Washington Fights to Restore FEMA Disaster Preparedness Funding

State joins coalition seeking to prevent termination of key BRIC program

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown has filed a motion alongside 20 other attorneys general, asking a federal court to stop FEMA from terminating its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The BRIC program has provided roughly $4.5 billion in funding across the country over the past four years to help communities prepare for natural disasters, but FEMA has signaled plans to end the program despite a previous lawsuit that prevented its termination.

Why it matters

The BRIC program has been a critical source of funding for disaster preparedness efforts in Washington, with over $150 million worth of projects currently in limbo due to the program's uncertain future. The state is also seeking additional FEMA assistance to help recover from recent devastating floods, underscoring the importance of maintaining robust disaster preparedness resources.

The details

Washington is part of a coalition of 21 states that have filed a motion asking a federal court to stop FEMA from terminating the BRIC program. Despite the coalition winning a lawsuit in December to prevent the program's end, FEMA has not resumed funding. The BRIC program has provided roughly $4.5 billion in funding across the country over the past four years to help communities prepare for natural disasters through projects like infrastructure improvements.

  • On February 17, 2026, Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown filed the motion alongside the other 20 attorneys general.
  • In December 2025, the coalition of states won a lawsuit to prevent FEMA from ending the BRIC program.

The players

Nick Brown

The Attorney General of Washington State.

Bob Ferguson

The Governor of Washington State.

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the BRIC program.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let FEMA terminate this critical program that helps communities prepare for natural disasters.”

— Nick Brown, Washington State Attorney General (mybellinghamnow.com)

What’s next

The federal court will decide whether to grant the motion to stop FEMA from ending the BRIC program.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of maintaining robust disaster preparedness funding, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent. The coalition of states is fighting to ensure communities in Washington and across the country can continue to access the resources they need to protect against natural disasters.