Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel’s (FL-22) proposal that would save Florida taxpayers nearly $35 million and protect local government budgets passed the House of Representatives.

During the 2004 and 2005 Florida hurricane seasons, the state was hit by Charley, Frances, Jeanne, Wilma, and Katrina. FEMA provided money to local governments through the Public Assistance program for approved activities like debris clean-up and repairs to damaged public facilities and property. 

Now, over a decade later, FEMA is claiming faulty paperwork on the part of some cities and counties and is requiring they pay back the federal government. A new bipartisan provision would limit FEMA’s ability to recover funds for non-approved projects to three years after the questioned project is completed unless there is fraud.

“When hurricanes and other natural disasters strike, communities are ravaged– and so are their budgets,” said Congresswoman Frankel. “This provision will give FEMA the necessary time to review grant awards while providing certainty for communities so they can plan their budgets accordingly,”

“This legislation is vitally important to Palm Beach County and all the Counties and Municipalities throughout Florida who are still in recession recovery,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Mary Lou Berger.  “It is unconscionable for FEMA to propose deobligating previously awarded disaster funds for projects that have been certified complete by the State.  I am so grateful to Congresswoman Frankel for championing this issue.”

“We are grateful to Congresswoman Frankel for advocating on behalf of local government. The City of Pompano Beach worked almost a decade to comply with FEMA requirements and regulations. To come back to the City ten yearsk later and ask for funds back after successful close outs and audits is wrong,” said Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher.

Frankel worked with Orlando based Congressman Dan Webster to insert the provision in H.R. 1471, the FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act, which now goes to the Senate for consideration. A list of effected Florida localities can be found here.

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