Sponsors (3)
The bill shifts mitigation funding toward predictable, formula-based state allocations (with guaranteed local shares and tribal set-asides) to improve planning and enable combined funding, at the cost of concentrating selection authority at the state level and risking uneven geographic distribution and slower emergency exceptions.
State governments will receive direct, formula-based mitigation funding, giving them predictable, regular funds for hazard mitigation projects.
Local governments will receive at least 50% of formula funds for recommended projects, increasing funding and capacity for local mitigation projects.
Indian tribal governments are guaranteed at least $75 million, improving mitigation resources and project capacity on tribal lands.
Local governments and individual localities could lose direct competitive access and decision-making control over project selection because awards are shifted to state allocations and 'or local government' language is removed.
The formula component that weights critical-infrastructure vulnerability may skew funding toward States with prominent assets, reducing per-capita funds for other states and localities.
Limiting Presidential discretion to 'extraordinary circumstances' could slow or complicate emergency approvals for valid local projects in unusual situations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Changes predisaster mitigation to direct State/tribal allocations using a three-part formula, requires 50% suballocation to local projects, and guarantees tribes at least $75M.
Introduced July 21, 2025 by Shomari C. Figures · Last progress July 21, 2025
Makes targeted changes to the Stafford Act's predisaster hazard mitigation program to shift from competitive local awards to direct state and tribal allocations, changes how funds are split among States, and requires States to pass a large share of those funds to local governments. It also guarantees a minimum of $75 million for Indian tribal governments, clarifies that receiving one type of mitigation funding does not block receiving the other, and narrows Presidential discretion to approve projects not recommended by a Governor. These changes alter who gets money and how decisions are made: States receive formula-based allotments (equal share, population, and critical-infrastructure vulnerability), must suballocate at least half to local projects meeting specified recommendations, and tribal governments may receive direct allocations and a statutory funding floor. FEMA's prior competitive-award model for local projects is replaced by state or tribal allocations with limited federal override authority.