NACo disaster task force extends work into fall

Key Takeaways

In a pivotal moment for national disaster policy, NACo has announced the continued work of its Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force into the fall, following key developments including the release of the FEMA Act discussion draft and heightened engagement with the FEMA Review Council.

Formed under NACo President James Gore’s leadership, the task force has become a central voice for counties in federal disaster policy reform — especially as natural disasters increase in frequency, severity and cost. Over the past year, the group has conducted high-level engagements with Congress, the White House and the Department of Homeland Security, pushing for more streamlined, reasonable and locally informed approaches to disaster response, recovery and mitigation.

These efforts have already yielded concrete results. The FEMA Act discussion draft, recently released by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, incorporates key recommendations from county leaders. The proposed legislation aims to reduce bureaucratic barriers, accelerate the delivery of federal disaster aid to local governments and enhance coordination among federal, state, and local partners.

“The release of this discussion draft shows that county voices are being heard,” said Gore, who has overseen multiple presidentially declared disasters in Sonoma County, Calif. “We’re making sure federal reforms reflect the reality on the ground, not just theory from afar.”

The task force’s work also intersects with ongoing administrative reforms. Members have engaged directly with FEMA’s newly established Review Council, an internal body charged with assessing how the agency’s disaster programs can better serve communities and build long-term resilience. These interactions provide counties with a direct line to influence not just legislation, but the operations and culture of FEMA itself.

As disaster costs escalate and communities demand faster, more effective federal action, NACo’s extension of the task force’s timeline signals a continued commitment to ensuring counties have a permanent seat at the table.

“Reform is not a one-time event — it’s a process,” Gore said. “We need to build systems of partnership where federal, state and county governments work in sync before, during and after disasters. That’s what this task force is all about.”

Looking ahead, the task force will continue advocating for policies that empower local governments, including hazard mitigation funding reform, post-disaster housing solutions and modernized recovery frameworks. With Congress considering major changes and FEMA reexamining internal practices, counties are staying engaged — and driving the conversation. 

House draft of FEMA reform package features major wins for counties

The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has released a draft bill for a sweeping Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform package aimed at improving disaster response, streamlining aid and increasing local flexibility — reflecting many long-standing county priorities.

The Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act would remove FEMA from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and reestablish it as an independent, cabinet-level agency.

“We have clearly seen that FEMA is not working as it should for Americans who’ve been impacted by disasters,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.). “Congress has passed FEMA reforms over the years, but it simply hasn’t been enough. By releasing this discussion draft legislation, we hope to engage our colleagues and stakeholders on comprehensive FEMA reform.”

The bill would shift FEMA to a grant-based structure from its current reimbursement model. Under the new framework, FEMA would be required to disburse funds within 120 days of a disaster declaration. It also introduces a sliding federal cost-share ranging from 65 to 85 percent, tied to the implementation of local mitigation measures. 

To further speed up recovery, the bill streamlines environmental and historic preservation reviews. Additionally, it incorporates the NACo-endorsed “Disaster Management Cost Modernization Act” (H.R. 744/S. 773) which would allow management costs to be spread across multiple disasters, offering counties more flexibility in administrative planning.

“FEMA is the last line of defense for families impacted by increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters,” said Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.). “Republican and Democrats on this Committee agree that it is an important agency in need of reform.” 

The bill includes several key changes to streamline and improve Individual Assistance aid for survivors. It creates a universal disaster application which would simplify and speed up the process of accessing assistance. It also expands FEMA’s authority to repair homes beyond basic habitability, addressing a current limitation that often leaves survivors in unsafe conditions. Finally, it clarifies that charitable donations will not be treated as a duplication of benefits, ensuring that individuals who receive private aid are not disqualified from receiving federal assistance.

States would be allowed to develop a list of pre-approved mitigation projects, enabling faster implementation once funding becomes available. To ensure broad access, states would be required to identify at least one project in each county. It also broadens the definition of what qualifies as meeting building code requirements under FEMA programs, offering greater flexibility for local governments. 

Finally, the legislation calls for a series of Government Accountability Office reports on improving FEMA transparency — potentially opening the door for proposals like a “FEMA dashboard,” which counties have already recommended.

County impact

This draft bill responds directly to county feedback, including major reforms that would speed up recovery timelines, ease administrative burdens and improve support for survivors. Counties will be especially encouraged by the PA (public assistance0 reforms, universal disaster application and mitigation flexibility — all of which are essential to building stronger, more resilient communities. Many of these proposals were recommended by the NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force, which continues to work toward meaningful FEMA reform to improve disaster mitigation, response and recovery efforts across the country.

Next steps

While this proposed legislation’s creation marks a major win for counties in the disaster space, it is only the beginning of the legislative process. The proposal will need to be introduced before advancing through the full House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and ultimately gaining bipartisan support in both chambers.