Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The bill amends the Stafford Act to clarify definitions for predisaster mitigation, defines “latest published editions” as the two most recent consensus-based codes, and establishes a FEMA residential resilience pilot program. The pilot lets FEMA use up to 10% of annual section 203 predisaster mitigation funds to provide grants through states/localities for residential retrofits (floodproofing, elevations, safe rooms, seismic, wildfire and wind retrofits).
Scope of federal role: protection vs overreach
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill makes clear substantive statutory changes by amending the Stafford Act to authorize a residential retrofit pilot program, change definitions, allocate a portion of existing predisaster mitigation funds, set timelines, and require a detailed report.
The bill amends the Stafford Act to clarify definitions for predisaster mitigation, defines “latest published editions” as the two most recent consensus-based codes, and establishes a FEMA residential resilience pilot program.
The pilot lets FEMA use up to 10% of annual section 203 predisaster mitigation funds to provide grants through states/localities for residential retrofits (floodproofing, elevations, safe rooms, seismic, wildfire and wind retrofits).
The pilot must be set up within one year, ends September 30, 2030, prioritize individuals with financial need, and requires a report to Congress within four years; applicability is limited to new appropriations.
Modest, administratively focused pilot with built-in limits improves prospects, but fiscal and federalism concerns create uncertainty.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill makes clear substantive statutory changes by amending the Stafford Act to authorize a residential retrofit pilot program, change definitions, allocate a portion of existing predisaster mitigation funds, set timelines, and require a detailed report. It integrates with existing law and establishes measurable reporting requirements but leaves significant operational and fiscal specifics to later administrative action.
Scope of federal role: protection vs overreach
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Scope of federal role: protection vs overreach
Generally favorable: supports federal action to protect low-income households and reduce disaster harms before they happen.
Sees targeted grants and a poverty-priority as aligned with social-equity and climate adaptation goals, but may view the funding cap and temporary duration as too limited.
Cautiously supportive: likes a time-limited, evidence-building pilot and the fiscal constraint (10% cap).
Will seek clear implementation rules, cost-benefit accountability, and safeguards against administrative complexity.
Skeptical: views federal retrofits of private residences as potential federal overreach and fiscal risk.
Some acceptance because it's a limited, temporary pilot, but concerns remain about regulatory creep from consensus codes and diversion of funds.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Modest, administratively focused pilot with built-in limits improves prospects, but fiscal and federalism concerns create uncertainty.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Scope of federal role: protection vs overreach
Modest, administratively focused pilot with built-in limits improves prospects, but fiscal and federalism concerns create uncertainty.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill makes clear substantive statutory changes by amending the Stafford Act to authorize a residential retrofit pilot program, change definitions, allocate a portion of ex…
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