RIDER Act

The RIDER Act (S 5134) expands eligibility for federal disaster aid under the Stafford Act. It allows areas adjacent to a declared disaster zone (even if not directly declared) to receive aid for the same types of assistance provided to the primary disaster area. It also creates a new definition for "major disaster" to include multiple smaller events (like floods or fires) occurring within 12 months that cumulatively cause significant damage, even if individually they wouldn't qualify. This change directly affects states, local governments, and tribal nations in contiguous areas, as well as residents and households seeking disaster assistance.