Wildfire Response Improvement Act
Bill: H.R.8516 | Sponsor: Rep. Stanton, Greg (D-AZ)
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
Wildfire Response Improvement Act
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take specified actions to address issues related to wildfire and drought.
Specifically, FEMA must

To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
     to conduct a review of the benefit cost analysis criteria for 
 mitigation projects under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
           Emergency Assistance Act, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Wildfire Response Improvement Act''.

SEC. 2. FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM POLICY.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall issue 
such regulations as are necessary to update the categories of 
eligibility and timelines for the fire management assistance program 
under section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187) to be, to the maximum extent 
practicable, the same as such categories and timelines under the public 
assistance program under section 406 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5172).

SEC. 3. CHANGES TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE POLICY GUIDE.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall issue 
such regulations as are necessary to update the Public Assistance 
Program and Policy Guide of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to 
include guidance on the wildfire-specific challenges, including debris 
removal, emergency protective measures, and the resulting toxicity of 
drinking water resources.

SEC. 4. MITIGATION BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall conduct a review of the benefit cost analysis 
criteria for mitigation projects under sections 203 and 404 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5133; 5170c) to consider a broader range of factors, including--
            (1) the establishment of a benefit cost analysis pre-
        calculated benefits critereon for common defensible space 
        mitigation projects;
            (2) projects that use nature-based infrastructure;
            (3) considerations for ecological and societal health;
            (4) carbon sequestration;
            (5) improved water quality; and
            (6) lessening disaster impact on traditionally underserved 
        communities.
    (b) Updated Criteria.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue such regulations 
as are necessary to--
            (1) update the benefit cost analysis criteria for 
        mitigation projects under sections 203 and 404 of the Robert T. 
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 5133; 5170c) based on the results of the review 
        conducted under subsection (a); and
            (2) prioritize projects under such sections based on the 
        benefit cost analysis criteria updated under paragraph (1).
                                 <all>