LaLota and Pappas Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Put an End to Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Following Natural Disasters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY), a member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Disaster Contract Improvement Actto improve the disaster contracting process on the federal, local, and state levels of government following natural disasters and mitigate waste, fraud, and abuse.

“All the preparation and focus on recovery efforts can, unfortunately, allow for misuse of taxpayer dollars.  By reducing waste, fraud, and abuse of disaster relief funds, we can improve local, state, and federal agencies’ ability to help our communities prepare for major storms,” said LaLota. “My Disaster Contract Improvement Act will ensure our citizens’ precious taxes help prepare for the next disaster rather than go to waste, fraud, or abuse.  This bill is supported by members of both parties in both chambers and I am pleased to reach across the aisle to partner with Congressman Pappas to introduce this commonsense bill in the House.”

“Natural disasters exact costly damage on infrastructure and threaten the well-being of Granite Staters,” said Pappas. “In recent weeks, New Hampshire has experienced several extreme weather events, from heavy snowstorms across the state to severe flooding on the Seacoast. This bipartisan legislation would greatly improve FEMA's ability to efficiently respond to natural disasters and provide needed supplies and services to those affected. I’m pleased to partner with Congressman LaLota on this important bill to ensure communities can recover quickly from these disasters.”

To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.

Background:

The bill is the House companion to S. 310, which was introduced by Sens. Rick Scott (R-FL), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

The Disaster Contract Improvement Act:

• Aims to protect victims of natural disasters by ensuring post-disaster services are delivered quickly and taxpayer dollars are spent solely on helping impacted communities.
• Establishes oversight on debris removal through the creation of an advisory working group composed of representatives from FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, State and Local governments, the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service, as well as subject matter experts, including those in the debris services contractor industry.
• Requires the FEMA Administrator, no later than one year after the bill’s enactment and in consultation with the advisory working group, to develop and implement guidance and procedures concerning the oversight and costs associated with debris removal contracts entered into under the public assistance grant program.
• Requires the FEMA Administrator to conduct training and outreach to State, Tribal, and Local Governments on any new guidance developed under this program.
• Requires the GAO to conduct further study on the Debris Removal Advance Contracting process to improve oversight and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse across the entire system.

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