TheWeekInCongress.com (TM)

Week Ending September 22, 2006

H.R.3858 To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.

This bill passed the House on May 22, 2006 by a 349 to 24 vote (RC 178) and passed the Senate amended on August 3, 2006. Because the bill was amended by the Senate the House must now determine if it agrees with the amendment.

The bill requires the Director of FEMA when reviewing state and local emergency preparedness operational plans that the plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals such as seeing eye dogs, following a major disaster.

The amendment expanded the attention to needs of pet owners before, during and after a disaster and to provide for the rescue, care, shelter and essential needs to those pet owning individuals and the pets.

The bill authorizes the Director to make financial contributions on approved projects including procurement, construction, leasing or renovating of emergency shelter facilities and materials that will accommodate people with pets and service animals.

Sponsor: Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA-12^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote September 20, 2006

Cost to the taxpayers: No discernible cost. The bill does not authorize appropriations.

## All Rights Reserved. © 2006 TheWeekInCongress.com(TM)

No reproduction, language translation or distribution without written permission from TheWeekInCongress.com.(TM)