the effectiveness of practices of the Agency relating to hir-
ing, recruitment, and retention in noncontiguous commu-
nities by soliciting feedback from staff in such commu-
nities. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under sub-
section (a), the Administrator shall— 
(1) evaluate the recruitment strategies of the 
Agency and efforts of the Agency to broaden the 
pool of qualified local candidates; 
(2) prioritize input from communities in which 
there are the most severe staffing shortages; and 
(3) identify specific steps that the Agency can 
take to improve opportunities for staff in noncontig-
uous communities. 
(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
brief the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the results 
of the study conducted under subsection (a). 
(d) POLICIES.—The Administrator shall take such 
actions as are necessary to revise any policies, guidance, 
or regulations of the Agency to address the disaster work-
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force challenges in noncontiguous communities identified 
in the study conducted under subsection (a). 
SEC. 3. GAO REVIEW OF DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOV-
ERY IN NONCONTIGUOUS COMMUNITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study on the effectiveness 
of disaster response and recovery practices in noncontig-
uous communities, with a particular focus on recovery ef-
forts relating to damage caused by Super Typhoon Yutu, 
and compare such practices with the disaster response and 
recovery practices in contiguous communities. 
(b) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study under sub-
section (a), the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) analyze ongoing recovery efforts from disas-
ters that have impacted noncontiguous communities; 
(2) analyze the level of coordination between 
the Federal Departments and Agencies tasked with 
disaster response and recovery; 
(3) assess how effectively Federal agencies co-
ordinate with State emergency management offices; 
(4) assess the effectiveness of the Area offices 
and Regional Advisory Councils of the Agency in as-
sisting noncontiguous communities; and 
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(5) make recommendations on how to improve 
the disaster response and recovery outcomes in non-
contiguous communities. 
(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. 4. PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PILOT PRO-
GRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall estab-
lish a pilot program to implement new technology in car-
rying out a preliminary damage assessment in a non-
contiguous community in which a major disaster has been 
declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170). 
(b) PRIORITY.—In carrying out the pilot program es-
tablished under subsection (a), the Administrator shall en-
sure that the most geographically remote noncontiguous 
communities are prioritized. 
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(c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 3 years after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the implemen-
tation of the pilot program established under subsection 
(a). 
(d) SUNSET.—The pilot program established under 
subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2030. 
Æ 
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