Sovereign States Emergency Management Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3347

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.

Last Updated

2026-05-16T08:07:35Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Sovereign States Emergency Management Act (H.R. 3347) aims to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and replace it with a temporary block grant program administered by the Department of the Treasury. This shifts primary responsibility for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery from the federal government to states, promoting greater state autonomy in managing natural disasters and emergencies.

Key Provisions

• Abolishment of FEMA (Section 2):
• FEMA is dissolved two years after the bill's enactment.
• Any unspent FEMA funds are transferred to the U.S. Treasury to fund the new grant program.
• All FEMA functions (e.g., coordinating disaster relief) are transferred directly to the President.
• FEMA personnel, property, and records are reassigned to the President as needed.
• Legal references to FEMA or its administrator are redirected to the President or the Executive Office of the President.

• Disaster Relief Block Grant Program (Section 3):
• The Treasury Secretary establishes a grant program providing funds to states for natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes, earthquakes, floods) and emergencies (situations needing aid to protect lives, property, or public health).
• Grants are allocated via a formula considering:
• State population size.
• Frequency and severity of past disasters over the prior 20 years.
• Geographic risks (e.g., earthquake zones, flood areas).
• Economic need based on per capita income.
• States can use grants for:
• Training and equipment for disaster preparedness.
• Response and recovery after events.
• Projects to reduce future risks (mitigation).
• Up to 5% of grants may cover state administrative costs.
• States must submit annual emergency management plans (by April 1) for Treasury approval, detailing fund use, coordination with local and Tribal governments, and measurable goals for preparedness and response.
• States submit annual reports (within 90 days of fiscal year-end) on fund usage, outcomes (e.g., improved response times), and plan compliance.
• Prevents "duplication of benefits" by barring grants if states receive other federal aid for the same purposes.
• Requires annual audits by the Treasury Secretary, with reports to congressional committees.
• Allocates 10% of program funds for administration and 10% for audits.
• The program ends four years after the allocation formula rule is issued.
• Broadly defines "states" to include the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Replaces FEMA's centralized federal role in disaster management—established under the Stafford Act and other laws—with a decentralized, state-led system funded by temporary block grants.
• Transfers FEMA's core authorities from an independent agency to the President, bypassing traditional agency structure.
• Introduces a short-term (four-year) grant program with strict state accountability requirements, unlike FEMA's ongoing, needs-based assistance.
• Shifts grant administration from the Department of Homeland Security (FEMA's parent) to the Treasury Department, altering federal oversight.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Dismantles FEMA, requiring the Executive Office of the President to absorb its functions, potentially straining presidential resources. The Treasury Department gains new responsibilities for grant management and audits, while congressional committees (e.g., Homeland Security, Transportation and Infrastructure) receive ongoing oversight reports.
• On Citizens: Residents in disaster-prone areas may experience more state-tailored responses but could face inconsistencies in aid across states or delays if states lack capacity. Improved state mitigation could reduce long-term risks, but the program's termination might leave gaps in federal support.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though reduced federal coordination could affect U.S. participation in international disaster response frameworks (e.g., mutual aid with other countries).

Main Stakeholders Affected

• States and Territories: Primary recipients of grants; gain flexibility in disaster management but must develop plans, report usage, and coordinate with locals and Tribes.
• Local Governments and Tribal Authorities: Involved in state planning and implementation; benefit from potential funding but may see varying support levels.
• Federal Government: Includes the President (absorbing FEMA roles), Treasury Department (administering grants), and Congress (oversight); faces restructuring costs and loss of a key agency.
• Citizens and Businesses: Especially in high-risk areas (e.g., coastal or seismic zones); affected by changes in aid access, preparedness, and recovery speed.
• Disaster Victims and Responders: First responders and affected communities may encounter shifts from federal to state-led operations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Alters interpretations of existing disaster laws (e.g., by redirecting FEMA references), potentially requiring updates to regulations and executive orders. The duplication-of-benefits rule enforces anti-fraud measures but could complicate multi-source aid.
• Constitutional: Emphasizes federalism by devolving power to states, aligning with the 10th Amendment (reserving powers to states), but raises questions about the federal government's role in interstate disasters under the Commerce Clause.
• Political: Sparks debate on central vs. local control of emergencies; the two-year FEMA phase-out and four-year program limit suggest a trial period, possibly influencing future legislation on federal spending and state sovereignty. As an introduced bill (referred to committees), it faces hurdles in bipartisan support given FEMA's established role.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-14: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Sovereign States Emergency Management Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (7 pages)