in effect on the date of enactment of this Act that 
the Administrator intends to apply to such section 
409. Such notification shall include a justification 
and specify the ambiguity the regulation is intended 
to clarify. 
(3) POLICIES.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall provide the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs of the Senate any written policies and 
procedures in effect on the date of enactment of this 
Act that the Administration intends to apply to 
carry out this section. 
SEC. 102. TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS BACKLOG OF OPEN DE-
CLARED DISASTERS. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall establish a 
declared disasters task force (in this section referred to 
as the ‘‘Task Force’’) to develop processes and mecha-
nisms necessary for the Administrator to eliminate the 
current backlog of open declared disasters. 
(b) COMPOSITION.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force established 
under subsection (a) shall include the following 
members: 
(A) The Administrator, who shall serve as 
the chair of the Task Force. 
(B) The Associate Administrator within 
the Office of Response and Recovery. 
(C) The Regional Administrator for Region 
4. 
(D) The Regional Administrator for Re-
gion 6. 
(E) The Regional Administrator for Re-
gion 9. 
(F) The Division Director for Public As-
sistance within the Office of Response and Re-
covery. 
(G) Any other subject matter expert who is 
employed by the Agency, as the Administrator 
determines appropriate. 
(2) DETAILEES.—Members of the Task Force 
may detail employees who are employed by the 
Agency to assist the Administrator in fulfilling the 
duties of the Task Force. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Task Force established under sub-
section (a) shall— 
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(1) establish a temporary office within the 
Agency to address open declared disasters; 
(2) identify the barriers the Agency has experi-
enced in closing out the backlog; 
(3) examine any challenges in reducing the 
number of open declared disasters that are caused 
by carrying out the program under section 205 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5135); 
(4) make recommendations on how to expedite 
the appeals of assistance denial process under sec-
tion 423 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a); 
(5) identify any barriers preventing the closeout 
of the excessive backlog; and 
(6) coordinate efforts with any processes imple-
mented by Agency to address the number of open 
declared disasters, including the Backlog Adminis-
trative Closeout Process as outlined in the Public 
Assistance Backlog Strategy Implementation Guid-
ance adopted June 2024. 
(d) COMPLETION OF TASK FORCE ACTIVITIES.— 
(1) SUBMISSION OF RESULTS.—Not later than 
1 year after the establishment of the Task Force 
under subsection (a), the Task Force shall submit to 
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the Administrator the results of the activities carried 
out under subsection (c). 
(2) SUNSET.—The Task Force established 
under this section shall be terminated upon submis-
sion of the results pursuant to paragraph (1). 
(e) BRIEFINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL
BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall brief the appropriate congressional 
committees on the status of the Agency’s progress in 
reducing the backlog and any other activities of the 
Task Force. 
(2) SEMIANNUAL
BRIEFINGS.—The Adminis-
trator shall provide semiannual briefings to the ap-
propriate congressional committees until the Agency 
closes out 800 declared disasters in its backlog. 
(3) YEARLY.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and annually there-
after so long as any excessive open declared disas-
ters remain, the Administrator shall provide to the 
appropriate congressional committees a briefing on 
the Agency’s closeout of its excessive backlog. Such 
briefing may be conducted concurrently with a semi-
annual briefing under paragraph (2). 
(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
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(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; 
(B) the Committee on Homeland Security 
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and 
(C) the Committees on Appropriations of 
the House of Representatives and the Senate. 
(2) BACKLOG.—The term ‘‘backlog’’ means, 
with respect to a declared disaster— 
(A) the period of performance for the de-
clared disaster has concluded; and 
(B) products and services carried out by 
the Agency remain to be delivered. 
(3) DECLARED
DISASTERS.—The term ‘‘de-
clared disasters’’ means— 
(A) any major disaster declared under sec-
tion 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170), including any grant program relating to 
such a major disaster; 
(B) any emergency declared under section 
501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
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5191), including any grant program relating to 
such an emergency; and 
(C) any assistance provided for fire man-
agement under section 420 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187), including any grant 
program relating to such fire management. 
(4) EXCESSIVE BACKLOG.—The term ‘‘excessive 
backlog’’ means any declared disaster that— 
(A) is an open declared disaster; and 
(B) the declaration of which occurred not 
earlier than 10 years ago. 
(g) CLOSEOUT REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall di-
rect each Regional Administrator to close out a de-
clared disaster in the backlog or the excessive back-
log, and disperse the remaining fund balances, as 
soon as is practicable after the date on which 90 
percent of the costs expended for all approved 
projects or awards relating to such declared disas-
ters are validated. 
(2) AGREEMENTS.—A closeout described under 
paragraph (1) shall include reaching an agreement 
for projects or awards that are in active litigation, 
as the Administrator considers appropriate. 
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(3) COST ESTIMATES.—The Administrator shall 
close out a declared disaster described in paragraph 
(1), notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31, 
United States Code, based on cost estimates. 
(h) GAO REVIEW.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall conduct a review and submit 
a report to Congress evaluating— 
(1) the effectiveness of the activities of the 
Task Force described in subsection (c); and 
(2) the progress of the Administrator in reduc-
ing the excessive backlog. 
SEC. 103. DISASTER DECLARATION DAMAGE THRESHOLDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In making recommendations to 
the President regarding the eligibility of a State impacted 
by a major disaster declared under section 401 of the Rob-
ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall use as a factor for 
consideration whether the impacted counties, or subdivi-
sion therein, in such State meet the definition of an eco-
nomically distressed community under section 301.3(a) of 
title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, or a rural area 
under section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural 
Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). 
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(b) ADDITIONAL
AUTHORIZATION.—In all cases 
where assistance under section 409 of the Robert T. Staf-
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as 
added by this Act, is authorized for a county, or a subdivi-
sion therein, that meets the definition of an economically 
distressed community under section 301.3(a) of title 13, 
Code of Federal Regulations, or a rural area under section 
343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development 
Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)), the President shall provide assist-
ance under section 408 of such Act. 
(c) REVISIONS TO GUIDANCE, POLICIES, AND REGU-
LATIONS.—The Administrator shall take such actions as 
are necessary to revise any policies, guidance, or regula-
tions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to 
implement subsections (a) and (b). 
(d) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to constrain the authority of the President 
to make a determination of eligibility for assistance under 
section 409 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act, as added by this Act. 
SEC. 104. FEDERAL PERMITTING IMPROVEMENT. 
Section 316 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5159) is 
amended to read as follows: 
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‘‘SEC. 316. FEDERAL PERMITTING IMPROVEMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.— 
‘‘(1) PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT.—An ac-
tion which is taken or assistance which is provided 
pursuant to section 402, 403, 406, 407, 409, or 502 
shall not be deemed a major Federal action signifi-
cantly affecting the quality of the human environ-
ment within the meaning of the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
if the action has the effect of repairing, restoring, 
reconstructing, or replacing a facility that is dam-
aged by a declared emergency or major disaster pur-
suant to section 401 or 501 to applicable building 
codes at the time of repair, restoration, reconstruc-
tion, or replacement, including incorporating mitiga-
tion measures consistent with disaster risks for the 
geographic area, provided that facility improvements 
and mitigation activities occur in the same location 
of the original facility. 
‘‘(2) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this section shall alter or affect the applicability of 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) to other Federal actions taken 
under this Act or under any other provisions of law. 
‘‘(b) EXEMPTIONS AND EXPEDITED PROCEDURES.— 
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‘‘(1) STORMWATER
DISCHARGE
PERMITS.—A 
general permit for stormwater discharges from con-
struction activities, if available, issued by the Ad-
ministrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 
or the director of a State program under section 
402(p) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act 
(33 U.S.C. 1242(p)), as applicable, shall apply to re-
pair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement 
under subsection (a), on submission of a notice of 
intent to be subject to the permit. 
‘‘(2) EMERGENCY
PROCEDURES.—The emer-
gency procedures for issuing permits in accordance 
with section 325.2(e)(4) of title 33, Code of Federal 
Regulations, shall apply to repair, restoration, recon-
struction, or replacement under subsection (a), and 
such repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replace-
ment shall be considered an emergency under such 
section. 
‘‘(3) NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT 
EXEMPTION.—Repair, restoration, reconstruction, or 
replacement under subsection (a) shall be eligible for 
a waiver from the requirements of the National His-
toric Preservation Act of 1966 pursuant to part 78 
of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. 
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‘‘(4) ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT EXEMPTION.— 
An exemption from the requirements of section 7(a) 
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
1536(a)) shall apply to repair, restoration, recon-
struction, or replacement under subsection (a) and, 
if the President makes the determination required 
under section 7(p) of such Act, the determinations 
required under subsections (g) and (h) of such sec-
tion shall be deemed to be made. 
‘‘(5) EXPEDITED
CONSULTATION
UNDER
EN-
DANGERED
SPECIES
ACT.—Expedited consultation 
pursuant to section 402.05 of title 50, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations, shall apply to repair, restoration, 
reconstruction, or replacement under subsection (a). 
‘‘(6) OTHER
EXEMPTIONS.—Any repair, res-
toration, reconstruction, or replacement that is ex-
empt under paragraph (5) shall also be exempt from 
requirements under— 
‘‘(A) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 
U.S.C. 703 et seq.); 
‘‘(B) the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 
U.S.C. 1271 et seq.); and 
‘‘(C) the Fish and Wildlife Coordination 
Act (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.). 
‘‘(c) STATE-MANAGED REVIEW PROCESS.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsections (a), 
(b), and (d), with the written agreement of the Ad-
ministrator and a State, which may be in the form 
of a memorandum of understanding, the Adminis-
trator may assign, and the State may assume, the 
responsibilities of the Administrator with respect to 
1 or more disaster recovery projects within the State 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the National 
Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 
300101 et seq.), so long as— 
‘‘(A) the State shall assume responsibilities 
under this section subject to the same proce-
dural and substantive requirements that would 
apply if such responsibilities were carried out by 
the Administrator, including the exemptions 
and expedited procedures under subsection (b); 
‘‘(B) any responsibility of the Adminis-
trator not explicitly assumed by the State under 
such agreement shall remain the responsibility 
of the Administrator; 
‘‘(C) nothing in such agreement preempts 
or interferes with any power, jurisdiction, re-
sponsibility, or authority of an agency, other 
than the Administrator, under applicable law 
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(including regulations), with respect to a 
project; 
‘‘(D) the Administrator shall not require a 
State, as a condition of participation in the pro-
gram, to forego project delivery methods that 
are otherwise permissible for projects; and 
‘‘(E) a State assuming the responsibilities 
of the Administrator under this section for a 
specific project may use funds for attorney’s 
fees directly attributable to eligible activities as-
sociated with the project for an increase in 
management costs. 
‘‘(2) ASSUMPTION
OF
RESPONSIBILITY.—If a 
State assumes responsibility under paragraph (1)— 
‘‘(A) the Administrator may assign to such 
State, and such State may assume, all or part 
of the responsibilities of the Administrator for 
environmental review, consultation, or other ac-
tion required under the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
and the National Historic Preservation Act of 
1966 (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.), pertaining to 
the review or approval of a specific project; and 
‘‘(B) at the request of such State, the Ad-
ministrator may also assign to such State, and 
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such State may assume, the responsibilities of 
the Administrator with respect to 1 or more 
disaster recovery projects within the State 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the National 
Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 
300101 et seq.). 
‘‘(3) RULEMAKING AUTHORITY.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of the FEMA 
Act of 2025, the Administrator shall promulgate 
regulations that establish requirements relating to 
information required to be contained in any request 
of a State to enter into a written agreement under 
paragraph (1), including, at a minimum— 
‘‘(A) a description of the projects or class-
es of projects for which the State anticipates 
exercising the authority under this subsection; 
‘‘(B) verification of the financial and per-
sonnel resources necessary to carry out such 
authority; 
‘‘(C) a demonstration of compliance with 
any applicable public notice law of the State, in-
cluding copies of comments received from a so-
licitation carried out pursuant to any such law; 
and 
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‘‘(D) a demonstration of compliance with 
applicable Federal environmental and historic 
preservation law. 
‘‘(4) WRITTEN AGREEMENT.—A written agree-
ment under this section shall— 
‘‘(A) be executed by the Governor of the 
respective State; 
‘‘(B) provide that the State— 
‘‘(i) agrees to presume all or part of 
the responsibilities of the Administrator 
described in paragraph (1); 
‘‘(ii) expressly consents, on behalf of 
the State, to accept the jurisdiction of the 
Federal courts for the compliance, dis-
charge, and enforcement of any responsi-
bility of the Administrator assumed by the 
State; and 
‘‘(iii) certifies that State laws (includ-
ing regulations) are in effect that— 
‘‘(I) authorize the State to take 
the actions necessary to carry out the 
responsibilities being assumed under 
such agreement; and 
‘‘(II) are comparable to section 
552 of title 5, United States Code, in-
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cluding providing that any decision re-
garding the public availability of a 
document under such State laws is re-
viewable by a court of competent ju-
risdiction; and 
‘‘(III) agree to maintain the fi-
nancial resources necessary to carry 
out the responsibilities being assumed; 
‘‘(C) require the State to provide to the 
Administrator any information the Adminis-
trator reasonably considers necessary to ensure 
that the State is adequately carrying out the re-
sponsibilities assigned to the State under such 
agreement; 
‘‘(D) have a term of not more than 5 
years; and 
‘‘(E) be renewable. 
‘‘(5) JURISDICTION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The United States 
district courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction 
over any civil action against a State for failure 
to carry out any responsibility of the State 
under this section. 
‘‘(B) LEGAL
STANDARDS
AND
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—A civil action under paragraph (1) 
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shall be governed by the legal standards and re-
quirements that would apply in such a civil ac-
tion against the Administrator had the Admin-
istrator taken the actions in question. 
‘‘(C) INTERVENTION.—The Administrator 
shall have the right to intervene in any action 
described in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(6) LIABILITY.—A State that assumes respon-
sibility under paragraph (2) shall be solely respon-
sible and solely liable for carrying out, in lieu of and 
without further approval of the Administrator, the 
responsibilities under such paragraph, until the par-
ticipation of the State is terminated under para-
graph (8). 
‘‘(7) LIMITATION
ON
AGREEMENTS.—Nothing 
in this section permits a State to assume any rule-
making authority of the Administrator under any 
Federal law. 
‘‘(8) TERMINATION.— 
‘‘(A) TERMINATION BY ADMINISTRATOR.— 
The Administrator may only terminate the par-
ticipation of any State under this subsection 
if— 
‘‘(i) the Administrator determines 
that the State is not adequately carrying 
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out the responsibilities assigned to the 
State in a written agreement under this 
subsection; 
‘‘(ii) the Administrator provides to the 
State— 
‘‘(I) a notification of a deter-
mination of noncompliance; 
‘‘(II) a period of not less than 
120 days to take such corrective ac-
tion as the Administrator determines 
to be necessary to comply with the ap-
plicable agreement; and 
‘‘(III) on request of the Gov-
ernor, a detailed description of each 
responsibility in need of corrective ac-
tion regarding an inadequacy identi-
fied under this subparagraph; and 
‘‘(iii) the State, after the notification 
and period provided under clause (ii), fails 
to take satisfactory corrective action, as 
determined by the Administrator. 
‘‘(B) TERMINATION BY STATE.—A State 
may terminate the participation of the State in 
the program at any time by providing to the 
Administrator a notice by not later than the 
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date that is 90 days before the date of termi-
nation, and subject to such terms and condi-
tions as the Administrator may provide. 
‘‘(9) AUDITS.—To ensure compliance by a 
State with any agreement of the State under this 
subsection (including compliance by the State with 
all Federal laws for which responsibility is assumed 
under paragraph (2)), for each State participating in 
an agreement under this subsection, the inspector 
general of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency established in section 14 of the FEMA Act 
of 2025, shall— 
‘‘(A) meet with the State not later than 
180 days after signing an agreement to review 
how the agreement is being implement and plan 
the first annual audit, including consulting with 
the State on the selection of the audit team 
members; 
‘‘(B) conduct an annual audit for each 
year the State is participating in an agreement 
under this subsection; 
‘‘(C) in the case of an agreement with a 
duration of more than 5 years, conduct a com-
prehensive audit covering the first 5 years of 
such agreement; 
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‘‘(D) complete each audit within 180 days, 
including time for public comment and re-
sponses; 
‘‘(E) make all audits available to the public 
for comment; and 
‘‘(F) respond to public comments not later 
than 60 days after the last day of the comment 
period. 
‘‘(10) MONITORING.—After a State has been 
participating in an agreement under this subsection 
for 4 years, the Administrator shall continue to 
monitor the compliance of such State with the agree-
ment, including whether the State is providing 
enough funding to meet the obligations of such 
agreement. 
‘‘(11) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Adminis-
trator shall submit to Congress an annual report 
that describes the administration of this subsection. 
‘‘(12) RELATIONSHIP
TO
LOCALLY
ADMINIS-
TERED
PROJECTS.—A State assuming authority 
under a written agreement under this subsection 
may, as appropriate and at the request of a local 
government— 
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‘‘(A) exercise such authority on behalf of 
the local government for a locally administered 
project; or 
‘‘(B) provide guidance and training on con-
solidating and minimizing the documentation 
and environmental analyses necessary for spon-
sors of a locally administered project to comply 
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any com-
parable requirements under State law. 
‘‘(13) AGENCY DEEMED TO BE FEDERAL AGEN-
CY.—A State agency assuming responsibility under 
an agreement under this subsection shall be deemed 
to be an agency for the purposes of section 2412 of 
title 28, United States Code. 
‘‘(d) 
DEFINITION
OF
APPLICABLE
BUILDING 
CODES.—In this section, the term ‘applicable building 
codes’ has the meaning given the term in section 
409(b)(11). 
‘‘(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall alter or affect the applicability of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.) to other Federal actions taken under this Act or 
under any other provisions of law.’’. 
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SEC. 105. UNIFIED FEDERAL REVIEW. 
Title III of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) 
is amended by striking section 429 and inserting the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘SEC. 429. COORDINATION OF REQUIRED FEDERAL RE-
VIEWS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—In order to expedite disaster re-
covery, the Administrator shall establish a unified inter-
agency review process to ensure compliance with environ-
mental and historical requirements under Federal law, in-
cluding the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the National Historic Pres-
ervation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.), relating 
to projects carried out through assistance provided under 
this Act, consistent with applicable law. 
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of the FEMA Act of 2025, and in 
consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality 
and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(1) formulate and implement administrative, 
procedural, and policy mechanisms to enable the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency to act as 
the lead agency ensuring completion of the environ-
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mental and historical review process for projects in 
a timely, coordinated, and responsible manner; 
‘‘(2) carry out the obligations of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency with respect to a 
project under any other applicable law concurrently, 
and in conjunction with, other environmental and 
historical reviews and authorizations being con-
ducted by other cooperating and participating agen-
cies, with the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency as the lead agency; and 
‘‘(3) in the case in which an environmental im-
pact statement is required for a project, prepare one 
document under section 107(b) of the National En-
vironmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4336a(b)) for such project unless the lead agency 
provides justification in the coordinated project plan 
that multiple environmental documents are more ef-
ficient for project review and authorization. 
‘‘(c) CONSIDERATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—As early as practicable dur-
ing an environmental and historical review, but not 
later than the commencement of scoping for a 
project requiring the preparation of an environ-
mental impact statement under the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
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seq.), the lead agency shall engage the cooperating 
agencies to determine the range of reasonable alter-
natives to be considered for a project. 
‘‘(2) COOPERATION.—The lead agency and each 
cooperating and participating agency shall work co-
operatively to identify and resolve issues that could 
delay completion of an environmental and historical 
review or authorization required for the project 
under applicable law or result in the denial of any 
approval under applicable law, including— 
‘‘(A) the need for mitigation actions justi-
fied by the risk of natural hazards that are con-
sistent with the geographic area in which the 
major disaster occurred; and 
‘‘(B) compliance challenges that may arise 
as a result of the ongoing recovery from a 
major disaster. 
‘‘(3) RANGE
OF
ALTERNATIVES.—The lead 
agency shall determine the range of reasonable alter-
natives for consideration in any document that the 
lead agency is responsible for preparing in the envi-
ronmental and historical review for the project. 
‘‘(4) METHODOLOGIES.—The lead agency shall 
determine, in collaboration with each cooperating 
and participating agency at appropriate times during 
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the review, the methodologies to be used and the 
level of detail required in the analysis of each alter-
native determined under paragraph (3) for a project. 
‘‘(5) RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
‘‘(A) LEAD AGENCY.—The lead agency (as 
such term is defined in section 111 of the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4336e)) shall make information avail-
able to each cooperating and participating agen-
cy and State as early as practicable in the envi-
ronmental and historical review regarding the 
environmental, historic, and socioeconomic re-
sources located within the project area and the 
general locations of the alternatives determined 
under paragraph (3) under consideration. 
‘‘(B) COOPERATING
AND
PARTICIPATING 
AGENCIES.—As early as practicable during an 
environmental and historical review, cooperating 
and participating agencies (as such terms are 
defined in section 111 of the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336e)) 
shall identify any issues of concern regarding 
any potential environmental or historical im-
pacts of the project, including any issues that 
could substantially delay or prevent an agency 
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from completing any environmental or historical 
review or authorization required for the project, 
and communicate any issues to the State. 
‘‘(6) PUBLIC COMMENT.—The lead agency shall 
establish a comment period of not less than 45 days 
and not more than 60 days after the date on which 
a notice announcing availability of the environmental 
impact statement is published in the Federal Reg-
ister to solicit comments from an agency or the pub-
lic on a draft environmental impact statement, un-
less— 
‘‘(A) the lead agency, the State, and any 
cooperating agency agree to a longer deadline; 
or 
‘‘(B) the lead agency, in consultation with 
each cooperating agency, extends the deadline 
for good cause. 
‘‘(7) RECORD OF DECISION.—Not later than 90 
days after the date on which a final environmental 
impact statement is issued, Federal agencies shall, 
to the maximum extent practicable, issue a record of 
decision for such environmental impact statement. 
‘‘(8) CATEGORIES OF PROJECTS.—The authori-
ties granted under this section may be exercised for 
an individual project or a category of projects. 
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‘‘(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to affect the applicability of section 
316 to projects eligible under such section.’’. 
SEC. 106. BLOCK GRANTS FOR SMALL DISASTERS. 
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘TITLE VIII—BLOCK GRANTS 
FOR SMALL DISASTERS 
‘‘SEC. 801. BLOCK GRANTS FOR SMALL DISASTERS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Governor of a State or the 
governing body of an Indian tribal government for the 
area in which a covered small disaster occurs may request 
a lump sum payment of the estimated damages calculated 
under subsection (b) for such disaster in lieu of any assist-
ance under the Public Assistance Program for such dis-
aster. 
‘‘(b) CALCULATION.—Notwithstanding the require-
ments of section 206.47(b) of title 44, Code of Federal 
Regulations, a payment under subsection (a) shall be 
equal to the amount that is 80 percent of the total esti-
mated cost of the Federal share under the Public Assist-
ance Program for a covered small disaster in the area of 
jurisdiction of the State or Indian tribal government re-
questing such payment. 
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‘‘(c) LIMITATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A State or Indian tribal 
government receiving a payment under this section 
may not receive assistance under the Public Assist-
ance Program with respect to the covered small dis-
aster for which a payment was accepted under this 
section. 
‘‘(2) FINAL PAYMENT.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—A payment under this 
section may not be increased or decreased based 
on actual costs calculated for a covered small 
disaster. 
‘‘(B) EXCEPTION.—Notwithstanding sub-
paragraph (A), the Administrator may adjust a 
payment under this section in the event of un-
foreseen circumstances at no fault of the appli-
cant. 
‘‘(3) SELECTION OF OPTION.—A State or In-
dian tribal government may designate to the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency on an annual basis 
the interest of such State or Indian tribal govern-
ment in participating in the small disaster authority. 
‘‘(4) INDICATION.—A State or Indian tribal 
government shall indicate at the time of the submis-
sion of a request for a major disaster declaration 
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that such State or Indian tribal government is re-
questing assistance for such incident under this sec-
tion. 
‘‘(5) TIMING
REQUIREMENT.—The Adminis-
trator and the State or Indian tribal government 
shall— 
‘‘(A) reach an agreement on the amount 
under subsection (b) not later than 90 days 
after the incident; or 
‘‘(B) administer the incident under the 
procedures and authorities for the Public As-
sistance Program. 
‘‘(6) ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN.—To be eligible for 
assistance under this section, a State or Indian trib-
al government shall have an administrative plan ap-
proved by the Administrator in place at the time of 
the obligation of funds provided under this section. 
‘‘(d) APPROVAL
OF
FUNDS.—The Administrator 
shall approve funding for eligible disasters not later than 
90 days after a receipt of a complete application, including 
all required cost estimates and supporting documentation, 
from the applicant. In evaluating whether such cost esti-
mate is accurate and reasonable, the Administrator may 
not consider preexisting condition. 
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‘‘(e) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Not later than 30 
days after the approval of an application under this sec-
tion, the Administrator shall make the grant funds avail-
able to the applicant. 
‘‘(f) USE OF FUNDS.—A State or Indian tribal gov-
ernment receiving a payment under this section may use 
such payment for recovery for the covered small disaster 
in any manner determined appropriate by the respective 
Governor or governing body of such State or Indian tribal 
government if such funds— 
‘‘(1) address impacts and needs resulting from 
the declared disaster incident; 
‘‘(2) are provided to State, Indian tribal govern-
ment, territorial and local government agencies, and 
private nonprofit entities eligible for Public Assist-
ance Program funding; and 
‘‘(3) are used in a manner that complies with 
applicable environmental, historic preservation, and 
civil rights laws (including the National Environ-
mental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) 
and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 
(54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.)) and any applicable re-
siliency standards under section 203. 
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‘‘(g) COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS AND REGULA-
TIONS.—A State or Indian tribal government shall be re-
sponsible for ensuring compliance under subsection (f)(3). 
‘‘(h) REPORT TO FEMA.—A State or governing body 
of an Indian tribal government shall submit to the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency an annual report of ex-
penses for a covered small disaster in the area of jurisdic-
tion of the respective State or Indian tribal government. 
‘‘(i) RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to— 
‘‘(1) affect the eligibility of a State or Indian 
tribal government for assistance under section 404; 
or 
‘‘(2) affect any program in title IV or V that 
is not a Public Assistance Program. 
‘‘(j) INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW.—Not later than 
2 years after the date of enactment of the FEMA Act of 
2025, and annually thereafter, the inspector general of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency established in 
section 14 of such Act shall conduct a review and submit 
to the Committee on Homeland Security and Govern-
mental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, 
the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, and the 
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Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representa-
tives a report containing— 
‘‘(1) information on the number of States and 
Indian tribal governments that— 
‘‘(A) have designated to the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency interest in partici-
pating in the small disaster authority under 
subsection (c)(3); and 
‘‘(B) have requested assistance under this 
section; 
‘‘(2) a sampling of the reports submitted to the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency under sub-
section (h) and an assessment, based on such re-
ports, on whether funds provided under this section 
for recovery from covered small disasters have been 
used to address impacts and needs resulting from 
such disasters; and 
‘‘(3) any evidence of criminal fraud and wheth-
er there have been any referrals for further inves-
tigation or prosecution. 
‘‘(k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) COVERED
SMALL
DISASTER.—The term 
‘covered small disaster’ means a major disaster de-
clared under section 401 or an emergency declared 
under section 501 with estimated damage eligible 
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under the Public Assistance Program of less than or 
equal to 125 percent of the State’s per capita indi-
cator. 
‘‘(2) PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—The term 
‘Public Assistance Program’ means the programs 
under sections 403, 406, 407, 409, and 502.’’. 
SEC. 107. COMMON SENSE DEBRIS REMOVAL. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 407 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5173) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘, whenever he 
determines it to be in the public interest,’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) 
PROHIBITION
ON
ADDITIONAL
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—Except as required under subsection (b), the 
President may not impose any additional requirements for 
authorizing the removal of debris and wreckage on publicly 
and privately owned lands and waters, or for making 
grants for the purpose of such removal, under this sec-
tion.’’. 
(b) GUIDANCE.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall revise any guidance 
or regulations as necessary to reflect the amendments 
made by this section. 
(c) BEST PRACTICES.— 
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(1) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of 
Congress that certain types of payment structures 
for debris removal service contracts create challenges 
for effective oversight, and disincentivize effective 
clean-up, and increases costs. 
(2) EFFECTIVE CONTRACTS.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
(A) complete a review of contracting for 
debris removal services; and 
(B) develop best practices for such con-
tracts that ensure effective debris removal, 
speed, and appropriate accountability of costs 
and oversight of performance. 
SEC. 108. DISASTER MANAGEMENT COSTS MODERNIZA-
TION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 324 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5165b) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(2)— 
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and 
adjusting the margins accordingly; and 
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(B) in the matter preceding clause (i), as 
so redesignated, by striking ‘‘provide the fol-
lowing percentage rates’’ and inserting ‘‘provide 
‘‘(A) excess funds for management costs as 
described in subsection (c); and 
‘‘(B) the following percentage rates’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (d); and 
(3) by inserting after subsection (b) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) USE OF EXCESS FUNDS FOR MANAGEMENT 
COSTS.— 
‘‘(1) DEFINITION OF EXCESS FUNDS FOR MAN-
AGEMENT COSTS.—In this subsection, the term ‘ex-
cess funds for management costs’ means the dif-
ference between— 
‘‘(A) the amount of the applicable specific 
management costs authorized under subsection 
(b)(1) and subsection (b)(2)(B); and 
‘‘(B) as of the date on which the grant 
award is closed, the amount of funding for 
management costs activities expended by the 
grantee or subgrantee receiving the financial as-
sistance for costs described in subparagraph 
(A). 
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‘‘(2) AVAILABILITY
OF
EXCESS
FUNDS
FOR 
MANAGEMENT
COSTS.—The President may make 
available to a grantee or subgrantee receiving finan-
cial assistance under section 403, 404, 406, 407, 
409, or 502 any excess funds for management costs. 
‘‘(3) USE OF FUNDS.—Excess funds for man-
agement costs made available to a grantee or sub-
grantee under paragraph (2) may be used for— 
‘‘(A) activities associated with building ca-
pacity to prepare for, recover from, or mitigate 
the impacts of a major disaster or emergency 
declared under section 401 or 501, respectively; 
and 
‘‘(B) management costs associated with 
any— 
‘‘(i) major disaster; 
‘‘(ii) emergency; 
‘‘(iii) disaster preparedness measure; 
or 
‘‘(iv) mitigation activity or measure 
authorized under section 203, 204, 205, or 
404. 
‘‘(4) AVAILABILITY.—Excess funds for manage-
ment costs made available to a grantee or sub-
grantee under paragraph (2) shall remain available 
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100 
to the grantee or subgrantee until the date that is 
5 years after the date on which the excess funds for 
management costs are made available under para-
graph (2).’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by sub-
section (a) shall apply with respect to any grant award 
in relation to a major disaster or emergency declared 
under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191)— 
(1) the declaration of which is made on or after 
the date of enactment of this Act; and 
(2) that is funded with amounts appropriated 
on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS.—No additional funds 
are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the amend-
ments made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 109. STREAMLINING AND CONSOLIDATING INFORMA-
TION COLLECTION AND PRELIMINARY DAM-
AGE ASSESSMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1223 of the Disaster Re-
covery Reform Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–254) is 
amended to read as follows: 
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101 
‘‘SEC. 1223. STUDY TO STREAMLINE AND CONSOLIDATE IN-
FORMATION COLLECTION AND PRELIMINARY 
DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS. 
‘‘(a) INFORMATION COLLECTION.—Not later than 2 
years after the date of enactment of the FEMA Act of 
2025, the Administrator, in coordination with the Admin-
istrator of the Small Business Administration, the Sec-
retary of Housing and Urban Development, the Disaster 
Assistance Working Group of the Council of the Inspectors 
General on Integrity and Efficiency, and other appropriate 
agencies, shall— 
‘‘(1) conduct a study and develop a plan, con-
sistent with law, under which the collection of infor-
mation from disaster assistance applicants and 
grantees will be modified, streamlined, expedited, ef-
ficient, flexible, consolidated, and simplified to be 
less burdensome, duplicative, and time-consuming 
for applicants and grantees; and 
‘‘(2) develop a plan for the regular collection 
and reporting of information on Federal disaster as-
sistance awarded, including the establishment and 
maintenance of a website for presenting the informa-
tion to the public. 
‘‘(b) PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS.—Not 
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the 
FEMA Act of 2025, the Administrator, in consultation 
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102 
with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity 
and Efficiency, shall convene a working group on a regular 
basis with the Secretary of Labor, the Director of the Of-
fice of Management and Budget, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, the Administrator of the Small 
Business Administration, the Secretary of Transportation, 
the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Devel-
opment, and other appropriate agencies as the Adminis-
trator considers necessary, to— 
‘‘(1) identify and describe the potential areas of 
duplication or fragmentation in preliminary damage 
assessments after disaster declarations; 
‘‘(2) determine the applicability of having one 
Federal agency make the assessments for all agen-
cies; and 
‘‘(3) identify potential emerging technologies, 
such as unmanned aircraft systems, consistent with 
the requirements established in the FEMA Account-
ability, Modernization and Transparency Act of 
2017 (42 U.S.C. 5121 note), to expedite the admin-
istration of preliminary damage assessments. 
‘‘(c) COMPREHENSIVE REPORT.—The Administrator 
shall submit 1 comprehensive report that comprises the 
plans developed under subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) and 
a report of the findings of the working group convened 
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103 
under subsection (b), which may include recommenda-
tions, to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate. 
‘‘(d) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY.—The comprehensive re-
port required under subsection (c) shall be made available 
to the public and posted on the website of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency— 
‘‘(1) in precompressed, easily downloadable 
versions that are made available in all appropriate 
formats; and 
‘‘(2) in machine-readable format, if applicable. 
‘‘(e) SOURCES OF INFORMATION.—In preparing the 
comprehensive report under subsection (c), the Adminis-
trator may use any publication, database, or web-based 
resource, and any information compiled by any govern-
ment agency, nongovernmental organization, or other enti-
ty that is made available. 
‘‘(f) BRIEFING.—Not later than 180 days after sub-
mission of the comprehensive report, the Administrator 
and a member of the Council of the Inspectors General 
on Integrity and Efficiency shall brief, upon request, the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Home-
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104 
land Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on 
the findings and any recommendations made in the com-
prehensive report. 
‘‘(g) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 180 days 
after the submission of the comprehensive report under 
subsection (c), the Administrator shall implement any rec-
ommendations contained in such report.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—The item relating to 
section 1223 in the table of contents of the FAA Reau-
thorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–254) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘Sec. 1223. Study to streamline and consolidate information collection and pre-
liminary damage assessments.’’. 
