FEMA Tribal Coordinator Act

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure appointment of a Tribal response coordinator whenever a multi-State major disaster or emergency is declared. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the FEMA Tribal Coordinator Act 2. Emergency response coordinator for federally recognized tribes Title III of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5141 328. Emergency response coordinator for federally recognized tribes (a) In general Immediately following the declaration of a multi-State major disaster or emergency, including a public health emergency, the President shall appoint a Tribal response coordinating officer. (b) Duties of the tribal emergency response coordinator The duties of the Tribal response coordinating officer shall include the following: (1) Assessment Conduct an assessment of relief most urgently needed in consultation with all affected Indian tribal governments and in the case of a public health emergency, work with the Indian Health Service to conduct outreach to tribally operated health programs to assess needs. (2) Liaison Establish a liaison within each Bureau of Indian Affairs Regional Office and each Indian Health Service Area Office. (3) Administration Coordinate administration of relief to Indian tribal governments and tribal healthcare providers (including Urban Indian Health Programs, tribally operated health programs, and Indian Health Service-operated facilities), including— (A) in the event of a public health emergency, distributions from the Strategic National Stockpile; and (B) establish a single point of contact for tribal requests for assistance, including emergency response personnel, equipment, and medical supplies. (4) Reimbursement Coordinate assistance with submission of reimbursement requests and grant applications, including outstanding reimbursement requests or applications related to a major disaster or emergency after such disaster or emergency is closed. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Act, the Tribal response coordinator shall work with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Agency to continue to provide assistance with such applications until funds are disbursed. (c) Tribal requests The Administrator shall consider a request from an Indian tribal government in the same manner as a request from a State. .

Summary: FEMA Tribal Coordinator Act This bill requires the President to appoint a tribal response coordinating officer immediately following the declaration of a multi-state major disaster or emergency. The duties of such officer shall include conducting an assessment of relief most urgently needed in consultation with all affected Indian tribal governments; in the case of a public health emergency, working with the Indian Health Service to conduct outreach to tribally operated health programs to assess needs; establishing a liaison within each Bureau of Indian Affairs Regional Office and each Indian Health Service Area Office; coordinating administration of relief to Indian tribal governments and tribal healthcare providers (including, in the event of a public health emergency, distributions from the Strategic National Stockpile, and establishing a single point of contact for tribal requests for assistance); and coordinating assistance with submission of reimbursement requests and grant applications. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall consider a request from an Indian tribal government in the same manner as a request from a state.