139 
SEC. 532. GENERAL WAIVERS AND MODIFICATIONS. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, unless enacted with specific reference to this 
section, the Secretary is authorized to waive or modify any 
statutory or regulatory provision described in section 
2(a)(2) of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for 
Students Act of 2003 (20 U.S.C. 1098bb(a)(2)) to ensure 
that— 
(1) administrative requirements placed on af-
fected students, affected individuals, affected institu-
tions, lenders, guaranty agencies, and grantees are 
minimized to the extent possible without impairing 
the integrity of the higher education programs under 
the Higher Education Act of 1965, to ease the bur-
den on such participants; or 
(2) institutions of higher education, lenders, 
guaranty agencies, and other entities participating in 
the student financial assistance programs under title 
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, that serve 
a covered disaster area may be granted temporary 
relief from requirements that are rendered infeasible 
or unreasonable due to the effects of a covered dis-
aster, including due diligence requirements and re-
porting deadlines. 
(b) AUTHORITY TO EXTEND OR WAIVE REPORTING 
REQUIREMENTS UNDER SECTION 131(a).—The Secretary 
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is authorized to extend reporting deadlines or waive re-
porting requirements under section 131(a) of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015(a)) for an af-
fected institution. 
(c) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subtitle shall be 
construed— 
(1) to allow the Secretary to waive or modify 
any applicable statutory or regulatory requirements 
prohibiting discrimination in a program or activity, 
or in employment or contracting, under existing law 
(in existence on the date of the Secretary’s action); 
or 
(2) to authorize any refunding of any repay-
ment of a loan. 
SEC. 533. MODIFICATION OF PART A OF TITLE II GRANTS 
AUTHORIZED. 
The Secretary is authorized to approve modifications 
to the requirements for Teacher Quality Enhancement 
Grants for States and Partnerships under part A of title 
II of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1022 
et seq.), at the request of the grantee— 
(1) to assist States and local educational agen-
cies to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers in 
a school district located in a covered disaster area; 
and 
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(2) to assist institutions of higher education, lo-
cated in such area to recruit and retain faculty nec-
essary to prepare teachers and provide professional 
development. 
SEC. 534. AUTHORIZED USES OF TRIO, GEAR-UP, PART A OR 
B OF TITLE III, TITLE V, AND OTHER GRANTS. 
The Secretary is authorized to modify the required 
and allowable uses of funds under chapters 1 and 2 of 
subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 et seq., 1070a–21 et 
seq.), under part A or B of title III of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
1057 et seq., 1060 et seq.), under title V of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), and under any other competitive 
grant program, at the request of an affected institution 
or other grantee, with respect to affected institutions and 
other grantees located in a covered disaster area. The Sec-
retary may, under the authority of this section, authorize 
new construction, renovation, or improvement of class-
rooms, libraries, laboratories, or other instructional facili-
ties that is not authorized under the institution’s grant 
award, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, 
under part A or B of title III, or title V, of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965. 
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SEC. 535. PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—A financial aid administrator 
shall be considered to be making an adjustment in accord-
ance with section 479A(a) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087tt(a)) if the financial aid adminis-
trator makes the adjustment with respect to the calcula-
tion of the expected student or parent contribution (or 
both) for an affected student, or for a student or a parent 
who resides or resided, or was employed— 
(1) in a covered disaster area due to Hurricane 
Irma, on September 5, 2017; or 
(2) in a covered disaster area due to Hurricane 
Maria, on September 16, 2017. 
(b) DOCUMENTATION.—The financial aid adminis-
trator shall adequately document the need for the adjust-
ment. 
SEC. 536. EXPANDING INFORMATION DISSEMINATION RE-
GARDING ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL PELL 
GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make special 
efforts, in conjunction with State efforts, to notify affected 
students and if applicable, their parents, who qualify for 
means-tested Federal benefit programs, of their potential 
eligibility for a maximum Federal Pell Grant under section 
401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
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1070a), and shall disseminate such informational mate-
rials as the Secretary deems appropriate. 
(b) 
MEANS-TESTED
FEDERAL
BENEFIT
PRO-
GRAM.—For the purpose of this section, the term ‘‘means- 
tested Federal benefit program’’ means a mandatory 
spending program of the Federal Government, other than 
a program under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), in which eligibility for the program’s 
benefits, or the amount of such benefits, or both, are de-
termined on the basis of income or resources of the indi-
vidual or family seeking the benefit, and may include such 
programs as the supplemental security income program 
under title XVI of the Social Security Act, the food stamp 
program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, the free and 
reduced price school lunch program established under the 
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, the tem-
porary assistance to needy families program established 
under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act, and 
the women, infants, and children program established 
under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, and 
other programs identified by the Secretary. 
SEC. 537. PROCEDURES. 
(a) REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS INAPPLICABLE.— 
Sections 482(c) and 492 of the Higher Education Act of 
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144 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1089(c), 1098a) and section 553 of title 
5, United States Code, shall not apply to this subtitle. 
(b) NOTICE OF WAIVERS, MODIFICATIONS, OR EX-
TENSIONS.—Notwithstanding section 437 of the General 
Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232) and section 
553 of title 5, United States Code, the Secretary shall 
make publicly available, by notice in the Federal Register, 
the waivers, modifications, or extensions granted under 
this subtitle. 
(c) CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.—The Secretary is not re-
quired to exercise any waiver or modification authority 
under this subtitle on a case-by-case basis. 
SEC. 538. TEMPORARY DEFERRAL FOR AFFECTED FED-
ERAL STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law, an affected borrower of a covered Federal stu-
dent loan shall be eligible for deferment, in the same man-
ner and subject to the same conditions as deferments are 
provided for covered Federal student loans under section 
428(b)(1)(M) or 455(f)(1) of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(1)(M); 1087e(f)(1)), for the 
1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(b) EXTENSION.—The Secretary may extend a 
deferment provided under subsection (a) for not more than 
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two 1-year periods, if the Secretary determines that condi-
tions warrant such an extension. 
(c) APPLICABILITY TO OTHER LAW.—Any deferment 
provided to an affected borrower under this section shall 
not impact the affected borrower’s eligibility for any other 
deferment under section 428(b)(1)(M) or 455(f)(2) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078(b)(1)(M), 
1087e(f)(2)). 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AFFECTED
BORROWER.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘affected borrower’’ means an individual— 
(A) who is a borrower of a covered Federal 
student loan; and 
(B) whose primary place of residency was, 
as of September 5, 2017, in Puerto Rico or the 
Virgin Islands. 
(2) COVERED FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN.—The 
term ‘‘covered Federal student loan’’ means a loan 
made, insured, or guaranteed under part B or D of 
title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1071 et seq.; 1078a et seq.). 
SEC. 539. TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY. 
The authority of the Secretary to issue waivers or 
modifications under this subtitle (except for section 538) 
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shall expire at the conclusion of the 2017–2018 academic 
year. 
SEC. 540. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO COLLEGE AC-
CESS. 
(a) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this section to 
establish a program that enables college-bound residents 
of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to have greater 
choices among institutions of higher education. 
(b) GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—From the total amount ap-
propriated under subsection (o) for a fiscal year, the 
Secretary shall provide to each Governor for such 
fiscal year an amount that bears the same relation 
to such total amount appropriated as the population, 
aged 15 to 17, inclusive, in the Governor’s State in 
the preceding fiscal year bears to the sum of the 
populations, aged 15 to 17, inclusive, in both the 
Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, in the preceding fis-
cal year. Such amounts provided to each Governor 
shall be used to award grants to eligible institutions 
that enroll eligible students to pay the difference be-
tween the tuition and fees charged for in-State stu-
dents and the tuition and fees charged for out-of- 
State students on behalf of each eligible student en-
rolled in the eligible institution. 
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(2) MAXIMUM STUDENT AMOUNTS.—The grant 
amount paid on behalf of an eligible student under 
this section shall be— 
(A) not more than $15,000 for any one 
award year (as defined in section 481 of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1088)); and 
(B) not more than $45,000 in the aggre-
gate. 
(3) PRORATION.—Each Governor shall prorate 
payments under this section for students who attend 
an eligible institution on less than a full-time basis. 
(c) REDUCTION
FOR
INSUFFICIENT
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—If the funds appropriated 
pursuant to subsection (o) for any fiscal year are in-
sufficient to award a grant in the amount deter-
mined under subsection (b) on behalf of each eligible 
student enrolled in an eligible institution, then each 
Governor, in consultation with the Secretary, shall— 
(A) first, ratably reduce the amount of the 
tuition and fee payment made on behalf of each 
eligible student who has not received funds 
under this section for a preceding year; and 
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(B) after making reductions under sub-
paragraph (A), ratably reduce the amount of 
the tuition and fee payments made on behalf of 
all other eligible students. 
(2) ADJUSTMENTS.—Each Governor, in con-
sultation with the Secretary, may adjust the amount 
of tuition and fee payments made under paragraph 
(1) based on— 
(A) the financial need of the eligible stu-
dents to avoid undue hardship to the eligible 
students; or 
(B) undue administrative burdens on the 
Governor. 
(3) 
FURTHER
ADJUSTMENTS.—Notwith-
standing paragraphs (1) and (2), each Governor 
may prioritize the making or amount of tuition and 
fee payments under this subsection based on the in-
come and need of eligible students. 
(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to require an institution of higher 
education to alter the institution’s admissions policies or 
standards in any manner to enable an eligible student to 
enroll in the institution. 
(e) APPLICATIONS.—Each student desiring that a 
Governor award a grant under this section to an eligible 
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149 
institution on behalf of the student shall submit an appli-
cation to the eligible institution at such time, in such man-
ner, and accompanied by such information as the eligible 
institution may require. 
(f) EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub-
section (h), each application submitted under sub-
section (e) shall contain or be accompanied by an 
agreement by the applicant that the applicant will— 
(A) maintain full-time employment within 
the State where the applicant was domiciled, as 
described in subsection (m)(3)(A), for a period 
of not less than 2 years within the 4-year pe-
riod after the date the applicant completes the 
course of study for which the applicant received 
grant assistance under this section; and 
(B) submit evidence of such employment in 
the form of a certification by the employer upon 
completion of each year of such employment. 
(2) FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO CARRY OUT EM-
PLOYMENT OBLIGATION.—In the event that an ap-
plicant is determined to have failed or refused to 
carry out the employment obligation described in 
paragraph (1), the sum of the grant assistance 
under this section received by such applicant shall be 
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151 
enrolled at an institution of higher education in one 
or more postbaccalaureate programs and is main-
taining satisfactory progress in the course of study 
the student is pursuing in accordance with section 
484(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1091(c)), the employment obligation in the 
agreement under subsection (f) shall begin once such 
recipient is no longer continuously enrolled. 
(i) ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each Governor shall carry 
out the program authorized under this section in 
consultation with the Secretary. Each Governor may 
enter into a grant, contract, or cooperative agree-
ment with another public or private entity to admin-
ister the program under this section if the Governor 
determines that doing so is a more efficient way of 
carrying out the program. 
(2) POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.—Each Gov-
ernor, in consultation with institutions of higher 
education eligible for participation in the program 
authorized under this section, shall develop policies 
and procedures for the administration of the pro-
gram. 
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152 
(3) MEMORANDUM
OF
AGREEMENT.—Each 
Governor and the Secretary shall enter into a Memo-
randum of Agreement that describes— 
(A) the manner in which the Governor 
shall consult with the Secretary with respect to 
administering the program authorized under 
this section; and 
(B) any technical or other assistance to be 
provided to the Governor by the Secretary for 
purposes of administering the program (which 
may include access to the information in the 
common financial reporting form developed 
under section 483 of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090)). 
(j) GOVERNOR’S REPORT.—Each Governor shall re-
port to the authorizing committees annually regarding— 
(1) the number of eligible students attending 
each eligible institution and the amount of the grant 
assistance paid to such institutions on behalf of the 
eligible students; 
(2) the extent, if any, to which a ratable reduc-
tion was made in the amount of tuition and fee pay-
ments made on behalf of eligible students; 
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153 
(3) the progress in obtaining recognized aca-
demic credentials of the cohort of eligible students 
for each year; and 
(4) the number of eligible students whose grant 
assistance under this section has been converted to 
a loan, and the repayment of such loans. 
(k) GAO REPORT.—Beginning on the date of enact-
ment of this section, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall monitor the effect of the program au-
thorized under this section on educational opportunities 
for eligible students. The Comptroller General shall ana-
lyze whether eligible students had difficulty gaining admis-
sion to eligible institutions because of any preference af-
forded in-State residents by eligible institutions, and shall 
expeditiously report any findings regarding such difficulty 
to the authorizing committees and each Governor. In addi-
tion, the Comptroller General shall— 
(1) analyze the extent to which there are an in-
sufficient number of eligible institutions to which 
students from the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico 
can gain admission, including admission aided by as-
sistance provided under this section, due to— 
(A) caps on the number of out-of-State 
students the institution will enroll; 
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154 
(B) significant barriers imposed by aca-
demic entrance requirements (such as grade 
point average and standardized scholastic ad-
missions tests); and 
(C) absence of admission programs benefit-
ting minority students; and 
(2) report the findings of the analysis described 
in paragraph (1) to the authorizing committees and 
each Governor. 
(l) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) PERSONNEL.—The Secretary shall arrange 
for the assignment of an individual, pursuant to sub-
chapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States 
Code, to serve as an adviser to each Governor with 
respect to the program authorized under this sec-
tion. 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES.—Each Gov-
ernor may use not more than 5 percent of the funds 
made available for the program authorized under 
this section for a fiscal year to pay the administra-
tive expenses of the program for the fiscal year. 
(3) INSPECTOR
GENERAL
REVIEW.—The pro-
gram authorized under this section shall be subject 
to audit and other review by the Inspector General 
of the Department of Education in the same manner 
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as programs are audited and reviewed under the In-
spector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.). 
(4) GIFTS.—Each Governor may accept, use, 
and dispose of donations of services or property for 
purposes of carrying out this section. 
(5) MAXIMUM
STUDENT
AMOUNT
ADJUST-
MENTS.—Each Governor shall establish rules to ad-
just the maximum student amounts described in 
subsection (b)(2)(B) for eligible students who trans-
fer between the eligible institutions. 
