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Natural Disasters of 2017: Congressional Considerations Related to FEMA Assistance

Description: This report provides a short overview of issues Congress may consider in its oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) federal assistance during the 2017 hurricane season (e.g., Harvey, Irma, and Maria) and other disasters (e.g., fires in California).
Date: December 6, 2017
Creator: Brown, Jared T.; Horn, Diane P.; Painter, William L. & Reese, Shawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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FEMA's Firefighter Assistance Grants: Reauthorization or Sunset?

Description: This report discuses FEMA's (Federal Emergency Management Agency's) Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response program (SAFER) and the reauthorization process in Congress. Unless legislation is passed by both the House and Senate by January 8, 2018, sunset provisions will come into effect for the programs.
Date: December 5, 2017
Creator: Kruger, Lennard G.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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21st Century Flood Reform Act (H.R. 2874): Reforming the National Flood Insurance Program

Description: This report outlines the provisions of the 21st Century Flood Reform Act which was passed on Nov. 14, 2017. The act reauthorizes the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and revises regulations regarding insurance coverage standards.
Date: November 27, 2017
Creator: Horn, Diane P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Volcano and Landslide Provisions in Title X of S. 1460, the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017

Description: This report discusses a proposed volcano early warning system and a landslide hazards reduction program that would both be administered by the USGS. Provisions of the law that would create the system and volcanoes on the high priority watch-list are described.
Date: November 21, 2017
Creator: Folger, Peter
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Flood-Risk Reduction and Resilience: Federal Assistance and Programs

Description: This report provides an overview of flood assistance programs and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) related mitigation incentives; it also raises flood-related policy considerations associated with federal programs and practices.
Date: November 13, 2017
Creator: Carter, Nicole T.; Horne, Diane P.; Brown, Jared T.; Boyd, Eugene; Stubbs, Megan; Ramseur, Jonathan L. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Comprehensive Energy Planning for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands

Description: This report discusses the electric power grid of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands which were mainly destroyed by Hurricanes Irma and Maria with Puerto Rico being the hardest hit power grid. The report mainly concerns previous and current efforts to create long-term comprehensive energy plans for insular areas such as Puerto Rico and some of the challenges encountered in doing so.
Date: November 6, 2017
Creator: Clark, Corrie E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Natural Disasters of 2017: Congressional Considerations Related to FEMA Assistance

Description: This report provides a short overview of issues Congress may consider in its oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) federal assistance during the 2017 hurricane season (e.g., Harvey, Irma, and Maria) and other disasters (e.g., fires in California).
Date: November 2, 2017
Creator: Brown, Jared T.; Horn, Diane P.; Painter, William L. & Reese, Shawn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Wildfire Management Funding: Background, Issues, and Fiscal Year 2018 Appropriations

Description: This report provides an overview of the accounts that fund wildfire management activities and historical wildfire management appropriations data, as well as information on FY2018 appropriations. The Administration requested a combined $3.72 billion in FY2018, a 12% decrease from FY2017 enacted levels. On September 14, 2017, the Housed passed H.R. 3354, an omnibus measure covering all 12 appropriations bills, including the FY2018 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill. This bill would … more
Date: October 31, 2017
Creator: Hoover, Katie
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP): Issues in Brief

Description: This report discusses the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program which is made up of four agencies (FEMA, The National Science Foundation, USGS, and National Institute of Standards and Technology) who are responsible for monitoring, reporting, and studying earthquakes and increasing resiliency to earthquakes through means such as stronger infrastructure, early warning systems, and recovery plans.
Date: October 12, 2017
Creator: Folger, Peter
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Puerto Rico and Electric Power Restoration from Hurricane Maria

Description: This report discusses efforts to restore power in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria decimated the island's electricity infrastructure. Challenges in power restoration due to the extent of the damage, supply deliveries, timing of the storm after Hurricane Harvey and Irma, and the electric company's financial crisis along with recommendations for strengthening the electric system are discussed.
Date: September 21, 2017
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Hurricanes and Electricity Infrastructure Hardening

