The Department of Homeland Security has revised  the National Response Framework, reportedly streamlining the chain of command and giving coordination authority to FEMA (Washington Post).  The change is said to be responsive to recommendations made by state governments (and the Disaster Accountability Project) during a public comment period.  (DAP is unable to verify this, however, until the final product is released.) 

Apparently, some questions likely to arise still lack clear answers according to former DHS under secretary George Foresman.

George W. Foresman, a former DHS under secretary for preparedness, said the framework simplifies federal policies and integrates planning for man-made and natural disasters. But he said it remains unclear when the federal government can force action on states, who will be in charge when a disaster is still on the horizon and how officials will be trained to follow the new rules. (Washington Post)

Still, the Department’s latest move appears to be in the right direction.  Notably, it came after the departure of a top DHS official. 

[M]any in Congress have long faulted the Department of Homeland Security for undermining FEMA’s authority after they merged in 2003. A source familiar with the process said the turning point coincided with the October departure of former DHS deputy secretary Michael P. Jackson, who had pushed unsuccessfully to solidify the department’s control over disaster operations.

Appointed and confirmed as DHS under secretary in 2005, Jackson “had a major hand in running the department—particularly in putting in place the current management team” (Federal Daily).  Jackson resigned on October 26, 2007, for financial reasons (NY Times).