Published 30-Day FRN

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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 18, 2022 / Notices

Tuesday, June 7, 2022, and from 10:30
a.m. to 7:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday,
June 8, 2022. Please note that the
meeting may end early if the NAC has
completed its business.
Anyone who wishes to
participate must register with FEMA in
advance by providing their name,
official title, organization, telephone
number, and email address to the
person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section below by
5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, June 3, 2022.
Members of the public are urged to
provide written comments on the issues
to be considered by the NAC. The topic
areas are indicated in the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
below. Any written comments must be
submitted and received by 5:00 p.m. ET
on June 3, 2022, identified by Docket ID
FEMA–2007–0008, and submitted via
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at
http://www.regulations.gov, following
the instructions for submitting
comments below.
Instructions for Submitting
Comments: All submissions must
include the words ‘‘Federal Emergency
Management Agency’’ and the docket
number (Docket ID FEMA–2007–0008)
for this action. Comments received,
including any personal information
provided, will be posted without
alteration at http://www.regulations.gov.
For access to the docket or to read
comments received by the NAC, go to
http://www.regulations.gov, and search
for Docket ID FEMA–2007–0008.
Public comment periods will be held
on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, from 11:45
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET; and Wednesday,
June 8, 2022, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:00
a.m. ET. All speakers must register in
advance of the meeting to make remarks
during the public comment period and
must limit their comments to three
minutes. Comments should be
addressed to the NAC. Any comments
unrelated to the agenda topics will not
be considered. To register to make
remarks during the public comment
period, contact the person listed in the
ADDRESSES:

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

section below by 5:00 p.m. ET on June
3, 2022. Please note that the public
comment period may end before the
time indicated, following the last call
for comments.
The NAC is committed to ensuring all
participants have equal access
regardless of disability status. If you
require a reasonable accommodation
due to a disability to fully participate,
please contact the individual listed in
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section as soon as possible.

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Rob
Long, Designated Federal Officer, Office
of the National Advisory Council,
Federal Emergency Management
Agency, 500 C Street SW, Washington,
DC 20472–3184, 202–716–4612, [email protected]. The NAC website
is https://www.fema.gov/about/offices/
national-advisory-council.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Notice of
this meeting is given under the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C.
appendix.
The NAC advises the FEMA
Administrator on all aspects of
emergency management. The NAC
incorporates input from state, local,
tribal, and territorial governments, and
the private sector in the development
and revision of FEMA plans and
strategies. The NAC includes a crosssection of officials, emergency
managers, and emergency response
providers from state, local, tribal, and
territorial governments, the private
sector, and nongovernmental
organizations.
Agenda: On Tuesday, June 7, 2022,
NAC subcommittees will present to the
full NAC on their ongoing work towards
annual recommendations regarding the
2022–2026 FEMA Strategic Plan and
related goals and objectives, viewable at
https://www.fema.gov/about/strategicplan. On Wednesday, June 8, 2022, the
NAC will discuss past recommendations
and current work with FEMA
leadership, and then host several panels
focused on issues related to wildland
fire, including state, local, tribal,
territorial, regional, and federal
interagency perspectives.
The full agenda and any related
documents for this meeting will be
available by Friday, June 3, 2022, by
contacting the person listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section
above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Deanne Criswell,
Administrator, federal Emergency
Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2022–10662 Filed 5–17–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111–48–P

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management
Agency
[Docket ID: FEMA–2022–0006; OMB No.
1660–NW133]

Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request; Generic
Clearance for Civil Rights and Equity
Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Department of
Homeland Security.
ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:

The Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) will
submit the information collection
abstracted below to the Office of
Management and Budget for review and
clearance in accordance with the
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995. The notice seeks
comments concerning FEMA’s
collection of demographic
characteristics of those who apply for
the Agency’s programs or disaster
assistance.

