H.R. 10441House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery Completion Act of 2026

To extend the period of performance for certain disaster recovery projects in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.

Introduced September 16, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 22, 2026 at 11:52 AM UTC

The Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery Completion Act of 2026 extends the deadline for finishing certain FEMA‑funded disaster recovery projects in Puerto Rico to December 31, 2035. It applies to projects tied to the major disasters of Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), the 2019‑2020 earthquakes, and Hurricane Fiona (2022). The bill also sets up ongoing reporting to Congress and the Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner.

Key Provisions

  • Extends the performance period and project completion deadline for eligible recovery projects to no later than December 31, 2035.
  • Allows project recipients to request additional extensions after that date using the existing FEMA extension process.
  • Requires FEMA, in consultation with Puerto Rico’s Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resiliency, to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees and the Resident Commissioner, detailing completed projects, projected completion dates for unfinished work, and any obstacles.
  • Defines “covered projects” as those funded under specific sections of the Stafford Disaster Relief Act and related FEMA regulations that have not yet been closed out, and identifies eligible recipients (state, tribal, local governments, or private nonprofit owners/operators).

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

September 16, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 16, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

September 16, 2026

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 16, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10441

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 16, 2026

Mr. Hernández (for himself, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, and Ms. Pou) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To extend the period of performance for certain disaster recovery projects in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery Completion Act of 2026.

2.

Puerto Rico disaster recovery completion

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding section 206.204 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), the period of performance and project completion deadline for a covered project carried out pursuant to a specified major disaster declaration shall be extended to not later than December 31, 2035.

(b)

Additional extension

After December 31, 2035, a recipient carrying out a covered project described in subsection (a) may request a time extension using the process under section 206.204(d) of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

(c)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until December 31, 2035, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in consultation with the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resiliency of Puerto Rico, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico a report that includes—

(1)

the number of covered projects completed since the date of enactment of this Act and, if applicable, the number of covered projects completed since the date on which the previous report was submitted;

(2)

for covered projects not yet completed, the projected completion date and a description of any obstacles to completion; and

(3)

any other information the Administrator determines relevant.

(d)

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Appropriate congressional committees

The term appropriate congressional committees means—

(A)

the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;

(B)

the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;

(C)

the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives;

(D)

the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and

(E)

the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(2)

Covered project

The term covered project means a project—

(A)

carried out pursuant to section 406 or section 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172; 42 U.S.C. 5189f);

(B)

for restoration of damaged facilities and eligible mitigation measures under section 206.226 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation); and

(C)

for which, as of the date of enactment of this Act, closeout has not occurred.

(3)

Recipient

The term recipient means a State, tribal or local government, or owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility.

(4)

Specified major disaster declaration

The term specified major disaster declaration means any of the following major disasters in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170):

(A)

The declaration on September 10, 2017, relating to Hurricane Irma (DR–4336–PR).

(B)

The declaration on September 20, 2017, relating to Hurricane Maria (DR–4339–PR).

(C)

The declaration on January 16, 2020, relating to the earthquakes beginning on December 28, 2019 (DR–4473–PR).

(D)

The declaration on September 21, 2022, relating to Hurricane Fiona (DR–4671–PR).