I 
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 Infrastruc-
ture, 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 jurisdic-
tion 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 Representa-
tives 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. 
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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 alter-
native 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 APPLI-
CATION SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall estab-
lish 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 uni-
versal application for direct Federal disaster as-
sistance established under section 3; 
(B) carry out the purposes of disaster as-
sistance programs swiftly, efficiently, and in ac-
cordance with applicable laws, regulations, and 
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the privacy and data protections provided under 
this section; and 
(C) support the detection, prevention, and 
investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimi-
nation in the administration of disaster assist-
ance programs. 
(2) AUTHORITIES OF ADMINISTRATOR.—In es-
tablishing and maintaining the unified disaster ap-
plication system under this subsection, the Adminis-
trator 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 infor-
mation 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 assist-
ance 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; 
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(C) allows for the distribution to applicants 
of information about additional recovery re-
sources 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 deter-
mined necessary by the head of a disaster as-
sistance agency. 
(b) DATA SECURITY.—The Administrator may facili-
tate 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 appli-
cable Federal information security policy. 
(2) The Secretary of Homeland Security pub-
lishes a privacy impact assessment for the unified 
disaster application system, in accordance with sec-
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tion 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 in-
formation from improper disclosure. 
(c) COLLECTION
AND SHARING
OF ADDITIONAL 
RECORDS AND INFORMATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may au-
thorize the additional collection, maintenance, shar-
ing, and use of disaster assistance information by 
publishing a notice on the unified disaster applica-
tion system established under subsection (a) that in-
cludes a detailed description of— 
(A) the specific amendments to the collec-
tion, maintenance, and sharing of disaster as-
sistance information authorized; 
(B) why each such amendment to how dis-
aster assistance information is collected, main-
tained, or shared is necessary to carry out the 
purposes of a disaster assistance program and 
consistent with the fair information practice 
principles; and 
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(C) the disaster assistance agencies and 
block grant recipients that will be granted ac-
cess to the additional information to carry out 
the purposes of any disaster assistance pro-
gram. 
(2) 
NOTICE
AND
PUBLICATION
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—The publication of a notice under para-
graph (1) of a revision to the unified disaster appli-
cation 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 pro-
gram 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 sat-
isfy the notice and publication requirements of sec-
tion 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 RE-
QUIREMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Upon the declaration of 
a major disaster or emergency pursuant to sec-
tions 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
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U.S.C. 5170; 5191) by the President, the Ad-
ministrator may waive the requirements of sub-
chapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United 
States Code, with respect to voluntary collection 
of information for the entire period of perform-
ance for any assistance provided under a dis-
aster 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 an-
ticipated period of time such waiver will be 
in effect, and the disaster assistance offices 
within the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment 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 
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issue a report describing the benefits and poten-
tial risks associated with authorizing the waiver 
of the information collection requirements de-
scribed in paragraph (3). 
(B) 
CONTENTS.—The 
report 
required 
under subparagraph (A) shall include an assess-
ment of the extent to which a waiver described 
in paragraph (3) would— 
(i) affect the paperwork burden for in-
dividuals, 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 vol-
untary collection of information for the du-
ration of a major disaster or emergency. 
(d) USE BY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may per-
mit a Federal agency other than a disaster assist-
ance agency listed in subparagraphs (A) through 
(D) of subsection (f)(3) to use the unified disaster 
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application system established under subsection (a) 
for the purpose of facilitating disaster-related assist-
ance if such agency enters into an agreement con-
taining the terms described in paragraph (2). 
(2) AGENCY AGREEMENT.—An agreement en-
tered into under paragraph (1) shall contain the fol-
lowing terms: 
(A) The Federal agency shall— 
(i) collect, share, maintain, and use 
disaster assistance information in compli-
ance 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 Admin-
istrator under subsection (b)(3). 
(B) In the event of any unauthorized dis-
closure of disaster assistance information, the 
Federal agency shall— 
(i) notify the Administrator within 24 
hours of discovering any such unauthorized 
disclosure; 
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(ii) cooperate fully with the Adminis-
trator 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 reme-
diation measures, whether awarded by a 
judgment of a court or agreed as a com-
promise of any potential claims by or on 
behalf of an applicant, including by obtain-
ing 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 main-
tained by the agency pursuant to sec-
tion 552a(e) of title 5, United States 
Code. 
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(3) PUBLICATION OF AGENCY AGREEMENT.— 
The Administrator shall publish an agency agree-
ment entered into under this subsection on the same 
website as the unified disaster application system es-
tablished 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 re-
cipients— 
(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 pro-
viding 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 as-
sistance from a disaster assistance program; 
and 
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(B) a person on whose behalf a person de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) has applied for dis-
aster assistance. 
