Public Law 115-87 | Public Law 115–87: 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.

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PUBLIC LAW 115–87—NOV. 21, 2017

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.

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,

FEMA Accountability, Modernization and Transparency Act of 2017.

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)

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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