H.R. 4480

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the President to designate a Veteran Advocate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · July 17, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Barrett · Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Table of contents

• H.R. 4480
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Designation of Veterans Advocate

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Improving Disaster Assistance for Veterans Act.

SEC. 2. Designation of Veterans Advocate

• (a) In general
  • Title III of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act () is amended by adding at the end the following: 15 U.S.C. 5141 et seq.
    • (a) In general
      • The President shall designate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency a Veteran Advocate.
    • (b) Responsibilities
      • The Veterans Advocate shall be an advocate for the fair treatment of veterans in the provision of assistance under this Act.
    • (c) Duties
      • The Veterans Advocate shall—
        • participate in the disaster declaration process under section 401 and the emergency declaration process under section 501 to ensure that the needs of veterans are being addressed;
        • serve as the primary point of contact between veterans service organizations and the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
        • identify opportunities for expanded veteran recruitment for Federal Emergency Management Agency employment, including Federal Emergency Management Agency reservist positions; and
        • conduct such other activities as the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency considers appropriate.
• (b) Statutory construction
  • Nothing in this section or the amendment made by this section shall be construed to authorize major disaster or emergency assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act () that is not authorized as of the date of enactment of this Act. 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.