H.R. 4426

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4426 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4426

To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term cost 
savings, and strategic impact of Federal Emergency Management Agency-
funded hazard mitigation activities across the United States, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 16, 2025

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

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term cost 
savings, and strategic impact of Federal Emergency Management Agency-
funded hazard mitigation activities across the United States, 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 ``Studying Mitigation And Reporting 
Transparently Act'' or the ``SMART Act''.

SEC. 2. STUDY AND REPORT ON MITIGATION BENEFITS.

(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency shall conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the 
effectiveness, long-term cost savings, and strategic impact of Federal 
Emergency Management Agency-funded hazard mitigation activities across 
the United States.
(b) Objectives.--In conducting the study required under subsection 
(a), the Administrator shall assess how the mitigation programs of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency--
(1) reduce Federal and non-Federal expenditures for 
disaster response and recovery;
(2) enhance community preparedness for natural hazards;
(3) improve the availability and affordability of hazard-
related insurance;
(4) support continuity of operations for critical services 
and infrastructure; and
(5) generate long-term cost savings and measurable returns 
on investment.
(c) Methodology.--The study under subsection (a) shall include--
(1) quantitative and qualitative analysis of avoided 
losses;
(2) evaluations of the effect of hazard mitigation on 
community-level risk ratings, actuarial assessments, and 
insurance penetration;
(3) case studies from diverse geographic regions and hazard 
types; and
(4) examinations of the role of mitigation activities in 
reducing Federal disaster response and recovery costs.
(d) Data Sources.--In carrying out the study under subsection (a), 
the Administrator shall use data from--
(1) Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies;
(2) independent third-party assessments and academic 
studies; and
(3) internal program evaluations and disaster recovery 
records.
(e) Consultation.--In conducting the study under subsection (a), 
the Administrator may consult with--
(1) the Government Accountability Office;
(2) the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
(3) State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments; and
(4) relevant academic and research institutions.
(f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall 
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report detailing--
(1) the findings of the study;
(2) recommendations for improving program design, 
targeting, and oversight; and
(3) recommendations for legislative and administrative 
actions.

SEC. 3. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY AND ONGOING REVIEW.

(a) Public Access.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall make the results of the 
initial study required under section 2 publicly available in a 
searchable, user-friendly format on the website of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency.
(b) Contents.--The published data under subsection (a) shall 
include--
(1) summarized findings and datasets, excluding any 
information that would compromise national security or privacy;
(2) visualizations and geographic mappings of mitigation 
outcomes; and
(3) clear explanations of methodology, data sources, and 
limitations.
(c) Annual Updates.--The Administrator shall conduct the study 
described in section 2 on an annual basis, incorporating the most 
recent available data, updates to methodology, and stakeholder 
feedback.
(d) Availability.--Each annual report under section 2(e) shall be 
made publicly available on the website of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency not later than 60 days after the submission of such 
report to Congress.
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