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Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Introduced: May 10, 2023 Introduced by: Peters, Gary C. Democratic · Michigan See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 12 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Aug 4, 2023
Held at the desk.
Aug 4, 2023
Received in the House.
Jul 28, 2023
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jul 27, 2023
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S3841-3843)
Jul 27, 2023
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S3841-3843)
Jul 27, 2023
The committee amendments agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Jul 27, 2023
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S3839-3843)
Jun 13, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 93.
Jun 13, 2023
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters with amendments. With written report No. 118-39.
May 17, 2023
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
May 10, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
May 10, 2023
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop and establish a unified intake process and system for applicants for assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency.

The system must

  • facilitate a consolidated application for any form of disaster assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency when appropriate to support the nature and purposes of the assistance;
  • carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with specified laws and privacy and data protections; and
  • support the detection, prevention, and investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance programs.

Further, the system must, among other things

  • accept applications for disaster assistance programs;
  • permit applicants to receive status updates on such applications;
  • allow applicants to update disaster assistance information throughout their recovery journeys;
  • permit the distribution of information on additional recovery resources to disaster survivors that may be available in a disaster-stricken jurisdiction in coordination with appropriate federal, state, local, and tribal partners; and
  • permit disaster assistance agencies to communicate directly with disaster survivors.

Not later than 30 days after receiving a request from a disaster assistance agency to update questions in the consolidated application needed to administer the disaster assistance programs of the agency, FEMA must make those updates.

The bill (1) sets forth requirements for reports by FEMA and by the Government Accountability Office, and (2) provides for congressional briefings under specified circumstances.

What's happening now August 4, 2023

Held at the desk.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Republican 3