[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10122 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10122
To establish a Fortified Roof revolving loan fund to assist State
agencies in making grants for the installation of Fortified Roofs, and
for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 20, 2026
Mr. Carter of Louisiana (for himself, Mr. Ezell, and Mr. Carbajal)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a Fortified Roof revolving loan fund to assist State
agencies in making grants for the installation of Fortified Roofs, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Safeguarding Tomorrow through
Ongoing Risk Mitigation FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act'' or the
``STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
(2) Area median income.--The term ``area median income''
means the mean income in the locality in which the property is
located based on the most recent annual publication of the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Entity.--The term ``entity'' means a State (including
the District of Columbia and the territories of the United
States) eligible to receive STORM Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
capitalization grants under this Act.
(4) Fortified roof.--The term ``Fortified Roof'' means a
roof meeting the Insurance Institute for Business and Home
Safety (IBHS) FORTIFIED Roof Standard, which includes a sealed
roof deck, enhanced edge protection, and ring-shank fasteners,
and can be verified by a qualified Fortified Evaluator or
consistent with, and no less stringent than, the standard
developed by a nationally recognized, verifiable, science-based
standard-setting organization, such as the Insurance Institute
for Business and Home Safety.
(5) Eligibility criteria.--The term ``Eligibility
Criteria'' means the homeowner eligibility framework
established by the State agency governing eligibility
requirements for mitigation grants that includes primary
residence and homestead exemption, proof of wind insurance
coverage (and flood insurance coverage where applicable), the
issuance of a FORTIFIED Roof, Wildfire Prepared Home, or
FORTIFIED Home designation upon project completion, and
exclusions for new construction, condominiums, and mobile
homes.
(6) State agency.--The term ``State agency'' means a unit
of a State government authorized to administer homeowner
mitigation grants, including the office of the State Insurance
Commissioner or an equivalent office.
(7) Wildfire prepared home.--The term ``Wildfire Prepared
Home'' means a home meeting the Institute for Business and Home
Safety (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Home Standard verified by a
third-party inspector or consistent with, and no less stringent
than, the standard developed by a nationally recognized,
verifiable, science-based standard-setting organization, such
as the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, at
either the Essential level, addressing ember intrusion and
ignition risk, or the Enhanced level, which includes all
Essential requirements plus additional protections against
direct flame contact and radiant heat. The term includes any
successor designation established by IBHS under a substantially
equivalent standard recognized by the Administrator.
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to capitalize or
recapitalize STORM FORTIFIED Roof Revolving Loan Funds administered by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency under this Act, $100,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2036, to remain available until
expended.
SEC. 4. GRANTS TO ENTITIES FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF STORM FORTIFIED ROOF
REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS.
(a) General Authority.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may enter into
agreements with eligible entities to make capitalization grants
to such entities for the establishment of STORM FORTIFIED Roof
revolving loan funds (referred to in this section as ``entity
loan funds'') for providing funding assistance to homeowners to
carry out eligible projects under section 5 for the
installation of mitigation measures for FORTIFIED Roof,
FORTIFIED Home, or Wildfire Prepared Home designations.
(2) Agreements.--Any agreement entered into under this
section shall require the participating entity to--
(A) comply with the requirements of this section;
and
(B) use accounting, audit, and fiscal procedures
conforming to generally accepted accounting standards.
(b) Application.--
(1) In general.--To be eligible to receive a capitalization
grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to
the Administrator an application at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Administrator may
require.
(2) Technical assistance.--The Administrator shall provide
technical assistance to eligible entities for applications
under this section.
(c) Entity Loan Fund.--
(1) Establishment of fund.--An entity that receives a
capitalization grant under this section shall establish an
entity loan fund that complies with the requirements of this
subsection.
(2) Fund management.--Except as provided in paragraph (3),
entity loan funds shall--
(A) be administered by the State agency; and
(B) include only--
(i) funds provided by a capitalization
grant under this section;
(ii) repayments of loans under this section
and section 5 to the entity loan fund; and
(iii) interest earned on amounts in the
entity loan fund.
(3) Administration.--A participating entity may combine the
financial administration of the entity loan fund of such entity
with the financial administration of any other revolving fund
established by such entity if the Administrator determines
that--
(A) the capitalization grant, entity share,
repayments of loans, and interest earned on amounts in
the entity loan fund are accounted for separately from
other amounts in the revolving fund; and
(B) the authority to establish assistance
priorities and carry out oversight activities remains
in the control of the entity agency responsible for
homeowner mitigation grants.
(4) Entity share of funds.--
(A) In general.--On or before the date on which a
participating entity receives a capitalization grant
under this section, the entity shall deposit into the
entity loan fund of such entity, an amount equal to not
less than 35 percent of the amount of the
capitalization grant. An entity's appropriations or
deposits into another fund for an existing grant
program that covers all or some of the mitigation
measures in subsection (1)(a) shall count towards
entity loan fund deposits.
(B) Reduced grant.--If, with respect to a
capitalization grant under this section, a
participating entity deposits in the entity loan fund
of the entity an amount that is less than 35 percent of
the total amount of the capitalization grant that the
participating entity would otherwise receive, the
Administrator shall reduce the amount of the
capitalization grant received by the entity so that the
deposit is 35 percent of the new capitalization amount.
(d) Apportionment.--
(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided by this
subsection, the Administrator shall apportion funds made
available to carry out this section to entities that have
entered into an agreement under subsection (a)(2) in amounts as
determined by the Administrator.
(2) Reservation of funds.--The Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency may set aside up to 3 percent of
the funds made available to carry out this Act for technical
assistance, guidance updates, data systems (including FEMA Go),
and oversight to address gaps in clarity and consistency
identified by the Comptroller General of the United States.
(e) Use of Funds.--Amounts deposited in an entity loan fund,
including loan repayments and interest earned on such amounts, may be
used--
(1) to make loans to State agencies, on the condition
that--
(A) such loans are made at an interest rate of not
more than 1 percent;
(B) annual principal and interest payments will
commence not later than 1 year after completion of any
project and all loans made under this subparagraph will
be fully amortized, except for the forgivable portion
of any loan described in section 5--
(i) not later than 20 years after the date
on which the project is completed; or
(ii) for projects in a low-income
geographic area, not later than 30 years after
the date on which the project is completed and
not longer than the expected design life of the
project;
(C) the loan recipient of a loan under this
subparagraph establishes a dedicated source of revenue
for repayment of the loan; and
(D) the entity loan fund will be credited with all
payments of principal and interest on all loans made
under this subparagraph;
(2) for the reasonable costs of administering the fund and
conducting activities under this section, except that such
amounts shall not exceed $100,000 per year, 2 percent of the
capitalization grants made to the participating entity in a
fiscal year, or 1 percent of the value of the entity loan fund,
whichever amount is greatest, plus the amount of any fees
collected by the entity for such purpose regardless of the
source; and
(3) to earn interest on the entity loan fund.
(f) Intended Use Plans.--
(1) In general.--After providing for public comment and
review, and consultation with appropriate government agencies
of the State or Indian tribal government, Federal agencies, and
interest groups, each participating entity shall annually
prepare and submit to the Administrator a plan identifying the
intended uses of the entity loan fund.
(2) Contents of plans.--An entity intended use plan
prepared under paragraph (1) shall include a list of proposed
projects describing targeted geographies, expected numbers of
grants made, income-based forgiveness volumes, and projected
loan revolving schedules.
(g) Audits, Reports, Publications, and Oversight.--
(1) Biennial entity audit and report.--Beginning not later
than the last day of the second fiscal year after the receipt
of payments under this section, and biennially thereafter, any
participating entity shall--
(A) conduct an audit of the entity loan fund
established under subsection (c); and
(B) provide to the Administrator a report
including--
(i) the result of any such audit; and
(ii) a review of the effectiveness of the
entity loan fund of the entity with respect to
meeting the goals and intended benefits
described in the intended use plan submitted by
the entity under subsection (g).
(2) Oversight.--
(A) In general.--The Administrator shall, at least
every 4 years, conduct reviews and audits as may be
determined necessary or appropriate by the
Administrator to carry out the objectives of this
section and determine the effectiveness of the fund.
(B) GAO requirements.--A participating entity shall
conduct audits under paragraph (1) in accordance with
the auditing procedures of the Government
Accountability Office, including generally accepted
government auditing standards.
(C) Recommendations by administrator.--The
Administrator may at any time make recommendations for
or require specific changes to an entity loan fund in
order to improve the effectiveness of the fund.
(D) Use of fema go.--All applications, awards, and
closeouts under a revolving loan fund established
pursuant to this section shall use FEMA GO and conform
to auditing and recordkeeping requirements applicable
to revolving loan funds established pursuant to section
205 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5135).
(h) Regulations or Guidance.--Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall publish
clarified guidance for the specialized use-case under this section
addressing reporting, forgiveness accounting, and equity targeting,
consistent with recommendations of the Comptroller General of the
United States.
(i) Waiver Authority.--Until such time as the Administrator issues
final regulations to implement this section, the Administrator may--
(1) waive notice and comment rulemaking, if the
Administrator determines the waiver is necessary to
expeditiously implement this section; and
(2) provide capitalization grants under this section as a
pilot program.
(j) Liability Protections.--The Agency shall not be liable for any
claim based on the exercise or performance of, or the failure to
exercise or perform, a discretionary function or duty by the Agency, or
an employee of the Agency in carrying out this section.
(k) Insurance Coordination.--The Administrator shall encourage
State agencies establishing a revolving fund under this section to
coordinate with insurers to recognize FORTIFIED Roof, FORTIFIED Home,
or Wildfire Prepared Home certificates for actuarially justified
premium discounts and to publicize State incentives where available,
following the Eligibility Criteria model.
(l) Compliance With Environmental and Building Codes.--Projects
carried out under this section shall comply with applicable building
codes, environmental planning, and historic preservation requirements
as outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunities for projects carried
out under section 205 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5135).
SEC. 5. HOMEOWNER GRANT PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--State agencies receiving a loan from a revolving
loan fund established under section 4 of this Act shall establish a
homeowner grant program for the installation of FORTIFIED Roofs, or
improvements made to meet the FORTIFIED Home or Wildfire Prepared Home
designation, and may only use such loan funds to make grants under such
program.
(b) Eligibility.--Under the program established pursuant to
subsection (a), State agencies shall determine eligibility for grants
under the program provided it follows the following criteria:
(1) Primary residence and homestead exemption.--The
dwelling shall be the homeowner's primary residence and shall
be subject to a State or local homestead exemption, owner-
occupancy tax classification, or equivalent designation under
State law. Where no such State mechanism exists, the homeowner
shall provide alternative documentation of owner-occupancy as
prescribed by the Administrator.
(2) Proof of wind coverage.--For homeowners seeking
Fortified Home designation, the homeowner shall provide proof
of an in-force residential property insurance policy including
wind peril coverage, valid through the projected date of
project completion. A State agency may establish eligibility
criteria for homeowners who are not insured at the time of
application if the homeowner demonstrates that the proposed
mitigation project is reasonably intended to improve the
insurability or affordability of coverage for the dwelling
following project completion.
(3) Proof of flood coverage in special flood hazard
areas.--If the dwelling is located within a Special Flood
Hazard Area as designated by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the homeowner shall also provide proof of an in-force
flood insurance policy, issued under the National Flood
Insurance Program or a qualifying private policy under 42
U.S.C. 4012a(b), valid through the projected date of project
completion.
(4) Proof of fire coverage in wildfire hazard areas.--For
applications seeking a Wildfire Prepared Home designation, if
the dwelling is located within a designated Wildfire Hazard
Area under applicable State or Federal mapping, the homeowner
shall provide proof of an in-force residential property
insurance policy including fire peril coverage, valid through
the projected date of project completion. A State agency may
establish eligibility criteria for homeowners who are not
insured at the time of application if the homeowner
demonstrates that the proposed mitigation project is reasonably
intended to improve the insurability or affordability of
coverage for the dwelling following project completion.
(5) Dwelling condition.--The dwelling shall be in a
condition permitting completion of the proposed mitigation work
to the applicable designation standard, as determined by a
certified evaluator. A dwelling damaged by a covered weather
event may remain eligible if the evaluator determines it is
otherwise suitable for the proposed work.
(6) No duplicate funding.--The homeowner shall certify and
disclose any prior Federal, State, or local grant or subsidy
received for the same scope of work. Grant funds under this Act
shall not duplicate prior funding for the same improvements.
The Administrator shall establish rules governing the
permissible use of grant funds to supplement insurance claim
proceeds.
(7) Ineligible dwellings.--New construction homes,
condominiums, and mobile homes are not eligible to participate
in the program.
(8) Eligibility criteria.--A State agency may establish
eligibility criteria for homeowners who are not insured at the
time of application if the homeowner demonstrates that the
proposed mitigation project is reasonably intended to improve
the insurability or affordability of coverage for the dwelling
following project completion.
(9) Prioritization.--States may give priority to lower-
income applicants, applicants who live in locations that, based
on historical data, have a higher susceptibility to
catastrophic weather events, and applicants meeting any other
criteria the State agency determines is appropriate to meet the
purpose of the program.
(c) Grant Amounts.--The amount of a grant under a program
established pursuant to subsection (a) may cover the specific
construction upgrades, including labor and materials, for a Fortified
Roof, Fortified Home, or Wildfire Prepared Home project up to a State
agency set-cap, which may not be more than $10,000.
(d) Procurement and Certification.--All work done using a grant
made by a loan under this section shall be performed by a qualified
contractor and verified by a qualified evaluator under the applicable
Fortified Roof, Fortified Home, or Wildfire Prepared Home program.
(e) Forgiveness of Certain Amounts.--As a condition for
establishing a revolving loan fund under section 4, the State agency
shall forgive the repayment or cost-share obligation, if any, of any
grant made pursuant to this section for a Fortified Roof, Fortified
Home, or Wildfire Prepared Home project for an individual homeowner
that has an income below 120 percent of the area median income.
SEC. 6. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the ability of the
Administrator under any other provision of law to capitalize revolving
loan funds for other hazard mitigation projects.
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