H.R. 2342

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2342 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2342

To establish alternate procedures for lump sum payments for certain 
covered small disasters, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 25, 2025

Mr. Rouzer (for himself and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To establish alternate procedures for lump sum payments for certain 
covered small disasters, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``State-Managed Disaster Relief Act''.

SEC. 2. ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES FOR COVERED SMALL DISASTERS.

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``TITLE VIII--ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES FOR COVERED SMALL DISASTERS

``SEC. 801. ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES FOR COVERED SMALL DISASTERS.

``(a) In General.--The Governor of a State or the governing body of 
an Indian tribal government for the area in which a covered small 
disaster occurs may request a lump sum payment of the estimated damages 
calculated under subsection (b) for such disaster in lieu of any 
assistance under the Public Assistance Program for such disaster.
``(b) Calculation.--Notwithstanding the requirements of section 
206.47(b) of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations, a payment under 
subsection (a) shall be equal to the amount that is 80 percent of the 
total estimated cost of assistance under the Public Assistance Program 
for a covered small disaster in the area of jurisdiction of the State 
or Indian tribal government requesting such payment.
``(c) Limitations.--
``(1) In general.--A State or Indian tribal government 
receiving a payment under this section may not receive 
assistance under the Public Assistance Program with respect to 
the covered small disaster for which a payment was accepted 
under this section.
``(2) Final payment.--
``(A) In general.--A payment under this section may 
not be increased or decreased based on actual costs 
calculated for a covered small disaster.
``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), 
the Administrator may adjust a payment under this 
section in the event of unforeseen circumstances at no 
fault of the applicant.
``(3) Selection of option.--A State or Indian tribal 
government may designate to the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency on an annual basis the interest of such State or Indian 
tribal government in participating in the small disaster 
authority.
``(4) Indication.--A State or Indian tribal government 
shall indicate at the time of the submission of a request for a 
major disaster declaration that such State or Indian tribal 
government is requesting assistance for such incident under 
this section.
``(5) Timing requirement.--The Administrator and the State 
or Indian tribal government shall--
``(A) reach an agreement on the amount under 
subsection (b) not later than 90 days after the 
incident; or
``(B) administer the incident under the procedures 
and authorities for the Public Assistance Program.
``(6) Administrative plan.--To be eligible for assistance 
under this section, a State or Indian tribal government shall 
have an approved administrative plan in place at the time of 
the obligation of funds provided under this section.
``(d) Use of Funds.--A State or Indian tribal government receiving 
a payment under this section may use such payment for recovery for the 
covered small disaster in any manner determined appropriate by the 
respective Governor or governing body of such State or Indian tribal 
government if such funds--
``(1) address impacts and needs resulting from the declared 
disaster incident;
``(2) are provided to State, Indian tribal government, 
territorial and local government agencies, and private non-
profit entities eligible for Public Assistance Program funding; 
and
``(3) are used in a manner that complies with applicable 
environmental, historic preservation, and civil rights laws 
(including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the National Historic Preservation Act 
of 1966 (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.)) and any applicable 
resiliency standards under section 203.
``(e) Compliance With Other Laws and Regulations.--A State or 
Indian tribal government shall be responsible for ensuring compliance 
under subsection (d)(3).
``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to affect the eligibility of a State or Indian tribal 
government for assistance under section 404.
``(g) Report to FEMA.--A State or governing body of an Indian 
tribal government shall submit to the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency an annual report of expenses for a covered small disaster in the 
area of jurisdiction of the respective State or Indian tribal 
government.
``(h) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to affect any program in title IV or V that is not a Public Assistance 
Program.
``(i) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered small disaster.--The term `covered small 
disaster' means a major disaster declared under section 401 or 
an emergency declared under section 501 with estimated damage 
eligible under the Public Assistance Program of less than or 
equal to 125 percent of the State's per capita indicator.
``(2) Public assistance program.--The term `Public 
Assistance Program' means the programs under sections 403, 406, 
407, and 502.''.
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