Sponsors (2)
I'll give you the short version of this bill.
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Amends the Stafford Act to allow FEMA to support community emergency response teams (CERTs) and similar nonprofit organizations that provide disaster assistance, including training, outreach, and preparedness exercises. It also requires the President, through the FEMA Administrator, to issue comprehensive guidance to State and Tribal governments within one year describing the measures and investments the amended law covers. The changes take effect one year after enactment and must be carried out using FEMA appropriations made on or after enactment; no new or additional funds are authorized by this Act.
Amend Section 406(b)(3)(A) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by modifying clause (ii) to insert additional text after an existing semicolon (the exact inserted text is not included in this excerpt).
Amend clause (iv) of Section 406(b)(3)(A) with two sub-actions: (A) insert additional text after an existing semicolon, and (B) strike an existing semicolon (the exact text to insert or remove is not shown in this excerpt).
Amend clause (v) of Section 406(b)(3)(A) by striking the final period and inserting a semicolon and additional text (the exact added text is not shown in this excerpt).
Add a new clause (vi) to Section 406(b)(3)(A) authorizing support of viable community emergency response teams or equivalent non-governmental organizations that provide disaster assistance. This support may include providing or facilitating regular training, outreach, and soliciting participation in preparedness exercises.
Require the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to issue comprehensive guidance to State and Tribal governments about the measures and investments described in section 406(b)(3)(A), as amended.
Primary beneficiaries will be community emergency response teams (CERTs) and similar nonprofit disaster-response organizations, which may receive federal support for training, outreach, and preparedness activities. State and Tribal governments will receive federal guidance to coordinate investments and programs that leverage those local capacities. FEMA will need to prepare and publish comprehensive guidance within one year and may allocate existing appropriations to support authorized activities. Local communities stand to gain stronger volunteer-based preparedness and response capacity, which can improve disaster resilience and quicker recovery. Because the bill does not authorize new appropriations, the scale and timing of actual support will depend on FEMA funding choices; States, Tribes, and NGOs may need to align existing programs and grants to take advantage of the authority. Overall this is a targeted preparedness-strengthening measure with modest administrative and funding implications.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced February 3, 2025 by James Lankford · Last progress February 3, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Introduced in Senate