This bill, introduced in July 2026, makes a technical but important change to federal disaster assistance law by requiring the President to carry out hazard mitigation programs rather than making them optional. Currently, the President has discretion to decide whether to pursue hazard mitigation efforts under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the main federal law governing disaster response and recovery. The bill changes this language from "may" to "shall," meaning hazard mitigation programs would become mandatory whenever the President declares a disaster. Hazard mitigation refers to efforts that reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural hazards, such as elevating homes in flood-prone areas or strengthening buildings to withstand earthquakes. The change would affect disaster declarations across all states and territories and ensure these protective measures are consistently implemented following major disasters.
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