H.R. 2341 — Duplications of Benefits Victims Relief Act

This section amends the duplication of benefits prohibition in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155(b)) (i.e., section 312 of the Stafford Act, which bars federal disaster assistance duplicating benefits from other sources such as insurance or other programs) by (1) authorizing the President to waive that prohibition upon a governor's request on behalf of a state or affected person, business, or entity, if in the public interest and not resulting in waste, fraud, or abuse—considering FEMA Administrator recommendations (in consultation with relevant agencies), cost-effectiveness, equity and good conscience, and other public policy matters—with decisions required within 45 days of request, no treatment of loans as duplicative if used for disaster losses, no income thresholds for eligibility, and applicability to major disasters or emergencies declared on or after January 1, 2016; (2) clarifying that this waiver authority does not apply to Stafford Act permanent housing repair (sec. 406) or other individual assistance (sec. 408); and (3) directing the FEMA Administrator, in coordination with other agencies, to submit to congressional committees of jurisdiction (a) a report within one year of enactment on improving coordination, sequencing, interpretation, and communication of individual disaster assistance, including any administrative or legislative recommendations, and (b) an update to that report within four years of enactment.