Homeland Security and Emergency Management

House Subcommittee Approves Homeland Security Spending

June 17, 2008 --On June 11, Congress officially kicked off the FY2009 appropriations season with the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security approving its draft FY2009 Homeland Security spending measure. In previous years, the Homeland Security spending bill has been one of the first bills completed, but with this years appropriations season complicated by a Presidential election, the timing of the FY2009 bill remains unclear.

Overall, the bills discretionary total for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is $39.9 billion. This is $2.2 billion above the FY2008 amount (including border funding with an emergency designation) and $2.3 billion above the administrations request.

According to early reports from the subcommittee, the bill aims to restore funding to first responder programs cut in the Presidents budget request. This funding includes:

  • $950 million for State Homeland Security grants, level with current spending and $750 million above the Presidents proposed funding level
  • $850 million for Urban Area Security Initiative grants, $30 million above FY2008 and $25 million more than the President requested
  • $400 million for Transit Security Grants, level with current funding and $225 million more than the Presidents budget request
  • $800 million for Fire Grants, $50 million more than current spending and $500 million more than the Presidents proposal
  • $315 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants, $15 million more than last year and a $115 million increase above the Presidents budget
  • $400 million for port security grants, level with current spending and $190 million above the Presidents budget request

The draft bill also includes $5 million in additional funding for FEMA to measure the effectiveness of its grant programs and $1.9 billion for Disaster Relief, level with the administrations request and $500 million over current spending.

Finally, $50,000 is provided for the FEMA Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding to convene a panel of experts to develop solutions for restoring the affordable rental housing stock of communities affected by the 2005 hurricanes.

A full committee markup is scheduled for June 18.

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FEMA Unveils New Five-Year Plan

April 22, 2008 --On April 17, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released a new strategic plan for FY2008 through 2013, laying out the agencys top five goals for achieving its mission.

The document includes a message from FEMA Administrator David Paulison stating it became clear a new strategic plan would be necessary after Congress passed the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act in 2006 (PL 109-295), which redefined a stronger FEMA that included a more robust preparedness mission.

The five goals outlined in the plan are to:

  • Lead an integrated approach, involving partners in both the public and private sectors, that strengthens the countrys ability to address disasters, emergencies and terrorist events
  • Deliver easily accessible and coordinated assistance for all programs
  • Provide reliable emergency management information at the right time for all users
  • Invest in employees and have them invest in the agency to ensure mission success
  • Build public trust and confidence through performance and stewardship

According to FEMA, the new plan differs from past initiatives because it moves away from the focus on individual component missions and toward a much broader and integrated goal structure.

The Plan and a "Plan-in-Brief" are available at www.fema.gov/about/strategicplanfy08.shtm. For more information contact NADO Legislative Representative Amy Linehan at 202.624.8177 or alinehan@nado.org.

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First Responder Funding Slashed Under Budget Request

February 12, 2008 --President Bushs budget request includes $40.1 billion to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This includes $37.6 billion in discretionary spending, $2.7 billion more than fiscal 2008.

Despite the overall increase in discretionary spending, the administration is proposing deep cuts for state and local grant programs within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which are slated to receive $2.2 billion, $2 billion less than current funding.

The President proposes to reduce funding for the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) by $750 million to $200 million. The budget retains changes made to the distribution formula for SHSGP. Funds will be distributed according to the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act (PL 110-53), which reduces the minimum amount guaranteed each state from 0.75 percent to 0.36 percent of the total amount appropriated. The remainder of funds will be distributed according to risk and need.

Firefighter Assistance Grants receive $300 million under the budget proposal, $450 million less than current funding. This is the fourth consecutive year the administration has proposed a major reduction for this program.

Funding for the Local Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention (LLETP) program is eliminated. In accordance with requirements of the 9/11 Commission Act, at least 25 percent of SHSGP and Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant allocations must be directed to law enforcement terrorism prevention activities.

Additional funding for FEMA prevention and response programs includes:

  • Urban Area Security Initiative: $825 million, $5 million more than current funding
  • Emergency Management Performance Grants: $200 million, $100 million less than FY2008
  • Port Security Grants: $210 million, $190 million less than current funding
  • Citizen Corps: $15 million, level with FY2008

The administration is proposing $110 million for a new National Security and Terrorism Prevention Grant program to provide competitive grants to state and local agencies to address national vulnerabilities identified by the Secretary as priorities. The budget eliminates funding for Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grants, the Buffer Zone Protection Program and the Interoperable Communications Grant program.

For FEMA mitigation programs, the budget requests $75 million for the Pre]Disaster Mitigation Fund, $39 million less than current funding and $150 million for the Flood Map Modernization Fund, a $70 million reduction. The Disaster Relief program will receive a $500 million funding boost to $1.9 billion.

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FEMA Funding Increased Under Final 2008 Spending Bill

January 16, 2008 --The Omnibus spending measure includes $38.7 billion for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a reduction of $1.6 billion.

