H.R. 5533 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sep 19, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryEases FEMA disaster aid procurement rules
When disasters strike and local governments get federal money to rebuild through FEMA's Public Assistance program, they need to hire construction managers to oversee the work. Right now, they have to focus mainly on picking the cheapest option. This bill lets them choose construction managers based on qualifications instead of just price, which could mean hiring someone more experienced even if they cost more. It also raises the limit for simpler paperwork procedures from $1 million to $3 million in project costs.
How it affects you
Local government officials and communities recovering from disasters could see faster rebuilding. They'd have more flexibility in choosing construction managers they trust to do quality work, rather than being locked into price-focused decisions. For most everyday people, this means reconstruction after a disaster might be smoother and better managed.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 19, 2025)
Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act of 2025
This bill permits local governments to use certain procurement methods for hiring construction managers under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA's) Public Assistance (PA) program. It also raises to $3 million the maximum project cost threshold for PA’s simplified procedures.
Under existing regulations governing procurement using federal funds, local governments hiring a construction manager at risk (i.e., contractor who oversees construction and is responsible for costs exceeding a maximum project price) must consider the prices of proposals as a primary selection factor. Currently, local governments may not use qualifications-based procurement, where price is not used as a primary selection factor, unless it is only for architectural and engineering services.
The bill requires FEMA to issue regulations allowing local governments to hire construction managers at risk using qualifications-based procurement, regardless of the types of services procured, when using PA funds to restore or replace disaster-damaged facilities.
Also, the bill increases from $1 million to $3 million the project cost threshold below which FEMA is authorized to provide PA funds based on approved cost estimates rather than the documented incurred costs required to receive PA funds for larger projects.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5533
A BILL
Streamlining FEMA Procurement Procedures Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. W. Gregory Steube (R-FL-17) · Introduced Sep 19, 2025 · Emergency Management · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 20, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.”