H.R. 9557 amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to permit specific grantees to allocate Community Development Block Grant funds for activities aimed at mitigating natural disasters. This means that communities can use these federal funds to enhance their resilience against disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires, thereby improving safety and preparedness.
Supporters of H.R. 9557 have praised the bill for its proactive approach to disaster preparedness, highlighting that it empowers local governments to better protect their communities. Media outlets have emphasized the importance of utilizing federal funds for natural disaster mitigation, especially in areas frequently affected by extreme weather events, viewing this legislation as a necessary step towards building safer and more resilient communities.
Critics of H.R. 9557 have raised concerns about the potential misuse of Community Development Block Grant funds, arguing that allowing flexibility in spending could lead to misallocation or inefficiency. Some media reports have pointed out that without strict oversight, there is a risk that the funds might not be used effectively for disaster mitigation, potentially undermining the original intent of the program.
The bill H.R. 9557 aims to amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to allow certain grantees to utilize Community Development Block Grant amounts for natural disaster mitigation activities. The sponsor, Sam Liccardo, has significant contributions from the health professionals industry, totaling $120 million, and from retired individuals, amounting to $37.5 million. However, there are no direct overlaps between these donor industries and the subject matter of the bill, indicating a low risk of conflict of interest. While lobbying activity is present in this policy area, the contributions from Liccardo's top donors do not appear to influence the bill's objectives directly, as they are not related to housing or disaster mitigation.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION | AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION | $312,662 |
| STE NORTH AMERICA, INC. (FORMERLY ST ENGINEERING NORTH AMERICA, INC.) | STE NORTH AMERICA, INC. (FORMERLY ST ENGINEERING NORTH AMERICA, INC.) | $210,000 |
| ID.ME, LLC | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $60,000 |
| BLUE WATER AUTONOMY, INC. | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $60,000 |
| POLK COUNTY, IOWA | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $30,000 |
| GEORGIA POWER COMPANY | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $20,000 |
| ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH FOR MILITARY FAMILIES, LLC | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $10,000 |
| TOWN OF PROSPERITY, SC | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| CITY OF FOREST ACRES | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| COLLETON COUNTY | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| NEWBERRY COUNTY | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| CITY OF EASLEY | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| TOWN OF IRMO, SC | LAKE SHORE STRATEGIES, LLC | undisclosed |
| RECORDED FUTURE, INC. | RECORDED FUTURE, INC. | undisclosed |
| CITY OF MARION, IOWA | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Sam Liccardo, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
