S. 1246 removes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the Department of Homeland Security and establishes it as an independent cabinet-level agency, effective within one year of enactment. The bill creates a new FEMA Director position, to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, who must have at least five years of executive experience in both public and private sectors. All FEMA functions, personnel, assets, and appropriations transfer to the independent agency, with legal protections for existing employees during the transition. The legislation updates federal law to reflect FEMA's new independent status and shifts authority over emergency management grants from the DHS Secretary to the FEMA Director. Within 90 days of the transition, the FEMA Director must report to Congress on any additional legislative changes needed to complete the separation.
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