II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 5134 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 23, 2024 Ms. Warren (for herself and Mr. Cruz ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to expand eligibility for individual and public assistance to certain areas and to include cumulative damage from multiple natural catastrophes in the definition of major disaster, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act or the RIDER Act . 2. Contiguous area Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) Contiguous area (1) In general Any area under the jurisdiction of a State, local government, or Indian tribal government, including an area located in a State for which the President did not declare a major disaster, that is contiguous to an area that the President designates as eligible for any form of covered assistance as a result of a major disaster (in this paragraph referred to as the eligible area ) may be designated by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as being eligible for any form of covered assistance for which the eligible area is eligible with respect to such disaster. (2) Definition In this subsection, the term covered assistance means— (A) hazard mitigation assistance provided under section 404; (B) any assistance provided to an individual or household under sections 408, 410, 415, 416, or 426; and (C) any public assistance provided under sections 403, 406, or 407. . 3. Cumulative damage (a) Definitions Section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5122(2) ) is amended— (1) by striking Major disaster means and inserting the following: (A) In general The term major disaster means ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (B) Inclusion The term major disaster includes a series of 2 or more natural catastrophes, fires, floods, or explosions described in subparagraph (A)— (i) with respect to each of which the Governor of the affected State requested that the President declare that a major disaster exists under section 401(a); (ii) that occurred during a 12-month period; and (iii) that individually do not cause damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under this Act, but that, in the determination of the President, cumulatively causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant such assistance. . 4. Interim guidance Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall issue interim guidance to implement the amendments made by sections 2 and 3. 5. Rulemaking Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall issue such rules and regulations as are necessary to— (1) ensure compliance with section 1232 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 ( 42 U.S.C. 5170 note); and (2) implement the amendments made by sections 2 and 3.