SUMMARY:

Comments must be submitted on
or before June 17, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
should be made to Director, Information
Management Division, 500 C Street SW,
Washington, DC 20472, email address
[email protected] or Brian
Thompson, Supervisory Emergency
Management Specialist, Recovery
Directorate, Federal Emergency
Management Agency, 540–686–3602,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FEMA
proposes to collect demographic
information from those who apply for
benefits to improve its approach to
ensuring compliance with its civil
rights, nondiscrimination and equity
requirements, and obligations as
outlined in federal civil rights laws such
as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of
1964, 42 U.S.C. 2000d, Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.
DATES:

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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 18, 2022 / Notices
794, and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(the Stafford Act). Such demographic
data concerning individuals who
participate in or benefit from the
Agency’s programs and activities will
increase FEMA’s ability to evaluate the
accessibility and distributional equity of
their programs and then make
alterations or pivot based upon
identified areas of concern, thereby
demonstrating compliance with civil
rights laws.
This proposed information collection
previously published in the Federal
Register on January 25, 2022, at 87 FR
3836 with a 60-day public comment
period. FEMA received 32 comments
from the public.
Certain comments question the utility
and relevance of collecting demographic
information from disaster survivors in
the context of the equitable and efficient
delivery of FEMA’s disaster response.1
Further, the comments ask questions
about FEMA’s current use of data
collected from disasters survivors and
how this additional demographic
information impacts data being
collected by the agency.
FEMA Response: The Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (Stafford Act), Public
Law 93–288, as amended, is the legal
basis for the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) to provide
financial assistance and services to
individuals applying for disaster
assistance benefits in the event of a
Federally-declared disaster. Regulations
in 44 CFR 206.110—Federal Assistance
to Individuals and Households
implements the policy and procedures
set forth in Section 408 of the Stafford
Act, 42 U.S.C. 5174, as amended. This
program provides financial assistance
and, if necessary, direct assistance to
eligible individuals and households
who, as a direct result of a major
disaster or emergency, have uninsured
or under-insured, necessary expenses
and serious needs, and are unable to
meet such expenses or needs through
other means.
This collection is to ensure that
FEMA is equitably reaching all
communities and people who require
assistance. Affirmatively, upon the
approval of this generic clearance,
FEMA will obtain information about the
demographic characteristics of those
who apply for disaster assistance grants;
but FEMA will continue to provide
1 Comment 1 (FEMA–2022–0006–0002),
Comment 2 (FEMA–2022–0006–0003, Comment 3
(FEMA–2022–0006–0004), Comment 7 (FEMA–
2022–0006–0008), Comment 8 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0009), Comment 14 (FEMA–2022–0006–0015),
Comment 15 (FEMA–2022–0006–0016).

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financial assistance and services only to
those eligible individuals and
households who, as a direct result of a
major disaster or emergency, have
uninsured or under-insured, necessary
expenses and serious needs, and are
unable to meet such expenses or needs
through other means, in accordance
with the law. In addition to informing
survivors of their privacy rights, this
collection also notifies applicants that
their response or lack of response to
demographic questions will neither
positively nor negatively influence their
eligibility for grant assistance. Each
question has a ‘prefer not to answer’
response as well in case an applicant
wishes to not respond to one or more of
the demographic questions.
Among other things, the collection
will support FEMA’s obligation to
assess its policies and programs and
ensure that access to and participation
in the Individuals and Households
Program (IHP) are accomplished in an
equitable and impartial manner in
accordance with Section 308(a) of the
Stafford Act that requires FEMA disaster
assistance, including ‘‘the distribution
of supplies, the processing of
applications, and other relief and
assistance activities’’ by FEMA and
recipients of FEMA financial assistance,
and ‘‘be accomplished in an equitable
and impartial manner, without
discrimination on the grounds of race,
color, religion, nationality, sex, age,
disability, English proficiency, or
economic status.’’ This will ultimately
guide more informed and effective
disaster policies that do not exclude or
minimize any demographic or section of
a community.
As correctly pointed out by the public
in these comments, FEMA has
historically held the responsibility of
meeting civil rights obligations. Its
nondiscrimination and equity
requirements and obligations are
outlined in federal civil rights laws,
such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act,
as well as relevant Executive Orders.
The collection of this information is
crucial to FEMA’s aim of fulfilling our
obligations and will permit its program
grant offices to identify and remove
barriers to application, qualification,
and award, and permitting activities
directly affecting disaster survivors to
identify and remove barriers to equity
and enhance programmatic
accessibility. As correctly pointed out
by the public in these comments, FEMA
has historically held the responsibility
of meeting civil rights obligations. Its
nondiscrimination and equity
requirements and obligations are
outlined in federal civil rights laws,

