HR3177-119

1. Cost estimates by appropriately licensed professionals The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall use appropriately licensed professionals to perform any covered activity with respect to a project eligible for assistance under sections 406 or 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172; 42 U.S.C. 5189f). The Administrator may not disapprove, with respect to a project described under subsection (a), any plan, rebuilding proposal, material suggestion for rebuilding, or direct purchase of materials without the direct consent of an appropriately licensed professional. Any purchase suggested by an appropriately licensed professional for any project described under subsection (a) shall be approved by the Administrator. Unless fraud is evident and traceable, any plans proposed, projects prepared, and materials requested or purchased by an appropriately licensed professional may not be rejected, rescinded, or stalled by the Administrator. The Administrator may not reject or hinder the process of entering into a contract with an appropriately licensed professional if such process is suggested by a State or local government. It shall be the responsibility of the State to hire an appropriately licensed professional to develop the scope of work related to performing a covered activity. Any employee of the Agency that assists directly with the management of a rebuilding project eligible for assistance under section 406 or 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172; 42 U.S.C. 5189f) shall be an appropriately licensed professional. The Administrator shall update regulations and policies, to the extent necessary, to implement the requirements of this Act. In this Act: The term appropriately licensed professional means an individual— who is— employed by the Agency to perform a covered activity; or contracted by the Agency or a State or local governmental entity; and licensed— in the State in which a project described under this section shall be carried out; and as an engineer, architect, builder, tradesperson, or any other profession related to performing a covered activity relating to such project. The term covered activity includes— preparing a cost estimate for a project eligible for assistance under section 406 or 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172; 42 U.S.C. 5189f); and purchasing the proper materials, equipment, vehicles, and any other items necessary to carry out a project described under subparagraph (A).