To authorize appropriations for activities under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 for fiscal years 2004 through 2006, and for other purposes.

July 10, 2003

Mr. SMITH of Michigan (for himself and Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science

To authorize appropriations for activities under the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 for fiscal years 2004 through 2006, 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 `United States Fire Administration Authorization Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATOR.

Notwithstanding section 1513 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 553), the Administrator of the United States Fire Administration shall continue to be appointed and compensated as provided under section 5(b) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2204(b)).

SEC. 3. NATIONAL RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER STRATEGY.

Section 30 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2226) is amended--

(1) by inserting `(a) IN GENERAL- ' before `The Director, acting'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(b) NATIONAL RESIDENTIAL FIRE SPRINKLER STRATEGY- The Administrator shall develop and implement a strategy for promoting the installation and use of residential fire sprinklers. The strategy shall include--

`(1) advocacy and informational support to relevant stakeholders, including builders, insurers, and State and local decisionmakers;

`(2) promotion of residential sprinklers in residences supported by the Federal Government;

`(3) a particular focus on residences--

`(A) at high risk to fire hazards; and

`(B) with occupants at high risk to fire hazards, such as senior citizens; and

`(4) a particular focus on localized fire suppression in high-risk areas of residences, such as kitchens.'.

SEC. 4. SUPPORT FOR TRAINING TO FIGHT MARITIME FIRES.

Subsection (b)(3)(B) of the first section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229(b)(3)(B)) is amended by inserting `maritime firefighting,' after `arson prevention and detection,'.

SEC. 5. FIREFIGHTER ASSISTANCE GRANTS PROGRAM.

The first section 33 of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2229) is amended--

(1) by striking `Director' each place it appears and inserting `Administrator';

(2) by amending subsection (b)(2) to read as follows:

`(2) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE- The Administrator shall establish specific criteria for the selection of recipients of assistance under this section and shall provide grant-writing assistance to applicants.'; and

(3) in subsection (e)(2), by striking `operate the office established under subsection (b)(2) and'.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 17(g) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2216(g)) is amended by striking `to carry out the purposes' and all that follows through the end of subparagraph (K) and inserting `to the Administrator to carry out the purposes of this Act, other than the firefighter assistance program under section 33--

`(A) $61,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;

`(B) $62,830,000 for fiscal year 2005; and

`(C) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.'.

SEC. 7. COURSES AND TRAINING ASSISTANCE.

Section 7(l) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2206(l)) is amended by adding at the end the following: `The Superintendent shall offer, at the Academy and at other sites, courses and training assistance as necessary to accommodate all geographic regions and needs of career and volunteer firefighters.'.

END