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HR 6147 110th Congress House Emergency Management Advice and consent of the Senate Cabinet officers Congress Crime and Law Enforcement Department of Homeland Security Disaster relief Executive reorganization Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal advisory bodies Federal employees Government Operations and Politics Presidential appointments Standards Terrorism Transfer of employees

FEMA Act

Introduced: May 22, 2008 Introduced by: Cole, Tom Republican · Oklahoma See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 2, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response.
Jun 2, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight.
May 23, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
May 22, 2008
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
May 22, 2008
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Emergency Management Advancement Act of 2008 or the FEMA Act - Reestablishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent establishment in the executive branch. Requires FEMA to be headed by a Director appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Designates the Director as the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Homeland Security for all matters relating to emergency management in the United States. Directs the President to designate the Director to serve as a Cabinet member in the event of specified disasters.

Establishes as FEMA's primary mission to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards, including natural and man-made disasters, through a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.

Prescribes the Director's responsibilities. Provides for 10 regional offices. Requires each Regional Administrator to: (1) establish a Regional Advisory Council; and (2) oversee multi-agency strike teams. Establishes a National Operations Center.

Requires the Director to: (1) establish Area Offices in appropriate Regional Offices; (2) defer to substantiating documentation submitted by states in determining the duration of a major disaster and in establishing the eligibility period for assistance; (3) establish and implement the voluntary private sector preparedness accreditation and certification program; (4) ensure that the National Response Plan provides for a clear chain of command to lead and coordinate the federal response to disasters; and (5) enter into a memorandum of understanding with specified individuals to collaborate on developing standards for deployment capabilities.

Transfers specified functions and personnel to FEMA. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make necessary determinations regarding such functions and incidental dispositions of personnel, assets, and property.

What's happening now June 2, 2008

Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 1427 Related bill Federal Emergency Management Improvement Act of 2007
  • S 2214 Related bill FEMA Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6147: FEMA Act. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6147/
MLA
"H.R. 6147: FEMA Act." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6147/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6147, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6147/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6147: FEMA Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6147/)
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