State Sovereignty and Adaptive Resilience Act
Protect communities from floods, wildfires, and drought — with states in charge. This law creates $50 billion in low-interest loans for resilience projects. States pick the projects. The federal government can't tell states how to zone their land. Funded by unused money from previous laws — no new spending. Loans get repaid, so the fund keeps working forever. 10-year sunset.
🎯 What This Act Does
State-led resilience with federal support — not federal control
States Stay in Charge
States pick their own projects. The federal government can't tell states how to zone land or set housing rules. Participation is 100% voluntary. No penalties for not joining.
Revolving Loan Funds
States get low-interest loans for resilience projects. As loans are repaid, the money goes back into the fund. The fund works forever without needing more federal money.
Coastal Protection
Restore wetlands and reefs. Build seawalls and flood barriers. Help homeowners elevate buildings. Buy out homes that flood over and over. Nature-based solutions get priority.
Interior Resilience
Fight wildfires before they start. Store water underground for droughts. Fix aging dams and levees. Reduce flood risk along rivers. Help farms save water.
Low-interest loans that keep working — states pick the projects
Resilience Trust Fund
Up to $50 billion in federal money goes to states. States use it for low-interest or zero-interest loans. As loans are repaid, the money comes back to fund more projects.
State Match Required
States must put in 20% from their own funds. This makes sure states have skin in the game. Total available: $60 billion when you add state contributions.
Help for Disadvantaged Areas
Up to 30% of loans can be forgiven for low-income communities. Nature-based projects also get extra help. Priority for areas that need it most.
Protect shorelines, restore wetlands, and prepare for rising seas
Nature-Based Solutions
Restore mangroves, oyster reefs, wetlands, and dunes. Natural barriers that protect communities and grow stronger over time. Zero or low-interest loans available.
Hard Infrastructure
Seawalls, levees, tide gates, flood barriers, and pumping stations. Traditional infrastructure to protect communities from storm surge and flooding.
Strategic Realignment
Voluntary buyouts for homes that flood repeatedly. Land permanently dedicated to open space. Willing sellers only — no forced purchases.
Raise critical infrastructure and homes above projected future flood levels. Get above the water before it rises.
Drought, wildfire, and flood protection for inland states
Reservoirs and detention basins that control floods AND store water for droughts. One investment, two benefits.
Capture extra surface water and store it underground. Pull it back up when drought hits. Natural underground reservoirs.
Fix, upgrade, or remove aging dams and levees. Priority for high-hazard structures. Safer communities downstream.
Clear brush, create fuel breaks, harden utility lines. Fire-resistant building materials. Better evacuation routes.
Healthy soil holds more water. Precision irrigation saves water. Help farms stay productive during droughts.
Reconnect rivers to their natural floodplains. Buy out willing sellers in flood zones. Let nature absorb the water.
Federal help without federal control — states make their own decisions
The federal government can't require states to change zoning rules. No mandated density. No forced changes to lot sizes, setbacks, or parking standards.
States can choose whether to participate. If a state says no, they don't lose any other federal funds. No penalties for non-participation.
Federal government approves plans but can't select or design specific projects. Maximum flexibility for state priorities.
The law follows anti-commandeering rules. Federal government can't force states to enforce any law or policy. Constitutional from the start.
Protecting communities and creating jobs through resilience projects
$60 billion in resilience projects means jobs. Seawalls, levees, dams, flood barriers, utility hardening. Real construction work that protects communities.
$60B in ProjectsDrought-resistant water storage. Precision irrigation. Soil health practices. Wildfire fuel breaks. Help farms stay productive through changing conditions.
Agricultural ResilienceProtect your home from rising seas and storms. Restore natural barriers like wetlands and reefs. Elevate buildings. Voluntary buyouts for repeated flood victims.
Flood Protection30% principal forgiveness for low-income areas. Priority for projects that reduce risk where it's needed most. Nature-based solutions get extra support.
30% Forgiveness