Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-1796
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Introduced: 2023-03-24 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Census and government statistics
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Intergovernmental relations
Internet, web applications, social media
Natural disasters
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-24
text: 

Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2023

 
This bill makes changes in the process for seeking and providing assistance following a major disaster.
 
Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish and maintain a web-based interagency electronic information sharing system, to be known as the unified disaster application system, to facilitate the administration of a universal application for direct federal disaster assistance.
 
The President may provide (1) assistance to respond to the disaster-related housing needs of individuals and households who are displaced from their predisaster primary residence that is damaged by a major disaster (currently, such residences must be rendered uninhabitable); and (2) direct assistance for repairs and for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce threats to life and property or future damage.
 
FEMA may (1) provide funding to a state agency to establish, update, or operate a website to provide information relating to postdisaster recovery funding and resources; and (2) reimburse a state, tribal, or local government for certain costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel. The bill extends FEMA's authority to implement state-managed housing assistance as a pilot program. FEMA must conduct a study and develop a plan to address the challenges and disparities associated with providing housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or emergencies.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) assistance issues, including improper and potentially fraudulent federal disaster assistance; and (2) the effectiveness, successes, and challenges of any state-managed housing assistance pilot program and make recommendations on how to improve the provision of assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 319.
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Committee on Small Business discharged.
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Committee on Small Business discharged.
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Committee on Financial Services discharged.
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Committee on Financial Services discharged.
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-390, Part I.
action_date: 2024-02-14
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 118-390, Part I.
action_date: 2023-05-23
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2023-05-23
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
action_date: 2023-05-23
text: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged
action_date: 2023-03-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2023-03-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-03-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-03-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2023-03-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2023-03-24
text: Introduced in House