H.R. 5503: Strengthening Capacity for Disaster Resilient Territories Act

The bill titled **Strengthening Capacity for Disaster Resilient Territories Act** aims to enhance the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) capacity to support disaster recovery efforts in U.S. territories, including American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here's a breakdown of what the bill proposes:

Purpose

The primary goal is to create a program that continuously identifies and addresses the challenges that local entities face in recovering from major disasters. This includes making it easier for these entities to apply for and manage disaster recovery assistance.

Findings

The bill highlights several crucial findings related to the vulnerabilities of U.S. territories to extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and typhoons, which have increased in frequency and intensity. It notes:

• The impact of severe disasters, like Hurricane María in Puerto Rico and Typhoon Yutu in the Northern Mariana Islands.
• The financial struggles of territories, which heavily rely on tourism and face high public debt levels.
• The challenges that outdated infrastructure presents for disaster recovery.
• The demographic issues, including population decline and lack of adequate housing for recovery workers.

Program Establishment

The bill mandates the establishment of a **Territorial Disaster Recovery Program** within FEMA within one year of its enactment. This program will focus on:

• Identifying specific gaps in recovery efforts for eligible entities.
• Providing technical assistance to help these entities apply for grants related to disaster recovery.
• Offering training courses tailored to local needs to improve recovery capabilities.
• Creating best practices for managing recovery projects.
• Engaging with local experts and community leaders to ensure recovery strategies meet local needs.

Reporting Requirements

The bill requires FEMA to report to Congress every two years on the program's progress, including gaps identified, technical assistance provided, and feedback from participating entities. A final report will also assess the program's effectiveness and make recommendations for its future continuation.

Funding

The legislation authorizes $50 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support the program.

Definitions

Key terms defined in the bill include:

• Administrator: The head of FEMA.
• Eligible Entity: Organizations that qualify for grants under specific sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
• Recovery: Actions necessary for a community to rebuild after a major disaster, including infrastructure repair and restoring services.

Conclusion of Summary

This summary encapsulates the intent and structure of the bill aimed at enhancing disaster recovery capabilities in U.S. territories.

Relevant Companies

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