanings 

25 given such terms in section 102 of the Robert T. 
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1 Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 

2 Act (42 U.S.C. 5122); and 

3 (6) the term ‘‘major disaster’’ means a major 

4 disaster declared by the President under section 401 

5 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer6 gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170). 

7 SEC. 3. REPORT ON RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. 

8 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 

9 date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub10 mit a report regarding the use of relocation assistance 

11 under sections 203, 404, and 406 of the Robert T. Staf12 ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 

13 U.S.C. 5133, 5170c, 5172) for wildfire risk to the appro14 priate committees of Congress. 

15 (b) CONTENTS.—The report submitted under sub16 section (a) shall include the following: 

17 (1) Any information on relocation projects that 

18 have been carried out due to fire risks or denied by 

19 the Agency, including the number and value of 

20 projects either carried out or denied. 

21 (2) A discussion of the possible benefits or dis22 advantages of providing relocation assistance that 

23 may reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of loss due 

24 to wildfires. 
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1 (3) A discussion of how the Agency may opti2 mize relocation assistance when entire States or geo3 graphic areas are considered subject to a fire risk. 

4 (4) An analysis of whether other mitigation 

5 measures are more cost-effective than relocation as6 sistance when the applicant is applying to move from 

7 a high-risk to a medium-risk or low-risk area with 

8 respect to wildfires. 

9 (5) An analysis of the need for the Federal 

10 Government to produce wildfire maps that identify 

11 high-risk, moderate-risk, and low-risk wildfire zones. 

12 (6) An analysis of whether other mitigation 

13 measures promote greater resilience to wildfires 

14 when compared to relocation or, if additional data is 

15 required in order to carry out such an analysis, a 

16 discussion of the additional data required. 

17 (7) A discussion of the ability of States, local 

18 governments, and Indian tribal governments to dem19 onstrate fire risk, and whether the level of this abil20 ity impacts the ability of States, local governments, 

21 or Indian tribal governments to access relocation as22 sistance, including an assessment of existing fire 

23 mapping products and capabilities and recommenda24 tions on redressing any gaps in the ability of the 
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1 Agency to assist States, local governments, and In2 dian tribal governments in demonstrating fire risk. 

3 (8) An evaluation of— 

4 (A) the scope of the data available to the 

5 Agency regarding historical wildfire losses; 

6 (B) how such data is utilized in benefit7 cost analysis determinations by the Agency; 

8 (C) what additional data, if any, may be 

9 pertinent to such determinations; and 

10 (D) what, if any, alternative methods may 

11 be relevant to the determination of cost effec12 tiveness. 

13 (9) A discussion of the extent to which the deci14 sion process for relocation assistance appropriately 

15 considers the change in future risks for wildfires due 

16 to a changing climate. 

17 (10) An analysis of whether statutes and regu18 lations regarding relocation assistance by the Agency 

19 present barriers for States, local governments, or In20 dian tribal governments trying to access funding to 

21 reduce wildfire risk. 

22 (11) An analysis of— 

23 (A) how, if at all, the Agency has modified 

24 policies and procedures to determine the eligi-
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1 bility of proposed relocation or mitigation 

2 projects with respect to wildfires; 

3 (B) the cost effectiveness of such projects, 

4 in light of the increasing losses and obligations 

5 for wildfires in recent years; and 

6 (C) the effectiveness of any modifications 

7 described in subparagraph (A). 

8 (12) An analysis of how, if at all, recent 

9 changes in the availability of fire insurance has re10 sulted in modifications of policy or procedure with 

11 respect to determining the cost efficacy of relocation 

12 assistance for wildfires. 

13 (13) An analysis of how to define repetitive loss 

14 and repetitively damaged properties in the context of 

15 wildfires. 

16 (14) A discussion of whether any legislative, 

17 regulatory, or policy changes are necessary for the 

18 Agency to better implement relocation assistance to 

19 reduce risk from wildfires. 

