To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disaster spending and strategies for reducing the need for such spending, to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide assistance for certain activities relating to disasters and hazard mitigation, and for other purposes.

To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disaster spending and strategies for reducing the need for such spending, to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide assistance for certain activities relating to disasters and hazard mitigation, and for other purposes. 1. Government Accountability Office study on disaster spending (a) Study The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to identify the following: (1) For the 5-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act— (A) the total amount of Federal funds spent in response to major disasters and emergencies declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (B) the total amount of State and Indian tribal government funds spent in response to such major disasters and emergencies. (2) 10 proposed Federal actions, to include reinsurance, that, if implemented, would most effectively reduce the need for spending related to such major disasters or emergencies. Such actions shall be listed in order of priority under criteria established by the Comptroller General, including the following: (A) Cost effectiveness. (B) Return on investment. (C) Simplicity or speed of implementation using existing resources. (3) The effect that using blockchain may have on delivering disaster assistance to State and Indian tribal governments. (4) Whether insurance protection against wildfires will remain available and affordable to homeowners. (b) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the covered entities a report containing the results of the study. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) The term covered entities (A) Congress; (B) the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and (C) for each State and Indian tribal government, the head of the agency for such State or Indian tribal government with jurisdiction over disaster response activities. (2) The terms Indian tribal government State 42 U.S.C. 5122 2. State disaster plan updates Section 201 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5131 (e) With respect to State plans developed under this section, the President shall coordinate with each State to update such plans to incorporate strategies that decrease the time required to prepare for disasters, including the time to evacuate individuals. . 3. Grants to entities for establishment of hazard mitigation revolving loan funds Section 205(f) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5135(f) (9) Set aside for certain projects A participating entity shall ensure that at least 10 percent of the total dollar amount of the loans made by such entity under this subsection each fiscal year assist projects or activities that reduce risks, for residential structures, related to the natural hazards described in paragraph (3). .

Summary: This bill establishes reporting and other requirements related to disaster preparedness and response and hazard mitigation. The Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) must conduct a study and report on disaster spending and strategies for reducing the need for such spending. Specifically, the GAO must identify for the 5-year period ending on the date of this bill's enactment, the total amount of federal, state, and tribal funds spent in response to major disasters and emergencies; 10 proposed federal actions, including reinsurance, that, if implemented, would most effectively reduce the need for spending related to such major disasters or emergencies; the effect that using blockchain may have on delivering disaster assistance to state and Indian tribal governments; and whether insurance protection against wildfires will remain available and affordable to homeowners. The President must coordinate with each state to update state plans to incorporate strategies that decrease the time required to prepare for disasters, including the time to evacuate individuals. An entity that receives grants for hazard mitigation revolving loan funds must ensure that at least 10% of the total dollar amount of the loans it makes each fiscal year assist projects or activities that reduce risks for residential structures related to specified natural hazards.