HR 3251

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2025

Mr. Moskowitz (for himself and Mr. Burchett) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide for an alternative block grant program for funding public assistance for response to a major disaster, 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 “Disaster Response Flexibility Act of 2025”.

SEC. 2. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“SEC. 431. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

“(a) Establishment.—The President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall establish an alternative block grant program for providing funds for public assistance in the event of a major disaster declared by the President under this title.

“(b) Assessment of Cost of Public Assistance.—

“(1) Assessment required.—In the event of a major disaster described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall—

“(A) assess the cost of public assistance of each impacted State that would otherwise eligible for such assistance under this Act, including reasonable administrative expenses incurred by the State necessary to manage and distribute a block grant under this section; and

“(B) reduced the total amount of such cost by the non-Federal shares that would otherwise have been applied for each activity carried out with such public assistance.

“(2) Consultation.—In making an assessment under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with each applicable State to validate eligible costs and ensure that the amount of the assessment reflects the scope of necessary recovery efforts.

“(c) Program Requirements.—In carrying out the program under this section, the President shall—

“(1) establish a process for a State to elect to apply for a block under this section grant in lieu of application for direct public assistance under this title; and

“(2) ensure that a State may request a single adjustment to the amount provided in such block grant if the initial amount is insufficient to complete the activities that would otherwise be carried out under this title.

“(d) Application.—To be eligible for a block grant under this section, a State shall submit to the President an application in such manner and containing such information as the President may require.

“(e) Applicability.—A State that receives a block grant under this program shall not be eligible for direct public assistance under any other provision of this Act with respect to the major disaster for which the block grant is provided, including financial assistance and operational support (such as personnel, equipment, and contracted services).

“(f) Remaining Funds.—Any funds provided under this section that remain after the completion of recovery activities for which such funds are provided may be used for preparedness or mitigation activities in the State that are eligible for assistance under this Act.

“(g) Reports.—

“(1) State reports.—A State that receives a block grant under this section shall submit to the Administrator—

“(A) not later than 120 days after the date on which such grant was received, an initial recovery plan outlining anticipated uses of funds;

“(B) not later than 1 year after the submission of the report under subparagraph (A), and annually thereafter until all funds provided under the grant are expended, a report containing—

“(i) a description of each activity for which funds were spent;

“(ii) in any case in which the State has remaining funds described under subsection (f), the proposed use of such funds; and

“(iii) an assessment of the impact and effectiveness of any expenditures of such funds; and

“(C) not later than 180 days after all funds provided under the grant have been expended, a final report containing—

“(i) a description of all projects carried out with such funds; and

“(ii) an analysis of the overall effectiveness of the activities carried out with such funds.

“(2) Report to congress.—Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation and activities of the program established under this section that includes—

“(A) a list of States that have elected to participate in such program;

“(B) a description of how the Administrator has implemented the program, including administrative procedures and timelines;

“(C) an assessment of any challenges and barriers to State participation and program implementation;

“(D) an evaluation of the accuracy and timeliness of cost estimates used to determine grant amounts;

“(E) the average length of time required to make cost estimates and disburse grant funds following a declaration of a major disaster;

“(F) a review of the administrative impact on the Administration and participating States, including staffing and oversight capacity; and

“(G) recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or administrative changes needed to—

“(i) improve delivery under such program;

“(ii) support administration of the program; or

“(iii) enhance effectiveness of the program.

“(h) Public Assistance Defined.—The term ‘public assistance’—

“(1) means any activities eligible for assistance under sections 403, 406, and 407; and

“(2) does not include any assistance provided to individuals and households.”. <all>