New Jersey Senate Bill S1529

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/10/22
• Refer: 2/10/22

Caption

"Disaster Victims Protection Act"; requires Governor to allocate federal and State disaster aid to municipalities in proportion to amount of catastrophic physical damage sustained within each municipality.

Impact

The bill addresses past discrepancies in disaster aid distribution, particularly observed after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when various municipalities received federal funds not strictly aligned with the level of devastation they experienced. The intention is to correct these imbalances and to prioritize aid for municipalities that are in greater need due to significant physical damage. If implemented, this would potentially reshape how disaster recovery funds are disbursed across various regions, with a focus on equity in disaster relief.

Summary

Senate Bill S1529, known as the 'Disaster Victims Protection Act', establishes a framework for allocating federal and state disaster relief aid to municipalities based on the extent of physical damage each municipality sustains during disasters. The bill mandates that the Governor's allocation of disaster aid must take into consideration the actual catastrophic damage inflicted on each local community. This approach aims to ensure that residents and businesses in heavily impacted areas receive assistance before funds are directed towards broader economic development or redevelopment initiatives.

Contention

Notably, the bill has raised concerns about the implications of using damage assessments as the sole criterion for fund distribution. Critics argue that such a method might overlook the contextual factors that influence the ability of municipalities to recover and rebuild. Additionally, there are potential challenges related to the accuracy and consistency of damage assessments, which could lead to further inequities. The discussion surrounding S1529 highlights the tension between equitable fund distribution and the administrative complexity of consistently measuring disaster impacts across diverse municipalities.