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H.R. 152

Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act

In Plain Language

This bill requires FEMA to reduce paperwork and delays for disaster victims applying for federal aid by studying how to collect information more efficiently. FEMA also has to set up a working group to identify ways to streamline damage assessments after disasters, including using new technologies like drones, and report its findings to Congress and the public.

Official Congressional Research Service summary

Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination ActThis bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to streamline disaster information collection, convene a working group on preliminary damage assessments, and provide a report to Congress.FEMA must (1) conduct a study and develop a plan under which the collection of information from disaster assistance applicants and grantees will be made less burdensome, duplicative, and time consuming for applicants and grantees; and (2) develop a plan for the regular collection and reporting of information on federal disaster assistance awarded.Additionally, not later than two years after enactment of the bill, FEMA must convene a working group on a regular basis to (1) identify potential areas of duplication or fragmentation in preliminary damage assessments after disaster declarations; (2) determine the applicability of having one federal agency make the assessments for all agencies; and (3) identify potential emerging technologies, such as unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones), to expedite the administration of preliminary damage assessments.FEMA must submit a comprehensive report on the plans for streamlining and consolidating information collection and the findings and recommendations of the working group to Congress with a briefing. The report must be made available to the public and posted on FEMA's website.

Sponsor

Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]

Cosponsors

Rescom. Hernández, Pablo [D-PR-At Large]
Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]

Latest action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Jan 14, 2025

Official source

View on Congress.gov ↗

Action history

Jan 14, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

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