H.R. 7461: FEMA Accountability Act

This bill, named the FEMA Accountability Act, aims to improve the transparency and reporting of federal disaster relief funds managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Here are the main components of the bill:

1. Monthly Reporting Requirement

The Administrator of FEMA will be required to submit a report to Congress every month. This report will detail all projects and activities that are funded through the Disaster Relief Fund.

2. Contents of the Report

Each monthly report must include various specific information from the previous month, including:

• The total funds that are available in the Disaster Relief Fund that have not yet been obligated.
• The total amount of funds obligated from the Disaster Relief Fund.
• The total amount of funds that have actually been spent from the Disaster Relief Fund.
• A detailed breakdown of funding by disaster declarations, including:
• The name and date of each disaster declaration.
• The states, territories, or tribal areas that were affected.
• The total funds obligated and disbursed for each declaration.
• The percentage of obligated funds that have been spent.
• A list of all public assistance projects that have been submitted and approved for funding.
• Details of funds that have been disbursed for those projects.
• Information on any projects with pending funding decisions that have been outstanding for over 180 days.
• Any funds that have been withheld or deferred, along with reasons and a timeline for possible disbursement.

3. Public Availability of Reports

FEMA is required to publish each report on its website within ten days of submitting it to Congress, ensuring that the public can access this information readily.

4. Standardized Reporting Format

Within 90 days of the bill’s enactment, FEMA must create a consistent reporting template for the data related to obligation and disbursement of funds. This template must adhere to federal open data standards, and the data should be updated monthly.

5. Definitions

The bill also includes definitions for key terms used, such as:

• Disaster Relief Fund: Established under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
• Obligation: A legally binding commitment by FEMA to provide funds for recovery projects.
• Appropriate Committees of Congress: Defined as the committees that oversee appropriations and infrastructure for both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Purpose of the Legislation

The overall purpose of the FEMA Accountability Act is to enhance accountability and transparency in how disaster relief funds are managed, ensuring that Congress and the public have regular insight into the status of disaster recovery efforts.

Relevant Companies

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