[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3251 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3251
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to provide for an alternative block grant program for
funding public assistance for response to a major disaster, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 7, 2025
Mr. Moskowitz (for himself and Mr. Burchett) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act to provide for an alternative block grant program for
funding public assistance for response to a major disaster, and for
other purposes.
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 ``Disaster Response Flexibility Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``SEC. 431. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--The President, acting through the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall
establish an alternative block grant program for providing funds for
public assistance in the event of a major disaster declared by the
President under this title.
``(b) Assessment of Cost of Public Assistance.--
``(1) Assessment required.--In the event of a major
disaster described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
``(A) assess the cost of public assistance of each
impacted State that would otherwise eligible for such
assistance under this Act, including reasonable
administrative expenses incurred by the State necessary
to manage and distribute a block grant under this
section; and
``(B) reduced the total amount of such cost by the
non-Federal shares that would otherwise have been
applied for each activity carried out with such public
assistance.
``(2) Consultation.--In making an assessment under
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with each
applicable State to validate eligible costs and ensure that the
amount of the assessment reflects the scope of necessary
recovery efforts.
``(c) Program Requirements.--In carrying out the program under this
section, the President shall--
``(1) establish a process for a State to elect to apply for
a block under this section grant in lieu of application for
direct public assistance under this title; and
``(2) ensure that a State may request a single adjustment
to the amount provided in such block grant if the initial
amount is insufficient to complete the activities that would
otherwise be carried out under this title.
``(d) Application.--To be eligible for a block grant under this
section, a State shall submit to the President an application in such
manner and containing such information as the President may require.
``(e) Applicability.--A State that receives a block grant under
this program shall not be eligible for direct public assistance under
any other provision of this Act with respect to the major disaster for
which the block grant is provided, including financial assistance and
operational support (such as personnel, equipment, and contracted
services).
``(f) Remaining Funds.--Any funds provided under this section that
remain after the completion of recovery activities for which such funds
are provided may be used for preparedness or mitigation activities in
the State that are eligible for assistance under this Act.
``(g) Reports.--
``(1) State reports.--A State that receives a block grant
under this section shall submit to the Administrator--
``(A) not later than 120 days after the date on
which such grant was received, an initial recovery plan
outlining anticipated uses of funds;
``(B) not later than 1 year after the submission of
the report under subparagraph (A), and annually
thereafter until all funds provided under the grant are
expended, a report containing--
``(i) a description of each activity for
which funds were spent;
``(ii) in any case in which the State has
remaining funds described under subsection (f),
the proposed use of such funds; and
``(iii) an assessment of the impact and
effectiveness of any expenditures of such
funds; and
``(C) not later than 180 days after all funds
provided under the grant have been expended, a final
report containing--
``(i) a description of all projects carried
out with such funds; and
``(ii) an analysis of the overall
effectiveness of the activities carried out
with such funds.
``(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 12 months after
the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter,
the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the
implementation and activities of the program established under
this section that includes--
``(A) a list of States that have elected to
participate in such program;
``(B) a description of how the Administrator has
implemented the program, including administrative
procedures and timelines;
``(C) an assessment of any challenges and barriers
to State participation and program implementation;
``(D) an evaluation of the accuracy and timeliness
of cost estimates used to determine grant amounts;
``(E) the average length of time required to make
cost estimates and disburse grant funds following a
declaration of a major disaster;
``(F) a review of the administrative impact on the
Administration and participating States, including
staffing and oversight capacity; and
``(G) recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or
administrative changes needed to--
``(i) improve delivery under such program;
``(ii) support administration of the
program; or
``(iii) enhance effectiveness of the
program.
``(h) Public Assistance Defined.--The term `public assistance'--
``(1) means any activities eligible for assistance under
sections 403, 406, and 407; and
``(2) does not include any assistance provided to
individuals and households.''.
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