U.S. Rep. William Timmons has introduced bipartisan legislation that would allow local governments to use Community Development Block Grant funds to prepare for disasters before they strike, rather than only after.
Based on a release from U.S. Rep. William Timmons (SC-04).
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., and U.S. Rep. Sam Liccardo, D-Calif., introduced the Ounce of Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at helping states, cities and local governments strengthen communities before disasters occur, according to Timmons’ office.
The bill would allow local governments to use Community Development Block Grant, or CDBG, funds for pre-disaster risk mitigation, eliminating restrictions that currently tie the funding solely to post-disaster relief, according to Timmons’ office. The legislation also seeks to cut red tape that delays proactive mitigation projects.
“Communities should not have to wait until after a disaster strikes to take commonsense steps that protect lives and property,” Timmons said. “This bipartisan legislation gives local governments more flexibility to use existing Community Development Block Grant funding to strengthen infrastructure, reduce risk, and prepare for future storms. Being proactive is better for taxpayers, better for communities, and better for the people who call those communities home.”
Liccardo said every $1 invested in disaster mitigation saves $13 in public costs for post-disaster response. “Local communities should not have to wait for the storm, fire, or flood to hit before asking Washington for help,” he said. “Our bill lets them use already-allocated funds to strengthen infrastructure, reduce risk, and prepare for their worst day before it happens.”
According to Timmons’ office, CDBG funds currently cannot be used for pre-disaster mitigation. Instead, Congress issues supplemental CDBG appropriations for disaster recovery and mitigation after damage has occurred. Since 2020, the federal government has appropriated $22 billion for disaster recovery through CDBG, according to Timmons’ office.
The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., and Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, according to Timmons’ office. It has also been endorsed by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, the Council of State Community Development Agencies, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the National Association of Counties and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, according to Timmons’ office.
