Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

H.R.4058 - Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act (119th Congress)

Summary

H.R.4058, the "Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act," aims to improve the effectiveness of the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program by enhancing outreach and technical assistance provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill mandates ongoing stakeholder engagement, including annual surveys to gather feedback on grant awarding processes and the effectiveness of outreach efforts. It also requires the Comptroller General to review FEMA's outreach efforts and submit a report to Congress, followed by a report from FEMA detailing actions taken based on stakeholder feedback.

Expected Effects

The bill will likely lead to increased communication and collaboration between DHS and state, local, tribal, and territorial stakeholders regarding preparedness grants. This could result in more effective allocation of resources and improved preparedness for potential threats. The required reports will provide oversight and accountability for FEMA's outreach efforts.

Potential Benefits

  • Improved communication and collaboration between DHS and stakeholders.
  • More effective allocation of resources for preparedness grants.
  • Enhanced preparedness for potential threats.
  • Increased accountability for FEMA's outreach efforts.
  • Better alignment of grant programs with the needs of local communities.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Potential for increased administrative burden on FEMA.
  • Possible delays in grant awarding processes due to increased stakeholder engagement.
  • Risk that stakeholder feedback may not always be effectively incorporated into grant programs.
  • The effectiveness of the surveys and feedback mechanisms may vary depending on stakeholder participation.
  • Potential for increased costs associated with outreach and technical assistance.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of providing for the common defense and promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. It falls under Congress's power to legislate on matters related to national security and homeland security, as outlined in Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.

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).