WASHINGTON -- The Senate today approved the 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations bill House-Senate conference report, legislation that includes provisions authored by United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., that strengthen Louisiana's and the nation's hurricane preparedness and recovery. The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature.

One Landrieu amendment requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator to submit a report to Congress within 60 days on the agency's efforts to provide disaster housing options other than travel trailers and mobile homes.

"It has been four long years since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita swept across the Gulf Coast, and FEMA still does not have the tools in place to effectively provide housing for those who are forced from their homes," said Sen. Landrieu. "Our people deserve better than that from their government. We must make certain that the lessons learned in the wake of these disasters result in better preparation for and response to the housing needs of future disaster survivors. My amendment ensures that the agency is working toward that goal in an expedited manner."

In 2006, Congress passed the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, which authorized FEMA to repair existing rental units and fund permanent construction to alleviate housing supply shortages and save taxpayer dollars. A FEMA report issued May 19 reveals that the agency has only repaired two rental-unit complexes in the last three years. In addition, FEMA is only testing a small number of alternative housing units and has no acquisition plans in place. The bill requires FEMA and HUD to develop a standing agreement to provide funding and implement a system for moving disaster survivors to safe, affordable housing.

Senator Landrieu also crafted funding provisions and legislative language to improve security measures and speed recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast. The bill requires FEMA to provide an update on catastrophic planning in all 50 states and the 75 largest urban areas by April 16, 2010, with an emphasis on mass evacuation planning. In addition, the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill includes Landrieu language to encourage state and local governments and all grantees to develop pre-event recovery plans in conjunction with their response and mitigation plans.

"Almost four years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, our nation is still struggling to develop adequate disaster preparedness measures," Sen. Landrieu said. "The Obama Administration has made significant strides in advancing Gulf Coast recovery -- but the federal government must do more to prepare our communities for future disasters. From evacuation planning to disaster housing options, Congress must ensure that federal agencies learn from past mistakes and take action that makes America safer before the next hurricane strikes. With my amendments, this bill moves us closer to those objectives, while funding projects that aid our rebuilding efforts."

At Sen. Landrieu's request, the bill contains $23 million for LSU's National Center for Biomedical Research and Training. This initiative is part of a consortium of schools and national centers that work to enhance the preparedness of federal, state, local and tribal emergency responders. The Homeland Appropriations legislation also includes a Landrieu provision to provide $980,000 for a North Louisiana Regional Emergency Operations Center based in Lincoln Parish. The 24,000-square foot regional emergency operations facility will serve 29 parishes in northern Louisiana. The bill also includes $750,000 for New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and $350,000 for Washington Parish.

Sen. Landrieu authored an amendment for the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding to consolidate federal data on Gulf Coast recovery funding and measure impacts on key recovery indicators. This directive would address the lack of comprehensive data on federal funding and recovery progress. The data would focus on repopulation, economic and job growth, re-establishment of local and state tax revenues, restoration of housing stock, and availability of critical services including health care, education, criminal justice and fire protection. Sen. Landrieu also supported $2 million for the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding.

Sen. Landrieu helped to secure $2 million for FEMA to conduct a human capital study to curb excessive turnover and inadequate training at the agency. Recommendations will address the overall size of the FEMA workforce, which has increased from 2,500 to 4,000 since 2007. The study will also analyze the personnel needs of specific components within the agency.

In addition to funding priorities, Sen. Landrieu worked with Democratic and Republican Senators to include legislative language that benefits homeland security and preparedness activities in Louisiana. These include:

• Critical Infrastructure: The Committee encouraged the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) to continue working with the National Incident Management Systems and Advanced Technologies Institute (NIMSAT) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to analyze critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and interdependencies in the Gulf Coast region.

• Explosives Detection Equipment for Louisiana Airports : Sen. Landrieu secured a set-aside to ensure that Louisiana's airports are eligible for a portion of the allocations for explosives detection systems. The Committee now requires that at least 28 percent of funds to procure and deploy certified explosives detection systems be dedicated to small- and medium-sized airports. DHS classifies all of Louisiana's airports as small- or medium-sized.

• Increased Security for LNG Tankers and Facilities: This language expresses concern that the Coast Guard does not have enough resources to protect LNG tankers and facilities. It also requires the Commandant and DHS Secretary to present a report within six months that evaluates current security measures and recommends specific improvements.

The bill includes $243 million for Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters, which are manufactured at Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, LA, and $300 million for port security grants and authority for the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to waive cost-share requirements under the program.