Bill · H.R. 3251· House(119-HR-3251)
Disaster Response Flexibility Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/7/2025
- Last activity
- 5/7/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Sponsored by
- Jared Moskowitz
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Disaster Response Flexibility Act of 2025," proposes an amendment to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It seeks to establish an alternative block grant program for public assistance following a major disaster declared by the President. Under this program, the FEMA Administrator would assess the costs of public assistance for eligible States, including administrative expenses. States would have the option to elect this block grant instead of applying for direct public assistance. Once a State receives a block grant, it becomes ineligible for direct public assistance for that specific disaster. Any leftover funds can be used for eligible preparedness or mitigation activities within the State.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Flexibility in Funding Uses: If a State has money left over after completing recovery activities, those funds can be used for preparedness or mitigation activities that are eligible for assistance under the Act (Section 2, subsection f).
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Administrative Cost Coverage: The assessment of costs for the block grant includes reasonable administrative expenses that a State incurs to manage and distribute the grant (Section s, subsection b, paragraph 1, subparagraph A).
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Adjustment Provision: To ensure recovery efforts are completed, the President must ensure a State can request a single adjustment to its grant amount if the initial amount is not enough (Section 2, subsection c, paragraph 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Direct Assistance: A State that chooses to receive a block grant is not eligible to receive direct public assistance, financial assistance, or operational support (such as personnel or equipment) for the specific major disaster for which the grant was provided (Section 2, subsection e).
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Exclusion of Individual/Household Aid: The definition of "public assistance" under this specific program does not include any assistance provided to individuals and households (Section 2, subsection h).
- 5/7/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Tim BurchettRepublican · Tennessee