# Plain Language Summary: Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act

When disasters strike—hurricanes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes—the federal government sends money to help communities recover. But right now, there's no single place where the public can easily see where all that disaster money is going or how it's being spent. This bill creates a centralized online database to fix that problem. It requires federal agencies that hand out disaster assistance to report detailed information about every project and activity they fund, and to make that information publicly available on a government website within 30 days after each quarter ends.

The bill applies to three main sources of disaster funding: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (which handles most disaster relief), the Small Business Administration (which provides disaster loans), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (which funds housing recovery and community development). When these agencies give money to states, cities, nonprofits, or businesses for disaster recovery—whether it's rebuilding roads, repairing homes, or restoring businesses—they'll have to report the details online. This includes the project name, what it's for, where it's located, how much money it received, and whether it's been completed.

For everyday people, this means transparency and accountability. If your community receives disaster assistance, you'll be able to look up exactly what projects got funded, how much money was spent, and track whether those projects are actually getting done. This makes it harder for money to disappear or get misused, and it lets citizens and elected officials see if disaster recovery efforts are working as intended. The only people excluded from this reporting requirement are individuals receiving direct disaster assistance—the focus is on organizations and government entities receiving larger sums.

Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act

Ezell, Mike

Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act This bill establishes a centralized location to publish information on disaster assistance provided by federal agencies. The Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and any agencies providing disaster assistance must make available to the public on a quarterly basis information regarding (1) the total amount of assistance provided by the agency; (2) the amount provided that was expended or obligated; and (3) all projects or activities for which assistance was expended, obligated, or used. <ul> </ul> <ul> </ul>