Technical corrections only. The diff reflects updates to the legislative status of the bill, indicating it has passed the Senate. No substantive policy changes were made between v2 and v3.
Disaster Assistance Simplification Act
- Sponsor
- Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
- Committees
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Dec 17, 2025
Bottom line
The bill aims to simplify and accelerate federal disaster aid by centralizing the application process and enabling efficient, secure information sharing among agencies, while also addressing privacy concerns.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a unified disaster assistance intake process and system within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to streamline how individuals, businesses, and organizations apply for federal disaster aid. It authorizes FEMA to collect and share disaster assistance information across federal agencies, with applicant consent, to expedite aid delivery and prevent fraud. The bill also includes provisions for data security, agency accountability, and waivers for certain Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act requirements during disaster declarations.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill will significantly reduce the bureaucratic burden on disaster survivors, allowing them to access critical assistance more quickly and efficiently. They contend that a unified system will improve interagency coordination, prevent duplication of effort, and enhance the detection and prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse, ultimately leading to faster and more effective community recovery.
Opponents contend
Critics might raise concerns about the broad data sharing authorities and the waivers of certain Privacy Act and Paperwork Reduction Act requirements, arguing that these could potentially compromise individual privacy or reduce public oversight of government data practices. They may also point to the significant technical and logistical challenges of implementing such a complex unified system within the mandated timeframe, potentially leading to delays or system vulnerabilities.
The bill is relatively concise and can be read and understood within a reasonable timeframe, allowing for informed public discourse on its provisions and implications.
Section 1
Short Title
This section formally names the Act the 'Disaster Assistance Simplification Act'. This is standard legislative practice to provide a common, easily recognizable name for the law.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that a clear short title makes the legislation more accessible and understandable to the public and stakeholders, facilitating communication about its purpose.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against the short title of a bill, as it is a procedural element.
Tradeoffs
None.
Section 2, adding Section 707(a) to the Stafford Act
Key Definitions for Disaster Assistance
This provision defines critical terms used throughout the new section, including 'Administrator' (FEMA), 'Applicant' (individuals, businesses, organizations seeking aid), 'Disaster assistance agency' (FEMA and other certified federal agencies), 'Disaster assistance information' (various types of data collected), and 'Disaster assistance program' (Stafford Act programs, SBA loans, food benefits, and other federal aid). These definitions establish the scope and reach of the unified system.
Section 2, adding Section 707(b) to the Stafford Act
Establishment of a Unified Disaster Assistance Intake Process and System
This section mandates FEMA to develop and establish a unified intake process and system within 360 days of enactment. The system must facilitate consolidated applications, provide status updates, allow applicants to update information, distribute information on additional recovery resources, provide application documentation, enable data distribution for faster aid, and allow direct communication with survivors. Its purpose is to improve efficiency, fairness, and fraud detection.
Section 2, adding Section 707(c) to the Stafford Act
Administrator's Data Collection and Sharing Authority
This section grants the FEMA Administrator authority to collect, maintain, disclose, and use disaster assistance information, including from other agencies, for the purposes of the unified system. It allows the Administrator to authorize these activities by publishing a public notice detailing the information, necessity, fair information practices, and agencies involved. Crucially, submitting an application through the unified system constitutes prior written consent for information disclosure to disaster assistance agencies.
Section 2, adding Section 707(e) to the Stafford Act
Data Security Requirements
This section mandates that FEMA must ensure the unified application substantially complies with federal data security standards. It also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish a privacy impact assessment for the system and the Administrator to publish standard rules of behavior for all personnel accessing disaster assistance information. These steps must be completed before FEMA can facilitate the collection of disaster assistance information.
Section 2, adding Section 707(f) to the Stafford Act
Certification and Accountability for Partner Agencies
This section outlines the process for FEMA to certify other federal agencies as 'disaster assistance agencies' through a publicly posted agreement. These agreements must commit agencies to comply with data sharing rules, train personnel on data security, notify FEMA of unauthorized disclosures within 24 hours, cooperate in investigations, and assume financial responsibility for compensation or remediation (including credit monitoring) resulting from improper disclosures caused by their actions or systems.
Section 2, adding Section 707(g) and (h) to the Stafford Act
Reporting and Briefing Requirements to Congress
This section mandates regular oversight. FEMA, in coordination with other agencies, must submit annual reports to Congress for three years on implementation progress, interagency cooperation, impact on survivor burden, aid speed, and legislative challenges. Additionally, FEMA must brief Congress 90 and 180 days after enactment on implementation status and interagency collaboration. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is also required to submit a report after three years on the system's effect on the disaster survivor experience and recommendations for improvements.
This provision states that publishing a notice on a public website regarding revisions to the system of records for the unified intake process will satisfy the Privacy Act's notice and publication requirements (5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(4)) for the entire period of performance of disaster assistance. This streamlines the process for updating data collection practices during a disaster.
Section 2, adding Section 707(d)(1) to the Stafford Act
Why it matters:This is a technical legislative mechanism designed to provide administrative flexibility and expedite the federal government's ability to adapt its data systems during a disaster, bypassing more lengthy standard notice procedures. While intended for efficiency, it could be seen as reducing public transparency for changes to data handling.
Case for: Supporters argue that this waiver is crucial for rapid response during emergencies, allowing FEMA and other agencies to quickly adjust data collection and sharing protocols without being hampered by lengthy bureaucratic processes, thereby speeding aid to survivors.
Case against: Critics might contend that waiving standard Privacy Act notice requirements, even with a public website notice, reduces transparency and public scrutiny over how sensitive personal data is managed, potentially eroding privacy protections in the name of efficiency.
Estimated impact: Significantly streamlines the regulatory process for updating federal systems of records related to disaster assistance, affecting all applicants and participating agencies.
This provision grants the FEMA Administrator the authority to waive the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Ch. 35, Subch. I) for the voluntary collection of information specific to a declared major disaster or emergency. This waiver is in effect for the entire period of performance of assistance, with transparency requirements for posting justifications and applicable agencies on a public website.
Section 2, adding Section 707(d)(2) to the Stafford Act
Why it matters:This is a common legislative tool to allow federal agencies to collect necessary information quickly during emergencies without undergoing the typically lengthy public comment and approval process required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. It prioritizes speed in crisis over standard administrative review.
Case for: Proponents argue that this waiver is essential to avoid delays in collecting critical information from disaster survivors, which can be vital for assessing needs and distributing aid efficiently. The transparency requirements ensure some level of public awareness.
Case against: Opponents might argue that even voluntary information collection should be subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act's review process to prevent unnecessary or overly burdensome data requests, and that temporary waivers could set a precedent for reduced oversight.
Estimated impact: Allows for faster deployment of new data collection forms and surveys during disasters, potentially accelerating needs assessments and aid distribution.
This provision clarifies that the disclosure and use of disaster assistance information among disaster assistance agencies or with State, local, or Tribal governments, subject to Privacy Act requirements, shall not be construed as a 'matching program' and is exempt from several specific Privacy Act provisions (e.g., (e)(12), (o), (p)(1)(A)(ii), (q), (r), or (u)).
Section 2, adding Section 707(i)(1) to the Stafford Act
Why it matters:This is a technical legal maneuver to prevent the new unified data sharing system from being bogged down by the stringent requirements and oversight mechanisms associated with 'matching programs' under the Privacy Act, which are designed for comparing different federal databases. It ensures the new system can operate without unintended legal hurdles.
Case for: Proponents argue that without this clarification, the unified system would be subject to onerous and inappropriate 'matching program' rules, effectively crippling its ability to share data efficiently and achieve its goal of streamlined disaster assistance.
Case against: Critics might argue that exempting the system from these Privacy Act provisions, even if technically complex, reduces a layer of oversight designed to protect individuals from potential misuse of their data when it is combined across different government sources.
Estimated impact: Significantly reduces the regulatory burden and legal complexities for interagency data sharing under the unified system, allowing for more fluid information exchange.
This provision specifies that the submission of an application through the unified disaster application system constitutes 'prior written consent' to disclose disaster assistance information to disaster assistance agencies for the purpose of section 552a(b) of title 5, United States Code (the Privacy Act).
Section 2, adding Section 707(c)(2)(B) to the Stafford Act
Why it matters:This is a practical approach to obtaining consent for data sharing in a high-volume, urgent context like disaster relief. It avoids requiring separate, explicit consent forms for each agency or data point, which would add significant administrative burden. However, it means consent is implied rather than actively sought for each specific disclosure.
Case for: Proponents argue that this method of consent is necessary for the unified system to function, as it streamlines the application process and allows for immediate, comprehensive data sharing, which is vital for rapid aid delivery. It ensures that applicants are aware their information will be shared upon submission.
Case against: Privacy advocates might argue that this 'click-wrap' or implied consent mechanism, while efficient, may not fully inform applicants about the extent of data sharing or provide them with granular control over their information, potentially leading to less informed consent.
Estimated impact: Establishes the legal basis for broad interagency data sharing of applicant information, significantly impacting how personal data is managed and used in disaster response.