Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act mandates the creation of a unified intake process and system for federal disaster assistance applicants. This system, to be established by the FEMA Administrator within 360 days, will facilitate a consolidated application for various disaster assistance programs, aiming to deliver aid swiftly and efficiently to survivors. The unified system will allow applicants to track their application status, update information, and receive details on additional recovery resources. It also supports the distribution of application data for faster aid delivery and enables direct communication between agencies and survivors, while also aiding in the detection and prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse. To enable effective information sharing , the Administrator is authorized to collect, maintain, disclose, and use disaster assistance information among certified agencies. This sharing requires public notice detailing the information, its necessity, fair practices, and involved agencies, with application submission serving as consent for disclosure under the Privacy Act. The bill includes robust data security measures , requiring the unified application to comply with federal security standards and undergo a privacy impact assessment. Certified disaster assistance agencies must adhere to strict rules for information handling, personnel training, and breach notification, assuming responsibility for any improper disclosures. Furthermore, the Act allows for waivers of the Paperwork Reduction Act for disaster-specific data collection, ensuring transparency. It also clarifies that this information sharing is not considered a "matching program" under the Privacy Act and does not create new assistance programs, focusing solely on streamlining existing ones. FEMA and GAO are required to submit reports and briefings to Congress on the implementation and impact of these new provisions.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 264.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8763-8764; text: CR S8763-8764)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Emergency Management
Computers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightCrime preventionDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationFirst responders and emergency personnelFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIntergovernmental relationsInternet, web applications, social mediaState and local government operations
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act
USA119th CongressS-861| Senate
| Updated: 12/17/2025
The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act mandates the creation of a unified intake process and system for federal disaster assistance applicants. This system, to be established by the FEMA Administrator within 360 days, will facilitate a consolidated application for various disaster assistance programs, aiming to deliver aid swiftly and efficiently to survivors. The unified system will allow applicants to track their application status, update information, and receive details on additional recovery resources. It also supports the distribution of application data for faster aid delivery and enables direct communication between agencies and survivors, while also aiding in the detection and prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse. To enable effective information sharing , the Administrator is authorized to collect, maintain, disclose, and use disaster assistance information among certified agencies. This sharing requires public notice detailing the information, its necessity, fair practices, and involved agencies, with application submission serving as consent for disclosure under the Privacy Act. The bill includes robust data security measures , requiring the unified application to comply with federal security standards and undergo a privacy impact assessment. Certified disaster assistance agencies must adhere to strict rules for information handling, personnel training, and breach notification, assuming responsibility for any improper disclosures. Furthermore, the Act allows for waivers of the Paperwork Reduction Act for disaster-specific data collection, ensuring transparency. It also clarifies that this information sharing is not considered a "matching program" under the Privacy Act and does not create new assistance programs, focusing solely on streamlining existing ones. FEMA and GAO are required to submit reports and briefings to Congress on the implementation and impact of these new provisions.
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Emergency Management
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
Computers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional oversightCrime preventionDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency communications systemsEmergency planning and evacuationFirst responders and emergency personnelFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIntergovernmental relationsInternet, web applications, social mediaState and local government operations