H.R. 3176House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Disaster Assistance Fairness and Accountability Act of 2017

Introduced July 11, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 5:04 PM UTC

The Disaster Assistance Fairness and Accountability Act of 2017 would stop the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from trying to take back disaster aid that was given to individuals or entities, unless there is clear evidence of civil or criminal fraud. It also limits FEMA’s ability to seek repayment to cases where the agency notifies the recipient of its intent to recoup within three years of the original assistance date. The bill applies to disaster assistance provided under the Stafford Act for major disasters declared on or after January 1, 2012.

Key Provisions

  • FEMA may not recoup any covered assistance unless fraud is proven.
  • Recoupment is barred if FEMA’s written notice of intent to recoup is sent more than three years after the assistance was received.
  • “Covered assistance” is defined as aid provided under the Stafford Act for major disasters declared on or after Jan 1, 2012.

Legislative Activity

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7 earlier actions
HouseCalendars Latest Action

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 310.

November 21, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 11, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

July 11, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.

July 12, 2017

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

July 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.

July 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

July 27, 2017

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 115-418.

November 21, 2017

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 310.

November 21, 2017

Bill Text

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Reported in HouseIssued November 21, 2017

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Union Calendar No. 310

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3176

[Report No. 115–418]

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 11, 2017

Mr. MacArthur (for himself, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Graves of Louisiana, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Jones, Mr. Meadows, Mr. Curbelo of Florida, Mr. Polis, Mr. Meeks, and Mr. Faso) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

November 21, 2017

Additional sponsors: Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Frelinghuysen

November 21, 2017

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 11, 2017


A BILL

To prohibit the Federal Emergency Management Agency from recouping certain assistance, and for other purposes.


1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Disaster Assistance Fairness and Accountability Act of 2017.

2.

Recoupment of certain assistance prohibited

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding section 3716(e) of title 31, United States Code, and unless there is evidence of civil or criminal fraud, the Federal Emergency Management Agency may not take any action to recoup covered assistance from the recipient of such assistance if the receipt of such assistance occurred on a date that is more than 3 years before the date on which the Federal Emergency Management Agency first provides to the recipient written notification of an intent to recoup.

(b)

Covered assistance defined

In this section, the term covered assistance means assistance provided—

(1)

under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174); and

(2)

in relation to a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) on or after January 1, 2012.

November 21, 2017

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed