Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act

The Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act (S 2247) amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act to improve how federal disaster assistance is delivered. It increases funding for low-capacity jurisdictions (communities with limited resources for disaster planning) to up to 85% of costs, creates new advance assistance options allowing up to 75% of project costs before work begins, and establishes a technical assistance pilot program to help smaller communities navigate disaster aid. The bill also simplifies procedures for smaller projects (under $1 million), requires FEMA to report on advance assistance usage, and creates new rules for managing funds. These changes aim to make disaster assistance more accessible to communities with limited resources while streamlining operations for all recipients.