I 

108TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 4506 

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 

Act to provide assistance for areas that experience a disaster that results 

in major damage to or destruction of 100 homes or fewer. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 3, 2004 

Mr. HASTINGS of Florida (for himself, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. FOLEY, Mr. SHAW, 

and Mr. DEUTSCH) introduced the following bill; which was referred to 

the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 

A BILL 

To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide assistance for areas that 

experience a disaster that results in major damage to 

or destruction of 100 homes or fewer. 

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 ‘‘Small Disaster Assist5 ance Act of 2004’’. 
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1 SEC. 2. ASSISTANCE FOR DISASTERS AFFECTING 100 

2 HOMES OR FEWER. 

3 (a) IN GENERAL.—Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford 

4 Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 

5 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the fol6 lowing new section: 

7 ‘‘SEC. 425. ASSISTANCE FOR DISASTERS AFFECTING 100 

8 HOMES OR FEWER. 

9 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subsection (c), in the 

10 case of an event that results in major damage to or de11 struction of 100 homes or fewer, the President may grant 

12 the request of the Governor of the affected State for a 

13 declaration that a major disaster exists under section 401, 

14 notwithstanding the limited severity and magnitude of the 

15 event, if the President determines that Federal assistance 

16 under this title is necessary due to the existence of 1 or 

17 more factors listed in subsection (b). 

18 ‘‘(b) FACTORS.—In determining whether to grant the 

19 request of the Governor of the affected State under sub20 section (a), the President shall consider whether the fol21 lowing factors exist in the immediate area of the event: 

22 ‘‘(1) A large population of historically and eco23 nomically disadvantaged individuals. 

24 ‘‘(2) A median family income level below the 

25 national, State, or local average. 

26 ‘‘(3) High unemployment. 
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1 ‘‘(4) A large population of uninsured home2 owners or renters. 

3 ‘‘(5) A large elderly population. 

4 ‘‘(6) A high concentration of damage. 

5 ‘‘(7) A high level of trauma, including injuries, 

6 deaths, disruption of community services, and emer7 gency needs. 

8 ‘‘(c) LIMITATIONS ON RELIEF.— 

9 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), 

10 total assistance provided under this title for a major 

11 disaster declared under subsection (a) shall not ex12 ceed— 

13 ‘‘(A) $1,000,000 if the disaster results in 

14 major damage to or destruction of between 1 

15 and 50 homes; or 

16 ‘‘(B) $2,000,000 if the disaster results in 

17 major damage to or destruction of between 51 

18 and 100 homes. 

19 ‘‘(2) LIMITATION.—Total assistance provided 

20 under this title for a major disaster declared under 

21 subsection (a) may exceed the limitation in para22 graph (1) if the President determines that— 

23 ‘‘(A) continued disaster assistance is im24 mediately required; 
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1 ‘‘(B) there is a continuing and immediate 

2 risk to lives, property, public health, or safety; 

3 or 

4 ‘‘(C) necessary assistance will not other5 wise be provided on a timely basis.’’. 

6 (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 

7 subsection (a) shall apply to all disasters occurring on or 

8 after August 1, 2003. 

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