PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 20, 2022
Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act
This act authorizes the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to conduct on-site fire safety investigations of major fires and other fires under other specified circumstances.
In the case of a major fire, the USFA may send incident investigators (e.g., safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists) to the site. Any such investigation shall (1) be conducted in coordination and cooperation with appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities; and (2) examine the previously determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Upon concluding any such investigation, the USFA must issue a public report to federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities on the findings of such investigation or collaborate with another investigating federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial agency on that agency's report. The act makes an exception where issuing a report would have a negative impact on a potential or ongoing criminal investigation.
Additionally, the USFA may send fire investigators to conduct fire safety investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire, in coordination and cooperation with the appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial authorities.
People & committees
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15] · D–NY
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 117-246.
Became Public Law No: 117-246.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 1518, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 1082, as amended; H.R. 5349; H.R. 6218; H.R. 6220; H.R. 6221; H.R. 6611, as amended; H.R. 6630; H.R. 6725; H.R. 7077, agreed to Senate amendment; H.R. 7832; H.R. 8665; S. 558; and S. 789. S. 558; and S. 789. (consideration: CR H9803, H9809-9810; text: CR H9803-9809)
Passed/agreed to in House: Pursuant to section 5 of H. Res. 1518, and the motion offered by Mr. Hoyer, the following bills passed under suspension of the rules: H.R. 1082, as amended; H.R. 5349; H.R. 6218; H.R. 6220; H.R. 6221; H.R. 6611, as amended; H.R. 6630; H.R. 6725; H.R. 7077, agreed to Senate amendment; H.R. 7832; H.R. 8665; S. 558; and S. 789. S. 558; and S. 789.
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1518, proceedings on H.R. 7077 are considered vacated.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 7077.
Mr. Beyer moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. ((consideration: CR H9652-9653; text: CR H9652))
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S7003)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S7003)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7003)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 546.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. With written report No. 117-195.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. With written report No. 117-195.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 - 37 (Roll no. 153). (text: 05/10/2022 CR H4733)
House roll call 153 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 - 37 (Roll no. 153).(text: 05/10/2022 CR H4733)
House roll call 153 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4833-4834)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7077.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4733-4736)
Ms. Stevens moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 229.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 117-309.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 117-309.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Dec 17, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.7077 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.7077 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
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