# 119-s-4433: Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026

119-s-4433, Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] (D-CO); status introduced (as of 2026-05-31).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4433
- As of: 2026-05-31
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-4433
- Congress: 119
- Title: Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-04-29
- Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] (D-CO)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Emergency Management
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-05-31

## Summary

**Creates a congressional fast-track to force a Presidential major disaster declaration after a Governor's request is denied.** This bill would require the President to send a written explanation within 24 hours for certain refusals and it sets a single-issue joint resolution path so Congress can require a declaration under strict timelines and debate limits. - States and Governors: If a refusal meets the bill's definition of a "covered refusal"—for example when the President rejects a request despite a FEMA Administrator recommendation or departs from FEMA precedent—states gain a legislative route to obtain a declaration. - Congress: Lawmakers could introduce a covered joint resolution within 14 days and the measure moves under fast-track rules, including committee discharge within 2 calendar days and no amendments allowed. - President and FEMA: The President must provide a written explanation to the Speaker and Senate President within 24 hours after a covered refusal, increasing transparency about why a major disaster was denied.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO] (D-CO), 2026-04-29T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Congress could force disaster declarations: benefit, medium. If enacted, this bill would create a formal congressional process to require a President to declare a major disaster in certain denial cases. It would define a "covered refusal" when a Governor asks for a declaration and the President denies it contrary to a FEMA Administrator recommendation or bas…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act
- 119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-s-2763: Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act
- 119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act

## Sources
- [119-s-4433 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/4433)

## Related
- [119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5022)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3990)
- [119-s-2763: Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2763)
- [119-s-2120: Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2120)
- [119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3869)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4433 (as of 2026-05-31).