Legislation seeks to reform FEMA’s Individual Assistance program

The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee recently advanced bipartisan legislation that would reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance program.

The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act would improve how FEMA provides assistance to individuals in the aftermath of disasters by providing FEMA with new authorities to increase its ability to fund disaster mitigation projects and expand support to homeowners.

The bill would also enable FEMA to reimburse states implementing post-disaster housing solutions, and boost the development of post-disaster solutions for renters.

FEMA and the Government Accountability Office would be required to complete a series of reports and studies identifying additional challenges related to the administration of post-disaster assistance.

U.S. Sens. James Lankford (R-OK), Gary Peters (D-MI), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the bill.

“When disaster strikes, red tape shouldn’t get in the way of Oklahomans getting assistance from federal agencies,” Lankford said. “The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act streamlines the process to get resources to those who need it most.”

In 2023, there were 28 weather and climate disasters, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, costing at least $92.9 billion in recovery costs. The previous record had been 22 in 2020.

The bill now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

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