HR 2428

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 27, 2025

Ms. Friedman (for herself, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Lieu, Mr. Mullin, and Mr. Sherman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study regarding a Federal buyout program available to homeowners with properties in high-risk catastrophic wildfire disaster areas, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act”.

SEC. 2. GAO STUDY ON A FEDERAL BUYOUT PROGRAM FOR HIGH-RISK WILDFIRE AREAS.

(a) In General.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to analyze the feasibility of using Federal grant programs to purchase property from homeowners, voluntarily selling such properties, before and after a catastrophic wildfire disaster.

(b) Existing Covered Buyouts.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall compile recommendations on—

(1) how to develop a national database on covered buyouts, existing on the date of enactment of this Act, with information on what grant program was used to purchase each respective property under such buyouts, what entity is responsible for maintaining such property, and any development on such property following the covered buyout; and

(2) how the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development can exchange information about any covered buyout in process as of the date of enactment of this Act.

(c) New Wildfire Buyout Program.—In conducting the study under subsection (a) of this Act, the Comptroller General shall—

(1) analyze how a program for the buyout of properties endangered or impacted by catastrophic wildfire disasters would compare to covered buyout programs existing on the date of enactment of this Act, including any floodplain disaster buyout programs;

(2) provide recommendations on which department, agency, or program should house a program for the buyout of properties endangered or impacted by catastrophic wildfire disasters; and

(3) provide land use recommendations for properties after a covered buyout, including—

(A) how to ensure specific purchases and future land uses will reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, loss of life, and loss of property during catastrophic wildfires;

(B) how land use may be different for rural compared to urban communities and for disadvantaged compared to high-income communities;

(C) how to allow flexibility for communities to decide how to use the land following a covered buyout; and

(D) with respect to properties in high-risk areas prior to catastrophic wildfire disaster and for properties impacted after a catastrophic wildfire disaster, eligibility requirements, including—

(i) recommendations for mapping which areas are at the highest risk for catastrophic wildfire; and

(ii) methodology for determining which areas would be most effective for implementing a Federal buyout program, including consideration for where the greatest benefit would be derived as a result of evacuating individuals in efforts to avoid loss of life.

(d) Authority To Define Terms.—In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall develop definitions for the terms “development”, “disadvantaged community”, “high-income community”, and “catastrophic wildfire”.

(e) Report.—Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report identifying findings and conclusions, including—

(1) the results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a);

(2) any recommendations made under subsection (b);

(3) recommendations on ways to incentivize participation in the program described in subsection (c);

(4) analysis of the economic impacts of the program described in subsection (c) and the cost of the program to the Federal Government; and

(5) the definitions developed under subsection (d).

(f) Covered Buyout Defined.—In this Act, a “covered buyout” means a purchase of property by the Federal Government from a homeowner who voluntarily sold such property because such property was recognized by the Federal Government to be in an area endangered or impacted by a catastrophic natural disaster. <all>