Clean Up DEBRIS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6342
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-03T09:05:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Clean Up Disasters and Emergencies with Better Recovery and Immediate Support Act" (or "Clean Up DEBRIS Act") aims to expand federal disaster relief under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act). It specifically targets assistance for debris removal in certain types of shared housing arrangements damaged by major disasters, ensuring these communities can access federal aid more effectively.
Key Provisions
- New Definitions (Section 2): Adds four terms to Section 102 of the Stafford Act:
- Residential common interest community: A group of property owners required to share costs for common areas, taxes, insurance, maintenance, or services beyond their individual units.
- Condominium: A standalone project where individual units are separately owned, but common areas are shared among owners through an association that manages the property.
- Housing cooperative: A multi-unit setup where members have shares or membership interests granting use of units, with the cooperative owning the overall property.
- Manufactured home park: Land divided into lots for transportable homes built on chassis, designed for utility connections, and affixed to the ground.
- Debris Removal Rules (Section 3): Amends Section 407 of the Stafford Act to include a new subsection (d) requiring the President (typically through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA) to issue rules. These rules allow federal funding for debris removal in the defined housing types if a state or local government writes that the debris threatens lives, public health/safety, or the community's economic recovery. The rules must respect state and local laws and definitions.
- Applicability (Section 4): Changes apply only to major disasters or emergencies declared on or after the bill's enactment date.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, the Stafford Act's debris removal provisions (Section 407) focused on broader public or private non-profit infrastructure but did not explicitly cover shared housing like condominiums or cooperatives. This bill adds tailored eligibility for these entities, shifting from a general framework to one that recognizes their unique shared-ownership structures.
- Introduces a deference requirement, meaning federal rules must align with (rather than override) state and local definitions, promoting consistency across jurisdictions.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Residents and owners in condominiums, cooperatives, common interest communities, and manufactured home parks could recover faster from disasters, as federal aid for debris cleanup becomes more accessible. This may reduce personal financial burdens and speed up rebuilding in densely populated or affordable housing areas.
- On Government Agencies: FEMA and the President must develop and implement new rules, potentially increasing administrative workload and federal spending on disaster relief. State and local governments gain a clearer role in certifying threats to trigger aid.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. disaster response.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Property Owners and Residents: Individuals in the specified housing types, who may now qualify for federal debris removal aid they previously lacked.
- Housing Associations and Cooperatives: Entities managing these communities, which could receive direct support for cleanup efforts.
- State and Local Governments: Responsible for assessing threats and requesting aid, benefiting from federal deference to their laws.
- Federal Agencies (e.g., FEMA): Tasked with rule-making and funding distribution, potentially handling more claims.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the Stafford Act's framework by clarifying eligibility without altering core federal-state partnerships in disaster response. The deference to state laws avoids potential preemption conflicts under the U.S. Constitution's federalism principles (which balance national and state powers).
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it aligns with Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to condition federal funds on state actions, promoting equitable disaster aid without infringing on property rights.
- Political: Could appeal to lawmakers focused on housing affordability and disaster resilience, especially in disaster-prone areas like coastal or hurricane-vulnerable regions. It addresses gaps in aid for non-traditional housing, potentially reducing post-disaster inequities, but may raise debates over expanded federal spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-12-01: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2025-12-01: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-01: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Clean Up Disasters and Emergencies with Better Recovery and Immediate Support Act — issued 2025-12-01 — PDF (5 pages)