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such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act,
as well as relevant Executive Orders.
The collection of this information is
crucial to FEMA’s aim of fulfilling our
obligations and will permit its program
grant offices to identify and remove
barriers to application, qualification,
and award, and permitting activities
directly affecting disaster survivors to
identify and remove barriers to equity
and enhance programmatic
accessibility.
Comment 4 (FEMA–2022–0006–0005):
The commenter suggested the ‘‘data
collection on race or disability status
that it creates more challenges for
people in those sectors of life; we
should ask for an administrative
procedure act to be done so congress
can review this. I would like to know
how data collected will be used as this
needs to be outlined before any
disclosure.
FEMA Response: FEMA will obtain
information about the demographic
characteristics of those who apply for
disaster assistance grants in accordance
with the law. FEMA uses and shares
information with entities such as states,
tribes, local governments, and other
organizations. FEMA intends to add
demographic questions to existing data
collections for grant programs.
Questions will be included towards the
end of a grant collection form and
Privacy Act language will clearly notify
applicants that their response or lack of
response to demographic questions will
not influence their eligibility for grant
assistance. Each question has a ‘prefer
not to answer’ response as well in case
an applicant wishes to not respond to
one or more of the demographic
questions. Such information is
necessary to assess and enforce FEMA’s
civil rights obligations; its
nondiscrimination and equity
requirements and obligations as
outlined in federal civil rights laws,
such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act,
as well as relevant Executive Orders.
Collection of this information will also
allow grant offices to identify and
remove barriers to application,
qualification and award, and permitting
activities directly affecting disaster
survivors to identify and remove
barriers to equity and enhance
programmatic accessibility.
Comment 5 (FEMA–2022–0006–0006):
The fifth comment was not applicable to
this collection.
Comment 6 (FEMA–2022–0006–0007):
The sixth comment was not applicable
to this collection.
Comment 9 (FEMA–2022–0006–0010):
The commenter suggested that in

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addition to asking about race/ethnicity,
gender, education, and marital status,
would strongly encourage the collection
of data regarding, Age, Number of
People in the Household (and indicating
whether any of the people in the
household are children),
Homeownership/Renter Status, and
Disability Status. All of these factors
strongly influence pre and post disaster
outcomes, and hence are incredibly
important for the agency to collect.
Finally, for the gender question,
‘‘Woman’’ or ‘‘Man’’ would be more
appropriate than ‘‘Female’’ or ‘‘Male’’.’’
FEMA Response: In accordance with
the law, to include the Privacy Act,
FEMA collects all the other data fields
suggested except for gender.
Comment 10 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0011): The commenter suggested
separating the Cognitive/Developmental
Disabilities/Mental Health categories
into Cognitive/Developmental
Disabilities and Mental Health/
Behavioral Health; clarifying on all
forms that an individual may select all
disabilities or conditions that may
apply; that FEMA include broad ranges
of income among the demographic
variables collected; FEMA may wish to
ask about health insurance status.
FEMA Response: FEMA does not
intend to separate Cognitive
Developmental Disability from Mental
Health/Behavioral Health. FEMA
currently collects data information on
whether or not someone has medical
insurance. While FEMA asks about
medical insurance, the instructions
inform applicants to select all that
apply.
Comment 11 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0012): The eleventh comment was not
applicable to this collection.
Comment 12 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0013): The commenter suggested we
believe that this data collection is (A)
necessary for the proper performance of
the agency, including that the collection
and use of this data will have practical
utility; (B) useful and that a few
additional data collection points may be
identified and added to this proposal at
minimum expense if incorporated with
this proposed change; (C) this data will
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
(D) the collection techniques identified
will minimize the burden of collection.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly
working to improve our delivery of
assistance and streamline our processes
for disaster applicants and appreciates
your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 13 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0014): The commenter suggested that to
fully meet the nondiscrimination
requirements of the Stafford Act, FEMA

