Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025
Summary
The "Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025" directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish and maintain a publicly accessible database and webpage containing information on billion-dollar disasters occurring annually in the United States. This includes details on the estimated cost, type, location, and date of each disaster. The bill also mandates the continuation of visual graphs and mapping features similar to those previously available through NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
Expected Effects
This act will enhance public awareness and understanding of the financial and geographic impacts of major disasters in the US. By providing a centralized, regularly updated source of information, the bill aims to improve disaster preparedness and inform policy decisions related to climate change and risk mitigation. The database will also serve as a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers.
Potential Benefits
- Improved public awareness of disaster costs and locations.
- Enhanced data-driven decision-making for disaster preparedness and mitigation.
- Continuation of valuable data resources previously available to the public.
- Potential for better resource allocation in disaster-prone areas.
- Supports research and analysis of disaster trends and impacts.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs associated with establishing and maintaining the database and webpage.
- Risk of data inaccuracies or inconsistencies if data collection and analysis are not rigorous.
- Possible delays in updating the database, reducing its usefulness.
- Duplication of efforts if similar databases already exist.
- The definition of "billion-dollar disaster" may exclude significant events with slightly lower costs.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble), which allows Congress to enact laws that promote the well-being of the nation. The establishment of a database to track disaster costs can be seen as a measure to inform policies that protect citizens and their property. Furthermore, Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to collect data and disseminate information for the benefit of the public.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).