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H.R. 2548House116th Congress (2019-2021)Passed House

Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act

Sponsored by Lizzie FletcherRep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX)
Introduced May 7, 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 4:58 AM UTC

The Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act changes the rules for getting federal hazard mitigation assistance. It lets local governments or other entities keep eligibility for acquisition or relocation projects that they start before a grant is awarded, provided they follow all other program and federal requirements. The bill also makes clear that any costs incurred on projects that don’t receive funding must be paid by the entity that started the work.

Key Provisions

  • Allows an entity that begins an acquisition or relocation project before receiving a hazard mitigation grant to still be eligible for assistance, as long as it meets all other program eligibility rules and federal requirements.
  • Defines a “covered project” as one that either started implementation before the grant was awarded or began planning/construction that qualifies for a categorical NEPA exemption.
  • Specifies that if a covered project later fails to receive a grant or is found ineligible, the entity must cover any costs it incurred for that project.

Legislative Activity

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17 earlier actions
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

December 18, 2019

View full timeline
HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 7, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

May 7, 2019

HouseCommittee

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

Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee

May 8, 2019

HouseCommittee

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

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

June 26, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

June 26, 2019

HouseCommittee

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

June 26, 2019

HouseCommittee

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-339, Part I.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

December 12, 2019

HouseCommittee

Committee on Financial Services discharged.

Financial Services Committee

December 12, 2019

HouseCalendars

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 270.

December 12, 2019

HouseFloor

Mrs. Fletcher moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

December 16, 2019 • 3:34 PM

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H10276-10277)

December 16, 2019 • 3:35 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2548.

December 16, 2019 • 3:35 PM

HouseFloor

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

December 16, 2019 • 3:46 PM

HouseFloor

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H10600)

December 17, 2019 • 1:29 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 7 (Roll no. 688).(text: 12/16/2019 CR H10276)

View vote Passed

December 17, 2019 • 1:58 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 7 (Roll no. 688). (text: 12/16/2019 CR H10276)

View vote Passed

December 17, 2019 • 1:58 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

December 17, 2019 • 1:58 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

December 18, 2019

Voting History

1 vote recorded • Roll call available

HOUSE

Roll Call Available

December 17, 2019 at 1:56 PM

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

Majority required: 2/3 (66.7%)

Passed

409 - 7

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued December 18, 2019

IIB

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2548

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 18, 2019

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

AN ACT

To modify eligibility requirements for certain hazard mitigation assistance programs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act.

2.

Authority to begin implementation of acquisition or relocation projects

(a)

Eligibility for Assistance for Initiated Projects

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an entity seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program shall be eligible to receive such assistance for a covered project if the entity—

(A)

complies with all other eligibility requirements of the hazard mitigation assistance program for acquisition or relocation projects, including extinguishing all incompatible encumbrances; and

(B)

complies with all Federal requirements for the project.

(2)

Costs incurred

An entity seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program shall be responsible for any project costs incurred by the entity for a covered project if the covered project is not awarded, or is determined to be ineligible for, assistance.

(b)

Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)

Covered project

The term covered project means—

(A)

an acquisition or relocation project for which an entity began implementation prior to grant award under a hazard mitigation assistance program; and

(B)

a project for which an entity initiated planning or construction before or after requesting assistance for the project under a hazard mitigation assistance program qualifying for a categorical exemption under the National Environmental Policy Act.

(2)

Hazard mitigation assistance program

The term hazard mitigation assistance program means—

(A)

the predisaster hazard mitigation grant program authorized under section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133);

(B)

the hazard mitigation grant program authorized under section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c); and

(C)

the flood mitigation assistance program authorized under section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104c).

(c)

Applicability

This section shall apply to funds appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

Passed the House of Representatives December 17, 2019.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk