Page 14 - May-June 2025 Life In Naples Magazing

From the Desk of
Representative Byron Donalds

A Q1 Legislative Update From Congressman Byron Donalds

by Congressman Byron Donalds
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n the 119 Congress, my office has H.R. 2308 – The FEMA Independence Act:
been hard at work on your behalf, This transformative, bipartisan legislation co-led by Congressman
I writing and co-leading commonsense, Donalds seeks to remove the Federal Emergency Management
solutions-oriented legislation. Agency (FEMA) from Department of Homeland Security
Among the 15+ pieces of legislation (DHS) supervision and to restore it as an independent, Cabinet-
that my office has worked to introduce level agency reporting directly to the President. Led by Rep.
and pass through the U.S. House of Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), H.R. 2308 reforms federal emergency
Representatives so far, below are four bills management procedures and improves efficiency in federal
that will directly benefit our Southwest Florida community, our emergency response efforts. This legislation would also stipulate
great Sunshine State, and the nation: that FEMA’s Senate-confirmed leader must have “a demonstrated
H.R. 1786 – The Harmful Algal Bloom Disaster Relief Act: ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland
This bipartisan legislation led by Congressman Donalds seeks security” across the public and private sectors.
to ensure that communities affected by catastrophic Harmful H.R. 2422 – The Consolidating Aerospace Programs Efficiently
Algal Blooms (HABs) are eligible for Federal Emergency at Canaveral Act (CAPE Canaveral Act):
Management Agency (FEMA) "Major Disaster" relief funding. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation led by Congressman Donalds
H.R. 1786 is co-led by Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) seeks to move the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
and specifically amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief (NASA) Headquarters from Washington, D.C. to the Sunshine
and Emergency Assistance Act to include algal blooms in the State. Specifically, the "CAPE Canaveral Act" requires the transfer
definition of a major disaster. of NASA Headquarters to Cape Canaveral in Brevard County,
H.R. 1676 – The Make SWAPs Efficient Act: Florida within one year of enactment and is the U.S. House of
This bipartisan legislation led by Congressman Donalds seeks Representatives companion bill to Sen. Ashley Moody's (R-FL)
to ensure government efficiency in conservation. State Wildlife S. 1013 – “CAPE Canaveral Act,” co-led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-
Action Plans (SWAPs) are developed and submitted by states FL). In the U.S. House of Representatives, the Donalds “CAPE
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to identify non- Canaveral Act” is co-led by Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart
game species of greatest conservation need, so they don’t become (R-FL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz
threatened or endangered. Currently, there is no deadline for (D-FL), and has also received the support of Representatives Aaron
FWS to approve a complete SWAP once submitted by a state, and Bean (R-FL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Scott Franklin (R-FL),
in most cases, approval can take over 18 months. 45 states have Carlos Giménez (R-FL), Brian Mast (R-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL),
SWAPs due this year alone. H.R. 1676 is co-led by Rep. Jared John Rutherford (R-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Darren Soto
Moskowitz (D-FL) and specifically directs the Secretary of the (D-FL), and Daniel Webster (R-FL).
Interior to approve a state’s SWAP within 180 days. Under the
legislation, if the Department of Interior fails to approve a state’s
SWAP within 180 days, the SWAP is “deemed approved.”

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