(m) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) AUTHORIZING
COMMITTEES.—The term 
‘‘authorizing committees’’ has the meaning given the 
term in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003). 
(2) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘eligi-
ble institution’’ means an institution that— 
(A) is a public 4-year institution of higher 
education located in one of the several States of 
the United States, the District of Columbia, or 
Guam; 
(B) is eligible to participate in the student 
financial assistance programs under title IV of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1070 et seq.); and 
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156 
(C) enters into an agreement with a Gov-
ernor containing such terms and conditions as 
the Governor and institution may jointly speci-
fy, including a requirement that the institution 
use the funds made available under this section 
to supplement and not supplant assistance that 
otherwise would be provided to eligible students. 
(3) ELIGIBLE
STUDENT.—The term ‘‘eligible 
student’’ means an individual who— 
(A) was domiciled in the Virgin Islands or 
Puerto Rico for not less than the 12 consecutive 
months preceding the commencement of the 
freshman year of the individual at an institu-
tion of higher education; 
(B) graduated from a secondary school in 
the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, or received 
the recognized equivalent of a secondary school 
diploma while domiciled in the Virgin Islands or 
Puerto Rico, on or after January 1, 2013; 
(C) begins the individual’s undergraduate 
course of study within the 3 calendar years (ex-
cluding any period of service on active duty in 
the Armed Forces, or service under the Peace 
Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.) or subtitle 
C of title I of the National and Community 
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157 
Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.)) 
of graduation from a secondary school, or ob-
taining the recognized equivalent of a secondary 
school diploma; 
(D) is enrolled or accepted for enrollment, 
on at least a half-time basis, in a baccalaureate 
degree or other program (including a program 
of study abroad approved for credit by the eligi-
ble institution at which such student is en-
rolled) leading to a recognized educational cre-
dential at an eligible institution; 
(E) if enrolled in an eligible institution, is 
maintaining satisfactory progress in the course 
of study the student is pursuing in accordance 
with section 484(c) of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091(c)); 
(F) while enrolled in an eligible institution, 
maintains the State where the applicant was 
domiciled pursuant to subparagraph (A) as the 
individual’s principal place of residence for pur-
poses of the laws of such State; and 
(G) has not completed the individual’s first 
undergraduate baccalaureate degree course of 
study. 
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158 
(4) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(5) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 
the Governor of the Virgin Islands or the Governor 
of Puerto Rico. 
(6) SECONDARY
SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘sec-
ondary school’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Education. 
(8) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the mean-
ing given the term in section 103 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003). 
(n) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
with respect to payments for periods of instruction that 
begin on or after January 1, 2017. 
(o) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$330,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2018 through 
2023, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 
succeeding fiscal years. Such funds shall remain available 
until expended. 
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159 
Subtitle 
D—Disaster 
Relief 
for 
Other Education and Related 
Programs 
SEC. 551. DEFINITIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Unless otherwise specified in this 
subtitle, the terms used in this subtitle have the meanings 
given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(b) ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of 
this subtitle: 
(1) AFFECTED
HEAD
START
AGENCY.—The 
term ‘‘affected Head Start agency’’ means a Head 
Start agency, including an early Head Start agency, 
receiving a significant number of children from a 
covered disaster area. 
(2) CHILD
WITH
A
DISABILITY.—The term 
‘‘child with a disability’’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabil-
ities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401). 
(3) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible enti-
ty’’ means— 
(A) a local educational agency (as defined 
in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabil-
ities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401)) if such 
agency is located in a covered disaster area; 
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(B) a State educational agency (as defined 
in section 602 of such Act) of Puerto Rico or 
the Virgin Islands; or 
(C) a State interagency coordinating coun-
cil established under section 641 of such Act 
(20 U.S.C. 1441) if such council is located in 
a covered disaster area. 
(4) INDIVIDUAL ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY A 
COVERED
DISASTER.—The term ‘‘individual ad-
versely affected by a covered disaster’’ means an in-
dividual who was living, working, or attending 
school— 
(A) on September 5, 2017, in a covered 
disaster area due to Hurricane Irma; or 
(B) on September 16, 2017, in a covered 
disaster area due to Hurricane Maria. 
(5) INFANT
OR
TODDLER
WITH
A
DIS-
ABILITY.—The term ‘‘infant or toddler with a dis-
ability’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
632 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
Act (20 U.S.C. 1432). 
(6) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of Education. 
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161 
SEC. 552. AGREEMENTS TO EXTEND CERTAIN DEADLINES 
OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES 
EDUCATION ACT TO FACILITATE THE PROVI-
SION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO CHIL-
DREN WITH DISABILITIES. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—The Secretary may enter into an 
agreement described in subsection (b) with an eligible enti-
ty to extend certain deadlines under the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) re-
lated to providing special education and related services, 
including early intervention services, to individuals ad-
versely affected by a covered disaster. 
(b) TERMS
OF AGREEMENTS.—An agreement re-
ferred to in subsection (a) is an agreement with an eligible 
entity made in accordance with subsection (e) that may 
extend the applicable deadlines under one or more of the 
following sections: 
(1) Section 612(a)(15)(C) of the Individuals 
with 
Disabilities 
Education 
Act 
(20 
U.S.C. 
1412(a)(15)(C)), by extending up to an additional 
30 days the deadline for submission of the annual 
report to the Secretary and the public regarding the 
progress of the State and of children with disabilities 
in the State. 
(2) Section 616(b)(1)(A) of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 1416(b)(1)(A)), by extending up to an addi-
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162 
tional 30 days the deadline for finalization of the 
State performance plan. 
(3) Section 641(e)(1)(D) of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 1441(e)(1)(D)), by extending up to an addi-
tional 30 days the deadline for submission to the 
Governor of a State and the Secretary of the report 
on the status of early intervention programs for in-
fants and toddlers with disabilities and their families 
operated within the State. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed— 
(1) as permitting the waiver of— 
(A) any applicable Federal civil rights law; 
(B) any student or family privacy protec-
tions, including provisions requiring parental 
consent for evaluations and services; 
(C) any procedural safeguards required 
under section 615 or 639 of the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
1415, 1439); or 
(D) any requirements not specified in sub-
section (b); or 
(2) as removing the obligation of the eligible en-
tity to provide a child with a disability or an infant 
or toddler with a disability and their families— 
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163 
(A) a free appropriate public education 
under part B of the Individuals with Disabil-
ities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.); or 
(B) early intervention services under part 
C of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.). 
(d) DURATION
OF
AGREEMENT.—An agreement 
under this section shall terminate at the conclusion of the 
2017–2018 academic year. 
(e) REQUEST TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT.—To 
enter into an agreement under this section, an eligible en-
tity shall submit a request to the Secretary at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as the 
Secretary may require. 
SEC. 553. HEAD START AND CHILD CARE AND DEVELOP-
MENT BLOCK GRANTS. 
(a) HEAD START.— 
(1) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE, GUIDANCE, AND 
RESOURCES.—From the amount made available for 
Head Start in this Act, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services shall provide training and technical 
assistance, guidance, and resources through the Re-
gion 2 offices of the Administration for Children and 
Families (and may provide training and technical as-
sistance, guidance, and resources through other re-
gional offices of the Administration, at the request 
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164 
of such offices that administer affected Head Start 
agencies) to Head Start agencies in a covered dis-
aster area, and to affected Head Start agencies, to 
assist the agencies and entities involved to address 
the health and counseling needs of infants, toddlers, 
and young children affected by a covered disaster. 
