Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5501

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Last Updated

2025-11-18T16:55:49Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act" (H.R. 5501) aims to address challenges in federal disaster recovery efforts for Puerto Rico by requiring a comprehensive study on data gaps faced by federal agencies when awarding and managing grants. This legislation seeks to identify how incomplete or unreliable data hinders effective recovery funding after major disasters, ultimately improving grant processes for future aid.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The Act is titled the "Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act."
• Required Study and Report: The Comptroller General of the United States (head of the Government Accountability Office, an independent agency that audits federal programs) must complete a study and submit a report to specified congressional committees within one year of the Act's enactment.
• The report must include:
• A detailed list of all federal grants provided to Puerto Rico for recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), Hurricane Fiona (2022), the 2020 earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This list will specify grant types, amounts, and the associated disaster.
• An assessment of how "statistical products" (federal data inputs, estimates, and tools) are used in various stages of the grant process, such as announcing funding opportunities, application review, award selection, setting terms and conditions, and providing technical assistance.
• An evaluation of the most critical data needs for managing these grants, focusing on issues like incomplete data coverage (e.g., missing information on affected areas), disparities in data quality, reporting delays, and unreliable data sources.
• A description of how these data gaps have specifically impeded grant allocation, management, and evaluation, including real-world examples where recovery efforts were delayed or ineffective.
• Where relevant, a list of existing federal data products that currently exclude Puerto Rico but could be improved by including it, along with recommendations from grant-awarding agencies on how to integrate Puerto Rico for better oversight and efficiency.
• Access to Information: Federal officials must provide complete information to the Comptroller General within 90 days of any request related to the study.
• Definitions:
• Appropriate congressional committees: The House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
• Grant-awarding agencies: Federal agencies that have provided recovery funds to Puerto Rico, including a specified list of 22 agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and others involved in disaster response, economic development, and infrastructure.
• Statistical products: Federal data tools, estimates, and inputs used to develop and oversee grant funding.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation introduces a new mandate for a one-time Government Accountability Office (GAO) study focused specifically on Puerto Rico's recovery grants. It does not amend existing laws but creates a targeted reporting requirement to highlight data deficiencies, which could inform future legislative or administrative changes. No direct alterations to grant programs or data collection laws are made; instead, it builds on existing federal authority for GAO audits under the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The study could lead to recommendations for better data integration, reducing delays in grant processing and improving oversight of billions in recovery funds. Agencies like FEMA and HUD may need to adjust internal processes to address identified gaps, potentially increasing efficiency but also requiring additional resources for data improvements.
• On Citizens: Puerto Rico residents, particularly those affected by the listed disasters, could benefit from more effective and timely federal aid distribution, such as faster rebuilding of homes, infrastructure, and public services. This might help close disparities in recovery compared to mainland U.S. states.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the legislation focuses on domestic U.S. territory recovery without involving foreign entities.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: The 22 listed agencies (e.g., FEMA, HUD, EPA, Small Business Administration) that provide grants, as they must cooperate with the study and may implement recommended changes.
• Puerto Rico Government and Residents: Local officials and disaster-affected communities, who rely on these grants for recovery and could see improved funding equity.
• Congressional Committees: The House Committee on Natural Resources and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which will receive the report and may use it to shape future policy.
• Government Accountability Office (GAO): Responsible for conducting the study and ensuring agency compliance.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The Act reinforces GAO's statutory authority to conduct independent audits, ensuring timely access to federal data without new enforcement mechanisms. It could set a precedent for similar studies on other U.S. territories (e.g., U.S. Virgin Islands) facing disaster recovery challenges, potentially leading to broader data inclusion requirements under laws like the Stafford Act (which governs federal disaster aid).
• Constitutional Implications: As Puerto Rico is an unincorporated U.S. territory, the legislation underscores equal protection concerns under the Fifth Amendment by addressing potential disparities in federal data and aid compared to states. It does not alter Puerto Rico's territorial status but highlights ongoing debates about equitable treatment.
• Political Implications: The bill, introduced by Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), reflects bipartisan interest in Puerto Rico's post-disaster recovery (still ongoing years after 2017 hurricanes). It may fuel discussions on territorial equity and federal responsiveness, especially amid criticisms of slow aid delivery, without imposing partisan mandates. The one-year reporting deadline pressures agencies for quick action but avoids immediate spending or regulatory burdens.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-18: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• 2025-09-18: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act — issued 2025-09-18 — PDF (5 pages)