Bill > HR403

This bill aims to enhance predisaster mitigation efforts by making several key changes to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The bill introduces new definitions for terms like "high hazard risk" and "environmental justice community," and expands the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) technical assistance capabilities to include guidance on incorporating climate change considerations into risk assessment and project planning. It prioritizes assistance for vulnerable communities by directing FEMA to focus on high-risk, low-income, and environmentally disadvantaged areas when awarding mitigation grants. The bill increases the federal cost-share for projects in small impoverished and environmental justice communities to up to 90%, raises the national public infrastructure predisaster mitigation assistance from 6% to 15%, and mandates community outreach to help these communities better access and utilize mitigation funding. Additionally, the bill requires FEMA to establish a centralized federal database within three years to consolidate and track disaster response and mitigation spending across various agencies, with the goal of improving data transparency, fund allocation, and understanding the potential cost savings of predisaster mitigation efforts.

Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/403/all-info