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should also ask for applicants’ age in
addition to race, ethnicity, and gender.
FEMA should publicly commit to
making demographic data, absent
personal identifying information (PII),
available via the OpenFEMA data portal
on an ongoing basis. FEMA should also
implement a transparent process for
sharing applicant data, including PII
data, with qualified research institutions
to ensure the data are utilized to their
full potential and to also ensure the
Agency’s accountability to the Civil
Rights Act and the Stafford Act. FEMA
should work with other federal
agencies, like HUD and the Small
Business Administration (SBA), to
further enhance the utilization of these
demographic data.
FEMA Response: FEMA is
strengthening interagency data-sharing
to support improved modeling and
information sharing. FEMA collects the
applicant’s age during registration
intake. FEMA does not release this data
via OpenFEMA and does not intend to
do so.
Comment 16 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0017): The commenter appreciates the
value of the data collected for the
purpose of determining whether
minority populations are adversely
impacted relative to relief provided by
FEMA. Determining the magnitude of
the problem and identifying its source is
necessary before change can occur.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly
working to improve our delivery of
assistance and streamline our processes
for disaster applicants and appreciates
your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 17 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0018): The commenter suggested
providing the specific information that
FEMA proposes to collect; clarifying
how this information will be used to
prevent discrimination and how it will
benefit survivors. Clarify whether the
additional questions will be optional or
required for eligibility of FEMA
benefits. Survivors have a wide range of
experience and reading/writing/and
language comprehension. Explain how
FEMA will ensure that the additional
questions will not be intimidating to/
uncomfortable for survivors. If FEMA
chooses to ask about citizenship,
explain how it plans to ensure that this
does not deter applicants from applying.
Ensure the data collection process will
be trauma informed. FEMA’s forms
should be reviewed by a panel of
advocates from non-profit agencies who
work with these unserved/underserved
populations to include considerations
for cultural competence, language, age,
disability, literacy level, housing status,
etc.

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FEMA Response: FEMA does not
currently collect data about citizenship
of an applicant or household members
and is not adding a citizenship question
via this collection. FEMA will obtain
information about the demographic
characteristics of those who apply for
disaster assistance grants in accordance
with the law, to include Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act. FEMA uses and
shares information with entities such as
states, tribes, local governments, and
other organizations. FEMA intends to
add demographic questions to existing
data collections for grant programs.
Questions will be included towards the
end of a grant collection form and
Privacy Act language will clearly notify
applicants that their response or lack of
response to demographic questions will
not influence their eligibility for grant
assistance. Each question has a ‘prefer
not to answer’ response as well in case
an applicant wishes to not respond to
one or more of the demographic
questions. Such information is
necessary to assess and enforce FEMA’s
civil rights obligations; its
nondiscrimination and equity
requirements and obligations as
outlined in federal civil rights laws,
such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act,
as well as relevant Executive Orders.
Collection of this information will also
allow grant offices to identify and
remove barriers to application,
qualification and award, and permitting
activities directly affecting disaster
survivors to identify and remove
barriers to equity and enhance
programmatic accessibility. FEMA
forms are reviewed by appropriate
entities within the Agency, DHS, and
OMB, to include the Office of Equal
Rights and External Affairs.
Comment 18 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0019): The commenter strongly supports
the collection of additional data,
including information on race,
ethnicity, Tribal membership, gender,
age, income, disability status, status as
a female headed household or not, and
status as a renter or not.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly
working to improve our delivery of
assistance and streamline our processes
for disaster applicants and appreciates
your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 19 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0020): The commenter strongly supports
FEMA collecting demographic
information from those who apply for
benefits. Unless FEMA understands
applicants’ demographics, it will not be
possible to ensure that FEMA benefits
are equitably distributed and helping
those who need it most.

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FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly
working to improve our delivery of
assistance and streamline our processes
for disaster applicants and appreciates
your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 20 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0021): The commenter implores FEMA
to include a category for individuals of
‘‘Middle Eastern or North African’’
(MENA) descent to identify among the
list of racial and ethnic group categories
into which they disaggregate
demographic data collected under this
information collection activity.
FEMA Response: FEMA’s Individual
Assistance program has added
demographic application questions
related to the race, ethnicity, and tribal
membership. In the future, FEMA will
aim to identify and address potential
access barriers and disparate outcomes
based on the information collected,
instead of only collecting data that
directly supported the implementation
of the program. FEMA will be adding
the ethnic group question to the data
collection for submission to the Office
of Management & Budget (OMB).
Comment 21 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0022): The commenter suggested that to
ensure FEMA is fulfilling
nondiscriminatory obligations, an
opportunity must be afforded to
applicants to disclose specific
demographic information. Publicly
available information from FEMA could
assist in ensuring access to justice in a
disaster. FEMA has an opportunity to
improve the operational outcomes for
vulnerable communities by
implementing inclusive processes.
Inclusive demographics, as a metric, is
a quantitative measure that can provide
certainty of FEMA’s legal obligations to
ensure that disaster assistance is
distributed in an equitable manner
without discrimination.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly
working to improve our delivery of
assistance and streamline our processes
for disaster applicants and appreciates
your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 22 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0023): The commenter strongly supports
the additional collection of data by
FEMA, particularly as applied to race,
ethnicity, tribal status, and gender
identity. The collection of the proposed
data, its application to FEMA
emergency response practices, and its
matching with HUD data in support of
long-term recovery and mitigation is one
more step toward more equitable and
effective program design and resources
application. As this data is integrated
into the recently implemented FEMA
and HUD data matching, both should
establish procedures to make this data
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(PII) redacted) available to the public.
We applaud FEMA’s additional data
collection, and we hope that this new
data collection will help spur continued
improvements in data transparency.
FEMA Response: FEMA is
undertaking an assessment of equity
outcomes of several mitigation, federal
insurance, preparedness, and grant
programs. Based on the National
Advisory Council (NAC)
recommendations and other inputs,
efforts to improve equity outcomes will
include: Engaging with State, Local,
Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) partners
by discussing key elements of the new
Building Resilient Infrastructure and
Communities (BRIC) program, providing
a grant program and funding priority
overview, preparing underserved
applicants to apply for disaster
assistance, and publishing the
Mitigation Action Portfolio, a new
resource to introduce stakeholders to
the BRIC grant program and the array of
eligible hazard mitigation activities.
Furthermore, the FEMA
Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Tribal
Partner Team is developing a training
plan for internal staff to better
understand tribal nations’ government
structures, heritage, and culture.
Comment 23 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0024): The commenter is pleased to
respond to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) request for
comments on FEMA’s proposed
collection of demographic
characteristics of those who apply for
the Agency’s programs or disaster
assistance; to fulfill its Congressional
mandate and ensure that federal disaster
relief truly serves the most vulnerable,
FEMA must collect the information
necessary to assess its activities;
applaud FEMA’s efforts in moving
forward to ensure this obligation is met.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly
working to improve our delivery of
assistance and streamline our processes
for disaster applicants and appreciates
your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 24 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0025): The commenter suggested that
FEMA should explicitly seek to assist
those who were most vulnerable before
a disaster. We recommend consideration
of an approach like Housing and Urban
Development’s Community
Development Block Grant Disaster
Recovery program, which ensures a
majority of its funding goes to primarily
benefit low- and moderate-income
households. FEMA must also consider
collecting demographic information in
its hazard mitigation programs, such as
the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
and Building Resilient Infrastructure
and Communities programs.

