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Executive Order 14377
Addressing State and Local Failures To Rebuild Los Angeles After Wildfire Disasters
Signed January 23, 2026, printed at 91 FR 3989. 6 sections of substance, 1,719 words.
This order is about the Los Angeles fires. It says state and city leaders failed. It calls for faster federal rebuilding.
Sec. 1. Purpose
One year ago, the California State and Los Angeles city and county governments failed to contain wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles and consumed nearly 40,000 acres of homes and businesses. The State and local governments failed to engage in responsible forest management systems out of a misguided commitment to naturalist and climate policies, which increased the severity of the fires. They failed to maintain water distribution and reservoir systems so that these systems would be available and fully functional in case of emergency. They then failed to quickly communicate evacuation warnings and failed to act decisively or cohesively to contain the fire once it started burning. In fact, Mayor Karen Bass was not in Los Angeles to respond to the crisis because she was traveling abroad. This marked one of the greatest failures of elected political leadership in American history, from
One year ago, the California State and Los Angeles city and county governments failed to contain wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles and consumed nearly 40,000 acres of homes and businesses. The State and local governments failed to engage in responsible forest management systems out of a misguided commitment to naturalist and climate policies, which increased the severity of the fires. They failed to maintain water distribution and reservoir systems so that these systems would be available and fully functional in case of emergency. They then failed to quickly communicate evacuation warnings and failed to act decisively or cohesively to contain the fire once it started burning. In fact, Mayor Karen Bass was not in Los Angeles to respond to the crisis because she was traveling abroad. This marked one of the greatest failures of elected political leadership in American history, from
This states the case the order makes. It says fires burned near 40,000 acres in Los Angeles a year before. It blames state and local government. It says forest care was neglected. It blames climate policy for that. It says water systems were not kept ready. It says warnings came too late. It notes the mayor was abroad.
Sec. 2. Policy
It is the policy of my Administration that federally funded reconstruction projects for homes and businesses in the wildfire-impacted neighborhoods of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon areas proceed with the maximum speed consistent with public safety, and that Federal assistance not be frustrated by unnecessary, duplicative, or obstructive permitting requirements that prevent families and businesses from rebuilding.
It is the policy of my Administration that federally funded reconstruction projects for homes and businesses in the wildfire-impacted neighborhoods of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon areas proceed with the maximum speed consistent with public safety, and that Federal assistance not be frustrated by unnecessary, duplicative, or obstructive permitting requirements that prevent families and businesses from rebuilding.
This states the policy. Rebuilding after the fires must move fast. Federal money pays for that work. Homes are covered. So are businesses. Two burned areas are named. Public safety still sets the pace. It says permit rules must not block the work. Needless and repeat requirements are named.
Sec. 3. Preempting State Permitting Obstacles
(a) The Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary), acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) shall each consider promulgating regulations to advance the policies of this order. In particular, the Administrator of the SBA and the Secretary, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall consider promulgating regulations that: (i) preempt State or local permitting processes, and other similar pre- approval requirements, that each agency has found to have unduly impeded the timely use of Federal emergency-relief funds by homeowners, businesses, or houses of worship in rebuilding such structures following a disaster; and (ii) replace preempted State or local permitting regimes, or other similar pre-approval requirements, with a requirement that builders self-certify to a Federal designee
(a) The Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary), acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) shall each consider promulgating regulations to advance the policies of this order. In particular, the Administrator of the SBA and the Secretary, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall consider promulgating regulations that: (i) preempt State or local permitting processes, and other similar pre- approval requirements, that each agency has found to have unduly impeded the timely use of Federal emergency-relief funds by homeowners, businesses, or houses of worship in rebuilding such structures following a disaster; and (ii) replace preempted State or local permitting regimes, or other similar pre-approval requirements, with a requirement that builders self-certify to a Federal designee
This targets local permits. Two agencies must weigh new rules. One is the disaster agency. The other is the small business agency. Those rules would set aside local permit steps. The test is whether the steps slow the use of relief money. Homes and firms are covered. So are churches. Builders would sign off on their own work instead.
Sec. 4. Expediting Federal Response
(a) The Federal Government has already taken action to expedite administrative processes related to water delivery, as detailed in Executive Order 14181 of January 24, 2025 (Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas). In addition, the heads of relevant executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall seek to use all authorities available under Federal environmental, historic preservation, natural resource laws, or other similar laws, including the National Environmental Protection Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.), to expedite waivers, permits, reviews, consultations, or approvals with respect to homes, businesses, or other such structures proposed to be rebuilt using Federal emergency-relief funds that
(a) The Federal Government has already taken action to expedite administrative processes related to water delivery, as detailed in Executive Order 14181 of January 24, 2025 (Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas). In addition, the heads of relevant executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall seek to use all authorities available under Federal environmental, historic preservation, natural resource laws, or other similar laws, including the National Environmental Protection Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.), to expedite waivers, permits, reviews, consultations, or approvals with respect to homes, businesses, or other such structures proposed to be rebuilt using Federal emergency-relief funds that
This speeds the federal side. A January 2025 order already sped water delivery. Agencies must now use every tool they have. Environment laws are named. So are laws on historic sites. So is the law on rare species. They must speed waivers and permits. Reviews and approvals count too. This covers rebuilding paid for with relief money.
Sec. 5. Legislation
Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary, through the Administrator of FEMA, and the Administrator of the SBA, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the White House Director of Legislative Affairs, shall submit to the President, through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, legislative proposals that enable FEMA and SBA to address situations in which States or local governments are not enabling timely recovery after disasters, including through appropriate regulation.
Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary, through the Administrator of FEMA, and the Administrator of the SBA, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the White House Director of Legislative Affairs, shall submit to the President, through the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, legislative proposals that enable FEMA and SBA to address situations in which States or local governments are not enabling timely recovery after disasters, including through appropriate regulation.
This asks for bills. The disaster agency and the small business agency have 90 days. Two White House aides are consulted. They must send proposals to the President. The budget office passes them on. The aim is to let both agencies act. The target is states that slow recovery after a disaster. Local government counts too.
Sec. 6. Accountability for Use of Taxpayer Dollars
(a) The Secretary, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall: (i) within 30 days of the date of this order, determine what amount, if any, of the nearly $3 billion in unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding granted to California, which was awarded to mitigate hazards, including the threat of future wildfires to the citizens of California, was awarded arbitrarily, capriciously, or contrary to law; and (ii) within 60 days of the date of this order, conduct a Federal audit of California's use of HMGP funding, including of whether funded projects were completed as approved and on time, whether projected risk reduction matched actual outcomes, and whether California used Federal funding in a way that demonstrably mitigated the impact of future wildfires on its citizens. (b) Within 30 days of the completion of the audit described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, the
(a) The Secretary, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall: (i) within 30 days of the date of this order, determine what amount, if any, of the nearly $3 billion in unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding granted to California, which was awarded to mitigate hazards, including the threat of future wildfires to the citizens of California, was awarded arbitrarily, capriciously, or contrary to law; and (ii) within 60 days of the date of this order, conduct a Federal audit of California's use of HMGP funding, including of whether funded projects were completed as approved and on time, whether projected risk reduction matched actual outcomes, and whether California used Federal funding in a way that demonstrably mitigated the impact of future wildfires on its citizens. (b) Within 30 days of the completion of the audit described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, the
This audits California's grant money. The disaster agency has 30 days for the first step. It must review near $3 billion in unspent hazard funds. It must find any awarded without proper basis. It then has 60 days for a full audit. It must see if projects finished on time. It must see if the money cut real fire risk.
Sec. 7. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise effect: (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 related 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. [[Page 3992]] (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Homeland Security. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE,
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise effect: (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 related 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. [[Page 3992]] (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Homeland Security. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE,
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
How this order is quoted
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