SEC. 110. REASONABLE INCIDENT PERIODS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall convene an 
advisory panel consisting of emergency management per-
sonnel to assist the Agency in reviewing the process and 
procedures related to the determination of incident periods 
for all hazards for emergencies or major disasters declared 
under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The advisory panel convened 
under subsection (a) shall consist of at least 2 rep-
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105 
resentatives from national emergency management 
organizations, at least 2 relevant county officials, at 
least 1 representative from the National Weather 
Service, and at least 5 representatives from each of 
the 10 regions of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency selected from emergency management 
personnel employed by State, local, territorial, or 
Tribal authorities within each region. 
(2) INCLUSION ON PANEL.—To the furthest ex-
tent practicable, representation on the advisory 
panel shall include emergency management per-
sonnel from rural, urban, underrepresented, Tribal, 
and insular jurisdictions and representatives of State 
or local governments with responsibility for the fi-
nancial or budgetary impact of disasters. 
(c) CONSIDERATIONS.—In reviewing the process and 
procedures related to the determination of incident periods 
under subsection (a), the advisory panel convened under 
such subsection shall consider the effectiveness of incident 
periods, including— 
(1) incident periods for slow onset disasters; 
(2) incident periods for correlated noncontig-
uous disasters; 
(3) incident periods for compound disasters; 
and 
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106 
(4) incident periods for cascading disasters. 
(d) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
submit to Congress, and make publicly available, a report 
regarding the findings of the review under this section 
that includes any recommendations of the advisory panel 
convened under subsection (a), including additional legis-
lation that may be necessary to address such findings. 
(e) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall sub-
mit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the 
Senate a report discussing— 
(1) a summary of the findings of the advisory 
panel convened under subsection (a); 
(2) the implementation of recommendations 
from such advisory panel; and 
(3) any additional legislative recommendations 
necessary to improve the effectiveness of incident pe-
riods. 
(f) RULEMAKING.—Immediately following a 30-day 
congressional review period of the report described in sub-
section (e), the Administrator shall begin a rulemaking to 
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issue such regulations as are necessary to implement the 
recommendations of the advisory panel. 
SEC. 111. FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM POL-
ICY. 
Section 420(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187(a)) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking the period at the end and insert-
ing ‘‘; and’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘local government for the miti-
gation’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘local govern-
ment for— 
‘‘(1) the mitigation’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(2) assessments and emergency stabilization to 
protect public safety irrespective of the incident pe-
riod for a declared fire.’’. 
SEC. 112. INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT ELIGIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 420 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5187) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘, Indian 
tribal government,’’ before ‘‘or local government’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) through (e) 
as subsections (c) through (f), respectively; 
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(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(b) PROCEDURE FOR REQUEST.—The Governor of 
a State or the Chief Executive of an Indian tribal govern-
ment affected by a fire described in subsection (a) may 
directly submit a request to authorize assistance under 
this section.’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(g) SAVINGS PROVISION.—Nothing in this section 
shall prohibit an Indian tribal government from receiving 
assistance under this section pursuant to an authorization 
made at the request of a State under subsection (b) if 
assistance is not authorized under this section for the 
same incident based on a request by the Indian tribal gov-
ernment under subsection (b).’’. 
(b) REGULATIONS.— 
(1) UPDATE.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the President shall 
issue regulations updating part 204 of title 44, Code 
of Federal Regulations, to carry out the amend-
ments made by subsection (a). 
(2) CONTENTS.—In issuing the regulations re-
quired under paragraph (1), the President shall— 
(A) authorize the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency to directly receive a request for 
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a fire management assistance declaration from 
an Indian Tribal Government and directly pro-
vide related grants and resources to Indian 
Tribal Governments; 
(B) clarify that Indian Tribal Governments 
for which the President does not grant a re-
quest described in subparagraph (A) remain eli-
gible to receive assistance under section 420 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187) 
through assistance granted under a fire man-
agement assistance declaration made at the re-
quest of a State; 
(C) consider the unique conditions that af-
fect the general welfare of Indian Tribal gov-
ernments; and 
(D) enter into government-to-government 
consultation with Indian Tribal Governments 
regarding the regulations. 
(3) FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE DECLARA-
TION DEFINED.—In this subsection, the term ‘‘fire 
management assistance declaration’’ means a dec-
laration approved under section 204.21(a) of title 
44, Code of Federal Regulations. 
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SEC. 113. STRENGTHENING CLOSEOUTS FOR CRITICAL 
SERVICES. 
Section 705 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5205) is 
amended— 
(1) by inserting ‘‘or owner or operator of a pri-
vate nonprofit facility’’ after ‘‘State or local govern-
ment’’ each place it appears; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or owner or operator of a pri-
vate nonprofit facility’’ after ‘‘Federal, State, or 
local government’’ each place it appears; and 
(3) by inserting ‘‘or owners or operators of pri-
vate nonprofit facilities’’ after ‘‘State, local, or In-
dian tribal governments’’. 
SEC. 114. SHELTERING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE PER-
SONNEL. 
Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) SHELTERING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE PER-
SONNEL.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—For any major disaster for 
which the President has authorized emergency pro-
tective measures for an area within the jurisdiction 
of a State, Indian tribal, or local government, the 
Administrator may reimburse the State, Indian trib-
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al, or local government for costs relating to shel-
tering emergency response personnel, including indi-
viduals that are a part of the same predisaster 
household as such personnel, in exclusive-use con-
gregate or noncongregate settings if the Governor of 
the State or chief executive of the Indian tribal or 
local government determines that the damage or dis-
ruption to such area is of such a magnitude as to 
disrupt the provision of emergency protective meas-
ures within such area. 
‘‘(2) LIMITATION OF ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator 
may only reimburse a State, Indian tribal, or 
local government for the costs of sheltering 
emergency response personnel under paragraph 
(1) for such a period of time as the Adminis-
trator determines reasonable based in the indi-
vidual characteristics of and impacts to the af-
fected area, including the extent of damage, the 
availability of alternative housing options, the 
availability of utilities, and disruptions to trans-
portation infrastructure. 
‘‘(B) MAXIMUM DURATION OF REIMBURSE-
MENT.—The period of reimbursement under 
subparagraph (A) may not exceed the 6-month 
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period beginning on the date on which the inci-
dent period ends. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITION
OF
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE 
PERSONNEL.—In this subsection, the term ‘emer-
gency response personnel’ means— 
‘‘(A) employees or contracted employees 
providing law enforcement, fire suppression, 
rescue, emergency medical, emergency manage-
ment, or emergency communications services; 
and 
‘‘(B) elected officials, except Members of 
Congress, responsible for the overseeing or di-
recting emergency response operations or recov-
ery activities.’’. 
SEC. 115. EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO FIGHT 
FLOODING DAMAGE. 
Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is fur-
ther amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) FURTHER EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE MEAS-
URES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In cases in which an owner 
or operator of a stormwater pumping station en-
gages in flood fighting activities during emergency 
protective measures or emergency work authorized 
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by this section, the President shall reimburse such 
owner or operator in accordance with applicable 
equipment rates regardless of whether or not such 
pumping stations contain temporary or permanently 
mounted or affixed equipment. 
‘‘(2) FLOOD FIGHTING ACTIVITIES DEFINED.— 
In this subsection, the term ‘flood fighting activities’ 
includes dewatering behind a levee by breaching or 
pumping.’’. 
SEC. 116. FAIRNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN APPEALS. 
Section 423 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) ATTORNEY’S FEES.—In cases in which the 
Board decides in favor of the applicant or otherwise con-
cludes there is an error on the part of the Administrator 
in denial of assistance, the Administrator shall reimburse 
the applicant for attorney’s fees.’’. 
SEC. 117. EXPEDITED FUNDING FOR EMERGENCY WORK. 
Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is 
amending by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) 
DISBURSEMENT.—Reimbursements 
provided 
under this section shall be disbursed to the applicant not 
later than 120 days after the applicant submits a request 
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for reimbursement if the President determines at least 90 
percent of estimated costs are eligible for such reimburse-
ment.’’. 
SEC. 118. CONSISTENCY IN PROCUREMENT PRACTICES. 
For the purposes of applying the procurement stand-
ards under part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regula-
tions to assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5121 et seq.), local governments shall be treated as a 
State or Tribal government under section 200.317 of title 
2, Code of Federal Regulations. 
TITLE II—INDIVIDUAL 
ASSISTANCE REFORMS 
SEC. 201. INFORMATION SHARING FOR FEDERAL AGEN-
CIES. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT OF UNIFIED DISASTER APPLI-
CATION SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall estab-
lish and maintain a web-based interagency electronic 
information sharing system, to be known as the 
‘‘unified disaster application system’’, to— 
(A) facilitate the administration of the uni-
versal application for direct Federal disaster as-
sistance established under section 202; 
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(B) carry out the purposes of disaster as-
sistance programs swiftly, efficiently, and in ac-
cordance with applicable laws, regulations, and 
the privacy and data protections provided under 
this section; and 
(C) support the detection, prevention, and 
investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimi-
nation in the administration of disaster assist-
ance programs. 
(2) AUTHORITIES OF ADMINISTRATOR.—In es-
tablishing and maintaining the unified disaster ap-
plication system under this subsection, the Adminis-
trator may collect and maintain disaster assistance 
information received from a disaster assistance 
agency, a block grant recipient, or an applicant for 
a disaster assistance program and share such infor-
mation with any other disaster assistance agency or 
block grant recipient using such system. 
(3) REQUIREMENTS.—The Administrator shall 
ensure that the unified disaster application system 
established and maintained under this subsection— 
(A) allows an applicant to receive status 
updates on an application for disaster assist-
ance programs submitted though such system; 
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(B) allows for applicants to update disaster 
assistance information throughout the recovery 
journeys of such applicants in accordance with 
established application timeframes; 
(C) allows for the distribution to applicants 
of information about additional recovery re-
sources that may be available in a disaster 
stricken area; 
(D) provides an applicant with information 
and documentation relating to an application 
for a disaster assistance program submitted by 
such applicant; and 
(E) contains any other capabilities deter-
mined necessary by the head of a disaster as-
sistance agency. 
(b) DATA SECURITY.—The Administrator may facili-
tate the collection of disaster assistance information into 
the unified disaster application system established under 
subsection (a) only after the following requirements have 
been met: 
(1) The Administrator certifies that the unified 
disaster application system substantially complies 
with the data security standards and best practices 
established pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 35 
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117 
of title 44, United States Code, and any other appli-
cable Federal information security policy. 
(2) The Administrator publishes a privacy im-
pact assessment for the unified disaster application 
system, in accordance with section 208(b)(1)(B) of 
the E-Government Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 
note). 
(3) The Administrator, after consulting with 
disaster assistance agencies, publishes standard 
rules of behavior for disaster assistance agencies, 
block grant recipients, and personnel granted access 
to disaster assistance information to protect such in-
formation from improper disclosure. 
(c) COLLECTION
AND SHARING
OF ADDITIONAL 
RECORDS AND INFORMATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may au-
thorize the additional collection, maintenance, shar-
ing, and use of disaster assistance information by 
publishing a notice on the unified disaster applica-
tion system established under subsection (a) that in-
cludes a detailed description of— 
(A) the specific amendments to the collec-
tion, maintenance, and sharing of disaster as-
sistance information authorized; 
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(B) why each such amendment to how dis-
aster assistance information is collected, main-
tained, or shared is necessary to carry out the 
purposes of a disaster assistance program and 
consistent with the fair information practice 
principles; and 
(C) the disaster assistance agencies and 
block grant recipients that will be granted ac-
cess to the additional information to carry out 
the purposes of any disaster assistance pro-
gram. 
(2) 
NOTICE
AND
PUBLICATION
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—The publication of a notice under para-
graph (1) of a revision to the unified disaster appli-
cation system of records prior to any new collection, 
or uses, of Privacy Act categories of records, to 
carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance pro-
gram with regard to a disaster declared by the 
President under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191), shall be deemed to sat-
isfy the notice and publication requirements of sec-
tion 552a(e)(4) of title 5, United States Code, for 
the entire period of performance for any assistance 
provided under a disaster assistance program. 
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(3) WAIVER OF INFORMATION COLLECTION RE-
QUIREMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Upon the declaration of 
a major disaster or emergency pursuant to sec-
tions 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5170; 5191) by the President, the Ad-
ministrator may waive the requirements of sub-
chapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United 
States Code, with respect to voluntary collection 
of information for the entire period of perform-
ance for any assistance provided under a dis-
aster assistance program. 
(B) TRANSPARENCY.—Upon exercising the 
waiver authority under subparagraph (A), the 
Administrator shall— 
(i) promptly post on a website of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency a 
brief justification for such waiver, the an-
ticipated period of time such waiver will be 
in effect, and the disaster assistance offices 
within the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency to which such waiver shall 
apply; and 
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(ii) update the information relating to 
such waiver, as applicable. 
(4) GAO REVIEW OF WAIVER OF INFORMATION 
COLLECTION REQUIREMENTS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall 
issue a report describing the benefits and poten-
tial risks associated with authorizing the waiver 
of the information collection requirements de-
scribed in paragraph (3). 
(B) 
CONTENTS.—The 
report 
required 
under subparagraph (A) shall include an assess-
ment of the extent to which a waiver described 
in paragraph (3) would— 
(i) affect the paperwork burden for in-
dividuals, small businesses, State, local, 
and Tribal governments, and other per-
sons; 
(ii) affect the consistent application of 
Federal laws relating to— 
(I) privacy and confidentiality; 
(II) security of information; and 
(III) access to information; and 
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(iii) encourage or deter a State or 
other entity from participating in the vol-
untary collection of information for the du-
ration of a major disaster or emergency. 
(d) USE BY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may per-
mit a Federal agency other than a disaster assist-
ance agency listed in subparagraphs (A) through 
(D) of subsection (f)(3) to use the unified disaster 
application system established under subsection (a) 
for the purpose of facilitating disaster-related assist-
ance if such agency enters into an agreement con-
taining the terms described in paragraph (2). 
(2) AGENCY AGREEMENT.—An agreement en-
tered into under paragraph (1) shall contain the fol-
lowing terms: 
(A) The Federal agency shall— 
(i) collect, share, maintain, and use 
disaster assistance information in compli-
ance with this section and any policies of 
the 
Federal 
Emergency 
Management 
Agency and any information protection and 
use policies of such Federal agency; and 
(ii) train any personnel granted access 
to disaster assistance information on the 
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rules of behavior established by the Admin-
istrator under subsection (b)(3). 
(B) In the event of any unauthorized dis-
closure of disaster assistance information, the 
Federal agency shall— 
(i) notify the Administrator within 24 
hours of discovering any such unauthorized 
disclosure; 
(ii) cooperate fully with the Adminis-
trator in the investigation and remediation 
of any such disclosure; 
(iii) cooperate fully in the prosecution 
of a person responsible for such disclosure; 
and 
(iv) assume the responsibility for any 
compensation, civil liability, or other reme-
diation measures, whether awarded by a 
judgment of a court or agreed as a com-
promise of any potential claims by or on 
behalf of an applicant, including by obtain-
ing credit monitoring and remediation 
services, for an improper disclosure that 
is— 
(I) caused, directly or indirectly, 
by the acts or omissions of officers, 
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employees, and contractors of the 
agency; or 
(II) from any electronic system 
of records that is created or main-
tained by the agency pursuant to sec-
tion 552a(e) of title 5, United States 
Code. 
(3) PUBLICATION OF AGENCY AGREEMENT.— 
The Administrator shall publish an agency agree-
ment entered into under this subsection on the same 
website as the unified disaster application system es-
tablished under subsection (a). 
(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The sharing and use 
of disaster assistance information that is subject to the 
requirements of section 552a of title 5, United States 
Code, by disaster assistance agencies and block grant re-
cipients— 
(1) shall not be— 
(A) construed as a matching program for 
purposes of section 552a(a)(8) of such title; or 
(B) subject to the remaining computer 
matching provisions of section 552a of such 
title; and 
(2) shall be in addition to any other law pro-
viding for the sharing or use of such information. 
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(f) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) 
APPLICANT.—The 
term 
‘‘applicant’’ 
means— 
(A) a person who applies for disaster as-
sistance from a disaster assistance program; 
and 
(B) a person on whose behalf a person de-
scribed in subparagraph (A) has applied for dis-
aster assistance. 
(2) BLOCK
GRANT
RECIPIENT.—The term 
‘‘block grant recipient’’ means a State, local govern-
ment, or Tribal government that receives assistance 
through the disaster assistance program described in 
paragraph (5)(B)(i). 
(3) DISASTER ASSISTANCE AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘disaster assistance agency’’ means— 
(A) the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency; 
(B) the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development; 
(C) the Small Business Administration; 
(D) the Department of Agriculture; and 
(E) any other Federal agency that the Ad-
ministrator permits to use the unified disaster 
application system under subsection (d). 
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(4) DISASTER ASSISTANCE INFORMATION.—The 
term ‘‘disaster assistance information’’ includes any 
personal, demographic, biographical, geographical, 
financial information, or other information that a 
disaster assistance agency or block grant recipient is 
authorized to collect, maintain, share, or use to proc-
ess an application for disaster assistance or other-
wise carry out a disaster assistance program. 
(5) DISASTER
ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM.—The 
term ‘‘disaster assistance program’’ means— 
(A) any program that provides assistance 
to individuals and households under title IV or 
title V of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 
et seq.); or 
(B) any other assistance program carried 
out by a disaster assistance agency that pro-
vides assistance to an individual, household, or 
organization related to a major disaster or 
emergency declared under section 401 or 501 of 
such Act, including— 
(i) assistance for activities related to 
disaster relief, long-term recovery, restora-
tion of infrastructure and housing, eco-
nomic revitalization, and mitigation that 
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are authorized under title I of the Housing 
and Community Development Act of 1974 
(42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.); 
(ii) any loan that is authorized under 
section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 636(b)); and 
(iii) the distribution of food benefit al-
lotments as authorized under section 412 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5179) and section 5(h) of the Food Stamp 
Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 2014(h)). 
SEC. 202. UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL AS-
SISTANCE. 
(a) UNIVERSAL APPLICATION.—The Administrator 
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall de-
velop and establish a universal application for direct Fed-
eral disaster assistance for individuals in areas impacted 
by emergencies or disasters. 
(b) CONSULTATION AND SUPPORT.— 
(1) CONSULTATION.—In carrying out this sec-
tion, the Administrator shall consult with the fol-
lowing: 
(A) The Director of the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget. 
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127 
(B) The Administrator of the Small Busi-
ness Administration. 
(C) The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development. 
(D) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
(2) SUPPORT.—The entities described in para-
graph (1) shall provide prompt support to the Ad-
ministrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency. 
(c) SURVEY.—The application established under sub-
section (a) shall include a voluntary survey to collect the 
demographic data of an applicant. 
SEC. 203. CLARIFYING DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Paragraph (4) of section 312(b) of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155(b)(4)), as in effect on the 
day after the date of enactment of the FAA Reauthoriza-
tion Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–254)— 
(1) is restored and revived; and 
(2) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(D) PROHIBITION ON INCOME THRESH-
OLD.—In carrying out this paragraph, no in-
come threshold may be applied to limit the eli-
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gibility of a recipient from qualifying for a 
waiver under this paragraph. 
‘‘(E) 
APPLICABILITY.—This 
paragraph 
shall apply to any major disaster or emergency 
declared by the President under section 401 or 
501, respectively, on or after January 1, 
2016.’’. 
(b) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Section 312(b)(4) 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155(b)(4)), as restored and 
revived by subsection (a), shall not be construed to apply 
to section 406, 408, or 409 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5172, 
5174). 
(c) FURTHER AMENDMENT.—Section 312(a) of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155(a)) is amended by striking ‘‘or 
any other source’’. 
SEC. 204. CRISIS COUNSELING AND ADDICTION IN DISAS-
TERS. 
(a) CRISIS COUNSELING ASSISTANCE AND TRAIN-
ING.—Section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5183) is 
amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
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(A) by inserting ‘‘, substance use, or alco-
hol use’’ after ‘‘private mental health’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, substance use, and al-
cohol use’’ after ‘‘relieve mental health’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b) by inserting ‘‘, substance 
use, or alcohol use’’ before ‘‘organization providing’’. 
(b) REPORT ON CHANGES TO APPLICATION.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary 
for Mental Health and Substance Use, the Director for 
the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and State al-
cohol and drug agencies, shall review, adjust, and report 
to Congress any changes made to the application for as-
sistance under section 416 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5183) and to any other relevant guidance documents to 
reflect the amendments made by this section. 
(c) GAO REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Comptroller 
General of the United States shall conduct a review of the 
assistance provided under the crisis counseling assistance 
and training program established pursuant to section 416 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5183) and submit to Congress 
a report describing— 
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(1) the duration of assistance provided to indi-
viduals under such program; and 
(2) the compliance of the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency with the 
requirement that such assistance may only be used 
for mental health, substance use, and alcohol use 
problems caused or aggravated by a major disaster 
or its aftermath. 
(d) MANAGEMENT COSTS.—Section 324(b)(2) of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165b(b)(2)) is further amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(C) INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.—A grantee 
under section 408(f) may be reimbursed not 
more than 12 percent of the total award 
amount under each such section. 
‘‘(D) CRISIS
COUNSELING
ASSISTANCE, 
TRAINING, 
AND
CASE
MANAGEMENT
SERV-
ICES.—A grantee and subgrantee, cumulatively, 
may be reimbursed not more than 15 percent of 
the total amount of the grant award under ei-
ther section 416 or 426.’’. 
(e) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Section 408(f)(1) of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency As-
sistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174), is amended— 
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131 
(1) by striking ‘‘(A) GRANT TO STATE.—’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘subsection (g),’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Subject to subsection (g)’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (B). 
SEC. 205. REPAIR AND REBUILDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 408(b)(1) of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5174(b)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘rendered uninhabitable’’ and 
inserting ‘‘damaged by a major disaster’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘uninhabitable, as a result of 
damage caused by a major disaster’’ and inserting 
‘‘damaged by a major disaster’’. 
(b) HAZARD MITIGATION.—Section 408 of the Rob-
ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c) by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(5) HAZARD MITIGATION.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The President may 
provide financial assistance to individuals and 
households whose primary residence, utilities, or 
residential infrastructure are damaged by a 
major disaster, for cost-effective hazard mitiga-
tion measures that reduce threats to life and 
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132 
property, or future damage to such residence, 
utilities, or infrastructure in future disasters. 
‘‘(B) RELATIONSHIP
TO
OTHER
ASSIST-
ANCE.—A recipient of assistance provided 
under this paragraph shall not be required to 
show that the assistance can be met through 
other means, except insurance proceeds.’’; and 
(2) in subsection (h)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘, finan-
cial assistance for hazard mitigation under sub-
section 
(c)(5)(A),’’ 
after 
‘‘subsection 
(c)(1)(A)(i)’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘para-
graphs (1) and (2)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs 
(1), (2), and (3)’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) HAZARD MITIGATION.—The maximum fi-
nancial assistance any individual or household may 
receive under subsection (c)(5) shall be equivalent to 
the amount set forth in paragraph (1) with respect 
to a single major disaster.’’. 
