Overview
Title
To improve individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 1245 is a plan to help people get the right support from FEMA after big emergencies, by making it easier to apply for help and making sure personal information is safe. It also wants to make guides for people on what to do after disasters, while checking how well FEMA is helping and fixing any problems.
Summary AI
H.R. 1245, also known as the “Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025,” aims to improve the help individuals receive from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after disasters. The bill proposes creating a unified online system to streamline disaster aid applications, enhance privacy and data security, and prevent fraud. It also suggests setting up better policies for repairs, rebuilding, rental assistance, and sheltering emergency personnel, and provides funding for online disaster recovery guides. Additionally, the bill mandates various studies and reports to assess and improve FEMA's processes, reducing challenges for disaster survivors.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The proposed "Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025" aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of individual assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and related disaster relief programs. The bill envisions creating a unified disaster application system to streamline applications for federal assistance, enhancing data security and privacy measures, and upgrading the management and reporting of disaster response efforts. Additionally, it expands the scope of financial aid for damage repair, introduces a state-managed housing pilot program, and mandates reports from FEMA and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on various aspects of disaster assistance.
Significant Issues
One significant concern highlighted in the bill is the potential for privacy and data security issues due to the broad scope of data collection and sharing authorized through the unified disaster application system. There's also the possibility of gaps in oversight when information collection requirements can be waived in major disasters or emergencies. The absence of a specific timeline for developing and implementing a universal application platform might result in delays that could affect timely disaster response. Moreover, some terms are left undefined, like 'eligible hazard mitigation measures' and 'damaged by a major disaster,' which could lead to inconsistencies in interpreting these provisions.
Impact on the Public
The bill's provisions could significantly impact how quickly and efficiently disaster survivors receive assistance. By streamlining the application process through a unified system, it aims to enhance the speed at which aid can be disbursed, potentially shortening recovery times for affected individuals. However, the concerns about data privacy could generate anxiety among survivors about the security of their personal information. Additionally, proposed changes may lead to clearer communication and more targeted assistance, thus reducing the bureaucratic hurdles survivors face in accessing aid.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Emergency Management Agencies: For FEMA and other federal agencies involved, the bill presents an opportunity to modernize and streamline disaster response operations. Yet, they face challenges in safeguarding personal data and ensuring robust implementation within prescribed timelines.
Disaster Survivors: The bill is expected to simplify the process for receiving federal assistance, benefiting survivors through potentially quicker aid distribution. However, individuals may worry about the handling of their personal data, especially given the provision for waiving certain privacy protections during emergencies.
State and Local Governments: These entities might experience a more significant role in disaster management through state-managed pilot programs, offering them more autonomy in assistance distribution. However, they need to establish systems that meet federal guidelines, which could strain resources.
Privacy Advocates: There are particular concerns for privacy advocates regarding the scope of data sharing permitted by the bill. These stakeholders may push for stronger data protection measures to prevent unauthorized use or lapses in data security.
Overall, while the bill brings forward much-needed reforms to disaster assistance processes, it also necessitates addressing the outlined privacy issues and providing clear definitions and timelines to ensure efficient implementation and public confidence.
Financial Assessment
The "Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025" (H.R. 1245) aims to improve the efficiency and fairness of assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to individuals affected by disasters. This bill includes several financial aspects that warrant discussion.
Unified Disaster Application System
The bill proposes the creation of a unified disaster application system which would require monetary investment for its development, implementation, and maintenance. This system is designed to streamline disaster aid applications and requires interagency cooperation, which may involve allocation of funds for coordination and data sharing between federal agencies. However, concerns have been raised about this system potentially compromising data security and privacy due to the expansive scope of data collection and sharing, especially under waiver provisions.
10-Year Pilot Program
The act includes an amendment to extend a state-managed housing pilot program to 10 years. While this extension suggests continued financial support and stability for the program, it also raises concerns that such a lengthened term could delay effective responses to changes in disaster relief needs, leading to potential inefficiencies in fund utilization.
