Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities for All Act of 2025
Summary
The "Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities for All Act of 2025" amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It focuses on pre-disaster hazard mitigation by altering funding distribution and project eligibility criteria. The bill prioritizes cost-effective projects that reduce injuries, loss of life, and property damage, including damage to critical services and facilities.
Expected Effects
The act shifts funding allocation from a competitive basis to direct allocations to states and tribal governments based on a formula. This formula considers population and vulnerability to natural hazards. It also mandates sub-allocation of funds to local governments and specific activities.
Potential Benefits
- Increased funding for pre-disaster hazard mitigation.
- Direct allocation of funds to states, ensuring more predictable funding.
- Prioritization of projects that reduce injuries and loss of life.
- Minimum funding for Indian tribal governments.
- Potential for improved resilience of critical infrastructure.
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced flexibility for the President in selecting projects.
- Potential for unequal distribution of funds among states based on the formula.
- Possible administrative burden for states in distributing funds.
- Risk that projects not recommended by Governors may be overlooked, even if justified.
- The shift from competitive grants to formula-based allocations could reduce incentives for innovation.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to provide for the safety and well-being of citizens by mitigating the impact of natural disasters. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The allocation of funds for disaster preparedness falls under this power.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).