Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act” or the “RIDER Act”.
Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act
A BILL
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to expand eligibility for individual and public assistance to certain areas and to include cumulative damage from multiple natural catastrophes in the definition of major disaster, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Contiguous area
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“431. Contiguous area
“(a) In general—Any area under the jurisdiction of a State or local government that is contiguous to an area that the President designates as eligible to receive any form of covered assistance as a result of a major disaster may be deemed by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be eligible to receive such assistance with respect to such disaster.
“(b) Definition—In this section, the term “covered assistance” means—
“(1) hazard mitigation assistance provided under section 404;
“(2) any assistance provided to an individual or household under sections 408, 410, 415, 416, or 426; and
“(3) any public assistance provided under sections 403, 406, or 407.”
Sec. 3 Cumulative damage
Definitions— Section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)) is amended—
by striking “Major disaster means” and inserting “(A) In general.—The term “major disaster” means ”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(B) Inclusion—The term “major disaster” includes more than 1 natural catastrophe, fire, flood, or explosion described in subparagraph (A) that occurs in a 12-month period and that individually does not cause damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under this Act, but that, in the determination of the President, cumulatively causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant such assistance.”
Interim guidance— Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall issue interim guidance to implement the amendments made by subsection (a).
Rulemaking— Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall issue such rules and regulations as are necessary to—
ensure compliance with section 1232 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115–254); and
implement the amendments made by subsection (a).