Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act
Sponsored By: Senator Peter Welch
Introduced
Summary
Bolster hazard mitigation funding and speed disaster aid. This bill would create new funds for State and tribal mitigation offices, raise FEMA shares for low-capacity areas, and simplify how public assistance is delivered after disasters.
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- States and tribal governments: It would create a State Hazard Mitigation Office Funding program that guarantees at least 1 percent of a State or tribe's disaster assistance and authorizes $100 million a year beginning in FY2027 to support those offices.
- Low-capacity localities and households: It would let the President increase Federal mitigation grants to cover up to 85 percent of costs for low-capacity areas, expand advance public assistance up to 75 percent of estimated project costs, and set aside funds for predisaster mitigation projects.
- FEMA staff and critical infrastructure: It would fund a $500 million per-year Technical Assistance pilot for FY2027–FY2031 to help jurisdictions hire staff or assign FEMA personnel, clarify move rules for repeatedly damaged critical facilities, allow targeted pay waivers for certain FEMA hires, and require faster public notice during prolonged pauses.
*This bill would authorize new federal spending, including $100 million annually beginning FY2027 and $500 million annually for FY2027–FY2031, increasing federal outlays.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tax deduction for FEMA disaster travel
If enacted, travel certified by the FEMA Administrator as temporary duty to respond to a federally declared disaster would be deductible under the tax code. This change would apply to taxable years beginning after the law takes effect.
Faster payments and bigger disaster advances
If enacted, FEMA could run a large pilot to help low-capacity States and tribes, including sending staff or funding hires. The pilot is authorized $500 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031 and must report and be audited. Management-cost payments could be sped up (50% by 30 days, 75% by 180 days, 100% by one year). Unused management-cost funds could be reused for capacity and mitigation. Hazard mitigation advances would rise to 50%, public assistance advances could be up to 75% before costs, and simplified procedures would apply to smaller projects (about $1,000,000 adjusted, with a pilot up to $10,000,000 for high-capacity areas). More government units could apply as agents if authorized by a local government.
Guaranteed funding for mitigation offices
If enacted, the government would fund State hazard mitigation offices. Each State or tribe would get at least 1% of yearly funds. Remaining money would be split by population. The bill would also require a yearly set-aside for predisaster mitigation. Each year, at least the smaller of 10% or $500 million (inflation adjusted) of that set-aside would be obligated for mitigation.
Targeted FEMA pay-limit waivers
If enacted, FEMA could waive certain federal pay limits for specific employees. The waiver could apply to hard‑to‑fill positions or temporary assignments during emergencies that threaten life or property. Any waiver would be case‑by‑case and only last as long as necessary.
Relocate badly damaged critical facilities
If enacted, FEMA must approve rebuilding a critical facility at a new site in certain cases. The rule applies if a facility (power, water, sewer, communications, medical, fire, or other emergency rescue) is at least 30% damaged on two occasions, or at least 50% damaged once, and the State or tribe requests relocation. This requirement would take effect when the bill is enacted.
More FEMA transparency and training
If enacted, Governors could request an intensive FEMA training within 30 days after a major disaster. If a funding pause reaches 26 business days in a fiscal year, the President would publish the reason, expected duration, and legal authority within 5 business days. FEMA would also have deadlines to issue interim guidance within 60 days and a final rule within 540 days, plus follow-up guidance and a report within two years.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Peter Welch
VT • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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