Carbajal Applauds Passage of Post-Disaster Infrastructure Reform Bill
Washington,
April 27, 2018
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) commended the passage of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) as part of H.R. 4, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. The DRRA reforms the Stafford Act by ensuring that a percentage of FEMA assistance funding provided in the wake of disasters is invested in predisaster hazard mitigation to better prepare for future disasters. The bill also allows hazard mitigation assistance, under certain circumstances, to be used for certain federally authorized water resource development projects. Historically, the Stafford Act barred upgrading infrastructure and only allowed for repairs and replacement of original structures. DRRA passage increases emphasis on predisaster planning and mitigation, to reduce the potential for future loss of life and help reduce the rising costs of disasters. More information on the DRRA can be found online here. “Today the House took an important step toward a more proactive approach to disaster preparation and recovery,” said Carbajal. “After recent devastating fires and debris flows, the Central Coast knows that, rather than just responding to natural disasters, we need to strategically adapt to extreme weather patterns that will only increase due to the impacts of climate change. We must continue to prioritize cost-saving strategies to make our communities better-prepared for the next storm, fire, flood, or earthquake.” H.R. 4 overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 393 to 13. The legislation now goes to the Senate. More information about H.R. 4 can be found at the Committee’s pages on the FAA Reauthorization Act and the Disaster Recovery Reform Act. The Disaster Recovery Reform Act previously passed the House in December 2017, but did not move forward in the Senate. ### |