Description: This report discusses the measures undertaken by electric utilities to prevent or mitigate power outages resulting from severe weather events. Power lines and transformers used to provide electricity to customers are particularly susceptible to damage due to their exposure to the elements. The loss of life and extensive damage seen so far in the 2017 hurricane season has refocused the attention of Congress on the destructive potential of such storms. High winds, rain, and coastal surges can com… more
Date: September 20, 2017
Creator: Campbell, Richard J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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EPA's Role in Emergency Planning and Notification at Chemical Facilities

Description: This report reviews the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) authorities regarding risk management, emergency planning, and release notification, among others, at chemical facilities. In doing so, it describes the statutory authorities--and makes note of some of the more prominent, subsequent regulations--as provided by the following: facility risk management planning requirements under Section 112(r)(7) of the Clean Air Act (CAA); emergency planning notification requirements under th… more
Date: September 18, 2017
Creator: Lattanzio, Richard K. & Bearden, David M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federal Employees: Human Resources Management Flexibilities for Emergency Situations

Description: This report discusses special flexibility and hiring options for federal employees after disasters that are issued by the Department of Personnel Management (OPM). Most recently these options have been offered to those effected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The various options for employees using the program are listed and described in a tabular format.
Date: September 14, 2017
Creator: Schwemle, Barbara L.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Primer on Responding to Major Disasters and Emergencies

Description: This report provides information to aid policymakers as they navigate the many levels of responsibility, and numerous policy pressure points that occur after a disaster. It describes the laws and administrative policies governing the disaster response and recovery process. The report also reviews the legislative framework that exists for providing federal financial assistance following disasters, as well as the policies the executive branch employs to provide supplemental help to state, tribal,… more
Date: September 8, 2017
Creator: Brown, Jared T.; Lindsay, Bruce R. & Petruzzelli, Jaclyn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Congressional Primer on Responding to Major Disasters and Emergencies

Description: This report provides information to aid policymakers as they navigate the many levels of responsibility, and numerous policy pressure points; it describes the laws and administrative policies governing the disaster response and recovery process. The report also reviews the legislative framework that exists for providing federal financial assistance following disasters, as well as the policies the executive branch employs to provide supplemental help to state, tribal, and local governments durin… more
Date: September 8, 2017
Creator: Brown, Jared T.; Lindsay, Bruce R. & Petruzzelli, Jaclyn
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Education-Related Regulatory Flexibilities, Waivers, and Federal Assistance in Response to Disasters and National Emergencies

Description: This report is intended to inform Congress of existing statutory and regulatory provisions that may aid in responding to future disasters and national emergencies that may affect the provision of or access to education and highlight the actions of previous Congresses to provide additional recovery assistance. This report reflects the most recently available guidance, as of the date of publication, related to education-related disaster response and flexibilities. It will be updated should new or… more
Date: September 8, 2017
Creator: Granovskiy, Boris & Hegji, Alexandra
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Disaster Debris Management: Requirements, Challenges, and Federal Agency Roles

Description: This report focuses on the requirements applicable to disaster debris management and the challenges that communities face when attempting to manage it both quickly and safely. This report also provides an overview of the types of support provided by FEMA, the Corps, and EPA with respect to disaster debris removal. A discussion of the programs or statutory authorities under which that support may be provided is beyond the scope of this report. There are a number of conditions under which federal… more
Date: September 6, 2017
Creator: Luther, Linda
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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FEMA Disaster Housing: The Individuals and Households Program-Implementation and Potential Issues for Congress

Description: This report explains the traditional approach for temporary housing through the IHP program following a disaster, how it is implemented, and considers if the current policy choices are equitable for disaster victims. This report will review those expenditures and provide information on the relative costs, and applications of, several categories of assistance. As a part of this examination, the report looks at other forms of housing repair assistance such as the Small Business Administration (SB… more
Date: August 31, 2017
Creator: Lindsay, Bruce R.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Description: This report describes the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are available only to those individuals who have become unemployed as a direct result of a declared major disaster and information on how to ascertain if an individual is eligible for DUA benefits.
Date: August 24, 2017
Creator: Whittaker, Julie M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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