Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act

Bill: 117-hr-7077
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Introduced: 2022-03-15
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Fires

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations
Latest action: action_date: 2022-12-20
text: Became Public Law No: 117-246.

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-03-15
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act</strong></p> <p>This bill authorizes the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to conduct on-site investigations of major fires and other fires under other specified circumstances.</p> <p>In the case of a major fire, the USFA may send incident investigators (e.g., safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists) to the site. Any such investigation shall (1) be conducted in coordination with appropriate federal, state, and local authorities; and (2) examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters.</p> <p>Upon concluding any such investigation, the USFA must issue a public report to local, state, and federal authorities on the findings of such investigation or collaborate with another investigating federal agency on that agency's report.</p> <p>Additionally, the USFA may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire.</p>

action_date: 2022-05-06
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><strong>Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act</strong></p> <p>This bill authorizes the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to conduct on-site investigations of major fires and other fires under other specified circumstances.</p> <p>In the case of a major fire, the USFA may send incident investigators (e.g., safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists) to the site. Any such investigation shall (1) be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate federal, state, and local authorities; and (2) examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters.</p> <p>Upon concluding any such investigation, the USFA must issue a public report to local, state, and federal authorities on the findings of such investigation or collaborate with another investigating federal agency on that agency's report.</p> <p>Additionally, the USFA may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire.</p>

action_date: 2022-05-11
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><strong>Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act</strong></p> <p>This bill authorizes the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to conduct on-site investigations of major fires and other fires under other specified circumstances.</p> <p>In the case of a major fire, the USFA may send incident investigators (e.g., safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists) to the site. Any such investigation shall (1) be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate federal, state, and local authorities; and (2) examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters.</p> <p>Upon concluding any such investigation, the USFA must issue a public report to local, state, and federal authorities on the findings of such investigation or collaborate with another investigating federal agency on that agency's report.</p> <p>Additionally, the USFA may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire.</p>

action_date: 2022-11-14
action_desc: Reported to Senate
text: <p><strong>Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act</strong></p> <p>This bill authorizes the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to conduct on-site investigations of major fires and other fires under other specified circumstances.</p> <p>In the case of a major fire, the USFA may send incident investigators (e.g., safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists) to the site. Any such investigation shall (1) be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate federal, state, and local authorities; and (2) examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters.</p> <p>Upon concluding any such investigation, the USFA must issue a public report to local, state, and federal authorities on the findings of such investigation or collaborate with another investigating federal agency on that agency's report.</p> <p>Additionally, the USFA may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire.</p>

action_date: 2022-12-06
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p><strong>Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act</strong></p> <p>This bill authorizes the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to conduct on-site fire safety investigations of major fires and other fires under other specified circumstances.</p> <p>In the case of a major fire, the USFA may send incident investigators (e.g., safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists) to the site. Any such investigation shall (1) be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities; and (2) examine the previously determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters.</p> <p>Upon concluding any such investigation, the USFA must issue a public report to federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities on the findings of such investigation or collaborate with another investigating federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial agency on that agency's report. The bill makes an exception where issuing a report would have a negative impact on a potential or ongoing criminal investigation.</p> <p>Additionally, the USFA may send fire investigators to conduct fire safety investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination and cooperation with the appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities.</p>

action_date: 2022-12-20
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><strong>Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act</strong></p> <p>This act authorizes the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to conduct on-site fire safety investigations of major fires and other fires under other specified circumstances.</p> <p>In the case of a major fire, the USFA may send incident investigators (e.g., safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists) to the site. Any such investigation shall (1) be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities; and (2) examine the previously determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters.</p> <p>Upon concluding any such investigation, the USFA must issue a public report to federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities on the findings of such investigation or collaborate with another investigating federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial agency on that agency's report. The act makes an exception where issuing a report would have a negative impact on a potential or ongoing criminal investigation.</p> <p>Additionally, the USFA may send fire investigators to conduct fire safety investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination and cooperation with the appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7077 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 15, 2022 Mr. Torres of New York (for himself, Ms. Stevens , Mr. Meijer , and Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology A BILL To require the United States Fire Administration to conduct on-site investigations of major fires, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act . 2. Fire investigations The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 ( 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 38. Investigation authorities (a) In general In the case of any major fire, the Administrator may send incident investigators, which may include safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists, to the site of the fire to conduct an investigation as described in subsection (b). (b) Investigation required A fire investigation conducted under this section— (1) shall be conducted in coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part; and (2) shall examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters to include use of codes and standards, demographics, structural characteristics, smoke and fire dynamics (movement) during the event, and costs of associated injuries and deaths. (c) Report Upon concluding any fire investigation under this section, the Administrator shall issue a public report to local, State, and Federal authorities on the findings of such investigation, or collaborate with another investigating Federal agency on that agency’s report, including recommendations on— (1) any other buildings with similar characteristics that may bear similar fire risks; (2) improving tactical response to similar fires; (3) improving civilian safety practices; (4) assessing the costs and benefits to the community of adding fire safety features; and (5) how to mitigate the causes of such fire. (d) Discretionary authority In addition to investigations conducted pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part. (e) Major fire defined For purposes of this section, the term major fire shall have the meaning given such term under regulations to be issued by the Administrator. .

