jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Bill 114-HR-5516 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management

National Flood Research and Education Center Act

 This bill establishes within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a National Flood Research and Education Center (NFREC), which shall consist of: (1) an office within NOAA; (2) one public university or college selected by the NOAA Administrator, which shall serve as the lead partner institution with NOAA; and (3) a consortium of other public universities or colleges selected by the Administrator and such lead partner institution based on their ability to fulfill specific purposes of NFREC.

The purposes of NFREC are listed, including to plan, conduct, and arrange for competent public research, data, education, and recommendations within the following categories as they relate to flooding issues nationwide, regionally, and locally: (1) physical sciences, social science, and economic, policy, and risk analysis; (2) risk management; and (3) improvement of existing, and testing of new, risk assessment tools and methods, monitoring and predicting strategies and techniques, and flood management and prevention strategies and techniques.

The bill sets forth criteria for selection of a lead partner institution and consortium members.

NFREC must: (1) partner with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Army Corps of Engineers; (2) collaborate on federal flood-related issues with specified federal agencies; and (3) collaborate and share best practices on regional, state, and locally specific flooding and flood-related issues with state and local governments and with watershed, agriculture, environmental, and business and development organizations.

Review and reporting requirements are set forth. NFREC must establish and make information available on a website.

NFREC may provide technical assistance and demonstration project grant assistance to state and local governments on a competitive basis to assist with implementing recommendations of NFREC or testing new or improved strategies or technologies.
Bill 114-HR-5610 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation

Earthquake Mitigation Tax Incentive Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any amount received as a qualified earthquake mitigation payment. A qualified earthquake mitigation payment is any amount received by a residential property owner or occupant under an earthquake loss mitigation program established by a state (including an agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of the state) or by a state with a tax-exempt organization or public instrumentality of the state.
Bill 114-HR-5774 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce

Equity for Disaster Victims Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act to allow a small business concern, homeowner, or nonprofit entity that received a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan for repairing, rehabilitating, or replacing real property damaged or destroyed by or because of Superstorm Sandy or that received such an SBA loan to refinance a mortgage or other lien against a home or business concern totally destroyed or substantially damaged by or because of the storm to receive Superstorm Sandy CDBG-DR grant funds only if they will be used to repay:

 the principal and any interest accrued on the loan for such repair, rehabilitation, or replacement; or the loan received to refinance the mortgage or other lien. The bill allows these recipients of additional SBA disaster assistance resulting from a declared major disaster to use CDBG-DR grant funds only if they are used for such repayments.

The term Superstorm Sandy CDBG-DR grant funds means mandatory amounts made available by the Department of Housing and Urban Development only for impacted and distressed areas resulting from a declared major disaster due to Superstorm Sandy for activities authorized under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

A small business concern, homeowner, or nonprofit entity who receives assistance pursuant to any other law to repair, rehabilitate, or replace real property damaged or destroyed by or as a result of a declared major disaster on or after enactment of this bill may use such assistance to repay the principal and any interest accrued on a loan or the amount of other assistance received under it.
Bill 114-HR-5953 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Finance and financial sector

National Flood Insurance Program Debt Forgiveness Act of 2016

This bill cancels all indebtedness outstanding as of September 30, 2016, of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under any notes or other obligations issued pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Federal Flood Insurance Act of 1956.

Such cancelled indebtedness may be treated as a public debt of the United States and is designated as an emergency pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.
Bill 114-HR-5964 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management

This bill sets the federal share of major disaster assistance provided to Louisiana under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in connection with flooding events occurring during 2016 at: (1) 90% of the eligible costs for the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged public facilities; and (2) 100% of the eligible costs for assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property and for debris removal.
Bill 114-HR-5968 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce

Small Business Investment Opportunity Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the maximum amount of outstanding leverage (i.e., borrowing power) made available to any licensed small business investment company (SBIC) from $150 million to $170 million.
Bill 114-HR-5969 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce

Investing in Main Street Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase from 5% to 15% of its capital and surplus, the amount a national bank, a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, a nonmember insured bank (to the extent permitted under applicable state law), or a federal savings association may invest in one or more small business investment companies (SBICs), or in any entity established to invest solely in SBICs. The increase is subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency.
Bill 114-HR-5986 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce

Small Business Relief from Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act with respect to Small Business Administration disaster assistance to expand the definition of "disaster" to include the onset of transmissible diseases for which the federal government issues a public health advisory or declaration.
Bill 114-HR-6053 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce

Bring the Jobs Home Loan Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a loan program to assist small business concerns involved in manufacturing to begin the U.S. production of products that would otherwise be imported.

Small business concerns receiving these loans must report to the SBA on: (1) facility and equipment changes made using the loans, and (2) progress made in the production of products in the U.S. The bill allows the SBA to consider the report information in determining whether to provide an additional loan or loan assistance under another SBA program.

It prohibits an individual loan greater than 5% of the total amount available for such loans.
Bill 114-HR-6077 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management

This bill sets the federal share of major disaster assistance provided to Louisiana under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in connection with the major disaster declaration (DR-4263) declared on March 13, 2016, at: (1) 90% of the eligible costs for the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged public facilities; and (2) 100% of the eligible costs for assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property and for debris removal.
Bill 114-HR-6104 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Finance and financial sector

Timely Payments for Flood Victims Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to require that a final determination and notification regarding approval of a claim for damage to or loss of property under the national flood insurance program be made by the expiration of the 30-day period after such claim was made. Such period may be extended by a single additional period of 15 days if extraordinary circumstances are demonstrated. Claims shall be paid as soon as possible after approval.
Bill 114-HR-6137 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation

Louisiana Flood and Storm Devastation Tax Relief Act of 2016 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify several tax provisions and rules for individuals and businesses affected by storms and flooding in Louisiana.

The bill applies to the area with respect to which a major disaster has been declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act:

 before September 3, 2016, by reason of severe storms and flooding occurring in Louisiana during August of 2016; and before April 21, 2016, by reason of severe storms and flooding occurring in Louisiana during March and April of 2016. For individuals and businesses in the specified Louisiana storm and flood disaster area, the bill modifies tax provisions and rules regarding: (1) early withdrawals of retirement funds; (2) employment-related tax credits; (3) charitable contributions; (4) and various tax deductions, exclusions, and credits related to losses and recovery from the storms and flooding.
Bill 114-HR-6196 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Finance and financial sector

Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act

 This bill amends the National Flood Insurance Act to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to require communities participating in the national flood insurance program that have adopted land use control measures to: (1) analyze and map areas in which are located structures and public or nonprofit facilities that have been repetitively damaged by flooding; and (2) develop a community-specific plan for addressing continuing flood risks and make the plan, updates, and reports on progress in reducing flood risk publicly available.

FEMA shall provide sanctions upon communities that fail to comply with the requirements of this bill or to make sufficient progress in reducing the flood risks to areas repeatedly damaged by floods.
Bill 114-HR-6434 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Finance and financial sector

Flood Insurance Reimbursement Standards Transparency Cap Profits Act of 2016 or the FIRST Cap Profits Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the property and casualty insurance companies participating in the "Write Your Own" (WYO) flood insurance program under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Biggert-Waters Act) to implement and comply with the program's oversight and expense reimbursement requirements within one year after enactment of this bill. (The WYO program is a cooperative undertaking between the insurance industry and the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration that allows participating property and casualty insurance companies to write and service standard flood insurance policies.)

The Biggert-Waters Act is amended to require FEMA to prohibit reimbursements to WYO insurers from exceeding 110% of the aggregate amount of the insurer's actual expenses for selling, writing, and servicing flood insurance policies and adjusting flood claims on behalf of the National Flood Insurance Program.

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 is amended to require courts to award litigation costs to plaintiffs who prevail in civil actions for fraud or misrepresentation by an insurance company participating in the WYO program.
Bill 114-S-21 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management

Local Disaster Contracting Fairness Act of 2015

 Prohibits the head of an executive agency from entering into an agreement for debris removal or demolition services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts unless the agreement specifies that: (1) all of the work under the contract will be performed by the prime contractor or one or more subcontractors at one tier under the contract; (2) any work performed under the contract by subcontractors will be performed by local subcontractors, except to the extent that local subcontractors are not available to perform any such work; (3) the prime contractor will act as the project manager or construction manager for the contract; and (4) the prime contractor has primary responsibility for managing all work under the contract and will be paid a certain percentage of the overall value of the contract as sole compensation for assuming the risk associated with such responsibility.

Requires the agency head, in entering into an agreement for debris removal or demolition services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts, to give preference in the source selection process to each offeror who certifies that any work that is to be performed under the contract by subcontractors will be performed by local subcontractors.
Bill 114-S-76 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation

Investment Savings Access After Catastrophes Act of 2015

 Defines "Hurricane Isaac disaster area" for purposes of this Act as any parish or county of Louisiana or Mississippi in an area in which a major disaster has been declared before September 10, 2012, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Isaac.

Provides for tax preferences in the Hurricane Isaac disaster area, including: (1) suspension of limitations on the tax deduction for personal casualty losses, (2) an extension of the carryback period for net operating losses, and (3) tax-free distributions from a retirement plan made on or after August 26, 2012, and before September 11, 2014, to an individual whose principal place of abode on August 26, 2012, was located in the Hurricane Isaac disaster area and who sustained an economic loss due to Hurricane Isaac.

Rescinds unobligated funds in an amount equal to the reduction in revenues resulting from the enactment of this Act.
Bill 114-S-406 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management

Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2015

 Requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to: (1) waive a debt owed to the United States related to federal assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to an individual or household in relation to a major disaster declared by the President between January 1, 2012, and the date of enactment of this Act, unless the debt involves fraud, the intentional presentation of a false claim, or intentional misrepresentation by the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim; and (2) reimburse a debtor for any payments already made on such a debt.
Bill 114-S-487 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Finance and financial sector

Fire-Damaged Home Rebuilding Act of 2015

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to allow local variances for certain residential structures substantially damaged by a fire or other disaster, not including a flood, in a covered area having special flood hazards.

