US Federal Senate Bill SB4022

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/26
• Refer: 3/5/26

Caption

A bill to establish an interagency task force on expediting disaster relief funding, and for other purposes.

Summary

SB 4022, titled the Disaster Recovery Improvement Act, would direct the FEMA Administrator to create a temporary interagency task force within 90 days to examine how federal disaster-relief dollars are identified, obligated, and spent. The task force would include senior officials from FEMA and multiple federal departments and agencies, plus state governors and county commissioners from recently disaster-affected states and counties, with members of Congress serving only in an advisory, nonvoting role. Its core mission is to study bottlenecks in disaster aid delivery and recommend ways to speed up funding for recovery after major disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

Impact

The bill would not directly change existing disaster-relief statutes, but it would create a new federal coordination mechanism and require formal reports to Congress and relevant committees. It specifically directs the task force to evaluate and make recommendations on funding streams tied to FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds, HUD disaster recovery block grants, USDA disaster-related assistance, Labor dislocated worker grants, Commerce/Economic Development Administration aid, Interior historic preservation and construction funding, and EPA clean water financing. It also requires an implementation report identifying which recommendations agencies will adopt, how they will be carried out, and what legislative changes Congress may need to consider. No additional appropriations are authorized, and the task force sunsets after its final report process is complete.

Sentiment

Because there are no recorded votes or committee transcripts, the available context suggests the bill is largely procedural and oversight-oriented rather than partisan. The sponsors from both parties indicate bipartisan interest in improving disaster response and speeding aid to affected communities. The findings and sense of Congress reflect concern that federal disaster funding has been delayed and that state and local governments should have a larger role in shaping federal disaster administration.

Contention

The main points of contention implied by the bill are federal process delays, interagency coordination, and the balance of authority between Washington and state and local governments. The bill highlights delays during recent disasters, including Hurricane Helene, and specifically asks the task force to examine barriers during presidential transitions, which suggests concern about administrative handoffs and continuity. Another likely issue is whether federal agencies can meaningfully streamline disaster funding without new appropriations, since the bill requires recommendations but provides no additional funding to implement them.