PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E160-161)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 12, 2025
Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025
This bill establishes a unified application system for disaster assistance, expands disaster assistance for individuals and households, and requires related studies and reporting.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must establish an interagency electronic information sharing system known as the unified disaster application system to carry out disaster assistance, including administration of a universal application for federal disaster assistance for individuals.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The bill expands FEMA's assistance to individuals and households by (1) changing the eligibility standard for housing assistance from residences rendered uninhabitable to residences damaged by a disaster, (2) allowing direct (i.e., non-financial) assistance for home repair and hazard mitigation for residences, and (3) allowing hazard mitigation assistance for residences separate from assistance for home repairs.
FEMA may (1) provide funding for state agencies to establish websites to provide information on post-disaster recovery resources; and (2) reimburse state, tribal, or local governments for certain costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel.
The bill extends FEMA's authority to implement state-managed housing assistance as a pilot program.
FEMA must establish an online dashboard displaying certain information relating to the Individual Assistance program for each major disaster declaration.
FEMA must also conduct a study and report to Congress on challenges for renters seeking disaster assistance.
The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) identity theft and fraud in federal disaster assistance, (2) preliminary damage assessment practices under the Individual Assistance program, and (3) challenges in obtaining assistance under Public Assistance alternative procedures.
People & committees
Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11] · R–NC
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E160-161)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
Source last updated: Apr 14, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2025-02-12 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
This proposal would change how disaster survivors apply for federal aid and receive help rebuilding their homes. It would require a common application and shared information system, authorize direct repairs for qualifying households, and authorize assistance to reduce future disaster damage. It would also require public reporting on aid applications, approvals, and denials. These are proposed changes in the supplied introduced version, not established enacted law.
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall develop and establish a universal application for direct Federal disaster assistance for individuals in areas impacted by emergencies or disasters.
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall establish and maintain a web-based interagency electronic information sharing system
The President may provide direct assistance to individuals and households who are unable to make use of financial assistance under subparagraph (A) and when there is a lack of available resources
The President may provide financial assistance to individuals and households whose primary residence, utilities, or residential infrastructure are damaged by a major disaster, for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce threats to life and property, or future damage to such residence, utilities, or infrastructure in future disasters.
(2) The number of applications for such assistance that are approved. (3) The number of applications for such assistance that are denied. (4) A ranked list of the reasons for the denial of such applications, including the number of applications for each reason for denial.
2025-02-12: Introduced in House
The bill would be called the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025. Unless otherwise specified, it would use the definitions in section 102 of the Stafford Act, the federal disaster-assistance law it would amend.
This Act may be cited as the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025.
Except as otherwise provided, the terms used in this Act have the meanings given such terms in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would have to maintain a shared online disaster-application system. FEMA could collect and share applicant information among participating agencies and eligible state, local, and tribal grant recipients. Applicants would receive status updates, access their application information and documents, and update information within established application deadlines. The system would also allow distribution of information about additional recovery resources.
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall establish and maintain a web-based interagency electronic information sharing system
the Administrator may collect and maintain disaster assistance information received from a disaster assistance agency, a block grant recipient, or an applicant for a disaster assistance program and share such information with any other disaster assistance agency or block grant recipient using such system.
(A) allows an applicant to receive status updates on an application for disaster assistance programs submitted though such system; (B) allows for applicants to update disaster assistance information throughout the recovery journeys of such applicants in accordance with established application timeframes; (C) allows for the distribution to applicants of information about additional recovery resources that may be available in a disaster stricken area; (D) provides an applicant with information and documentation relating to an application for a disaster assistance program submitted by such applicant
The term block grant recipient means a State, local government, or Indian Tribe that receives assistance through the disaster assistance program described in paragraph (5)(B)(i).
FEMA could begin collecting information into the system only after FEMA certifies substantial compliance with applicable security standards, the Secretary of Homeland Security publishes a privacy impact assessment, and FEMA publishes rules protecting information from improper disclosure after consulting disaster assistance agencies.
