Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act

The Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act would direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reduce the burden on disaster victims and organizations applying for federal assistance. Currently, applicants must provide information to multiple agencies and fill out duplicative forms, which delays aid delivery. This bill would require FEMA to study how to simplify and consolidate information collection processes to make applying for disaster assistance faster and less time-consuming.

The bill would also establish a working group to examine how preliminary damage assessments are conducted after disasters. These assessments determine the extent of damage and guide relief efforts, but multiple federal agencies may conduct separate assessments, creating inefficiencies. The working group would explore whether one federal agency could handle all assessments and investigate new technologies like drones to speed up the process.

Within two years of enactment, FEMA would submit a comprehensive report to Congress with findings and recommendations on streamlining information collection and improving damage assessments. The report would be made public and posted on FEMA's website so citizens and organizations can see what improvements are being considered. The bill has passed the House and is currently being reviewed by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.