PRINTER'S NO. 2798

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

179

Session of

2022

INTRODUCED BY OWLETT, CAUSER, ROTHMAN, HAMM, SCHLEGEL CULVER,

MILLARD, PICKETT, T. DAVIS, BOBACK, SMITH, RYAN, GLEIM,

ZIMMERMAN AND FARRY, MARCH 8, 2022

for jurisdictions impacted by flooding and other major

disasters, to evaluate cost-sharing adjustments for declared

disasters and to implement language to recognize localized

disasters extend beyond state borders.

WHEREAS, Flooding causes more monetary damage in the United

States than any other weather-related event and the average

costs of flood damage can be more than $2 billion; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the economic concerns, flooding can

cause death and the loss of livelihoods depending on the

severity; and

multiple areas; and

WHEREAS, Before a municipality can receive funding through

the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance

Program, the President of the United States must declare a

disaster; and

WHEREAS, The FEMA Public Assistance Program is a

reimbursement program that provides Federal funding support to

cover the costs of disaster-related work and repairs; and

WHEREAS, Applicants must submit requests for public

assistance within 30 days of the disaster declaration, in

President that a major disaster exists shall be made by the

Governor of the affected State"; and

WHEREAS, The Stafford Act declares that the Federal share

"shall be not less than 75 percent," and the cost-share

adjustments are based on regulatory authority and handled

through administrative action; and

WHEREAS, Congress should continue to consider legislative

adjustments to the Stafford Act cost-sharing requirements; and

WHEREAS, By implementing expansions or exemptions through

waivers, Federal, state and local entities can determine the

supplemental Federal assistance; and

WHEREAS, Per capita amounts should be updated on an annual

basis to reflect changes in population and overall cost

adjustments; and

WHEREAS, When a presidential disaster declaration is needed,

there must be a collaborative approach to handling the

preliminary damage assessment that must occur between the FEMA

regional office, Federal and state partners as well as local

government representatives; and

WHEREAS, FEMA reviews several aspects when determining the

to the same weather emergency; and

WHEREAS, FEMA should amend the estimated cost of the

assistance factor to raise the per capita indicator and the

minimum threshold and the magnitude and severity of the disaster

must be taken into consideration in addition to the obligations

of the Federal, state and local entities; and

WHEREAS, In 1999, FEMA established a $1 million minimum

threshold for damages as the result of a disaster and within the

proposed area for public assistance; and

WHEREAS, FEMA adjusts the statewide per capita impact

2021, will have a statewide per capita impact indicator

increased to $1.63 and current figures are $4.10 per capita for

the county; and

WHEREAS, Although municipalities may meet the criteria for

per capita damage based on the county or the state thresholds,

a municipality's overall eligibility based on current figures

may qualify under one indicator, but not the other; and

WHEREAS, In Tioga County, during the spring of 2021, flooding

in the Roseville area caused over $8 million in damages; and

WHEREAS, Based on the current FEMA criteria, Tioga County did

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania municipalities should be granted equal

access and opportunity to individual and public assistance to

FEMA funding following a declared disaster; and

WHEREAS, By recognizing that hazardous storms and other

natural disasters are not cognizant of geographic borders, FEMA

will permit eligible jurisdictions to apply for the critical

funding to rebuild, repair and sustain infrastructure; therefore

be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United

for declared disasters and to implement language to recognize

localized disasters extend beyond state borders; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

the President of the United States, the presiding officers of

each house of Congress, each member of Congress from

Pennsylvania, the Governor of Pennsylvania and to the

Administrator of FEMA.