The Administrator may facilitate the collection of disaster assistance information into the unified disaster application system established under subsection (a) only after the following requirements have been met:
(1) The Administrator certifies that the unified disaster application system substantially complies with the data security standards and best practices established pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, and any other applicable Federal information security policy. (2) The Secretary of Homeland Security publishes a privacy impact assessment for the unified disaster application system, in accordance with section 208(b)(1)(B) of the E-Government Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note). (3) The Administrator, after consulting with disaster assistance agencies, publishes standard rules of behavior for disaster assistance agencies, block grant recipients, and personnel granted access to disaster assistance information to protect such information from improper disclosure.
FEMA could authorize additional information collection, maintenance, sharing, and use by posting a detailed notice explaining the changes, their necessity and consistency with fair information practice principles, and who would receive access. For covered presidentially declared disasters, advance notice would satisfy the specified Privacy Act publication requirement for the assistance period. Covered information sharing and use would also be excluded from the specified Privacy Act computer-matching provisions. The referenced law is not supplied, limiting conclusions about the full effect of these exceptions.
The Administrator may authorize the additional collection, maintenance, sharing, and use of disaster assistance information by publishing a notice on the unified disaster application system established under subsection (a) that includes a detailed description of— (A) the specific amendments to the collection, maintenance, and sharing of disaster assistance information authorized; (B) why each such amendment to how disaster assistance information is collected, maintained, or shared is necessary to carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program and consistent with the fair information practice principles; and (C) the disaster assistance agencies and block grant recipients that will be granted access to the additional information
The publication of a notice under paragraph (1) of a revision to the unified disaster application system of records prior to any new collection, or uses, of Privacy Act categories of records, to carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program with regard to a disaster declared by the President under section 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191), shall be deemed to satisfy the notice and publication requirements of section 552a(e)(4) of title 5, United States Code, for the entire period of performance for any assistance provided under a disaster assistance program.
The sharing and use of disaster assistance information that is subject to the requirements of section 552a of title 5, United States Code, by disaster assistance agencies and block grant recipients— (1) shall not be— (A) construed as a matching program for purposes of section 552a(a)(8) of such title; or (B) subject to the remaining computer matching provisions of section 552a of such title
After a presidential major-disaster or emergency declaration, FEMA could waive the specified federal information-collection requirements for voluntary collections throughout the assistance period. FEMA would have to publish and update the justification, expected duration, and affected offices. Within one year after enactment, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would report on potential benefits and risks, including paperwork burdens, privacy, information security, access, and participation.
Upon the declaration of a major disaster or emergency pursuant to sections 401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191) by the President, the Administrator may waive the requirements of subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, with respect to voluntary collection of information for the entire period of performance for any assistance provided under a disaster assistance program.
(i) promptly post on a website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency a brief justification for such waiver, the anticipated period of time such waiver will be in effect, and the disaster assistance offices within the Federal Emergency Management Agency to which such waiver shall apply; and (ii) update the information relating to such waiver, as applicable.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report describing the benefits and potential risks associated with authorizing the waiver of the information collection requirements described in paragraph (3).
(i) affect the paperwork burden for individuals, small businesses, State, local and tribal governments, and other persons; (ii) affect the consistent application of Federal laws relating to— (I) privacy and confidentiality; (II) security of information; and (III) access to information; and (iii) encourage or deter a State or other entity from participating in the voluntary collection of information for the duration of a major disaster or emergency.
The bill defines disaster assistance agencies to include FEMA, Housing and Urban Development, the Small Business Administration, and Agriculture; that definition does not itself require each agency to use the system. Other federal agencies could use the system for disaster-related assistance with FEMA's permission and an agreement requiring information protections and staff training. Those agreements would have to be published and would require notice to FEMA within 24 hours after discovery of an unauthorized disclosure, cooperation with investigations and prosecution, and responsibility for compensation or remediation for specified disclosures attributable to the agency or its records systems.
