Sponsors (6)
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Sets a floor for federal help with fire management by requiring the federal share of eligible fire management assistance to be at least 75% for funds appropriated after enactment. Directs FEMA to complete a rulemaking within three years to set criteria for when the federal share may be increased, and updates FEMA grant policy so States, localities, and Tribes can be reimbursed for predeploying domestic assets consistent with disaster/emergency assistance.
Redesignates existing subsection (e) of Section 420 as subsection (f).
Inserts a new subsection (e) stating: 'The Federal share of assistance under this section shall be not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost of such assistance.'
Specifies that the amendments made by subsection (a) apply only to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment, the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall conduct and complete a rulemaking to provide criteria for the circumstances under which the Administrator may recommend the President increase the Federal cost share for section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency must update the policy for grants made under section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187).
Who is affected and how:
State governments, local governments, and Tribal governments: Most directly affected. The law raises the federal minimum share for eligible fire management assistance to at least 75% (for new appropriations), which reduces the share of costs these governments must cover for qualifying activities. The policy change to allow reimbursement for predeployment of domestic assets lowers financial risk for jurisdictions that stage resources early.
Emergency responders and first responders: May benefit indirectly because reimbursement for predeployment can enable quicker staging and deployment of personnel and equipment before fires escalate.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and federal administrators: FEMA must conduct a rulemaking within three years to set criteria for recommending increases above the 75% federal share and must update grant policy to accommodate predeployment reimbursements; this creates administrative and regulatory work and will require guidance and systems updates.
Federal budget/taxpayers: Potential for increased federal outlays when Congress appropriates funds under the new 75% floor or approves expanded reimbursements for predeployment; the bill itself does not appropriate funds but may increase federal spending depending on future appropriations and use.
Potential benefits:
Potential downsides and risks:
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced January 16, 2025 by Alejandro Padilla · Last progress January 16, 2025
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate