H.R. 2428

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2428 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2428

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
study regarding a Federal buyout program available to homeowners with 
properties in high-risk catastrophic wildfire disaster areas, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 27, 2025

Ms. Friedman (for herself, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Lieu, Mr. Mullin, and Mr. 
Sherman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the 
Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently 
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
study regarding a Federal buyout program available to homeowners with 
properties in high-risk catastrophic wildfire disaster areas, 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 ``Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act''.

SEC. 2. GAO STUDY ON A FEDERAL BUYOUT PROGRAM FOR HIGH-RISK WILDFIRE 
AREAS.

(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study to analyze the feasibility of using Federal grant 
programs to purchase property from homeowners, voluntarily selling such 
properties, before and after a catastrophic wildfire disaster.
(b) Existing Covered Buyouts.--In conducting the study under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall compile recommendations 
on--
(1) how to develop a national database on covered buyouts, 
existing on the date of enactment of this Act, with information 
on what grant program was used to purchase each respective 
property under such buyouts, what entity is responsible for 
maintaining such property, and any development on such property 
following the covered buyout; and
(2) how the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development can exchange 
information about any covered buyout in process as of the date 
of enactment of this Act.
(c) New Wildfire Buyout Program.--In conducting the study under 
subsection (a) of this Act, the Comptroller General shall--
(1) analyze how a program for the buyout of properties 
endangered or impacted by catastrophic wildfire disasters would 
compare to covered buyout programs existing on the date of 
enactment of this Act, including any floodplain disaster buyout 
programs;
(2) provide recommendations on which department, agency, or 
program should house a program for the buyout of properties 
endangered or impacted by catastrophic wildfire disasters; and
(3) provide land use recommendations for properties after a 
covered buyout, including--
(A) how to ensure specific purchases and future 
land uses will reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, loss 
of life, and loss of property during catastrophic 
wildfires;
(B) how land use may be different for rural 
compared to urban communities and for disadvantaged 
compared to high-income communities;
(C) how to allow flexibility for communities to 
decide how to use the land following a covered buyout; 
and
(D) with respect to properties in high-risk areas 
prior to catastrophic wildfire disaster and for 
properties impacted after a catastrophic wildfire 
disaster, eligibility requirements, including--
(i) recommendations for mapping which areas 
are at the highest risk for catastrophic 
wildfire; and
(ii) methodology for determining which 
areas would be most effective for implementing 
a Federal buyout program, including 
consideration for where the greatest benefit 
would be derived as a result of evacuating 
individuals in efforts to avoid loss of life.
(d) Authority To Define Terms.--In conducting the study under 
subsection (a), the Comptroller General shall develop definitions for 
the terms ``development'', ``disadvantaged community'', ``high-income 
community'', and ``catastrophic wildfire''.
(e) Report.--Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report 
identifying findings and conclusions, including--
(1) the results of the study conducted pursuant to 
subsection (a);
(2) any recommendations made under subsection (b);
(3) recommendations on ways to incentivize participation in 
the program described in subsection (c);
(4) analysis of the economic impacts of the program 
described in subsection (c) and the cost of the program to the 
Federal Government; and
(5) the definitions developed under subsection (d).
(f) Covered Buyout Defined.--In this Act, a ``covered buyout'' 
means a purchase of property by the Federal Government from a homeowner 
who voluntarily sold such property because such property was recognized 
by the Federal Government to be in an area endangered or impacted by a 
catastrophic natural disaster.
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