Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) recently introduced the Extreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act (HR 9024). Rep. Titus is the Ranking Member of the House subcommittee with jurisdiction over emergency management policy. Here is her press release, but to summarize, the bill would 1) direct FEMA to convene an advisory panel to review the process for determining incident periods for disaster declarations and then submit a report to congress; 2) allow portable air conditioners and community cooling centers to be eligible for hazard mitigation grants; 3) direct FEMA to publish guidance on extreme temperature events in the FEMA Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide; and 4) direct FEMA to conduct a comprehensive study on the multiple impacts of extreme heat events. Early drafts of the bill focused primarily on extreme heat related events, but in coordination with NEMA, we asked Rep. Titus and committee staff to expand the bill to include "extreme cold" rather than focusing only on heat-related events. They agreed and have reworked the bill making it even better. I have attached the latest iteration of the bill that will hopefully be considered by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in September when the House returns from the August recess. I have also attached a document that tracks the most recent changes to the bill.
Take a look and post your thoughts.
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Thad Huguley
Government Affairs Director
IAEM
Falls Church VA
(615) 870-9316
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