Bill · H.R. 760· House(119-HR-760)
Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act
- Introduced
- 1/28/2025
- Last activity
- 1/29/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Sponsored by
- Chuck Edwards
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act allows for the reimbursement of costs to repair, replace, or restore private roads and bridges. This applies to State, Indian Tribal, and local governments in North Carolina affected by Tropical Storm Helene under FEMA-4827-DR-NC. To be eligible, these roads or bridges must be the sole access to primary residences or essential community services and must be significantly damaged by the storm. The bill bypasses certain existing regulations under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide this help. It also includes specific conditions for reimbursement and rules regarding the duplication of benefits.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?+8
The bill provides direct reimbursement for the repair, replacement, and restoration of private roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Helene.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+7
The bill targets the restoration of essential access for people living in mountainous or rural areas of North Carolina impacted by the storm.
Does this invest in rural communities?+5
The bill facilitates the restoration of essential access routes that are vital for rural community connectivity in North Carolina.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes new federal reimbursement for road and bridge repairs, which increases government spending.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Restoration of Essential Access: State, Indian Tribal, and local governments can receive reimbursement for repairing private roads and bridges that serve as the only way to reach primary residences or essential community services (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Damage Recovery Support: This provides a way to address infrastructure that was significantly damaged or destroyed specifically by Tropical Storm Helene (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Protection of Previous Assistance: Individuals or households who already received certain assistance for road or bridge repairs can proceed with those repairs without that assistance counting against their maximum assistance amount (Section 2(c)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Requirement for Local Maintenance: Governments must ensure that private roads or bridges being worked on remain open for disaster recovery activities throughout the entire repair, replacement, or restoration process (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Regulatory Compliance Burdens: Governments applying for funding must ensure that all work is done in compliance with all applicable State and Federal regulations and requirements for permanent work (Section 2(b)(5)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Rural Residents+7Good For Native Americans+4Good For Low Income Households+2Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+8Improves Rural Development+5
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 2/5/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/29/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 1/28/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Donald DavisDemocrat · North Carolina
Tim MooreRepublican · North Carolina
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina