UNITY Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4408 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4408

    To study the effectiveness of disaster response and recovery in 
           noncontiguous communities, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 15, 2025

Ms. King-Hinds introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
             Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To study the effectiveness of disaster response and recovery in 
           noncontiguous communities, 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 ``Understanding Noncontiguous 
Infrastructure and Threats Year-round Act'' or the ``UNITY Act''.

SEC. 2. IMPROVING DISASTER WORKFORCE RETENTION IN NONCONTIGUOUS 
              COMMUNITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of 
practices of the Agency relating to hiring, recruitment, and retention 
in noncontiguous communities by soliciting feedback from staff in such 
communities.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall--
            (1) evaluate the recruitment strategies of the Agency and 
        efforts of the Agency to broaden the pool of qualified local 
        candidates;
            (2) prioritize input from communities in which there are 
        the most severe staffing shortages; and
            (3) identify specific steps that the Agency can take to 
        improve opportunities for staff in noncontiguous communities.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the results of the 
study conducted under subsection (a).
    (d) Policies.--The Administrator shall take such actions as are 
necessary to revise any policies, guidance, or regulations of the 
Agency to address the disaster workforce challenges in noncontiguous 
communities identified in the study conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 3. GAO REVIEW OF DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY IN NONCONTIGUOUS 
              COMMUNITIES.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the effectiveness of disaster response and recovery 
practices in noncontiguous communities, with a particular focus on 
recovery efforts relating to damage caused by Super Typhoon Yutu, and 
compare such practices with the disaster response and recovery 
practices in contiguous communities.
    (b) Contents.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), the 
Comptroller General shall--
            (1) analyze ongoing recovery efforts from disasters that 
        have impacted noncontiguous communities;
            (2) analyze the level of coordination between the Federal 
        Departments and Agencies tasked with disaster response and 
        recovery;
            (3) assess how effectively Federal agencies coordinate with 
        State emergency management offices;
            (4) assess the effectiveness of the Area offices and 
        Regional Advisory Councils of the Agency in assisting 
        noncontiguous communities; and
            (5) make recommendations on how to improve the disaster 
        response and recovery outcomes in noncontiguous communities.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the study 
conducted under subsection (a).

SEC. 4. PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PILOT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall establish a pilot program to implement new 
technology in carrying out a preliminary damage assessment in a 
noncontiguous community in which a major disaster has been declared 
under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170).
    (b) Priority.--In carrying out the pilot program established under 
subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that the most 
geographically remote noncontiguous communities are prioritized.
    (c) Briefing.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator shall brief the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland 
Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on the implementation 
of the pilot program established under subsection (a).
    (d) Sunset.--The pilot program established under subsection (a) 
shall terminate on September 30, 2030.
                                 <all>