H.R. 5395: Disaster Relief Disbursement Accountability Act

This bill, titled the Disaster Relief Disbursement Accountability Act, aims to improve the speed at which funds are distributed for disaster relief assistance. It proposes changes to existing legislation, specifically the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to enhance the process of providing financial aid following major disasters.

Key Provisions

1. Expedient Disbursement of Funds

The bill mandates that the Administrator of the relevant federal agency take all necessary actions to ensure that disaster relief funds are dispersed as quickly as possible once a disaster-related project has been approved. This includes funding from various disaster assistance programs such as:

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
• Public Assistance Programs (sections 403, 406, 407, 428, and 502)

2. Reporting Requirements

The bill includes several reporting requirements aimed at improving accountability and transparency in the disbursement of these funds:

• Retroactive Report: Recipients of major disaster assistance must submit a report within one year of the bill's enactment. This report will detail how long it typically takes to disburse assistance to smaller subrecipients after receiving funds.
• Annual Report: For each major disaster declared after the bill is enacted, recipients must provide annual updates on the average time taken to disperse assistance to subrecipients.
• Report to Congress: The Administrator is required to compile and submit a summary report to specific congressional committees within three years of the bill's enactment, and annually thereafter. This report will aggregate the information provided by the recipients of assistance.

Overall Objective

The primary objective of this legislation is to streamline the process of providing financial assistance for disaster recovery, ensuring that aid reaches those in need more promptly. By requiring detailed reporting and accountability, the bill seeks to create a more efficient system for managing disaster relief funds.

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