Such training and technical assistance may be pro-
vided by contract or cooperative agreement with 
qualified national, regional, or local providers. 
(2) WAIVER.—For such period up to September 
30, 2018, and to such extent as the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services considers appropriate, 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services— 
(A) may waive section 640(b) of the Head 
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9835(b)) for Head Start 
agencies located in a covered disaster area and 
other affected Head Start agencies; and 
(B) shall waive requirements of docu-
mentation for individuals adversely affected by 
a covered hurricane disaster who participate in 
a Head Start program or an Early Head Start 
program funded under the Head Start Act. 
(b) CHILD
CARE
AND
DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK 
GRANT.— 
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165 
(1) CHILD
CARE
AND
DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK 
GRANT ACT OF 1990.—For such period up to Sep-
tember 30, 2018, and to such extent as the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services considers to 
be appropriate, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services may waive, for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Is-
lands, and any State serving significant numbers of 
individuals adversely affected by a covered disaster, 
provisions of the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.)— 
(A) relating to Federal income limitations 
on eligibility to receive child care services for 
which assistance is provided under such Act; 
(B) relating to work requirements applica-
ble to eligibility to receive child care services for 
which assistance is provided under such Act; 
(C) relating to limitations on the use of 
funds under section 658G of the Child Care 
and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 9858e); 
(D) preventing children designated as evac-
uees from receiving priority for child care serv-
ices provided under such Act, except that chil-
dren residing in a State and currently receiving 
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166 
services should not lose such services to accom-
modate evacuee children; and 
(E) relating to any non-Federal or capital 
contribution required (including copayment or 
other cost sharing by parents receiving child 
care assistance) to match Federal funds pro-
vided under programs administered by the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services. 
(2) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GUIDANCE.— 
The Secretary of Health and Human Services may 
provide assistance to States for the purpose of pro-
viding training, technical assistance, and guidance to 
eligible child care providers (as defined in section 
658P of the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n)) who are li-
censed and regulated, as applicable, by the States, to 
enable such providers to provide child care services 
for children and families described in paragraph (1). 
Such training and technical assistance may be pro-
vided through intermediary organizations, including 
those with demonstrated experience in providing 
training and technical assistance to programs serv-
ing school-age children up to age 13, involved in re-
instituting child care services on a broad scale in a 
covered disaster area. 
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167 
TITLE VI—ECONOMIC DEVELOP-
MENT 
ASSISTANCE 
AND 
WORKER PROTECTIONS 
SEC. 601. TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Out of funds of the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2018: For an additional 
amount for ‘‘Training and Employment Services’’, 
$25,000,000, for the dislocated workers national reserve 
to provide assistance under subparagraph (B) or (as ap-
propriate) subparagraph (C) of section 170(b)(1) of the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 
3225(b)(1)) for necessary expenses in Puerto Rico and the 
Virgin Islands directly related to Hurricanes Irma and 
Maria, to remain available until expended. 
(b) TRANSFERS.—The Secretary of Labor may trans-
fer up to $3,500,000 of the amount described in sub-
section (a) to any other Department of Labor account for 
other reconstruction and recovery needs, including worker 
protection activities, in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands 
related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. 
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168 
SEC. 602. EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR POSSESSIONS OF 
THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO THE 
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT AND THE 
CHILD TAX CREDIT. 
(a) EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 32 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘(n) TREATMENT OF POSSESSIONS.— 
‘‘(1) PAYMENTS TO POSSESSIONS.— 
‘‘(A) MIRROR
CODE
POSSESSION.—The 
Secretary of the Treasury shall periodically (but 
not less frequently than annually) pay to each 
possession of the United States with a mirror 
code tax system amounts equal to the loss to 
that possession by reason of the application of 
this section (determined without regard to para-
graph (2)) with respect to taxable years begin-
ning after December 31, 2016. Such amounts 
shall be determined by the Secretary of the 
Treasury based on information provided by the 
government of the respective possession. 
‘‘(B) OTHER
POSSESSIONS.—The Sec-
retary of the Treasury shall periodically (but no 
less frequently than annually) pay to each pos-
session of the United States which does not 
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169 
have a mirror code tax system amounts esti-
mated by the Secretary of the Treasury as 
being equal to the aggregate benefits that would 
have been provided to residents of such posses-
sion by reason of the application of this section 
for taxable years beginning after December 31, 
2016, if a mirror code tax system had been in 
effect in such possession. The preceding sen-
tence shall not apply with respect to any posses-
sion of the United States unless such possession 
has a plan, which has been approved by the 
Secretary of the Treasury, under which such 
possession will promptly distribute such pay-
ments to the residents of such possession. 
‘‘(2) COORDINATION
WITH
CREDIT
ALLOWED 
AGAINST UNITED STATES INCOME TAXES.—No cred-
it shall be allowed under this section for any taxable 
year to any person— 
‘‘(A) to whom a credit is allowed against 
taxes imposed by the possession by reason of 
this section (determined without regard to this 
paragraph) for such taxable year, or 
‘‘(B) who is eligible for a payment under 
a plan described in paragraph (1)(B) with re-
spect to such taxable year. 
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170 
‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS AND SPECIAL RULES.— 
‘‘(A) 
POSSESSION
OF
THE
UNITED 
STATES.—For purposes of this subsection, the 
term ‘possession of the United States’ includes 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Is-
lands. 
‘‘(B) MIRROR
CODE
TAX
SYSTEM.—For 
purposes of this subsection, the term ‘mirror 
code tax system’ means, with respect to any 
possession of the United States, the income tax 
system of such possession if the income tax li-
ability of the residents of such possession under 
such system is determined by reference to the 
income tax laws of the United States as if such 
possession were the United States, and such 
system includes a tax credit substantially iden-
tical to the credit allowed under this section. 
‘‘(C) TREATMENT
OF
PAYMENTS.—For 
purposes of section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, 
United States Code, or any similar rule of law, 
any payment made under this subsection shall 
be treated in the same manner as a refund due 
from the credit allowed under this section.’’. 
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171 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made 
by this subsection shall apply with respect to taxable 
years beginning after December 31, 2016. 
(b) EQUITABLE TREATMENT
FOR RESIDENTS
OF 
PUERTO RICO WITH RESPECT
TO
THE REFUNDABLE 
PORTION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 24(d)(1) of the In-
ternal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘or section 933’’ after ‘‘section 112’’. 
(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made 
by paragraph (1) shall apply to taxable years begin-
ning after December 31, 2016. 
(c) PAYMENTS TO VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GUAM FOR 
LOST REVENUE WITH RESPECT TO THE CHILD TAX 
CREDIT.—Section 24 of such Code is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘(h) PAYMENTS TO VIRGIN ISLANDS AND GUAM FOR 
LOST REVENUE.—The Secretary shall make annual pay-
ments to the Virgin Islands and to Guam in amounts 
equal to the aggregate loss to the Virgin Islands or Guam, 
as the case may be, by reason of the application of this 
section with respect to taxable years beginning after 2016. 
Such amounts shall be determined by the Secretary based 
on information provided by the Virgin Islands and Guam. 
For purposes of section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United 
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172 
States Code, the payments under this subsection shall be 
treated in the same manner as a refund due from the cred-
it allowed under this section.’’. 
SEC. 603. REQUIREMENT TO USE LOCAL LABOR. 
In carrying out relief and recovery efforts relating to 
a covered disaster in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, 
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency shall ensure that— 
(1) to the greatest extent practicable, individ-
uals who carry out such efforts are individuals who 
reside in a covered disaster area; 
(2) workers are protected by project labor 
agreements; and 
(3) local, family-sustaining union jobs are pro-
tected. 
SEC. 604. MINIMUM WAGE FOR YOUNG EMPLOYEES IN 
PUERTO RICO. 
Section 6(g) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 
1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(g)) is amended— 
(1) by striking paragraph (2) and redesignating 
paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) 
through (4), respectively; 
(2) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘or (2)’’; and 
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173 
(3) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘20 years, except’’ and all that follows 
through the period and inserting ‘‘20 years.’’. 
SEC. 605. OVERTIME HOURS PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS 
IN PUERTO RICO. 
Section 404 of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Manage-
ment, and Economic Stability Act (48 U.S.C. 2193) is re-
pealed. 
SEC. 606. UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE FOR PUERTO RICO 
AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. 
(a) EXTENSION OF DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT BEN-
EFIT PERIOD.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 
410(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5177(a)) or 
any regulations implementing that section— 
(A) in the case of an individual who is ap-
plying for unemployment assistance under that 
section 410(a) as a result of a covered dis-
aster— 
(i) the individual shall file the applica-
tion for unemployment assistance not later 
than July 11, 2018; and 
(ii) the individual shall submit all doc-
umentation required to be submitted in 
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174 
support of an application described in 
clause (i) not later than 90 days after the 
date on which the application was filed; 
and 
(B) in the case of an individual who is eli-
gible to receive unemployment assistance under 
that section 410(a) as a result of a covered dis-
aster, the President shall make such assistance 
available for 52 weeks after the date on which 
the President declared the covered disaster. 
(2) REGULATIONS.—The Secretary of Labor 
may prescribe any operating instructions or regula-
tions necessary to carry out this subsection. 
(b) OTHER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.—Section 
903 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1103) is amend-
ed by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘Special Transfer in Fiscal Year 2018 
‘‘(h) Not later than 10 days after the date of the en-
actment of this subsection, the Secretary of the Treasury 
shall transfer from the Federal unemployment account, to 
remain available until expended— 
‘‘(1) $325,000,000 to the account of the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico in the Unemployment 
Trust Fund; and 
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175 
‘‘(2) $25,000,000 to the account of the United 
States Virgin Islands in the Unemployment Trust 
Fund.’’. 
SEC. 607. EXTENSION OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY 
INCOME PROGRAM TO TERRITORIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 303 of the Social Security 
Amendments of 1972 (86 Stat. 1484) is amended by strik-
ing subsection (b). 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) 
DEFINITION
OF
STATE.—Section 
1101(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1301(a)(1)) is amended by striking the fifth sen-
tence and inserting the following: ‘‘Such term when 
used in title XVI includes Puerto Rico, the United 
States 
Virgin 
Islands, 
Guam, 
and 
American 
Samoa.’’. 
(2) ELIMINATION
OF
LIMIT
ON
TOTAL
PAY-
MENTS
TO
THE
TERRITORIES.—Section 1108 of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1308) is amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking ‘‘; 
LIMITATION ON TOTAL PAYMENTS’’; 
(B) by striking subsection (a); and 
(C) in subsection (c), by striking para-
graphs (2) and (4) and redesignating para-
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176 
graphs (3) and (5) as paragraphs (2) and (4), 
respectively. 
(3) UNITED STATES NATIONALS TREATED THE 
SAME AS CITIZENS.—Section 1614(a)(1)(B) of such 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(a)(1)(B)) is amended— 
(A) in clause (i)(I), by inserting ‘‘or na-
tional,’’ after ‘‘citizen’’; 
(B) in clause (i)(II), by adding ‘‘; or’’ at 
the end; and 
(C) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘or na-
tional’’ after ‘‘citizen’’. 
(4) TERRITORIES
INCLUDED
IN
GEOGRAPHIC 
MEANING OF UNITED STATES.—Section 1614(e) of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382c(e)) is amended by strik-
ing ‘‘and the District of Columbia’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United 
States 
Virgin 
Islands, 
Guam, 
and 
American 
Samoa’’. 
(c) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—The Commissioner of So-
cial Security may waive or modify any statutory require-
ment relating to the provision of benefits under the Sup-
plemental Security Income Program under title XVI of the 
Social Security Act in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, 
Guam, or American Samoa, to the extent that the Com-
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177 
missioner deems it necessary in order to adapt the pro-
gram to the needs of the territory involved. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section and the amend-
ments made by this section shall take effect on the first 
day of the first Federal fiscal year that begins one year 
or more after the date of the enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 608. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PRO-
GRAMS. 
Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, there is appropriated, pursuant to section 703 of 
the Public Works and Economic Development Act (42 
U.S.C. 3233), an additional amount for ‘‘Economic Devel-
opment Assistance Programs’’, for necessary expenses re-
lated to disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration 
of infrastructure in areas covered by the declaration of a 
major disaster under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5121 et seq.) as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, 
$235,612,500 for fiscal year 2018, to remain available 
until expended, of which— 
(1) $228,750,000 shall be made available for 
Puerto Rico; and 
(2) $6,862,500 shall be made available for the 
Virgin Islands. 
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178 
SEC. 609. APPROPRIATION TO CDFI FUND FOR DISASTER 
RELIEF IN PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN IS-
LANDS. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 
(1) the term ‘‘community development financial 
institution’’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 103 of the Community Development Banking 
and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 
4702); and 
(2) the term ‘‘Fund’’ means the Community 
Development Financial Institutions Fund established 
under section 104(a) of the Community Develop-
ment Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 
1994 (12 U.S.C. 4703(a)). 
(b) APPROPRIATION.—Out of funds of the Treasury 
not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the 
Fund $250,000,000, which shall— 
(1) be used for financial and technical assist-
ance to community development financial institu-
tions for costs relating to disaster relief and long- 
term recovery in covered disaster areas; and 
(2) remain available during the 5-year period 
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. 
(c) SUSPENSION
OF MATCHING REQUIREMENT.— 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during the 5- 
year period beginning on the date of enactment of this 
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Act, there shall be no requirement to match any assistance 
provided by the Fund to community development financial 
institutions for costs relating to disaster relief and long- 
term recovery in covered disaster areas with funds from 
sources other than the Federal Government. 
SEC. 610. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND. 
Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, there is appropriated to the Community Develop-
ment Fund of the Department of Housing and Urban De-
velopment $48,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, to re-
main available until expended, for necessary expenses for 
activities authorized under title I of the Housing and Com-
munity Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) 
related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration 
of infrastructure and housing, and economic revitalization 
in the most impacted and distressed areas that are covered 
disaster areas, of which $46,000,000,000 shall be for such 
areas in Puerto Rico and $2,000,000,000 shall be for such 
areas in the Virgin Islands: Provided, That funds shall be 
awarded directly to the State or unit of general local gov-
ernment at the discretion of the Secretary of Housing and 
Urban Development (referred to in this section as the 
‘‘Secretary’’): Provided further, That as a condition of 
making any grant, the Secretary shall certify in advance 
that such grantee has in place proficient financial controls 
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180 
and procurement processes and has established adequate 
procedures to prevent any duplication of benefits as de-
fined in section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155), 
to ensure timely expenditure of funds, to maintain com-
prehensive websites regarding all disaster recovery activi-
ties assisted with these funds, and to detect and prevent 
waste, fraud, and abuse of funds: Provided further, That 
prior to the obligation of funds a grantee shall submit a 
plan to the Secretary for approval detailing the proposed 
use of all funds, including criteria for eligibility and how 
the use of these funds will address long-term recovery and 
restoration of infrastructure and housing and economic re-
vitalization in the most impacted and distressed areas: 
Provided further, That such funds may not be used for 
activities reimbursable by, or for which funds are made 
available by, the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
or the Army Corps of Engineers: Provided further, That 
funds allocated under this section shall not be considered 
relevant to the non-disaster formula allocations made 
under section 106 of the Housing and Community Devel-
opment Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306): Provided further, 
That a State, subdivision thereof, or unit of general local 
government may use not more than 5 percent of its alloca-
tion for administrative costs: Provided further, That in ad-
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ministering the funds under this section, the Secretary 
may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any 
provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary 
administers in connection with the obligation by the Sec-
retary or the use by the recipient of these funds (except 
for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimina-
tion, labor standards, and the environment), if the Sec-
retary finds that good cause exists for the waiver or alter-
native requirement and such waiver or alternative require-
ment would not be inconsistent with the overall purpose 
of title I of the Housing and Community Development Act 
of 1974: Provided further, That, notwithstanding the pre-
ceding proviso, recipients of funds provided under this sec-
tion that use such funds to supplement Federal assistance 
provided under section 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, or 502 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) may adopt, with-
out review or public comment, any environmental review, 
approval, or permit performed by a Federal agency, and 
such adoption shall satisfy the responsibilities of the re-
cipient with respect to such environmental review, ap-
proval, or permit: Provided further, That, notwithstanding 
section 104(g)(2) of the Housing and Community Devel-
opment Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(g)(2)), the Secretary 
may, upon receipt of a request for release of funds and 
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certification, immediately approve the release of funds for 
an activity or project assisted under this section if the re-
cipient has adopted an environmental review, approval, or 
permit under the preceding proviso or the activity or 
project is categorically excluded from review under the Na-
tional Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.): Provided further, That the Secretary shall publish 
via notice in the Federal Register any waiver, or alter-
native requirement, to any statute or regulation that the 
Secretary administers under title I of the Housing and 
Community Development Act of 1974 not later than 5 
days before the effective date of the waiver or alternative 
requirement: Provided further, That of the amounts made 
available under this section, not more than $10,000,000 
may be transferred, in aggregate, to ‘‘Department of 
Housing and Urban Development—Program Office Sala-
ries and Expenses—Community Planning and Develop-
ment’’ for necessary costs, including information tech-
nology costs, of administering and overseeing the obliga-
tion and expenditure of amounts under this section. 
SEC. 611. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DISASTER 
LOANS. 
Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, there is appropriated to the Disaster Loans Pro-
gram Account of the Small Business Administration 
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$2,730,729,378 for fiscal year 2018, to remain available 
until expended, to carry out the loan program authorized 
under section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
636(b)) in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 
SEC. 612. TEMPORARY INCREASE IN NEW MARKETS TAX 
CREDIT FOR INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES SERVING COVERED 
DISASTER AREAS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (f) of section 45D of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding 
at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(4) TEMPORARILY INCREASED SPECIAL ALLO-
CATION FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES 
SERVING DISASTER AREAS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—In the case of cal-
endar year 2018, the new markets tax credit 
limitation shall be increased by an amount 
equal to $1,000,000,000, to be allocated among 
qualified community development entities to 
make qualified low-income community invest-
ments within any covered federally declared dis-
aster area. 
‘‘(B) ALLOCATION
OF
INCREASE.—The 
amount of the increase in limitation under sub-
paragraph (A) shall be allocated by the Sec-
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retary under paragraph (2) to qualified commu-
nity development entities and the Secretary 
shall give priority, when appropriate, to such 
entities with a record of having successfully 
provided capital or technical assistance to busi-
nesses or communities within any covered feder-
ally declared disaster area or areas for which 
the allocation is requested. 
‘‘(C) APPLICATION OF CARRYFORWARD.— 
Paragraph (3) shall be applied separately with 
respect to the amount of any increase under 
subparagraph (A). 
‘‘(D) COVERED
FEDERALLY
DECLARED 
DISASTER AREA.—For purposes of this para-
graph, the term ‘covered federally declared dis-
aster area’ means any disaster area in Puerto 
Rico or the Virgin Islands resulting from any 
federally declared disaster occurring in calendar 
year 2017. For purposes of the preceding sen-
tence, the terms ‘Federally declared disaster’ 
and ‘disaster area’ have the meanings given 
such terms in section 165(i)(5). 
‘‘(E) PAYMENTS TO VIRGIN ISLANDS FOR 
LOST REVENUE.—The Secretary shall make an-
nual payments to the Virgin Islands in amounts 
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equal to the aggregate loss to the Virgin Is-
lands, as the case may be, by reason of the ap-
plication of this section with respect to taxable 
years beginning after 2017. Such amounts shall 
be determined by the Secretary based on infor-
mation provided by the Virgin Islands. For pur-
poses of section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United 
States Code, the payments under this sub-
section shall be treated in the same manner as 
a refund due from the credit allowed under this 
section.’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to calendar years beginning after 
2017. 
SEC. 613. FULL RUM COVER OVER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 7652 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 is amended— 
(1) by striking subsection (f); and 
(2) by redesignating subsections (g) and (h) as 
subsections (f) and (g), respectively. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply with respect to distilled spirits 
brought into the United States after December 31, 2016. 
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SEC. 614. TEMPORARY MODIFICATION TO TAX HOME AND 
CLOSER CONNECTION TEST. 
For purposes of paragraph (2) of section 937(a) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of the tax-
able year of an individual that includes September 5, 
2017, if such individual does not have a tax home outside 
the Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, and does not have a 
closer connection to the United States or a foreign coun-
try, for the period of such taxable year preceding such 
date, such section shall be applied without regard to such 
paragraph for the period of such taxable year on or after 
such date. 
SEC. 615. INCOME ALLOCABLE TO FIXED PLACE OF BUSI-
NESS. 
For purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
(including determining source and transfer pricing), any 
person that has a fixed place of business in the Virgin 
Islands or Puerto Rico at any time during the period be-
ginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on August 31, 
2017, may elect to treat income in connection with such 
business for the period beginning September 5, 2017, and 
ending on December 31, 2017, as derived from the con-
duct of a trade or business within the Virgin Islands or 
Puerto Rico. 
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SEC. 616. FEDERAL PERMITTING. 
