Sponsors (2)
The bill gives tribal governments faster, formalized access to FEMA firefighting assistance and requires tribal consultation, but its value depends on timely FEMA rulemaking and it may increase administrative complexity and federal costs.
Tribal governments and tribal-lands residents can directly request FEMA fire management assistance and grants, speeding access to federal firefighting resources for tribal communities.
Tribal governments and tribal-lands residents remain eligible for federal assistance even when a State requests a disaster declaration, protecting tribal access to aid if a tribal request is not granted.
Indigenous tribal governments and State governments will receive formal government-to-government consultation and consideration of tribal conditions, improving coordination and culturally appropriate emergency response.
Indigenous tribal communities may face continued uncertainty or loss of intended benefits if FEMA delays or poorly implements the required regulations, undermining access until rulemaking is complete.
Federal employees, State governments, and tribal governments could face administrative confusion or duplicated efforts during incidents because overlapping requests (tribal and State) may create coordination challenges.
Taxpayers may face increased federal disaster spending and higher administrative costs because expanding direct-application and grant authority can raise FEMA outlays and program administration expenses.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Permits tribal chief executives to directly request federal fire management assistance, preserves tribal eligibility under State requests, and requires FEMA to update rules within one year.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Gary C. Peters · Last progress February 6, 2025
Allows federally recognized tribal governments to have their chief executive directly request federal fire management assistance, rather than relying only on a State governor to make that request. Requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to update its regulations within one year to implement direct tribal requests, preserve tribal eligibility when a State requests assistance for the same incident, add tribal-specific considerations, and include government-to-government consultation requirements.