S.Amdt. 3205

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Cornyn and Mr. Fetterman, aims to add a section titled Promoting Resilient Buildings to bill S. 2296. Its primary purpose is to update the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to better handle hazard mitigation and support home resilience.

Key Changes and Additions:

• Definitions and Program Updates: It updates definitions for "Predisaster Hazard Mitigation" and modifies the "Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Program" by removing a specific paragraph.

• Residential Retrofit and Resilience Pilot Program: It creates a new pilot program managed by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This program provides grants to individuals through state and local governments for "residential resilient retrofits."

• Types of Retrofits: Eligible projects include measures to reduce damage from natural disasters, such as:

  • Elevating homes and utilities.
  • Floodproofing.
  • Building tornado safe rooms.
  • Seismic, wildfire, and wind retrofits (including roof replacements and tie-downs).

• Funding and Priority: The Administrator can use up to 10 percent of annual assistance from the predisaster hazard mitigation program for this pilot. Priority must be given to individuals who show financial need.

• Timeline and Accountability: The program must start within one year of the Act's enactment and end on September 30, 2030. The Administrator is required to submit a report within four years detailing grant awards, results, demographic information, and an estimate of avoided disaster payments.