During the 5-year period beginning on the date of 
enactment of this Act, the President shall take necessary 
actions to expedite the issuance of Federal permits re-
quired for construction projects in Puerto Rico and the 
Virgin Islands. 
TITLE VII—ENVIRONMENTAL 
REMEDIATION 
SEC. 701. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORIC PRESERVA-
TION FUND. 
(a) FUNDING.—Out of funds of the Treasury not oth-
erwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Historic 
Preservation Fund of the National Park Service 
$2,130,000 for fiscal year 2018, to remain available until 
expended, for necessary expenses relating to the con-
sequences of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, of 
which— 
(1) $1,300,000 is for necessary expenses in 
Puerto Rico; and 
(2) $830,000 is for necessary expenses in the 
Virgin Islands. 
(b) WAIVER OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, the non-Federal share 
of the cost of any program or activity carried out using 
funds provided under this section shall be zero. 
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SEC. 702. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ENVI-
RONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND MANAGEMENT. 
Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, there is appropriated to the Environmental Pro-
grams and Management Account of the Environmental 
Protection Agency $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2018, to re-
main available until expended, for necessary expenses re-
lating to the consequences of Hurricane Irma and Hurri-
cane Maria, of which— 
(1) $700,000 is for necessary expenses in Puer-
to Rico; and 
(2) $400,000 is for necessary expenses in the 
Virgin Islands. 
SEC. 703. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND. 
Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, there is appropriated to the Hazardous Substance 
Superfund established by section 9507(a) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, 
to remain available until expended, for necessary expenses 
in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands relating to the con-
sequences of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. 
SEC. 704. LEAKING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK FUND. 
Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, there is appropriated to the Leaking Underground 
Storage Tank Trust Fund established by section 9508(a) 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 $2,760,000 for fis-
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cal year 2018, to remain available until expended, for nec-
essary expenses relating to the consequences of Hurricane 
Irma and Hurricane Maria, of which— 
(1) $2,600,000 is for necessary expenses in 
Puerto Rico; and 
(2) $160,000 is for necessary expenses in the 
Virgin Islands. 
SEC. 705. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GRANTS. 
(a) FUNDING.—Out of funds of the Treasury not oth-
erwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary 
of the Interior $7,054,000 for fiscal year 2018, to remain 
available until expended, of which— 
(1) $6,800,000 is for grants— 
(A) to restore and rebuild units of the Na-
tional Park System, units of the National Wild-
life Refuge System, and other Federal public 
assets in Puerto Rico; and 
(B) to increase the resiliency and capacity 
of coastal habitat and infrastructure in Puerto 
Rico to withstand storms and reduce the dam-
age caused by storms; and 
(2) $254,000 is for grants— 
(A) to restore and rebuild units of the Na-
tional Park System, units of the National Wild-
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life Refuge System, and other Federal public 
assets in the Virgin Islands; and 
(B) to increase the resiliency and capacity 
of coastal habitat and infrastructure in the Vir-
gin Islands to withstand storms and reduce the 
damage caused by storms. 
(b) WAIVER OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—Notwith-
standing any other provision of law, the non-Federal share 
of the cost of any program or activity carried out using 
funds provided under this section shall be zero. 
SEC. 706. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL 
RESTORATION. 
(a) PUERTO RICO.— 
(1) ENVIRONMENTAL
RESTORATION, ARMY.— 
Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, there is appropriated to the Environmental 
Restoration, Army account of the Department of 
Defense $6,335,000 for fiscal year 2018, to remain 
available until expended, to carry out environmental 
restoration activities at Army locations in Puerto 
Rico. 
(2) ENVIRONMENTAL
RESTORATION, NAVY.— 
Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise appro-
priated, there is appropriated to the Environmental 
Restoration, Navy account of the Department of De-
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fense $333,677,000 for fiscal year 2018, to remain 
available until expended, to carry out environmental 
restoration activities at Navy locations in Puerto 
Rico. 
(3) 
ENVIRONMENTAL
RESTORATION, 
AIR 
FORCE.—Out of funds of the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, there is appropriated to the Environ-
mental Restoration, Air Force account of the De-
partment of Defense $1,408,000 for fiscal year 
2018, to remain available until expended, to carry 
out environmental restoration activities at Air Force 
locations in Puerto Rico. 
(4) ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, FORMERLY 
USED DEFENSE SITES.—Out of funds of the Treas-
ury not otherwise appropriated, there is appro-
priated to the Environmental Restoration, Formerly 
Used Defense Sites account of the Department of 
Defense $161,028,000 for fiscal year 2018, to re-
main available until expended, to carry out environ-
mental restoration activities at sites formerly used 
by the Department of Defense in Puerto Rico. 
(5) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE 
ACCOUNT.—Out of funds of the Treasury not other-
wise appropriated, there is appropriated to the De-
partment of Defense Base Closure Account estab-
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lished by section 2906(a) of the Defense Base Clo-
sure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title 
XXIX of Public Law 101–510; 10 U.S.C. 2687 
note) $46,896,000 for fiscal year 2018, to remain 
available until expended, to carry out environmental 
restoration activities at properties in Puerto Rico 
disposed of pursuant to a base closure law. 
(b) VIRGIN ISLANDS.—Out of funds of the Treasury 
not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the 
Environmental Restoration, Formerly Used Defense Sites 
account of the Department of Defense $6,406,000 for fis-
cal year 2018, to remain available until expended, to carry 
out environmental restoration activities at sites formerly 
used by the Department of Defense in the Virgin Islands. 
SEC. 707. ADDITIONAL RECOVERY ASSISTANCE FOR PUER-
TO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS FUND. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF FUND.—There is estab-
lished in the Treasury a fund, to be known as the ‘‘Addi-
tional Recovery Assistance for Puerto Rico and the Virgin 
Islands Fund’’ (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Fund’’), 
consisting of such amounts as are appropriated to the 
Fund under subsection (b). 
(b) FUNDING.—Out of funds of the Treasury not oth-
erwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Fund 
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$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, to remain available until 
expended. 
(c) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.—Amounts in the Fund 
shall be available without further appropriation to the Ad-
ministrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the 
Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Defense, and the 
Secretary of the Interior to carry out projects authorized 
under this title in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that 
are not eligible for assistance under the public assistance 
grant program. 
SEC. 708. UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 
CONSTRUCTION. 
Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise ap-
propriated, there is appropriated for an additional amount 
for the Construction Account of the United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2018, to 
remain available until expended, for necessary expenses re-
lated to the consequences of Hurricanes Irma and Maria 
in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. 
SEC. 709. ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE CHIEF OF EN-
GINEERS IN PUERTO RICO. 
In carrying out activities under this title in Puerto 
Rico, the Chief of Engineers— 
(1) shall prioritize recycling and composting; 
and 
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(2) may not use air curtain incinerators in 
cleaning up debris. 
SEC. 710. LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND PARITY. 
Section 200305(b) of title 54, United States Code, 
is amended by striking paragraph (5). 
