H.R. 2428
119th CONGRESS 1st Session
To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study regarding a Federal buyout program available to homeowners with properties in high-risk catastrophic wildfire disaster areas, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · March 27, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Friedman
Table of contents
SEC. 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the "Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act".
SEC. 2. GAO study on a federal buyout program for high-risk wildfire areas
(a) In general
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to analyze the feasibility of using Federal grant programs to purchase property from homeowners, voluntarily selling such properties, before and after a catastrophic wildfire disaster.
(b) Existing covered buyouts
In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall compile recommendations on— (1) how to develop a national database on covered buyouts, existing on the date of enactment of this Act, with information on what grant program was used to purchase each respective property under such buyouts, what entity is responsible for maintaining such property, and any development on such property following the covered buyout; and
(2) how the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development can exchange information about any covered buyout in process as of the date of enactment of this Act.
(c) New wildfire buyout program
In conducting the study under subsection (a) of this Act, the Comptroller General shall— (1) analyze how a program for the buyout of properties endangered or impacted by catastrophic wildfire disasters would compare to covered buyout programs existing on the date of enactment of this Act, including any floodplain disaster buyout programs;