(2) BLOCK
GRANT
RECIPIENT.—The term 
‘‘block grant recipient’’ means a State, local govern-
ment, 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 Ad-
ministrator 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 proc-
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ess an application for disaster assistance or other-
wise 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 pro-
vides 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, restora-
tion of infrastructure and housing, eco-
nomic 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 
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(iii) the distribution of food benefit al-
lotments 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 ASSIST-
ANCE. 
(a) UNIVERSAL APPLICATION.—The Administrator 
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall de-
velop and establish a universal application for direct Fed-
eral disaster assistance for individuals in areas impacted 
by emergencies or disasters. 
(b) CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT.— 
(1) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Administrator shall consult with the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The Director of the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget. 
(B) The Administrator of the Small Busi-
ness Administration. 
(C) The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development. 
(D) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
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(2) SUPPORT.—The entities described in para-
graph (1) shall provide prompt support to the Ad-
ministrator. 
(c) SURVEY.—The application established under sub-
section (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
PRO-
GRAMS.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
States shall— 
(1) conduct an assessment of improper and po-
tentially fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for 
individuals made to survivors of major disasters de-
clared 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 Gov-
ernmental Affairs of the Senate a report that de-
scribes— 
(A) the prevalence of improper and poten-
tially fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for 
individuals made to registrants who used invalid 
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information to apply for disaster assistance, in-
cluding through identity theft; 
(B) the number of disaster survivors whose 
claims for Federal disaster assistance for indi-
viduals were denied due to another individual 
filing a fraudulent application using their per-
sonal identifying information; 
(C) the adequacy of existing fraud preven-
tion protocols in place on the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency’s online application 
for Federal disaster assistance for individuals; 
and 
(D) recommendations for improving the 
identity verification protocols in place for Fed-
eral 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’’. 
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(b) HAZARD MITIGATION.—Section 408 of the Rob-
ert 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 mitiga-
tion measures that reduce threats to life and 
property, or future damage to such residence, 
utilities, or infrastructure in future disasters. 
‘‘(B) RELATIONSHIP
TO
OTHER
ASSIST-
ANCE.—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 ‘‘, finan-
cial assistance for hazard mitigation under sub-
section 
(c)(5)(A),’’ 
after 
‘‘subsection 
(c)(1)(A)(i)’’; 
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(B) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (1) and (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs 
(1), (2), and (3)’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) HAZARD MITIGATION.—The maximum fi-
nancial 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 para-
graph (2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) REPAIRS.— 
‘‘(A) FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
FOR
RE-
PAIRS.—The President may provide financial 
assistance for the repair of owner-occupied pri-
vate residences, utilities, and residential infra-
structure (such as a private access route) dam-
aged by a major disaster, or with respect to in-
dividuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible 
by a major disaster. 
‘‘(B) DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRS.— 
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‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The President 
may provide direct assistance to individuals 
and households who are unable to make 
use of financial assistance under subpara-
graph (A) and when there is a lack of 
available resources, for— 
‘‘(I) the repair of owner-occupied 
private residences, utilities, and resi-
dential infrastructure (such as a pri-
vate access route) damaged by a 
major disaster, or with respect to indi-
viduals with disabilities, rendered in-
accessible 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 as-
sistance under this subparagraph shall not 
be eligible for assistance under paragraph 
(1), unless otherwise determined by the 
Administrator. 
‘‘(C) RELATIONSHIP
TO
OTHER
ASSIST-
ANCE.—A recipient of assistance provided 
under this paragraph shall not be required to 
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show that the assistance can be met through 
other means, except insurance proceeds.’’. 
(b) STATE- OR INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT-AD-
MINISTERED ASSISTANCE AND OTHER NEEDS ASSIST-
ANCE.—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 ‘‘para-
graphs (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 insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A State’’; and 
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(ii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(ii) TRANSPARENCY.—The President 
shall make public the criteria used to 
evaluate applications under clause (i) and 
determine if a State or Indian tribal gov-
ernment meets the criteria described in 
subparagraph (B) to administer grants de-
scribed 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 semi-
colon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(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); 
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(D) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), 
(H), (I), and (J) as subparagraphs (F), (G), 
(H), and (I), respectively; and 
(E) in subparagraph (I), as so redesig-
nated— 
(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 ‘‘para-
graph (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (2) and 
(3)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) DISASTER ASSISTANCE.—In the case of as-
sistance 
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 
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effectiveness, successes, and challenges of any pilot pro-
gram carried out pursuant to such section and make rec-
ommendations on how to improve the provision of assist-
ance 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
SERV-
ICES.—A grantee and subgrantee, cumulatively, 
may be reimbursed not more than 15 percent of 
the total amount of the grant award under ei-
ther section 416 or 426.’’. 
