Disaster Relief Transparency Act
Disaster Relief Transparency Act would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to generate and submit reports detailing how it allocates money for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program (CDBG-DR) and the Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program (CDBG-MIT). The goal is to clarify the methodology used to distribute funds to states, tribes, territories, and local governments, explain why allocations may differ from one appropriation to another, and offer recommendations to improve consistency and timeliness of these allocations. The Secretary must consult with the Comptroller General (GAO) in preparing the report, and the reports are to be sent to designated congressional committees. The act establishes a clear timeline: an initial report due within 90 days of enactment, covering fiscal years 2024 and 2025 amounts, followed by annual reports due by the end of each fiscal year starting in 2026, with ongoing examination of the appropriation amounts for each year. In short, the bill adds a formal, recurring requirement for HUD to publicly explain how disaster-related CDBG funds are allocated, why allocation methods can change between appropriations, and how the process could be made more transparent and timely.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and scope: Requires HUD to describe and explain the allocation methodology for CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT funds to states, tribes, territories, and local governments; includes rationale for any variation across appropriations and recommendations to improve consistency and timeliness.
- 2Consultation: HUD must consult with the Comptroller General (GAO) in preparing the report.
- 3Reporting bodies: Reports must be submitted to the House Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, and to the Senate Banking Committee.
- 4Timeline for first report: Due within 90 days after enactment, and it must examine appropriations for fiscal years 2024 and 2025.
- 5Ongoing reporting: Beginning in fiscal year 2026, HUD must submit a report not later than the final day of each fiscal year, examining the amounts appropriated for that year.