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Amend section 5313 of title 5, United States Code, by striking specified text (text as provided: 'by striking .').
And 9 more affected sections...
Elevates the Federal Emergency Management Agency into a standalone executive department led by a Senate‑confirmed Director reporting to the President, transfers FEMA functions out of the Department of Homeland Security, and reorganizes statutory citations and headings to reflect the change. The bill creates a new leadership and regional structure, sets transition rules and timelines (including required transfers within one year), protects transferred personnel, preserves ongoing contracts and legal actions, and requires a post‑transition report recommending technical legislative fixes.
Repeals Section 501 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311).
Repeals Section 503 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 313).
Repeals Section 504 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 314).
Repeals Section 505 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 315).
Repeals Section 506 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 316).
Federal government: DHS will cede many FEMA functions and must support the transition; OMB will coordinate incidental transfers and closeouts. The new Agency will need new organizational structures, hiring, and administrative systems. Federal employees: Staff performing FEMA functions will move to the new Agency, receive one‑year protections against involuntary separation or pay/grade reduction, and some senior officials retain prior pay when reassigned. Inspector General oversight: Certain IG functions are returned to FEMA's IG, shifting oversight lines. State, local, and tribal governments and grantees: Program, grant, and coordination relationships will remain in force but their primary federal interlocutor will change from DHS/FEMA leadership to the new Department, requiring updates to points of contact and possible administrative adjustments. First responders and emergency managers: Day‑to‑day programs, grants, plans, and continuity efforts should continue, but they may see reorganized leadership, new regional officials, and potential short‑term disruptions during the transition. Disaster survivors and communities: Benefits, assistance, and ongoing disaster recovery activities are preserved by legal continuity rules, so recipients should not lose current assistance as functions transfer. Legal and contractual counterparties: Existing contracts, permits, orders, and litigation tied to FEMA functions continue unaffected until properly modified; agencies may complete pending rulemakings as if the Act had not been enacted. Operational effects: Potential long‑term benefits include clearer authority and focus for national emergency management; short‑term costs and risks include administrative complexity, transitional gaps, and resource needs to stand up Departmental infrastructure.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced April 2, 2025 by Thomas Roland Tillis · Last progress April 2, 2025
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate