The "Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act" mandates increased transparency in federal disaster assistance by requiring agencies to report detailed project and funding data on a dedicated government website subpage. This aims to provide the public with easy access to information on how disaster relief funds are allocated and spent.
Mike Ezell
Representative
MS-4
The "Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act" aims to increase transparency in disaster relief efforts by requiring federal agencies to report detailed data on disaster assistance projects on a dedicated government website. This includes information on the total amount of assistance provided, project specifics, and recipient details, making it easier for the public to track how disaster relief funds are used. The Office of Management and Budget is responsible for creating this subpage, with the option to partner with a private entity. This act defines key terms such as "covered federal agency," "disaster assistance," and "eligible recipient" to ensure clarity and consistency in reporting.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Democrat | 215 | 209 | 0 | 6 |
Republican | 219 | 217 | 0 | 2 |
New Bill Demands Online Tracking of All Disaster Relief Spending: Quarterly Updates and Project Details Now Required
The "Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act" is forcing a major upgrade in how the government tracks and reports disaster relief spending. Instead of scattered reports and hard-to-find data, everything will now be centralized on a dedicated webpage, updated every three months.
Sunlight on Disaster Spending
This bill mandates that any federal agency handing out disaster relief – FEMA, the Small Business Administration, Housing and Urban Development, and others – must publicly report exactly where the money goes. We're talking total amounts, specific projects (with names, descriptions, completion status, and even ZIP Codes), and how much each one costs. This applies to funds from the Stafford Act, the Small Business Administration, HUD disaster relief, and even the National Flood Insurance Program. (SEC. 2)
Think of it like this: if your town gets hit by a hurricane and receives federal aid for rebuilding a school, you'll be able to see that project listed, track its progress, and know precisely how much of the total aid went to that specific effort. Or, if a wildfire devastates a national forest, you could track funding for reforestation efforts, down to the specific location and project ID. (SEC. 2)
Real-World Checks and Balances
This isn't just about satisfying curiosity. It's about making sure disaster relief funds are used effectively and efficiently. By putting all this information in one place, it's easier to spot potential problems, track project completion, and hold agencies accountable. The bill defines "disaster assistance" broadly, covering everything from SBA loans to flood insurance payouts to Stafford Act funds, and "eligible recipient" includes any non-individual entity that receives disaster relief directly from the government, including states. (SEC. 3)
Potential Roadblocks?
The bill does allow the Office of Management and Budget to partner with a private entity to build this webpage, which could raise questions about potential bias, although the reporting requirements are very specific. (SEC. 2) Also, getting all these agencies to accurately track and report this level of detail every quarter might be a logistical challenge, at least initially. (SEC. 2) Finally, it is important to note that the bill defines a "specified natural disaster" as a fire on public or private forest land or grassland, a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency, or any other natural disaster for which a disaster declaration is made. (SEC. 3)