H.R. 4277 – Waiver of Emergency Payments Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 6:57 PM UTC

The Waiver of Emergency Payments Act makes the federal government cover all eligible costs of certain disaster assistance for Puerto Rico related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. It overrides any existing laws or agreements that might limit the federal share. The bill applies specifically to assistance provided under several sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Key Provisions

The federal share of assistance for Puerto Rico under sections 403, 404, 406, 407, and 408 of the Stafford Act will be 100% of eligible costs, regardless of any other law or agreement.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

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

Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

November 8, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 7, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

November 7, 2017

HouseCommittee

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

Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

November 8, 2017

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued November 7, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4277

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 7, 2017

Mr. Gutiérrez (for himself and Mr. Espaillat) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To ensure that the Federal share of the costs of certain assistance relating to Hurricanes Irma and Maria is 100 percent, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Waiver of Emergency Payments Act.

2.

Federal share of assistance

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including any agreement, the Federal share of assistance, including direct Federal assistance, provided for Puerto Rico in connection with Hurricanes Irma and Maria under sections 403, 404, 406, 407, and 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b, 5170c, 5172, 5173, and 5174) shall be 100 percent of the eligible costs under such sections.