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FEMA Response: FEMA and
stakeholders are reviewing changes to
the Threat Hazard Identification and
Risk Assessment (THIRA) and the
Stakeholder Preparedness Review (SPR)
to capture vulnerabilities, capability
gaps, and target levels of capability for
at-risk communities and ensure
equitable funding distribution related to
planning, preparedness, mitigation, and
recovery outcomes.
Comment 25 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0026): The twenty-fifth comment
received is a duplicate of the twentyfourth comment.
Comment 26 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0027): The commenter suggested that
FEMA’s proposal to add the additional
demographic questions to the Individual
and Households Program registration
will help promote transparency and
analysis towards improving equity in its
programs. FEMA is meeting this equity
requirement. Demographic questions
should be added to every form of the
application, whether the applicant
applies online through
disasterassistance.gov, via phone
through the FEMA helpline, or in
person at a Disaster Recovery Center.
Because application barriers are most
likely to affect underserved populations,
equity would be furthered by
broadening demographic information
collection to include everyone who
begins the application for FEMA
benefits, including those who do not
ultimately receive a registration number.
Applicants see ‘‘Identification
Verification Error’’ on their screen with
a vague explanation that FEMA is
unable to verify important information
needed to complete the online
registration. FEMA could make
demographic information regarding
applicants’ race, income, gender, age,
and disability-status available via
OpenFEMA data sets.
FEMA Response: FEMA is considering
policy recommendations that better
align funding distribution to support atrisk communities. These
recommendations include providing for
the security and needs of underserved
and historically marginalized
communities more effectively; the
assessment will investigate barriers to
program participation including
program awareness, ease of application,
eligibility, and qualification
requirements, as well as identifying
where funding has not been previously
awarded. FEMA is strengthening
interagency data-sharing to support
improved modeling and information
sharing. FEMA collects the applicant’s
age during registration intake. Currently,
FEMA does not release this data via
OpenFEMA or research institutions.

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Comment 27 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0028): The commenter understands the
need of a FEMA effort to collect
demographic information to ensure
compliance with Federal civil rights
requirements and the equitable
implementation of emergency
management policies and programs;
however, there does need to be further
discussion in how such data will be
used post collection and incorporated in
grant timelines.
FEMA Response: FEMA is currently
developing a comprehensive approach
to advancing equity using the
requirements of Executive Order (E.O.)
13985: Advancing Racial Equity and
Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government,
issued on January 20, 2021. Determining
if new or updated policies, regulations,
or guidance documents are necessary to
advance equity in agency actions and
programs; reviewing strategies of
resource allocation to increase
investment that advance equity in
underserved communities; consulting
with members of historically
underrepresented and underserved
communities to evaluate opportunities
and develop approaches to advancing
equity by increasing coordination,
communication, and engagement with
community-based and civil rights
organizations; studying FEMA data
collection programs, policies, and
infrastructure, identifying any
deficiencies, and working to implement
actions that expand and refine data used
to measure equity.
Comment 28 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0029): The commenter suggested
regarding the Data Collection that FEMA
has not yet said who will have access
to the demographic data, what the data
will be used for, and what training there
will be for those handling the data.
Private demographic data may create
impenetrable insulation for FEMA
decision making, meaning any time
claims of inequity or discrimination are
levied against FEMA or one of FEMA’s
programs, FEMA could use this data as
a shield justifying its actions.
FEMA Response: FEMA will obtain
information about the demographic
characteristics of those who apply for
disaster assistance grants in accordance
with the law, to include the Privacy Act.
FEMA uses and shares information with
entities such as states, tribes, local
governments, and other organizations.
FEMA intends to add demographic
questions to existing data collections for
grant programs. Questions will be
included towards the end of a grant
collection form and Privacy Act
language will clearly notify applicants
that their response or lack of response

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to demographic questions will not
influence their eligibility for grant
assistance. Each question has a ‘prefer
not to answer’ response as well in case
an applicant wishes to not respond to
one or more of the demographic
questions. Such information is
necessary to assess and enforce FEMA’s
civil rights obligations; its
nondiscrimination and equity
requirements and obligations as
outlined in federal civil rights laws,
such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act,
as well as relevant Executive Orders.
Collection of this information will also
allow grant offices to identify and
remove barriers to application,
qualification and award, and permitting
activities directly affecting disaster
survivors to identify and remove
barriers to equity and enhance
programmatic accessibility.
Comment 29 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0030): The commenter strongly supports
the proposal to collect demographic
data, including data on race, ethnicity,
and gender, from applicants for FEMA’s
Individuals and Households Program
(IHP). Collecting this data is critical to
the agency’s ability to comply with its
civil rights obligations under federal
law, as well as compliance with
Executive Orders 13985, 13990, and
14008. FEMA is unable to accurately
assess its compliance with civil rights,
nondiscrimination, and equity
requirements and obligations without
collecting this data. FEMA should
collect additional demographic data in
order to fully meet the
nondiscrimination requirements of the
Stafford Act and other civil rights and
equity requirements and obligations,
and make data publicly available. FEMA
has a legal and ethical obligation to
ensure that its programs are equitable
and nondiscriminatory. FEMA’s
proposed data collection is necessary
and appropriate.
FEMA Response: From FEMA
Directive #262–1: Data Sharing to the
maximum extent possible, FEMA will
make non-sensitive data available, in
multiple formats, to the public, in order
to promote transparency, and to
enhance the whole community’s ability
to make informed decisions on
prevention, preparedness, mitigation,
response, and recovery efforts. FEMA
Program Offices will publish nonsensitive, non-PII information online in
a manner that promotes analysis and
reuse for the widest possible range of
purposes, meaning that the information
is publicly accessible, machinereadable, appropriately described,
complete, and timely.

