Bill Overview
Title: Increase Federal Disaster Cost Share Act of 2021
Description: This bill increases the federal cost share from 75% to 90% for any emergency or major disaster declared by the President beginning on January 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020.
Sponsors: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by federally declared disasters in 2020
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The bill affects people in areas where a federal emergency or major disaster was declared between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.
- Federal disasters can include events such as hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters.
- Disaster declarations are made specifically for certain areas impacted by such events.
- This legislation is likely targeted to assist individual states and local government agencies in managing the financial burden of disaster recovery.
Reasoning
- The policy is intended to relieve financial burdens of state and local governments by increasing federal cost sharing in areas affected by federally declared disasters in 2020.
- The target population includes those living in affected areas during 2020, which includes millions of people across the United States.
- Declaring disasters creates funding needs that affect local government budgets as well as the livelihoods of people living in these areas.
- The increase in federal cost share frees up state and local funds that could preserve or improve services, such as infrastructure rebuilding, which can improve residents' wellbeing over time.
- Only some individuals will see immediate impact, such as those directly benefiting from expedited disaster recovery efforts or government-funded community rebuilding projects.
- Wellbeing impacts are often indirect and primarily experienced through improved local economies or infrastructure post-rebuild.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Gulf Coast, Mississippi)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This increase in federal cost sharing will help us rebuild more community projects and focus on better hurricane preparedness.
- The recovery process was slow because everyone was stretched thin, so more federal assistance will be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Forest Ranger (Northern California)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Dealing with wildfires stretches resources thin. More federal funds will allow us to plan and execute better land management strategies.
- With more help, we might avert some future disasters or manage them better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Houston, Texas)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could have eased immediate financial pressures, allowing quicker recovery and lessening personal debt.
- Any policy that aids faster disaster recovery is ultimately a boon for small business survival.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Construction Worker (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This would likely improve job availability and stability by providing resources to rebuild more quickly.
- Less financial strain might mean better job conditions and morale in our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Emergency Services Coordinator (Puerto Rico)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased federal share means we can allocate local funds to faster response times and better preparedness strategies.
- Disaster handling efficiency directly impacts community safety and long-term wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Central Florida)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The new policy could mean we have less out-of-pocket expenses during recovery.
- It’s crucial for those of us on fixed incomes to have as much support as possible after disasters.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
City Planner (Nashville, Tennessee)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This federal support means we can better fund infrastructure upgrades and resilience measures.
- The policy provides relief in budget constraints, allowing for more comprehensive recovery plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Student (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy may increase community resources, thus improving access to educational and career opportunities.
- Rebuilding efforts may enhance local economic stability, positively affecting my future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Social Worker (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More federal aid can alleviate community-level financial strain, improving social services reach.
- Stronger, faster recoveries translate into more stable families and less socioeconomic distress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Insurance Adjuster (New York, New York)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More robust federal assistance should streamline claims handling processes and reduce individual stress.
- Communities recover economically faster, which generally improves quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $800000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill is retroactive for 2020 disasters, meaning it will not influence future disaster cost arrangements.
- This adjustment is temporary and specific for disasters declared in 2020.
- Federal budget allocations must consider this increase in responsibility immediately, potentially affecting other spending priorities.