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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

Dr. Williams and Mr. Vinachelli (for themselves and Mrs. Donnelly) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the bipartisan committee.

 


A BILL

To enhance FEMA’s disaster preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities; ensure equitable access to disaster aid; improve critical infrastructure resilience; and address workforce challenges to strengthen the agency’s effectiveness and efficiency.

 


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 "Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness and Equity Act of 2024."

SECTION 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

  • Sec. 1. Short Title.

  • Sec. 2. Table of Contents.

  • Title I: Proactive Preparedness and Infrastructure Resilience

  • Title II: Equity and Access to Disaster Assistance

  • Title III: Disaster Tax Relief

  • Title IV: Workforce Modernization and Accountability

  • Title V: Disaster Recovery Modernization

  • Title VI: Improved Forecasting and Inclusion of Localized Weather Data

  • Title VII: Bipartisan Oversight and Transparency

  • Title VIII: Funding and Implementation

TITLE I—PROACTIVE PREPAREDNESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE

SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION AND EXPANSION OF EMPG PROGRAM. (a) The Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) Program is reauthorized for 10 years. (b) Funding is expanded by $100 million, prioritizing state and local projects to upgrade critical infrastructure, modernize emergency communications systems, and enhance climate resilience.

SEC. 102. GRID RESILIENCE INVESTMENTS. (a) Federal funding is allocated for hardening energy grids against severe weather events. (b) Grants are provided for microgrid technology, renewable energy backup systems, and storm-resistant infrastructure in high-risk regions, including U.S. territories. (c) FEMA shall establish a Territorial Disaster Recovery Program to continuously identify, monitor, and address factors and recovery capability gaps relating to national disasters in U.S. territories.

SEC. 103. HAZARD MITIGATION MODERNIZATION. (a) FEMA’s hazard mitigation programs are updated to emphasize climate-resilient rebuilding practices. (b) Technical assistance is provided to state and local governments for implementing sustainable and long-term recovery plans. (c) Any additional costs from this section will be funded by any remaining unexpended funds from the additional $3.46 billion FY21 supplemental funding for climate resilience in hazard mitigation.

TITLE II—EQUITY AND ACCESS TO DISASTER ASSISTANCE

SEC. 201. EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY FOR FEMA AID. (a) FEMA disaster aid eligibility is expanded to include cooperatives, condominiums, manufactured housing, and nonprofit organizations. (b) Special provisions ensure that underserved and vulnerable communities receive timely assistance.

SEC. 202. SIMPLIFIED AID APPLICATION PROCESSES. (a) FEMA is directed to streamline the disaster aid application process to reduce administrative burdens for smaller organizations and low-capacity communities.

SEC. 203. COMMUNITY RESILIENCE STANDARDS. (a) Minimum resilience standards are established for communities receiving federal disaster recovery funding. (b) FEMA shall prioritize investments in sustainable and climate-resilient rebuilding efforts.

TITLE III—DISASTER TAX RELIEF

SEC. 301. AUTOMATIC TAX RELIEF. (a) The IRS shall offer automatic extension to areas designated by FEMA.

SEC. 302. EXCLUSIONS. (a) (1) Gross income by an individual taxpayer for Qualified relief payments from any disaster are excluded from gross income for tax purposes. (2) Sec. 301(b)(1) of this Act applies retroactively to individual taxpayers impacted by the 2025 Tennessee Valley Tornado or Winter Storm Aria. (c) The basis for the tax deduction for casualty losses for uncut timber shall not be less than the appraised value of the timber before the loss minus the salvage value.

TITLE IV—WORKFORCE MODERNIZATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY

SEC. 401. GAO WORKFORCE REVIEW. (a) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is directed to investigate FEMA’s recruitment and retention challenges. (b) GAO must issue actionable recommendations within one year of enactment.

SEC. 402. DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY. (a) FEMA is granted temporary direct hire authority to address workforce shortages during peak disaster seasons. (b) This authority is limited to five years, with annual Congressional oversight reports.

SEC. 403. CASEWORKER TRAINING AND ACCOUNTABILITY. (a) Enhanced training programs are mandated for FEMA caseworkers. (b) An independent oversight body is established to review caseworker performance and address complaints.

TITLE V—DISASTER RECOVERY MODERNIZATION

SEC. 501. STRENGTHENED HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAMS. (a) Funding for FEMA’s hazard mitigation programs is increased by $500 million annually through 2031. (b) Allocations in Sec. 501(a) will (1) support extension of the Swift Current Initiative, and (2) address repetitive loss properties and high-risk flood zones.

SEC. 502. PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. (a) FEMA is encouraged to collaborate with private sector entities to leverage innovative technologies. (b) Contributions to federally approved disaster resilience projects may be deducted from individual and corporate gross income for tax purposes.

SEC. 503. ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. (a) FEMA is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing progress in workforce stabilization, equitable aid distribution, and infrastructure resilience improvements.

TITLE VI—IMPROVED FORECASTING AND INCLUSION OF LOCALIZED WEATHER DATA

SEC. 601. PROTECTING COASTS AND CITIES FROM SEVERE WEATHER. (a) The Protecting Coasts and Cities from Severe Weather Act is enacted into law.

TITLE VII—BIPARTISAN OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY

SEC. 701. ESTABLISHMENT OF A BIPARTISAN FEMA OVERSIGHT COMMISSION. (a) A commission composed of bipartisan Congressional members and independent experts is established to oversee FEMA’s implementation of this Act. (b) Biannual public reports evaluate FEMA’s progress on key metrics, including efficiency, equity, and effectiveness.

TITLE VIII—FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION

SEC. 801. APPROPRIATIONS. (a) No more than $5 billion annually over five years shall be authorized for implementation of this Act. (b) Funding is sourced from discretionary appropriations, unexpended supplemental appropriations, and reallocation of unused disaster relief funds. (c) Congress may reauthorize additional funding, as necessary, through the regular budget process.

SEC. 802. IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE. (a) FEMA is required to begin implementing provisions within 180 days of enactment. (b) Full compliance is expected within three years.

Edited by jakeakins
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Dr. Chandler Williams (D-OR)

Biography | Press Office | Voting Record

US Senator from Oregon (2022-2028)

Blue Dog Chairman (Q3, 2025 - Q4, 2025)

Associate Professor in History at the University of Oregon (2018-2021)

Historian at the Library of Congress (2006-2018)

Historian at the Weems Bottoms Museum (2000-2010)

Historian at the American Revolution Museum (1988-2000)

Askari J. Pierre (D-IN)

Biography | Press Office | Voting Record

Minority Leader in Indiana State Senate (2022-present)

State Senator from Indiana (2014-present)

Indiana State House Representative (2004-2014)

Staffer for Congresswoman Julia Carson (1999-2004)

 

 

R19: Donald Jones (D-NJ) Dr. Chandler Williams (D-OR)

 

  • Brink changed the title to Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness and Equity Act of 2026

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