On May 7, the FEMA Review Council established by President Trump in January 2025 released its final report. The council’s ten key recommendations emphasize shifting responsibility for disaster preparation and mitigation to state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments, with the federal government playing a supporting role. Several suggestions are intended to improve FEMA’s efficiency and response speed. States would be required to spend a certain amount of their own funds, depending on size, before federal funds would be available. Individual assistance would consist of a single payment of no more than $150,000 to residents whose homes are uninhabitable after a disaster, with a focus on emergency and temporary housing. Private insurance companies would have primary responsibility for permanent housing. Private companies would also have a greater role in providing flood insurance. The report notes that many of its recommendations could be implemented only through legislation.

Download the report.