HUD Disaster Information Improvement Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14]
- Committees
- Financial Services Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 30, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to enhance the integrity and efficiency of federal disaster relief by requiring key agencies to share data and collaborate more closely.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) or similar agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate the sharing of relevant disaster relief data to increase efficiency and mitigate waste, fraud, and abuse across HUD's disaster recovery programs. Additionally, the bill requires HUD to submit a report to Congress within 180 days detailing opportunities for increased collaboration among the three agencies to improve HUD's disaster recovery program efficiencies.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that fragmented data and lack of coordination among federal agencies often lead to inefficiencies, duplicate benefits, and increased vulnerability to fraud in disaster recovery efforts. They contend that mandating a formal data-sharing agreement will streamline aid delivery, ensure resources are allocated effectively, and protect taxpayer dollars by reducing waste, fraud, and abuse, ultimately benefiting disaster-affected communities.
Opponents contend
Potential critics might raise concerns about the practical challenges and potential delays in establishing a comprehensive data-sharing framework across multiple large federal agencies, suggesting it could introduce new bureaucratic hurdles. They might also highlight data privacy and security risks associated with sharing sensitive personal information across different government systems, arguing for robust safeguards that are not explicitly detailed in the bill.
The bill is exceptionally short and clear, making it very accessible for readers to understand its core provisions quickly.
Section 2(a)
Establishment of Interagency Memorandum of Understanding for Data Sharing
This section requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a formal agreement, such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Administrators of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The primary goal of this agreement is to enable the sharing of pertinent disaster relief data among these three agencies. This data exchange is intended to improve the overall efficiency of HUD's disaster recovery programs and to actively reduce instances of waste, fraud, and abuse within these programs.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this provision is a critical step towards modernizing federal disaster response. By enabling data sharing, agencies can avoid situations where applicants receive duplicate benefits or where aid is misdirected, ensuring that limited resources are used optimally to help those most in need and maintaining the integrity of federal programs.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that while the intent is positive, the practical implementation of such extensive data sharing could be cumbersome and slow, potentially delaying aid to disaster survivors if agencies struggle to integrate systems or agree on data protocols. Concerns about the security of shared personal data and the potential for privacy breaches are also often raised.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the clear benefits of interagency efficiency and fraud prevention against the administrative complexities of data integration and the imperative to protect the privacy and security of sensitive personal information belonging to disaster survivors.