If enacted, SB5357 would amend the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2008, particularly Section 12091, which governs how disaster assistance is reported and published. This amendment will incorporate explicit requirements for the SBA to publish detailed reports on disaster assistance applications, approvals, and disbursements, thereby enhancing the visibility of the processes involved and ensuring community access to information that affects their local economies. Promoting transparency could bolster small business confidence in the support they can receive after disaster incidents.
Summary
SB5357, titled the 'SBA Disaster Transparency Act', was introduced to enhance the accountability of disaster assistance programs for small businesses. The bill mandates that certain reports regarding disaster assistance be published on the website of the Small Business Administration (SBA). The primary intention behind this legislation is to ensure transparency in how disaster assistance is administered and to make it easier for stakeholders to access relevant information about funds allocated to support small businesses in times of crises.
Contention
The legislation does not appear to outline any major points of contention within the documents reviewed; however, in general, such transparency efforts may face scrutiny from various stakeholders. Critics may argue that added reporting requirements could impose additional burdens on the SBA's operational capacity. Furthermore, there might be concerns regarding the potential exposure of sensitive business information which could deter some businesses from seeking assistance. On the other hand, supporters claim that increased transparency will ultimately lead to better governance and more effective disaster response strategies.
Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act of 2025This bill establishes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding sources for unmet needs caused by major disasters, expands FEMA’s assistance for housing and home repair, and requires certain considerations in FEMA’s recommendations on presidential emergency/disaster declarations.The bill establishes the National Disaster Recovery Reserve Fund for FEMA to provide grants to states and Indian tribal governments for unmet need. The bill defines unmet need as any necessary expense for activities related to a declared major disaster, including disaster relief or resilience activities. In addition, the bill authorizes FEMA to set aside funding from the Disaster Relief Fund to provide grants to states and Indian tribal governments for unmet needs resulting from a declared disaster, including home repair, economic recovery measures, and other services assisting disaster victims. Also, the bill makes the following changes regarding housing assistance:authorizes FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) to provide home repair assistance directly to homeowners when there is a lack of available housing resources, expands IHP home repair assistance for persons with disabilities, extends the maximum duration of IHP’s direct housing assistance from 18 to 24 months,authorizes IHP permanent housing construction where FEMA considers it a cost-effective alternative, and authorizes minor home repairs in the essential assistance federal agencies may provide following a disaster. Additionally, the bill requires FEMA to give greater weight to local impacts, and events over the past five years, when making recommendations to the President regarding emergency or major disaster declarations.