The term disaster assistance agency means— (A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency; (B) the Department of Housing and Urban Development; (C) the Small Business Administration; (D) the Department of Agriculture; and (E) any other Federal agency that the Administrator permits to use the unified disaster application system under subsection (d).
The Administrator may permit a Federal agency other than a disaster assistance agency listed in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (f)(3) to use the unified disaster application system established under subsection (a) for the purpose of facilitating disaster-related assistance if such agency enters into an agreement containing the terms described in paragraph (2).
(i) collect, share, maintain, and use disaster assistance information in compliance with this section and any policies of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and any information protection and use policies of such Federal agency; and (ii) train any personnel granted access to disaster assistance information on the rules of behavior established by the Administrator under subsection (b)(3).
(i) notify the Administrator within 24 hours of discovering any such unauthorized disclosure; (ii) cooperate fully with the Administrator in the investigation and remediation of any such disclosure; (iii) cooperate fully in the prosecution of a person responsible for such disclosure; and (iv) assume the responsibility for any compensation, civil liability, or other remediation measures, whether awarded by a judgment of a court or agreed as a compromise of any potential claims by or on behalf of an applicant, including by obtaining credit monitoring and remediation services, for an improper disclosure that is— (I) caused, directly or indirectly, by the acts or omissions of officers, employees, and contractors of the agency; or (II) from any electronic system of records that is created or maintained by the agency pursuant to section 552a(e) of title 5, United States Code.
The Administrator shall publish an agency agreement entered into under this subsection on the same website as the unified disaster application system established under subsection (a).
FEMA would have to establish a universal application for direct federal disaster assistance to individuals in disaster- or emergency-affected areas. It would consult the Office of Management and Budget, Small Business Administration, Housing and Urban Development, and Agriculture, which would have to provide prompt support. The application would include a voluntary demographic survey.
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall develop and establish a universal application for direct Federal disaster assistance for individuals in areas impacted by emergencies or disasters.
the Administrator shall consult with the following: (A) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (B) The Administrator of the Small Business Administration. (C) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. (D) The Secretary of Agriculture. (2) Support The entities described in paragraph (1) shall provide prompt support to the Administrator.
The application established under subsection (a) shall include a voluntary survey to collect the demographic data of an applicant.
Within one year after enactment, GAO would have to assess improper and potentially fraudulent individual disaster assistance associated with major disasters declared in 2020 and 2021. Its report to the specified House and Senate committees would cover invalid applications, survivors denied aid because someone fraudulently used their identity, existing fraud controls, and recommended identity-verification improvements.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) conduct an assessment of improper and potentially fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals made to survivors of major disasters declared in 2020 and 2021, including through identity theft
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that describes— (A) the prevalence of improper and potentially fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals made to registrants who used invalid information to apply for disaster assistance, including through identity theft; (B) the number of disaster survivors whose claims for Federal disaster assistance for individuals were denied due to another individual filing a fraudulent application using their personal identifying information; (C) the adequacy of existing fraud prevention protocols in place on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s online application for Federal disaster assistance for individuals; and (D) recommendations for improving the identity verification protocols in place for Federal disaster assistance for individuals.
Section 4 would replace two references to a home being uninhabitable in Stafford Act section 408(b)(1) with language requiring damage from a major disaster. This changes the quoted threshold from inability to live in the home to disaster damage; the surrounding eligibility rules are not reproduced.
Section 408(b)(1) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(b)(1)) is amended— (1) by striking rendered uninhabitable and inserting damaged by a major disaster; and (2) by striking uninhabitable, as a result of damage caused by a major disaster and inserting damaged by a major disaster.
The President could provide money for cost-effective measures to reduce future disaster damage or threats to life and property when a household's primary residence, utilities, or residential infrastructure is damaged by a major disaster. The maximum per individual or household for one major disaster would equal an amount referenced in existing law, rather than a dollar figure stated here. Recipients would not be required to show that the assistance can be met through other means, except insurance proceeds. Section 4 would also insert hazard-mitigation assistance into section 408(h)(1) and change a cross-reference in section 408(h)(3) from paragraphs (1) and (2) to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3). The surrounding law needed to explain the full effect of those amendments is not supplied.
