Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, together with a coalition of 23 states, has filed a motion in the District Court of Massachusetts seeking enforcement of an order that bars the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program (BRIC). The court previously directed FEMA to reverse its termination of the program.
For three decades, BRIC has provided resources for communities across the country to strengthen infrastructure against natural disasters. The program focuses on mitigation and resilience, aiming to save lives, reduce injuries, protect property, and limit costs related to disaster recovery.
Attorney General Nessel stated: “Even after my colleagues and I went to court and secured an order blocking the Trump administration from unlawfully slashing billions in disaster preparedness funding, FEMA is refusing to comply. No administration is above the law, and we will not stand by while critical programs that protect our communities are stymied. We will hold the Trump administration accountable and ensure Michiganders receive the services they are owed.”
On July 16, 2025, Nessel and other attorneys general sued FEMA to stop it from ending BRIC. They argued that halting this congressionally mandated program delayed or canceled hundreds of mitigation projects nationwide. On December 11, 2025, they won their case; the court ruled FEMA’s action unlawful and ordered restoration of BRIC.
More than two months later, there has been no sign that FEMA has followed through with reinstating BRIC. Regional offices reportedly lack information about resuming operations for BRIC projects. Some offices have indicated that FEMA is taking a “wait and see” approach rather than complying with the court’s directive.
The coalition now asks the court to require FEMA to release pre-disaster mitigation funds as required by law; provide updates on current BRIC projects; notify stakeholders about reversing BRIC’s termination; and submit status reports detailing actions taken toward compliance.
In recent years nearly 2,000 projects nationwide were selected for roughly $4.5 billion in BRIC funding. Michigan alone had 24 approved projects totaling over $29 million in federal support.
According to its official website, Michigan’s Department of Attorney General works statewide on behalf of residents through public service initiatives such as combating human trafficking and supporting vulnerable populations. Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general (source). The office also leads policy efforts like drafting expungement laws (source) while acting as chief legal counsel for consumer protection issues (source).
Other states joining Michigan in this legal action include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts (the lead state), Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont Washington Wisconsin along with Kentucky’s governor and Pennsylvania’s governor.
