Summary

Requires FEMA to increase transparency and modernize how federal disaster aid is delivered and tracked. The bill orders new public reports and a near‑real‑time online dashboard, creates a unified online application and data‑sharing system for disaster applicants and agencies, directs multiple GAO studies, and revises FEMA’s individual assistance authorities to expand repair, hazard mitigation, and State‑managed housing options while capping some administrative and counseling reimbursements. Also authorizes limited reimbursements and new State support tools (state-run recovery websites), sets deadlines for studies and reports, and limits the bill’s changes to funds appropriated on or after enactment.

Key Points

• Mandates public FEMA reporting and a near‑real‑time disaster dashboard showing applications, approvals, denials, and dollar breakdowns (no PII).
• Creates a secure, unified web application and data‑sharing system for federal disaster aid and requires a single universal online IA application.
• Expands and clarifies FEMA Section 408 authorities to fund repairs, hazard mitigation, and direct assistance for residences, utilities, and residential infrastructure.
• Establishes a State‑managed housing pilot with transparency rules and directs GAO reporting on the pilot after it ends.
• Requires multiple GAO/FEMA studies on damage assessments, rental assistance challenges, section 428 barriers, and improper assistance in 2020–2021.
• Limits administrative and crisis‑counseling reimbursements (caps of up to 12% and up to 15% combined respectively).
• Allows limited FEMA reimbursement to States for sheltering emergency response personnel and their same‑household members after disasters (up to 6 months).
• Authorizes FEMA to fund State recovery websites and requires interagency cooperation (SBA, HUD, USDA) for implementation.
• Most changes apply only to funds appropriated on or after enactment; initial FEMA IA report covers FY2016 onward and is due within 180 days.

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