Legis Daily

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

USA119th CongressS-861| Senate 
| Updated: 12/17/2025
Gary C. Peters

Gary C. Peters

Democratic Senator

Michigan

Cosponsors (5)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Rand Paul (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)Ted Budd (Republican)

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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2575
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4599
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1363
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2845
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1528
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act
Mar 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 5, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Nov 7, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
Nov 7, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 264.
Dec 16, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 16, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8763-8764; text: CR S8763-8764)
Dec 17, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 17, 2025
Received in the House.
Dec 17, 2025
Held at the desk.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2575
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4599
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1363
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2845
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1528
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • March 5, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 5, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • November 7, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.


  • November 7, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 264.


  • December 16, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 16, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8763-8764; text: CR S8763-8764)


  • December 17, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 17, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • December 17, 2025
    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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2575
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4599
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1363
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2845
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-1528
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act
Mar 5, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Mar 5, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Nov 7, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.
Nov 7, 2025
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 264.
Dec 16, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Dec 16, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8763-8764; text: CR S8763-8764)
Dec 17, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Dec 17, 2025
Received in the House.
Dec 17, 2025
Held at the desk.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2575
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4599
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1363
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2845
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-1528
    Disaster Assistance Simplification Act


  • March 5, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 5, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • November 7, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul without amendment. Without written report.


  • November 7, 2025
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 264.


  • December 16, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • December 16, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8763-8764; text: CR S8763-8764)


  • December 17, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • December 17, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • December 17, 2025
    Held at the desk.
Gary C. Peters

Gary C. Peters

Democratic Senator

Michigan

Cosponsors (5)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Rand Paul (Republican)James Lankford (Republican)Ted Budd (Republican)

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