20 (15) Other related issues that the Adminis21 trator determines appropriate. 

22 SEC. 4. RED FLAG WARNINGS AND PREDISASTER ACTIONS. 

23 Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 

24 of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the 
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1 National Weather Service of the National Oceanic and At2 mospheric Administration, shall— 

3 (1) conduct a study of, develop recommenda4 tions for, and initiate a process for the use of fore5 casts and data, including information that supports 

6 the Red Flag Warnings of the National Oceanic and 

7 Atmospheric Administration and similar weather 

8 alert and notification methods, to establish— 

9 (A) plans and actions, consistent with law, 

10 that can be implemented prior to a wildfire 

11 event, including pre-impact disaster declara12 tions and surge operations, that can limit the 

13 impact, duration, or severity of the fire; and 

14 (B) mechanisms to increase interagency 

15 collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster 

16 assistance; and 

17 (2) submit to the appropriate committees of 

18 Congress a comprehensive report regarding the 

19 study described in paragraph (1), including any rec20 ommendations of the Administrator, and the activi21 ties of the Administrator to carry out paragraph (1). 

22 SEC. 5. ASSISTANCE FOR WILDFIRE DAMAGE. 

23 Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 

24 of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate 

25 committees of Congress regarding— 
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1 (1) the application for assistance and consist2 ency of assistance provided by the Agency in re3 sponse to wildfires; and 

4 (2) the kinds of damage that result from 

5 wildfires. 

6 SEC. 6. GAO REPORT ON GAPS. 

7 Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 

8 of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 

9 shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 

10 a report that examines— 

11 (1) gaps in the policies of the Agency related to 

12 wildfires, when compared to other hazards; 

13 (2) disparities in regulations and guidance 

14 issued by the Administrator, including any oversight 

15 of the programs of the Agency, when addressing im16 pacts of wildfires and other hazards; 

17 (3) ways to shorten the period of time between 

18 the initiating of and the distribution of assistance, 

19 reimbursements, and grants; 

20 (4) the effectiveness of the programs of the 

21 Agency in addressing wildfire hazards; 

22 (5) ways to improve the ability of the Agency 

23 to assist States, local governments, and Indian tribal 

24 governments to prepare for, respond to, recover 

25 from, and mitigate against wildfire hazards; 
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1 (6) revising the application process for assist2 ance relating to wildfires to more effectively assess 

3 uninsured and underinsured losses and serious 

4 needs; and 

5 (7) ways to improve the disaster assistance pro6 grams of agencies other than the Agency. 

7 SEC. 7. CRISIS COUNSELING EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. 

8 Section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 

9 and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5183) is 

10 amended— 

11 (1) by striking ‘‘The President’’ and inserting 

12 the following: 

13 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The President’’; and 

14 (2) by adding at the end the following: 

15 ‘‘(b) EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.—The President 

16 shall, in consultation with affected States, local govern17 ments, and Indian tribal governments and cultural ex18 perts, ensure that any individual providing professional 

19 counseling services to victims of a major disaster as au20 thorized under subsection (a), including those working for 

21 nonprofit partners and recovery organizations, is appro22 priately trained to address impacts from major disasters 

23 in communities, and to individuals, with socio-economi24 cally disadvantaged backgrounds.’’. 
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1 SEC. 8. CASE MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. 

2 Section 426 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 

3 and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189d) is 

4 amended— 

5 (1) by striking ‘‘The President’’ and inserting 

6 the following: 

7 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The President’’; and 

8 (2) by adding at the end the following: 

9 ‘‘(b) EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.—The President 

10 shall, in consultation with affected States, local govern11 ments, and Indian tribal governments and cultural ex12 perts, ensure that any individual providing case manage13 ment services to victims of a major disaster as authorized 

14 under subsection (a), including those working for non15 profit partners and recovery organizations, is appro16 priately trained to address impacts from major disasters 

17 in communities, and to individuals, with socio-economi18 cally disadvantaged backgrounds.’’. 

