NEWS: U.S. House of Representatives Passes Sens. Schiff and Scott’s Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act

Washington, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Senator Rick Scott’s (R-Fla.) bipartisan Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act unanimously passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote. Senator Adam Schiff is co-leading the bill in the Senate with Senator Rick Scott. U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) is leading in the House, with original co-sponsors Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Jimmy Penetta (D-Calif.), and the late Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.). The bill provides meaningful and long-overdue tax relief for victims of hurricanes and other natural disasters and ensures victims of natural disasters have immediate access to tax relief for years to come. It was recently renamed the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act to honor Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who passed away in January of 2026. The bill would allow for tax relief for victims of federally declared disasters, including hurricanes and wildfires. The bill also extends victims’ ability to make tax deductible payments from wildfire settlements, which often happen many years after a disaster, through January 1, 2027. “Surviving a natural disaster can place an enormous financial burden on families. That’s why it’s critical we support victims of devastating disasters like the wildfires in California and across the country. I’m proud that this bipartisan effort with my colleagues Senator Rick Scott and Representatives Greg Steube and Mike Thompson is advancing through Congress. As we work to get this bill to the President’s desk, we do so as a vital part of the late Doug LaMalfa’s legacy. We need to ensure that those hit the hardest when disaster strikes receive the support and the tax relief they need to recover,” said Senator Adam Schiff. “Floridians are resilient in the face of natural disasters, and we always overcome them. While neighbors help neighbors and communities rebuild, we should be doing everything we can to make it easier on disaster victims in Florida and around the country to put their lives back together. We certainly should not saddle them with more uncertainty about their taxes. I am proud to support this bill to provide Americans critical clarity in the disaster relief process and honor the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s extensive work on this issue. Let’s finish the job and pass this bill,” said Senator Rick Scott. “Floridians are far too familiar with the devastation and costly aftermath that natural disasters bring to their homes and communities. They should not be forced to face additional hardship and uncertainty by navigating a confusing and burdensome tax code after surviving such events. This bill ensures that disaster victims across the country can focus on rebuilding their lives while receiving the relief they deserve. Congressman LaMalfa spent years leading on this issue, and naming this legislation in his honor is a meaningful way to carry that important work forward,” said Congressman Greg Steube. The full text of the bill is available here. ###