lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2011-10-24 00:00:00

Prohibits federal assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for the construction of a covered levee from being conditioned on its dismantlement, except as provided for in a status certificate. Requires the Chief of Engineers to provide a status certificate for each levee constructed with federal assistance provided under that Act. Defines "covered levee" to mean a levee or similar structure constructed: (1) in response to a major disaster or emergency; and (2) in an area in which at least one other such structure was constructed in response to such a disaster or emergency, and subsequently dismantled, during the 10-year period preceding the date on which the President declares the major disaster or emergency. Defines "status certificate" to mean a written determination by the Chief of Engineers that a levee or similar structure: (1) is constructed in a manner that satisfies standards applicable to a permanent levee or similar structure, is not constructed in a manner that satisfies such standards but there is an adequate plan for improvements to ensure that such standards will be satisfied, or is not constructed in a manner that satisfies such standards and there is no adequate plan for improvements; and (2) may safely remain in place subject to specified conditions and for a specified period.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2011-10-25 00:00:00

Strengthening Community Safety Act of 2011 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make a grant to an eligible first responder agency for the additional costs incurred as a direct result of one or more of its employees who are reservists being placed on active duty. Defines "eligible first responder agency" as one for which the cost of personnel has increased by not less than 5% as a direct result of such employees being placed on active duty and which is not a for-profit organization. Prohibits the Administrator from making a grant for costs relating to an employee being placed on active duty if federal funds are used for that employee's pay or benefits. Limits the total amount of grants made to an eligible first responder agency in any fiscal year to $100,000. Terminates the Administrator's authority to make grants three years after this Act's enactment. Authorizes the use of grant funds for: (1) pay or benefits for an individual hired to replace such an employee that are in addition to any pay and benefits that would have been provided to the deployed employee, (2) overtime expenses for an individual who performs tasks that would have been performed by such an employee, and (3) the costs associated with filling a vacancy created by an employee being placed on active duty. Allows a recipient to use grant funds to cover expenses incurred beginning 90 days before deployment until the date the employee returns to fully paid employment status. Amends the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 to reduce funding for FY2011 for grants to private operators providing transportation by an over-the-road bus for security improvements.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2011-10-27 00:00:00

National Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. Designates the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the entity with primary responsibility for Program planning and coordination. Replaces provisions establishing an Interagency Working Group with provisions establishing the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction. Directs the Committee to submit a Strategic Plan for the Program that includes: (1) prioritized goals that will mitigate against the loss of life and property from future windstorms; (2) research objectives to achieve those goals; (3) a description of the role of each Program agency in achieving such goals; (4) the methods by which progress will be assessed; and (5) an explanation of how the Program will foster the transfer of research results into outcomes, such as improved model building codes. Requires the Committee to submit a progress report and to develop a coordinated budget for the Program, to be submitted at the time of the President's annual budget submission. Revises provisions providing for the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction (currently, the National Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction) to offer assessments of the Program, including assessments of the priorities of the Strategic Plan. Terminates the Committee on September 30, 2014. Authorizes appropriations to the agencies carrying out the Program for FY2012-FY2014.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Immigration
Date: 2011-11-29 00:00:00

Passport Recovery Assistance Act of 2011 - Amends the Passport Act of 1920 to waive the passport fee for an individual whose unexpired passport was lost, damaged, or destroyed as a result of a major disaster or emergency.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2011-12-08 00:00:00

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the National Flood Insurance Program from September 30, 2011, through May 31, 2012. Continues through May 31, 2012, the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with the President's approval, to issue up to $20.725 billion in notes and obligations to finance the Program. Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012 to repeal the termination of such authority as of November 18, 2011.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2011-12-14 00:00:00

Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2012 - Title I: Disaster Relief - Makes supplemental appropriations for FY2012 to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Disaster Relief Fund. Makes appropriations for disaster relief to the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers--Civil, for: (1) the Mississippi River and Tributaries for necessary expenses for the repair of damages to federal projects resulting from a major disaster; (2) Operation and Maintenance for necessary expenses to dredge navigation channels in response to, and repair damage to Corps projects resulting from, a major disaster; and (3) Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies for necessary expenses to prepare for flood, hurricane, and other natural disasters and support emergency operations, repair, and other activities authorized by law in response to a major disaster. Title II: Combating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse - Makes appropriations for FY2012 to the Social Security Adminstration for continuing disability reviews under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) and title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act and for the cost associated with conducting redeterminations of eligibility under title XVI. Title III: General Provision - Provides that each amount appropriated or made available in this Act is in addition to amounts otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year involved.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2012-01-10 00:00:00

Irene and Lee Tax Relief Storm Recovery Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an increase in 2012, 2013, and 2014 of the amount of the low-income housing tax credit that may be allocated in states containing counties covered by the natural disaster declaration of the Secretary of Agriculture in 2011 due to damage from Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Labor and employment
Date: 2012-02-08 00:00:00

Irene and Lee Emergency Assistance Act of 2012 - Directs the President, in the case of an individual eligible to receive unemployment assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act as a result of the disaster declaration made for Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee on or after August 22, 2011, to make such assistance available for 39 weeks after the date of the declaration (currently limited to 26 weeks).
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2012-05-08 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD), with respect to the training of National Guard units and federal agencies performing homeland defense activities, to provide funding assistance through a special military cooperative agreement for the operation and maintenance of any state training center certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as capable of providing emergency response training. Requires merit-based or competitive selection procedures to be used in the use of funds for such purpose.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2012-05-15 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on May 24, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) to extend the National Flood Insurance Program, including its funding, through July 31, 2012. Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from estimating subsidized flood insurance premium rates for any residential property which is not the primary residence of an individual (such as a vacation home or second home). Increases by 25% each year the chargeable risk premium rate for flood insurance for residential property which is not the primary residence of an individual until the average risk premium rate for such property is equal to the average of the risk premium rates for any properties within any single risk classification. Declares July 1, 2012, the effective date for the first such increase.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2012-05-17 00:00:00

FEMA Regional Office Oversight Act - Directs the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to audit how all regional offices within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are carrying out delegated authorities pursuant to the Post-Katrina Emergency Management and Reform Act of 2006 and a memorandum executed in July 2009 by the FEMA Administrator. Requires the audit to assess: (1) the ability of each regional office to support federal preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation capabilities to respond to an act of terrorism, to foster better regional emergency communications capabilities, to oversee the use of funding to promote preparedness and response capabilities, to coordinate with state, local, and tribal governments and emergency response providers on regional priorities, to identify critical gaps in regional capabilities to respond to populations with special needs, to conduct all procurements in a timely and secure manner that prevents waste and fraud, and to engage in employment practices that are transparent, efficient, and ethical; (2) the impact of the delegation of authorities on the Administrator's ability to achieve consistency throughout the regions; (3) the adequacy of oversight by the Administrator of how the regions are executing the delegated authorities and carrying out assigned responsibilities; and (4) the impact of the delegation of authorities on FEMA and specific regions to address Office of Inspector General and Comptroller General (GAO) recommendations in a timely manner.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2012-05-30 00:00:00

Disaster Declaration Improvement Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to issue a revised rule governing factors to consider in evaluating a governor's request for a major disaster declaration to require: (1) the "estimated cost of assistance" to be considered equally with the other five factors described in the rule; and (2) the "evaluation of localized impacts" to include consideration of the budgetary resources available to local and state governments to respond to and recover from such disaster and the impact of the disaster on a small city or a census-designated place with a population of less than 25,000 or a medium city with a population of less than 250,000 if either is located within a large county with a population of more than 1 million and in a large state with a population of more than 5 million if the level of financial damage in such city exceeds 10% of the city's general fund or $100 per capita of the census-designated place or city.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2012-06-25 00:00:00

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to exempt from the statutory 30-day waiting period for a new contract for flood insurance coverage the initial purchase of flood insurance coverage for private property if: (1) the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determines that the property is affected by flooding on federal land that is a result of, or is exacerbated by, post-wildfire conditions; and (2) such coverage was purchased within 60 days after the fire containment date relating to the wildfire that caused the post-wildfire conditions.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Agriculture and food
Date: 2012-06-27 00:00:00

Advancing Agricultural Floodplain Management Act of 2012 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to jointly establish a task force to analyze the challenges faced by agricultural areas and rural communities designated as having special flood hazards for purposes of the national flood insurance program. Terminates the task force 120 days after it submits its report to Congress as required by this Act.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2012-07-25 00:00:00

Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assess options, methods, and strategies for making voluntary community-based flood insurance policies available through the National Flood Insurance Program. Requires the report on the study to specified congressional committees to make recommendations for a strategy to implement voluntary community-based flood insurance policies that would encourage communities to undertake flood mitigation activities, including construction, reconstruction, or improvement of levees, dams, or other flood control structures. Directs the Comptroller General to review the Administrator's report and make comments or recommendations to such congressional committees.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2012-08-02 00:00:00

