By: Richard L. Smith
New Jersey is part of a coalition of 21 states and the District of Columbia asking a federal court to compel the Trump Administration to comply with a prior order preserving a key disaster-preparedness program that supports infrastructure upgrades across the state.
According to a statement from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and her counterparts have filed a motion in U.S. District Court seeking enforcement of a December 2025 ruling.
That order blocked the Federal Emergency Management Agency from terminating the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.
The BRIC initiative, administered by Federal Emergency Management Agency, provides pre-disaster mitigation funding to help communities strengthen infrastructure against floods, storms, and other natural hazards.
State officials say the program has, for decades, helped reduce long-term recovery costs and protect lives and property.
In their latest filing, the states argue that despite the court’s December decision, FEMA has not taken clear steps to reinstate or resume the program.
According to the statement, projects that were prepared to move forward remain stalled, and states have not received guidance on grant funding or next steps.
Some FEMA regional offices have reportedly cited “ongoing litigation” or described the situation as “wait and see,” which the coalition contends reflects a delay in complying with the court’s directive.
State officials emphasized the financial impact of mitigation funding, noting that every federal dollar invested in disaster prevention is estimated to save multiple dollars in post-disaster recovery expenses. In New Jersey alone, federally supported mitigation efforts have saved billions in avoided recovery costs over time.
“New Jersey is no stranger to natural disasters,” Davenport said in part, adding that the state will continue working to ensure residents have access to resources intended to prepare for and lessen the impact of future storms.
The coalition is now asking the court to require the federal government to release the pre-disaster mitigation funds, provide updates on existing BRIC projects, formally communicate that the program remains in effect, and submit status reports detailing compliance efforts.
The matter remains pending before the federal court.