Oklahoma, North Carolina, Iowa Advance Disaster Recovery Bills

Multiple states are advancing legislation to improve disaster response and recovery processes amid increasing severe weather events. In Oklahoma, House Bill 2426 proposes licensing storm trackers, allowing them emergency vehicle privileges to enhance reporting during severe weather, though concerns about First Amendment rights and existing traffic law enforcement have been raised. In North Carolina, the bipartisan Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act seeks to eliminate federal taxes on disaster mitigation grants, making it easier for homeowners to strengthen their properties against hurricanes and floods. Meanwhile, Iowa's governor is pushing a bill to allow quicker access to the state’s Economic Emergency Fund for disaster aid, which includes provisions for repairing storm-damaged homes. In Florida, a proposed bill aims to streamline the permitting process for storm recovery, addressing frustrations from residents affected by recent hurricanes. These legislative efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need for more efficient disaster management as natural disasters become more frequent.