Permits state or local authorities, upon making certain determinations, to grant a variance from compliance with certain mandatory adequate land use and control measures to allow repair and restoration of an eligible structure to its pre-damaged condition without elevation of the structure.

Includes among such determinations that: (1) the repaired and restored structure will be located on the same site as it was before being substantially damaged, and (2) the number of floors of the restored structure will not exceed the number of floors of the original structure.

Restricts the maximum number of such variances to 10 for a covered area during any calendar year.

Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from either: (1) finding that land use and control measures are inadequate or inconsistent with the comprehensive criteria for land management and use because they permit granting the variances identified under this Act; or (2) suspending an area or subdivision from participation in the national flood insurance program, or placing it on probation, because its land use and control measures provide for such variances.

Prohibits the chargeable flood insurance premium rate for a residential structure granted a variance under this Act from being lower than the rate that otherwise would apply if such structure had not been substantially damaged by a fire or other disaster (except a flood) and repaired and restored pursuant to the variance.
Bill 114-S-533 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Science, technology, communications

Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2015

 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2021 the Tsunami Warning and Education Act.

The tsunami warning systems for the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and for the Atlantic Ocean are consolidated into a single warning system. The system must support international tsunami forecasting and warning efforts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must support or maintain tsunami warning centers to support the national warning system and develop uniform operational procedures for the centers. Warning centers are given additional responsibilities, including maintaining a fail-safe warning capability and an ability to perform back-up duties for each other.

The tsunami hazard mitigation program must provide for: (1) technical and financial assistance; (2) activities to support the development of regional hazard and risk assessments; (3) activities to promote preparedness in at-risk ports and harbors; and (4) dissemination of guidelines and standards for community planning, education, and training products, programs, and tools.

The tsunami research program must develop the technical basis for validation of tsunami maps, models, and forecasts.

NOAA no longer has to operate an International Tsunami Information Center to improve tsunami preparedness for Pacific Ocean nations.

NOAA must: (1) designate an existing working group to serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice on matters regarding tsunami science, technology, and regional preparedness; (2) maintain a coordinating committee to assist in the national tsunami hazard mitigation program; and (3) develop formal outreach activities to improve tsunami education and awareness and foster the development of resilient communities.
Bill 114-S-634 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management

Disaster Assistance Fairness and Accountability Act of 2015

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from taking any actions to recoup from a recipient assistance provided in relation to a major disaster declared by the President on or after January 1, 2012, if: (1) the recipient's application was made in good faith and provided accurate information and the receipt of such assistance could reasonably have been expected by the recipient, or (2) the receipt of such assistance occurred more than three years before FEMA first notifies the recipient of FEMA's intent to recoup.

Requires FEMA, in carrying out a recoupment of disaster assistance that is not prohibited under this Act, to provide documentation that demonstrates that the recipient did not apply in good faith with accurate information or could not reasonably have expected to receive such assistance.
Bill 114-S-870 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management

Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act of 2015

Requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to amend the rules concerning the factors it considers when evaluating a governor's request for a major disaster declaration to provide that, with respect to the evaluation of the need for public assistance: (1) specific weighted valuations shall be assigned to the estimated cost of the assistance (10%), localized impacts (40%), insurance coverage in force (10%), hazard mitigation (10%), recent multiple disasters (10%), programs of other federal assistance (10%), and economic circumstances (10%); and (2) FEMA shall consider the economic circumstances of both the local economy of the affected area (including the local assessable tax base and local sales tax, median income, and poverty rate) and the state economy (including the unemployment rate).

Requires such rules to provide that, with respect to the evaluation of the severity, magnitude, and impact of the disaster and the evaluation of the need for assistance to individuals: (1) specific weighted valuations shall be assigned to concentration of damages (20%), trauma (20%), special populations (20%), voluntary agency assistance (10%), insurance (20%), average amount of individual assistance by state (5%), and economic considerations (5%); and (2) FEMA shall consider the economic circumstances of the affected area (including the local assessable tax base and local sales tax, median income, and poverty rate).

Makes such rules applicable to any disaster for which a governor requested a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and was denied on or after January 1, 2012.
Bill 114-S-1090 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include broadcasting facilities within the definition of a "private nonprofit facility" that provides essential services of a governmental nature to the general public, and to include broadcast and telecommunications within the definition of "critical services" provided by such a facility, for purposes of eligibility for certain disaster assistance.
Bill 114-S-1141 — Domestic Commerce / Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation

Small Business Tax Certainty and Growth Act of 2015 

Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should undertake comprehensive tax reform to make the tax system fairer and simpler and to promote economic growth.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the increased tax deductions for business start-up expenditures, organizational expenditures, and organization and syndication fees; (2) allow the cash accounting method for businesses whose gross receipts do not exceed $10 million (currently, $5 million); (3) exempt businesses whose gross receipts do not exceed $10 million from the requirement to use inventories; (4) make permanent a $500,000 allowance for expensing business assets, including computer software; (5) extend for one year the additional depreciation allowance for business assets (bonus depreciation); and (6) make permanent the 15-year straight-line depreciation allowance for qualified leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property.