RL33053
Federal Stafford Act Disaster Assistance: Presidential Declarations, Eligible Activities, and Funding
January 28, 2008

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Summary

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) authorizes the President to issue major disaster or emergency declarations in response to catastrophes that overwhelm state and local governments. Such declarations result in the distribution of a wide range of federal aid to individuals and families, certain nonprofit organizations, and public agencies. Congress appropriates money to the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) for disaster assistance authorized by the Stafford Act, which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Appropriations to the DRF remain available until expended. At the conclusion of the 109th Congress the Senate inserted Stafford Act amendments into the FY2007 DHS appropriations legislation (H.R. 5441, enacted as P.L. 109-295). These amendments, Subtitle E of Title VI (120 Stat. 1444 - 1457), expand FEMA's authority to expedite emergency assistance to stricken areas, impose new planning and preparedness requirements on federal administrators, and increase federal assistance to victims and communities. The amendments, most of which took effect on the date of enactment (October 4, 2006), are summarized in CRS Report RL33729, Federal Emergency Management Policy Changes After Hurricane Katrina: A Summary of Statutory Provisions. Actions taken by the administration to implement the significantly revised Stafford Act will continue to be the focus of oversight hearings and investigations conducted by the 110th Congress. Lessons learned from the investigations into the response to and continuing recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will likely shape congressional perspectives and oversight questions. Issues that might be explored include implementation of the FEMA reorganization legislation, funding options for emergency management, catastrophic disaster preparedness, and hazard mitigation policy. This report will be updated as warranted by events or legislative action.

    Related Legislation:
  • H.R.5441

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