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 229 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7077 [Report No. 117–309] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 15, 2022 Mr. Torres of New York (for himself, Ms. Stevens , Mr. Meijer , and Mr. Gonzalez of Ohio ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology May 6, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 15, 2022 A BILL To require the United States Fire Administration to conduct on-site investigations of major fires, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act . 2. Fire investigations The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 ( 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 38. Investigation authorities (a) In general In the case of any major fire, the Administrator may send incident investigators, which may include safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists, to the site of the fire to conduct an investigation as described in subsection (b). (b) Investigation required A fire investigation conducted under this section— (1) shall be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part; and (2) shall examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters to include use of codes and standards, demographics, structural characteristics, smoke and fire dynamics (movement) during the event, and costs of associated injuries and deaths. (c) Report Upon concluding any fire investigation under this section, the Administrator shall issue a public report to local, State, and Federal authorities on the findings of such investigation, or collaborate with another investigating Federal agency on that agency’s report, including recommendations on— (1) any other buildings with similar characteristics that may bear similar fire risks; (2) improving tactical response to similar fires; (3) improving civilian safety practices; (4) assessing the costs and benefits to the community of adding fire safety features; and (5) how to mitigate the causes of such fire. (d) Discretionary authority In addition to investigations conducted pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part. (e) Major fire defined For purposes of this section, the term major fire shall have the meaning given such term under regulations to be issued by the Administrator. .

May 6, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7077 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require the United States Fire Administration to conduct on-site investigations of major fires, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act . 2. Fire investigations The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 ( 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 38. Investigation authorities (a) In general In the case of any major fire, the Administrator may send incident investigators, which may include safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists, to the site of the fire to conduct an investigation as described in subsection (b). (b) Investigation required A fire investigation conducted under this section— (1) shall be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part; and (2) shall examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters to include use of codes and standards, demographics, structural characteristics, smoke and fire dynamics (movement) during the event, and costs of associated injuries and deaths. (c) Report Upon concluding any fire investigation under this section, the Administrator shall issue a public report to local, State, and Federal authorities on the findings of such investigation, or collaborate with another investigating Federal agency on that agency’s report, including recommendations on— (1) any other buildings with similar characteristics that may bear similar fire risks; (2) improving tactical response to similar fires; (3) improving civilian safety practices; (4) assessing the costs and benefits to the community of adding fire safety features; and (5) how to mitigate the causes of such fire. (d) Discretionary authority In addition to investigations conducted pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part. (e) Major fire defined For purposes of this section, the term major fire shall have the meaning given such term under regulations to be issued by the Administrator. .

Passed the House of Representatives May 11, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7077 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 12, 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs AN ACT To require the United States Fire Administration to conduct on-site investigations of major fires, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act . 2. Fire investigations The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 ( 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 38. Investigation authorities (a) In general In the case of any major fire, the Administrator may send incident investigators, which may include safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists, to the site of the fire to conduct an investigation as described in subsection (b). (b) Investigation required A fire investigation conducted under this section— (1) shall be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part; and (2) shall examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters to include use of codes and standards, demographics, structural characteristics, smoke and fire dynamics (movement) during the event, and costs of associated injuries and deaths. (c) Report Upon concluding any fire investigation under this section, the Administrator shall issue a public report to local, State, and Federal authorities on the findings of such investigation, or collaborate with another investigating Federal agency on that agency’s report, including recommendations on— (1) any other buildings with similar characteristics that may bear similar fire risks; (2) improving tactical response to similar fires; (3) improving civilian safety practices; (4) assessing the costs and benefits to the community of adding fire safety features; and (5) how to mitigate the causes of such fire. (d) Discretionary authority In addition to investigations conducted pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part. (e) Major fire defined For purposes of this section, the term major fire shall have the meaning given such term under regulations to be issued by the Administrator. .

Passed the House of Representatives May 11, 2022. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 546 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7077 [Report No. 117–195] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 12, 2022 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs November 14, 2022 Reported by Mr. Peters , without amendment AN ACT To require the United States Fire Administration to conduct on-site investigations of major fires, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act . 2. Fire investigations The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 ( 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 38. Investigation authorities (a) In general In the case of any major fire, the Administrator may send incident investigators, which may include safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists, to the site of the fire to conduct an investigation as described in subsection (b). (b) Investigation required A fire investigation conducted under this section— (1) shall be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part; and (2) shall examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters to include use of codes and standards, demographics, structural characteristics, smoke and fire dynamics (movement) during the event, and costs of associated injuries and deaths. (c) Report Upon concluding any fire investigation under this section, the Administrator shall issue a public report to local, State, and Federal authorities on the findings of such investigation, or collaborate with another investigating Federal agency on that agency’s report, including recommendations on— (1) any other buildings with similar characteristics that may bear similar fire risks; (2) improving tactical response to similar fires; (3) improving civilian safety practices; (4) assessing the costs and benefits to the community of adding fire safety features; and (5) how to mitigate the causes of such fire. (d) Discretionary authority In addition to investigations conducted pursuant to subsection (a), the Administrator may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate a major fire or an incident of which the major fire is a part. (e) Major fire defined For purposes of this section, the term major fire shall have the meaning given such term under regulations to be issued by the Administrator. .

