Disaster Resiliency Planning Act (S.3510 / H.R.7863)
The bill would require federal agencies to incorporate disaster resilience into real property asset management and investment decisions. Specifically, the Office of Management and Budget would be required to establish guidance to direct all agencies to incorporate risk assessments, such as vulnerability assessments, into such decisions. WHY WE LIKE IT The federal government spends a […]
FEMA Relief Extension Act (H.R.5668)
The FEMA Relief Extension Act would extend federal housing assistance available to individuals and households under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual Assistance program, from an 18-month to 24-month period. WHY WE LIKE IT After a flood, it can take months or even years before people can fully assess the extent of damage and utilize […]
Enhancing Military Base Resilience And Conserving Ecosystems through Stormwater Management Act (H.R.5262 / S.3183)
This bill would provide the Department of Defense (DoD) with flexibility to use construction funding to more efficiently manage stormwater and improve flood resilience at military bases. The EMBRACE Act would establish a program at DoD to implement stormwater projects that retrofit buildings, improve defense access roads, and protect their surrounding waterways and ecosystems that […]
Preliminary Damage Assessment Improvement Act of 2021 (H.R. 3709)
This bill would improve and streamline the process for conducting preliminary damage assessments, an important step in the disaster recovery process. H.R. 3709 would establish an advisory panel of emergency management personnel to consider measures that strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s ability to conduct consistent and timely preliminary damage assessments after disasters strike. These […]
Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act (H.R.1917 / S.1877)
The HELP Act would expedite the approval process for certain eligible disaster mitigation projects—allowing such projects to begin without the risk of losing potential federal funds. Under current law, local and state agencies applying for federal money to begin mitigation assistance projects must wait until they receive formal approval from FEMA before purchasing land or […]
Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act (S.558 / H.R.1438)
The Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support (FLOODS) Act would enact comprehensive solutions to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s ability to monitor, forecast, and communicate about flood and hurricane events to state and local governments and the public. The bill would establish a National Integrated Flood Information System to provide states […]
Providing Research and Estimates of Changes In Precipitation Act (H.R.1437 / S.3053)
The Providing Research and Estimates of Changes In Precipitation (PRECIP) Act would give the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the necessary directive and resources to modernize and periodically update precipitation frequency studies, such as Atlas 14. Such studies are used across the nation to inform design and planning standards for construction projects and regulations. […]
Clean Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act (S.2636)
This bill would create a federal grant program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help communities strengthen the resilience of their publicly owned treatment works against the increased threats such as severe storms, flooding, and sea level rise. Examples of eligible projects include: watershed protection, modification or relocation of infrastructure at risk of flooding, […]
COASTS Act (H.R.3919)
This bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to develop and carry out a competitive grant program focused on interdisciplinary coastal resilience and sustainability. H.R. 3919 would require that the grant program prioritize scalable, best practices that can be replicated in coastal cities and towns throughout the […]
Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act of 2019 (H.R.3779)
The Resilience Revolving Loan Fund Act would create a federal grant program administered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide states with revolving loans for projects intended to minimize the risks posed by disasters, including flooding and storm surge. A revolving fund would allow states to offer low-interest loans to counties and cities for […]
