Building Resilience and Stronger Communities Act

S. 3403, the Building Resilience and Stronger Communities Act, would amend federal disaster relief law to reinstate and expand the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The BRIC program, which was established in 2018 and canceled in 2025, provides federal grants to help communities undertake projects that reduce disaster risks before disasters occur. If enacted, this bill would restore that funding and make it easier for communities to access federal assistance.

The bill would increase the federal government's financial contribution to disaster preparedness projects. For smaller projects costing less than one million dollars, the federal government would cover at least 90 percent of costs. For critical facilities such as hospitals, schools, police and fire stations, and power plants, the federal contribution could exceed 90 percent. The bill would also expand eligibility to ensure tribal governments can access funding for disaster mitigation projects in their communities.

Proponents argue that investing in disaster preparedness is cost-effective, noting that studies show every dollar spent on hazard mitigation can save communities between 13 and 18 dollars in future disaster damages and recovery costs. The bill is currently under committee consideration and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.