9 Key Reforms The FEMA Act Brings to Federal Disaster Response

Key Takeaways

A bipartisan bill aimed at reforming FEMA and improving disaster assistance programs has been approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
The Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 proposes making FEMA a cabinet-level agency and streamlining aid applications for efficiency.
Support from various emergency management organizations highlights the need for timely, coordinated disaster assistance amid rising disaster frequency and recovery challenges.

Legislative Support for FEMA Reform

Cities, counties, and emergency management organizations are backing a bipartisan effort in the U.S. House that aims to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and modernize disaster assistance programs. The Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 received approval from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on September 3 and is now awaiting a vote on the House floor.

According to Yucel Ors, director of public safety and crime prevention at the National League of Cities, the Act will implement essential reforms that expedite funding, clarify rules, and enhance residents’ access to support.

In January, President Donald Trump initiated the Federal Emergency Management Review Council to evaluate FEMA’s disaster response capabilities and suggest operational changes. Meanwhile, the current administration is considering ways to limit the federal government’s role in disaster recovery, which could shift more financial burden onto states and local governments. A report from the Urban Institute indicates that many states may not have sufficient resources to manage greater recovery costs if responsibilities are handed to local governments.

Key provisions of the bill include elevating FEMA to a cabinet-level agency and introducing a unified application process for disaster assistance, simplifying access for individuals and families affected by disasters. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) stated that the bill would help streamline processes for communities working to assist their residents quickly, thus allowing more efficient cleanup and recovery.

Specific features of the legislation are as follows:

– Introduction of a block grant program for smaller disasters, with damage costs ranging from $1 million to $10 million.
– Mandate for FEMA to provide 25% of emergency funding within ten days of approval.
– Simplification of project closeouts for smaller-scale initiatives.
– Protection for governments adhering to FEMA guidelines from retroactive funding clawbacks.
– Expansion of eligibility for mitigation and resilience projects.
– Incentives for reforms in building codes.
– Increased access to low-interest loans for various risk-reduction projects, including those related to wildfires and cyber threats.
– Enhanced transparency through public dashboards for tracking declarations, funding obligations, and reimbursements.
– Requirement for FEMA to maintain a national database of appeals.

Organizations like the National League of Cities have expressed strong support for the Act’s intentions, emphasizing its potential to address growing disaster challenges and improve assistance coordination. The National Association of Counties echoed this sentiment, describing the bill as a vital step toward more effective disaster support.

In a collaborative letter, several emergency management organizations, including Big City Emergency Managers and the International Association of Emergency Managers, praised the legislation. They highlighted that its provisions, particularly those aimed at enhancing collaboration with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, could significantly strengthen national resilience and better serve Americans in times of crisis.

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