H.R.744 - Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.744, the Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act, aims to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The bill incentivizes states, Indian tribes, and territories to close disaster recovery projects efficiently. It authorizes the use of excess funds from these projects for management costs related to other disaster recovery efforts.
Expected Effects
The bill will allow for greater flexibility in the use of disaster relief funds. This could lead to more efficient allocation of resources. It also requires a GAO study to assess the appropriateness of current management cost allocations.
Potential Benefits
- Efficient Resource Allocation: Allows unused funds from completed disaster recovery projects to be used for management costs in ongoing or future projects.
- Capacity Building: Enables grantees and subgrantees to use excess funds for activities that build capacity to prepare for, recover from, or mitigate the impacts of future disasters.
- Streamlined Disaster Recovery: By allowing funds to be used more flexibly, the bill could speed up the disaster recovery process.
- Improved Preparedness: The bill incentivizes proactive measures for disaster preparedness and mitigation.
- GAO Study: The requirement for a GAO study ensures oversight and evaluation of the effectiveness of management cost allocations.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Misallocation: The flexibility in fund usage could lead to misallocation or inefficient spending if not properly managed.
- Administrative Burden: Grantees and subgrantees may face administrative challenges in tracking and reporting excess funds and their usage.
- Delayed Impact Assessment: The GAO study, while beneficial, takes 180 days after enactment, delaying a comprehensive assessment of the bill's impact.
- No Additional Funds: The bill explicitly states that no additional funds are authorized, potentially limiting the scope of activities that can be supported.
- Dependency on Efficient Project Closure: The benefits are contingent on the efficient closure of disaster recovery projects, which may not always be achievable.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution (Preamble), which allows Congress to enact laws that promote the well-being of the nation. It also relates to Congress's power to provide for disaster relief and emergency assistance, though this power is not explicitly enumerated but is implied through the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8). The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
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).