SEC. 206. FEMA EMERGENCY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 403(a) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)) is amended— 
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(1) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (I) by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (J) by striking the 
period and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(K) minor repairs up to habitability of 
owner-occupied homes damaged by the disaster 
in order for survivors to safely shelter in place, 
subject to the availability of appropriations.’’; 
and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) SHELTERING
AND
HOUSING
OPTIONS.— 
Not later than 15 days after a declaration of a 
major disaster, the Federal coordinating officer shall 
identify all sheltering and housing options available 
under this section or section 408 to a State Gov-
ernor, or the designated State coordinating officer. 
‘‘(6) DEFINITION
OF
MINOR
REPAIRS
UP
TO 
HABITABILITY.—In this subsection, the term ‘minor 
repairs up to habitability’ means the minimum 
standards for permanent housing described in sec-
tion 576.403(c) of title 24, Code of Federal Regula-
tions (or successor regulations).’’. 
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134 
(b) RULEMAKING.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall issue final 
regulations to implement the amendments made by this 
section. 
SEC. 207. DIRECT ASSISTANCE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 408(c) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5174(c)) is further amended by striking para-
graph (2) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(2) REPAIRS.— 
‘‘(A) FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
FOR
RE-
PAIRS.—The President may provide financial 
assistance for the repair of owner-occupied pri-
vate residences, utilities, and residential infra-
structure (such as a private access route) dam-
aged by a major disaster, or with respect to in-
dividuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible 
by a major disaster. 
‘‘(B) DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOR REPAIRS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The President 
may provide direct assistance to individuals 
and households who are unable to make 
use of financial assistance under subpara-
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135 
graph (A) and when there is a lack of 
available resources, for— 
‘‘(I) the repair of owner-occupied 
private residences, utilities, and resi-
dential infrastructure (such as a pri-
vate access route) damaged by a 
major disaster, or with respect to indi-
viduals with disabilities, rendered in-
accessible by a disaster; and 
‘‘(II) eligible hazard mitigation 
measures that reduce the likelihood 
and future damage to such residences, 
utilities, and infrastructure. 
‘‘(ii) ELIGIBILITY.—A recipient of as-
sistance under this subparagraph shall not 
be eligible for assistance under paragraph 
(1), unless otherwise determined by the 
Administrator. 
‘‘(C) RELATIONSHIP
TO
OTHER
ASSIST-
ANCE.—A recipient of assistance provided 
under this paragraph shall not be required to 
show that the assistance can be met through 
other means, except insurance proceeds.’’. 
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(b) STATE ROLE.—Section 408(f) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) is further amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), 
and (e)’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘para-
graphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (4) of subsection (c) and 
subsection (e)’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ‘‘subsection 
(c)(1)(B), (c)(4), or (e)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraph 
(1)(B), (2)(B), or (4) of subsection (c) or subsection 
(e)’’. 
SEC. 208. ACCURATE INFORMATION TO DISASTER VICTIMS. 
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency shall issue such regulations as are nec-
essary to ensure that an applicant for assistance under 
section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) that has indi-
cated ownership of an insurance policy for a home or facil-
ity damaged by a major disaster declared under section 
401 of such Act that is owned by such applicant does not 
receive a notice that indicates a denial of assistance before 
a final determination has been made regarding the ap-
proval or denial of a claim under such policy. 
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SEC. 209. IMPROVED NOTICES FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE. 
(a) PERIOD OF ASSISTANCE.—Clauses (iii) and (iv) 
of section 408(c)(1)(B) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5174(c)(1)(B)) are amended by striking ‘‘18-month pe-
riod’’ and inserting ‘‘24-month period’’. 
(b) APPEALS.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall revise section 
206.115 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, to re-
quire the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pro-
vide to any applicant who appeals a determination of eligi-
bility of assistance— 
(1) any documentation used to make such de-
termination, including any inspection documents 
that exist; 
(2) a description of— 
(A) the reasons for such determination; 
and 
(B) recommended steps that could be 
taken to remedy a determination of ineligibility, 
including, as applicable, a list of additional doc-
umentation that the applicant may provide; and 
(3) any inspection documents that exist not 
later than 10 days after the completion of the in-
spection. 
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138 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—This section and the amend-
ment made by this section shall apply to funds appro-
priated on or after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 210. COMMON SENSE DISPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE 
FOR DISASTER VICTIMS. 
Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(k) DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—In determining eligibility 
for displacement assistance under this section, the 
President may not consider insurance a duplication 
of benefits for the purpose of applying section 312 
of this Act. 
‘‘(2) DISPLACEMENT ASSISTANCE DEFINED.— 
In this section, the term ‘displacement assistance’ 
means assistance provided under this section for 
food, water, first aid, personal hygiene items, baby 
formula, breast-feeding supplies, fuel for transpor-
tation, emergency supplies and to stay in a hotel or 
motel, stay with family and friends, or for any other 
available housing options.’’. 
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139 
SEC. 211. STATE-MANAGED HOUSING AUTHORITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 408 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (f)(3)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘A State’’ and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A State’’; and 
(ii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(ii) TRANSPARENCY.—The President 
shall make public the criteria used to 
evaluate applications under clause (i) and 
determine if a State or Indian tribal gov-
ernment meets the criteria described in 
subparagraph (B) to administer grants de-
scribed in paragraph (1)(A).’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (C)(ii)— 
(i) in subclause (I) by striking ‘‘; 
and’’ and inserting a semicolon; 
(ii) in subclause (II) by striking the 
period at the end and inserting a semi-
colon; and 
(iii) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
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141 
‘‘(3) DISASTER ASSISTANCE.—In the case of as-
sistance 
provided 
under 
subsections 
(c)(1)(B), 
(c)(2)(B), and (c)(4), the Federal share shall be not 
less than 75 percent.’’. 
(b) GAO ASSESSMENT.—Upon the expiration of the 
authority to carry out section 408(f) of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) as a pilot program, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall issue a report on the 
effectiveness, successes, and challenges of any pilot pro-
gram carried out pursuant to such section and make rec-
ommendations on how to improve the provision of assist-
ance under such section. 
SEC. 212. IMPROVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE. 
Section 408(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5174(c)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, including 
local postdisaster rent increases,’’ after ‘‘accommodation 
provided’’. 
SEC. 213. ONLINE GUIDES FOR POSTDISASTER ASSIST-
ANCE. 
(a) USE OF SERVICES OF OTHER AGENCIES.—Sec-
tion 201(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131(a)) is amend-
ed— 
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142 
(1) in paragraph (7) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) postdisaster assistance.’’. 
(b) GRANTS
FOR ONLINE GUIDES
FOR ASSIST-
ANCE.—Section 201 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131) 
is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(e) FUNDING FOR ONLINE GUIDES FOR ASSIST-
ANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency may pro-
vide funding to a State agency established under 
subsection (c) to establish, update, or operate a 
website 
to 
provide 
information 
relating 
to 
postdisaster recovery funding and resources to a 
community or an individual impacted by a major 
disaster or emergency. 
‘‘(2) MANAGEMENT.—A website created under 
this subsection shall be— 
‘‘(A) managed by the State agency; and 
‘‘(B) suitable for the residents of the State 
of the State agency. 
‘‘(3) CONTENT.—The Administrator may pro-
vide funding to a State agency under this subsection 
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143 
to establish a website that contains only 1 or more 
of the following: 
‘‘(A) A list of Federal, State, and local 
sources of postdisaster recovery funding or as-
sistance that may be available to a community 
after a major disaster or emergency. 
‘‘(B) A list of Federal, State, and local 
sources of postdisaster recovery funding or as-
sistance that may be available to an individual 
impacted by a major disaster or emergency. 
‘‘(C) A technical guide that lists and ex-
plains the costs and benefits of alternatives 
available to a community to mitigate the im-
pacts of a major disaster or emergency and pre-
pare for sequential hazards such as flooding 
after a wildfire. 
‘‘(4) COOPERATION.—A State agency that re-
ceives funding under this subsection shall cooperate 
with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of 
Agriculture, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, the Administrator of the Small Busi-
ness Administration, and the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency in devel-
oping a website under this subsection. 
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144 
‘‘(5) UPDATES.—A State agency that receives 
funding to establish a website under this subsection 
shall update the website not less than once every 6 
months.’’. 
SEC. 214. CLARIFYING SHELTERING ASSISTANCE ELIGI-
BILITY. 
(a) SECTION 403.—Section 403 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5170b) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(e) CLARIFICATION OF SHELTERING ASSISTANCE 
ELIGIBILITY.—The Administrator shall not consider the 
absence of a fixed, physical address as a disqualifying fac-
tor for individuals or households applying for non-con-
gregate sheltering assistance under this section, as long 
as the individual or household applying for such assistance 
can demonstrate, through alternative means as determined 
by the Administrator, that such individual or household 
was residing within the disaster-affected area at the time 
of the disaster for which assistance is being applied for 
through means, including shelter records or an affidavit.’’. 
(b) SECTION 408.—Section 408(c)(1) of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
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145 
‘‘(C) CLARIFICATION OF SHELTERING AS-
SISTANCE
ELIGIBILITY.—The 
Administrator 
shall not consider the absence of a fixed, phys-
ical address as a disqualifying factor for indi-
viduals or households applying for assistance 
under this section, as long as the individual or 
household applying for such assistance can 
demonstrate, through alternative means as de-
termined by the Administrator, that such indi-
vidual or household was residing within the dis-
aster-affected area at the time of the disaster 
for which assistance is being applied for 
through means, including shelter records or an 
affidavit.’’. 
SEC. 215. ACCESS TO LIFESAVING NON-CONGREGATE SHEL-
TERING. 
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Man-
agement Agency shall ensure individuals and households 
that qualify for non-congregate sheltering assistance 
under section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) are 
not required to provide a credit card or security deposit 
to access such sheltering assistance. 
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146 
SEC. 216. ASSISTANCE FOR TOTAL LOSS. 
Section 408(c)(3) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5174(c)(3)) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as sub-
paragraph (C); and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(B) TOTAL LOSS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—In the case of a 
total loss of an owner occupied residence, 
subject to section 312, and notwith-
standing subsection (h) of such section, if 
the cost of direct assistance under para-
graph (1)(B) exceeds the cost of replace-
ment of such residence, the President may 
offer financial assistance for replacement 
of such residence. 
‘‘(ii) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—In any 
case in which the President is authorized 
under clause (i) to provide financial assist-
ance for replacement but does not offer 
such assistance, the President shall provide 
to Congress a report explaining the ration-
ale for the decision not to provide such as-
sistance.’’. 
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147 
TITLE III—MITIGATION 
REFORMS 
SEC. 301. PREAPPROVED PROJECT MITIGATION PLANS. 
Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(f) PREAPPROVED PROJECT MITIGATION PLANS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—To be eligible to carry out 
projects pursuant to the requirements of this sub-
section, a State or Indian tribal government shall, in 
consultation with appropriately licensed professionals 
(as such term is defined in section 409(b)(5)), de-
velop and submit to the President a preapproved 
project mitigation plan. 
‘‘(2) SUBMISSION REQUIREMENT.—If a State or 
Indian tribal government does not submit a plan 
under paragraph (1) not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of the FEMA Act of 2025, the 
State or Indian tribal government shall not be eligi-
ble for an increased Federal share under subsection 
(c)(3) of section 409 for any assistance provided 
under such section. 
‘‘(3) CONTENTS.—A preapproved mitigation 
plan described in paragraph (1) shall include— 
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148 
‘‘(A) a list of projects designed to mitigate 
damage caused by natural disasters that may 
occur in such State or the jurisdiction of the 
Indian tribal government, as applicable; 
‘‘(B) with respect to a State— 
‘‘(i) not fewer than 1 project for each 
county or county equivalent in the State; 
or 
‘‘(ii) a written description explaining 
why a county or county equivalent does not 
have a proposed project under the plan; 
‘‘(C) a detailed description of each project 
and the benefits of such project; and 
‘‘(D) an estimated cost for each project. 
