The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed a number of bipartisan bills Wednesday, including two meant to streamline disaster recovery and resilience work.
The majority of the bills, as well as the committee’s oversight plan, breezed through by voice vote. The oversight plan notes the panel’s intention to scrutinize implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
Lawmakers approved H.R. 744, the “Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act.” The bill, from Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Mike Ezell (R-Miss.), would allow state or local governments to shift excess disaster funds to other recovery or damage mitigation projects. A version of the legislation passed the House in December but was not taken up by the Senate.
“This bill will help reduce some of the administrative burdens states have to deal with by providing them with more flexibility on FEMA assistance,” Ezell said.
