HR 6084 — Expediting Disaster Recovery Act

Summary

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that unmet needs after a major disaster are met.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html October 26, 2023

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds provisions for unmet needs assistance and modifies certain existing disaster relief processes under the Stafford Act.

• 42 U.S.C. 5170

  'SEC. 431. UNMET NEEDS ASSISTANCE. (a) In General.--After the declaration of a major disaster under section 401, the President may direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide to a State assistance necessary for meeting unmet needs as a result of such disaster.'

  Establishes a new section for unmet needs assistance for states following a major disaster declaration.

• 42 U.S.C. 5170

  '(1) Amount of funding.--Not later than 30 days after the President declares a major disaster under section 401, the President, acting through the Administrator, may allocate an amount that equals up to 10 percent of the estimated aggregate amount of the grants to be made pursuant to sections 406 and 408 for the major disaster in order to provide technical and financial assistance under this section.'

  Allows the President to allocate up to 10% of estimated grants for technical and financial assistance for unmet needs.

• 42 U.S.C. 5174

  'to a safe and sanitary living or functioning condition'

  Removes the requirement that repairs must make residences safe and sanitary for eligibility.

• 42 U.S.C. 5174

  'A recipient of' → '(i) Evidence of other means of assistance.--A recipient of'

  Changes the wording to clarify evidence requirements for other forms of assistance for disaster aid.

• 42 U.S.C. 5174

  '(ii) Coordination with other assistance.--Assistance allowed under this paragraph may be used in coordination with other sources for the repair and rebuilding of an owner-occupied residence.'

  Enables disaster assistance to be coordinated with other sources for rebuilding efforts.

• 42 U.S.C. 5174

  'in cases in which' → 'if the President considers it a cost effective alternative to other housing solutions, including the costs associated with temporary housing provided under this section, and long-term rebuilding costs associated with section 431.'

  Modifies criteria for housing assistance to emphasize cost-effectiveness in relation to temporary housing and long-term solutions.

• 42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)

  '(K) minor repairs up to habitability of owner- occupied homes damaged by the disaster in order for survivors to safely shelter in place.'

  Explicitly includes minor repairs to make homes habitable as part of eligible disaster assistance.

• 42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)

  '(5) Duplication of benefit limitations.--Notwithstanding section 312, any minor repairs up to habitability of owner- occupied homes may not be considered a duplication of any owner benefits.'

  Clarifies that minor repairs will not count against duplication of benefits restrictions.

• 42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)

  '(6) Sheltering and housing options.--Not later than 15 days after a declaration of a major disaster, the Federal coordinating officer shall provide all sheltering and housing options available under this section to a State Governor, or the designated State coordinating officer.'

  Requires timely communication of sheltering and housing options to state officials after disaster declaration.

• 42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)

  '(7) Definitions.--In this subsection, the term `minor repairs up to habitability' means the minimum standards for permanent housing described in section 576.403(c) of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).'

  Defines 'minor repairs up to habitability' to set clear standards for assistance eligibility.

Action History

1. October 26, 2023

   Introduced in House

2. October 26, 2023

   Introduced in House

3. October 26, 2023

   Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

4. October 27, 2023

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Sponsors

• Garret Graves · Primary
• Stacey E. Plaskett · Cosponsor

Subjects