Bill to simplify requirements for FEMA hazard mitigation grants clears Senate committee

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced a bill from U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) last week that would make the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) update its cost-effectiveness requirements for hazard mitigation grants.

The Facilitating Hazard Mitigations Projects Act is a simplification effort, meant to make it easier for applicants to demonstrate cost effectiveness to FEMA and earn their grants. States, local governments, Tribes and territories (SLTTs) all are required to submit benefit-cost analysis support alongside any request for hazard mitigation funding.

“Too often, complex application requirements limit the ability of underserved communities to access critical hazard mitigation funding that helps protect people and property against disasters,” Peters, the chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “This bipartisan legislation will help simplify the process and ensure communities in Michigan and across the United States will have the capacity to apply for critical FEMA funding.”

Under the bill he wrote with Cassidy, FEMA would have to reduce the complexity of its requirements and report to Congress its new evaluation process. For this evaluation, FEMA would also have to consult with SLTTs and non-profit partners to make sure it better fits their needs, as their feedback was cited as weighing against the current process. The lawmakers pointed to commentary about the cumbersome and overly complicated nature of the process, and added that it puts small and underserved communities at particular disadvantage for accessing grant programs.

Regardless of the change, FEMA will still need to ensure applications are cost-effective and meet all other eligibility requirements. Hazard mitigation grants can help projects that reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property caused by natural hazards.

As the bill moves to the Senate floor, it is also being backed by organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, BuildStrong Coalition, National Association of Counties Executive, Natural Hazard Mitigation Association, and more.

“The benefit-cost analysis at FEMA has been challenging for communities to navigate, while creating barriers to developing solid predisaster mitigation projects,” Marty Durbin, senior vice president of policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said. “Congress must act now to streamline the approach. The U.S. Chamber commends Sens. Peters and Cassidy for their bipartisan efforts to build modern and resilient infrastructure systems across our nation.”