S.773 - Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act aims to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It focuses on incentivizing states, Indian Tribes, and territories to efficiently close disaster recovery projects. This is achieved by allowing the use of excess funds from these projects for management costs in other disaster recovery efforts.
The bill permits grantees and subgrantees to utilize excess funds for activities that build capacity for disaster preparedness, recovery, and mitigation. It also includes management costs associated with major disasters, emergencies, disaster preparedness measures, and mitigation activities.
Furthermore, the Act mandates a GAO study to assess the appropriateness of the amount set aside for management costs and requires a report to Congress on actual management costs during major disaster declarations.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill will be to provide greater flexibility in the use of disaster relief funds. This flexibility should allow for more efficient allocation of resources.
States, Indian Tribes, and Territories will be incentivized to close out disaster recovery projects promptly. This is because they can then redirect unused funds to other pressing needs related to disaster management.
The GAO study will provide valuable data on the effectiveness of current management cost allocations, potentially leading to further improvements in disaster relief funding strategies.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Efficiency: Allows for reallocation of unused funds, potentially speeding up recovery efforts.
- Enhanced Preparedness: Funds can be used for building capacity for future disasters.
- Flexibility for Grantees: Provides more control to states and tribes in managing disaster funds.
- Data-Driven Improvements: The GAO study will inform future policy decisions.
- Reduced Waste: By allowing reallocation, the bill reduces the likelihood of funds going unused.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Mismanagement: Reallocated funds could be used inefficiently if not properly overseen.
- Complexity in Accounting: Tracking and reporting excess funds may add administrative burden.
- Delayed Project Completion: Grantees might delay closing projects to retain access to excess funds.
- Uncertainty in Impact: The actual impact of the reallocation on disaster recovery is uncertain until implemented and studied.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses solely on management costs and may not address other critical areas of disaster relief.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the US Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble). This clause allows Congress to provide for the well-being of the nation through legislation. The bill also indirectly relates to Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.
By improving disaster management and providing resources for recovery and preparedness, the bill promotes the general welfare. It does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but the federal government has historically played a role in disaster relief, making this bill a permissible exercise of federal power.
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).