Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act

This bill would change how Indian tribal governments access federal fire management assistance. Currently, tribal governments must go through their state to request Fire Management Assistance Grants (FMAG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Under this proposal, tribal governments would be able to submit requests directly to FEMA and receive assistance under their own declarations, while still having the option to work through states if they choose.

The bill aims to streamline the process for tribal governments responding to fires by removing the requirement to coordinate through state authorities. FEMA would be required to update its regulations within one year of the bill becoming law to implement this new direct access process. This change would primarily affect how tribal nations manage emergency response to wildfires on their lands.