Bills · S 443
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 443Emergency Management
Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act
INTRO FEB 6· LAST ACTION FEB 6
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a significant barrier many tribal governments currently face in getting urgent help for major fires. The existing process often involves going through state governments, which can add delays and bureaucratic hurdles at a critical time. By allowing direct requests, the bill aims to speed up access to crucial resources like equipment, personnel, and funding for fire suppression.
This direct access could save lives, protect homes and natural resources, and give tribal nations more authority over their own disaster response, ensuring their unique needs and sovereignty are better respected. If this bill doesn't become law, tribal governments will continue to navigate state channels, potentially facing delays in receiving federal fire management assistance during emergencies.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to explicitly include Indian tribal governments as entities that can directly request fire management assistance declarations and grants.
This gives tribal governments direct access to federal fire aid, bypassing state governments.
PROVISION 02
Requires the President to issue new regulations within one year of the bill becoming law to implement these changes.
These regulations will outline the specific procedures for tribes to make direct requests and for FEMA to respond.
PROVISION 03
Clarifies that if a tribal government's direct request for assistance is not granted, they can still receive help for the same incident if their state requests it.
This ensures a safety net, allowing tribes to still get assistance even if their direct request isn't approved.
PROVISION 04
Mandates that the new regulations authorize FEMA to directly receive requests and provide grants to tribal governments, considering their unique conditions.
This ensures the new system is tailored to the specific needs and operational realities of tribal nations.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
D· Michigan
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
84
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSFEB 6
Introduced in Senate
FEB 6
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
BILL INFO
TypeSenate Bill
NumberS 443
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedFeb 6, 2025
Last actionFeb 6, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 6, 2025
Senate BillS 443Emergency Management
Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act
INTRODUCED FEB 6, 2025· LAST ACTION FEB 6, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
