Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB8456

Introduced
5/17/24  
Refer
5/17/24  

Caption

To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to implement certain recommendations made by the Comptroller General with respect to disaster recovery, and for other purposes.

Impact

The bill's implementation is expected to lead to a more coordinated and effective federal response during disaster recovery efforts. By enforcing the recommendations from the Comptroller General, HB8456 seeks to streamline processes and improve accountability within federal agencies involved in recovery assistance. Advocates of the bill argue that this approach will address past shortcomings in disaster recovery management and ensure that communities are better equipped to handle future disasters.

Summary

House Bill 8456 mandates that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) take necessary actions to implement the priority recommendations laid out by the Comptroller General in a report titled ‘Disaster Recovery: Actions Needed to Improve the Federal Approach’. This legislation aims to enhance federal disaster recovery efforts, particularly in the wake of significant disasters, ensuring that affected communities receive adequate support and resources to recover effectively.

Contention

Critics of HB8456 may argue that while the bill aims to improve disaster recovery efforts, there is still concern over how these recommendations will be executed on the ground. Some stakeholders worry that bureaucratic hurdles may impede timely assistance to affected communities. Furthermore, there is a debate regarding the adequacy of funding and resources available for implementing the recommended changes, which could impact the overall effectiveness of the bill in achieving its goals.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB4958

A bill to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture to withdraw a final determination relating to energy efficiency standards for housing, and for other purposes.

US HB10475

To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grant program to address deed fraud, and for other purposes.

US HB316

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.

US HB9043

To provide for Federal civilian agency laboratory development for testing and certification of artificial intelligence for civilian agency use, and for other purposes.

US HB10398

To prohibit certain sex offenders from entering or using the services of certain emergency shelters, to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to designate emergency shelters for such sex offenders, and for other purposes.

US HB10143

To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to transfer certain amounts to the Disaster Relief Fund.

US HB3988

To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Bureau of the Census to conduct a study and submit a report about how Federal agencies identify and record cases of housing loss in the United States, and for other purposes.

US HB10472

To authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to make payments to the Quapaw Nation and certain members of the Quapaw Nation in accordance with the recommendation of the United States Court of Federal Claims, and for other purposes.

US HB152

Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination ActThis bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to streamline disaster information collection, convene a working group on preliminary damage assessments, and provide a report to Congress.FEMA must (1) conduct a study and develop a plan under which the collection of information from disaster assistance applicants and grantees will be made less burdensome, duplicative, and time consuming for applicants and grantees; and (2) develop a plan for the regular collection and reporting of information on federal disaster assistance awarded.Additionally, not later than two years after enactment of the bill, FEMA must convene a working group on a regular basis to (1) identify potential areas of duplication or fragmentation in preliminary damage assessments after disaster declarations; (2) determine the applicability of having one federal agency make the assessments for all agencies; and (3) identify potential emerging technologies, such as unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones), to expedite the administration of preliminary damage assessments.FEMA must submit a comprehensive report on the plans for streamlining and consolidating information collection and the findings and recommendations of the working group to Congress with a briefing. The report must be made available to the public and posted on FEMA's website.

US HB10369

To improve the emergency management capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.