To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that cost estimates, acquisition of proper materials, and any other activity related to certain projects under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act are performed by professionals licensed in the relevant State, and for other purposes.

This proposal would require FEMA to use professionals who are licensed in the state where the work is happening to handle key parts of disaster repair and rebuilding projects that get FEMA funding. This includes making cost estimates, choosing and buying materials, and other project tasks. The goal is to make decisions local, professional, and harder to delay without a clear reason.

Key points

• FEMA must use state-licensed professionals for covered rebuilding work under the Stafford Act’s public assistance programs.
• FEMA cannot reject plans, rebuilding proposals, or material choices unless a state-licensed professional agrees; purchases recommended by such a professional must be approved.
• Unless clear, traceable fraud is found, FEMA cannot reject, cancel, or stall plans, projects, or material orders made by a state-licensed professional.
• FEMA cannot block a state or local government from hiring a state-licensed professional for these projects.
• States are responsible for hiring a state-licensed professional to define the scope of work.
• FEMA staff who directly manage these rebuilding projects must themselves be appropriately licensed professionals.
• FEMA must update its rules and policies to carry this out.

Who is affected

• Disaster-hit communities seeking FEMA-funded repairs
• State and local governments managing rebuilding
• Licensed professionals in the state (engineers, architects, and similar)
• FEMA staff who oversee these projects