‘‘(4) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—A project is eligible 
to be included in a preapproved project mitigation 
plan described in paragraph (1) if such project is eli-
gible for assistance under section 203, 205, or 404. 
‘‘(5) PEER REVIEW OF GRANT APPLICATIONS.— 
‘‘(A) 
ESTABLISHMENT.—The 
President 
shall establish a peer review process for a non-
partisan panel of at least 30 individuals with 
expertise related to emergency management, 
natural hazard mitigation for a wide variety of 
hazards, including flooding, tornadoes, wildfire, 
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149 
and earthquakes, or insurance underwriting to 
conduct peer reviews of— 
‘‘(i) the projects contained in plans 
submitted under this subsection; and 
‘‘(ii) previously denied projects resub-
mitted for approval and inclusion in a 
preapproved project mitigation plan. 
‘‘(B) PEER
REVIEW
PANEL
REQUIRE-
MENTS.— 
‘‘(i) TERM OF SERVICE.—The term of 
service for a member of the panel shall be 
1 year. 
‘‘(ii) LIMITATION
ON
SERVICE.—An 
individual may not serve consecutive terms 
on the panel. 
‘‘(iii) SOLICITATION.—Qualified indi-
viduals shall elect to serve on the panel fol-
lowing a solicitation by the President for 
prospective panel members. 
‘‘(C) DUTIES.—In establishing the peer re-
view process under subparagraph (A), the 
President shall require that the peer review 
panel— 
‘‘(i) determine whether each project 
listed in a plan submitted by a State or In-
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dian tribal government under paragraph 
(1) is cost-effective and designed to reduce 
injuries, loss of life, and damage and de-
struction of property, including damage to 
critical services and facilities under the ju-
risdiction of the State and or Indian tribal 
government; and 
‘‘(ii) recommend to the President ap-
proval or denial of each such project not 
later than 3 months after the submission 
of such plan. 
‘‘(D) APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER 10 OF 
TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE.—Chapter 10 of 
title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to 
activities carried out under this paragraph. 
‘‘(6) DETERMINATION OF PLAN APPROVAL.— 
‘‘(A) INITIAL DETERMINATION.—Not later 
than 1 month after receiving the recommenda-
tions under subparagraph (B)(ii), the President 
shall— 
‘‘(i) approve or deny each project in 
the plan submitted by a State or Indian 
tribal government; 
‘‘(ii) for any plan that contains a 
project 
that 
is 
approved, 
approve 
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preapproved project mitigation plan as 
containing only the projects approved 
under clause (i); and 
‘‘(iii) for any plan that contains a 
project that is denied, notify the applicable 
State or Indian tribal government, includ-
ing information on the reasons for such a 
denial and any information necessary for 
the State or Indian tribal government to 
update such project for resubmission. 
‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS FOR APPROVAL.— 
In approving a project under this subparagraph 
(A)(i), the President shall consider the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(i) The findings and recommenda-
tions of the peer reviews carried out under 
paragraph (3). 
‘‘(ii) The degree to which the projects 
contained in the plan reduce deaths, inju-
ries, and property damage by reducing the 
risks associated with natural disasters. 
‘‘(iii) The extent of the need of the 
entity to carry out the projects contained 
in the plan and the potential of such 
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projects to mitigate hazards to the United 
States. 
‘‘(C) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Presi-
dent may provide technical assistance to a State 
or Indian tribal government with respect to 
which a project was denied under subparagraph 
(A)(i) to assist such State or Indian tribal gov-
ernment to resubmit the project for approval 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(D) DEFAULT APPROVAL.—If the Presi-
dent does not make a determination or provide 
notification under this paragraph, as applicable, 
with respect to a plan submitted under para-
graph (1) not later than 1 month after the 
peer-review panel submits recommendations 
under paragraph (3)(B)(ii), such plan shall— 
‘‘(i) be deemed to be approved under 
this subsection; and 
‘‘(ii) consist of only the projects rec-
ommended for approval by the peer review 
panel under paragraph (3)(B)(ii). 
‘‘(E) 
RESUBMITTAL
OF
DENIED 
PROJECT.—In any case in which a project in a 
preapproved project mitigation plan is not ap-
proved, the State or Indian tribal government 
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may redevelop and resubmit such project for 
approval at any time. 
‘‘(7) EFFECT OF PLAN APPROVAL.—A project 
contained in a plan approved under this subsection 
shall be considered approved under section 203, 205, 
or 404, as applicable, and shall not be subject to any 
additional approval requirements, procedures, or re-
views under any such section. The President shall 
accept revised cost estimates for projects listed in 
the preapproved project mitigation plan so long as 
the revised cost is necessary to complete the project 
as described in such plan, as determined by the 
President. 
‘‘(8) ADDITIONS OF PROJECTS TO THE PLAN.— 
A State or Indian tribal government that has a plan 
approved under this subsection may submit an up-
dated plan 2 years after the date on which such plan 
is approved, and every 2 years thereafter, that con-
tains additional proposed projects. The President 
shall ensure that each additional project contained 
in such updated plan be subject to the approval 
project, including the peer-review process, under this 
subsection. 
‘‘(9) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to limit the discretion of a State 
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or an Indian tribal government to prioritize or ad-
vance projects included in a mitigation approved by 
the President.’’. 
SEC. 302. REDUCING DISASTER COSTS AND PROTECTING 
LIVES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 203 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5133) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘or local gov-
ernment’’ each place it appears; 
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(d) LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTION.— 
‘‘(1) SUBALLOCATIONS.—Each State that re-
ceives assistance under this section shall distribute 
not less than 50 percent of the funds allocated under 
subsection (f) to local governments carrying out 
mitigation projects under this section. 
‘‘(2) DISTRIBUTION
AND
REPORTING.—Not 
later than 60 days after receiving assistance under 
this section, the State shall distribute the suballoca-
tions pursuant to paragraph (1) or, in cases in 
which the assistance would be used for a project that 
is not contained in a preapproved project mitigation 
plan under section 322(f), the State shall provide 
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the President with details on the mitigation meas-
ures for which such funds will be used by the local 
government.’’; 
(3) in subsection (e)(1)(B)— 
(A) in clause (iii) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the 
end; 
(B) in clause (iv) by striking the period at 
the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(v) to develop preapproved project 
mitigation 
plans 
pursuant 
to 
section 
322(f).’’; 
(4) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘on a 
competitive basis for mitigation activities that 
are cost-effective and in accordance with the 
criteria in subsection (g)’’ and inserting ‘‘to 
States and Indian tribal governments through 
the allocation under paragraphs (2) and (4) for 
mitigation activities that are cost-effective and 
in accordance with subsection (g)’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and insert-
ing the following: 
‘‘(2) ALLOCATION.—In providing financial as-
sistance under this section, the President shall allo-
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cate available funds for a fiscal year among eligible 
States by formula as follows: 
‘‘(A) 40 percent of available funds shall be 
distributed equally among each eligible State. 
‘‘(B) 20 percent of available funds shall be 
distributed among each eligible State based on 
a sliding scale that provides the highest share 
of such funds to States that have the most vul-
nerability to natural hazards in the critical in-
frastructure of such States. 
‘‘(C) 20 percent of available funds shall be 
distributed among each eligible State based on 
a sliding scale that provides a higher share to 
States that have a higher population and a 
lower median income, using data from the most 
recent decennial census. 
‘‘(D) 20 percent of available funds shall be 
distributed among each eligible State based on 
a sliding scale that provides the highest share 
to States with the highest amount of approved 
projects located in communities that meet the 
definition of an economically distressed commu-
nity under section 301.3(a) of title 13, Code of 
Federal Regulations, or a rural area under sec-
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tion 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and 
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)).’’; 
(C) in paragraph (3)(B) by striking ‘‘on a 
competitive basis’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) TRIBES.—Under this section, the Presi-
dent shall ensure that the amount of financial assist-
ance made available to Indian tribal governments for 
a fiscal year is not less than $75,000,000.’’; 
(5) in subsection (g)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘In determining whether to 
provide technical and financial assistance to a 
State or local government under this section,’’ 
and inserting ‘‘In determining eligibility for 
technical and financial assistance under this 
section,’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘, and take into account— 
’’ and all that follows through the period at the 
end and inserting a period; 
(6) in subsection (h)(1), by striking ‘‘mitigation 
activities approved by the President’’ and inserting 
‘‘a mitigation activity funded under this section’’; 
(7) in subsection (i)— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ‘‘409,’’ 
after ‘‘408,’’; and 
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(B) in paragraph (3) by inserting ‘‘409,’’ 
after ‘‘408,’’; and 
(8) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(n) PROJECT ADMINISTRATION.—A State or local 
government under this section may provide funding for 
projects— 
‘‘(1) executed through a partnership established 
between 2 or more eligible entities to carry out a 
project or similar projects; 
‘‘(2) undertaken by a private nonprofit facility; 
‘‘(3) undertaken as part of a public-private 
partnership; or 
‘‘(4) executed through a combination of other 
Federal mitigation programs, including the Federal 
mitigation program under section 404.’’. 
(b) IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
issue policy and guidance to implement the amendments 
made by this section. Any existing regulations, policies, 
or guidance that are no longer applicable as a result of 
the amendments contained in this section or that conflict 
with the letter or intent of such amendments are deemed 
rescinded. 
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SEC. 303. RESILIENT BUILDINGS AND COMMUNITIES. 
(a) PREDISASTER HAZARD MITIGATION.—Section 
203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133) is further amended 
by inserting after subsection (l) the following: 
‘‘(m) LATEST PUBLISHED EDITIONS DEFINED.— 
For purposes of subsections (e)(1)(B)(iv) and (g)(10), the 
term ‘latest published editions’ means, with respect to rel-
evant consensus-based codes, specifications, and stand-
ards, the 2 most recently published editions.’’. 
(b) HAZARD MITIGATION REVOLVING LOAN FUND 
PROGRAM.—Section 205(f)(5) of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5135(f)(5)) is amended— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by striking ‘‘ES-
TABLISHING’’ and insert ‘‘IMPLEMENTING’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘establish’’ and insert ‘‘imple-
ment’’; 
(3) by inserting ‘‘2’’ after ‘‘latest’’; and 
(4) by inserting ‘‘, including any amendments 
made by State, local, Tribal, or territorial govern-
ments to such codes, specifications, and standards,’’ 
after ‘‘standards’’. 
(c) RESIDENTIAL RETROFIT AND RESILIENCE PILOT 
PROGRAM.— 
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(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall 
carry out a residential resilience pilot program 
through the program established under section 203 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133) to make 
available assistance to States and local governments 
for the purpose of providing grants to individuals for 
residential resilience retrofits. 
(2) AMOUNT
OF
FUNDS.—The Administrator 
may use not more than 10 percent across allocations 
of the assistance made available to applicants on an 
annual basis under section 203 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5133) to provide assistance under 
this subsection. 
(3) TIMELINE.—The Administrator shall estab-
lish the pilot program under this subsection not later 
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act 
and the program shall terminate on September 30, 
2028. 
(4) PRIORITY.—In carrying out the pilot pro-
gram under this subsection, the Administrator shall 
ensure that a State or local government receiving as-
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sistance under the program provides grants to indi-
viduals that demonstrate financial need. 
(5) REPORT.—Not later than 4 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator 
shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Homeland Security and Gov-
ernmental Affairs of the Senate a report that in-
cludes— 
(A) a summary of the grant awards and 
projects carried out under this subsection; 
(B) a detailed compilation of results 
achieved by the grant awards and projects car-
ried out under this subsection, including the 
number of homes receiving retrofits, the types 
and average costs of retrofits, demographic in-
formation for participants in the program, and 
estimate avoidance in disaster impacts and Fed-
eral disaster payments as a result of the grant 
investments; and 
(C) any identified implementation chal-
lenges and recommendations for improvements 
to the pilot program. 
