Bill · S. 861· Senate(119-S-861)
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act
- Introduced
- 3/5/2025
- Last activity
- 12/17/2025 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Gary Peters
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 5
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act aims to streamline information sharing among Federal disaster assistance agencies. It directs the FEMA Administrator to establish a unified intake process and system for disaster survivors. This new system is designed to expedite the delivery of life-saving assistance and speed up community recovery. The Act also includes provisions to protect the security and privacy of information provided by survivors. Additionally, the legislation focuses on supporting the detection and prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse.
Yes· 3 of 12
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+5
The bill mandates privacy impact assessments and data security standards for the unified intake system.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
Faster and more efficient delivery of disaster assistance helps households with limited financial reserves.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Streamlined application processes assist businesses in accessing disaster-related relief and loans more quickly.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Streamlined Application Process: The creation of a unified intake process will allow for a consolidated application for various forms of disaster assistance, making the process more efficient (Section 2, subsection (b)(1)(A)).
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Improved Communication and Tracking: The new system will allow applicants to receive status updates on their applications and provide them with information and documentation regarding their applications (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(B) and (E)).
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Access to Recovery Resources: The system will enable the distribution of information regarding additional recovery resources available in disaster-stricken jurisdictions (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(D)).
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Faster Assistance Delivery: The unified system is intended to facilitate a faster and more effective distribution of Federal disaster assistance, including block grants (Section 2, subsection (b)(2)(F)).
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Data Security Protections: The Act requires the Administrator to ensure the unified application complies with data security standards and requires a privacy impact assessment before the application is used (Section 2, subsection (e)(1) and (2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Privacy and Information Sharing: To use the unified system, applicants must provide prior written consent to have their disaster assistance information disclosed to various disaster assistance agencies (Section 2, subsection (c)(2)(B)).
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Paperwork Reduction Act Waivers: The Administrator has the authority to waive certain requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act for the voluntary collection of information during a declared major disaster or emergency (Section 2, subsection (d)(2)(A)).
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 Business Owners+4Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Urban Residents+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+4Improves Economic Growth+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Improves Privacy Rights+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+3Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Roads And Bridges+3
- 12/17/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 12/16/2025
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8763-8764; text: CR S8763-8764)
- 11/7/2025
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 264.
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 4/30/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/5/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Joni ErnstRepublican · Iowa
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Rand PaulRepublican · Kentucky
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina