Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Hozzl · 2025-12-18T12:49:24Z

Explore the details of Senate Bill 861 Disaster Assistance Simplification Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Emergency Management. Stay informed on legislative developments.

12/18/2025, 12:49 PM

Summary of Bill S 861

Bill 119 s 861, also known as the "Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018," aims to improve the coordination and efficiency of federal disaster assistance agencies in order to provide quicker and more effective aid to disaster survivors. The bill seeks to streamline the sharing of information among these agencies to expedite the delivery of life-saving assistance and speed up the recovery process for communities affected by disasters.

One of the key goals of the bill is to protect the security and privacy of information provided by disaster survivors. This includes ensuring that sensitive personal information is safeguarded and not misused during the recovery process. The bill also includes provisions to enhance transparency and accountability in the disaster recovery process, ensuring that funds are used efficiently and effectively.

Overall, Bill 119 s 861 aims to improve the federal government's response to disasters and better support communities in their recovery efforts. By streamlining information sharing, protecting privacy, and promoting accountability, the bill seeks to make the disaster recovery process more efficient and effective for all involved.

Congressional Summary of S 861

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop and establish a unified intake process and system for applicants for assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency.

The system must

facilitate a consolidated application for any form of disaster assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency when appropriate to support the nature and purposes of the assistance;
carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with specified laws and privacy and data protections; and
support the detection, prevention, and investigation of waste, fraud, abuse, or discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance programs.

Further, the system must, among other things

accept applications for disaster assistance programs;
permit applicants to receive status updates on such applications;
allow applicants to update disaster assistance information throughout their recovery journeys;
permit the distribution of information on additional recovery resources to disaster survivors that may be available in a disaster-stricken jurisdiction in coordination with appropriate federal, state, local, and tribal partners; and
permit disaster assistance agencies to communicate directly with disaster survivors.

Not later than 30 days after receiving a request from a disaster assistance agency to update questions in the consolidated application needed to administer the disaster assistance programs of the agency, FEMA must make those updates.

The bill requires reports and congressional briefings from FEMA, and a report from the Government Accountability Office, relating to the bill's implementation.

Read the Full Bill

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Current Status of Bill S 861

Bill S 861 is currently in the status of Passed in Senate since December 16, 2025. Bill S 861 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on March 5, 2025. Bill S 861's most recent activity was Held at the desk. as of December 17, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 861

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 861

Primary Policy Focus

Emergency Management

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 861

A bill to streamline the sharing of information among Federal disaster assistance agencies, to expedite the delivery of life-saving assistance to disaster survivors, to speed the recovery of communities from disasters, to protect the security and privacy of information provided by disaster survivors, and for other purposes.