To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish certain qualifications for the office of the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response.

September 6, 2005

Mr. NELSON of Florida introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish certain qualifications for the office of the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response.

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 `Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response Qualifications Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that--

(1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency has the lead Federal responsibility to help the United States prepare for and recover from significant catastrophes, including catastrophes resulting from terrorist attacks;

(2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides planning and preparedness aid to State and local governments and coordinates Federal emergency management activities and planning for the continuity of the Federal Government in cases in which national security is threatened;

(3) the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) transferred the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including the assets and responsibilities of that agency, to the Department of Homeland Security; and

(4) for the most part, as of the date of enactment of this Act, the mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is carried out within the Emergency Preparedness and Response branch of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. 3. QUALIFICATIONS.

Section 103 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 113) is amended--

(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:

`(5) In accordance with subsection (f), an Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response.';

(2) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and

(3) by inserting after subsection (e) the following:

`(f) Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response- In appointing an Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response under subsection (a)(5), the President shall select an individual that, as determined by the President, has broad background, professional knowledge, and substantial experience in emergency training, planning, and preparedness, including work experience relating to emergency preparedness, at least 4 years of which shall be experience relating to the management of emergency personnel or assets.'.

END