Financial Assistance for Repairs and Hazard Mitigation
The bill proposes financial assistance for the repair of privately-owned residences and infrastructure that have been damaged by major disasters. However, it does not clearly define the criteria for what constitutes being "damaged by a major disaster," potentially leading to inconsistent financial allocations. Similarly, the lack of a clear definition for "eligible hazard mitigation measures" could create ambiguity concerning what expenditures are covered under direct assistance, impacting effective financial management.
Management Costs and Reimbursements
The bill allows for various management costs and reimbursements, such as up to 12 percent reimbursement of the total award for grantees under section 408(f) and 15 percent reimbursement for crisis counseling and case management services. While these allocations aim to cover administrative costs, there should be careful oversight to ensure that these funds are utilized efficiently and do not incentivize excessive administrative expenditure.
Funding for Online Guides
The act also includes provisions for funding state agencies to create and maintain online guides for post-disaster assistance, which would require specific monetary allocations from FEMA. This funding is intended to enhance accessibility to recovery resources for affected individuals and communities, though the exact financial commitment is not detailed in the bill.
Individual Assistance Dashboard
The implementation of an individual assistance dashboard is another aspect with financial implications. The dashboard is meant to track applications and approvals of disaster assistance, showing financial data regarding the distribution of aid related to housing and other needs. However, issues have been raised about the accuracy and transparency of this data, particularly concerning household income categorizations and their relevance to the financial assistance analysis.
Overall, the bill emphasizes improving the efficiency and reach of FEMA's financial aid to disaster survivors by implementing new systems and expanding current programs. However, the ambiguities in definitions and the extensions of certain programs could lead to challenges in effectively managing the financial aspects of disaster assistance. It is essential that these financial structures are managed transparently and flexibly to adapt to varying disaster scenarios and needs.
Issues
Section 2: The unified disaster application system may raise privacy concerns due to the scope of data collection and sharing, particularly under the waiver provisions, which might lead to inconsistencies in data security and privacy safeguards. This could be controversial for privacy advocates.
Section 2: The Administrator is allowed to waive certain information collection requirements during major disasters or emergencies, potentially leading to gaps in oversight and inconsistencies in applying privacy and data protection laws.
Section 3: The universal application for individual assistance lacks a specified timeline for development and establishment, which might result in delays in its implementation, affecting timely disaster assistance.
Section 3: There is no clear definition of 'improper and potentially fraudulent disaster assistance,' potentially leading to ambiguity in evaluating fraudulent activities by the Comptroller General.
Section 4: The criteria of 'damaged by a major disaster' is not clearly defined, potentially leading to varied interpretations and inconsistencies in disaster assistance eligibility.
Section 5: The term 'eligible hazard mitigation measures' is not clearly defined, which may create ambiguity regarding what specific measures are covered under direct assistance.
Section 9 and 431: The individual assistance dashboard lacks specifics on data accuracy, protection of personally identifiable information, and justification for income categorization relative to national medians, impacting transparency and utility.
Section 10: The requirement for FEMA to submit reports focuses on fiscal years from 2016, potentially failing to leverage the most recent data for effective policy decision-making.
Section 6: The amendment extending the state-managed housing pilot program to 10 years might delay program responsiveness and effectiveness in disaster relief.
Section 11: The provision for reimbursing the sheltering of emergency response personnel does not clearly define 'reasonable' periods for reimbursement, leading to potential inconsistencies or misuse of funds.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title; table of contents Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025 outlines its short title in Section 1 and provides a detailed table of contents listing sections about various aspects of disaster aid, such as information sharing, assistance applications, repair and rebuilding efforts, and funding for online guides. The act uses definitions from the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act unless otherwise stated.
2. Information sharing for federal agencies Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section mandates the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create a unified disaster application system to simplify applications for federal disaster aid, enhance data security, and ensure privacy. It also allows FEMA to work with other federal agencies to improve processing and use of disaster-related data, while instituting rules for data handling and sharing to prevent unauthorized disclosures.
3. Universal application for individual assistance Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must create a universal application for federal disaster aid for individuals affected by emergencies, with advice and support from various federal departments. It also mandates an assessment of identity theft and fraud cases in disaster aid, with an aim to improve identity verification processes.
