Rapid Disaster Relief Act

The Rapid Disaster Relief Act would amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to speed up reimbursements for emergency work. Specifically, it adds a new provision stating that reimbursements provided under Section 403 must be disbursed to the applicant within 120 days after a reimbursement request is submitted if the President determines that at least 90 percent of the estimated costs are eligible for reimbursement. The bill, introduced in the House (sponsored by Ms. McDonald Rivet and Mr. Moolenaar), aims to shorten waiting times for disaster relief funds, improving cash flow for states, local governments, tribes, and organizations performing emergency work, while leaving overall funding levels and eligibility criteria otherwise unchanged. In short, the bill creates a fast-track funding clock tied to a high eligibility threshold, ensuring quicker access to funds for emergency response costs when most costs are eligible.