19 SEC. 9. STUDY AND PLAN FOR DISASTER HOUSING ASSIST20 ANCE. 

21 (a) STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after the date 

22 of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall— 

23 (1) conduct a study and develop a plan, con24 sistent with law, under which the Agency will ad25 dress providing housing assistance to survivors of 
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1 major disasters or emergencies when presented with 

2 challenges such as— 

3 (A) the lack of proof of ownership or own4 ership documentation; 

5 (B) the presence of multiple families with6 in a single household; and 

7 (C) the near loss of a community, with the 

8 majority of homes destroyed in that community, 

9 including as a result of a wildfire, earthquake, 

10 or other event causing a major disaster; and 

11 (2) make recommendations for legislative 

12 changes needed to address— 

13 (A) the unmet needs of survivors of major 

14 disasters or emergencies who are unable to doc15 ument or prove ownership of the household; 

16 (B) the presence of multiple families with17 in a single household; and 

18 (C) the near loss of a community, with the 

19 majority of homes destroyed in that community, 

20 including as a result of a wildfire, earthquake, 

21 or other event causing a major disaster. 

22 (b) COMPREHENSIVE REPORT.—The Administrator 

23 shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 

24 a report that provides a detailed discussion of the plans 
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1 developed under subsection (a)(1) and the recommenda2 tions of the Administrator under subsection (a)(2). 

3 (c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 30 days after submis4 sion of the report and recommendations under subsection 

5 (b), the Administrator shall brief the appropriate commit6 tees of Congress on the findings and any recommendations 

7 made pursuant to this section. 

8 SEC. 10. REIMBURSEMENT. 

9 Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 

10 of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate 

11 committees of Congress regarding the extent to which the 

12 Agency is using housing solutions proposed by a State or 

13 local government to reduce the time or cost required to 

14 implement housing solutions after a major disaster. 

15 SEC. 11. INCREASED CAP FOR EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS 

16 BASED ON REGIONAL COST OF LIVING. 

17 Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 

18 of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the appropriate 

19 committees of Congress regarding the benefits and draw20 backs of establishing a maximum amount for assistance 

21 provided for an emergency that is based on the cost of 

22 living in the region in which the emergency occurs. 
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1 SEC. 12. FACILITATING DISPOSAL OF TEMPORARY TRANS2 PORTABLE HOUSING UNITS TO SURVIVORS. 

3 Section 408(d)(2)(B)(i) of the Robert T. Stafford 

4 Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 

5 5174(d)(2)(B)(i)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, with priority 

6 given to a survivor of a major disaster who suffered a 

7 property loss as a result of the major disaster’’ after ‘‘any 

8 person’’. 

9 SEC. 13. DEADLINE ON CODE ENFORCEMENT AND MANAGE10 MENT COST ELIGIBILITY. 

11 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 406(a)(2)(D) of the Rob12 ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 

13 Act (42 U.S.C. 5172(a)(2)(D)) is amended by striking 

14 ‘‘180 days’’ and inserting ‘‘1 year’’. 

15 (b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub16 section (a) shall apply with respect to amounts appro17 priated on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 

18 SEC. 14. PERMIT APPLICATIONS FOR TRIBAL UPGRADES TO 

19 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTERS. 

20 (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 614(a) of the Robert T. 

21 Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 

22 (42 U.S.C. 5196c(a)) is amended— 

23 (1) by inserting ‘‘and Indian tribal govern24 ments’’ after ‘‘grants to States’’; and 

25 (2) by striking ‘‘State and local’’ and inserting 

26 ‘‘State, local, and Tribal’’. 
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1 (b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by sub2 section (a) shall apply with respect to amounts appro3 priated on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 

Passed the Senate September 28, 2022. 

Attest: 

Secretary. 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 3092 

AN ACT 

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 

other purposes. provision of certain disaster assistance, and for and Emergency Assistance Act to improve the