Bipartisan legislation recently proposed by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Individual Assistance program to better support disaster victims.
“It’s past time we end the one-size-fits-all approach to disaster relief and cut the red tape that prevents many communities from accessing the relief they desperately need,” Sen. Tillis said on Monday. “This common-sense legislation provides greater flexibility for communities in need, saves taxpayer dollars, and helps communities recover faster.”
The bipartisan Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2024, S. 5067, would reform individual federal disaster assistance programs to best support survivors, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
S. 5067, which Sen. Tillis cosponsored on Sept. 17 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), would provide FEMA with new authorities to increase its ability to fund disaster mitigation projects and expand support to homeowners, the summary says.
If enacted, S. 5067 also would enable FEMA to reimburse states that implement their own post-disaster housing solutions and bolster development of post-disaster solutions for renters.
The bill also would require FEMA and the Government Accountability Office to complete a series of reports and studies that would identify additional challenges regarding the administration of post-disaster assistance for survivors and boost transparency, states the summary.
“Severe weather and natural disasters are becoming more frequent, more catastrophic and more costly, leaving people across the country in need of swift federal resources to help assist their recovery,” said Sen. Peters. “My common-sense bipartisan legislation would reform the FEMA disaster assistance process and improve how the agency provides assistance to individuals for home repairs, disaster housing, and mitigation activities.”
The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Sept. 25 reported favorably on the measure.