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S4433119th Congress

Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

Introduced

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.

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  • 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.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Congress could force disaster declarations

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 based on a FEMA recommendation that contradicts established precedent. The President would have to send a written explanation to the Speaker and the President of the Senate within 24 hours after a covered refusal. Within 14 calendar days of that notice, Congress would be able to introduce a short "covered joint resolution," and only the majority or minority leaders (or their designees) could introduce it. Committees would have 2 calendar days to report or be discharged; the House would limit debate to 4 hours and the Senate to 10 hours, with no amendments, before a final vote. The new rules would be treated as part of each chamber's standing rules but each House could still change its rules in the normal way.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

CO • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 4/29/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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