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Federal Stafford Act Disaster Assistance: Presidential Declarations, Eligible Activities, and Funding [June 7, 2011]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) authorizes the President to issue major disaster or emergency declarations in response to catastrophes in the United States that overwhelm state and local governments. Such declarations result in the distribution of a wide range of federal aid to individuals and families, certain nonprofit organizations, and public agencies. Congress appropriates money to the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), through both annual appropriations and emergency supplemental appropriations, for disaster assistance authorized by the Stafford Act. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) administers most, but not all, of the authority the statute vests in the President. […] Previously introduced legislation during the 111th Congress would have amended the statute. Among the proposals, H.R. 3377, the Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2009, would have authorized the Disaster Relief Fund, provided health benefits to temporary or intermittent federal employees who provide disaster assistance, authorized the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System, and requested FEMA to update standards for individual assistance disaster requests. Other bills sought to reauthorize a mortgage and rental assistance program terminated in 2000 (H.R. 888/S. 763), establish new eligibility criteria (H.R. 941, H.R. 1059, H.R. 1494, H.R. 2484, H.R. 4141, and S. 1069), and mandate establishment of a tracking and storage plan for housing units used by disaster survivors (H.R. 3437/S. 713)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2011-06-07
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FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues [July 10, 2009]
"Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), as federal law and a program activity, began in 1997. Congress established a pilot program, which FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] named 'Project Impact,' to test the concept of investing prior to disasters to reduce the vulnerability of communities to future disasters. P.L. 106-390, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, authorized the PDM program in law as Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. From its beginnings as 'Project Impact' to its current state, the PDM program has grown in its level of appropriated resources and the scope of participation nationwide. Along with that growth have come issues for Congressional consideration, including the approach for awarding grant funds, the eligibility of certain applicants, the eligibility of certain projects, the degree of commitment by state and local governments, and related questions. Authorization for the PDM program expires on September 30, 2009. In the 111th Congress, Representative Oberstar and other sponsors introduced H.R. 1746 to re-authorize the program for an additional three years at $250 million per year and to remove the sunset provision. The bill would also increase the minimum amount each state can receive from $500,000 to $575,000. H.R. 1746 includes provisions that have been part of appropriations statutes that award funds both through a formula (with, as noted, a minimum amount available per state) as well as a competitive process for the majority of the funds."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; Keegan, Natalie
2009-07-10
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FEMA Disaster Housing: From Sheltering to Permanent Housing [August 27, 2010]
"For over three decades the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided temporary housing assistance to eligible victims of natural disasters. FEMA has responded to more than a thousand disaster and emergency events over this period, employing a number of options for meeting the needs of people who have lost their primary housing as a result of a disaster declared by the President. The cycle of help from sheltering provided by local organizations in the immediate aftermath, to the eventual repair and rebuilding or replacement of private homes and rental units, is the focus of this report. Because of the historic nature of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, much of FEMA's work has been defined and measured by its response to that event. Katrina was an outlier in scope and not representative of disasters declared, on almost a weekly basis, over the last 30 years. But Katrina highlighted the gaps in FEMA's housing authorities, raised questions regarding the agency's leadership in exercising existing authorities, and provoked an examination of the flexibility, or lack thereof, in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and its implementing regulations. The congressional response to Katrina increased FEMA's authority and ability to address many housing issues in the post-disaster environment. Further, subsequent analysis of the Katrina response has also directed attention to the authorities of other federal agencies charged with federal housing responsibilities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2010-08-27
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FEMA Disaster Cost-Shares: Evolution and Analysis [March 9, 2010]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (The Stafford Act, P.L. 93- 288) contains discretion for the President to adjust cost-shares for the Public Assistance (PA) program, Sections 406 and 407 of the act, that provides assistance to states, local governments and non-profit organizations for debris removal and rebuilding of the public and non-profit infrastructure. The language of the Stafford Act defining cost-shares for the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities provides that the federal share 'shall be not less than 75 percent.' These provisions have been in effect for over 20 years. While the authority to adjust the cost-share is long standing, the history of FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency]'s administrative adjustments and Congress' legislative actions in this area, are of a more recent vintage. [...] Cost-share waivers can be a great help to a state and its communities seeking to recover from a disaster event and reeling from the economic problems caused by the disaster. But such actions also reduce the supplemental nature of Stafford Act funding through the increase of the federal share. How such cost-share waivers are administered is an issue that FEMA has addressed through regulation and Congress has addressed through legislation. This report will be revised as warranted by events."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2010-03-09
