House Passes Thompson's Legislation to Repair Underground Water Systems Damaged in Disaster

Press Release

Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that his legislative language to allow Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation funds to cover the costs of fixing underground water systems and remove standing burned trees was included in the final FAA Reauthorization and Disaster Recovery Reform Act that passed the House. This legislation will allow Santa Rosa to use FEMA funds to address outstanding community infrastructure needs, while making the city more resilient. This legislation now heads to the Senate and is expected to be signed into law before the end of September.

"Our community is continuing to recover from last year's devastating wildfires and we have found that not all recovery needs fit FEMA's current rules and regulations. That's why I worked with my colleagues in both parties and both chambers to add legislation to this package that will give FEMA the ability to use hazard mitigation funding to address these disaster needs," said Thompson. "This is a critical step toward removing standing and burned trees and replacing the water system in Fountaingrove that was damaged by fire. I will continue fighting to get our community every possible federal dollar and resource to help in the recovery process."

These provisions were passed in April as part of the initial FAA reauthorization and disaster relief package. Today's bill reflects a conference committee report that compromises the House and Senate versions.

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