Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act
Wildfire Homeowner Relief Act would require the Comptroller General (GAO) to study the feasibility of a federally funded buyout program for homes in areas at high risk of catastrophic wildfires. The bill directs GAO to (1) analyze and compare a potential new wildfire buyout program to existing covered buyout programs (such as floodplain buyouts), (2) create a national database of covered buyouts and facilitate information sharing between FEMA and HUD, and (3) consider how a wildfire buyout program should be housed within a federal department or agency and what land-use rules should follow a buyout. The study would also set definitions for key terms (e.g., catastrophic wildfire, disadvantaged/high-income communities, development) and make recommendations on eligibility criteria, risk mapping, and how to implement land uses after buyouts to reduce risk and fatalities. A final report is due to Congress within 12 months of enactment, outlining findings, recommendations to incentivize participation, and the economic impact and cost to the Federal Government. In short, the bill would not create a program itself but would require a formal, government-wide study to determine whether and how a federal wildfire buyout program could work, how it would be administered, and what effects it could have on communities and federal spending.
Key Points
- 1GAO study mandate: The Comptroller General must analyze the feasibility of using federal grant programs to buy out properties from homeowners in areas endangered or impacted by catastrophic wildfires, both before and after disasters.
- 2Existing covered buyouts and data: The study must catalog current covered buyouts, including which grant programs funded them, who maintains the property, and post-buyout land status; it also contemplates better data sharing between FEMA and HUD for buyouts underway at enactment.
- 3New program considerations: The study should compare a wildfire buyout program to existing floodplain and other disaster buyouts, decide which federal entity should house such a program, and address land-use rules after buyouts to reduce wildfire risk and protect residents.
- 4Land-use guidance: Recommendations will cover how to ensure post-buyout land uses reduce risk, whether practices differ for rural vs urban areas and for disadvantaged vs high-income communities, and how communities can maintain flexibility in land use.
- 5Eligibility and risk mapping: The study will propose eligibility rules, map high-risk areas, and identify how to determine where a federal buyout would be most effective in saving lives during wildfires.
- 6Definitions: The GAO must define terms such as development, disadvantaged community, high-income community, and catastrophic wildfire to ensure consistent understanding.
- 7Reporting deadline: A comprehensive report with findings, recommendations, incentives, economic impact, and definitions must be submitted to Congress within 12 months of enactment.