The President may provide financial assistance to individuals and households whose primary residence, utilities, or residential infrastructure are damaged by a major disaster, for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce threats to life and property, or future damage to such residence, utilities, or infrastructure in future disasters.
A recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph shall not be required to show that the assistance can be met through other means, except insurance proceeds.
The maximum financial assistance any individual or household may receive under subsection (c)(5) shall be equivalent to the amount set forth in paragraph (1) with respect to a single major disaster.
(2) in subsection (h)— (A) in paragraph (1) by inserting , financial assistance for hazard mitigation under subsection (c)(5)(A), after subsection (c)(1)(A)(i); (B) in paragraph (3) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and inserting paragraphs (1), (2), and (3);
The President could provide money to repair owner-occupied homes, utilities, and residential infrastructure, including private access routes, damaged by a major disaster or made inaccessible to people with disabilities by a major disaster. For individuals and households unable to use that money, and when available resources are lacking, the President could instead provide repairs directly and eligible measures to reduce future damage. The direct-repair provision uses 'a disaster' for disability-related inaccessibility.
The President may provide financial assistance for the repair of owner-occupied private residences, utilities, and residential infrastructure (such as a private access route) damaged by a major disaster, or with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible by a major disaster.
The President may provide direct assistance to individuals and households who are unable to make use of financial assistance under subparagraph (A) and when there is a lack of available resources, for— (I) the repair of owner-occupied private residences, utilities, and residential infrastructure (such as a private access route) damaged by a major disaster, or with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible by a disaster; and (II) eligible hazard mitigation measures that reduce the likelihood and future damage to such residences, utilities, and infrastructure.
Recipients of direct repair assistance would be ineligible for assistance under section 408(c)(1), unless FEMA determined otherwise. Repair recipients would not have to show that assistance can be met through other means, except insurance proceeds. Section 5 would also add direct repairs to statutory references governing state- or tribal-administered assistance; the underlying provisions are not fully reproduced.
A recipient of assistance under this subparagraph shall not be eligible for assistance under paragraph (1), unless otherwise determined by the Administrator.
A recipient of assistance provided under this paragraph shall not be required to show that the assistance can be met through other means, except insurance proceeds.
Section 408(f) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) is amended— (1) by striking subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e) each place it appears and inserting paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (4) of subsection (c) and subsection (e)
(2) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking subsection (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), or (e) and inserting paragraph (1)(B), (2)(B), or (4) of subsection (c) or subsection (e).
For the state-managed housing pilot, the President would have to publish the criteria used to evaluate state or tribal applications to administer grants. State planning requirements would include helping survivors develop permanent housing plans and offering some choice of communities and properties where practicable.
The President shall make public the criteria used to evaluate applications under clause (i) and determine if a State or Indian tribal government meets the criteria described in subparagraph (B) to administer grants described in paragraph (1)(A).
(III) outline the approach of the State to help disaster survivors create a permanent housing plan; and (IV) outline the approach of the State to provide individual disaster survivors some choice of communities and properties, as practicable.
Section 6 would replace '2 years' with '10 years' in one pilot-authority clause, remove a separate two-year deadline, and delete an existing subparagraph. The missing underlying text prevents a complete account of those changes or an exact expiration date. When the pilot authority expires, GAO would have to report on its effectiveness, successes, and challenges and recommend improvements.
(C) by striking subparagraph (F); (D) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), (I), and (J) as subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), and (I), respectively; and (E) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated— (i) in clause (ii) by striking Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the and inserting The; and (ii) in clause (iii) by striking 2 years and inserting 10 years
Upon the expiration of the authority to carry out section 408(f) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) as a pilot program, the Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a report on the effectiveness, successes, and challenges of any pilot program carried out pursuant to such section and make recommendations on how to improve the provision of assistance under such section.
The federal government would pay at least 75 percent of assistance costs under the three listed Stafford Act provisions, including the proposed direct-repair provision. This is a minimum federal cost share, not a specified total spending amount.
