HR3251-119

What This Bill Does

The Disaster Response Flexibility Act adds a FEMA-administered alternative block grant program for major disasters. After a presidential disaster declaration, FEMA must assess each impacted state's otherwise eligible public-assistance costs, including reasonable state administrative expenses, and reduce that amount by the non-federal cost shares that would otherwise apply. A state may elect the block grant instead of direct Stafford Act public assistance and may request one adjustment if the initial grant is insufficient. The tradeoff is real: a state receiving the block grant cannot also receive direct public assistance or FEMA operational support for that disaster. Unused funds after recovery may be used for eligible preparedness or mitigation. States must submit a 120-day recovery plan, annual expenditure reports, and a final report 180 days after funds are spent; FEMA must report annually to Congress on implementation, cost-estimate accuracy, disbursement timing, administrative impact, barriers, and recommended changes.

Who Benefits and How

Impacted states benefit because they can choose a flexible block grant instead of project-by-project direct public assistance after a major disaster. State emergency management agencies benefit from the ability to use leftover recovery funds for eligible preparedness or mitigation activities. Local public infrastructure owners benefit if a state can distribute recovery money faster through a block-grant model. FEMA public assistance staff benefit from a statutory option to test a more consolidated delivery model.

Who Bears the Burden and How

States electing block grants give up direct public assistance and FEMA operational support for that disaster. FEMA cost-estimate staff must consult with states, validate eligible costs, process one possible adjustment, and report implementation results. State recovery offices must submit initial, annual, and final reports on uses, remaining funds, impacts, and effectiveness. Congressional oversight committees must evaluate annual FEMA reports on accuracy, timeliness, staffing, and barriers.

Key Provisions

• Establishes an alternative FEMA block grant program for Stafford Act public assistance after major disasters.
• Allows states to elect a block grant instead of direct public assistance and request one adjustment if the grant is insufficient.
• Provides that leftover block-grant funds may be used for eligible preparedness or mitigation activities.
• Requires state recovery plans, annual reports, final reports, and annual FEMA implementation reports to Congress.