H.R.403 - Preventing Our Next Natural Disaster Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 403, the "Preventing Our Next Natural Disaster Act," aims to enhance predisaster mitigation efforts by amending the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The bill prioritizes assistance to high-hazard risk communities, environmental justice communities, and small impoverished communities. It also emphasizes incorporating climate change considerations into hazard mitigation planning and project design.
Expected Effects
The bill would likely lead to increased federal funding and technical assistance for predisaster mitigation projects, particularly in vulnerable communities. This could result in more resilient infrastructure and reduced disaster-related damages. The bill also promotes better data collection and coordination among federal agencies involved in disaster response and mitigation.
Potential Benefits
- Increased resilience to natural disasters, especially in vulnerable communities.
- Improved planning and design of infrastructure projects, considering future climate change impacts.
- Enhanced data collection and coordination among federal agencies.
- Prioritization of assistance to communities with the greatest need.
- Potential for reduced disaster-related costs in the long term.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased federal spending on predisaster mitigation.
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in accessing funds and technical assistance.
- Possible challenges in defining and identifying "environmental justice communities" and "small impoverished communities".
- Risk of funds being misallocated or used for projects that are not effective.
- Potential for unintended consequences due to the complexity of disaster mitigation efforts.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It also falls under Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), as natural disasters can significantly impact interstate commerce. The focus on data collection and coordination aligns with the necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8).
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).