177 
the agency was expended, obligated, or used, in-
cluding— 
(i) the name of the project or activity; 
(ii) a description of the project or ac-
tivity; 
(iii) an evaluation of the completion 
status of the project or activity; 
(iv) any award identification number 
assigned to the project; 
(v) the Catalog for Disaster Assist-
ance number assigned by the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency; 
(vi) the location of the project, includ-
ing ZIP Codes; and 
(vii) any reporting requirement infor-
mation being collected by a covered Fed-
eral agency with respect to that agency’s 
disaster assistance. 
(4) GUIDANCE.—Each covered Federal agency, 
in coordination with the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget and the Secretary of the 
Treasury, shall issue such guidance as is necessary 
to meet the requirements of this section. 
(5) AGREEMENT WITH PRIVATE ENTITY.—The 
Director, if necessary for purposes of transparency, 
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may enter into an agreement with a private entity, 
including a nonprofit organization, to develop the 
subpage required under this subsection. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED
FEDERAL
AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘covered Federal agency’’ means— 
(A) any agency providing assistance under 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et 
seq.); 
(B) the Small Business Administration; 
and 
(C) the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development. 
(2) DISASTER
ASSISTANCE.—The term ‘‘dis-
aster assistance’’ means any funds that are made 
available by the Federal Government in response to 
a specified natural disaster, including— 
(A) any assistance provided by the Admin-
istrator of the Small Business Administration 
as a result of a disaster declared under section 
7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
636(b)); 
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(B) any assistance provided by the Sec-
retary of Housing and Urban Development 
for— 
(i) activities authorized under title I 
of the Housing and Community Develop-
ment Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) 
related to disaster relief, long-term recov-
ery, restoration of infrastructure and hous-
ing, and economic revitalization in the 
most impacted and distressed areas result-
ing from a major disaster declared pursu-
ant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); and 
(ii) flood insurance coverage provided 
under the National Flood Insurance Pro-
gram pursuant to the National Flood In-
surance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et 
seq.); and 
(C) any assistance provided under the Rob-
ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
(3) ELIGIBLE RECIPIENT.—The term ‘‘eligible 
recipient’’— 
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(A) means any entity that receives disaster 
assistance directly from the Federal Govern-
ment (including disaster assistance received 
through grant, loan, or contract) other than an 
individual; and 
(B) includes a State that receives disaster 
assistance. 
(4) SPECIFIED NATURAL DISASTER.—The term 
‘‘specified natural disaster’’ means— 
(A) a fire on public or private forest land 
or grassland described in section 420 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187); 
(B) a major disaster declared by the Presi-
dent under section 401 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170); 
(C) an emergency declared by the Presi-
dent under section 501 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
5191); and 
(D) any other natural disaster for which a 
disaster declaration is made by the Federal 
Government. 
SEC. 403. PROHIBITION ON POLITICAL DISCRIMINATION. 
Section 308(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5151(a)) 
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is amended by striking ‘‘or economic status’’ and inserting 
‘‘economic status, or political affiliation’’. 
SEC. 404. REVIEW OF BURDENSOME REGULATIONS AND 
POLICIES. 
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report that— 
(1) identifies any regulations, policies, and pro-
cedures promulgated pursuant to the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) that— 
(A) are obsolete; 
(B) conflict with other regulations, policies, 
and procedures; 
(C) conflict with current law; 
(D) set more stringent requirements than 
required by law; and 
(E) create unnecessary burdens and costs 
on disaster assistance; and 
(2) contains recommendations on which regula-
tions, policies, and procedures should be amended or 
rescinded. 
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SEC. 405. REPORT ON ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS. 
(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 Governmental Affairs of the Sen-
ate a report with respect to fiscal year 2016 through the 
most recent fiscal year ending before the date of enact-
ment 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 re-
ported annual income under 75 percent of the 
national median household income; 
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(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-
scribed in subparagraphs (C) through (E) of subsection 
(a)(1). 
SEC. 406. 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 
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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 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 
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‘‘(B) renters with a household annual in-
come— 
‘‘(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. 407. 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). 
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(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. 
(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. 408. IMPROVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) 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-
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parities, including any recommendations for legislative ac-
tion. 
(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Upon completion of the 
activities carried out under subsection (a), 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 
Affairs of the Senate a report containing the study and 
recommendations required under subsection (a). 
(c) CONSULTATION.—In completing the study and re-
port required under subsections (a) and (b), the Adminis-
trator shall consult with appropriate Federal entities and 
stakeholders involved in disaster housing. 
