Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill: 118-s-1528
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2023-05-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency communications systems
Emergency planning and evacuation
First responders and emergency personnel
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Internet, web applications, social media
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-05-10
text: 

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop and establish a unified intake process and system for applicants for assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency.
 
The system must
 
 
 facilitate a consolidated application for any form of disaster assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency when appropriate to support the nature and purposes of the assistance; 
 
 carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with specified laws and privacy and data protections; and 
 
 support the detection, prevention, and investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance programs.
 
 
Further, the system must, among other things
 
 
accept applications for disaster assistance programs;
 
permit applicants to receive status updates on such applications;
 
allow applicants to update disaster assistance information throughout their recovery journeys;
 
permit the distribution of information on additional recovery resources to disaster survivors that may be available in a disaster-stricken jurisdiction in coordination with appropriate federal, state, local, and tribal partners; and 
 
permit disaster assistance agencies to communicate directly with disaster survivors.
 
 
Not later than 30 days after receiving a request from a disaster assistance agency to update questions in the consolidated application needed to administer the disaster assistance programs of the agency, FEMA must make those updates.
 
The bill (1) sets forth requirements for reports by FEMA and by the Government Accountability Office, and (2) provides for congressional briefings under specified circumstances.

action_date: 2023-06-13
text: 

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

 
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop and establish a unified intake process and system for applicants for assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency.
 
The system must
 
 
 facilitate a consolidated application for any form of disaster assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency when appropriate to support the nature and purposes of the assistance; 
 
 carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with specified laws and privacy and data protections; and 
 
 support the detection, prevention, and investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance programs.
 
 
Further, the system must, among other things
 
 
accept applications for disaster assistance programs;
 
permit applicants to receive status updates on such applications;
 
allow applicants to update disaster assistance information throughout their recovery journeys;
 
permit the distribution of information on additional recovery resources to disaster survivors that may be available in a disaster-stricken jurisdiction in coordination with appropriate federal, state, local, and tribal partners; and 
 
permit disaster assistance agencies to communicate directly with disaster survivors.
 
 
Not later than 30 days after receiving a request from a disaster assistance agency to update questions in the consolidated application needed to administer the disaster assistance programs of the agency, FEMA must make those updates.
 
The bill (1) sets forth requirements for reports by FEMA and by the Government Accountability Office, and (2) provides for congressional briefings under specified circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-08-04
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2023-08-04
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2023-07-28
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3841-3843)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S3841-3843)
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: The committee amendments agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2023-07-27
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S3839-3843)
action_date: 2023-06-13
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93.
action_date: 2023-06-13
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with amendments. With written report No. 118-39.
action_date: 2023-06-13
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with amendments. With written report No. 118-39.
action_date: 2023-05-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-05-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-05-10
text: Introduced in Senate