119 HR 9292 IH: Disaster Relief Integrity and Independence Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-06-11 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9292IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJune 11, 2026Mr. Neguse (for himself and Ms. Schrier) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureA BILLTo amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit determinations of Federal disaster assistance, funding, or relief on the basis of political affiliation and to establish a response timeline for requests for major disaster declarations, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Disaster Relief Integrity and Independence Act.

2.

Prohibiting political interference in Federal disaster assistance

Section 308 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5151) is amended— (1)by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and (2)by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b)The President may not make determinations of Federal disaster assistance, including declarations of emergencies or major disasters, Federal funding, and other relief and assistance under this Act on the basis of political affiliation within a State, territory, or locality..

3.

Timeliness in disaster response

Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) is amended by adding at the end the following: (d)

Timeliness in disaster response

(1)

In general

Not later than 45 days after receipt of a request for a major disaster declaration under this section from a State, Tribal, or territorial government, the President shall respond to each such request. (2)

Automatic approval

Any request made under paragraph (1) to which the President does not respond not later than 45 days after receipt of such request shall be deemed approved. (3)

Limitation

The deadline under paragraph (1) shall not prevent submission and approval of disaster declaration amendment requests by a State, Tribal, or territorial government..