November 14, 2022 Reported without amendment

tv_txt: 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H.R. 7077 In the Senate of the United States, December 6, 2022. Amendment:

That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 7077) entitled An Act to require the United States Fire Administration to conduct on-site investigations of major fires, and for other purposes. , do pass with the following Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act . 2. Fire safety investigations The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 ( 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 38. Investigation authorities (a) In general In the case of a major fire, the Administrator may send incident investigators, which may include safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists, to the site of the fire to conduct a fire safety investigation as described in subsection (b). (b) Investigation required A fire safety investigation conducted under this section— (1) shall be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate any fire; and (2) shall examine the previously determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters to include use of codes and standards, demographics, structural characteristics, smoke and fire dynamics (movement) during the event, and costs of associated injuries and deaths. (c) Report (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), upon concluding any fire safety investigation under this section, the Administrator shall— (A) issue a public report to the appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities on the findings of such investigation; or (B) collaborate with another investigating Federal, State, local, Tribal, or territorial agency on the report of that agency. (2) Exception If the Administrator, in consultation with appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities determines that issuing a report under paragraph (1) would have a negative impact on a potential or ongoing criminal investigation, the Administrator is not required to issue such report. (3) Contents Each public report issued under paragraph (1) shall include recommendations on— (A) any other buildings with similar characteristics that may bear similar fire risks; (B) improving tactical response to similar fires; (C) improving civilian safety practices; (D) assessing the costs and benefits to the community of adding fire safety features; and (E) how to mitigate the causes of the fire. (d) Discretionary authority In addition to a fire safety investigation conducted pursuant to subsection (a), provided doing so would not have a negative impact on a potential or ongoing criminal investigation, the Administrator may send fire investigators to conduct a fire safety investigation at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination and cooperation with the appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate the fire. (e) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to— (1) affect or otherwise diminish the authorities or the mandates vested in other Federal agencies; (2) grant the Administrator authority to investigate a major fire for the purpose of an enforcement action or criminal prosecution; or (3) require the Administrator to send investigators or issue a report for a major fire when the Administrator, in coordination and cooperation with the appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities, determine that it may compromise a potential or ongoing criminal investigation. (f) Major fire defined For purposes of this section, the term major fire shall have the meaning given such term under regulations to be issued by the Administrator. .

Secretary

tv_txt: I One Hundred Seventeenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-two H. R. 7077 AN ACT To require the United States Fire Administration to conduct on-site investigations of major fires, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act . 2. Fire safety investigations The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 ( 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 38. Investigation authorities (a) In general In the case of a major fire, the Administrator may send incident investigators, which may include safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists, to the site of the fire to conduct a fire safety investigation as described in subsection (b). (b) Investigation required A fire safety investigation conducted under this section— (1) shall be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate any fire; and (2) shall examine the previously determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters to include use of codes and standards, demographics, structural characteristics, smoke and fire dynamics (movement) during the event, and costs of associated injuries and deaths. (c) Report (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), upon concluding any fire safety investigation under this section, the Administrator shall— (A) issue a public report to the appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities on the findings of such investigation; or (B) collaborate with another investigating Federal, State, local, Tribal, or territorial agency on the report of that agency. (2) Exception If the Administrator, in consultation with appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities determines that issuing a report under paragraph (1) would have a negative impact on a potential or ongoing criminal investigation, the Administrator is not required to issue such report. (3) Contents Each public report issued under paragraph (1) shall include recommendations on— (A) any other buildings with similar characteristics that may bear similar fire risks; (B) improving tactical response to similar fires; (C) improving civilian safety practices; (D) assessing the costs and benefits to the community of adding fire safety features; and (E) how to mitigate the causes of the fire. (d) Discretionary authority In addition to a fire safety investigation conducted pursuant to subsection (a), provided doing so would not have a negative impact on a potential or ongoing criminal investigation, the Administrator may send fire investigators to conduct a fire safety investigation at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination and cooperation with the appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities, including Federal agencies that are authorized to investigate the fire. (e) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to— (1) affect or otherwise diminish the authorities or the mandates vested in other Federal agencies; (2) grant the Administrator authority to investigate a major fire for the purpose of an enforcement action or criminal prosecution; or (3) require the Administrator to send investigators or issue a report for a major fire when the Administrator, in coordination and cooperation with the appropriate Federal, State, local, Tribal, and territorial authorities, determine that it may compromise a potential or ongoing criminal investigation. (f) Major fire defined For purposes of this section, the term major fire shall have the meaning given such term under regulations to be issued by the Administrator. .

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.