IB

Union Calendar No. 430

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. R. 3348

[Report No. 104–792]

To direct the President to establish standards and criteria for the provision

of major disaster and emergency assistance in response to snow-related events.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APRIL 29, 1996

Mr. QUINN (for himself, Mr. SOLOMON, Mr. STUPAK, Mr. BOEHLERT, Mr.

RANGEL, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. MASCARA, Mr. CLINGER, Mr. KILDEE, Mr.

HOLDEN, Mr. TRAFICANT, Mrs. KELLY, Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. TORKILDSEN,

Mr. KING, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. GOODLING, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. BLUTE, and Mr. PETRI) introduced the following

bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

SEPTEMBER 17, 1996

Additional sponsors: Mr. ENGLISH of Pennsylvania, Mr. FOX of Pennsylvania,

Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. SANDERS, and Ms. NORTON

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole

House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]

[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 29, 1996]

A BILL

To direct the President to establish standards and criteria

for the provision of major disaster and emergency assistance in response to snow-related events.
2

•HR 3348 RH

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Snow Removal Policy

5 Act of 1996’’.

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

7 Congress finds that—

8 (1) winter snow storms in recent years, and par9 ticularly in 1996, have interrupted essential public

10 services and utilities, caused widespread disruption of

11 vital transportation networks, stranded many motor12 ists, and isolated many homes and businesses;

13 (2) the impact of the winter snow storms was of

14 such severity and magnitude that effective response

15 was beyond the capability of State and local govern16 ments;

17 (3) the policy of the Federal Emergency Manage18 ment Agency for providing major disaster and emer19 gency assistance in response to snow-related events is

20 unclear; and

21 (4) regulations should be promulgated for provid22 ing major disaster and emergency assistance in re23 sponse to snow-related events in order to ensure the

24 fair treatment of States and local governments that

25 have incurred costs associated with such a response.
3

•HR 3348 RH

1 SEC. 3. RULEMAKING TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS AND CRI2 TERIA FOR SNOW-RELATED EVENTS.

3 (a) NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING.—The Presi4 dent, acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency

5 Management Agency, shall issue a notice of proposed rule6 making to promulgate—

7 (1) standards and criteria for declaring a major

8 disaster or emergency under the Robert T. Stafford

9 Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in re10 sponse to a snow-related event; and

11 (2) standards and criteria for providing assist12 ance under such Act in the case of a snow-related

13 major disaster or emergency, including reimburse14 ment for snow removal and for debris removal and

15 emergency protective measures.

16 (b) REQUIREMENT.—Rules to be promulgated under

17 this section shall ensure that in determining the eligibility

18 of a State or local government for assistance in connection

19 with a snow-related event, the President will give consider20 ation to existing capabilities of the State or local govern21 ment.

22 (c) DEADLINES.—The President, acting through the

23 Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency,

24 shall issue—
4

•HR 3348 RH

1 (1) a proposed rule under this section not later

2 than 3 months after the date of the enactment of this

3 Act; and

4 (2) a final rule under this section not later than

5 9 months after such date of enactment.

Union Calendar No. 430

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. R. 3348

[Report No. 104–792]

A BILL

To direct the President to establish standards and

events.emergency assistance in response to snow-relatedcriteria for the provision of major disaster and

SEPTEMBER 17, 1996

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Commitordered to be printed tee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and