Rapid Disaster Relief Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5067
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-30: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2025-10-07T08:05:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Rapid Disaster Relief Act" (H.R. 5067) aims to accelerate the delivery of federal reimbursements for emergency work following disasters, ensuring quicker financial support to help communities recover more efficiently.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: Adds a new subsection (e) to Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (which provides federal aid for emergency protective measures like debris removal and life-saving efforts after disasters).
- Disbursement Timeline: Requires the President (through agencies like FEMA) to disburse reimbursements to applicants (typically state or local governments) within 120 days of their request, but only if the President determines that at least 90% of the estimated costs are eligible for federal funding.
- Scope: Applies specifically to reimbursements for emergency work under Section 403, without altering other aspects of disaster aid.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a mandatory 120-day deadline for disbursing funds when eligibility criteria are met, which was not previously specified in the Stafford Act. Prior to this, reimbursements could take longer due to review processes, potentially delaying recovery efforts.
- Ties disbursement to a presidential determination of cost eligibility (at least 90%), providing a clear threshold to streamline approvals while maintaining oversight.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies like FEMA may need to expedite reviews and processing to meet the 120-day timeline, potentially requiring internal efficiency improvements or additional resources.
- On Citizens: Faster reimbursements could speed up disaster recovery, such as quicker cleanup and restoration of essential services, benefiting affected individuals and communities by reducing prolonged hardship.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic disaster relief.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and Local Governments: Primary applicants for reimbursements; they stand to gain from faster access to funds for emergency response.
- Federal Government (e.g., President and FEMA): Responsible for determining eligibility and disbursing funds, which may increase administrative workload.
- Disaster-Affected Communities and Residents: Indirectly benefit through more rapid restoration of infrastructure and services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the Stafford Act by adding enforceable timelines, potentially reducing disputes over delays in federal aid without expanding overall funding authority.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, to provide for the general welfare, and does not raise separation-of-powers concerns as it directs presidential action within existing executive disaster roles.
- Political: Could enhance bipartisan support for disaster preparedness by addressing common complaints about slow federal bureaucracy, though implementation may face scrutiny over eligibility determinations and resource allocation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-30: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-08-29: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-08-29: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rapid Disaster Relief Act — issued 2025-08-29 — PDF (2 pages)