S 270119th CongressIn Committee

Natural Disaster Resilience and Recovery Accountability Act

Introduced: Jan 28, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

S. 270 would create a time-limited Commission on Federal Natural Disaster Resilience and Recovery within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Commission would study how the federal government plans, funds, and implements resilience and recovery efforts after natural disasters, and it would recommend administrative and legislative reforms to improve efficiency, coordination, and funding. It would gather input from a broad mix of federal, state, local, tribal, private sector, and non-governmental stakeholders and must produce a final report within two years, plus interim reports every 180 days. The bill is designed to identify duplications, gaps, and opportunities to streamline federal disaster resilience and recovery programs, drawing on a referenced GAO report for potential options. The Commission is time-limited and would terminate shortly after delivering its final report.

Key Points

1Establishment and purpose: Creates the Commission on Federal Natural Disaster Resilience and Recovery within the Office of Management and Budget to examine and recommend reforms to federal programs and funding related to natural disaster resilience and recovery.
2Membership and expertise: The Director of the Office appoints 15 members (including 1 office employee) from diverse backgrounds (state/local/tribal officials, emergency management and response providers, public health experts, infrastructure and cybersecurity specialists, disability advocates, and private sector representatives). Appointments should aim to cover geographic diversity and relevant areas of expertise (emergency management, infrastructure, housing, transportation, intergovernmental relations, etc.). All appointments must be made within 120 days of enactment.
3Leadership and pay: The Commission elects a chair (requiring at least 8 affirmative votes) and a vice chair who must be an Office employee. Non-federal members may receive travel and per diem; federal members do not receive additional compensation for service on the Commission.
4Administration and cooperation: The Commission can meet in person or virtually, request information from federal agencies, and receive assistance from multiple federal agencies. It can appoint staff, including an executive director, and set staff pay (within specified limits). It may detail federal employees to the Commission without loss of civil service status.
5Reports and recommendations: Not later than two years after the first meeting, it must submit a final report to Congress containing:
6- Specific policy and legislative recommendations to improve effectiveness, referencing GAO’s 11 suggested options.
7- A comprehensive review of all federally funded disaster resilience and recovery activities, with standardized data and budget information where possible.
8- A complete inventory of federally funded resilience and recovery programs, their goals, statutory authority, and related grants.
9- Consideration of administrative changes to roles and responsibilities across agencies.
10- Policies to improve efficiency, access, and reduce duplication; and any other relevant areas.
11Termination and funding: The Commission terminates 60 days after submitting its final report. No new funds are authorized; the Commission must use amounts already appropriated to the Office (no additional appropriations for this Act).

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Federal agencies involved in disaster resilience and recovery (e.g., FEMA, DOT, EPA, DHS, etc.) and the Office of Management and Budget, as they provide information and coordination.- Disaster-affected communities and stakeholders seeking federal resilience and recovery programs, including states, localities, tribes, emergency responders, infrastructure operators, and vulnerable populations.Secondary group/area affected- Private sector and non-governmental organizations engaged in emergency management, infrastructure protection, health services, housing, and public policy.- Standards-setting and accrediting bodies, and organizations representing emergency preparedness and response professionals.Additional impacts- Could influence future legislation and federal program design by identifying duplication, inefficiency, and gaps across disaster resilience and recovery programs.- Emphasizes data standardization and cross-agency coordination, potentially affecting budgeting and oversight practices.- The act relies on existing federal funding (no new appropriations), so real-world impact depends on how agencies respond to information requests and suggested reforms.

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