SEC. 409. GAO ASSESSMENT ON IDENTITY THEFT AND DIS-
ASTER 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 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 
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(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 
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. 
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SEC. 410. GAO STUDY ON INSURANCE UTILIZATION FOR 
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE-ELIGIBLE FACILITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall complete a study on the utiliza-
tion of insurance by facilities eligible for public assistance. 
(b) MATTERS TO BE STUDIED.—In conducting the 
study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall 
examine the following: 
(1) The effect of insurance coverage of a State 
on declarations by the President under section 401 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) that a major 
disaster exists in such State. 
(2) Trends in insurance coverage for facilities 
eligible for public assistance before and after such 
facilities receive public assistance. 
(3) The enforcement of insurance purchase re-
quirements under section 206.253 of title 44, Code 
of Federal Regulations. 
(4) Rates of noncompliance with, or lapses in, 
required insurance coverage by recipients of public 
assistance. 
(5) Rates of insurance coverage among critical 
facilities eligible for public assistance, including hos-
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pitals, emergency operations centers, and public 
safety buildings. 
(6) Changes in facilities eligible for public as-
sistance obtaining insurance coverage after revisions 
to flood hazard maps or other hazard designations. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Upon completion of the 
study required under subsection (a), the Comptroller Gen-
eral shall submit to Congress a report describing the re-
sults of such study, including findings and any rec-
ommendations for legislative or administrative action. 
(d) PUBLIC ASSISTANCE DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘public assistance’’ means assistance provided 
under section 403, 406, 409, or 428 of the Robert T. Staf-
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. 
SEC. 411. STUDY ON WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT PLANS. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study, and submit a report 
thereon to the Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
ernmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives, on wildfire management plans. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In the report submitted under sub-
section (a), the Comptroller General shall include the fol-
lowing: 
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(1) A list and description of States that have a 
completed forest management plan, wildland man-
agement plan, or any similar plan intended to guide 
actions the State plans to take to mitigate the risk 
of wildfires with respect to non-Federal lands. 
(2) A description of States that have a high 
risk of wildfires. 
(3) For the States described in paragraph (2)— 
(A) a list of the States that have completed 
a plan described in paragraph (1); and 
(B) a description of whether such plan is 
effective at mitigating the risk of wildfires. 
(4) An analysis of whether each State with a 
plan described in paragraph (1) follows such plan 
and makes available adequate resources to meet the 
goals of such plan. 
(5) An analysis of whether any Federal funding 
for hazard mitigation provided to States with a high 
risk of wildfires is used to carry out activities related 
to mitigating the risk of wildfires. 
(6) For wildfires that occurred during the 5- 
year period ending on the date of enactment of this 
Act, in States that did not have a plan described in 
paragraph (1), an analysis as to whether damage 
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from such wildfires may have been reduced if such 
States had such a plan in place. 
(7) A comparison of the plans listed under 
paragraph (1) and an identification of best practices 
and areas for improvement. 
(8) Recommendations on whether incentives are 
needed in Federal funding for States to develop 
plans described in paragraph (1) and follow such 
plans. 
SEC. 412. EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL, STATE, TERRITORY, 
AND FEDERAL ALERTING SYSTEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study on the effectiveness 
of local, State, territory, and Federal emergency alerting 
systems in disseminating timely and relevant information 
during weather-related emergencies to help communities 
develop better policies and procedures for emergency re-
sponse and enhance public safety in the event of a weath-
er-related emergency. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under sub-
section (a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) evaluate the efficacy of various alert medi-
ums, including platforms such as social media, to 
disseminate emergency alerts, including travel bans 
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and mass power outages, during extreme weather 
events; 
(2) assess the extent that guidance and training 
exists for developing alert content, such as ensuring 
alerts are clear, relevant, and provide the public with 
actionable information; and 
(3) determine whether improvements could be 
made to public alerting, including outdoor siren sys-
tems, based on input from a selected sample of 
emergency managers, local officials, and community 
groups. 
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Sen-
ate a report on the study conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 413. GAO REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT COSTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives a report— 
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(1) on the actual management costs described 
in section 324 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5165b) during the period of a major disaster dec-
laration under section 401 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170) to determine whether the amount set aside for 
those management costs after the date of enactment 
of this Act is appropriate; and 
(2) that includes the management costs de-
scribed in section 324 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5165b) for each disaster declared under dur-
ing the period of a major disaster declaration under 
section 401 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) during the 
5-year period preceding the date of the report, the 
amount set aside for those management costs, the 
use of those management costs, the length of each 
disaster, and the reason for the length of each dis-
aster. 
