Disaster Response Flexibility Act of 2025
Disaster Response Flexibility Act of 2025 would create an optional, alternative block grant program under the Stafford Act for funding public assistance after a major disaster. Instead of pursuing traditional direct public assistance (federal funding and services) for a declared disaster, a state could elect to receive a lump-sum block grant from FEMA equal to the federal share of the eligible public assistance costs (including reasonable state administrative expenses) for that disaster, with the state responsible for managing and distributing the funds. If a state takes the block grant option, it would forgo direct public assistance for that disaster. Remaining funds could be used for preparedness or mitigation after recovery. The bill also adds ongoing reporting requirements to track use, effectiveness, and potential program improvements, and requires a prospective Congress report on implementation and challenges. Key design features include a cost assessment process (involving state consultation), a one-time adjustment option if the initial grant is not enough, an application process for states, and detailed reporting from both states and FEMA to monitor implementation, efficiency, and impact. Public Assistance is defined to cover certain categories of eligible activities under the Stafford Act (sections 403, 406, and 407) but explicitly excludes aid to individuals and households.
Key Points
- 1Establishes an alternative block grant program under Title IV of the Stafford Act, to be administered by FEMA’s Administrator.
- 2The block grant amount is calculated as the assessed cost of eligible public assistance (including reasonable state administrative expenses) minus the non-Federal shares that would have applied; effectively, the block grant covers the federal share of eligible activities.
- 3States can elect to participate in the block grant program in lieu of direct public assistance; a participating state cannot receive direct public assistance for that disaster under other provisions of the Act.
- 4If the initial block grant is insufficient to complete recovery activities, the state may request a single adjustment to increase the grant amount.
- 5Remaining funds can be used for preparedness or mitigation activities in the state after recovery, under the same eligibility rules as the Act.
- 6The program includes a robust reporting framework: initial recovery plan within 120 days, annual progress reports while funds are available, a final report after funds are expended, and a congressional year-end report detailing implementation, challenges, and recommendations.