FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-8266
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]
Introduced: 2020-09-16 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Cemeteries and funerals
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
First responders and emergency personnel
Food assistance and relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: 

FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020

 
This bill modifies the federal cost share of certain emergency assistance relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the bill provides for (1) a 100% federal cost share of assistance provided under the emergency declaration issued by the President on March 13, 2020, relating to COVID-19 and any subsequent major disaster declaration that supersedes it; and (2) at least a 90% federal cost share of assistance provided for any emergency or major disaster declared by the President from January 1-December 31, 2020.
 
With respect to the emergency declaration issued on March 13, 2020, the President may provide assistance for activities, costs, and purchases of states or local governments or the owners or operators of eligible private nonprofits, including, among other things
 
 
backfill costs for first responders and other essential employees who are ill or quarantined;
 
increased operating costs for essential government services due to such emergency;
 
costs associated with maintaining alternate care facilities or related facilities currently inactive but related to future needs tied to the ongoing pandemic event;
 
personal protective equipment and other critical supplies and services for first responders and other essential employees; and
 
costs of procuring and distributing food to individuals affected by the pandemic through networks established by state, local, or tribal governments or other organizations.
 

action_date: 2020-11-16
text: 

FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020

 
This bill modifies the federal cost share of certain emergency assistance relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the bill provides for (1) a 100% federal cost share of assistance provided under the emergency declaration issued by the President on March 13, 2020, relating to COVID-19 and any subsequent major disaster declaration that supersedes it; and (2) at least a 90% federal cost share of assistance provided for any emergency or major disaster declared by the President from January 1-December 31, 2020.
 
With respect to the emergency declaration issued on March 13, 2020, the President may provide assistance for activities, costs, and purchases of states, Indian tribal governments, or local governments, including, among other things
 
 
backfill costs for first responders and other essential employees who are ill or quarantined;
 
increased operating costs for essential government services due to such emergency;
 
personal protective equipment and other critical supplies and services for first responders; and
 
costs of procuring and distributing food to individuals affected by the pandemic.
 
 
The bill (1) directs the President to provide financial assistance to meet disaster-related funeral expenses and hazard mitigation assistance, and (2) authorizes specified assistance in advance.
 
FEMA must enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to convene a committee of experts to study the use of certain assistance to respond to an emergency that does not cause physical damages.
 
The bill extends by one year federal disaster assistance to individuals and households.

action_date: 2020-11-17
text: 

FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020

 
This bill modifies the federal cost share of certain emergency assistance relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
 
Specifically, the bill provides for (1) a 100% federal cost share of assistance provided under the emergency declaration issued by the President on March 13, 2020, relating to COVID-19 and any subsequent major disaster declaration that supersedes it; and (2) at least a 90% federal cost share of assistance provided for any emergency or major disaster declared by the President from January 1-December 31, 2020. These provisions shall apply to funds appropriated on or after this bill's enactment.
 
With respect to the emergency declaration issued on March 13, 2020, the President may provide assistance for activities, costs, and purchases of states, Indian tribal governments, or local governments, including, among other things
 
 
backfill costs for first responders and other essential employees who are ill or quarantined;
 
increased operating costs for essential government services due to such emergency;
 
personal protective equipment and other critical supplies and services for first responders; and
 
costs of procuring and distributing food to individuals affected by the pandemic.
 
 
The bill (1) directs the President to provide financial assistance to meet disaster-related funeral expenses (subject to the availability of appropriations), and (2) authorizes specified assistance in advance.
 
FEMA must enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to convene a committee of experts to study the use of certain assistance to respond to an emergency that does not cause physical damages.
 
The bill extends by one year federal disaster assistance to individuals and households.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5847-5848)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5847-5848)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8266.
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5847-5849)
action_date: 2020-11-17
text: Mr. DeFazio moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 478.
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-580.
action_date: 2020-11-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-580.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2020-09-30
text: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Discharged.
action_date: 2020-09-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2020-09-16
text: Introduced in House