Territorial Disaster Recovery Program

(a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a Territorial Disaster Recovery Program (in this section referred to as the Program) to continuously identify, monitor, and address factors and capability gaps of local emergency managers, or other applicable emergency response coordinators, and eligible entities located in the territories of the United States in carrying out recovery activities relating to major disasters declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). (b) Duties In carrying out the Program, the Administrator shall— (1) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, identify and analyze gaps in identifying, applying and receiving assistance, and carrying out recovery activities described in subsection (a) that are specific to eligible entities located in the territories of the United States; (2) provide technical assistance to the entities described in paragraph (1) in applying for grants under sections 403, 404, 406, 407, and 502 of such Act that— (A) is tailored to meet the needs of applicants at each stage of the administration of projects for which grants are made under such sections; and (B) takes into account the challenges of— (i) applicants who are located in remote or difficult-to-access areas; (ii) applicants who are part of a minority cultural group; (iii) applicants with limited English language proficiency; and (iv) applicants with slow internet speeds or limited broadband access; (3) design online and in-person training courses that are specific to the entities described in paragraph (1) and that address the capability gaps identified under this section; (4) develop best practices regarding the administration of projects in the territories of the United States for which grants are made under sections 403, 404, 406, 407, and 502 of such Act; (5) develop feedback mechanisms for entities receiving technical assistance or training under this section; and (6) foster meaningful collaboration with local experts, community leaders, and other members of the community, that leads to the performance of activities under this section that are locally informed and relevant to local needs. (c) Report to Congress (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter for the duration of the Program, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on— (A) any capability gaps identified under subsection (b)(1); (B) the nature of any technical assistance provided under the Program; (C) any online or in-person training courses developed, or planned to be developed under the Program; (D) any best practices identified under subsection (b)(4); and (E) an analysis of, responses to, and any activities carried out as a result of feedback received by applicants for assistance under the Program and entities receiving such assistance. (2) Final report In the report required to be submitted in the final year for which the Program is authorized, the Administrator shall include recommendations on— (A) whether to continue the Program; (B) if a continuation of the program is recommended, the suggested duration of such continuation; and (C) the necessary funding to carry out the Program. (d) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.