In the case of assistance provided under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(2)(B), and (c)(4), the Federal share shall be not less than 75 percent.
(2) Repairs (A) Financial assistance for repairs
(B) Direct assistance for repairs
Management-cost reimbursements could reach 12 percent of the total award for a section 408(f) grantee. For crisis counseling, training, and case-management grants under sections 416 or 426, the combined reimbursement to the grantee and subgrantees could reach 15 percent. Section 7 would also replace or delete existing administrative-cost language that is not reproduced in full.
(C) Individual assistance A grantee under section 408(f) may be reimbursed not more than 12 percent of the total award amount under each such section. (D) Crisis counseling assistance, training, and case management services A grantee and subgrantee, cumulatively, may be reimbursed not more than 15 percent of the total amount of the grant award under either section 416 or 426.
(1) by striking (A) Grant to state.— and all that follows through subsection (g), and inserting Subject to subsection (g),; and (2) by striking subparagraph (B).
FEMA could fund eligible state agencies to create, update, or operate state-managed disaster-recovery websites suitable for their residents. Websites funded for establishment would be limited to lists of recovery funding or assistance for communities or individuals, or technical guidance on reducing disaster impacts and preparing for successive hazards. Agencies receiving funding would have to cooperate with the listed federal agencies, and websites funded for establishment would need updates at least every six months. Section 8 would also add post-disaster assistance to an existing provision on using other agencies' services.
Use of services of other agencies Section 201(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131(a)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (8) post-disaster assistance.
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency may provide funding to a State agency established under subsection (c) to establish, update, or operate a website to provide information relating to post-disaster recovery funding and resources to a community or an individual impacted by a major disaster or emergency.
A website created under this subsection shall be— (A) managed by the State agency; and (B) suitable for the residents of the State of the State agency.
The Administrator may provide funding to a State agency under this subsection to establish a website that contains only 1 or more of the following: (A) A list of Federal, State, and local sources of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that may be available to a community after a major disaster or emergency. (B) A list of Federal, State, and local sources of post-disaster recovery funding or assistance that may be available to an individual impacted by a major disaster or emergency. (C) A technical guide that lists and explains the costs and benefits of alternatives available to a community to mitigate the impacts of a major disaster or emergency and prepare for sequential hazards such as flooding after a wildfire.
A State agency that receives funding under this subsection shall cooperate with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in developing a website under this subsection.
A State agency that receives funding to establish a website under this subsection shall update the website not less than once every 6 months.
Within 90 days after a presidential major-disaster declaration, FEMA would have to publish an interactive dashboard showing application counts, housing and other-needs applications, approvals, denials, and ranked denial reasons. Where available, it would show aid amounts by owner or renter status and income above or below the national median, plus the estimated percentage of residential property destroyed. It could include other relevant information but could not publish applicants' personally identifiable information.
Not later than 90 days after a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists under section 401, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall publish on a website of the Agency an interactive web tool
(1) The number of applications for assistance under section 408, including a description of the number of applications for assistance related to housing under such section and the number of applications for assistance to address other needs under section 408(e). (2) The number of applications for such assistance that are approved. (3) The number of applications for such assistance that are denied. (4) A ranked list of the reasons for the denial of such applications, including the number of applications for each reason for denial.
(5) If available, the dollar amount of assistance provided pursuant to section 408 to applicants who are— (A) property owners with a household annual income— (i) above the national median household income; and (ii) below the national median household income; and (B) renters with a household annual income— (i) above the national median household income; and (ii) below the national median household income. (6) The estimated percentage of residential property that was destroyed as a result of the major disaster, if available. (7) Any other information that the Administrator determines to be relevant.
The Administrator shall ensure that none of the information published under subsection (a) contains the personally identifiable information of an applicant.
