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S267119th CongressWALLET

Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act

Sponsored By: Senator Budd, Ted [R-NC]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would let FEMA reimburse state, local, and tribal governments for repairing, replacing, or restoring privately owned roads and bridges in North Carolina damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. It would make those costs eligible for Public Assistance even when damage existed before the storm.

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  • Families and residents: Households that rely on a private road or bridge as the sole way to reach a primary residence or essential community service could get repairs funded to restore access.
  • State, Tribal, and local governments: These governments could be reimbursed for costs they pay to repair or replace private roads and bridges under Public Assistance alternative procedures, provided they secure permission to do the work and keep routes open for recovery activities.
  • FEMA rules and cost checks: Eligibility requires inspections and certified cost estimates prepared by licensed engineers agreed to by FEMA and the applicant. Once accepted those estimates are presumed reasonable and eligible, and the bill addresses duplication of benefits and how prior Individuals and Households Program aid applies.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

FEMA help for private access roads

If enacted, state, tribal, and local governments in parts of North Carolina covered by FEMA-4827-DR-NC would be able to request FEMA Section 428 reimbursement to repair private roads and bridges. Eligible roads must be the only way to reach primary homes or essential community services and must be significantly damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. Repairs already finished would not be reimbursed. Officials must inspect the roads, keep them open during work, document costs, obtain permission to do permanent work, and follow state and federal rules. Cost estimates from licensed, professionally licensed engineers agreed to by FEMA would be presumed eligible once accepted. Households who already got Section 408 help for the same road could keep that help or return it so the repair could be reimbursed under this rule; keeping Section 408 help would not reduce their Section 408 maximum.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Budd, Ted [R-NC]

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/28/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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