Summary of HR 5855: Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025

Bill Number: HR 5855

Title: Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025

Status: Introduced in House

Introduced On: October 28, 2025

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025 aims to enhance the understanding and quantification of the economic impacts of natural disasters. The bill seeks to establish a standardized framework for measuring the costs associated with disasters, which can include both direct and indirect economic losses. By improving data collection and analysis, the legislation intends to support better decision-making for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

Key Provisions

• Standardized Cost Measurement: The bill proposes the development of a standardized methodology for assessing the economic costs of disasters. This includes:

  • Direct costs (e.g., property damage, infrastructure repair)
  • Indirect costs (e.g., economic disruption, loss of productivity)

• Data Collection and Reporting: The legislation mandates the collection of comprehensive data on disaster-related costs from federal, state, and local agencies. This data will be used to create a national database that can be accessed by policymakers and researchers.

• Collaboration with Agencies: The bill encourages collaboration among various federal agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to ensure consistent data reporting and analysis.

• Annual Reporting: The bill requires an annual report to Congress detailing the findings from the data collected, including trends in disaster costs and recommendations for improving disaster management practices.

Affected Parties

The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025 would primarily affect:
- Federal and State Agencies: Agencies involved in disaster response and recovery will need to adapt to new data collection and reporting requirements.
- Local Governments: Municipalities will be required to provide data on local disaster impacts, which may necessitate additional resources or training.
- Researchers and Policy Analysts: The establishment of a national database will provide valuable resources for those studying disaster economics and policy.

Procedural Aspects

• Committee Referral: Upon its introduction on October 28, 2025, HR 5855 was referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for further consideration.
• Next Steps: The bill will undergo discussions and potential amendments within the committee before being brought to the House floor for a vote.

Conclusion

The Measuring the Cost of Disasters Act of 2025 represents a significant step towards improving the understanding of the economic impacts of disasters. By establishing standardized measurement practices and enhancing data collection, the bill aims to inform better disaster management strategies and ultimately reduce the economic burden of future disasters.