The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (SRIA) amends the Stafford Act to authorize Tribal governments to request a declaration of an emergency or major disaster. Previously Tribal governments were treated as local governments and thus not permitted to directly request disaster declarations from the Federal government. The SRIA also amends the Stafford Act to include federally recognized Indian Tribal governments in numerous references to state and local governments within the Stafford Act.

For additional information on the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (including SRIA updates), go to https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1394805512529-69dda27af3e128a1406387d288fd162c/SRIA+Overview+Fact+Sheet+and+Status+Updated+03042014_508.pdf.