The Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council released its final report on May 7, outlining findings from a federal review of FEMA’s mission, operations, and accountability efforts.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the council conducted what officials described as a comprehensive review of FEMA’s capabilities, operational challenges, and opportunities for reform. President Donald Trump established the council as part of the administration’s broader examination of the agency’s disaster response role and organizational structure.

The report marks a milestone in the administration’s ongoing FEMA reform efforts. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the agency is focused on directing resources to communities and individuals affected by disasters while supporting state, tribal, and local governments during response and recovery operations.

“FEMA is not the first responder, but rather a force multiplier standing shoulder to shoulder with states, tribes, and local governments to ensure rapid and effective recovery,” Mullin said in a statement released with the report.

The secretary also stated that FEMA has undergone operational changes intended to streamline the agency and strengthen readiness capabilities. According to DHS, the administration has implemented reforms independent of the council’s work, including changes tied to fiscal transparency, fraud prevention, and operational readiness.

DHS said the reforms occurred during what it described as a cumulative lapse in department funding that lasted more than 100 days. The department stated that FEMA’s operations became “leaner” and “faster” during that period while remaining focused on supporting state, local, tribal, and territorial partners before, during, and after disasters.

The FEMA Review Council includes federal officials, emergency management leaders, and representatives from state and local governments and law enforcement agencies. DHS identified the council’s members as including Secretary Mullin, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and other disaster response experts from across the country.

According to DHS, the council’s mandate was to advise the president on FEMA’s ability to address disasters “capably and impartially” and to recommend changes that officials believe serve the national interest.

The administration has not yet released details regarding which recommendations from the final report may move forward or whether additional operational changes will be implemented at FEMA in response to the council’s findings.

FEMA plays a central role in coordinating federal disaster assistance and supporting recovery efforts nationwide. The agency works alongside state and local emergency management organizations during natural disasters and other federally declared emergencies.

The release of the final report comes as federal officials continue broader discussions about emergency management operations, disaster preparedness and intergovernmental coordination during response and recovery efforts.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five additional bills into law on Wednesday, including legislation that changes building permit requirements for certain residential construction projects across the state.

The measure, CS/CS/HB 803, titled Building Permits and Inspections, includes provisions related to permitting, inspections, emergency response, and off-site residential construction. The bill received unanimous approval in both chambers of the Florida Legislature and is scheduled to take effect July 1.

Permit Exemptions for Small Residential Projects

One of the bill’s most notable provisions exempts certain small residential projects from local permitting requirements. Under the new law, local governments that issue building permits must exempt owners of single-family dwellings, or their contractors, from obtaining a building permit for work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner’s property.

According to the bill text, local governments may also not inspect work covered by the exemption. However, the legislation specifies that projects cannot be divided into smaller portions to avoid permitting thresholds.

The law still allows local governments to require permits for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work, regardless of the project's appraised value.

Emergency Response and Inspection Provisions

The legislation also includes temporary workforce flexibility following emergencies. Certain out-of-state licensed building officials will be allowed to work in Florida for up to one year after a declared state of emergency.

In addition, the bill requires the Florida Department of Management Services to establish and maintain state term contracts for building code inspection services.

The measure further states that certain individuals who perform work without applicable permits or inspections are not subject to disciplinary action if otherwise authorized by law.

Regulations for Manufactured and Offsite Housing

The legislation includes several provisions related to residential manufactured buildings and offsite-constructed housing.

Under the law, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation may not deny building permits for certain residential manufactured buildings.

Additionally, local governments may not adopt or enforce zoning, land use, or development regulations that treat offsite-constructed residential dwellings differently or more restrictively than comparable dwellings within the same zoning district.

The bill also requires local governments to exempt certain owners and contractors from permit requirements for temporary residential hurricane- and flood-protection walls or barriers that meet specified standards.

Another provision establishes timelines for local governments to make decisions related to certain building permits.

The News Service of Florida contributed to reporting on the legislation. Gov. DeSantis has now signed more than 60 bills into law this year, according to the report.

A federal trademark dispute between a national insurance broker and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company is now before a California court after The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers filed suit over the carrier’s registration of the word “LIBERTY” for insurance-related services.

The lawsuit, filed May 6, 2026, in the US District Court for the Central District of California, accuses Liberty Mutual of attempting to restrict the broker’s long-standing use of the term after years of coexistence between the two companies.

The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, LLC, a Delaware-organized brokerage with offices across the United States, including Woodland Hills, California, is seeking a court declaration that its use of “Liberty” does not infringe on Liberty Mutual’s trademark rights. The brokerage also wants the court to cancel Liberty Mutual’s federal trademark registration for the standalone word “LIBERTY.”

According to the complaint, The Liberty Company has used “THE LIBERTY COMPANY” branding for nearly 40 years and has used “LIBERTY” independently in marketing materials for decades. The filing states that the brokerage has operated the domain libertycompany.com for more than 20 years and prominently features the word “LIBERTY” across its website, emails, advertisements, brochures, and videos. The company provides commercial insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and related business services.

The complaint also details a prior dispute between the companies. According to the filing, Liberty Mutual sent a cease-and-desist letter to the broker in 2007 regarding the use of both “Liberty Company” and Statue of Liberty imagery. The broker alleges that the dispute ended with an agreement allowing continued use of “Liberty Company” on the condition that the brokerage stop using Statue of Liberty visuals. The filing further claims Liberty Mutual referenced the same understanding again in 2016.

In addition, the broker states that it placed millions of dollars in Liberty Mutual policies over the years.

The current dispute centers on Liberty Mutual’s trademark application for the word “LIBERTY,” filed in May 2017. The application covered “insurance underwriting services for all types of insurance; insurance consultancy; insurance information services; insurance administration.”

According to the complaint, trademark examiners initially raised concerns about possible confusion with other “Liberty” trademarks already registered. The filing says Liberty Mutual responded by arguing that the insurance market already contained multiple “Liberty” marks and that insurance buyers were sophisticated enough to distinguish between providers. The trademark registration was ultimately issued on Nov. 2, 2021.

The Liberty Company’s lawsuit alleges that Liberty Mutual claimed use of the standalone “LIBERTY” mark dating back to 1997 without disclosing the broker’s earlier use of the term. The complaint characterizes that conduct as fraud on the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The broker says tensions escalated again on April 8, 2026, when Liberty Mutual’s counsel sent another cease-and-desist letter stating the carrier “will no longer tolerate The Liberty Company’s use of the term ‘Liberty’ in its tradename or trademark for use in connection with insurance and related services.”

The Liberty Company is seeking cancellation of the trademark registration, monetary damages, and declarations that it is the senior user of “LIBERTY” for insurance-related services.

The allegations have not been tested in court. Liberty Mutual has not yet filed a response, and no ruling has been issued on the claims.