Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience Act of 2025; CLEAR Act of 2025
Summary
The Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience Act of 2025, or CLEAR Act of 2025, authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide grants to states, territories, and Indian tribes. These grants are intended to support the establishment and maintenance of local resiliency offices. The goal is to enhance community resilience against extreme weather and other challenges.
Expected Effects
The Act aims to improve local capacity to plan for and respond to various risks. This includes environmental hazards, economic disruptions, infrastructure vulnerabilities, health crises, and housing challenges. By providing funding and technical assistance, the Act seeks to foster more resilient communities.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced local resilience planning and implementation.
- Improved coordination among government agencies and local jurisdictions.
- Prioritization of projects benefiting disadvantaged communities.
- Increased access to resources for pre-disaster mitigation and recovery.
- Support for long-term community and economic recovery efforts.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic inefficiencies in grant distribution and oversight.
- Risk of funds being mismanaged or used for purposes other than intended.
- Possible delays in implementation due to the need for establishing new offices and frameworks.
- Dependence on the Secretary of HUD's discretion in defining 'disadvantaged community'.
- Administrative costs could reduce the overall funds available for direct resilience efforts.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote the well-being of communities by enhancing their resilience to various challenges. The Act's focus on providing grants to states, territories, and Indian tribes also aligns with the principles of federalism, allowing for tailored approaches to resilience based on local needs and circumstances. The enumerated power to regulate commerce could also be used to justify the bill.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).