Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act
Bill: H.R.4215 | Sponsor: Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira (R-FL)
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act
This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase the loan limits for the disaster loan program and to communicate certain information about the program following disasters.
Specifically, the bill raises from $40,000 to $75,000 the loan amount for repair or replacement of household and personal effects and from $200,000 to $400,000 the loan amount for repair or replacement of a primary residence.
Further, the bill requires the SBA to communicate through radio, television, print, and web-based outlets all relevant information needed by disaster loan applicants if a disaster is declared or the SBA declares eligibility for additional disaster assistance. (Currently, the SBA is only required to endeavor to communicate such information.)
The SBA must submit a report on the disaster loan program that includes information such as the number and dollar value of program loans and the average estimated dollar value of damage sustained by borrowers.

To direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to 
     increase certain disaster loan limits, and for other purposes.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rebuilding Communities After 
Disasters Act''.

SEC. 2. MODIFICATIONS TO THE DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Small Business 
Administration shall revise section 123.105 of chapter 13, Code of 
Federal Regulations, and any other relevant rule or guidance, to ensure 
that the loan limits for the disaster loan program are as follows:
            (1) With respect to a loan for repair or replacement of 
        household and personal effects, $75,000.
            (2) With respect to a loan for repair or replacement of a 
        primary residence, $400,000.
    (b) Requirement To Communicate Information About Disasters.--
Section 7(b)(5) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(5)) is 
amended by striking ``make every effort to''.
    (c) Program Evaluation.--Not later than December 31, 2022, and 
every 12 months thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to the 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the 
Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report on 
the disaster loan program, including--
            (1) a list of the geographic areas in which recipients of 
        loans under such program are located;
            (2) the number and dollar value of the loans made under 
        such program;
            (3) a description of outreach conducted pursuant to 
        subsection (b);
            (4) plans for future outreach relating to the disaster loan 
        program; and
            (5) the average estimated dollar value of damage sustained 
        by borrowers under such program.
    (d) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
            (2) Disaster loan program.--The term ``disaster loan 
        program'' means the loan program established under section 7(b) 
        of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)).
            (3) Small business concern.--The term ``small business 
        concern'' has the meaning given under section 3 of the Small 
        Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
                                 <all>