House advances legislation to enhance FEMA disaster response, recovery programs

Three bills to strengthen the federal government’s disaster response and recovery programs of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were unanimously approved last week by the U.S. House of Representatives.

Each piece of legislation ensures that the federal government fairly considers the needs of small communities that are rebuilding from disasters, while providing more certainty in disaster assistance decisions. The bills will also seek to improve transparency within FEMA and enhance efficiencies for disaster grant applicants.

H.R. 1665 directs the agency to appropriately weigh severe local impact when determining whether to recommend a major disaster declaration and ensures a more level playing field for smaller communities when impacted by severe events.

“Recent severe weather in Illinois and across the Midwest reminds us that it is imperative we change the way FEMA determines the need for disaster relief,” U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), sponsor of H.R. 1665, said. “Right now, the amount Illinois has to reach to receive federal public assistance after a major disaster is $18 million – nearly double that of any of our neighboring states.”

H.R. 1678, implements a statute of limitations of the agency’s ability to recover grant assistance from recipients after a declared disaster in cases where there is no evidence of fraud or misappropriation.

The FEMA Accountability, Modernization and Transparency Act of 2017, H.R. 1679, brings the agency’s management of grant programs up to date to improve applicant accessibility and transparency.

“Disaster victims still have to dial an 800 number, sit on hold and wait for one of the hundreds of FEMA employees to search a database to get an update on a claim’s status. The whole process is filled with uncertainty, is expensive and leaves taxpayers feeling extraordinarily frustrated,” U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA), sponsor of H.R. 1679, said. “These bipartisan reforms are common sense steps toward making the agency perform at a higher level. The American people deserve better from the federal government – especially after a disaster, when help is needed most – and we’re going to keep working to ensure they get it.”

Each bill will now be considered on the Senate floor.