HR 4426
SMART Act
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Bill overview
This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a comprehensive study of the effectiveness and cost-savings of FEMA’s hazard mitigation programs across the United States. The study will assess how these programs reduce disaster response costs, improve community preparedness, and support critical infrastructure. The results of the study, along with recommendations for improvement, will be made publicly available and updated annually.
Key provisions
- FEMA will conduct a study of hazard mitigation activities nationwide.
- The study will assess the impact of mitigation on disaster response costs, preparedness, insurance affordability, and continuity of operations.
- The study will use data from various sources, including government agencies, academic studies, and internal program evaluations.
- FEMA will consult with the GAO, NIST, and state/local governments during the study.
- FEMA must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the study's findings and recommendations.
- The initial study results will be publicly available on FEMA’s website.
- The study will be conducted annually and updated with the latest data.
- The published data will include summaries, datasets, visualizations, and explanations of methodology.
Who is affected
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- State and Local Governments
- Tribal Governments
- Insurance Industry
- Disaster-prone communities
Notable changes
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Robert P. Bresnahan
Cosponsors
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 4426
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term cost savings, and strategic impact of Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded hazard mitigation activities across the United States, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Studying Mitigation And Reporting Transparently Act SMART Act
or the
.
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall conduct a comprehensive study to evaluate the effectiveness, long-term cost savings, and strategic impact of Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded hazard mitigation activities across the United States.
In conducting the study required under subsection (a), the Administrator shall assess how the mitigation programs of the Federal Emergency Management Agency—
reduce Federal and non-Federal expenditures for disaster response and recovery;
enhance community preparedness for natural hazards;
improve the availability and affordability of hazard-related insurance;
support continuity of operations for critical services and infrastructure; and
generate long-term cost savings and measurable returns on investment.
The study under subsection (a) shall include—
quantitative and qualitative analysis of avoided losses;
evaluations of the effect of hazard mitigation on community-level risk ratings, actuarial assessments, and insurance penetration;
case studies from diverse geographic regions and hazard types; and
examinations of the role of mitigation activities in reducing Federal disaster response and recovery costs.
In carrying out the study under subsection (a), the Administrator shall use data from—
Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies;
independent third-party assessments and academic studies; and
internal program evaluations and disaster recovery records.
In conducting the study under subsection (a), the Administrator may consult with—
the Government Accountability Office;
the National Institute of Standards and Technology;
State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments; and
relevant academic and research institutions.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report detailing—
the findings of the study;
recommendations for improving program design, targeting, and oversight; and
recommendations for legislative and administrative actions.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall make the results of the initial study required under section 2 publicly available in a searchable, user-friendly format on the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The published data under subsection (a) shall include—
summarized findings and datasets, excluding any information that would compromise national security or privacy;
visualizations and geographic mappings of mitigation outcomes; and
clear explanations of methodology, data sources, and limitations.
The Administrator shall conduct the study described in section 2 on an annual basis, incorporating the most recent available data, updates to methodology, and stakeholder feedback.
Each annual report under section 2(e) shall be made publicly available on the website of the Federal Emergency Management Agency not later than 60 days after the submission of such report to Congress.