The measure appropriates $7.1 billion for the reorganized Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), $1.2 billion more than FY 2007 spending. It also includes a sizable increase for FEMA grants and training programs, which are allocated $4.2 billion, an increase of $544 million.

FEMA state and local first responder funding includes $950 million (an increase of $425 million) for the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP) and $820 million for Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants to high-threat, high-density urban areas, $50 million above the FY 2007 level.

The measure implements changes in the distribution formula for UASI and SHSGP. Funds will be distributed according to the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act (PL 110?53), which reduced the minimum amount guaranteed each state from 0.75 percent to 0.37 percent of the total amount appropriated. The remainder of funds will be distributed according to risk and need.

Similar to a proposal in the President's budget, stand alone funding of approximately $375 million for the Local Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention (LLETP) program is eliminated. Instead, states and localities will be required to set aside at least 25 percent each from their SHSGP and UASI grant allocations for terrorism prevention activities, which were both increased to account for the change in policy.

Similar to previous years, appropriators reject the administration's proposal to drastically reduce funding for firefighter assistance grants. Firefighter funding is boosted by $88 million to $750 million.

Additional funding for state and local assistance programs includes:

  • Emergency Management Performance Grants: $300 million, $100 million above FY 2007
  • Disaster Relief: $1.4 billion, a reduction of $100 million
  • Flood Map Modernization: $220 million, $21 million more than fiscal 2007 spending. FEMA is directed to use at least 10 percent of the funds to maintain flood maps that are at least three years beyond their effective date. Cooperating technical partners should be given priority in allocating map maintenance funding. A report is required for assessing additional needs for the map modernization program
  • Citizen Corps: $15 million, level with previous funding
  • Interoperable Communications: $50 million is included for the new program (authorized by the 9/11 Commission Act)

The bill includes $35 million for Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grants to fund multi-jurisdictional efforts to promote regional approaches to catastrophic events, including mass evacuations.

Funding for the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program increases $14 million to $114 million. However, more than $50 million of this funding is earmarked for specific mitigation projects.

No funding is included for the administration's proposed Transportation and Infrastructure Grant program, which would have consolidated funding for port, rail, bus and trucking security under one program. A total of $827.50 million is provided for these programs under separate line items.

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House Votes to Expand Flood Insurance Program

October 1, 2007 --On September 27, the House passed legislation (HR 3121) expanding the federal flood insurance program to allow homeowners and businesses to purchase protection against wind damage. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Chairman Christopher Dodd (D-CT) is expected to introduce companion legislation.

The flood insurance program has had to borrow billions of dollars from the federal Treasury to pay claims resulting from hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma in 2005. As a result, the program is $17.5 billion in debt.

The legislation, sponsored by Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA), aims to restore the financial standing of the program and fix flaws revealed by the 2005 hurricanes.

The bill phases out subsidized rates on commercial properties, vacation homes and second homes built before 1974 and increases the amount the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can raise policy rates in any given year from 10 percent to 15 percent.

The bill also requires FEMA to review and update the nation's flood maps to include information such as the possible failure of levees, coastal erosion and the effects of global warming. The bill authorizes $400 million for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013 for flood map modernization activities.

For additional information, contact NADO Legislative Representative Amy Linehan at 202.624.8177 or alinehan@nado.org.

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House Subcommittee Examines Border Preparedness

July 16, 2007 --On July 12, the House Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response held a hearing to examine the preparedness challenges facing first responders in border communities. Witnesses included Leesa Morrison, Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security and Chief Luis F. Sosa, Jr., Fire Chief, Laredo, Texas. Witness testimony focused on funding challenges, geographic and infrastructure protection needs and efforts to coordinate with public safety agencies on the other side of the border. Witness testimony is available at http://homeland.house.gov/hearings/index.asp?ID=70.

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House Adopts Transit Security Legislation

July 3, 2007 --On March 27, the House passed legislation (HR 1401) authorizing more than $6.1 billion for the next four years for rail, mass transit and bus security.

The measure requires the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Transportation (DOT) to develop a National Rail and Public Transportation Security Plan clarifying the roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local agencies in securing rail and public transportation systems. The security plan will also include the identification of, and a plan to address, gaps and unnecessary overlaps in the roles and responsibilities of transportation stakeholders.

The measure authorizes the distribution of security grants to state and local governments, transit authorities and rail carriers. Specifically, the bill authorizes $2.5 billion for rail security grants, $3.4 billion for mass transit grants and $87 million for over-the-road bus security grants through 2011. Funds can be used for general security improvements, including the purchase of perimeter protection systems, communications equipment, emergency response equipment, evacuation improvements and global positioning or tracking and recovery equipment.

It is important to note that while these grants are housed within DHS, DOT is responsible for their administration.

The bill also authorizes the establishment of two security training and exercise programs to improve the capability of federal, state and local governments, emergency response providers and public transportation workers to prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism against transportation systems.

The bill is designed to serve as a place-holder for transit security language during conference negotiations on legislation to enact September 11th Commission recommendations. Although the Senate version of the September 11th bill (S 4) contains transit security language, the House-passed version (HR 1) does not.

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