SMART Act

The SMART Act would require the FEMA Administrator to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating the effectiveness, long-term cost savings, and strategic impact of FEMA-funded hazard mitigation activities nationwide. The bill outlines specific goals for reducing disaster response costs, improving community preparedness and insurance access, ensuring continuity of critical services, and achieving measurable returns on investment. It also mandates a transparent, data-driven approach with public-facing reports and ongoing annual updates, and it authorizes coordination with federal agencies, states, tribes, and academic institutions. The statute emphasizes public availability of initial findings within two years and annual updates thereafter, with results posted on FEMA’s website in an accessible format. The reports to Congress would include findings, recommendations for program design and oversight, and suggestions for legislative or administrative actions. The intent is to increase transparency and inform improvements to hazard mitigation programs, targeting, and oversight.