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Section 408(f)(1) of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174), as amended by section 5(b) 
of this Act, is amended— 
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(1) by striking ‘‘(A) GRANT TO STATE.—’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘subsection (g),’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘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.—Sec-
tion 201(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131(a)) is amend-
ed— 
(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 ASSIST-
ANCE.—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 ASSIST-
ANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency may pro-
vide funding to a State agency established under 
subsection (c) to establish, update, or operate a 
website to provide information relating to post-dis-
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aster 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 pro-
vide 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 as-
sistance 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 as-
sistance that may be available to an individual 
impacted by a major disaster or emergency. 
‘‘(C) A technical guide that lists and ex-
plains the costs and benefits of alternatives 
available to a community to mitigate the im-
pacts of a major disaster or emergency and pre-
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pare for sequential hazards such as flooding 
after a wildfire. 
‘‘(4) COOPERATION.—A State agency that re-
ceives 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 Busi-
ness Administration, and the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency in devel-
oping 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: 
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‘‘(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 appli-
cations for assistance to address other needs under 
section 408(e). 
‘‘(2) The number of applications for such as-
sistance that are approved. 
‘‘(3) The number of applications for such as-
sistance that are denied. 
‘‘(4) A ranked list of the reasons for the denial 
of such applications, including the number of appli-
cations for each reason for denial. 
‘‘(5) If available, the dollar amount of assist-
ance provided pursuant to section 408 to applicants 
who are— 
‘‘(A) property owners with a household an-
nual income— 
‘‘(i) above the national median house-
hold income; and 
‘‘(ii) below the national median house-
hold income; and 
‘‘(B) renters with a household annual in-
come— 
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‘‘(i) above the national median house-
hold income; and 
‘‘(ii) below the national median house-
hold 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 Adminis-
trator determines to be relevant. 
‘‘(b) PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.— 
The Administrator shall ensure that none of the informa-
tion 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 begin-
ning on or after the date of enactment of this Act, describ-
ing— 
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(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 re-
ported annual income under 75 percent of the 
national median household income; 
(D) individuals with a reported annual in-
come over 125 percent of the national median 
household income; and 
(E) individuals with a reported annual in-
come 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 de-
scribed in paragraph (1), if applicable. 
(b) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—In the report sub-
mitted under subsection (a), the Administrator shall de-
scribe the number of homeowners and the number of rent-
ers for each category of individuals and households de-
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scribed in subparagraphs (C) through (E) of subsection 
(a)(1). 
SEC. 11. SHELTERING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE PER-
SONNEL. 
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 PER-
SONNEL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For any major disaster for 
which the President has authorized emergency pro-
tective measures for an area within the jurisdiction 
of a State, tribal, or local government, the Adminis-
trator may reimburse the State, tribal, or local gov-
ernment for costs relating to sheltering emergency 
response personnel, including individuals that are a 
part of the same predisaster household as such per-
sonnel, in exclusive-use congregate or non-con-
gregate settings if the Governor of the State or chief 
executive of the tribal or local government deter-
mines 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.— 
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‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
may only reimburse a State, tribal, or local gov-
ernment for the costs of sheltering emergency 
response personnel under paragraph (1) for 
such a period of time as the Administrator de-
termines reasonable based in the individual 
characteristics of and impacts to the affected 
area, including the extent of damage, the avail-
ability of alternative housing options, the avail-
ability of utilities, and disruptions to transpor-
tation infrastructure. 
‘‘(B) MAXIMUM DURATION OF REIMBURSE-
MENT.—The period of reimbursement under 
subparagraph (A) may not exceed the 6-month 
period beginning on the date on which the inci-
dent 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 manage-
ment, or emergency communications services; 
and 
‘‘(B) elected officials, except members of 
Congress, responsible for the overseeing or di-
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recting emergency response operations or recov-
ery activities.’’. 
SEC. 12. IMPROVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 408(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘, 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 assist-
ance provided to homeowners and renters pursuant to sec-
tion 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 dis-
parities, including any recommendations for legislative ac-
tion. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Upon completion of the 
activities carried out under subsection (b), the Adminis-
trator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
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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 Admin-
istrator shall consult with appropriate Federal entities and 
stakeholders involved in disaster housing. 
SEC. 13. GAO REPORT ON PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESS-
MENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study on the practices, in-
cluding the accuracy of such practices, that the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency uses when conducting 
preliminary damage assessments for the purposes of pro-
viding assistance under section 408 of the Robert T. Staf-
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42. 
U.S.C. 5174). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Comptroller General shall in-
clude in the study conducted under subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A comparison of the process and procedures 
used by the Federal Emergency Management Agen-
cy to complete preliminary damage assessments to 
the process and procedures used by private insur-
ance companies following a major disaster. 
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(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 me-
dian 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: 
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(1) Rural areas, as such term is defined in sec-
tion 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). 
Æ 
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