H.R. 1393

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of certain mitigation projects, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · February 14, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Stanton · Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Table of contents

• H.R. 1393
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Fire management assistance program policy
  • SEC. 3. Changes to public assistance policy guide
  • SEC. 4. Mitigation cost-effectiveness

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Wildfire Response Improvement Act.

SEC. 2. Fire management assistance program policy

• Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall recommend such regulations or guidance as are necessary to make eligible assessments and emergency stabilization to protect public safety, including for the fire management assistance program under section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (), irrespective of the incident period for a declared fire. 42 U.S.C. 5187

SEC. 3. Changes to public assistance policy guide

• Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall amend the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to include guidance on wildfire-specific recovery challenges, including debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the resulting toxicity of drinking water resources.

SEC. 4. Mitigation cost-effectiveness

• (a) In general
  • The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of projects intended to mitigate the impacts of wildfire under sections 203 and 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (; 5170c), including— 42 U.S.C. 5133
    • the establishment of pre-calculated benefits criterion for common defensible space mitigation projects for wildfire mitigation;
    • the use of nature-based infrastructure in wildfire mitigation;
    • considerations for vegetation management for wildfire mitigation;
    • reducing the negative effects of wildfire smoke on public health; and
    • lessening the impact of wildfires on water infrastructure.
• (b) Updated criteria
  • Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue such guidance as is necessary to—
    • update criteria for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of mitigation projects under sections 203 and 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (; 5170c) based on the results of the review conducted under subsection (a); and 42 U.S.C. 5133
    • prioritize projects under such sections based on the criteria updated under paragraph (1).