109th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. R. 4397

To ensure that the two top officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency have extensive background in emergency or disaster relief.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 18, 2005

Mr. CROWLEY (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BACA, and Mr. MCNULTY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To ensure that the two top officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency have extensive background in emergency or disaster relief.

    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 `Returning Competence and Credibility to American Disaster Management'.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

    (a) Director-

      (1) IN GENERAL- The Federal Emergency Management Agency shall be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate.

      (2) TERM OF APPOINTMENT- The term of a Director appointed after the date of enactment of this Act shall be for a period of five years.

    (b) Deputy Director-

      (1) IN GENERAL- There shall be in the Federal Emergency Management Agency a Deputy Director who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate.

      (2) DIRECTOR VACANCY- In the case of a vacancy of the Director position, the Deputy Director may not fill such position, except as a temporary acting Director, unless the Deputy Director is appointed to such position by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate.

    (c) Qualifications- The Director and Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall be appointed from among persons who have extensive background in emergency and disaster-related management.

    (d) Assessment and Review- Not later than 14 days after the President nominates an individual for the position of Director or Deputy Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall assess the qualifications and background of such individual and report the findings of the assessment to Congress.

END