Direct Property Acquisitions Act

S 374 (Direct Property Acquisitions Act) establishes a 48-month pilot program allowing selected local governments to apply directly to FEMA for disaster mitigation funds - specifically for buying flood-prone properties or demolishing homes - instead of through their state governments. It affects only "covered communities" (local governments meeting FEMA criteria for self-sufficiency in hazard mitigation, with state approval and demonstrated need). The program requires FEMA to select no more than two communities per FEMA region (max one per state), provide written justification for selections, and submit annual reports to Congress evaluating the pilot’s impact on processing speed and potential long-term changes. The pilot expires 8 years after selection, with no guarantee of permanent adoption.