Environment (Emergency Management) in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 443: Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act

This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act to allow Indian tribal governments to directly request fire management assistance grants from FEMA for wildfires, rather than requiring state authorization. It specifically adds tribal governments as eligible recipients in the law and permits their chief executives to submit requests directly to FEMA, bypassing state governors. The bill also requires the President to issue new regulations within one year, clarifying that tribal governments can receive assistance either directly or through state-authorized requests, while preserving existing eligibility pathways. This change directly affects tribal governments facing wildfire disasters by streamlining access to federal disaster aid.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · House Jun 12, 2025

HR 3960: Connecting Communities Post Disasters Act of 2025

This bill exempts communications projects replacing disaster-damaged infrastructure from federal environmental (NEPA) and historic preservation (NHPA) review requirements. It applies specifically to projects within 5 years of a federally declared disaster (under the Stafford Act) that replace damaged facilities or make necessary recovery/improvement work for future resilience. The key mechanism removes the need for environmental assessments or historic preservation consultations for these projects, speeding up rebuilding of cell towers, networks, and emergency communications infrastructure. This directly affects telecom providers and local governments coordinating disaster recovery efforts after events like hurricanes or floods.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Conservation Natural Disasters Broadband Access Telecommunications Traffic Safety Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Apr 14, 2025

HR 2907: Save BRIC Act

HR 2907, the Save BRIC Act, aims to reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program by amending the Stafford Act to require communities to use federal disaster mitigation funds for proactive resilience projects. It directly affects communities that lost over $4 billion in BRIC grants after the program's 2025 cancellation, mandating that these funds be used for activities like elevating flood-prone structures, hardening buildings, and planning to reduce disaster impacts. The bill cites evidence that every $1 invested in pre-disaster mitigation saves up to $13 in recovery costs, reversing the previous policy that allowed grant clawbacks.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Oct 3, 2025

HR 501: Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2025

This bill creates a 3-year pilot program (2025-2028) using up to 10% of existing disaster relief funds to help low-income homeowners in disaster-prone areas make resilience upgrades to their homes. It funds specific retrofits like floodproofing, seismic upgrades, wildfire mitigation, and hurricane-resistant roofing to reduce damage from natural disasters. The program requires states to prioritize financially needy homeowners and mandates a detailed report by 2029 on outcomes, including homes retrofitted, costs, and avoided disaster costs. It applies only to funds appropriated after the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Building Codes Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 388: Promoting Resilient Buildings Act

This bill establishes a 10-year pilot program to help homeowners make their homes more resilient to natural disasters. It directs FEMA to use up to 10% of existing disaster relief funds to provide grants for retrofits like floodproofing, seismic upgrades, and hurricane straps - prioritizing low-income households. The program, running until 2030, requires grantees to report on participation, costs, and reduced disaster impacts. It specifically uses existing Stafford Act funding streams without creating new programs.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Natural Disasters Building Codes Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Feb 6, 2025

HR 1105: Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act of 2025

The Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act of 2025 creates a federal program that provides grants to states and tribal governments to help homeowners in high-risk disaster areas make their homes more resilient. The program covers specific mitigation activities like reinforcing roofs, installing flood barriers, and creating fire-resistant features, with a $10,000 per household limit. Homeowners must have an adjusted gross income under $250,000 ($500,000 for joint returns) to qualify. The bill also includes tax benefits, allowing these grant amounts to be excluded from gross income and providing a 30% tax credit for qualifying mitigation expenditures.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · Senate May 1, 2025

S 1545: Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act

This bill requires communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program that repeatedly experience severe flooding to develop and implement flood mitigation plans. Specifically, it targets communities with at least 50 properties having multiple flood insurance claims totaling over $1,000 each in a 10-year period, or those with unmitigated severe flood damage to public/private facilities. Communities must assess flood risks, create community-specific plans for reducing those risks, and submit them to FEMA for review, with public access to these plans. Failure to comply may result in sanctions, including suspension from the flood insurance program, while FEMA must provide data assistance and consider compliance when distributing mitigation grants.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 4, 2026

S 91: Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025

The Western Wildfire Support Act of 2025 aims to improve wildfire management across western U.S. landscapes by focusing on preparation, detection, suppression, and post-fire recovery. The bill requires federal land managers to create strategic fire management plans for high-risk areas, establish transparent reporting on firefighting costs, and reimburse states for wildfire suppression caused by military training. It promotes new technology through provisions for wildfire detection equipment, slip-on tanker units, and research on unmanned aircraft systems, while also creating a dedicated Long-Term Burned Area Rehabilitation account for ecosystem restoration. These provisions primarily affect federal agencies (Interior and Agriculture Departments), state and local fire departments, and communities in wildfire-prone regions. The bill includes specific reporting requirements and funding mechanisms to support these new approaches to wildfire management.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Forestry Natural Disasters Public Lands Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Nov 20, 2025

HR 6129: Bidirectional Electric Vehicle Charging Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Energy to create a National Electric Vehicle Bidirectional Charging Roadmap within 12 months, outlining strategies, timelines, and cost estimates for expanding bidirectional charging technology. It mandates that all new light-duty electric vehicles and school buses manufactured starting in 2029 must support bidirectional charging (sending power back to the grid or home), with limited exemptions. The bill also directs FEMA to require states and localities to include bidirectional charging capabilities in disaster recovery plans. These provisions directly affect EV manufacturers, federal agencies, and local governments, aiming to standardize technology and integrate EVs into grid resilience efforts.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Resilience Natural Disasters Electric Vehicles Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Feb 14, 2025

HR 1393: Wildfire Response Improvement Act

This bill requires FEMA to update its wildfire response policies within one year of enactment. It expands eligibility for fire management assistance to include emergency stabilization efforts regardless of incident timing, updates FEMA's public assistance guide to address wildfire-specific recovery challenges (like debris removal and water toxicity), and mandates a review of cost-effectiveness criteria for wildfire mitigation projects. The review will establish standardized benefits for defensible space projects, prioritize nature-based infrastructure, and consider smoke impacts and water infrastructure protection. These changes directly affect wildfire-impacted communities and FEMA's administration of federal disaster aid under the Stafford Act.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Drinking Water Forestry Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

All environment bills