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FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues [February 18, 2010]
"Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), as federal law and a program activity, began in 1997. Congress established a pilot program, which FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] named 'Project Impact,' to test the concept of investing prior to disasters to reduce the vulnerability of communities to future disasters. P.L. 106-390, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, authorized the PDM program in law as Section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. [...] Authorization for the PDM program expires on September 30, 2010. In the 111th Congress, Representative Oberstar and other sponsors introduced H.R. 1746 to re-authorize the program for an additional three years at $250 million per year and to remove the sunset provision. The bill would also increase the minimum amount each state can receive from $500,000 to $575,000. [...] It is notable that the Administration's budget for FY2010 requested that the competitive process be dropped in favor of a risk-based assessment by FEMA. The Administration's budget for FY2011 does not contain any reference to a risk-based assessment by FEMA. However, Congress may wish to hear more regarding the risk-based allocation formula before enacting the authorizing legislation for the coming years. [...] This report will be updated as warranted by events."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; Keegan, Natalie
2010-02-18
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FEMA Disaster Housing: From Sheltering to Permanent Housing [September 16, 2009]
"For over three decades the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided temporary housing assistance to eligible victims of natural disasters. FEMA has responded to more than a thousand disaster and emergency events over this period, employing a number of options for meeting the needs of people who have lost their primary housing as a result of a disaster declared by the President. The cycle of help from sheltering provided by local organizations in the immediate aftermath, to the eventual repair and rebuilding or replacement of private homes and rental units, is the focus of this report. [...]. This report reviews standard disaster housing procedures as well as options that could be taken to improve disaster housing including increased FEMA/[Housing and Urban Development] cooperation, the use of the case management authority, the repair and renovation of private rental housing units, and the use of alternative manufactured housing. It will be updated as warranted by events and legislative action."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2009-09-16
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FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer [Updated January 23, 2009]
This Congressional Research Service (CRS) report covers FEMA disaster relief and emergency assistance. "The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (referred to as the Stafford Act - 42 U.S.C. 5721 et seq.) authorizes the President to issue 'major disaster' or 'emergency' declarations before or after catastrophes occur. Emergency declarations trigger aid that protects property, public health, and safety and lessens or averts the threat of an incident becoming a catastrophic event. A major disaster declaration, issued after catastrophes occur, constitutes broader authority for federal agencies to provide supplemental assistance to help state and local governments, families and individuals, and certain nonprofit organizations recover from the incident. The end result of a presidential disaster declaration is well known, if not entirely understood. Various forms of assistance are provided, including aid to families and individuals for uninsured needs and assistance to state and local governments and certain non-profits in rebuilding or replacing damaged infrastructure."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2009-01-23
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FEMA Disaster Housing and Hurricane Katrina: Overview, Analysis, and Congressional Issues [Updated August 8, 2008]
This Congressional Research Service (CRS) report is an update to a report of the same name that discusses the issue of FEMA Disaster Housing and Hurricane Katrina. "In the past, FEMA's approaches have turned on practical and theoretical considerations. Practical considerations include the agency's ability to house families and individuals within a short time frame and in proximity to the original disaster, and in the case of Hurricane Katrina, to make contact with the hundreds of thousands of applicants who registered for assistance. Some of the theoretical policy considerations include questions of equity, self-reliance, federalism, and the duration of federal assistance. Those considerations have led to process questions concerning program stewardship and the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse of federal resources. The Post-Katrina Act, enacted in October of 2006 (P.L. 109-295), includes changes in FEMA housing policy that provide the President with greater flexibility for meeting the challenges of disasters on a large scale. Also, Public Law 110-28 has eased the cost-share burden for some housing costs and other disaster relief programs. Future debate on the housing issue will also be informed by the report on the National Disaster Housing Strategy (as directed in P.L. 109-295). This Strategy was due to Congress in 2007, but a draft was not provided until late July of 2008. Following a 60-day comment period, a final National Disaster Housing Strategy is scheduled to be presented to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2008-08-08
