‘‘(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.— 
‘‘(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-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:27 Apr 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1796.IH
H1796
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
ability of utilities, and disruptions to transpor-
tation infrastructure. 
‘‘(B) MAXIMUM DURATION OF REIMBURSE-
MENT.—The period of reimbursement under 
subparagraph (A) may not exceed the 6-month 
period beginning on the date on which the inci-
dent period ends. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITION.—In this subsection, the term 
‘emergency response personnel’ means— 
‘‘(A) employees or contracted employees 
providing law enforcement, fire suppression, 
rescue, emergency medical, emergency manage-
ment, or emergency communications services; 
and 
‘‘(B) elected officials, except members of 
Congress, responsible for the overseeing or di-
recting emergency response operations or recov-
ery activities.’’. 
SEC. 12. IMPROVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 408(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘, including local post-disaster rent increases,’’ 
after ‘‘accommodation provided’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:27 Apr 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1796.IH
H1796
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
(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 
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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:27 Apr 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1796.IH
H1796
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
SEC. 13. GAO REPORT ON PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESS-
MENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study on the practices, in-
cluding the accuracy of such practices, that the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency uses when conducting 
preliminary damage assessments for the purposes of pro-
viding assistance under section 408 of the Robert T. Staf-
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42. 
U.S.C. 5174). 
(b) CONTENTS.—The Comptroller General shall in-
clude in the study conducted under subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
(1) A comparison of the process and procedures 
used by the Federal Emergency Management Agen-
cy to complete preliminary damage assessments to 
the process and procedures used by private insur-
ance companies following a major disaster. 
(2) A review of training provided to individuals 
conducting preliminary damage assessments. 
(3) A comparison of damage estimates for 
homes owned by individuals above the national me-
dian income to homes owned by individuals at or 
below the national median income. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:27 Apr 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H1796.IH
H1796
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
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. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
21:27 Apr 07, 2023
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H1796.IH
H1796
pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB