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HR 9804

SAFE Rural Act

119th Congress Introduced by Pat Harrigan and 1 co-sponsor

Shifts federal flood resilience funding to predisaster, rural and Tribal areas via a dedicated SAFE Rural Fund with formula-based grants and nature-based solutions.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9804

Overview

HR 9804, the Sustainable and Flood Resilient Engineering for Rural Areas Act (SAFE Rural Act), would reshape federal flood mitigation and predisaster investment with a strong focus on rural, Tribal, and territorial communities. It expands eligibility, creates a dedicated SAFE Rural Fund, establishes formula-driven pass-through grants to States and Indian tribal governments, and emphasizes nature-based solutions and streamlined processes to improve preparedness and long-term resilience in rural areas.

Main purpose and intent

  • Address heightened flood vulnerability in rural communities, Tribal lands, and territories by shifting from a predominantly post-disaster focus to predisaster investments.
  • Provide dedicated funding and a streamlined, capacity-building framework to enhance hazard mitigation, flood resilience, and preparedness in underserved areas.
  • Encourage integration of nature-based solutions and locally appropriate approaches to reduce long-term federal disaster costs.

Key provisions and changes

  • Mandatory program switch: Recasts eligibility and program language to center Indian tribal governments and remove “local governments” as the primary eligible governance category in several sections.
  • SAFE Rural Fund and program (Section 7): Establishes the SAFE Rural Fund, funded by 2% of the Disaster Relief Fund each year, with separate accounting and availability until expended.
  • Allocation and formula (Section 7(3)): Funds distributed via a three-part formula:
    • 50% divided equally among eligible entities.
    • 30% distributed with population and median income-based prioritization.
    • Remaining funds allocated to entities with demonstrated capacity (e.g., advanced hazard mitigation planning or adoption of standard building codes with flood-related provisions).
  • Eligibility and administrative plans (Section 4): Requires predisaster hazard mitigation administrative plans submitted by Oct 1 preceding the fiscal year, approved by the President, detailing fund distribution, streamlined subgrant processes, practical application templates, and timelines for obligating and awarding funds.
  • Nature-based solutions (Section 5): Updates eligible uses to emphasize predisaster measures that include nature-based and green infrastructure, such as floodplain restoration, living shorelines, bioengineered stabilization, and watershed restoration.
  • Mitigation criteria (Section 6): Adds emphasis on local capacity, sustainability, feasibility, collaboration, environmental impacts, and prioritization for high-hazard, low-income, or post-disaster areas.
  • SAFE Rural program details (Section 7):
    • Pass-through requirements: Subgrants to eligible entities with capped administrative retention (max 5%), and a set-aside for community assistance programs.
    • Subgrant administration: 12-month obligation window, clear responsibilities for subgrant management, and avoidance of duplicative federal benefits.
    • Eligible uses: Infrastructure construction/restoration, flood risk mitigation for critical facilities, nature-based solutions, and management costs (capped at 5%).
    • Operations and maintenance planning: Requires O&M plans and a standard template; CAP–MIT grants can aid in plan development.
    • Subgrant priorities: Focus on flood resilience plans and indigenous knowledge integration; cost-sharing requirements with potential waivers for underserved communities.
  • Small projects and streamlined track (Section 10): Sets aside at least 15% of annual allocations for small projects (≤$500,000); creates a streamlined application not requiring benefit-cost analyses for subprojects under $200,000; 60-day decision window; carryover provisions.
  • Administration and oversight: References for implementing guidance, reporting to Congress, and coordination with state, tribal, territorial, and local agencies.
  • Conforming amendments: Adjusts related sections to align costs and project funding with the SAFE Rural framework.
  • Regulations and conforming funding (Sections 11–12): Requires timely regulations and a transfer of 2% of the Disaster Relief Fund to the SAFE Rural Fund at enactment.

Who would be affected

  • Primarily rural states, Indian tribal governments, and Tribal organizations operating within or across rural, island, and territorial contexts.
  • Local governments in eligible areas would participate through State or Tribal pass-through funding.
  • Communities and facilities in flood-prone areas, especially those with limited grant-management capacity, would gain access to streamlined subgrants and capacity-building supports.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Administrative plan submissions due by October 1 of the preceding fiscal year; President’s approval required.
  • Implementing guidance within 180 days after enactment, with ongoing updates every five years for flood risk guidance.
  • Subgrants to be obligated within 12 months of funds receipt; recipients must issue subgrant agreements and oversee performance.
  • Regulations to be issued within 180 days of enactment.

Overall, the bill aims to institutionalize proactive, rural-focused flood resilience funding, emphasize nature-based solutions, and simplify access to federal hazard mitigation resources through a dedicated, formula-driven SAFE Rural Fund.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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