This bill, known as the "Duplications of Benefits Victims Relief Act," amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to grant the President authority to waive the general prohibition on duplication of benefits . This waiver can be issued upon a Governor's request for a state, person, business, or other entity suffering losses from a major disaster or emergency, provided it is in the public interest and will not result in waste, fraud, or abuse. The President's decision must be made within 45 days and can consider recommendations from the FEMA Administrator and other relevant agencies. Significantly, the bill stipulates that a loan cannot be determined a duplication of assistance if all federal aid is used for disaster-related losses, and it prohibits the application of any income threshold to limit eligibility for such waivers. These provisions aim to ensure broader access to necessary relief. The waiver authority applies retroactively to any major disaster or emergency declared on or after January 1, 2016, but explicitly excludes sections 406 and 408 of the Stafford Act. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with other federal agencies, submit a report to Congress within one year. This report must detail efforts to improve the comprehensive delivery of disaster assistance, including enhanced coordination, clarification of assistance delivery sequences, and a common interpretation of Section 312 across agencies.
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Emergency Management
Duplications of Benefits Victims Relief Act
USA119th CongressHR-2341| House
| Updated: 3/25/2025
This bill, known as the "Duplications of Benefits Victims Relief Act," amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to grant the President authority to waive the general prohibition on duplication of benefits . This waiver can be issued upon a Governor's request for a state, person, business, or other entity suffering losses from a major disaster or emergency, provided it is in the public interest and will not result in waste, fraud, or abuse. The President's decision must be made within 45 days and can consider recommendations from the FEMA Administrator and other relevant agencies. Significantly, the bill stipulates that a loan cannot be determined a duplication of assistance if all federal aid is used for disaster-related losses, and it prohibits the application of any income threshold to limit eligibility for such waivers. These provisions aim to ensure broader access to necessary relief. The waiver authority applies retroactively to any major disaster or emergency declared on or after January 1, 2016, but explicitly excludes sections 406 and 408 of the Stafford Act. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with other federal agencies, submit a report to Congress within one year. This report must detail efforts to improve the comprehensive delivery of disaster assistance, including enhanced coordination, clarification of assistance delivery sequences, and a common interpretation of Section 312 across agencies.