REPLACE Act

Summary

Requires federal agencies to waive fees for replacing critical identity and legal documents for individuals and households who are adversely affected by a declared major disaster under the Stafford Act and whose critical documents were destroyed. Directs the Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to publish notice of waiver availability, and requires both agencies to report annually to Congress on waivers granted and the costs incurred.

• Makes fee waivers mandatory for individuals/households whose critical documents were destroyed in a Stafford Act major disaster that received Individual Assistance.
• Requires the President, in consultation with the affected State Governor, to provide fee waivers under the cited statute.
• Directs the Secretary of State and USCIS Director to publish notices on their websites explaining waiver availability and how to request it.
• Imposes annual reporting to Congress by the State Department and USCIS on the number of waivers granted and agency costs, with the first report due within one year.
• Clarifies and renumbers existing statutory provisions to add the mandatory waiver and ensure consistent application of waiver rules.
• Applies to replacement of critical documents covered under the statute (e.g., passports, immigration documents), reducing financial barriers after disasters.
• Does not appropriate funds or specify funding sources for agency costs of the waivers, though agencies must report costs to Congress.