Federal RuleAug 21
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DOL Rewrites Disability Rules for 'Merit-Based Opportunity' Push
RuleLabor DepartmentFederal Contract Compliance Programs OfficeSignificant Wallet
119-s-5276119th CongressWALLET
Reducing Red Tape for Rebuilding Act
Sponsored By: Senator Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would expand and clarify when base and overtime wages for extra hires are eligible for Stafford Act reimbursement. It sets two separate eligibility windows for those wages: 180 days after a major disaster declaration for substantial damage determinations, and up to 2 years after a date chosen by the recipient for activities tied to adopting or enforcing building codes.
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- State and local governments gain clearer timing. They may seek reimbursement for wages tied to damage determinations if paid within 180 days and for building‑code work if paid within up to 2 years.
- Workers hired to support recovery keep coverage for both base pay and overtime. The change preserves eligibility for extra hires under the existing Stafford Act cross‑reference.
- Rebuilding and code‑adoption efforts can run longer without forcing recipients to lose wage reimbursement for certain staff. The wider windows aim to reduce administrative barriers to finishing code‑related recovery tasks.
*This bill does not authorize new funding or new appropriations and only changes the timing rules for existing Stafford Act reimbursements.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More wage reimbursements for disaster hires
State, local, and tribal governments would be able to seek reimbursement for base and overtime wages paid to extra hires. Wages for hires doing substantial damage determinations would be eligible only if the determination happens within 180 days of the disaster declaration. Wages for other activities to implement or enforce adopted building codes would be eligible for up to two years after a date the recipient selects. The bill would not create new funding and would apply to recipients already eligible under the Stafford Act.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
IA • R
Sponsored 8/6/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov