This bill establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency in the executive branch. It also transfers from FEMA to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) certain grant programs for protecting communities and nonprofits from terrorist attacks.
The bill removes FEMA from DHS. FEMA’s existing functions as a DHS component must transfer to FEMA as an independent agency within one year after the bill’s enactment. The independent FEMA generally retains its existing mission, authorities, and functions. FEMA continues to have 10 regional offices.
The bill requires FEMA to be headed by a Director who is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate and reports directly to the President as a Cabinet member. (Under current law, the President may designate the FEMA Administrator as a Cabinet member in the event of a disaster.) The Director must have knowledge of emergency management and homeland security and five years of leadership experience in each the public sector and the private sector. The President may appoint up to four Deputy Directors.
The bill also establishes within FEMA an Office of the Inspector General.
Also, the bill transfers from FEMA to DHS the authority to administer the Homeland Security Grant Program, Urban Area Security Initiative, and Nonprofit Security Grant Program.