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Comment 30 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0031): The commenter applauds
FEMA’s efforts to address longstanding
equity concerns with the agency’s
provision of services and funding. The
first step, however, to addressing these
concerns is understanding the nature
and extent of the problem. To that end,
we support the agency’s decision to
begin collecting demographic data of aid
recipients. FEMA has a legal obligation
to administer its programs in an
equitable manner. FEMA must collect
data that allows it to accurately track
who receives its funding. In order to
meet its obligations under Title VI and
other nondiscrimination statutes, FEMA
must collect demographic information.
FEMA Response: FEMA is constantly
working to improve our delivery of
assistance and streamline our processes
for disaster applicants and appreciates
your evaluation of our data collection.
Comment 31 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0032): The commenter suggested FEMA
should regularly collect data and
partner with researchers to investigate
and track whether policies, programs,
and regulations are achieving equitable
outcomes; recommends that FEMA
develop a robust evaluation plan that
includes data collection, identification
of equity benchmarks, and metrics and
measures to assist with reporting.
FEMA Response: FEMA’s Office of
Equal Rights coordinated and hosted
three civil rights summits for external
stakeholders. Motivated by FEMA’s core
values of compassion, fairness, integrity
and respect, the civil rights summits
sought to engage FEMA and its
stakeholders in collaborative dialogue
aimed at identifying actual and
perceived biases impacting equal access
to FEMA’s programs and services. The
goal of the summits was to start a
conversation about equity, equal access,
and implementation with members of
the public with first-hand knowledge
about how FEMA can better meet the
needs of underserved and historically
marginalized communities before,
during, and after disasters. The summits
focused on three areas: Multi-cultural
communities, disability communities,
and environmental justice issues
throughout disasters. The sessions
included presentations from the main
FEMA program offices that serve
survivors and senior level panel
discussions stemming from questions
presented by attendees.
Comment 32 (FEMA–2022–0006–
0033): The thirty-second comment was
not applicable to this collection.
The purpose of this notice is to notify
the public that FEMA will submit the
information collection abstracted below

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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 18, 2022 / Notices
to the Office of Management and Budget
for review and clearance.

lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1

Collection of Information
Title: Generic Clearance for Civil
Rights and Equity.
Type of Information Collection: New
information collection.
OMB Number: 1660–NW133.
FEMA Forms: Under the Generic
Clearance, each FEMA component will
submit their specific forms for the
collection of demographics. FEMA
Form: FF–256–FY–21–100, Generic
Clearance Civil Rights and Equity. The
Agency is prepared to add these
questions to the Individuals and
Households program registration, FF–
104–FY–21–123 (formerly FEMA Form
009–0–1T (English)), Tele-Registration,
Disaster Assistance Registration, FF–
104–FY–21–125 (formerly FEMA Form
009–0–1Int (English)), internet, Disaster
Assistance Registration, FF–104–FY–
21–122 (formerly FEMA Form 009–0–1
(English)), Paper Application/Disaster
Assistance Registration. The
demographic data will help the
Individuals and Households program
improve operational outcomes for
vulnerable communities by using
analysis of demographic data against
program outcomes to evaluate whether
any disparities in eligibility
determinations appear to impact
vulnerable communities. FEMA would
then use this data to determine how to
improve service delivery for all
survivors. FEMA expects a burden of no
more than 5 minutes per registration to
answer the additional questions, with
the entire estimated annual burden
outlined below.
Abstract: The Federal Emergency
Management Agency will use the
demographic characteristics collected
from applicants and beneficiaries to
assess its civil rights, nondiscrimination
and equity requirements, and
obligations as outlined in federal civil
rights laws such as the Civil Rights Act,
Rehabilitation Act, and the Stafford Act.
Affected Public: Individuals or
Households.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
938,800.
Estimated Number of Responses:
938,800.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 78,202.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent
Cost: $3,176,565.
Estimated Respondents’ Operation
and Maintenance Costs: $0.
Estimated Respondents’ Capital and
Start-Up Costs: $0.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to the
Federal Government: $3,814,696.

