SEC. 2. GAO STUDY ON A FEDERAL BUYOUT PROGRAM FOR 
HIGH-RISK WILDFIRE AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study to analyze the feasi-
bility of using Federal grant programs to purchase prop-
erty from homeowners, voluntarily selling such properties, 
before and after a catastrophic wildfire disaster. 
(b) EXISTING COVERED BUYOUTS.—In conducting 
the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
shall compile recommendations on— 
(1) how to develop a national database on cov-
ered buyouts, existing on the date of enactment of 
this Act, with information on what grant program 
was used to purchase each respective property under 
such buyouts, what entity is responsible for main-
taining such property, and any development on such 
property following the covered buyout; and 
(2) how the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development can exchange information about any 
covered buyout in process as of the date of enact-
ment of this Act. 
(c) NEW WILDFIRE BUYOUT PROGRAM.—In con-
ducting the study under subsection (a) of this Act, the 
Comptroller General shall— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:19 Apr 02, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2428.IH
H2428
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(1) analyze how a program for the buyout of 
properties endangered or impacted by catastrophic 
wildfire disasters would compare to covered buyout 
programs existing on the date of enactment of this 
Act, including any floodplain disaster buyout pro-
grams; 
(2) provide recommendations on which depart-
ment, agency, or program should house a program 
for the buyout of properties endangered or impacted 
by catastrophic wildfire disasters; and 
(3) provide land use recommendations for prop-
erties after a covered buyout, including— 
(A) how to ensure specific purchases and 
future land uses will reduce catastrophic wild-
fire risk, loss of life, and loss of property during 
catastrophic wildfires; 
(B) how land use may be different for 
rural compared to urban communities and for 
disadvantaged compared to high-income com-
munities; 
(C) how to allow flexibility for communities 
to decide how to use the land following a cov-
ered buyout; and 
(D) with respect to properties in high-risk 
areas prior to catastrophic wildfire disaster and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:19 Apr 02, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2428.IH
H2428
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
for properties impacted after a catastrophic 
wildfire disaster, eligibility requirements, includ-
ing— 
(i) 
recommendations 
for 
mapping 
which areas are at the highest risk for cat-
astrophic wildfire; and 
(ii) 
methodology 
for 
determining 
which areas would be most effective for im-
plementing a Federal buyout program, in-
cluding consideration for where the great-
est benefit would be derived as a result of 
evacuating individuals in efforts to avoid 
loss of life. 
(d) AUTHORITY TO DEFINE TERMS.—In conducting 
the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General 
shall develop definitions for the terms ‘‘development’’, 
‘‘disadvantaged community’’, ‘‘high-income community’’, 
and ‘‘catastrophic wildfire’’. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
shall submit to Congress a report identifying findings and 
conclusions, including— 
(1) the results of the study conducted pursuant 
to subsection (a); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:19 Apr 02, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H2428.IH
H2428
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
(2) any recommendations made under sub-
section (b); 
(3) recommendations on ways to incentivize 
participation in the program described in subsection 
(c); 
(4) analysis of the economic impacts of the pro-
gram described in subsection (c) and the cost of the 
program to the Federal Government; and 
(5) the definitions developed under subsection 
(d). 
(f) COVERED BUYOUT DEFINED.—In this Act, a 
‘‘covered buyout’’ means a purchase of property by the 
Federal Government from a homeowner who voluntarily 
sold such property because such property was recognized 
by the Federal Government to be in an area endangered 
or impacted by a catastrophic natural disaster. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:19 Apr 02, 2025
Jkt 059200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H2428.IH
H2428
kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB