Yesterday, Congressmen Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Greg Stanton’s (D-AZ) legislation, the Wildfire Response Improvement Act ( H.R. 7070), was passed out of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The bill asks for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to revise its regulations and guidance concerning the Fire Management Assistance Grant, Public Assistance, and mitigation programs. The aim is to enhance responses to the distinctive challenges posed by wildfires and to improve wildfire mitigation efforts, including aspects like debris removal, emergency protective measures, and impacts on drinking water resources. Additionally, the bill seeks to enhance FEMA’s benefit-cost analysis for wildfire mitigation projects, making them more competitive for federal funding.
The purpose of the bill was to address the lack of federal funding support after a wildfire. Currently, state and local governments must bear the entire cost of post-fire expenses, which are not limited to serious public safety risks and significant property damage from burn scar slides and flooding.
The bill has been strongly endorsed by a broad spectrum of influential organizations across various sectors, including engineering, emergency management, architecture, environmental conservation, municipal associations, and business advocacy.
The bill will be eligible for a vote on the House Floor, where, if passed, it will then head to the Senate before Presidential approval.
Photo of the House floor from Britannica
