Tribal governments can now directly request a disaster declaration from the president.

In the past, tribes needed to make a disaster request through a state governor, the same process counties follow.

The change recognizes the sovereignty of tribal governments, say officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

President Obama signed the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 earlier this year. In passing the bill, Congress amended the Stafford Act to provide federally recognized tribal governments an option. They can choose whether to make a request directly to the president, or be included in a state disaster request as in the past.

FEMA is consulting with the 566 American Indian tribes across the country and will develop new temporary rules later this year according to Beth Zimmerman, deputy associate administrator for the federal Office of Response & Recovery.