Mudslide Recovery Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1356
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-12T22:36:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Mudslide Recovery Act aims to create a federal pilot program to provide funding for repairing damage caused by mudslides that follow wildland fires. It focuses on innovative recovery solutions to help affected communities mitigate and recover from these secondary disasters, which often worsen the impacts of wildfires.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Pilot Grant Program: Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Homeland Security (through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, Administrator) must jointly create a competitive grant program. Grants will fund innovative projects to repair mudslide damage after wildfires.
- Application Process: Eligible applicants must submit applications in a format and with details determined by the two Secretaries. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
- Eligible Recipients:
- States (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories), Indian Tribes, or their forestry agencies.
- Local governments.
- Fire departments.
- Non-profit organizations, including homeowner associations that support communities at risk of wildland fires.
- Funding Authorization: Up to $5 million is authorized annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 to implement the program.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new pilot grant program specifically targeted at post-wildfire mudslide recovery, which does not appear to exist in current federal law. It expands federal support for disaster recovery by emphasizing innovation and competitive grants, rather than relying solely on existing FEMA disaster relief mechanisms like individual assistance or public assistance programs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Departments of the Interior and Homeland Security (via FEMA) will need to collaborate on program administration, including application reviews and grant distribution. This could increase their workload and require new coordination protocols, but it also builds capacity for addressing climate-related disasters like wildfires and mudslides.
- On Citizens: Residents in wildfire-prone areas (e.g., Western U.S. states) may benefit from faster, more targeted recovery efforts, reducing long-term economic and safety risks from mudslide damage to homes, infrastructure, and communities. It promotes community-led innovative solutions, potentially improving resilience.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill is focused on domestic U.S. territories and wildfire risks.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Department of the Interior (manages public lands prone to wildfires) and FEMA (handles emergency management and disaster funding).
- State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Eligible to apply for grants to support recovery in their jurisdictions.
- Communities and Organizations: Fire departments, non-profits, and homeowner associations in high-risk areas will gain access to funding for repair projects.
- Citizens in Affected Areas: Individuals and families impacted by post-wildfire mudslides, particularly in rural or fire-vulnerable regions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill authorizes new federal spending without mandating appropriations, meaning Congress must still approve funds annually. It uses broad definitions (e.g., "innovative solutions") that give agencies flexibility in implementation but could lead to challenges if grant criteria are seen as unclear.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's powers under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8) to provide for the general welfare through disaster aid. No apparent conflicts with state sovereignty, as grants are voluntary and competitive.
- Political: Highlights growing federal attention to climate-exacerbated disasters like wildfires and mudslides, potentially setting a precedent for targeted pilot programs. It may encourage bipartisan support in fire-affected regions but could face debate over funding priorities amid broader disaster relief budgets.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Mudslide Recovery Act — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (3 pages)