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Comments
Comments may be submitted as
indicated in the ADDRESSES caption
above. Comments are solicited to (a)
evaluate whether the proposed data
collection is necessary for the proper
performance of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) evaluate the
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the
burden of the proposed collection of
information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(c) enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) minimize the burden
of the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including through
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submission of
responses.
Millicent Brown Wilson,
Records Management Branch Chief, Office
of the Chief Administrative Officer, Mission
Support, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2022–10620 Filed 5–17–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111–24–P

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR–7050–C–15; OMB Control
No.: 2529–0011]

30-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Comment Request ‘‘Report
Housing Discrimination’’ Form HUD–
903.1, HUD–903.1A, HUD–903.1B,
HUD–903.1C, HUD–903.1F, HUD–
903.1CAM, HUD–903.1KOR, HUD–
903.1RUS, HUD–903–1_Somali
Office of Policy Development
and Research, Chief Data Officer, HUD.
ACTION: Correction notice.
AGENCY:

HUD is seeking approval from
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for the information collection
described below. In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is
requesting comment from all interested
parties on the proposed collection of
information. The purpose of this notice
is to allow for an additional 30 days of
public comment. The proposed
reinstatement, with revised title and
minor text revisions, of an expired,
previously approved information
collection for HUD Form Series HUD–
903.1, HUD–903.1A, HUD–903.1B,
HUD–903.1C, HUD–903.1F, HUD–
903.1CAM, HUD–903.1KOR, HUD–
903.1RUS, and HUD–903–1_Somali will

SUMMARY:

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30251

be submitted to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review, in accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. HUD
is soliciting comments from all
interested parties on the proposed
reinstatement of this information
collection. This notice replaces the
notice HUD publish on May 6, 2022 at
87 FR 27178.
DATES: Comment Due Date: June 17,
2022.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are
invited to submit comments regarding
this proposal. Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to OIRA_submission@
omb.eop.gov or www.reginfo.gov/public/
do/PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting
‘‘Currently under 30-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colette Pollard, Reports Management
Officer, QDAM, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street
SW, Washington, DC 20410; email
Colette Pollard at Colette.Pollard@
hud.gov or telephone 202–402–3400.
This is not a toll-free number. Copies of
available documents submitted to OMB
may be obtained from Ms. Pollard.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice informs the public that HUD is
seeking approval from OMB for the
information collection described in
Section A. The Federal Register notice
that solicited public comment on the
information collection for a period of 60
days was published on June 25, 2021 at
86 FR 33721.
HUD is submitting this proposed
reinstatement, with revised title and
minor text revisions, of an expired,
previously approved information
collection to the OMB for review, as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 [44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as
amended].
HUD has revised the previous title of
the HUD Form Series HUD–903.1
information collection from ‘‘Housing
Discrimination Information Form’’ to
‘‘Report Housing Discrimination
(‘‘Form’’).’’ This revised title
emphasizes that submitting a ‘‘Report
Housing Discrimination’’ Form to HUD
is not equivalent to filing a
jurisdictional housing discrimination
complaint with HUD. The proposed
minor text revisions comply with the
procedures described in HUD’s Fair
Housing Act regulation at 24 CFR part
103, subpart B, Subsections 103.10,
103.15, 103.20, 103.25, 103.30, 103.35,

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