Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2011

Bill: 112-s-792
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2011-04-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Floods and storm protection

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-12
text: 
Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive a debt owed to the United States relating to covered assistance (federal assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to individuals and households in relation to a major disaster declared by the President during the period of August 28, 2005-December 31, 2011) if such assistance was distributed based on an error by FEMA. Requires the Administrator to waive a debt owed to the United States relating to covered assistance provided to an individual or household located in an area that the Administrator has identified as having special flood hazards and that is located in a community that does not participate in the national flood insurance program, if the reason for the debt relates to a failure to participate in such program. 
 
Prohibits the Administrator from waiving such a debt that involves fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation by the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim.

action_date: 2012-07-31
text: 
Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2011 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive a debt owed to the United States relating to federal assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to individuals and households in relation to a major disaster declared by the President during the period of August 28, 2005-December 31, 2010, if: (1) such assistance was distributed based on an error by FEMA, (2) there was no fault on behalf of the debtor, and (3) the collection of the debt would be against equity and good conscience. Prohibits the Administrator from waiving such a debt that involves fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation by the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim.
 
Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at 3-month intervals until 18 months after this Act's enactment, to submit a report that assesses the cost-effectiveness of FEMA's efforts to recoup improper payments under the individuals and households program under such Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 478.
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2012-07-31
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2011-05-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2011-04-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2011-04-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2394-2395)
action_date: 2011-04-12
text: Introduced in Senate