H.R.153 - Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 153, the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act, mandates the creation of a publicly accessible online repository for reporting requirements related to federal disaster assistance. This repository will be a subpage within the existing website established under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.
The Act requires covered federal agencies to submit detailed information on disaster assistance provided, including the amount, expenditure details, and project specifics, within 30 days after each calendar quarter. This information must be machine-readable to enhance accessibility and transparency.
Key agencies covered include FEMA, SBA, and HUD, and the Act defines disaster assistance broadly to include funds related to natural disasters. The goal is to improve transparency and accountability in the use of federal disaster relief funds.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this Act will be increased transparency in how federal disaster assistance funds are used. This will allow the public to track where the money is going and how it is being spent.
It will also likely lead to better oversight and potentially reduce waste or fraud in disaster relief efforts. Agencies will be required to provide detailed reports, which can be scrutinized by the public and oversight bodies.
This could lead to more efficient allocation of resources in future disaster responses.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced transparency in the use of federal disaster assistance funds.
- Improved accountability of federal agencies in disaster relief efforts.
- Easier public access to information on disaster-related projects and expenditures.
- Potential for reduced waste, fraud, and abuse in disaster spending.
- Better-informed decision-making by policymakers and the public regarding disaster relief.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on federal agencies to collect and report the required data.
- Risk of errors or inconsistencies in the reported data if guidance is not clear or consistently applied.
- Possible delays in the dissemination of disaster assistance due to the reporting requirements.
- The cost of establishing and maintaining the online repository, although this is expected to be minimal.
- The Act does not address the speed at which aid is delivered, only the transparency of its dispersal.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution's emphasis on transparency and accountability in government spending. While the Constitution does not explicitly address disaster relief, Article I, Section 9 requires a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money. This Act enhances that principle by making disaster assistance spending more transparent.
Furthermore, the Act does not infringe upon any specific rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights. It primarily focuses on improving the accessibility of information related to government spending, which is generally considered a legitimate function of government.
Therefore, the Act appears to be constitutionally sound.
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).