What it does
SourcedFederal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to streamline disaster information collection, convene a working group on preliminary damage assessments, and provide a report to Congress.
FEMA must (1) conduct a study and develop a plan under which the collection of information from disaster assistance applicants and grantees will be made less burdensome, duplicative, and time consuming for applicants and grantees; and (2) develop a plan for the regular collection and reporting of information on federal disaster assistance awarded.
Additionally, not later than two years after enactment of the bill, FEMA must convene a working group on a regular basis to (1) identify potential areas of duplication or fragmentation in preliminary damage assessments after disaster declarations; (2) determine the applicability of having one federal agency make the assessments for all agencies; and (3) identify potential emerging technologies, such as unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones), to expedite the administration of preliminary damage assessments.
FEMA must submit a comprehensive report on the plans for streamlining and consolidating information collection and the findings and recommendations of the working group to Congress with a briefing. The report must be made available to the public and posted on FEMA's website.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025).
Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.
What has happened
Sourced- Jan 14, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.Senate
- Jan 13, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
- Jan 13, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 5 (Roll no. 9). (text: CR H100-101) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
- Jan 13, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 5 (Roll no. 9). (text: CR H100-101) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
- Jan 13, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H107-108)House floor actions
- Jan 13, 2025At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.House floor actions
- Jan 13, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 152.House floor actions
- Jan 13, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H100-101)House floor actions
- Jan 13, 2025Mr. Graves moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
- Jan 4, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.House committee actions
- Jan 3, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.House floor actions
- Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
- Jan 3, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
Recorded votes
Sourced- Jan 13, 2025 · HousePassed 405–5Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks did not vote, Zachary Nunn yesOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · needed two-thirds
Cosponsors
- Pablo José Hernández D-PR-At Large
- Stacey E. Plaskett D-VI-At Large