This bill makes it easier for local governments and nonprofits to get more federal money when they're rebuilding after disasters. Right now, when a disaster hits, FEMA covers at least 75% of the repair costs for damaged public buildings and facilities. However, if communities take steps to prepare for future disasters and build back stronger, FEMA can bump that up to 85% coverage. This bill expands what counts as those disaster-preparation steps. Instead of just a few specific activities, communities can now qualify for the extra federal help by investing in preparedness training programs, following FEMA-approved building standards that make structures more disaster-resistant, or supporting local emergency response teams made up of volunteers and community organizations. Essentially, the bill rewards communities that take disaster prevention seriously by giving them a bigger chunk of federal funding to rebuild. The changes take effect one year after the bill becomes law, giving communities time to plan and implement these resilience measures.

Investing in Community Resilience Act of 2025

Lankford, James

Investing in Community Resilience Act of 2025This bill expands the activities eligible to increase the federal cost share under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) program.Under current law,&nbsp;FEMA provides PA applicants (i.e., government entities and certain nonprofits) a minimum federal cost share of 75% of the costs of repairing or replacing eligible disaster-damaged facilities, but FEMA may increase this to up to 85% if the applicant invests in certain incentive measures that increase disaster readiness and resilience. The bill expands the measures eligible to cause this increase to include (1) investments in preparedness programs, (2) programs designated by&nbsp;FEMA that increase disaster resilience through building standards or land use practices, and (3) support for community emergency response teams or similar non-governmental organizations that provide disaster assistance and advance preparedness.The bill takes effect one year after enactment.