Further Continuance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council
Signed: March 24, 2026
Published: March 27, 2026
Document Number: 2026-06075
đSummary
This executive order keeps the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council in place for a little longerâuntil 10 days after it submits its required report to the President, or until May 29, 2026, whichever comes first. It affects the FEMA Review Council and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which will oversee the councilâs operations under the federal rules for advisory committees. The order shifts certain oversight responsibilities that normally belong to the President under those advisory-committee rules to the Secretary of Homeland Security, following government-wide procedures. It replaces the earlier continuation orderâs timing and oversight provisions, and clarifies that it does not change other agenciesâ legal authorities or create new enforceable rights.
đźBusiness Impact
This order mainly affects businesses that rely on FEMA programs or contractsâdisaster-response and debris-removal contractors, construction/engineering firms, insurers and reinsurers, logistics and temporary housing providers, and state/local government vendorsâbecause the continued Review Council can drive near-term changes to FEMA policy, procurement priorities, and program oversight before May 29, 2026. While it doesnât impose new direct compliance obligations, it signals heightened scrutiny and potential process changes (e.g., tighter documentation, performance metrics, and audit readiness) for firms seeking FEMA reimbursement or doing FEMA-funded work, and it creates an opportunity to shape recommendations through industry comments and stakeholder engagement routed through DHS/FACA processes. Immediate actions: review your FEMA-related contracts and reimbursement files for audit defensibility (cost tracking, subcontractor controls, Buy American/prevailing wage where applicable), monitor DHS/FEMA notices and Council outputs through late May, and prepare contingency plans for procurement or eligibility rule changes (including diversifying pipeline beyond FEMA-funded work if youâre heavily exposed).
Full Text
Executive Order 14397 of March 24, 2026
Further Continuance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and consistent with chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Advisory Committee Act), it is hereby ordered:
Section 1 . The Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council, established by Executive Order 14180 of January 24, 2025 (Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management Agency), and continued by Executive Order 14378 of January 23, 2026 (Continuance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council), is further continued until 10 days after the report required under section 3(c) of Executive Order 14180 is submitted to the President, or May 29, 2026, whichever occurs first.
Sec. 2 . Notwithstanding the provisions of any other Executive Order, the functions of the President under the Federal Advisory Committee Act that are applicable to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council shall be performed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in accordance with the regulations, guidelines, and procedures established by the Administrator of General Services.
Sec. 3 . Sections 1 and 2 of Executive Order 14378 are hereby superseded by sections 1 and 2 of this order.
Sec. 4 . General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
( printed page 15510)(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Homeland Security.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 24, 2026.