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119-s-378119th CongressWALLET

Expediting Hazard Mitigation Assistance Projects Act

Sponsored By: Senator Lankford, James [R-OK]

Introduced

Summary

Authorizes FEMA to waive or reduce environmental and historic preservation reviews for certain property acquisitions and structure demolitions funded by FEMA mitigation programs to speed hazard mitigation. This gives FEMA targeted flexibility for buyouts, demolitions, and relocations while requiring short consultations and regular reporting.

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  • Households and communities: Could speed buyouts, relocations, and structure removals paid through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, and Flood Mitigation Assistance programs. These changes are aimed at shortening delays after disasters.
  • State and local officials: FEMA must consult with appropriate state and local officials for no more than 30 days before issuing a waiver and must consider recovery needs and whether a waiver could cause serious environmental issues.
  • Environmental and historic preservation interests: The waiver authority can apply to many laws and orders, including NEPA, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, CERCLA, RCRA, coastal laws, and floodplain and wetlands executive orders. FEMA must write regulations to implement the authority and submit annual reports to Congress for five years on its use and effects.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

FEMA buyouts can cover demolition

If enacted, the bill would let FEMA pay to buy properties and to demolish buildings as part of hazard-mitigation projects. This change would apply only to projects funded under FEMA section 404, section 203, or the flood mitigation assistance program (section 1366). If used, this could reduce out-of-pocket demolition or relocation costs for households and small businesses in affected areas.

FEMA can waive environmental reviews

If enacted, the bill would let the FEMA Administrator waive or reduce many environmental and historic-preservation reviews for certain hazard-mitigation buyout, demolition, or relocation projects. FEMA must consult state and local officials for up to 30 days before using the waiver, write implementing regulations, and report to Congress within 1 year and then annually for 5 years. The waiver list could include NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water and Clean Air acts, historic preservation rules, and other laws.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lankford, James [R-OK]

OK • R

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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