Doug Lamalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Steube for his leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, which includes my bill, the Doug LaMalfa Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation after Fire Extension Act, which was his bill that he originally fought for.

I thank the Ways and Means Committee chairman, Chairman Smith, the members of the committee, and the committee staff who made this bill a priority.

In California, we are all too familiar with the devastation caused by wildfires. After these disasters strike in our community, survivors shouldn't have to worry about burdensome Federal taxes as they work to recover and rebuild.

Today, we have an opportunity to address that while honoring my friend the late Doug LaMalfa, who was a tireless champion of rural California and an advocate for those rebuilding after wildfires.

This section of the bill allows for wildfire victims to receive disaster aid incurred from a wildfire to have that payment exempted from gross income filings. This would exclude wildfire recovery payments from Federal income taxation through 2032.

Without this extension, victims of catastrophic wildfires would again have their relief payments subject to Federal income tax obligations. For families and individuals who have lost everything, this can make all the difference.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this critical legislation.

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