Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act
Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act
Plain Language Summary
# Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** The Disaster AID Act aims to make it easier and faster for communities to get federal disaster relief and recovery assistance from FEMA. The bill would allow FEMA to provide money upfront before communities complete projects (advance assistance), increase funding available for administrative costs, and simplify the application process. It also increases the federal government's share of disaster mitigation costs for communities with limited financial resources, from 75% to 85% of project costs. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects communities recovering from disasters and those working on projects to prevent future disaster damage.
It also impacts FEMA employees by giving the agency more flexibility in how it compensates them. Jurisdictions with fewer financial resources would see the most direct benefit from the increased federal cost-sharing provisions. **Key Provisions:** The main changes include allowing advance payments before projects are completed, raising the maximum federal contribution for hazard mitigation from 75% to 85% for eligible communities, doubling advance assistance amounts (from 25% to 50% of project costs), and allowing leftover management funds to be redirected toward disaster resilience activities. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act or the Disaster AID ActThis bill increases, expedites, and facilitates access to disaster and hazard mitigation assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It also increases flexibility for compensating FEMA employees.The bill allows FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program to provide greater assistance before recipients incur project costs (i.e., advance assistance), increase funding for management costs, and expand the use of simplified application procedures. Also, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) may increase the maximum federal cost share from 75% to 85% for jurisdictions with a low capacity for investment in disaster resilience and increase the maximum advance assistance from 25% to 50% of project cost. The bill also allows PA and HMGP recipients to use unexpended management cost funds for additional disaster resilience activities.In addition, under current law, FEMA may set aside funding from the Disaster Relief Fund for predisaster mitigation. The bill requires FEMA to set aside and use such funds to provide a minimum annual amount of grant funding for predisaster mitigation.Also, the bill establishes grants for hazard mitigation offices and post-disaster FEMA training on obtaining assistance.Furthermore, if obligated FEMA disaster funding is not disbursed within 26 business days, FEMA must explain the delay and provide status updates.Additionally, the bill allows FEMA to simultaneously provide both retirement benefits and salary for certain employees. Also, it allows a tax deduction to FEMA employees for expenses while away from home in excess of one year.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4316-4317)