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Potential Stafford Act Declarations for the Gulf Coast Oil Spill: Issues for Congress [July 23, 2010]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, P.L. 93-288, presents several options, and could provide a number of programs, to address the Gulf Coast oil spill. That spill is currently being addressed by a law fashioned for that purpose, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, P.L. 101-380. An emergency declaration under the Stafford Act would appear a potential approach to the current situation since it is intended to lessen the impact of an imminent disaster. A major disaster declaration would open up more Stafford Act programs that might be especially appropriate for the needs generated by the spill. FEMA assistance can be rapid and flexible, but it also would need to be carefully delineated to avoid duplication of benefits and general confusion when working in the milieu of P.L. 101-380. Under that law, which provides both authorities and a fund for compensation, the incident is currently being addressed and the federal response coordinated. During the previous large spill, the Exxon Valdez in 1989, the President turned down the governor of Alaska's two requests for an emergency declaration. The rationale for the turndowns was that a declaration by the President would hinder the government's litigation against Exxon that promised substantial compensation for the incident."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2010-07-23
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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation [May 17, 2012]
"The causes of homelessness and determining how best to assist those who find themselves
homeless became particularly prominent, visible issues in the 1980s. The concept of
homelessness may seem like a straightforward one, with individuals and families who have no
place to live falling within the definition. However, the extent of homelessness in this country and
how best to address it depend upon how one defines the condition of being homeless. [...] This report describes the federal programs that are targeted to assist those who are homeless;
includes recent funding levels (see Table 1 and Table 2); discusses current issues, including
homelessness after the economic downturn and federal efforts to end homelessness; and provides information on recent legislation. Among active legislation are bills to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, which includes transitional housing for those who are homeless as a result of domestic violence (S. 1925 and H.R. 4970) and legislation that would, among other things, reauthorize the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program (H.R. 3989 and H.R. 3990)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; McCallion, Gail; Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-
2012-05-17
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Congressional Primer on Major Disasters and Emergencies [August 31, 2011]
"The principles of disaster management assume a leadership role by the local and state governments with the federal government providing coordinated supplemental resources and assistance. A declaration of a major disaster or emergency must, in almost all cases, be requested by the governor, who at that point has declared that the situation is beyond the capacity of the state to respond. The governor also determines which parts of the state they will request assistance for and suggests the types of assistance programs that may be needed. The President considers the governor's request, in consultation with officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and makes the initial decisions on the areas to be included as well as the programs that are implemented. […] In addition to that assistance, other disaster aid is made available through programs of the Small Business Administration (which provides disaster loans to both businesses and homeowners), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (in the form of Community Development Block Grant funds being made available for unmet disaster needs). While the disaster response and recovery process is fundamentally a relationship between the federal government and the requesting state government, there are roles for congressional offices to play in providing information to the federal/state response and recovery teams in their respective states and districts. Congressional offices also serve as a valuable source of accurate and timely information to their constituents."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; Brown, Jared T.
2011-08-31
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Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program and Homeless Assistance [October 5, 2012]
"The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board (EFS) Program provides supplemental funding to homeless services providers across the nation. EFS was first authorized by P.L. 100-77, the Stewart B. McKinney-Bruce Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Title III, McKinney-Vento Act), which became law in 1987. Eligible services include the provision of overnight shelter and served meals, assistance to food banks and pantries, one month's rental or mortgage assistance to prevent evictions, and one month's utility payments to prevent service cut-offs. Since its inception, the program's recipient organizations have provided over 2 billion meals, 241 million nights of shelter, 4.3 million rent and mortgage payments, and 5.9 million utility payments. The program is administered by the EFS National Board, which is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and is comprised of representatives from the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, the National Council of Churches, the Salvation Army, United Jewish Communities of North America, and United Way Worldwide. Two of the program's distinguishing features are its focus on local decision-making, and its relatively modest administrative costs. […] This report examines the administrative history of the program, the evolution of its award process, and the issues that Congress may consider as the EFS program approaches its fourth decade. In particular, the report highlights recent program delays in funding and, in general, how the EFS program and its emphasis on emergency services fit into the context of the federal government's approach to addressing homelessness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2012-10-05
