This bill aims to make it easier for communities to recover from disasters by giving them more control over the process and ensuring they have stable funding. The main idea is to shift power away from federal bureaucracy and toward local governments, while also providing extra help to communities that struggle with disaster management.

The bill creates several key changes. First, it funds state disaster mitigation offices with at least $100 million per year so communities can plan ahead and prevent damage before disasters strike. Second, it makes federal funding more flexible for poorer communities—those lacking staff, money, or expertise can now receive up to 85% federal funding for disaster prevention projects instead of the standard lower percentage. Third, it increases the money available upfront to help communities start recovery work immediately, doubling advance payments from 25% to 50% of total assistance.

For communities rebuilding after disasters, the bill increases the money they can use for management costs (like hiring staff to process paperwork) from 12% to 15% of total assistance. It also simplifies the rules so communities can combine funding from multiple disasters into one account instead of managing them separately. The bill requires FEMA to issue guidance within 60 days and finalize new rules within 18 months to make these changes happen quickly. Overall, this legislation recognizes that smaller, less-resourced communities need more support and flexibility to recover effectively from disasters.

Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act

Welch, Peter

Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act or the Disaster AID ActThis bill increases, expedites, and facilitates access to disaster and hazard mitigation assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It also increases flexibility for compensating FEMA employees.The bill allows FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program to provide greater assistance before recipients incur project costs (i.e., advance assistance), increase funding for management costs, and expand the use of simplified application procedures. Also, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) may increase the maximum federal cost share from 75% to 85% for jurisdictions with a low capacity for investment in disaster resilience and increase the maximum advance assistance from 25% to 50% of project cost.&nbsp;The bill also allows PA and HMGP recipients to use unexpended management cost funds for additional disaster resilience activities.In addition, under current law, FEMA may set aside funding from the Disaster Relief Fund for predisaster mitigation. The bill requires&nbsp;FEMA to set aside and use such funds to provide a minimum annual amount of grant funding for predisaster mitigation.Also, the bill establishes grants for hazard mitigation offices and post-disaster FEMA training on obtaining assistance.Furthermore, if obligated FEMA disaster funding is not disbursed within 26 business days, FEMA must explain the delay and provide status updates.Additionally, the bill allows FEMA to simultaneously provide both retirement benefits and salary for certain employees. Also, it allows a tax deduction to&nbsp;FEMA employees for expenses while away from home in excess of one year.