Disaster preparedness grants

(a) Purposes The purposes of the disaster preparedness grants and related technical assistance supported under this section are— (1) to establish authority to award capacity-building grants for accessible disaster preparedness and response efforts; and (2) to foster multi-sectoral approaches and partnerships across human services networks to ensure coordinated and accessible disaster preparedness and response efforts for the public, including among at-risk individuals. (b) Definition of eligible entity In this section, the term eligible entity means— (1) a State or local government agency; (2) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; or (3) a nonprofit organization, including a public or nonprofit provider of services. (c) Disaster preparedness grants authorized From amounts made available under this section, the Secretary may award grants or contracts to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, eligible entities in order to provide for— (1) activities that prepare for disasters or public health emergencies; (2) the development of partnerships among human service public and nonprofit organizations and public health and emergency management agencies at the State (including territorial), Tribal, and local levels; (3) activities that improve the ability of human service agencies and organizations to mitigate and respond to disasters and public health emergencies and support the accessible human service needs of at-risk individuals impacted by disasters and public health emergencies; and (4) dedicated staff or staffing salaries and expenses for State (including territorial), Tribal, or local organizations that have demonstrated expertise in the disaster and public health emergency needs of at-risk individuals, to enable such organizations to work with, and be part of, State and local emergency management efforts. (d) Application submissions To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (e) Award basis The Secretary shall carry out subsection (c) in a manner that distributes funds to appropriate agencies and entities that support at-risk individuals and can support disaster preparedness capacity-building initiatives. (f) Reservation For each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not more than 3 percent of the funds made available under this section for such year for the administration of this section. (g) Authorization of appropriation There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.