H.R. 3251

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3251 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3251

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act to provide for an alternative block grant program for 
funding public assistance for response to a major disaster, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2025

Mr. Moskowitz (for himself and Mr. Burchett) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act to provide for an alternative block grant program for 
funding public assistance for response to a major disaster, 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 ``Disaster Response Flexibility Act of 
2025''.

SEC. 2. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 431. ALTERNATIVE BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.

``(a) Establishment.--The President, acting through the 
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall 
establish an alternative block grant program for providing funds for 
public assistance in the event of a major disaster declared by the 
President under this title.
``(b) Assessment of Cost of Public Assistance.--
``(1) Assessment required.--In the event of a major 
disaster described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall--
``(A) assess the cost of public assistance of each 
impacted State that would otherwise eligible for such 
assistance under this Act, including reasonable 
administrative expenses incurred by the State necessary 
to manage and distribute a block grant under this 
section; and
``(B) reduced the total amount of such cost by the 
non-Federal shares that would otherwise have been 
applied for each activity carried out with such public 
assistance.
``(2) Consultation.--In making an assessment under 
paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with each 
applicable State to validate eligible costs and ensure that the 
amount of the assessment reflects the scope of necessary 
recovery efforts.
``(c) Program Requirements.--In carrying out the program under this 
section, the President shall--
``(1) establish a process for a State to elect to apply for 
a block under this section grant in lieu of application for 
direct public assistance under this title; and
``(2) ensure that a State may request a single adjustment 
to the amount provided in such block grant if the initial 
amount is insufficient to complete the activities that would 
otherwise be carried out under this title.
``(d) Application.--To be eligible for a block grant under this 
section, a State shall submit to the President an application in such 
manner and containing such information as the President may require.
``(e) Applicability.--A State that receives a block grant under 
this program shall not be eligible for direct public assistance under 
any other provision of this Act with respect to the major disaster for 
which the block grant is provided, including financial assistance and 
operational support (such as personnel, equipment, and contracted 
services).
``(f) Remaining Funds.--Any funds provided under this section that 
remain after the completion of recovery activities for which such funds 
are provided may be used for preparedness or mitigation activities in 
the State that are eligible for assistance under this Act.
``(g) Reports.--
``(1) State reports.--A State that receives a block grant 
under this section shall submit to the Administrator--
``(A) not later than 120 days after the date on 
which such grant was received, an initial recovery plan 
outlining anticipated uses of funds;
``(B) not later than 1 year after the submission of 
the report under subparagraph (A), and annually 
thereafter until all funds provided under the grant are 
expended, a report containing--
``(i) a description of each activity for 
which funds were spent;
``(ii) in any case in which the State has 
remaining funds described under subsection (f), 
the proposed use of such funds; and
``(iii) an assessment of the impact and 
effectiveness of any expenditures of such 
funds; and
``(C) not later than 180 days after all funds 
provided under the grant have been expended, a final 
report containing--
``(i) a description of all projects carried 
out with such funds; and
``(ii) an analysis of the overall 
effectiveness of the activities carried out 
with such funds.
``(2) Report to congress.--Not later than 12 months after 
the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, 
the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the 
implementation and activities of the program established under 
this section that includes--
``(A) a list of States that have elected to 
participate in such program;
``(B) a description of how the Administrator has 
implemented the program, including administrative 
procedures and timelines;
``(C) an assessment of any challenges and barriers 
to State participation and program implementation;
``(D) an evaluation of the accuracy and timeliness 
of cost estimates used to determine grant amounts;
``(E) the average length of time required to make 
cost estimates and disburse grant funds following a 
declaration of a major disaster;
``(F) a review of the administrative impact on the 
Administration and participating States, including 
staffing and oversight capacity; and
``(G) recommendations for statutory, regulatory, or 
administrative changes needed to--
``(i) improve delivery under such program;
``(ii) support administration of the 
program; or
``(iii) enhance effectiveness of the 
program.
``(h) Public Assistance Defined.--The term `public assistance'--
``(1) means any activities eligible for assistance under 
sections 403, 406, and 407; and
``(2) does not include any assistance provided to 
individuals and households.''.
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