Sponsors (5)
The bill trades modest near-term administrative costs and potential staffing and privacy burdens for broader long-term gains in evidence-based mitigation planning, improved continuity of services, and clearer public and congressional oversight of mitigation investments.
State, local, and Tribal governments (and the critical services they support, like hospitals) gain evidence-based, searchable study results to better target mitigation investments, which can reduce future disaster costs and strengthen continuity of infrastructure and services.
Congress, communities, and taxpayers receive regular, transparent, data-driven reporting and visualizations that improve legislative oversight, local understanding of risks, and decision-making about mitigation programs and funding.
Homeowners and insurance policyholders could benefit from improved insurance availability or affordability if study findings prompt policy changes that lower premiums or expand coverage.
Annual study, reporting, and publication requirements impose ongoing administrative and budgetary costs on FEMA and partners that could require reallocating agency resources or additional funding from taxpayers.
Conducting the initial study and producing reports could divert FEMA staff time and attention from program implementation and active disaster response, particularly during the 18‑month initial period.
If study findings prompt reallocation of mitigation funds, some communities or projects may lose existing funding or face delays, creating local economic and resilience harms.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires FEMA to study and publicly report annually on the effectiveness, cost savings, and outcomes of FEMA‑funded hazard mitigation, with datasets and maps.
Official title: To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term cost savings, and strategic impact of Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded hazard mitigation activities across the United States, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 16, 2025 by Robert P. Bresnahan · Last progress July 16, 2025
Requires FEMA to perform a nationwide study measuring how effective and cost‑saving FEMA‑funded hazard mitigation activities are, to consult relevant partners as needed, and to report findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months and then annually. FEMA must publish the study results, supporting datasets (with sensible exclusions), maps, visualizations, and methodology on its website in a searchable, user‑friendly format; the initial public posting is due within two years and subsequent annual reports must be posted within 60 days of congressional submission.