H.R. 4560: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities for All Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities for All Act of 2025, aims to amend the existing Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to enhance support for predisaster hazard mitigation projects. Here’s a breakdown of the key elements of the bill:

Predisaster Hazard Mitigation

The bill modifies how predisaster hazard mitigation funding is allocated. Specifically:

• Funding Changes: The bill removes the requirement that funding must go through local governments and allows funds to be allocated directly to states.
• Project Selection: States will be permitted to use funds for projects that are cost-effective and designed to prevent injuries, loss of life, and damage to property and critical services, rather than a minimum number of local projects.
• Presidential Approval: The President can approve projects not recommended by a governor under specific extraordinary circumstances.
• Formula for Fund Distribution: Funds will be allocated based on a formula that considers equal distribution, population size, and vulnerability to natural hazards. This means:
  • 33% of funds will be distributed equally among eligible states.
  • 33% will be allocated based on state population.
  • 33% will focus on states more susceptible to natural hazards.
• Tribal Government Assistance: The bill mandates that at least $75 million be made available to Indian tribal governments under the program.
• Local Government Funding: States that receive funds must distribute at least 50% to local governments for recommended projects.

Additional Eligibility for Hazard Mitigation Assistance

The bill also states that receiving funding for a project under this act will not disqualify that project from obtaining additional funding under Section 404, which pertains to general hazard mitigation assistance.

Changes to Federal Assistance Criteria

Further amendments clarify that:

• Financial assistance will only be provided to states that have met specific criteria for receiving funds.
• The criteria for determining technical and financial assistance to be implemented are simplified to ensure efficiency and clarity.
• State involvement in consulting for assistance has been limited, giving more authority to the federal guidelines.

Overall Objectives

The primary goal of this legislation is to enhance resilience against disasters by ensuring that states and tribal governments have more flexible and focused access to funds for projects that mitigate the risks associated with natural disasters. This is intended to improve infrastructure and community preparedness before disasters occur, ultimately aiming to reduce the impact of such events on human life and property.

Relevant Companies

• DHI (D.R. Horton - Homebuilding): May see increased demand for construction and homebuilding services related to infrastructure improvement projects funded under the bill.
• PH (Parker-Hannifin Corporation - Motion and Control Technologies): Could benefit from increased government contracts for providing infrastructure and engineering solutions in disaster-prone areas.
• FLR (Fluor Corporation - Engineering and Construction): Likely to gain from increased project demand in constructing resilient infrastructure and providing services for hazard mitigation projects.