Committee Leaders Introduce Bill to Reform Disaster Assistance Programs & Reduce Disaster Costs

Press Release

Committee leaders today introduced bipartisan legislation to address the rising costs of disasters in the United States, reduce the toll of future losses, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster assistance capabilities and programs.

The FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 1471) was introduced in the House by Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Lou Barletta (R-PA). Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), T&I Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Subcommittee Ranking Member André Carson (D-IN) are original cosponsors of the bill (click here for bill text).

H.R. 1471 provides FEMA direction and authorization for key programs that help reduce the loss of life and property and speed recovery for those impacted by disaster. The bill also requires an assessment of trends in disaster losses and recommendations that will result in the reduction of losses and increased cost savings.

"It's been over 20 years since we've had a comprehensive look at disaster spending, and it's time for a big picture policy review to determine why disaster spending is spiraling out of control and how we can better manage those costs for the taxpayer," Barletta said. "I'm excited to help launch this discussion and find ways to bring costs down while ensuring we are prepared for the next big storm. This bill does exactly that and includes critical tools to make sure federal, state, and local governments are ready for any disaster."

"Disaster induced losses, both in terms of human lives and economic costs, have been increasing in recent years," Shuster said. "The FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act addresses this rise in costs head-on, seeks ways to reduce losses caused by future disasters, and reforms assistance programs to make them work better for victims and impacted communities."

"This bipartisan FEMA legislation will support the first responders who protect us, it will save lives by encouraging wildfire mitigation and earthquake warning systems, and it authorizes reimbursements to state and local governments dealing with disasters," DeFazio said. "I thank my colleagues for working in a bipartisan way, and will continue to work with them to pass this critical bill."

"The legislation we are offering today is critical to emergency response efforts," said Carson. "As a former first responder, this bipartisan legislation will improve our Nation's emergency management capabilities, modernize and strengthen critical components of our preparedness and response system, and support emergency response personnel. Moreover, it will allow us to gather the information necessary to control rising disaster costs."