Bill > HR4480

This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require the President to designate a Veteran Advocate within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Veteran Advocate would have specific responsibilities aimed at supporting veterans during disaster and emergency situations, including participating in disaster and emergency declaration processes to ensure veterans' needs are addressed, serving as the primary point of contact between veterans service organizations and FEMA, identifying opportunities for veteran recruitment within FEMA (including reservist positions), and conducting other activities deemed appropriate by the FEMA Administrator. The bill specifically emphasizes that the Veteran Advocate's role is to advocate for fair treatment of veterans in the provision of disaster assistance. Importantly, the bill includes a provision clarifying that this new role does not authorize any additional disaster or emergency assistance beyond what was already permitted prior to the bill's enactment. The bill can be cited as the "Improving Disaster Assistance for Veterans Act" and would create a new section (Section 328) in the existing Stafford Act to outline the Veteran Advocate's duties and responsibilities.

Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4480/all-info