All Roll Calls
Yes: 802 • No: 35
117-hr-1917117th CongressWALLET
Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act
Sponsored By: Representative Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]
Became Law
Summary
Allows certain hazard mitigation projects to begin implementation and access federal assistance earlier. The law creates a narrow "covered project" pathway so some planning or construction can start under specific hazard mitigation grant programs while meeting environmental and regulatory checks.
Show full summary
- Local governments, tribes, and other eligible entities can begin planning or construction and seek assistance under three hazard mitigation programs if they meet normal eligibility rules and clear incompatible encumbrances.
- Project applicants must meet federal requirements and have the Administrator determine the project qualifies for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act and complies with floodplain and wetlands rules. If a covered project is not awarded assistance or is found ineligible, the applicant bears any costs they already incurred.
- The Administrator must report to Congress within 180 days and annually for three years on use of this authority, including counts of applicants, awards, denials, reasons, and compliance. The authority ends three years after enactment and applies only to projects started after enactment.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
FEMA grants for started buyouts and demolitions
You can get FEMA hazard mitigation grant money for an acquisition-and-demolition project even if you started planning or construction before applying. To qualify, the project must meet all program and federal rules, and you must clear any incompatible encumbrances on the property. FEMA must find the project qualifies for a NEPA categorical exclusion and meets floodplain and wetlands rules. It cannot need other environmental or historic consultations or involve extraordinary circumstances. This applies to covered projects started on or after enactment.
Pay costs if FEMA grant denied
If your buyout or demolition project does not get a FEMA grant or is ruled ineligible, you must cover all costs you already incurred. This applies when you began planning or construction before an award. The rule is in effect now.
Temporary grant authority ends after three years
The law’s special rules for started acquisition-and-demolition projects are temporary. They end three years after enactment. After that, the expanded eligibility no longer applies.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]
TX • D
Cosponsors
Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10]
TX • R
Sponsored 3/16/2021
Resident Commissioner González-Colón, Jenniffer [R-PR-At Large]
PR • R
Sponsored 4/1/2021
Rep. Rice, Tom [R-SC-7]
SC • R
Sponsored 7/19/2021
Rep. Murphy, Gregory F. [R-NC-3]
NC • R
Sponsored 7/19/2021
Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]
NC • D
Sponsored 10/19/2021
Rep. Allred, Colin Z. [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Sponsored 10/19/2021
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 12/21/2022
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment
Yes: 393 • No: 19
house vote • 11/4/2021
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 409 • No: 16