This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to give Indian Tribal Governments the ability to directly request federal fire management assistance declarations and grants, rather than having to rely on a state governor to make the request on their behalf. Under current law, only state governors can request this type of federal assistance for wildfires, which can leave tribal governments dependent on state action. The bill directs the President to issue updated federal regulations within 360 days of enactment, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to accept requests directly from tribal governments and provide grants and resources to them. The regulations must also account for the unique circumstances of tribal governments and require government-to-government consultation with tribes during the rulemaking process. Importantly, tribes would still remain eligible for assistance through a state-initiated request even if their own direct request is not granted, ensuring no loss of existing support options.
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