RIDER Act

The RIDER Act amends the Stafford Act to expand disaster relief eligibility. It allows areas contiguous to a federally declared disaster zone (even if not directly hit) to access the same aid as the declared area, and permits the President to declare a "major disaster" for multiple smaller events occurring within 12 months if their cumulative impact qualifies. This directly affects states, local governments, and tribal nations near declared disaster zones, as well as communities experiencing repeated but individually minor disasters. Covered assistance includes hazard mitigation, individual/household aid, and public assistance under existing Stafford Act programs.