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Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program and Homeless Assistance [October 4, 2012]
"The Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFS) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), making the program somewhat unique in that its purpose is outside of the agency's traditional focus on preparedness and disaster recovery for individual disaster events. EFS funding is provided to private non-profit organizations and local governments to supplement and expand their efforts to provide shelter, food, and supportive services for homeless individuals, to strengthen efforts to create more effective and innovative local programs, and to conduct minimum rehabilitation of existing mass shelter or mass feeding facilities, but only to the extent necessary to make facilities safe, sanitary, and bring them into compliance with local building codes. [...] This report opens with a legislative history of the EFS program. It then examines the program's current structure and operations, including the composition and responsibilities of the EFS National Board (hereinafter National Board), which is chaired by FEMA, the formula the National Board uses to allocate available funds to eligible local jurisdictions, and the composition and responsibilities of EFS local boards. The report then provides an analysis of the EFS program's relationship to other programs assisting those with acute needs, examines its funding, and congressional debate concerning its efficacy in helping individuals meet emergency needs and transition out of poverty."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2012-10-04
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FEMA Disaster Housing and Hurricane Katrina: Overview, Analysis, and Congressional Issues [Updated April 16, 2008]
"Some have criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) emergency housing policies, particularly its approach to health and safety standards (as exemplified by the evidence of formaldehyde in both trailers and mobile homes), as well as its overall strategy to perform its housing mission. To address disaster housing issues, Congress could opt to consider questions such as the following: how have disaster housing needs traditionally been addressed under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288, as amended)? How did FEMA's approach during Hurricane Katrina differ from previous disasters and why? Should FEMA have pursued expanded authorities at the start of the disaster? Should housing vouchers have been used earlier and tailored to the disaster event? With a substantial amount of available funding provided by Congress, but without requesting expanded authority, FEMA found its sole option was to use traditional disaster housing practices. Those practices, successful for disasters of a historically familiar size, were hard-pressed to meet the unprecedented demands of the Katrina catastrophic disaster. There are potential events (New Madrid earthquake or other large natural or terrorist events) that could conceivably produce many of the same challenges presented by the Gulf Coast hurricane season of 2005. Those challenges include large, displaced populations spread across the nation and separated families unable to return because of the loss of not only their homes but also their places of employment. Federal disaster housing policy may remain an issue in the 110th Congress, because, as Hurricane Katrina illustrated, the continued existence of communities after a catastrophic event involves extensive federal assistance issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2008-04-16
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Examination of Federal Disaster Relief Under the Budget Control Act [February 10, 2012]
"Concern over the size of the federal budget deficit and the national debt has brought congressional attention, as an ancillary issue, to both the amount of funding the federal government provides to states and localities for disaster assistance and the processes the federal government uses to provide that assistance. The amount of funding provided by Congress for declared emergencies and major disasters has grown considerably in the past decade, driven principally by the hurricane season of 2005. Although funds have been reallocated at times from one account to another to provide for disaster-related assistance, disaster relief funding has historically not been fully offset. Disaster relief funding has usually not been tightly constrained, either, with supplemental spending bills often funding these activities outside the allocations of discretionary budget authority and outlays associated with budget resolutions. Two potential methods for reducing the impact of disaster assistance spending on the federal budget are (1) the use of offsets and (2) placing controls on the level of allowable spending. Among its provisions, the Budget Control Act (P.L. 112-25, hereafter the BCA) provides a mechanism designed, arguably, to limit spending on major disasters declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288, hereafter the Stafford Act), thereby limiting the impact of such spending on the budget deficit. This report reviews current disaster funding practices and examines potential issues presented to disaster funding under the BCA mechanism. The report also discusses how OMB [Office of Management and Budget] calculates the 'allowable adjustment' to discretionary spending caps for disaster relief pursuant to the BCA, and the potential policy implications that may result from that process."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lindsay, Bruce R.; Painter, William L.; McCarthy, Francis X.