Within 180 days after enactment, FEMA would have to report to the specified congressional committees on average assistance and denial rates from fiscal year 2016 through the last fiscal year ending before enactment. Annual reports would cover fiscal years beginning on or after enactment. Reports would include all individuals and households and specified income groups below 75 percent, above 125 percent, and between 75 and 125 percent of national median household income, with owner and renter counts for those income groups and explanations for increased denial rates where applicable.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate a report with respect to fiscal year 2016 through the most recent fiscal year ending before the date of enactment of this Act, and an annual report for any fiscal year beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act
the average amount of individual assistance and individual and household assistance provided under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) to, and the rate of denial of individual assistance and individual and household assistance provided under such section for— (A) all individuals; (B) households; (C) individuals and households with a reported annual income under 75 percent of the national median household income; (D) individuals with a reported annual income over 125 percent of the national median household income; and (E) individuals with a reported annual income between 75 percent and 125 percent of the national median household income
an explanation for any factors causing an increase in the rate of denial of the assistance described in paragraph (1), if applicable.
the Administrator shall describe the number of homeowners and the number of renters for each category of individuals and households described in subparagraphs (C) through (E) of subsection (a)(1).
FEMA could reimburse state, tribal, or local governments for exclusive-use congregate or non-congregate shelter for emergency response personnel and their predisaster household members. This would require a major disaster with presidential authorization of emergency protective measures and a determination by the governor or relevant tribal or local chief executive that damage or disruption interferes with those measures.
For any major disaster for which the President has authorized emergency protective measures for an area within the jurisdiction of a State, tribal, or local government, the Administrator may reimburse the State, tribal, or local government for costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel, including individuals that are a part of the same predisaster household as such personnel, in exclusive-use congregate or non-congregate settings if the Governor of the State or chief executive of the tribal or local government determines that the damage or disruption to such area is of such a magnitude as to disrupt the provision of emergency protective measures within such area.
Covered emergency personnel would include employees and contracted employees providing specified emergency services, plus elected officials overseeing or directing response or recovery, excluding members of Congress. FEMA would determine a reasonable shelter-reimbursement period based on local damage, housing alternatives, utilities, and transportation disruption. Reimbursement could not extend beyond the six-month period beginning when the incident period ends.
the term emergency response personnel means— (A) employees or contracted employees providing law enforcement, fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical, emergency management, or emergency communications services; and (B) elected officials, except members of Congress, responsible for the overseeing or directing emergency response operations or recovery activities.
The Administrator may only reimburse a State, tribal, or local government for the costs of sheltering emergency response personnel under paragraph (1) for such a period of time as the Administrator determines reasonable based in the individual characteristics of and impacts to the affected area, including the extent of damage, the availability of alternative housing options, the availability of utilities, and disruptions to transportation infrastructure.
The period of reimbursement under subparagraph (A) may not exceed the 6-month period beginning on the date on which the incident period ends.
Section 12 would add 'including local post-disaster rent increases' after 'accommodation provided' in the existing rental-assistance provision. Because the surrounding statutory sentence is not supplied, the text alone does not establish a complete payment calculation or guarantee reimbursement of every rent increase.
Section 408(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(c)(1)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting , including local post-disaster rent increases, after accommodation provided.
Within one year after enactment, FEMA would have to study renters' difficulties obtaining federal disaster aid and any differences in assistance to renters and homeowners, and develop a plan addressing identified problems, including legislative recommendations. FEMA would consult relevant federal entities and disaster-housing stakeholders and send the study and recommendations to the specified congressional committees upon completion.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall conduct a study to examine the unique challenges of renters when seeking Federal disaster assistance and any disparities of assistance provided to homeowners and renters pursuant to section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) and develop a plan that addresses any identified challenges and disparities, including any recommendations for legislative action.
Upon completion of the activities carried out under subsection (b), the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report containing the study and recommendations required under subsection (b).
the Administrator shall consult with appropriate Federal entities and stakeholders involved in disaster housing.
GAO would have to study the accuracy and practices of FEMA's preliminary damage assessments for individual and household assistance. It would compare FEMA's procedures with private insurers' procedures, review assessor training, and compare damage estimates for homes owned by people above the national median income with those at or below it.
