Resource Center
The BuildStrong America Resource Center is your source for the latest on our legislative and policy initiatives, testimony, videos, historic accomplishments, and more.
Resilient AMERICA
The Resilient Assistance for Mitigation for Environmentally Resilient Infrastructure and Construction by Americans (AMERICA) Act is a game-changing piece of legislation featuring numerous provisions geared toward providing communities with additional resources and tools to bolster mitigation and resilience before the next disaster strikes. This includes providing new funding for FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, creating new resources and incentives for the adoption and enforcement of modern construction standards and building codes, and expanding avenues for the implementation of resilient infrastructure, among others.
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Since its inception, BuildStrong America has led a national effort to investigate the causes of the rising cost of disasters in the U.S and devise innovative policy solutions to this issue. Building on the success of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, BuildStrong is leading the way on critical new policy initiatives:
- Resilient AMERICA Act | Link
- Game-changing legislation geared toward providing communities with additional resources and tools to bolster mitigation and resilience before the next disaster strikes.
- Wildfire Response Improvement Act | Link
- The Wildfire Response Improvement Act directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update its regulations and guidance for the Fire Management Assistance Grant, Public Assistance, and mitigation programs to better respond to the unique challenges of wildfires and improve wildfire mitigation.
- Promoting Resilient Buildings Act of 2023 | Link
- BuildStrong advocated for the inclusion of a new pilot program under FEMA’s BRIC program. Retrofitting improves the structural integrity of older homes, making them more resilient to natural hazards such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. By strengthening foundations, reinforcing walls, and securing roofs, retrofitting can mitigate damage and reduce the risk of injury or loss of life during disasters.
- Facilitating Hazard Mitigation Projects Act | Link
- This bill requires FEMA to evaluate how to reduce the complexity of its cost-effectiveness requirements for hazard mitigation grants and report to Congress on the implementation of that evaluation.
- Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act | Link
- This makes it easier to manage and track disaster grants, including the oversight of waste, fraud, and abuse, by consolidating management functions. The bill also incentivizes the rapid close-out of disasters, reducing the need for a large, sustained FEMA footprint following a disaster. Further, the bill promotes capacity building at the state and local levels, making them better prepared for future events.
- Disaster Survivors Fairness Act | Link
- The President may provide (1) assistance to respond to the disaster-related housing needs of individuals and households who are displaced from their pre-disaster primary residence that is damaged by a major disaster (currently, such residences must be rendered uninhabitable); and (2) direct assistance for repairs and for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures that reduce threats to life and property or future damage.
- BRIC Building Code “Plus Up” Initiative | Link
- BuildStrong has long called for the BRIC Program to set aside funding for the adoption and enforcement of building codes through avenues like the Resilient AMERICA Act. We were thrilled to see and applaud FEMA for its commitment to enhancing community resilience and disaster preparedness through the inclusion of plus up funding for building codes for states and territories as part of the program in FY2023. This multi-million-dollar allocation of funds underscores FEMA’s dedication to ensuring that communities across the nation are better equipped to withstand and recover from natural hazards and other emergencies. By investing in the development, adoption, and enforcement of modern building codes, FEMA is proactively addressing one of the key components of disaster preparedness.
BuildStrong serves as a key technical advisor to Congress, working with policymakers on addressing resilience in legislative proposals, hearings, and oversight activities.
- Letter: BuildStrong America Letter to FEMA re: Proposed Rule on FEMA’s Public Assistance Regulation | September 3, 2024 | Link
- Letter: BuildStrong America Letter to FEMA re: Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide | August 15, 2024 | Link
- Letter: BuildStrong America Letter to FEMA re: Public Assistance Consensus-Based Codes, Specifications, and Standards Policy Update Public Comment Period | April 26, 2024 | Link
- Letter: Coalition & Stakeholder Letter to FEMA Leadership on Lack of Cost Share Implementation | March 22, 2023 | Link
- Letter: Coalition Letter to Congressional Leadership on 2023 Resilience Priorities | February 15, 2023 | Link
- Letter: Coalition Letter to Senate Committee Leadership Requesting Resilient AMERICA Act Markup | May 31, 2022 | Link
- Letter: Coalition Letter to OMB Encouraging Enhanced Upcoming BRIC Allocation | May 27, 2022 | Link
- Congressional Hearing: U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on “Addressing Climate Change with Energy-Efficient and Resilient Housing” | May 18, 2022 | Link
- Congressional Hearing: U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management on “FEMA Priorities for 2022 and the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan” | April 5, 2022 | Link
- Letter: Coalition Letter to House Leadership Urging Consideration of the Resilient AMERICA Act | March 3, 2022 | Link
- Congressional Hearing: U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management on “FEMA Priorities for 2022: Stakeholder Perspectives” | February 16, 2022 | Link
- Letter: Coalition Letter on the Resilient AMERICA Act | December 20, 2021 | Link
- Letter: BuildStrong Coalition Support of Energy Infrastructure Act Provisions to U.S. Senate on Energy and Natural Resources | July 14, 2021 | Link
- Congressional Hearing: U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery on “Examining Climate Change: A Threat to the Homeland” | June 8, 2021 | Link
- Congressional Hearing: U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance Hearing on “Built to Last: Examining Housing Resilience in the Face of Climate Change” | May 4, 2021 | Link
- Letter: BuildStrong Coalition Support of Congressional Resilience Provisions to U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee | March 4, 2021 | Link
- Letter: BuildStrong Coalition Support of Criswell FEMA Nomination to U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee | February 26, 2021 | Link
See the latest from BuildStrong on issue webinars, event videos, and more: YouTube
- Webinar: Empowering Resilience: FEMA’s BRIC “Building Code Plus Up” Initiative in Action | Link
- Video: Talking Resilient AMERICA on The Weather Channel | Link
- Video: Liberty Mutual Insurance | Partners for Progress: Building Climate Resilient Communities | Link
- Webinar: Reuters Sustainable Business | Building Today for a Resilient Tomorrow | Link
- Webinar: Pew | Flood Resilience in the Year Ahead: Opportunities for the New Congress | Link
Since its establishment, BuildStrong America has been at the cutting edge of the ever-shifting national resilience and mitigation debate. Learn more about our previous transformational efforts.
- 2020 – Present: BRIC Program | Link
- Established under FEMA as part of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA), the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program provides additional annual funding in the form of risk-reducing, cost effective mitigation grants to assist States, territories, Tribes, and local governments in building disaster resilience.
- 2018: Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) | Link
- 2016: National Mitigation Investment Act | Link
- 2015: Safe Building Code Incentive Act | Link
