# Plain Language Summary: Disaster Spending and Hazard Mitigation Bill

This bill is about trying to prevent disasters from happening in the first place, rather than just paying for cleanup after they strike. The government wants to study how much money we're spending on disaster relief and figure out smarter ways to reduce the damage disasters cause before they happen. Think of it like the difference between constantly fixing a leaky roof versus actually replacing the roof to stop the leaks.

The bill does two main things. First, it asks the Comptroller General (basically the government's chief auditor) to look at how much money the federal government spends on disaster relief and emergency assistance, then recommend strategies to cut down on that spending by preventing disasters or reducing their impact. Second, it updates the Stafford Act, which is the main law that governs federal disaster assistance, to expand what kinds of disaster-related activities the government can help pay for. This includes things like hazard mitigation—actions taken before a disaster strikes to reduce its severity, like reinforcing buildings, improving drainage systems, or clearing vegetation to reduce wildfire risk.

The practical effect is that communities might get more federal support for preventive measures like upgrading infrastructure to withstand hurricanes, floods, or earthquakes, rather than waiting for disaster to strike and then requesting emergency funds. This could mean your town has better protection against natural disasters if it takes steps to prepare now, and the government is looking for ways to make this kind of prevention more cost-effective overall.

To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on disaster spending and strategies for reducing the need for such spending, to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide assistance for certain activities relating to disasters and hazard mitigation, and for other purposes.

Payne, Donald M.

This bill establishes reporting and other requirements related to disaster preparedness and response and hazard mitigation. The Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) must conduct a study and report on disaster spending and strategies for reducing the need for such spending. Specifically, the GAO must identify <ul> <li>for the 5-year period ending on the date of this bill's enactment, the total amount of federal, state, and tribal funds spent in response to major disasters and emergencies;</li> <li>10 proposed federal actions, including reinsurance, that, if implemented, would most effectively reduce the need for spending related to such major disasters or emergencies;</li> <li>the effect that using blockchain may have on delivering disaster assistance to state and Indian tribal governments; and</li> <li>whether insurance protection against wildfires will remain available and affordable to homeowners.</li> </ul> The President must coordinate with each state to update state plans to incorporate strategies that decrease the time required to prepare for disasters, including the time to evacuate individuals. An entity that receives grants for hazard mitigation revolving loan funds must ensure that at least 10% of the total dollar amount of the loans it makes each fiscal year assist projects or activities that reduce risks for residential structures related to specified natural hazards.