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the practices, including the accuracy of such practices, that the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses when conducting preliminary damage assessments for the purposes of providing assistance under section 408
(1) A comparison of the process and procedures used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to complete preliminary damage assessments to the process and procedures used by private insurance companies following a major disaster. (2) A review of training provided to individuals conducting preliminary damage assessments. (3) A comparison of damage estimates for homes owned by individuals above the national median income to homes owned by individuals at or below the national median income.
The amendments on repair and rebuilding, direct assistance, management costs, recovery websites, and emergency-personnel shelter would apply only to money appropriated on or after enactment. This restriction concerns when Congress provides the funding, rather than the date a disaster occurs.
The amendments made by sections 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 shall only apply to amounts appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 4. Repair and rebuilding. Sec. 5. Direct assistance. Sec. 6. State-managed housing pilot authority. Sec. 7. Management costs. Sec. 8. Funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance. Sec. 9. Individual assistance dashboard. Sec. 10. FEMA reports. Sec. 11. Sheltering of emergency response personnel.
GAO would have to study challenges states and U.S. territories face in obtaining assistance under the Stafford Act's public-assistance alternative procedures. The study would examine rural areas, small impoverished communities, and other groups GAO considers relevant. A report to Congress would be due within one year after enactment; the underlying assistance procedures are not reproduced.
15. GAO report to Congress on challenges under public assistance alternative procedures
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the challenges to States and Territories of the United States in obtaining assistance under section 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189f).
(1) Rural areas, as such term is defined in section 423 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189a). (2) Small impoverished communities, as such term is defined in section 203 of such Act. (3) Other communities, areas, or individuals that the Comptroller General determines pertinent.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of the study required under subsection (a).
The supplied action snapshot, updated April 14, 2026, records House introduction and referrals on February 12, 2025, including referrals to Transportation and Infrastructure, Financial Services, Small Business, and the relevant Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee. It also records sponsor introductory remarks on February 25, 2025. These entries do not establish the bill's subsequent disposition.
Source snapshot updated 2026-04-14T14:32:56Z.
2025-02-12: Introduced in House
2025-02-12: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
2025-02-12: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2025-02-25: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E160-161)
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2025-02-12. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy rider attached to appropriations was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion applies only to that version and does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for particular recipients or places meeting the supplied earmark definition was identified after reviewing the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion applies only to that version; it does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials, and formal earmark status cannot be determined without the relevant disclosures and reports.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
A narrow benefit warrants scrutiny under this category in the supplied introduced text. Classification does not imply improper purpose or unjustified treatment.
Section 11 would authorize government reimbursement for exclusive-use shelter for emergency response personnel and extend that treatment to their predisaster household members. Covered personnel expressly include elected officials directing or overseeing response or recovery, except members of Congress. This is a narrow shelter preference within the bill's disaster-recovery policy, conditioned on authorized emergency protective measures and disruption to their provision, with reimbursement limited by FEMA and a six-month maximum period after the incident period ends.
For any major disaster for which the President has authorized emergency protective measures for an area within the jurisdiction of a State, tribal, or local government, the Administrator may reimburse the State, tribal, or local government for costs relating to sheltering emergency response personnel, including individuals that are a part of the same predisaster household as such personnel, in exclusive-use congregate or non-congregate settings if the Governor of the State or chief executive of the tribal or local government determines that the damage or disruption to such area is of such a magnitude as to disrupt the provision of emergency protective measures within such area.
the term emergency response personnel means— (A) employees or contracted employees providing law enforcement, fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical, emergency management, or emergency communications services; and (B) elected officials, except members of Congress, responsible for the overseeing or directing emergency response operations or recovery activities.
The Administrator may only reimburse a State, tribal, or local government for the costs of sheltering emergency response personnel under paragraph (1) for such a period of time as the Administrator determines reasonable
The period of reimbursement under subparagraph (A) may not exceed the 6-month period beginning on the date on which the incident period ends.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Apr 14, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI