Representative Mike Ezell introduces H.R. 152: Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act

We have received text from H.R. 152: Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act. This bill was received on 2025-01-03, and currently has 2 cosponsors.

Here is a short summary of the bill:

This bill, titled the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, aims to improve how information is collected and damage assessments are conducted in the aftermath of disasters. The bill proposes amendments to the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 focused on streamlining processes and reducing the burden on applicants for disaster assistance.

Key Provisions of the Bill

Study on Information Collection

The bill includes provisions for a study to be conducted by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in coordination with other federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The goals of this study are to:

• Modify and streamline the collection of information from disaster assistance applicants and grantees.
• Ensure the process is less burdensome and time-consuming.
• Establish and maintain a public website to present information on federal disaster assistance awarded.

Improving Preliminary Damage Assessments

The bill also mandates that within two years of enactment, FEMA will work with various federal agencies to:

• Identify areas where there may be duplication or fragmentation in damage assessments conducted after disaster declarations.
• Explore the feasibility of having a single federal agency handle all preliminary damage assessments.
• Investigate the use of emerging technologies, such as drones, to expedite these assessments.

Comprehensive Reporting

FEMA is required to compile a comprehensive report that includes:

• The results and plans developed from the aforementioned studies on information collection and damage assessments.
• Findings and recommendations from the working group consultations.

This report must be submitted to specific congressional committees and will be made available to the public, including downloadable and machine-readable formats.

Public and Legislative Review

Upon submission of the comprehensive report, there will be a briefing for the appropriate congressional committees within 180 days, where findings and recommendations will be discussed, ensuring transparency in the process.

Technical Amendments

The bill also makes a technical amendment to the table of contents of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, specifically updating the citation for the section concerning the study on information collection and preliminary damage assessments.

Relevant Companies

None found.

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