Sponsors (3)
The bill replaces competitive grants with predictable, formula-based and partly-guaranteed funding (including a tribal minimum and a 50% local-project suballocation) to improve planning and direct project delivery, but it does so by concentrating decision-making with Governors and by using formula and suballocation rules that can reduce merit-based selection, state flexibility, and funding for some high-risk small communities.
State governments will receive predictable, formula-based mitigation funding instead of competitive grants, allowing better multi-year planning and budgeting for hazard mitigation.
Indian tribal governments will be guaranteed at least $75 million annually, increasing tribal access to reliable mitigation funds and supporting tribal resilience efforts.
Local governments recommended by Governors will receive at least 50% of State allocations for Governor-recommended projects, directing a substantial share of funds to on-the-ground mitigation projects at the local level.
Local governments will have reduced decision-making authority and more limited direct access to federal assistance as Governors gain control over which projects are funded, concentrating choice at the state level.
Smaller or rural high-risk communities may receive less funding depending on how the formula weights equal share, population, and vulnerability, which could leave some high-need areas underfunded.
High-performing local projects that lack Governor support may be bypassed because eliminating competitive selection favors Governor-recommended projects, reducing merit-based funding and potentially lowering overall program effectiveness.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Converts predisaster mitigation grants into formula-based direct allocations to States and Tribes, sets suballocation rules and Governor recommendation authority, and guarantees a tribal minimum.
Official title: To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide requirements relating to the funding of predisaster hazard mitigation, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 21, 2025 by Shomari C. Figures · Last progress July 21, 2025
Replaces the current competitive predisaster hazard mitigation grant structure in the Stafford Act with formula-based direct allocations to States and Indian Tribal governments, changes who recommends projects to Governors (not local governments), requires States to pass at least half of funds to the local government carrying out a Governor-recommended project, guarantees a minimum tribal allocation, and revises eligibility and consultation rules for federal assistance. The bill changes beneficiary scope, allocation method, suballocation requirements, and cross-program reciprocity between two mitigation programs under the Stafford Act, while allowing the President limited authority to approve non‑Governor‑recommended projects in extraordinary circumstances.