Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 153
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-15: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T20:23:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act aims to increase transparency in how federal disaster aid is distributed and used by creating an online repository for public reporting on assistance provided after natural disasters. It builds on existing federal transparency laws to make data on disaster projects more accessible and accountable.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Online Repository: The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), working with the Secretary of the Treasury and heads of relevant agencies, must create a dedicated subpage on the USAspending.gov website (established under the 2006 Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act). This subpage will host public information on disaster assistance.
- Quarterly Reporting Requirements: Covered federal agencies must submit data to the subpage within 30 days after each calendar quarter. The data must be in a machine-readable format (easily processable by computers for analysis). Required information includes:
- Total amount of disaster assistance provided during the quarter.
- Amount of assistance that was spent or committed (obligated) for specific projects or activities.
- A detailed list of all projects or activities funded, including:
- Project name and description.
- Completion status (e.g., ongoing, finished).
- Unique award identification number.
- Catalog for Disaster Assistance number from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Project location, including ZIP codes.
- Any additional reporting details collected by the agency.
- Guidance and Implementation: Agencies must issue instructions to comply with these rules, in coordination with OMB and Treasury. If needed for better transparency, OMB can partner with a private or nonprofit entity to build and maintain the subpage.
- Definitions:
- Covered Federal Agencies: Include those providing aid under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (FEMA's main disaster law), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Disaster Assistance: Federal funds for natural disasters, such as SBA loans for disaster-declared events, HUD aid for recovery and housing (including flood insurance), and Stafford Act support.
- Eligible Recipient: Non-individual entities (e.g., states, businesses, organizations) receiving aid directly via grants, loans, or contracts.
- Specified Natural Disaster: Includes major disasters or emergencies declared by the President, wildfires on public/private lands, and other federally declared natural disasters.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This act amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 by adding a specialized subpage focused solely on disaster assistance, which was not previously required.
- It introduces mandatory quarterly, machine-readable reporting for disaster-specific projects, expanding beyond general federal spending transparency to include detailed project-level details like status and location.
- No major overhaul of existing disaster laws (e.g., Stafford Act), but it enforces new public disclosure rules without altering how aid is allocated or delivered.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Covered agencies (FEMA, SBA, HUD) will face increased administrative burdens for data collection and submission, potentially improving internal tracking but requiring new processes or staff training. OMB and Treasury gain oversight roles.
- On Citizens: Enhances public access to how disaster funds are spent, allowing taxpayers, affected communities, and watchdogs to monitor efficiency and prevent waste or fraud in recovery efforts.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the act focuses on domestic U.S. disaster response.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily FEMA (via Stafford Act), SBA (disaster loans), and HUD (recovery and housing aid), plus OMB and Treasury for coordination.
- Eligible Recipients: States, local governments, businesses, and nonprofits receiving disaster funds, who may need to provide more detailed project reports.
- The Public: Taxpayers, journalists, and advocacy groups benefiting from greater transparency in disaster spending.
- Private/Nonprofit Partners: Potential collaborators with OMB for website development.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens accountability under existing transparency laws without creating new enforcement penalties; relies on agency compliance, which could lead to future audits if data is incomplete. Aligns with broader federal open-data initiatives.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; supports the government's duty to account for public funds under Article I (spending power) and promotes free speech/informed citizenship by making information public.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan oversight of disaster spending, which often involves high-profile events like hurricanes or wildfires. Could reduce political controversies over aid misuse but might highlight inefficiencies in agency operations, influencing future budget debates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo [D-PR-At Large], Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-15: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-01-14: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-01-14: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 0 (Roll no. 10). (text: 1/13/2025 CR H101-102) (Roll call 10)
- 2025-01-14: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 426 - 0 (Roll no. 10). (text: 1/13/2025 CR H101-102) (Roll call 10)
- 2025-01-14: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H138-139)
- 2025-01-13: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2025-01-13: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 153.
- 2025-01-13: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H101-103)
- 2025-01-13: Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, and Financial Services, 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.
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, and Financial Services, 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.
- 2025-01-03: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, and Financial Services, 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.
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act — issued 2025-01-14 — PDF (8 pages)
- Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (6 pages)
- Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act — issued 2025-01-15 — PDF (7 pages)