North Charlotte Today

On October 14, 2024, Senators Thom Tillis from North Carolina and Gary Peters from Michigan introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at reforming the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance program. This proposed bill seeks to enhance the manner in which FEMA provides support to individuals recovering from disasters.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the year 2023 witnessed a record-breaking 28 weather and climate-related disasters, exceeding the previous high of 22 events in 2020. These incidents resulted in recovery costs of at least $92.9 billion.

Senator Tillis emphasized the need for change by stating, “It’s past time we end the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to disaster relief and cut the red tape that prevents many communities from accessing the relief they desperately need.” He added that this legislation aims to offer greater flexibility for communities, reduce taxpayer expenses, and expedite recovery efforts.

Echoing these sentiments, Senator Peters remarked on the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters across the nation. “Severe weather and natural disasters are becoming more frequent, more catastrophic and more costly, leaving people across the country in need of swift federal resources to help assist their recovery,” he said. Peters described his proposal as "commonsense bipartisan legislation" designed to improve FEMA's assistance process for home repairs, disaster housing, and mitigation activities.

The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act seeks to reform individual federal disaster assistance programs with a focus on better supporting survivors. It would grant FEMA new authorities to boost funding for disaster mitigation projects while expanding aid for homeowners. The legislation also proposes allowing FEMA to reimburse states that devise innovative post-disaster housing solutions and supports developing such solutions for renters.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that FEMA along with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) undertake various reports and studies aimed at identifying additional challenges in administering post-disaster assistance for survivors while enhancing transparency.