SEC. 414. REPORT ON COORDINATION OF DISASTER ASSIST-
ANCE TO INDIVIDUALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination 
with other relevant Federal agencies, shall submit to the 
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congressional committees of jurisdiction a report con-
ducted by all relevant Federal agencies to improve the 
comprehensive delivery of disaster assistance to individ-
uals following a major disaster or emergency declaration 
under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The report required under para-
graph (1) shall include both administrative actions taken, 
or planned to be taken, by the agencies as well as legisla-
tive proposals, where appropriate, of the following: 
(1) Efforts to improve coordination between the 
Agency and other relevant Federal agencies when 
delivering disaster assistance to individuals. 
(2) Clarify the sequence of delivery of disaster 
assistance to individuals from the Agency, and other 
relevant Federal agencies. 
(3) Clarify the interpretation and implementa-
tion of section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5155) when providing disaster assistance to 
individuals, including providing a common interpre-
tation across the Agency, and other relevant Federal 
agencies, of the definitions and requirements under 
such section 312. 
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(4) Increase the effectiveness of communication 
to applicants for assistance programs for individuals 
after a disaster declaration, including the breadth of 
programs available and the potential impacts of uti-
lizing one program versus another. 
(c) REPORT UPDATE.—Not later than 4 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in 
coordination with other relevant Federal agencies, shall 
submit to the congressional committees of jurisdiction an 
update to the report required under paragraph (1). 
SEC. 415. GAO REVIEW OF COST SAVINGS ASSOCIATED 
WITH REPAIR AND REBUILDING REFORMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall complete a study on repair and 
rebuilding reforms carried out by the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Comptroller General shall in-
clude in the study conducted under subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A comprehensive review of the costs associ-
ated with providing direct housing assistance options 
in response to a major disaster or emergency, in-
cluding temporary housing units, transportable tem-
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porary housing units, hoteling programs, and rental 
assistance. 
(2) An assessment of— 
(A) the relative cost and timeliness of pro-
viding permanent repairs or reconstruction of 
owner-occupied residences compared to the pro-
vision of direct housing assistance options, in-
cluding an evaluation of both short-term ex-
penditures and long-term Federal obligations; 
(B) the effect of permanent repairs or re-
construction assistance on recovery outcomes 
for survivors of major disasters, including time 
to reestablishment, housing stability, health and 
safety, and economic self-sufficiency, in com-
parison to the recovery outcomes for such sur-
vivors who received temporary sheltering; 
(C) the effect of permanent repairs or re-
construction on the ability of survivors of major 
disasters to remain in or return to predisaster 
communities, including implications for commu-
nity cohesion and regional workforce stability; 
(D) the benefits and potential challenges of 
expanding the role of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency in direct repair or recon-
struction, including staffing, coordination with 
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States or Tribal governments, and interagency 
collaboration; 
(E) the effect of repair and rebuilding re-
forms on long-term Federal disaster recovery li-
abilities, including the potential for cost avoid-
ance in future disaster assistance, housing dis-
placement, and repeat assistance cases; and 
(F) the adequacy of existing or proposed 
safeguards to protect Federal funds. 
(3) A review of the use of permanent repairs of 
owner-occupied residences and permanent housing 
construction by the Administrator, including best 
practices and lessons learned. 
(c) REPORT.—Upon completion of the study required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall sub-
mit to Congress a report describing the results of such 
study, including findings and any recommendations for 
legislative or administrative action. 
(d) REPAIR AND REBUILDING REFORMS DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘‘repair and rebuilding reforms’’ 
means reforms to the provision of assistance under sec-
tions 403 and 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act as a result of the 
amendments made by this Act. 
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SEC. 416. TRANSPARENCY FOR DISASTER DECLARATIONS. 
Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) TRANSPARENCY FOR MAJOR DISASTER DEC-
LARATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Upon issuing an approval 
or denial of a major disaster requested by a Gov-
ernor of a State or the Chief Executive of an af-
fected Indian tribal government under this section, 
the President shall provide to the Governor or Chief 
Executive a detailed justification of such approval or 
denial that includes— 
‘‘(A) an explanation of the determination 
that the damage caused by the disaster did or 
did not exceed the capacity of the State or In-
dian tribal government; 
‘‘(B) a consideration of loss of life and po-
tential continued threats to public safety; 
‘‘(C) the total value of the damage caused 
by the disaster as estimated by the President, 
in consultation with the Administrator and im-
pacted State or Indian tribal government, that 
was used to make the disaster declaration de-
termination; and 
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