Number: RL34537
Title: FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues
Authors: Francis X. McCarthy, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: Authorization for the PDM program expires on September 30, 2008. In the 110th Congress, Representative Oberstar and other sponsors introduced H.R. 6109, to re-authorize the program for an additional three years and to remove the sunset provision. The Administration has endorsed a five year re-authorization of the PDM program without addressing the sunset provision. H.R. 6109 includes provisions that have been part of appropriations statutes that award funds both through a formula (with a minimum amount available per state) as well as a competitive process for the majority of the funds. H.R. 6109 became a part of H.R. 6658, the Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008. H.R. 6658 was approved by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on July 31, 2008. A Senate bill to reauthorize PDM, S. 3175, has been included in a larger bill titled, Advancing America's Priorities Act, S. 3297. That bill has not passed the Senate as of the date of this report. In another major development in FY2008, Congress directed 95 grants to 28 states, which totaled close to 44% of all PDM funds (P.L. 110-161, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008). These were the first such earmarks for the PDM program. While some of the projects meet PDM eligibility standards, others appear to consist of preparedness projects, rather than mitigation projects, which are not eligible for grants, as defined by PDM guidance.
Pages: 23
Date: August 8, 2008