4. Repair and rebuilding Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section updates the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by broadening financial assistance for homes, utilities, or infrastructure damaged by major disasters, allowing for hazard mitigation measures to reduce future risks. It specifies that this assistance doesn't require proof that other funding sources are unavailable, like insurance, and sets a cap on the aid amount an individual or household can receive per disaster.
5. Direct assistance Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The proposed changes to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act allow the President to provide financial help or direct assistance for repairs to homes, utilities, and infrastructure damaged by major disasters. This assistance can include accessibility repairs for people with disabilities and eligible measures to prevent future damage, without needing to prove other means could provide the aid, besides insurance.
6. State-managed housing pilot authority Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text outlines amendments to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, focusing on increasing transparency for state-managed housing grants and enhancing options for disaster survivors in choosing housing plans and locations. Additionally, it mandates that the federal government cover at least 75% of certain disaster assistance costs and requires a report assessing the effectiveness of any state pilot programs upon their expiration.
7. Management costs Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to specify that a grantee can be reimbursed a maximum of 12% for individual assistance and 15% for crisis counseling, training, and case management services. It also updates administrative cost provisions by simplifying the language related to state grants.
8. Funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines amendments to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund state agencies for creating or updating websites that provide information on post-disaster recovery and resources. These websites should be managed by state agencies, contain lists of available assistance, and be updated at least every six months, with cooperation among various federal agencies.
9. Individual assistance dashboard Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section introduces an "Individual Assistance Dashboard" as part of a disaster relief law, requiring FEMA to create an interactive online tool following a major disaster. This tool will show statistics on applications for aid, such as the number approved or denied, reasons for denial, and estimated disaster impact, while ensuring applicants' personal information remains private.
Money References
- “(5) If available, the dollar amount of assistance provided pursuant to section 408 to applicants who are— “(A) property owners with a household annual income— “(i) above the national median household income; and “(ii) below the national median household income; and “(B) renters with a household annual income— “(i) above the national median household income; and “(ii) below the national median household income.
431. Individual assistance dashboard Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to create an online tool within 90 days of a major disaster declaration. This tool will display information such as the number of aid applications submitted, approved, and denied; reasons for denials; and other details about the assistance distributed, ensuring applicants' personal data is protected.
Money References
- (5) If available, the dollar amount of assistance provided pursuant to section 408 to applicants who are— (A) property owners with a household annual income— (i) above the national median household income; and (ii) below the national median household income; and (B) renters with a household annual income— (i) above the national median household income; and (ii) below the national median household income.
10. FEMA reports Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Administrator of FEMA is required to submit a report within 180 days, and annually thereafter, to specific Congressional committees detailing the levels and denials of disaster assistance provided to individuals and households, segmented by income levels. The report must also include explanations for any increase in denial rates and break down the types of assistance provided to both homeowners and renters in the various income categories.
11. Sheltering of emergency response personnel Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act allows the federal government to reimburse state, tribal, or local governments for the cost of housing emergency workers after a major disaster if their ability to provide emergency services is disrupted. However, this reimbursement is only available for a reasonable period up to six months after the disaster, and applies to specific types of emergency personnel and officials involved in response and recovery efforts.
12. Improved rental assistance Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text amends a section of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include local rent increases in rental assistance after a disaster. It also requires a study by FEMA on the challenges renters face when seeking disaster aid; the findings and recommendations for legislative changes must be reported to Congress after consultation with relevant entities.
13. GAO report on preliminary damage assessments Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is tasked with studying how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assesses damage before giving disaster assistance. This study will compare FEMA's methods to those of private insurance companies, review the training for FEMA's damage assessors, and compare damage estimates for homes of people with different income levels.
14. Applicability Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendments specified in sections 4, 5, 7, 8, and 11 will only affect funds that are allocated after the law is passed.
15. GAO report to Congress on challenges under public assistance alternative procedures Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Comptroller General to study and report on the challenges faced by U.S. States and Territories in obtaining disaster assistance, focusing on rural areas, small impoverished communities, and any other relevant groups. The results of this study must be reported to Congress within a year of the Act's enactment.