Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization Act

Key Points

• This bill aims to help local communities, especially small towns with limited staff, get disaster relief money faster. It allows the federal government to pay for up to 85% of project costs in these "low-capacity" areas, which reduces the financial burden on local taxpayers after a major storm or emergency.
• FEMA would be required to provide intensive training to local officials within 30 days of a disaster declaration. This training will explain exactly how to apply for money, what paperwork is needed, and how to navigate the federal system so that help reaches residents sooner.
• The policy allows communities to receive up to 75% of their estimated repair costs upfront, before the work even begins. Currently, many towns have to pay for repairs themselves and wait for the government to pay them back, which can be very difficult for small towns with limited budgets.
• A new $500 million annual program would send FEMA experts directly to struggling states and tribal governments. These experts will help local leaders document damage and fill out grant applications, ensuring that smaller communities do not miss out on funding just because they lack administrative staff.
• The bill requires the government to be more transparent about delays. If disaster funding is paused for more than 26 business days, the President must publicly explain the reason for the pause, how long it will last, and the legal authority being used to hold up the money.