Save BRIC Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2907
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:43Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Save Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Act" (Save BRIC Act) aims to make federal assistance for predisaster hazard mitigation measures mandatory under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. This legislation seeks to proactively reduce the impacts of future disasters by requiring investments in mitigation activities, such as planning, elevating flood-prone structures, and hardening buildings against hazards like hurricanes or earthquakes. It responds to the cancellation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program in 2025 and the clawback of over $4 billion in grants from vulnerable communities.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines congressional recognition of the benefits of predisaster mitigation, including:
- Proactive reduction in loss of life and property.
- Mitigation of risks from weather, climate disasters (e.g., 27 billion-dollar events in 2024).
- Cost savings: Every $1 invested yields up to $13 in avoided recovery costs.
- Historical context: BRIC program established in 2019 under President Trump for business and insurance efficiency, but canceled in 2025.
- Mandatory Assistance: Amends Section 203 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5133) to require the President to provide:
- Grants to states and local governments for mitigation planning and projects (subsection (b)).
- Technical assistance and training for mitigation activities (subsection (c)).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Converts discretionary language ("may") to mandatory language ("shall") in subsections (b) and (c) of Section 203 of the Stafford Act.
- This shifts the predisaster mitigation program from optional to required, ensuring consistent federal support rather than reliance on presidential discretion.
- Reverses the 2025 cancellation of the BRIC program by embedding its core elements as an obligation, preventing future clawbacks of allocated funds.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the executive branch will face increased obligations to allocate and distribute funds for mitigation, potentially straining budgets but reducing long-term disaster recovery costs. This could lead to more structured grant processes for states and localities.
- On Citizens: Residents in disaster-prone areas (e.g., flood, hurricane, or earthquake zones) may benefit from safer infrastructure, lower insurance premiums, and reduced property damage, ultimately saving lives and taxpayer money.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. resilience to climate-related disasters could indirectly strengthen global standing in disaster preparedness and climate adaptation discussions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and Local Governments: Primary recipients of mandatory grants and technical support, enabling them to implement mitigation projects in vulnerable communities.
- Communities and Residents: Especially those in high-risk areas, who gain from proactive protections against disasters.
- Federal Executive Branch (President and FEMA): Required to provide assistance, shifting from optional to obligatory funding commitments.
- Insurance and Business Sectors: Indirectly benefit from reduced disaster losses, aligning with the bill's emphasis on economic prudence.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the Stafford Act's framework by mandating executive action, which could limit future administrations' flexibility in disaster funding but ensures predictability for grantees. No direct challenges to separation of powers, as it directs presidential duties within existing authority.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, by appropriating funds for public welfare and disaster relief without infringing on executive implementation.
- Political: References partisan history (e.g., 2019 creation under Trump, 2025 cancellation), potentially fueling debates on disaster policy continuity. It promotes fiscal responsibility through cost savings but may spark discussions on federal spending priorities amid budget constraints.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Bresnahan, Robert [R-PA-8], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-04-14: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-04-14: Introduced in House
- 2025-04-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Save Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Act — issued 2025-04-14 — PDF (3 pages)