I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4426 
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term cost savings, 
and strategic impact of Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded 
hazard mitigation activities across the United States, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 16, 2025 
Mr. BRESNAHAN (for himself and Mr. GARAMENDI) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure 
A BILL 
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency to conduct a study to evaluate the effec-
tiveness, long-term cost savings, and strategic impact 
of Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded haz-
ard mitigation activities across the United States, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Studying Mitigation 
And Reporting Transparently Act’’ or the ‘‘SMART Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. STUDY AND REPORT ON MITIGATION BENEFITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall conduct a com-
prehensive study to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term 
cost savings, and strategic impact of Federal Emergency 
Management Agency-funded hazard mitigation activities 
across the United States. 
(b) OBJECTIVES.—In conducting the study required 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall assess how 
the mitigation programs of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency— 
(1) reduce Federal and non-Federal expendi-
tures for disaster response and recovery; 
(2) enhance community preparedness for nat-
ural hazards; 
(3) improve the availability and affordability of 
hazard-related insurance; 
(4) support continuity of operations for critical 
services and infrastructure; and 
(5) generate long-term cost savings and meas-
urable returns on investment. 
(c) METHODOLOGY.—The study under subsection (a) 
shall include— 
(1) quantitative and qualitative analysis of 
avoided losses; 
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(2) evaluations of the effect of hazard mitiga-
tion on community-level risk ratings, actuarial as-
sessments, and insurance penetration; 
(3) case studies from diverse geographic regions 
and hazard types; and 
(4) examinations of the role of mitigation activi-
ties in reducing Federal disaster response and recov-
ery costs. 
(d) DATA SOURCES.—In carrying out the study 
under subsection (a), the Administrator shall use data 
from— 
(1) Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies; 
(2) independent third-party assessments and 
academic studies; and 
(3) internal program evaluations and disaster 
recovery records. 
(e) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study under 
subsection (a), the Administrator may consult with— 
(1) the Government Accountability Office; 
(2) the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology; 
(3) State, local, Tribal, and territorial govern-
ments; and 
(4) relevant academic and research institutions. 
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(f) REPORT
TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 18 
months after the date of enactment of this Act and annu-
ally thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
ernmental Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations 
of the Senate a report detailing— 
(1) the findings of the study; 
(2) recommendations for improving program 
design, targeting, and oversight; and 
(3) recommendations for legislative and admin-
istrative actions. 
SEC. 3. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY AND ONGOING REVIEW. 
(a) PUBLIC ACCESS.—Not later than 2 years after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
make the results of the initial study required under section 
2 publicly available in a searchable, user-friendly format 
on the website of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The published data under sub-
section (a) shall include— 
(1) summarized findings and datasets, exclud-
ing any information that would compromise national 
security or privacy; 
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(2) visualizations and geographic mappings of 
mitigation outcomes; and 
(3) clear explanations of methodology, data 
sources, and limitations. 
(c) ANNUAL UPDATES.—The Administrator shall 
conduct the study described in section 2 on an annual 
basis, incorporating the most recent available data, up-
dates to methodology, and stakeholder feedback. 
(d) AVAILABILITY.—Each annual report under sec-
tion 2(e) shall be made publicly available on the website 
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency not later 
than 60 days after the submission of such report to Con-
gress. 
Æ 
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