Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2021

Hozzl · 2022-12-31T08:59:25Z

Explore the details of House Bill 5298 Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2021 currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Emergency Management. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/31/2022, 8:59 AM

Summary of Bill HR 5298

Bill 117 hr 5298, also known as the Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2021, aims to address disparities in disaster assistance funding for low-income communities and communities of color. The bill seeks to ensure that all individuals and communities affected by natural disasters have equal access to federal disaster assistance programs.

Specifically, the bill includes provisions to improve the distribution of disaster assistance funds to underserved communities, increase transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds, and prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations in disaster response and recovery efforts.

Additionally, the bill calls for the establishment of a task force to study and make recommendations on how to better address the needs of marginalized communities in disaster planning and response. The task force would be composed of representatives from federal agencies, state and local governments, and community organizations. Overall, the Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2021 aims to ensure that all individuals and communities, regardless of income or race, have equal access to the resources and support they need to recover from natural disasters.

Congressional Summary of HR 5298

Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2021

This bill makes common interest communities, such as housing cooperatives (co-ops) and condominiums, eligible for the same assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as other homeowners.

Specifically, the bill

adds definitions of residential common interest community, condominium, and housing cooperative to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act;
requires FEMA to issue rules for the removal of debris or wreckage from real estate owned by a residential common interest community resulting from a major disaster and deems such removal to be in the public interest when a state or local government determines in writing that such debris or wreckage constitutes a threat to life, public health or safety, or the economic recovery of such community; and
provides for the repair of essential common elements of a condominium or co-op damaged by a disaster under FEMA's Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program.

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Current Status of Bill HR 5298

Bill HR 5298 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since September 20, 2021. Bill HR 5298 was introduced during Congress 117 and was introduced to the House on September 20, 2021. Bill HR 5298's most recent activity was Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. as of September 21, 2021

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 5298

Total Number of Sponsors

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Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 5298

Primary Policy Focus

Emergency Management

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 5298

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide assistance for common interest communities, condominiums, and housing cooperatives damaged by a major disaster, and for other purposes.

Disaster Assistance Equity Act of 2021