S. 267 — Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act

This section makes State, Indian Tribal, and local governments in North Carolina under major disaster declaration FEMA–4827–DR–NC eligible for reimbursement under section 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5189f) for costs to repair, replace, or restore private roads and bridges—without regard to pre-existing condition and notwithstanding other provisions of that Act or FEMA public assistance regulations—that (1) are the sole means of access to primary residences or essential community services, (2) were significantly damaged or destroyed as a direct result of Tropical Storm Helene, and (3) do not duplicate completed work. (As background, the public assistance program reimburses State, Tribal, and local governments, along with certain private nonprofits, for eligible costs to repair or replace public facilities and infrastructure damaged by a major disaster.) Reimbursement is subject to conditions that require inspection by government officials to verify scope, need, and cost-effectiveness; keeping the roads or bridges open for disaster recovery; cost documentation per FEMA policy; obtaining authority to perform permanent work; and compliance with applicable regulations. For duplication of benefits, individuals or households who received assistance under section 408 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) (i.e., financial assistance and direct services for disaster-related housing needs of individuals and households) prior to enactment for eligible private roads or bridges may proceed with repairs without that assistance counting against section 408 maximums or return it to pursue this reimbursement. Eligible costs are based on certified estimates by mutually agreed-upon professionally licensed engineers, which are presumed reasonable absent evidence of fraud.