TITLE VIII—LONG-TERM RESIL-
IENT EMERGENCY DISASTER 
RELIEF PLAN 
SEC. 801. LONG-TERM DISASTER RELIEF PLAN FOR PUER-
TO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 8 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination 
with the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Adminis-
trator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Sec-
retary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary 
of the Interior, the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary 
of Commerce, shall submit to Congress a plan for Federal 
disaster relief response in the case of Puerto Rico or the 
Virgin Islands experiencing a category 4 or higher hurri-
cane event. 
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The plan required to be estab-
lished under subsection (a) shall— 
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(1) include a strategy for providing disaster re-
lief to Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands after expe-
riencing 2 or more consecutive category 4 or higher 
hurricane events; and 
(2) be developed in consultation with the may-
ors and other elected officials of each unit of local 
government affected by Hurricane Irma or Maria. 
TITLE IX—FEMA PROVISIONS 
SEC. 901. WAIVER OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE REQUIRE-
MENTS. 
(a) PUBLIC ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.—Not-
withstanding any other provision of law, any amounts 
awarded for a covered disaster area relating to a covered 
disaster under the public assistance grant program shall 
not be subject to a non-Federal share requirement. 
(b) HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM.—The 
President shall contribute 100 percent of the cost of eligi-
ble hazard mitigation measures in a covered disaster area 
under section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c). 
(c) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ADDRESS OTHER 
NEEDS UNDER INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PRO-
GRAM.—Notwithstanding section 408(g)(2)(A) of the Rob-
ert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(g)(2)(A)), or any other provision of 
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law, for purposes of financial assistance provided under 
subsection (c) of such section to an individual or household 
located in a covered disaster area, the Federal share shall 
be 100 percent. 
SEC. 902. HAZARD MITIGATION. 
(a) PERCENTAGE
FOR HMGP CONTRIBUTIONS.— 
Notwithstanding sections 322 and 404 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5165 and 5170c), the total contributions under 
such section 404 shall not exceed 20 percent of the esti-
mated aggregate amount of grants to be made (less any 
associated administrative costs) under such Act. 
(b) ADVANCE ASSISTANCE PERCENTAGE.—For haz-
ard mitigation measures to be carried out in a covered 
disaster area relating to a covered disaster, section 404(e) 
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c(e)) shall be applied by 
substituting ‘‘shall provide 25 percent’’ for ‘‘may provide 
not more than 25 percent’’. 
(c) MINIMUM AMOUNT
FOR HAZARD MITIGATION 
BASED ON 6-MONTH ESTIMATE.—For a covered disaster, 
the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made in 
a covered disaster area for purposes of section 404 of the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assist-
ance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c) shall not be less than the esti-
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mate of such aggregate amount of grants in the projection 
described in section 207.5(b)(2) of title 44, Code of Fed-
eral Regulations. 
SEC. 903. REPAIR, RESTORATION, AND REPLACEMENT OF 
DAMAGED FACILITIES. 
(a) COST-EFFECTIVENESS
OF MITIGATION MEAS-
URES.—For purposes of contributions for mitigation 
measures for a facility in a covered disaster area under 
section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5172) a mitigation 
measure shall be considered to be cost-effective if the cost 
of the measures does not exceed 25 percent of the total 
eligible repair cost of the facility. 
(b) BENEFIT-COST METHODOLOGY.—If a benefit- 
cost analysis methodology is used to determine the cost- 
effectiveness of a mitigation measure that exceeds 25 per-
cent of the total eligible repair cost of the facility, as de-
scribed in subsection (a), under section 406 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5172), the benefit-cost analysis methodology 
shall take into consideration— 
(1) hazard mitigation benefits; 
(2) expected economic benefits, including job 
creation; and 
(3) expected environmental benefits. 
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SEC. 904. COMMUNITY DISASTER LOANS. 
(a) TREATMENT AS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERN-
MENTS.—Notwithstanding section 102 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5122), for purposes of assistance under section 
417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184), with respect to 
a covered disaster— 
(1) Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands shall be 
deemed to be local governments; and 
(2) an instrumentality or local government of 
Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands shall be deemed 
to be a local government. 
(b) REPAYMENT CANCELLATION.—Repayment of a 
loan made to a local government in a covered disaster area 
under section 417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184), in-
cluding any interest on such loan, shall not be required. 
(c) ELIGIBLE USE OF LOAN.—Any loan made to a 
local government in a covered disaster area under section 
417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emer-
gency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184) may be used at 
the discretion of the loan recipient to pay the upfront costs 
of any project relating to the covered disaster for which 
amounts are awarded under the public assistance grant 
program. 
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(d) LIMITATION ON USE OF LOAN.—Any loan made 
under section 417 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Re-
lief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5184) in 
a covered disaster area may not be used to pay principal 
or interest due on a bond or other debt that was issued 
or incurred before the date of the covered disaster. 
SEC. 905. WAIVER OF LIMIT ON MANAGEMENT COSTS. 
For a covered disaster, the $20,000,000 limit on 
management costs described in section 207.5(c) of title 44, 
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto, 
shall not apply. 
SEC. 906. MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVID-
UALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM. 
For purposes of financial assistance provided under 
section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) to an indi-
vidual or household located in a covered disaster area, sub-
section (h)(1) of such section shall be applied by sub-
stituting ‘‘$75,000’’ for ‘‘$25,000’’. 
SEC. 907. RESTORATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRA-
STRUCTURE. 
(a) DEFINITIONS.—Section 102 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5122) is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
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‘‘(13) TELECOMMUNICATIONS
CARRIER.—The 
term ‘telecommunications carrier’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 3 of the Communications 
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 153).’’. 
(b) ELIGIBILITY OF FEDERAL RESOURCES.—Section 
403(a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) MAINTENANCE
AND
RESTORATION
OF 
COMMUNICATIONS.—Using Federal equipment, sup-
plies, facilities, personnel, and other resources, other 
than the extension of credit, to assist telecommuni-
cations carriers in the maintenance and restoration 
of communications during or in the aftermath of a 
major disaster.’’. 
SEC. 908. AVAILABILITY OF TRANSLATORS. 
(a) FEMA AND CORPS OF ENGINEERS.—Until the 
end of the period for providing assistance relating to a 
covered disaster, the Administrator of the Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency and the Chief of Engineers 
shall ensure that the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency and the Corps of Engineers, respectively, have 
each assigned not less than 2 translators who are fluent 
in English and Spanish to each of the following regions: 
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(1) The region surrounding San Juan, Puerto 
Rico. 
(2) The region surrounding Arecibo, Puerto 
Rico. 
(3) The region surrounding Mayagu¨ez, Puerto 
Rico. 
(4) The region surrounding Ponce, Puerto Rico. 
(b) OTHER AGENCIES.—Until the end of the period 
for providing assistance relating to a covered disaster, the 
head of each other agency providing assistance in Puerto 
Rico relating to a covered disaster shall ensure that the 
agency has assigned not less than 1 translator who is flu-
ent in English and Spanish to Puerto Rico. 
TITLE X—EMERGENCY FUNDING 
Subtitle A—General Provisions 
SEC. 1001. EXTENSION OF CLAIM FILING DEADLINE. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any re-
quest for assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et 
seq.) in relation to a covered disaster shall be submitted 
not later than 240 days after the date of the covered dis-
aster. 
SEC. 1002. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION. 
Each amount appropriated under this Act is des-
ignated by the Congress as being for an emergency re-
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