Hurricanes Helene and Milton left behind tons of debris throughout Florida, and FEMA's assistance in cleaning up has been slow. This prompted Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) to write a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee demanding the expediting of his Clean Up DEBRIS Act.
Rep. Steube introduced the bill last October in the wake of Hurricane Ian. It would mandate that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offer assistance to common-interest communities such as housing cooperatives, condominiums, and mobile homes that are part of an association. These communities were not afforded the same level of relief as other homeowners from FEMA, which inspired the basis for the Florida Congressman's bill.
As Rep. Steube explained in his recent letter, "It is unfair for some communities to receive assistance while many others are denied relief. These complexities also make it hard for local governments to act, uncertain of if or how much their relief efforts will be reimbursed. In times of crisis in major disasters, it is vital to public safety that municipalities can act without fear of overburdensome government regulations."
After all, Steube further noted that his office worked to obtain policy waivers so FEMA would provide the assistance such common-interest communities are normally denied; thus, the Clean Up DEBRIS Act would cut out that unnecessary middleman.
"After three more hurricanes hitting my district in the last few months alone, the need for this legislation is even greater. My staff stands at the ready to work with your staff on steps that can be taken to help move this bill in your committee. I am very thankful for your support on my Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 when it passed earlier this year, and I am committed to be a partner with you in advancing more disaster-related legislation in a smart manner that puts our constituents and communities first," the Florida Congressman concluded.
Last week, Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) implored FEMA to clarify its debris removal policies, saying, "FEMA may waive program requirements with respect to prior approval for debris removal demolition and waste disposal. FEMA has previously issued disaster specific guidance to inform local communities on how they can remain in compliance with regulations and remain eligible for reimbursement while fully utilizing the program waivers that have been implemented."
