US Federal 2023-2024 Regular Session

US Federal House Bill HB480

Introduced
1/24/23  
Refer
1/24/23  

Caption

Wildfire Recovery Act This bill makes changes with respect to the federal cost share for Fire Management Assistance Grants and provides that the federal share shall be not less than 75% of the eligible cost. Specifically, the bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct and complete a rulemaking to provide criteria for the circumstances under which FEMA may recommend that the President increase the federal cost share. Such criteria shall include a threshold metric that assesses the financial impact to a state or local government from responding to a fire for which fire management assistance is being provided.

Impact

One of the primary implications of HB480 is how it aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by state and local governments when responding to fire emergencies. By setting a higher threshold for the federal cost share, the bill ensures that local agencies can receive more substantial support, allowing for better preparedness and response efforts. Such improvements in funding mechanisms have the potential to enhance emergency management capabilities, ultimately leading to more effective disaster relief efforts and community resilience in the face of increasing wildfire incidents.

Summary

House Bill 480, titled the 'Wildfire Recovery Act,' seeks to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by enhancing the federal cost share related to Fire Management Assistance Grants. Specifically, the bill stipulates that the federal share of assistance will be no less than 75% of the eligible costs incurred in fire management. This adjustment is intended to provide states and local governments with better financial support when managing wildfires, which have been increasingly damaging and costly due to climate change and other factors. The amendment will only apply to funds appropriated after the bill's enactment, ensuring that future wildfire responses are supported under the new financial criteria.

Contention

The discussion around HB480 highlights the ongoing debates over federal versus state responsibilities in disaster management. While proponents of the bill argue that a robust federal cost share is essential for effective fire management, critics may express concerns about federal overreach or the sustainability of such funding allocations in the long term. Additionally, as the bill directs FEMA to conduct rulemaking to establish criteria for increasing the federal cost share, some stakeholders may worry about the potential bureaucratic delays and complexities involved in accessing these funds, which could impede timely response efforts during wildfire emergencies.

Companion Bills

US SB479

Related bill Fire Suppression and Response Funding Assurance Act

Previously Filed As

US HB437

Support Neighborhoods Offset Winter Damage Act of 2025 or the SNOW Act of 2025This bill authorizes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funding for winter storm hazard mitigation and requires FEMA rulemaking to expand assistance for winter storms. It also increases the federal cost share for various FEMA grants, for any hazard type, in rural or disadvantaged areas.The bill specifically authorizes the use of grant funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program to reduce the risk of future damage in areas affected by winter storms, such as by acquiring snow removal equipment. Also, under current FEMA policy, in determining eligibility and recommending a presidential major disaster declaration for a snowstorm, FEMA’s considerations include whether data shows record (or near record) snowfall and whether estimated statewide costs meet applicable thresholds. The bill requires FEMA to create regulations waiving these eligibility requirements for a major disaster declaration for a snowstorm in certain circumstances. FEMA must also create regulations to provide certain assistance for winter storms, including for debris removal and specified infrastructure, as well as individual and emergency assistance when the state determines the storm exceeds state and local capacity. In addition, for any hazard type, the bill requires FEMA to increase the federal cost share from 75% to 90% for certain assistance provided in rural or disadvantaged areas. It also authorizes an increased HMGP federal cost share amount from 75% to 90% for assistance in rural or disadvantaged areas. 

US SB2616

A bill to amend the Act of October 19, 1973, to increase the maximum dollar amount of per capita shares for purposes of eligibility for financial assistance or other benefits under Federal or federally assisted programs, and for other purposes.

US SB1288

Emergency management; providing for cost sharing of federal matching requirements. Emergency.

US HB195

This bill provides states with the authority to name post offices located in the state. The bill makes exceptions with respect to federally named post offices.

US HB316

Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act of 2025This bill establishes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding sources for unmet needs caused by major disasters, expands FEMA’s assistance for housing and home repair, and requires certain considerations in FEMA’s recommendations on presidential emergency/disaster declarations.The bill establishes the National Disaster Recovery Reserve Fund for FEMA to provide grants to states and Indian tribal governments for unmet need. The bill defines unmet need as any necessary expense for activities related to a declared major disaster, including disaster relief or resilience activities. In addition, the bill authorizes FEMA to set aside funding from the Disaster Relief Fund to provide grants to states and Indian tribal governments for unmet needs resulting from a declared disaster, including home repair, economic recovery measures, and other services assisting disaster victims. Also, the bill makes the following changes regarding housing assistance:authorizes FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) to provide home repair assistance directly to homeowners when there is a lack of available housing resources, expands IHP home repair assistance for persons with disabilities, extends the maximum duration of IHP’s direct housing assistance from 18 to 24 months,authorizes IHP permanent housing construction where FEMA considers it a cost-effective alternative, and authorizes minor home repairs in the essential assistance federal agencies may provide following a disaster. Additionally, the bill requires FEMA to give greater weight to local impacts, and events over the past five years, when making recommendations to the President regarding emergency or major disaster declarations.

US HB422

No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities ActThis bill limits the indirect costs that are allowable under federal research awards to institutions of higher education (IHEs) with endowments above specified thresholds. (Generally, indirect costs represent expenses that are not specific to a research project but are needed to maintain the infrastructure and administrative support for federally funded research.)Specifically, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) must annually collect information regarding the endowments of each IHE that has entered into a program participation agreement with the Department of Education.With this collected information, NCES must identify and make lists of (1) each IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, and (2) each IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion). NCES must submit these lists to the Office of Management and Budget, which must then distribute the lists to federal agencies, Congress, and the public.The bill establishes the following limits on the indirect costs allowable under federal research awards:for an IHE with an endowment of more than $5 billion, the IHE is prohibited from using these awards for indirect costs;for an IHE with an endowment of more than $2 billion (but not more than $5 billion), the IHE is limited to an indirect cost rate of 8%; andfor all other IHEs, an indirect cost rate of 15%.The Government Accountability Office must annually report to Congress on indirect cost reimbursement on federal research awards for IHEs.

US SB443

Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act

US HB3957

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide certain fire management assistance to Indian Tribal Governments, and for other purposes.

US HB314

Empowering Nonprofits ActThis bill reduces cost-sharing requirements for grants directly awarded to certain nonprofit organizations for the five years following the bill's enactment. Eligible nonprofit organizations are those located in a U.S. state (including the District of Columbia or a U.S. commonwealth, territory, or possession) or federally recognized Indian tribe that has more than 20% of individuals living below the poverty line.Specifically, the bill requires an executive agency, during that time frame, to reduce any cost-sharing requirement by 25% for grants made directly to an eligible nonprofit.

US HB53

Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act or the FIND Act This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm trade associations or businesses that deal in firearms, ammunition, or related products. Specifically, the bill requires a federal agency to include in each contract for the procurement of goods or services awarded by the agency a clause requiring the prime contractor to certify that it (1) has no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not adopt a policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association during the term of the contract. The bill establishes (1) a similar requirement with respect to subcontracts, and (2) penalties for violations. The bill makes such prohibition inapplicable to a contract for the procurement of goods or services that is a sole-source contract.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.