House Committee Advances FEMA Overhaul Bill- Includes NHPA Exemption
|
From Preservation Action:
Last week the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act (H.R. 4669). The bill seeks to reform FEMA by establishing it as an independent cabinet-level agency (currently FEMA is housed under the Department of Homeland Security) and includes several provisions aimed at streamlining disaster responses.
Included in the bill is a provision that would exempt FEMA from the National Historic Preservation Act and Section 106 review. The provision states repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement would be eligible for a waiver from the requirements of the NHPA.
The House bill passed committee 57-3, moving to the full House for consideration. Similar legislation introduced in the Senate (S. 1246) does not contain a provision specifically exempting the NHPA. Preservation Action is concerned the this provision would effectively make Section 106 reviews optional for FEMA. We are reviewing and continuing to monitor this legislation.
|
Posted: September 12, 2025
|
Unless noted, the thoughts and opinions expressed in the article are solely that of the
author and not necessarily the opinion of the editors of PreservationDirectory.com.
|
|