Washington, DC – Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), Chair of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, issued the following statement after House passage of Senate companion legislation to her bills: the Planning for Animal Wellness (PAW) Act, the Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-Efficiency Technology (BRIGHT) Act, and the Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act of 2021.

“I am proud of these bills that passed the House today with bipartisan support,” said Rep. Titus. “They address the critical issues of protecting our beloved pets during disasters, saving taxpayer dollars by making public buildings more energy-efficient, and preventing FEMA reservists from losing their full-time employment while they are assisting communities during natural catastrophes. I want to thank Chairman DeFazio and Chairman Peters for their leadership and support of these measures.”

“I applaud the House for passing several critical pieces of legislation that will help us address climate change and improve how states and territories are able to respond to natural disasters,” Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said. “When disasters do occur, thanks to the PAW Act, the needs of the furry members of our families will be better met. Additionally, the CREW Act will ensure FEMA staff who come to aid natural disaster victims will have the protections and benefits they deserve. Finally, the BRIGHT Act will help address climate change by requiring federal buildings to use energy-efficient light bulbs, which will reduce our carbon footprint. I want to thank Subcommittee Chair Titus for her work on these critical pieces of legislation. I look forward to these bills being signed into law by the President soon.”

“I was proud to partner with Congresswoman Titus, and am grateful for her leadership to pass these bipartisan bills in the House. Once signed into law, our bills will ensure that FEMA is better prepared to help safeguard families – including their pets – from the devastating effects of natural disasters, as well as save taxpayer dollars by requiring federal agencies to install more cost-effective, energy efficient lightbulbs in all federal buildings,” said Senator Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I look forward to continuing to work with Congresswoman Titus on commonsense reforms that will help address some of the most critical issues facing our nation today.”

Background

H.R. 7789, Planning for Animal Wellness (PAW) Act:

• Creates a working group at FEMA to review best practices and current Federal guidance related to the sheltering and evacuation of pets and livestock throughout the emergency management process.

Introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), original co-sponsor Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), co-sponsored by Reps. Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Garret Graves (R-LA).

H.R. 7636, Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-Efficiency Technology (BRIGHT) Act:

• Directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to install the most life-cycle cost-effective and energy-efficient lighting in public buildings. For example, simply replacing compact fluorescent downlight lamps and linear fluorescent lamps with LEDs could save taxpayers up to $15.6 million every year. 

Introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV).

H.R. 7001, Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act of 2021:

• Protects Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reservists from losing their full-time employment when they are called to assist communities during disaster responses.

Introduced by Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), original co-sponsor Rep. John R. Katko (R-NY), co-sponsored by Reps. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ).

Find the PAW Act Introduction Press Release here.

Find the BRIGHT Act Introduction Press Release here.

Find the CREW Act Introduction Press Release here.

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