Sponsors (4)
The bill standardizes and strengthens federal disaster-recovery guidance to speed aid delivery and reduce waste, but does so at the cost of short-term implementation expenses and reduced state/local flexibility.
State and local governments will receive clearer, more consistent federal disaster-recovery guidance, speeding and improving delivery of aid and resulting in faster rebuilding for homeowners in declared disaster areas.
Implementation of GAO-recommended accountability and oversight improvements is likely to reduce waste and increase fiscal accountability, potentially saving taxpayer dollars over time.
State and local officials will have reduced flexibility to tailor recovery programs to local needs because of stronger federal requirements.
Federal agencies may need additional resources or administrative changes to implement GAO recommendations, causing short-term increases in costs for taxpayers and added workload for federal employees.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires FEMA and HUD to implement the Comptroller General’s priority recommendations from GAO–23–104956 to improve federal disaster recovery.
Official title: To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to implement certain recommendations made by the Comptroller General with respect to disaster recovery, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 24, 2025 by Sara Jacobs · Last progress January 24, 2025
Directs FEMA and HUD to carry out the Comptroller General’s priority recommendations from GAO report GAO–23–104956 to improve federal disaster recovery. It does not create new programs or appropriate funds; it requires agency actions to implement GAO recommendations aimed at streamlining and strengthening the federal approach to disaster recovery.