To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that cost estimates, acquisition of proper materials, and any other activity related to certain projects under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act are performed by professionals licensed in the relevant State, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · May 5, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
H.R. 3177 would require FEMA to use state-licensed professionals—such as engineers, architects, and builders—to perform cost estimates, material purchases, and related work on disaster recovery projects funded under federal emergency assistance programs. The bill would significantly limit FEMA's authority to reject or delay decisions made by these licensed professionals, requiring FEMA to approve material purchases and construction plans suggested by them unless fraud is evident. States would be responsible for hiring the appropriate licensed professionals to oversee the scope of work, and any FEMA employees directly managing these rebuilding projects would also need to be licensed professionals in their field. The legislation would apply to disaster relief projects eligible for assistance under specific sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and FEMA would need to update its regulations and policies to comply with these new requirements. No specific funding or implementation timeline is outlined in the bill text.
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