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(6) APPLICABILITY.—This subsection shall only 
apply to amounts appropriated on or after the date 
of enactment of this Act. 
(7) RESIDENTIAL
RESILIENT
RETROFITS
DE-
FINED.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In this subsection, the 
term ‘‘residential resilient retrofits’’ means a 
project that— 
(i) is designed to increase the resil-
ience of an existing home or residence 
using mitigation measures which the Ad-
ministrator determines reduce damage and 
impacts from natural disaster hazards and 
risks that are most likely to occur in the 
area where the home is located; and 
(ii) to the extent applicable, are con-
sistent with the 2 most recently published 
editions of relevant consensus-based codes, 
specifications, and standards, including 
any amendments made by State, local, 
tribal, or territorial governments to such 
codes, specifications, and standards that 
incorporate the latest hazard-resistant de-
signs and establish criteria for the design, 
construction, and maintenance of residen-
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tial structures and facilities that may be 
eligible for assistance under the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) 
for the purpose of protecting the health, 
safety, and general welfare of the build-
ings’ users against disasters. 
(B) INCLUSION.—In this subsection, the 
term ‘‘residential resilient retrofits’’ includes— 
(i) elevations of homes and elevations 
of utilities within and around structures to 
mitigate damages; 
(ii) floodproofing measures; 
(iii) the construction of tornado-safe 
rooms; 
(iv) seismic retrofits; 
(v) wildfire retrofit and mitigation 
measures; 
(vi) wind retrofits, including roof re-
placements, hurricane straps, and tie- 
downs; and 
(vii) any other measures that meet the 
requirements of paragraph (1), as deter-
mined by the Administrator. 
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SEC. 304. STRENGTHENING HAZARD RISK REDUCTION. 
(a) IMPROVED HAZARD MITIGATION DELIVERY.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Section 404(c)(2) of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c(c)(2)) is amend-
ed— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The President’’ and all 
that follows through ‘‘as a pilot program.’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘The criteria shall’’ insert-
ing ‘‘The President shall establish criteria for 
the approval of applications submitted under 
paragraph (1) that’’. 
(2) PROJECT CONSOLIDATION.—Section 404 of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) MITIGATION PROJECT CONSOLIDATIONS.— 
‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE
ACTIVITIES.—Notwithstanding 
section 312 and any regulations implementing such 
section, assistance provided under this section for a 
mitigation project may be used in combination 
with— 
‘‘(A) assistance provided under section 
203; and 
‘‘(B) any other Federal assistance provided 
for such project. 
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‘‘(2) FEDERAL
AND
NON-FEDERAL
SHARE.— 
For purposes of the Federal share requirements of 
a mitigation project under this section— 
‘‘(A) any Federal assistance provided 
under section 203 for such project shall be ap-
plied toward the Federal share required under 
this section; and 
‘‘(B) any non-Federal funds for such miti-
gation project that are specified to meet the 
Federal share requirements of section 203 may 
be used to meet the non-Federal share require-
ments under this section. 
‘‘(3) TOTAL FEDERAL SHARE.—Federal assist-
ance provided for a mitigation project under this 
section and section 203 may not exceed the total 
Federal share for such project. 
‘‘(4) RULE
OF
CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in 
this section shall— 
‘‘(A) affect the cost-share requirement of a 
hazard mitigation measure under this section; 
‘‘(B) affect the eligibility criteria for a haz-
ard mitigation measure under this section or 
section 203; or 
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‘‘(C) affect the cost share requirements of 
a 
federally 
authorized 
hazard 
mitigation 
project.’’. 
(b) PREPAYMENT RELIEF
FOR HAZARD MITIGA-
TION.—Section 404(e) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170c(e)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(e) ADVANCE ASSISTANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The President may provide 
the total Federal share of the estimated cost of haz-
ard mitigation measures to a State grantee eligible 
for a grant under this section before eligible costs 
are incurred. 
‘‘(2) HOME
RETROFITS.—The Administrator 
shall offer to advance assistance to applicants from 
such Federal share for purposes of home retrofits to 
improve resilience, including home elevations, total-
ing the total amount of the estimated Federal share 
of such project before eligible costs are incurred.’’. 
(c) APPLICABILITY.—The amendments made by this 
section shall apply to a major disaster or emergency de-
clared under such Act before the date of enactment of this 
Act for which the period for processing requests for assist-
ance has not ended as of the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
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167 
SEC. 305. UTILITY RESILIENCY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 403 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5170b) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
‘‘(e) ELECTRIC UTILITIES.— 
‘‘(1) HAZARD
MITIGATION
ACTIVITIES.—An 
electric utility may carry out cost-effective hazard 
mitigation activities jointly or otherwise in combina-
tion with activities for the restoration of power car-
ried out with assistance provided under this section. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY
FOR
ADDITIONAL
ASSIST-
ANCE.—In any case in which an electric utility facil-
ity receives assistance under this section for the 
emergency restoration of power, the receipt of such 
assistance shall not render such facility ineligible for 
any hazard mitigation assistance under section 406 
for which such facility is otherwise eligible.’’. 
(b) APPLICABILITY.—The amendment made by sub-
section (a) shall only apply to amounts appropriated on 
or after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 306. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO HAZARD MITIGA-
TION REVOLVING LOAN FUND. 
Section 205 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5135) is 
amended— 
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(1) in subsection (c)(2)(A) by inserting ‘‘hazard 
mitigation, resilience, and’’ before ‘‘emergency man-
agement’’; and 
(2) in subsection (f)(1)(C) by striking ‘‘2’’ and 
inserting ‘‘4’’. 
SEC. 307. STREAMLINED HAZARD MITIGATION APPLICA-
TION PROCESS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall establish a consolidated grant 
application form for hazard mitigation funds provided 
under sections 203, 205, and 404 of the Robert T. Staf-
ford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
U.S.C. 5133; 5135; 5170c), to— 
(1) facilitate the administration of hazard miti-
gation funds established under such sections; 
(2) facilitate the administration of hazard miti-
gation funds established under the National Flood 
Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.) and 
section 322(f) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (as added by 
this Act); 
(3) ensure the provision of hazard mitigation 
assistance in accordance with applicable laws and 
regulations; 
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(4) reduce the administrative burden of the ap-
plication and review process; and 
(5) expedite the execution of grant agreements 
and the disbursement of funds. 
SEC. 308. STUDY AND REPORT ON MITIGATION BENEFITS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency shall conduct a study to 
evaluate the effectiveness, long-term cost savings, and 
strategic impact of nationwide hazard mitigation activities 
funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 
(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. 
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(c) METHODOLOGY.—The study under subsection (a) 
shall include— 
(1) quantitative and qualitative analysis of 
avoided losses; 
(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 Comptroller General of the United 
States; 
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(2) the Director of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology; 
(3) State, local, Tribal, and territorial govern-
ments; and 
(4) relevant academic and research institutions. 
(f) REPORT TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act and annually 
thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
and the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs and the Com-
mittee on Appropriations of the Senate a report de-
tailing— 
(A) the findings of the study; 
(B) recommendations for improving pro-
gram design, targeting, and oversight; and 
(C) recommendations for legislative and 
administrative actions. 
(2) AVAILABILITY.—The Administrator shall 
make each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
publicly available on the website of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency not later than 60 
days after the submission of such report. 
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(g) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY AND ONGOING REVIEW.— 
(1) PUBLIC ACCESS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
trator shall make the results of the initial study re-
quired under subsection (a) publicly available in a 
searchable, user-friendly format on the website of 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The published data under 
paragraph (1) shall include— 
(A) summarized findings and datasets, ex-
cluding any information that would compromise 
national security or privacy; 
(B) 
visualizations 
and 
geographic 
mappings of mitigation outcomes; and 
(C) clear explanations of methodology, 
data sources, and limitations. 
(h) ANNUAL UPDATES.—The Administrator shall 
conduct the study described in subsection (a) on an annual 
basis, incorporating the most recent available data, up-
dates to methodology, and stakeholder feedback. 
TITLE IV—TRANSPARENCY AND 
ACCOUNTABILITY 
SEC. 401. GAO REVIEW OF FEMA TRANSITION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, and every 6 months there-
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after, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall— 
(1) conduct a review of the transition of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency under title 
I; and 
(2) provide a briefing on the results of the re-
view conducted under paragraph (1) to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. 
(b) SCOPE.—In conducting the reviews required 
under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall assess 
the following: 
(1) The continued processing of grants for con-
structing, reconstructing, repairing, restoring, or re-
placing eligible facilities. 
(2) The establishment of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency as a cabinet-level inde-
pendent establishment in the executive branch to 
evaluate whether the transition complied with Fed-
eral laws relating to labor, procurement, information 
management, and related statutes. 
(3) The status of the contractual obligations of 
the Agency. 
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(4) Interdepartmental coordination, establish-
ment of new memorandums of understanding, and 
assistance from the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity to ensure that the Department fulfills all statu-
tory requirements to ensure optimal agency perform-
ance during the transition. 
(5) Costs associated with the transition of per-
sonnel, equipment, furnishings, and related contents 
over the course of the transition. 
(6) Personnel retention related to the transi-
tion. 
(7) Physical and technological infrastructure 
needs and which of the needs have been met, to en-
sure that the Agency has been provided with the 
necessary resources to carry out the mission of the 
Agency, following the transition of the Agency. 
(8) Programmatic operations during the transi-
tion of the Agency. 
(9) Communication operations to monitor con-
tinued connectivity with stakeholders, including 
State emergency managers, private nonprofit organi-
zations, and other related parties, during the transi-
tion. 
(10) Engineer personnel levels at the Agency. 
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(11) Contracts entered into with licensed engi-
neering professionals in States that are in geo-
graphic areas in which a major disaster has recently 
been declared under section 401 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5170). 
(12) Best practices and lessons learned during 
the transition, in coordination with the Adminis-
trator of the Federal Emergency Management Agen-
cy and any other key personnel of the Agency. 
(c) SUNSET.—This section shall cease to be effective 
on the date that is 36 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, or an earlier date agreed upon by the Comp-
troller General and the committees of Congress specified 
in subsection (a). 
SEC. 402. TRANSPARENCY AND ONLINE ACCOUNTABILITY. 
(a) SUBPAGE FOR TRANSPARENCY OF DISASTER AS-
SISTANCE.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF REPOSITORY FOR RE-
PORTING REQUIREMENTS.—The Director of the Of-
fice of Management and Budget, in consultation 
with the Secretary of the Treasury and the head of 
each covered Federal agency, shall establish a 
subpage within the website established under section 
2 of the Federal Funding Accountability and Trans-
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parency Act of 2006 (31 U.S.C. 6101 note) to pub-
lish the information required to be made available to 
the public under this subsection. 
(2) SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION BY FEDERAL 
AGENCIES.—Not later than 30 days after the end of 
a calendar quarter, each covered Federal agency 
that made disaster assistance available to an eligible 
recipient during such quarter shall, in coordination 
with the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget, make available to the public on the subpage 
established under paragraph (1) the information de-
scribed in paragraph (3), and ensure that any data 
assets of the agency are machine-readable. 
(3) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—The information 
described in this paragraph is, with respect to dis-
aster assistance provided by the covered Federal 
agency— 
(A) the total amount of disaster assistance 
provided by the agency during such quarter; 
(B) the amount of disaster assistance pro-
vided by the agency that was expended or obli-
gated to projects or activities; and 
(C) a detailed list of all projects or activi-
ties for which disaster assistance dispersed by 
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