FEMA Accountability, Modernization and Transparency Act of 2017

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

FEMA Accountability, Modernization and Transparency Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that the ongoing modernization of the grant systems for the administration of assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act includes:

• an online interface for applicants to complete application forms, submit materials, and access the status of applications;
• mechanisms to eliminate duplication of benefits; and
• a means of sharing information among agencies and with state, local, and tribal governments to eliminate the need to file multiple applications and speed disaster recovery.

FEMA shall deliver the system capabilities in increments or iterations as working components for applicant use.

[115th Congress Public Law 87]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



[[Page 131 STAT. 1277]]

Public Law 115-87
115th Congress

                                 An Act


 
To ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's current efforts 
      to modernize its grant management system includes applicant 
accessibility and transparency, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Nov. 21, 
                         2017 -  [H.R. 1679]>> 

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: FEMA 
Accountability, Modernization and Transparency Act of 2017. 42 USC 5121 
note. 42 USC 5121 note.>> 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``FEMA Accountability, Modernization 
and Transparency Act of 2017''.
SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall ensure the ongoing modernization of the grant 
systems for the administration of assistance under the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et 
seq.) includes the following:
            (1) <<NOTE: Online information.>>  An online interface, 
        including online assistance, for applicants to complete 
        application forms, submit materials, and access the status of 
        applications.
            (2) Mechanisms to eliminate duplication of benefits.
            (3) If appropriate, enable the sharing of information among 
        agencies and with State, local, and tribal governments, to 
        eliminate the need to file multiple applications and speed 
        disaster recovery.
            (4) Any additional tools the Administrator determines will 
        improve the implementation of this section.

    (b) Implementation.--To the extent practicable, the Administrator 
shall deliver the system capabilities described in subsection (a) in 
increments or iterations as working components for applicant use.
SEC. 3. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

    No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of 
this Act. Such requirements shall be carried out using amounts otherwise 
authorized.

    Approved November 21, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 1679:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOUSE REPORTS: No. 115-107 (Comm. on Transportation and Infrastructure).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 115-159 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental 
Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):
            May 2, considered and passed House.
            Nov. 13, considered and passed Senate.

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