Sponsor
James Lankford
Senator · R-OK
Senator · R-OK
The bill enables faster, geographically distributed FEMA-funded buyouts to reduce future disaster losses for at-risk communities while increasing federal spending, leaving limited program slots that may exclude many, and shifting administrative burdens to states and FEMA.
At-risk homeowners and local governments can apply directly to FEMA for property acquisition, demolition, or relocation assistance, speeding project start times and reducing local administrative delays.
Communities (including rural areas) selected for the pilot can remove or relocate flood- or hazard-prone structures within a capped 48-month participation period, lowering future disaster losses and recovery costs.
Congress (and taxpayers) will receive annual evaluations of the pilot’s effectiveness and risks, improving oversight and providing data to decide whether to extend or make the authority permanent.
Taxpayers may face higher federal spending because the pilot is authorized at 'such sums as necessary' to fund acquisitions and program operations.
Limited slots, a 48-month participation cap, and regional/state selection limits mean many at-risk communities or homeowners may be left ineligible or face long waits for assistance.
Allowing direct local-government applications to FEMA could shift administrative, legal, and coordination burdens onto states and FEMA, complicating existing roles and increasing implementation risk.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a time-limited FEMA pilot letting select local governments apply directly for hazard mitigation property-acquisition grants, with reporting and eligibility limits.
Official title: Establish a pilot program for property acquisition projects, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 3, 2025 by James Lankford · Last progress February 3, 2025
Creates a FEMA pilot program that lets selected local governments apply directly to FEMA for hazard mitigation grants to buy flood- or hazard-prone properties and demolish, relocate, or convert structures. The pilot limits participation to a small number of localities per FEMA region and per State, requires FEMA to publish participation rules within one year, caps community participation at 48 months, and ends the pilot no later than eight years after initial selections, with annual performance reporting to Congress. Funding is authorized as needed.