Disaster Response and Recovery Act of 1993

Summary

Disaster Response and Recovery Act of 1993 - Amends The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Disaster Act) and other specified Federal law to establish a new framework for governing the Federal Government's and State and local governments' preparedness for, response to, and recovery from, major disasters, emergencies, and terrorist attacks and coordination among such entities (including private relief agencies) in responding to such events through a reorganization of operations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (Sec. 3) Defines "catastrophic disaster." (Sec. 4) Transfers to the FEMA Director certain authority granted to the President under the Disaster Act, such as the authority to make grants to States for disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, and assistance for individuals and families adversely affected by a major disaster. Imposes new duties on FEMA under the Disaster Act, such as: (1) developing plans for providing Federal assistance, when requested, to affected States and establishing chains of command, Federal agency duties, and the relationship between them and those of the State and local governments and private relief agencies involved; (2) establishing respective systems for utilizing volunteers and managing donated goods in disasters and emergencies as well as disaster support teams for use in areas where a major disaster or emergency is likely to be declared or has been declared; (3) issuing performance standards for ensuring State preparedness for major disasters and emergencies; (4) reviewing such State preparedness annually as well as the role of fire services in responding to such events; (5) inventorying resources available regionally to the Federal Government for post-disaster and -emergency use; and (6) ensuring that such regional inventories are made available to the Governor of each State in the region. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Defense to direct the Chief of the National Guard Bureau to review the role of the National Guard in responding to major disasters and emergencies and develop an interstate compact for the mutual use of National Guard assets across State borders during major disasters and emergencies. (Sec. 8) Repeals the limitation on the use of sliding scales. (Sec. 13) Authorizes FEMA to make disaster loans and allow Federal agencies to take any necessary actions to prepare to provide Federal assistance to State and local governments and disaster victims when events are determined to indicate that an emergency or major disaster is likely to be declared. (Sec. 15) Requires that the Director of FEMA have appropriate experience in order to be appointed. Redesignates FEMA Regional Director positions as career reserved positions. Requires various specified positions to be subject to presidential appointment without State confirmation. (Sec. 16) Revises the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 to abolish the Federal Civil Defense Adminstration and vest in FEMA the Federal Government's responsibility for the civil defense of the United States (which includes Federal disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities with respect to major and catastrophic disasters and emergencies). Grants FEMA the authority to delegate civil defense responsibilities to the appropriate Federal departments and agencies, and review and coordinate the civil defense activities of such entities with each other and with the activities of the States and neighboring countries.

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3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 15 October 1993

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• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 15 October 1993

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 15 October 1993

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