Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8577
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-22T10:23:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8577: Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation establishes a formal process for Congress to review and potentially overturn a presidential decision denying a state governor's request for a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It aims to increase transparency when such denials occur against agency recommendations or past practices.
Key Provisions
- Notification Requirement: The President must provide a written explanation to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate within 24 hours of denying a disaster declaration in specific cases, termed "covered refusals."
- Definition of Covered Refusal: Applies when a denial contradicts a recommendation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator or relies on a recommendation that deviates from established precedent.
- Joint Resolution Process: Allows Congress to introduce and consider a joint resolution within 14 days of receiving the notification to direct the President to declare the major disaster.
- Expedited Procedures: Sets strict timelines and rules for floor consideration in both the House and Senate, including discharge from committee after two days, limited debate (up to 4 hours in the House and 10 hours in the Senate), no amendments, and waiver of most points of order.
- Inter-Chamber Handling: Includes rules for considering identical resolutions passed by the other chamber to avoid delays.
- Rulemaking Authority: Enacts these procedures as an exercise of each chamber's rulemaking power, allowing future changes through standard legislative processes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by adding new subsections (d) and (e). It introduces congressional oversight mechanisms that did not previously exist, shifting some authority from the executive branch to allow legislative intervention in disaster declaration decisions. The expedited procedures represent a departure from standard bill consideration timelines under congressional rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may face increased scrutiny in its recommendations, potentially affecting how disaster assessments are documented and reported to Congress.
- On Citizens: Residents in affected states could see faster access to federal disaster relief if Congress overrides a presidential denial, though the process adds a layer of legislative review.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts are outlined in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Governors of states requesting disaster declarations.
- The President and executive branch officials involved in disaster decisions.
- Members of Congress and relevant committees (Transportation and Infrastructure, Rules).
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its Administrator.
- Communities and individuals impacted by disasters seeking federal assistance.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill asserts Congress's authority to direct executive actions on disaster declarations through joint resolution, which could raise questions about separation of powers between branches. It is presented as a procedural change enacted under each chamber's rulemaking authority, with explicit recognition that either house may alter these rules at any time. The focus on transparency in refusals highlights potential political tensions in disaster response without altering the underlying criteria for declarations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
- 2026-04-29: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
- 2026-04-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-29 — PDF (12 pages)