HM 1521 Summary

• Urges the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to amend its proposed rule on "Cost of Assistance Estimates in the Disaster Declaration Process for the Public Assistance Program" to provide a gradual increase in the per capita indicator rather than an immediate increase.

• FEMA has used a $1 per capita indicator since 1986 to evaluate estimated disaster assistance costs against statewide population for determining federal disaster declaration eligibility.

• The proposed rule would increase Florida's per capita indicator from $1.00 to $1.98, requiring the state to sustain damages exceeding $42,172,664 to qualify for federal disaster assistance—a 49.5 percent increase from the current baseline.

• Florida acknowledges the rule would better distribute responsibilities between states and the federal government and incentivize disaster mitigation investments, but faces budget constraints due to the pandemic and hurricane season.

• Directs copies of this memorial be sent to the President, FEMA Administrator, Congress leaders, and Florida's congressional delegation.