Last progress July 10, 2025 (4 months ago)
Introduced on July 10, 2025 by Peter Welch
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4316-4317)
This bill aims to speed up disaster help, strengthen local control, and make it easier for small and under-resourced communities to prepare for and recover from disasters. It funds state and Tribal hazard mitigation offices starting in 2027, with at least $100 million a year spread by population, so there are people in place to plan and manage projects . It raises the federal share for hazard-mitigation projects to as high as 85% for low-capacity places, and lets states combine certain grant “management cost” funds and get more money up front to start mitigation work (50% instead of 25%) . It also requires a steady set‑aside for pre‑disaster mitigation each year, with a minimum equal to 10% of funds or $500 million, whichever is less, adjusted for inflation .
For recovery, it increases the cap on management costs that help run projects, and it offers faster, clearer processes. Small projects can qualify for simplified procedures up to at least $1,000,000 (adjusted annually), with federal contributions based on actual costs up to 150% of the federal estimate . A pilot lets high-capacity areas use these simpler rules for projects under $10 million, adjusted for inflation . FEMA must release management-cost funding on a timeline—50% within 30 days of a disaster, 75% by 180 days, and 100% by one year—to keep work moving . The bill also creates technical assistance for low-capacity communities and funds it at $500 million per year from 2027–2031, so they can get help with scoping, damage documentation, and grants . It allows leftover management funds to be reused to build local capacity and manage future disasters . Other changes include rules to move repeatedly damaged critical facilities to safer locations, clearer public notice if federal disaster funds are paused for a prolonged period, and permission for certain local units to apply for aid as an agent for their local government .
| Key point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Who is affected | State, Tribal, and local governments; especially low-capacity communities managing FEMA projects; critical service facilities like power, water, and hospitals |
| What changes | More upfront funding and higher federal share for mitigation; bigger and faster management-cost support; simpler rules for small projects; a pilot for larger “simple” projects; technical help for low-capacity areas; reuse of leftover admin funds; clearer rules for relocating badly damaged critical facilities; transparency if funds are paused |
| When | Many changes begin after enactment; state mitigation office funding and the technical assistance program are funded starting in fiscal year 2027; management-cost disbursement timelines apply after future disaster declarations |