FIRE Act

Bill: 117-s-3092
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-10-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency planning and evacuation
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Government studies and investigations
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Intergovernmental relations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: 

FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2021 or the FIRE Act

 
This bill addresses the federal government's approach to wildfires.
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes an eligible applicant seeking public mitigation assistance to relocate an eligible structure upon demonstrating that the structure is at risk from future damage and the relocation reduces the risk to the structure and does not increase risk to adjacent structures.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the National Weather Service, must conduct a study on Red Flag Warnings and similar weather alert and notification methods to implement plans and actions prior to a wildfire event that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the fire. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress regarding wildfires, including the effectiveness of FEMA programs in addressing wildfires and other hazards.
 
The President must ensure that those providing case management services to victims of a major disaster have cultural competency training.
 
FEMA must (1) conduct a study and develop a plan to address providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when presented with challenges such as the lack of proof of ownership or ownership documentation, and (2) seek to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study potential solutions to address the availability and affordability of insurance for wildfire perils and other related matters.
 
The bill allows Indian tribal governments to apply for grants for equipping, upgrading, and constructing state and local emergency operations centers.

action_date: 2022-09-12
text: 

FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2022 or the FIRE Act

 
This bill addresses the federal government's approach to wildfires.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to report to Congress regarding the use of relocation assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for wildfire risk.
 
FEMA, in coordination with the National Weather Service, must conduct a study on Red Flag Warnings and similar weather alert and notification methods to implement plans and actions prior to a wildfire event that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the fire. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress regarding wildfires, including the effectiveness of FEMA programs in addressing wildfires and other hazards.
 
The President must ensure that those providing case management services to victims of a major disaster have cultural competency training.
 
FEMA must (1) conduct a study and develop a plan to address providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when presented with challenges such as the lack of proof of ownership or ownership documentation, and (2) seek to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study potential solutions to address the availability and affordability of insurance for wildfire perils and other related matters.
 
The bill allows Indian tribal governments to apply for grants for equipping, upgrading, and constructing state and local emergency operations centers.

action_date: 2022-09-28
text: 

FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2022 or the FIRE Act

 
This bill addresses the federal government's approach to wildfires.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to report to Congress regarding the use of relocation assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for wildfire risk.
 
FEMA, in coordination with the National Weather Service, must conduct a study of, develop recommendations for, and initiate a process for the use of forecasts and data, including information that supports Red Flag Warnings and similar weather alert and notification methods, to establish 
 
 
plans and actions that can be implemented prior to a wildfire event that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the fire; and
 
mechanisms to increase interagency collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster assistance.
 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress regarding wildfires, including the effectiveness of FEMA programs in addressing wildfires and other hazards.
 
The President must ensure that those providing case management services to victims of a major disaster have training to address impacts in communities and to individuals with socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
 
FEMA must conduct a study and develop a plan to address providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when presented with challenges such as the lack of proof of ownership or ownership documentation.
 
The bill allows Indian tribal governments to apply for grants for equipping, upgrading, and constructing state and local emergency operations centers.

action_date: 2022-11-17
text: 

FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2022 or the FIRE Act

 
This bill addresses the federal government's approach to wildfires.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to report to Congress regarding the use of relocation assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for wildfire risk.
 
FEMA, in coordination with the National Weather Service, must study, develop recommendations for, and initiate a process for the use of forecasts and data, including information that supports Red Flag Warnings and similar weather alert and notification methods, to establish 
 
 
plans and actions that can be implemented prior to a wildfire event that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the fire; and
 
mechanisms to increase interagency collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster assistance.
 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress regarding wildfires, including the effectiveness of FEMA programs.
 
Each state, local agency, or private mental health organization providing professional crisis counseling assistance must ensure that those providing case management services to victims of a major disaster have training to address impacts in communities and to individuals with socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
 
FEMA must conduct a study and develop a plan to address providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when presented with challenges such as the presence of multiple families within a single household.
 
The bill allows Indian tribal governments to apply for grants for equipping, upgrading, and constructing state and local emergency operations centers.

action_date: 2022-12-20
text: 

FEMA Improvement, Reform, and Efficiency Act of 2022 or the FIRE Act

 
This act addresses the federal government's approach to wildfires.
 
Specifically, the act requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to report to Congress regarding the use of relocation assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for wildfire risk.
 
FEMA, in coordination with the National Weather Service, must study, develop recommendations for, and initiate a process for the use of forecasts and data, including information that supports Red Flag Warnings and similar weather alert and notification methods, to establish 
 
 
plans and actions that can be implemented prior to a wildfire event that can limit the impact, duration, or severity of the fire; and
 
mechanisms to increase interagency collaboration to expedite the delivery of disaster assistance.
 
 
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress regarding wildfires, including the effectiveness of FEMA programs.
 
Each state, local agency, or private mental health organization providing professional crisis counseling assistance must ensure that those providing case management services to victims of a major disaster have training to address impacts in communities and to individuals with socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
 
FEMA must conduct a study and develop a plan to address providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies when presented with challenges such as the presence of multiple families within a single household.
 
The act allows Indian tribal governments to apply for grants for equipping, upgrading, and constructing state and local emergency operations centers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Became Public Law No: 117-251.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Became Public Law No: 117-251.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Star Print ordered on the reported bill.
action_date: 2022-12-16
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-12-16
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2022-12-08
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-12-07
text: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 3092 by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7038)
action_date: 2022-12-07
text: Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendment to S. 3092 by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8557-8558)
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3092.
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8557-8560)
action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Mr. Carter (LA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2022-09-29
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-09-29
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-09-29
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-09-28
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S5142-5144)
action_date: 2022-09-28
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-09-28
text: The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-09-28
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5141-5144)
action_date: 2022-09-12
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 482.
action_date: 2022-09-12
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Carper for Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-144.
action_date: 2022-09-12
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Carper for Senator Peters with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 117-144.
action_date: 2022-02-02
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-27
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 117-251