Bill Details
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AI Summary This summary was generated by AI from the bill text. AI can get information wrong.
This bill would require FEMA to update how it handles wildfire-related disaster work and how it judges whether wildfire prevention projects are worth the cost. It would direct FEMA to issue new guidance so more wildfire response activities can be eligible for help, and it would also add clearer instructions for dealing with wildfire cleanup and recovery problems. In addition, FEMA would have to review and improve the rules it uses to decide which wildfire mitigation projects should get priority, with attention to public safety, smoke, water systems, and other wildfire impacts.
- FEMA would have one year to recommend new rules or guidance so certain fire response work, like assessments and emergency stabilization to protect the public, can qualify for help even if it falls outside the normal incident period for a declared fire.
- FEMA would also have to update its Public Assistance Program guide to include wildfire-specific recovery issues, such as debris removal, emergency protective actions, and problems caused by toxic drinking water after a wildfire.
- The agency would review how it decides whether wildfire prevention projects are cost-effective. This review would look at common defensible space projects, nature-based infrastructure, vegetation management, smoke health effects, and protection of water infrastructure.
- Within one year, FEMA would need to issue updated guidance based on that review and use the new criteria when ranking wildfire mitigation projects for funding.
Official Summaries
Wildfire Response Improvement Act
This bill expands certain wildfire management assistance to beyond the time when the fire occurs and requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update various programmatic guidance relating to wildfire response and cost-effectiveness criteria for wildfire mitigation projects.
Currently, in general, government entities’ costs for fighting wildfires are only eligible for assistance under the Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Program if the costs are incurred during the incident period (i.e., time during which the fire occurs). The bill requires FEMA to modify the FMAG Program so that assessments and emergency stabilization to protect public safety are eligible for FMAG assistance regardless of when the incident period begins or ends.
The bill also requires FEMA to review and update its evaluation criteria for the cost-effectiveness of wildfire mitigation projects proposed under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program or Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and prioritize projects accordingly.
Additionally, FEMA must update its policy guide for the Public Assistance program to include guidance on challenges with wildfire recovery, including the resulting toxicity of drinking water resources.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1393 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1393
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
to conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating the cost-
effectiveness of certain mitigation projects, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 14, 2025
Mr. Stanton (for himself and Mr. LaMalfa) 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 review of the criteria for evaluating the cost-
effectiveness of certain mitigation projects, 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 Response Improvement Act''.
SEC. 2. FIRE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM POLICY.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall
recommend such regulations or guidance as are necessary to make
eligible assessments and emergency stabilization to protect public
safety, including for the fire management assistance program under
section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187), irrespective of the incident period
for a declared fire.
SEC. 3. CHANGES TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE POLICY GUIDE.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall amend
the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency to include guidance on wildfire-specific recovery
challenges, including debris removal, emergency protective measures,
and the resulting toxicity of drinking water resources.
SEC. 4. MITIGATION COST-EFFECTIVENESS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall conduct a review of the criteria for evaluating
the cost-effectiveness of projects intended to mitigate the impacts of
wildfire under sections 203 and 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133; 5170c),
including--
(1) the establishment of pre-calculated benefits criterion
for common defensible space mitigation projects for wildfire
mitigation;
(2) the use of nature-based infrastructure in wildfire
mitigation;
(3) considerations for vegetation management for wildfire
mitigation;
(4) reducing the negative effects of wildfire smoke on
public health; and
(5) lessening the impact of wildfires on water
infrastructure.
(b) Updated Criteria.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue such guidance as
is necessary to--
(1) update criteria for evaluating the cost-effectiveness
of mitigation projects under sections 203 and 404 of the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5133; 5170c) based on the results of the review
conducted under subsection (a); and
(2) prioritize projects under such sections based on the
criteria updated under paragraph (1).
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