S. 2200: First Responders Emergency Assistance Act

This bill, titled the First Responders Emergency Assistance Act, aims to support law enforcement and first responder agencies in dealing with sudden increases in the number of individuals who have recently entered the United States. It introduces a grant program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist these agencies in responding to the challenges that arise from such influxes.

Key Elements of the Bill

• Eligible Recipients: The bill specifies that grants can be awarded to various entities such as state, tribal, territorial, and local law enforcement agencies, emergency operations centers, or other first responder agencies.
• Purpose of Grants: Grants will fund direct costs associated with responding to the increased presence of recent arrivals. This includes costs like:
  • Buying and maintaining equipment
  • Personnel costs including salaries, overtime, and benefits for law enforcement and emergency responder staff
  • Any other costs deemed necessary to address the situation by the Department of Homeland Security
• Geographical Focus: At least 25% of the funds provided for these grants must be allocated to agencies located in states that share a border with Canada or Mexico, to ensure those areas receive adequate support.

Administration and Oversight

The bill outlines specific responsibilities for the FEMA Administrator who will oversee the grant program, including:

• Establishing guidelines to ensure funding is used correctly and effectively
• Enhancing transparency and accountability by collecting and maintaining financial data related to the grants

Additionally, the Administrator must submit annual reports regarding the use of grant funds, detailing:

• How funds were spent by recipients
• The nature of operations funded by these grants
• Possible improvements to the program based on feedback from grant recipients

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes the appropriation of necessary funds to implement its provisions. However, it specifies that these funds cannot be used to reimburse entities for costs directly related to the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Relevant Companies

None found.