2012-02-10
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FEMA Disaster Housing and Hurricane Katrina: Overview, Analysis, and Congressional Issues [Updated June 26, 2008]
This Congressional Research Service (CRS) report is an update to a report of the same name that discusses the issue of FEMA Disaster Housing and Hurricane Katrina. "In the past, FEMA's approaches have turned on practical and theoretical considerations. Practical considerations include the agency's ability to house families and individuals within a short time frame and in proximity to the original disaster, and in the case of Hurricane Katrina, to make contact with the hundreds of thousands of applicants who registered for assistance. Some of the theoretical policy considerations include questions of equity, self-reliance, federalism, and the duration of federal assistance. Those considerations have led to process questions concerning program stewardship and the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse of federal resources. The Post-Katrina Act Emergency Management Reform Act, enacted in October of 2006 (P.L. 109-295), changed FEMA housing policy to provide the President with greater flexibility for meeting the challenges of disasters on a large scale. Future debate on the housing issue may also be affected by the report on the National Disaster Housing Strategy (as directed in P.L. 109-295) that was due to Congress in 2007, but is not yet completed. Legislation in the 110th Congress, such as S. 2386, which restores the Mortgage/Rental Assistance program, demonstrates ongoing Congressional interest in programs that augment existing housing assistance. Also, legislation (S. 2382) that would mandate that the FEMA Administrator assess the need for manufactured housing units and develop a strategy to optimize their use and disposal of those not needed."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2008-06-26
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Considerations for a Catastrophic Declaration: Issues and Analysis [July 6, 2011]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) is the principal authority governing federal emergency and disaster response in the United States. The act authorizes the President to issue three categories of declaration: (1) major disaster, (2) emergency, or (3) fire assistance declarations in response to incidents that overwhelm the resources of state and local governments. Once a declaration is issued, a wide range of federal disaster assistance becomes available to eligible individuals and households, public entities, and certain nonprofit organizations. Disaster assistance authorized by the Stafford Act is appropriated by Congress and provided through the Disaster Relief Fund. Emergency declarations supplement and promote coordination of local and state efforts such as evacuations and protection of public assets. They may also be declared prior to the impact of an incident to protect property, public health and safety and lessen or avert the threat of a major disaster or catastrophe. […] This report examines concerns expressed by policymakers and experts that current Stafford Act declarations are inadequate to respond to, and recover from, highly destructive events, and presents the arguments for and against amending the act to add a catastrophic declaration amendment. This report also includes data analyses of past and potential disasters to determine what incidents might be deemed as catastrophic, and explores alternative policy options that might obviate the need for catastrophic declarations. This report will be updated as events warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; Lindsay, Bruce R.
2011-07-06
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FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer [August 27, 2007]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (referred to as the Stafford Act-42 U.S.C. 5721 et seq.) authorizes the President to issue 'major disaster' or 'emergency' declarations before or after catastrophes occur. Emergency declarations trigger aid that protects property, public health, and safety and lessens or averts the threat of an incident becoming a catastrophic event. A major disaster declaration, issued after catastrophes occur, constitutes broader authority for federal agencies to provide supplemental assistance to help state and local governments, families and individuals, and certain nonprofit organizations recover from the incident. The end result of a presidential disaster declaration is well known, if not entirely understood. Various forms of assistance are provided, including aid to families and individuals for uninsured needs and assistance to state and local governments and certain non-profits in rebuilding or replacing damaged infrastructure. The amount of assistance provided through Presidential disaster declarations has exceeded $100 billion. Often, in recent years, Congress has enacted supplemental appropriations legislation to cover unanticipated costs. While the amounts spent by the federal government on different programs may be reported, and the progress of the recovery can be observed, much less is known about the process that initiates all of this activity. Yet, it is a process that has resulted in an average of more than one disaster declaration a week over the last decade. The disaster declaration procedure is foremost a process that preserves the discretion of the governor to request assistance and the president to decide to grant, or not to grant, supplemental help."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2007-08-27
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Analysis of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 [March 11, 2013]
From the Introduction: "Given its size, strength, location and the enormity of its impact, Hurricane Sandy was a storm of historic proportions and importance. The damage inflicted by this huge storm rivaled the damages of the Gulf Coast storms during the summer of 2005, particularly due to the population density and overall development of the areas that received the brunt of the storm's impact. As with other major natural disaster events, Members of Congress responded to Hurricane Sandy by holding a series of hearings, visiting the affected region, and introducing and acting on legislation. […] This report examines the potential effect of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 on disaster assistance procedures and programs. Part of the legislative intent of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 is to streamline administrative procedures and improve the effectiveness of several disaster assistance programs authorized by the Stafford Act, namely the Public Assistance Program, the Individual Assistance Program, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The law reforms the Stafford Act in part by reauthorizing several 'pilot' programs established previously in Title VI of P.L. 109-295, the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA). P.L. 113-2 also authorizes tribes to request a declaration of an emergency or major disaster, as was previously only allowed for states. It also directs FEMA to establish procedures for arbitrating disputes relating to disaster assistance, and directs FEMA to create a national strategy for mitigating the cost of future disasters. In the context of overall supplemental funding for disaster relief being debated by the Congress, the disaster assistance programs modified by the law are funded by the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF). More detailed explanations of the modifications enacted by the law are provided below."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brown, Jared T.; McCarthy, Francis X.; Liu, Edward C.
2013-03-11
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FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer [November 12, 2014]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (referred to as the Stafford Act--42 U.S.C. [United States Code] 5721 et seq.) authorizes the President to issue 'major disaster' or 'emergency' declarations before or after catastrophes occur. Emergency declarations trigger aid that protects property, public health, and safety and lessens or averts the threat of an incident becoming a catastrophic event. […] Over the last quarter century, the amount of federal assistance provided through presidential disaster declarations has exceeded $150 billion. Often, in recent years, Congress has enacted supplemental appropriations legislation to cover unanticipated costs. While the amounts spent by the federal government on different programs may be reported, and the progress of the recovery can be observed, much less is known about the process that initiates all of this activity. Yet, it is a process that has resulted in an average of more than one disaster declaration a week over the last decade. The disaster declaration procedure is foremost a process that preserves the discretion of the governor or tribal leader to request assistance and the President to decide to grant, or not to grant, supplemental help. […] Under current law while a governor or a tribal leader may make a request, the decision to issue a declaration rests solely with the President. Congress has no formal role, but has taken actions to adjust the terms of the process. […] Given the importance of the decision, and the size of the overall spending involved, hearings have been held to review the declaration process so as to ensure fairness and equity in the process and its results. Congress continues to examine the process and several pieces of legislation have been introduced during the 113th Congress to adjust the factors considered for a major disaster declaration. This report discusses the evolution of this process, how it is administered and recent changes enacted in law as well as amending legislation that has been introduced. This report will be updated as warranted by events."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.
2014-11-12
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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation [February 3, 2014]
"The causes of homelessness and determining how best to assist those who find themselves homeless became particularly prominent, visible issues in the 1980s. The concept of homelessness may seem like a straightforward one, with individuals and families who have no place to live falling within the definition. However, the extent of homelessness in this country and how best to address it depend upon how one defines the condition of being homeless. There is no single federal definition of homelessness, although a number of programs, including those overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Labor (DOL) use the definition enacted as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. [Public Law] 100-77). The McKinney-Vento Act definition of a homeless individual was broadened as part of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-22). Previously, a homeless individual was defined as a person who lacks a fixed nighttime residence and whose primary nighttime residence is a supervised public or private shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, a facility accommodating persons intended to be institutionalized, or a place not intended to be used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. The law expanded the definition to include those defined as homeless under other federal programs, in certain circumstances, as well as those who will imminently lose housing."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; McCarthy, Francis X.; McCallion, Gail . . .
2014-02-03
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FEMA DRF Major Disaster Assistance: Wisconsin [January 28, 2015]
"The Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is the primary source of funding used to provide assistance following a major disaster declaration. The authority to declare a major disaster is provided to the President under the Robert T. Stafford Emergency Relief and Disaster Assistance Act (P.L. [Public Law] 93-288). The information below includes only the funding provided as a result of a major disaster declaration, not other assistance funded through the DRF. Additionally, this information does not include other federal sources of disaster assistance, such as Small Business Administration disaster loans. FEMA administers disaster relief through regional offices around the country. Wisconsin is part of Region V, headquartered in Chicago, IL."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, Francis X.; Lindsay, Bruce R.; Brown, Jared T. . . .
2015-01-28
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Homelessness: Targeted Federal Programs and Recent Legislation [May 6, 2015]
"There is no single federal definition of homelessness, although a number of programs, including those overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Department of Labor (DOL) use the definition enacted as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (P.L. 100-77). The McKinney-Vento Act definition of a homeless individual was broadened as part of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-22). Previously, a homeless individual was defined as a person who lacks a fixed nighttime residence and whose primary nighttime residence is a supervised public or private shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, a facility accommodating persons intended to be institutionalized, or a place not intended to be used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. The law expanded the definition to include those defined as homeless under other federal programs, in certain circumstances, as well as those who will imminently lose housing. A number of federal programs in seven different agencies, many originally authorized by the McKinney-Vento Act, serve homeless persons. These include the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program administered by the Department of Education (ED) and the Emergency Food and Shelter program, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program run by the Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) administers multiple programs that serve homeless individuals, including Health Care for the Homeless, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness, and the Runaway and Homeless Youth program."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sacco, Lisa N.; McCarthy, Francis X.; McCallion, Gail . . .
2015-05-06
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Stafford Act Declarations 1953-2014: Trends, Analyses, and Implications for Congress [July 14, 2015]
"The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes the President to issue declarations that provide states and localities with a range of federal assistance in response to natural and man-made incidents. Since 1953 the number of declarations issued each year has steadily increased. For example, the average number of major disaster declarations issued from 1960 to 1969 was roughly 19 per year. In contrast, the average number of major disaster declarations issued from 2000 to 2009 was 56 per year. The highest number was declared in 2011, with 99 major disaster declarations. Declarations are of congressional concern for at least two reasons: (1) congressional oversight of appropriations and the federal budget has led to an awareness of expenditures for disaster assistance, and (2) some are skeptical that declarations are solely made to provide disaster relief. They argue that declarations have become political tools--especially during election years--to gain political favor. Advocates of this position point to incidents which, in their view, could have been handled without federal assistance. This report describes the declaration process and the types of declarations that can be declared under the Stafford Act: (1) Fire Management Assistance Grants, (2) emergencies, and (3) major disasters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lindsay, Bruce R.; McCarthy, Francis X.
2015-07-14
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Wildfire Spending: Background, Issues, and Legislation in the 114th Congress [June 26, 2015]
"The federal government is responsible for managing wildfires that begin on federal lands--such as national forests or national parks--while the states are responsible for managing wildfires that originate on all other lands. The federal government's wildfire management responsibilities-- provided primarily through the Forest Service (FS) and Department of the Interior (DOI)-- include prevention, detection, response, and recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may also provide disaster relief for certain nonfederal wildfires. Congress appropriates wildfire management funding to both FS and DOI. Within their overall appropriations for wildfire, suppression operati ons are appropriated through two accounts for each agency: the Wildland Fire Management (WFM) accounts and the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Act (FLAME) reserve accounts. If the suppression funding in both of these accounts is exhausted during any given fiscal year, FS and DOI are authorized to transfer funds from their other accounts to pay for suppression activities. Congress also may provide additional funds for suppression activities through emergency or supplemental appropriations. Thus, for any given year, total suppression appropriations to FS or DOI may be a combination of three sources: the WFM suppression activity, the FLAME account, and supplemental appropriations, and the agencies also may access additional funding as needed through transfers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie; Lindsay, Bruce R.; McCarthy, Francis X. . . .
2015-06-26
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Wildfire Spending: Background, Issues, and Legislation in the 114th Congress [July 7, 2015]
From the summary: "The federal government is responsible for managing wildfires that begin on federal lands--such as national forests or national parks--while the states are responsible for managing wildfires that originate on all other lands. The federal government's wildfire management responsibilities-- provided primarily through the Forest Service (FS) and Department of the Interior (DOI)-- include prevention, detection, response, and recovery. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may also provide disaster relief for certain nonfederal wildfires. Congress appropriates wildfire management funding to both FS and DOI. Within their overall appropriations for wildfire, suppression operations are appropriated through two accounts for each agency: the Wildland Fire Management (WFM) accounts and the Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Act (FLAME) reserve accounts. If the suppression funding in both of these accounts is exhausted during any given fiscal year, FS and DOI are authorized to transfer funds from their other accounts to pay for suppression activities. Congress also may provide additional funds for suppression activities through emergency or supplemental appropriations. Thus, for any given year, total suppression appropriations to FS or DOI may be a combination of three sources: the WFM suppression activity, the FLAME account, and supplemental appropriations, and the agencies also may access additional funding as needed through transfers."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie; Lindsay, Bruce R.; McCarthy, Francis X. . . .
2015-07-07
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DHS Appropriations FY2016: Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery [September 8, 2015]
"This report is part of a suite of reports that discuss appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2016. It specifically discusses appropriations for the components of DHS included in the third title of the homeland security appropriations bill--the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), the Office of Health Affairs (OHA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Collectively, Congress has labeled these components in the appropriations act in recent years as 'Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.' The report provides an overview of the Administration's FY2016 request for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and the appropriations proposed by Congress thus far. Rather than limiting the scope of its review to the third title, the report includes information on provisions throughout the proposed bill and report that directly affect these functions. Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery is the second largest of the four titles that carry the bulk of the funding in the bill. The Administration requested $6,222 million for these components in FY2016, $267 million more than was provided for FY2015. These three components make up 15.0% of the administration's $41.4 billion request for the department in net discretionary budget authority, and the proposed additional funding is 15.5% of the total net increase requested. Most of the proposed net discretionary increase is for NPPD ($157 million, or 10.5% more than last year) and its work in cybersecurity and communications. The administration also requested an additional $6.7 billion not reflected above for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in disaster relief funding, as defined by the Budget Control Act (BCA, P.L. 112-25)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.; Moteff, John D.; Lister, Sarah A. . . .
2015-09-08
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Wildfire Spending: Background, Issues, and Legislation in the 114th Congress [August 25, 2015]
"The federal government is responsible for managing wildfires that begin on federal lands-such
as national forests or national parks-while the states are responsible for managing wildfires that
originate on all other lands. The federal government's wildfire management responsibilities-
provided primarily through the Forest Service (FS) and Department of the Interior (DOI)-
include prevention, detection, response, and recovery. The Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) may also provide disaster relief for certain nonfederal wildfires. [...] Congress is debating the level and direction of federal spending on wildland fire management.
Wildfire spending has more than doubled since the 1990s, going from $1.6 billion in FY1994 to
$3.9 billion in FY2014. A significant portion of that increase is related to rising suppression costs,
even during years of relatively mild wildfire activity, although the costs vary annually and are
difficult to predict in advance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hoover, Katie; Lindsay, Bruce R.; McCarthy, Francis X. . . .
2015-08-25
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Examination of Federal Disaster Relief Under the Budget Control Act [February 24, 2016]
From the Document: "On August 2, 2011, the President signed into law the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA, P.L. 112-25), which included a number of budget-controlling mechanisms. As part of the legislation, caps were placed on discretionary spending for the next ten years, beginning with FY2012. If these caps are exceeded, the BCA provides for an automatic rescission--known as sequestration--to take place across most discretionary budget accounts to reduce the effective level of spending to the level of the cap. Additionally, special accommodations were made in the BCA to address the unpredictable nature of disaster assistance while attempting to impose discipline on the amount spent by the federal government on disasters. The BCA created an allowable adjustment specifically to cover disaster relief (defined as the costs of major disasters under the Stafford Act), separate from emergency appropriations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lindsay, Bruce R.; Painter, William L.; McCarthy, Francis X.
2016-02-24
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Five Years of the Budget Control Act's Disaster Relief Adjustment [March 15, 2016]
"Signed into law on August 2, 2011, the Budget Control Act (P.L. 112-25, or BCA) established a set of limits on federal spending, as well as a set of mechanisms to adjust those limits to accommodate special categories of spending that has special priority. One of these mechanisms- a limited allowable adjustment to pay for the congressionally designated costs of major disasters under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (hereinafter 'the disaster relief allowable adjustment' or 'allowable adjustment')-represented a new approach to paying for disaster relief. By providing this flexibility in the budget caps, Congress changed the way it approached funding disaster relief and recovery efforts. [...] This report examines how the adjustment has functioned over the first five years, and what the future of disaster relief (as defined by the BCA) may look like for the next five years and beyond. Under current law, the allowable adjustment is expected to decline from a high of almost $18.5 billion in FY2015 to between $7.5 billion and $9.5 billion by the time the BCA discretionary spending limits expire after FY2021."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.; Lindsay, Bruce R.; McCarthy, Francis X.
2016-03-15
