Panetta Statement Regarding the Disaster Declaration Improvement Act

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Disaster Declaration Improvement Act passed today through the House of Representatives. This bill, which Congressman Panetta supported, requires the Federal Management Agency (FEMA) to give greater weight to localized per-capita impact when making recommendations to the president regarding a major disaster declaration:

"The winter storms we faced this year on the central coast of California reminds us how imperative it is for FEMA to adjust its policies to ensure small towns and rural communities are not left behind when natural disasters strike and help is needed. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate swiftly pass this important piece of legislation."

Under current law and regulation, FEMA uses a state-wide per-capita formula to determine the need for public assistance. This legislation will adjust the formula to give greater weight to localized per-capita impact.