Disaster Relief Disbursement Accountability Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5395
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-24T15:16:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Disaster Relief Disbursement Accountability Act (H.R. 5395) aims to speed up the distribution of federal disaster relief funds to those in need and increase transparency by requiring reports on how quickly funds are passed along. It amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (often called the Stafford Act), which provides federal aid for disasters like hurricanes or floods.
Key Provisions
- Expedited Fund Disbursement: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator must take steps to ensure funds are released as quickly as possible to eligible groups (such as state or local governments) after a disaster project is approved. This applies to key programs, including:
- Hazard mitigation grants (to prevent future disasters, under Section 404).
- Public assistance programs (for repairing infrastructure like roads or schools, under Sections 403, 406, 407, 428, and 502).
- Reporting Requirements for Recipients:
- Retroactive Reports: For disasters declared before the law's enactment where aid is still being distributed, recipients must submit a one-time report to FEMA within one year, detailing the average time taken to pass funds to subrecipients (e.g., local agencies or nonprofits).
- Ongoing Annual Reports: For disasters declared after enactment, recipients must submit yearly reports to FEMA on the average time to disburse funds to subrecipients.
- Congressional Reporting: FEMA must provide a summary report to relevant congressional committees (House Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure; Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) within three years of enactment, and annually thereafter, based on the recipient reports.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a new Section 630 to Title VI of the Stafford Act, which previously lacked specific mandates for rapid fund disbursement or detailed tracking of internal distribution timelines.
- Introduces mandatory reporting on disbursement speeds, shifting from a more flexible process to one with built-in accountability measures. This does not alter eligibility rules or funding amounts but focuses on the speed and oversight of fund flow.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: FEMA and other federal entities will face new administrative duties to accelerate payments and compile reports, potentially streamlining operations but increasing paperwork. State and local agencies (as recipients) may need to improve their internal processes to meet reporting deadlines.
- On Citizens: Faster fund access could mean quicker recovery for disaster-affected individuals and communities, such as rebuilding homes or schools sooner, reducing prolonged hardship after events like floods or wildfires.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic disaster relief within the U.S.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- FEMA and Federal Government: Responsible for enforcement, reporting to Congress, and ensuring timely disbursements.
- State, Local, and Tribal Governments: As primary recipients of funds, they must report on their disbursement practices to subrecipients.
- Subrecipients (e.g., Nonprofits, Local Contractors): Indirectly benefit from faster fund access but may see changes in how aid flows to them.
- Disaster Victims and Communities: Primary beneficiaries through expedited recovery aid.
- Congressional Committees: Gain oversight tools to monitor disaster fund efficiency.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens administrative requirements under the Stafford Act without creating new rights or liabilities; reports could lead to future audits or adjustments if delays persist. No challenges to due process or funding authority are evident.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to regulate federal aid, promoting efficient use of taxpayer funds without infringing on state autonomy.
- Political: Enhances accountability in disaster response, potentially appealing to lawmakers focused on government efficiency and aid delivery. It could spark debates on federal oversight versus local control, but the bill is narrowly tailored to avoid broader controversies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-09-16: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Disaster Relief Disbursement Accountability Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (3 pages)