H.R. 5503 — Strengthening Capacity for Disaster Resilient Territories Act

This section states congressional findings on the vulnerability of U.S. territories to extreme weather events—including Hurricanes María, Irma, and Fiona in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (with FEMA obligations of $10.4 billion for María, $2.5 billion for Fiona in Puerto Rico, and $4.3 billion for Irma and María in the Virgin Islands); Typhoons Mawar and Yutu in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (with $677 million in FEMA obligations); and disasters in American Samoa—and related challenges such as tourism-dependent economies, high public debt (e.g., Puerto Rico's reduced to $31 billion from over $70 billion), outdated infrastructure, housing shortages, remoteness, staffing limitations, population declines (e.g., 11.8% in Puerto Rico from 2010-2020), and unrecognized postal addresses.

This section defines key terms used in the Act, including "(1) Administrator" as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator; "(2) community" as a network of individuals, families, businesses, governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and civic organizations within a shared geographical boundary represented by common political leadership at regional, county, municipal, or neighborhood levels; "(3) eligible entity" as an entity eligible for a grant under specified sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (sections 403, 404, 406, 407, or 502); "(4) recovery" as capabilities and actions to return effectively from a major disaster declared under the Stafford Act, including rebuilding infrastructure, providing housing, restoring health and community services, promoting economic development, and restoring natural and cultural resources; and "(5) territory of the United States" as American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories or possessions.

This section establishes a Territorial Disaster Recovery Program, to be implemented by the FEMA Administrator not later than one year after enactment, to identify, monitor, and address capability gaps of local emergency managers and eligible entities in U.S. territories in carrying out recovery activities for major disasters declared under the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). (The Stafford Act is the primary federal law authorizing disaster assistance, including grants under §§403 (essential assistance), 404 (hazard mitigation), 406 (repair and replacement of damaged facilities), 407 (unmet needs), and 502 (federal emergency assistance).) In carrying out the program, the Administrator shall (1) identify and analyze territory-specific gaps in accessing and administering recovery assistance biennially, beginning one year after enactment; (2) provide tailored technical assistance for Stafford Act grants under §§403, 404, 406, 407, and 502, accounting for challenges such as remoteness, minority cultural groups, limited English proficiency, and broadband limitations; (3) design territory-specific online and in-person training addressing identified gaps; (4) develop best practices for grant administration in territories; (5) establish feedback mechanisms for recipients; and (6) collaborate with local experts and communities. Not later than two years after enactment, and biennially thereafter, the Administrator shall report to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on program activities, with the final report—including recommendations on program continuation, duration, and funding—submitted in the last authorized fiscal year. The section authorizes $50 million for each of FY2026 through FY2030.