S. 378 — Expediting Hazard Mitigation Assistance Projects Act

This section establishes streamlined procedures for "covered projects"—property acquisition, structure demolition, or relocation performed with assistance under the hazard mitigation grant program (42 U.S.C. 5170c), predisaster mitigation program (42 U.S.C. 5133), or Flood Mitigation Assistance program (42 U.S.C. 4104c). (The Flood Mitigation Assistance program provides grants to states, communities, and certain property owners for planning and activities to reduce flood damage to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program.) Specifically, (1) it authorizes the FEMA Administrator to waive or reduce requirements under specified environmental and historic preservation laws (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act) for covered projects, subject to a consultation of not more than 30 days with state and local officials and others and consideration of factors such as project details, disaster recovery needs, potential environmental issues, and prior reviews; (2) amends the hazard mitigation grant program to include "structure demolition" explicitly in property acquisition and relocation assistance (i.e., "property acquisition and structure demolition or relocation assistance"); (3) requires the Administrator to submit annual reports to specified congressional committees for five years describing waiver usage, process enhancements, and related recommendations; and (4) directs the Administrator to issue implementing regulations.