Rep. Neguse Introduces Bipartisan Bill Expanding Access to Federal Disaster Assistance, Builds Future Capacity for Emergency Response

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act. The bill, which is co-led by Congressman D'Esposito (R-NY), allows state and local governments to use FEMA disaster management costs for multiple disasters, allowing communities to build long-term capacity for disaster recovery. The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV), Mike Ezell (R-MS) and Greg Stanton (D-AZ). 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs administer funding to states and localities when a Presidential disaster or emergency declaration is issued following natural disasters, including wildfires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, extreme storms, and more. When State and local entities receive these funds through FEMA, there is a percentage of the funds allowed to be used for disaster management costs they incur. However, under current law, disaster management costs awarded to a disaster are only permitted to be used for that disaster and cannot be used for other open disasters they may be working on. The Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act would allow recipients to retain excess management costs, or use them towards other open disasters, bolstering a community's capacity to prepare for, recover from, or mitigate the impacts of major disasters or emergencies. 

“My constituents and our communities in Colorado are not strangers to natural disasters. Over the course of the past four years, we’ve experienced numerous devastating wildfires, including the East Troublesome, Cameron Peak, and Marshall Fires. The Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act would make it easier to coordinate response and rebuilding efforts on the state and local levels, and help to bolster resilience for the next disaster,” said Congressman Neguse. “I am proud to be leading this effort in the House, and will keep working to advance legislation to help Colorado better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate-induced disasters.”

“Empowering states and localities to enhance their disaster response capabilities through increased flexibility with federal relief funds will allow local emergency response professionals to better serve their communities during times of crisis,” said Rep. D’Esposito. “As a longtime first responder, I am proud to work in a bipartisan fashion with Congressman Joe Neguse to establish streamlined processes for disaster relief funding to states and localities via the Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act.” 

The bill is led by Senators Hassan (D-NH) and Lankford (R-OK) in the United States Senate. 

“It is important that communities in New Hampshire and across the country have the resources that they need to both respond to disasters and to build resiliency against future disasters, especially as the frequency of disasters is increasing due to climate change,” said Senator Hassan. “I am glad to see bipartisan support in the House, in addition to the bipartisan support in the Senate, for giving states and localities more flexibility when managing multiple disasters, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.” 

More specifically, the Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act would: 

• Authorize FEMA to permit recipients to retain excess management costs for up to five years after the close-out of a disaster; and
• Permit grant recipients to use excess management funds for capacity building activities to prepare for or recover from other disasters.  

Find more information on the bill HERE. 

The bill is endorsed by the Big City Emergency Managers, BuildStrong Coalition, International Association of Emergency Managers, and National Emergency Management Association.

Background 

Congressman Joe Neguse has been leading efforts in Congress to expand access to critical federal disaster assistance for communities impacted by natural disaster. Most recently, he led Western lawmakers in a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) requesting the agency extend the time periods during which affected individuals may apply for SBA physical damage loans following a presidential disaster declaration.  

He has also fought to secure proper cost coverage for Coloradans impacted by the Marshall Fire. Alongside Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, Rep. Neguse led a successful effort to get the SBA to update their formula used to calculate the Disaster Loan Program amount survivors can borrow to rebuild after the Marshall Fire. Rep. Neguse and the Colorado senators were also able to get FEMA to agree to cover the costs of removing foundations, basements and burned vehicles damaged in the Marshall Fire. This coverage is extremely rare and has only been granted for a handful of other wildfires in recent years. 

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