Bill Overview
Title: FEMA Equity Act
Description: This bill addresses equity in federal disaster assistance policies and programs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must develop and implement a process to ensure equity in the provision of federal assistance and throughout all FEMA programs and policies. Additionally, FEMA must establish metrics to measure the efficacy of the process and seek input from relevant representatives of state, regional, local, and tribal governments; community-based organizations; subject matter experts; and individuals from underserved communities impacted by disasters. FEMA must designate a senior official as an equity advisor. The bill establishes in FEMA an Equity Enterprise Steering Group. The chief executive officer of an affected county may submit a request for a presidential declaration that a major disaster exists if (1) the governor of the state or territory in which the county is located does not request such a declaration, (2) the affected county is not included in a request for assistance made by such governor, or (3) the affected county communicates with that governor about the disaster or potential request for a major disaster declaration before the relevant period has lapsed. The Government Accountability Office shall issue a report describing the factors that FEMA considers when evaluating a request from a governor to declare that a major disaster or emergency exists and to authorize specified assistance.
Sponsors: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals vulnerable to disasters globally
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The bill targets those impacted by federal disaster assistance, hence it impacts all individuals vulnerable to natural and made-made disasters.
- Equity measures mainly impact underserved communities, which can include minority groups and economically disadvantaged populations.
- FEMA provides disaster assistance across the United States, impacting all regions prone to disasters.
- The bill aims to streamline and ensure fairness in disaster relief, which suggests a focus on communities historically marginalized in receiving aid.
Reasoning
- The FEMA Equity Act is focused on ensuring that disaster assistance is equitably distributed, prioritizing underserved and minority communities.
- The population most affected by this policy likely lives in regions prone to disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, or flooding.
- Underserved communities, including racial minorities, rural populations, and economically disadvantaged areas, are directly targeted by the policy ensuring their needs are met more thoroughly than in previous disaster responses.
- Due to the budget constraints of $30,000,000 in the first year and $323,500,000 over 10 years, the policy will impact a portion of the 50 million individuals in the American target population profoundly but not universally.
- Simulating interviews from a diverse set of individuals helps encompass a wide range of impacts, from high to none, based on geographical location, socio-economic status, and prior disaster experience.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Miami, Florida)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry every hurricane season because our neighborhood floods easily and we don't always get the help we need.
- It's good that FEMA is focusing on underserved communities; maybe this will help people like us who are often overlooked.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Small business owner (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad FEMA is considering small business owners as part of their strategies.
- The transparency and commitment to equity might mean faster help after a tornado.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
College student (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Equity in disaster help sounds promising, but we'll need to see real results.
- As a student with limited resources, having assurance of timely assistance is a relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired nurse (Jackson, Mississippi)
Age: 72 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We get hit hard when disasters come and it's frustrating to wait for aid.
- I hope FEMA's new focus means help will come faster and in fair amounts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Farmer (Des Moines, Iowa)
Age: 49 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The FEMA policy could mean real support during difficult times for farmers like me.
- I hope it prioritizes areas hit by floods because it's tough to recover without help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Freelance writer (Brooklyn, New York)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Hurricanes make me anxious since there's little certainty about impact and aid.
- An emphasis on equity might speed up the response in urban areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Software developer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone who has resources, disaster impacts are lessened for me, but many others aren't as lucky.
- Focusing on equity should level the playing field for those less prepared.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
College student (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We've seen floods destroy homes here, and I often feel anxious about what will happen next time.
- Equity in FEMA's policy is overdue and should make a real difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Construction worker (Austin, Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Droughts hit hard, especially when work slows and resources are scarce.
- Provisions for fair disaster support by FEMA could ensure a safety net when we need it most.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Healthcare worker (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's challenging getting back on our feet after severe conditions due to our isolation.
- The FEMA policy should account for the logistics in getting aid to remote areas like ours.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 2: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 3: $31000000 (Low: $26000000, High: $36000000)
Year 5: $32000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $37000000)
Year 10: $35000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $40000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $55000000)
Key Considerations
- Equity in disaster relief could lead to more effective recovery in underserved communities, potentially reducing long-term economic disparities.
- There may be challenges in accurately measuring the impact of the new equity metrics and ensuring compliance.
- The need for continuous engagement with diverse stakeholder groups requires ongoing financial commitment.