Disaster Loan Fairness Act of 2012 - Amends the Small Business Act to provide the interest rate to be charged by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for loans made to small businesses beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending four years after the date of enactment of this Act in major disaster areas. Requires such rate to be the lesser of 4% or one-half the prevailing rate for similar loans in the area for those unable to attain credit elsewhere, or three-fourths the prevailing rate for those able to attain credit elsewhere. Requires the SBA Administrator to refund excess interest payments made by qualifying borrowers before the enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on whether the reduced rate has resulted in: (1) a greater number of applications for disaster-related loans, (2) a greater number of approvals for such loans, or (3) a decreased default rate. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to any presidential election held after 2012, from making any payments from the Presidential Election Campaign Fund (Fund) to any national committee of a political party for political nominating conventions.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2012-09-14 00:00:00

Claims Licensing Advancement for Interstate Matters Act or CLAIM Act - Authorizes an independent claims adjuster meeting specified requirements to adjust claims for losses related to any disaster occurring in any jurisdiction designated by the President as a major disaster pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, regardless of state licensure requirements governing the major disaster area. Requires an adjuster to: (1) hold a valid license in his or her home state, and (2) have passed any multi-state examination established and administered by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Urges NAIC to: (1) adopt a certain model independent claims adjuster licensing Act, and (2) develop and administer a multi-state examination for an independent claims adjuster seeking to adjust claims in a jurisdiction other than his or her home state. Sets forth criteria for state compliance with this Act, including reciprocity. Authorizes any independent claims adjuster meeting the requirements of this Act to ascertain, determine, negotiate, or settle a claim in a state that is not in compliance with this Act. Prohibits such a state from imposing additional requirements upon such an adjuster.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2012-09-20 00:00:00

Investment Savings Access After Catastrophes Act of 2012 - 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.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2012-09-20 00:00:00

Taxpayer Protection Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Natural Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding the estimated loss costs associated with reinsurance protection contracts. Requires the Secretary to implement a program that utilizes premiums from eligible state or multi-state plans to pre-fund future natural catastrophe recovery by making available for purchase, only by such plans, contracts for reinsurance coverage. Requires such contracts to cover insured property losses covered under primary insurance contracts to homeowners, mobile home owners, renters, and condominium owners for specified natural perils. Prescribes requirements for the operation of state plans and the terms of reinsurance contracts. Encourages states to create and maintain catastrophe funds for themselves or with other states. Sets forth requirements for the treatment of insured losses and maximum federal liability. Establishes in the Treasury the Catastrophe Preparedness Fund, consisting of contract sales receipts and any amounts borrowed or earned, which shall be used to pay Commission administrative costs and loss payments under reinsurance contracts. Prohibits the authorization or appropriation of federal funds for the Fund or for implementing the reinsurance liquidity protection program. Establishes a post-catastrophe market stabilization program for liquidity loans to: (1) expedite payment of claims under state catastrophe insurance programs, (2) authorize the Secretary to issue loans to assist financial recovery from significant natural catastrophes, and (3) promote the availability of private capital to state catastrophe insurance programs in order to provide liquidity and capacity. Establishes the National Readiness, Preparedness and Mitigation Committee to administer a Readiness, Preparedness, and Mitigation Grant Program of grants to state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other appropriate public and private entities to develop programs and initiatives to improve disaster response, citizen preparedness and protection, and prevention and mitigation of losses from natural catastrophes.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2012-09-21 00:00:00

FEMA Reform Act of 2012 - Requires: (1) 50% of the amount estimated for a preliminary damage assessment by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for any state or local government to be released to such government not later than three days after such assessment is completed, and (2) hazard mitigation funding for a state under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to be disseminated within areas of the state in proportion to the damage of a major disaster in such areas. Permits the President, in addition to authorizing the repair, restoration, or replacement of federal facilities damaged by a major disaster, to make contributions to a state or local government to repair, restore, or replace vehicles and equipment, particularly those used for public safety, transportation, and service. Allows the actual cash value of such a vehicle or equipment that is more than 50% damaged to be used to replace it. Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance under the Stafford Act to repair permanent structures, including rental units, necessary for temporary or transitional housing in areas affected by a major disaster. Requires: (1) FEMA to establish a recruiting and training office in a major disaster area as soon as possible to facilitate the hiring of local individuals to assist with public assistance applications for any major disaster that will require FEMA employees to be available in such area for an extended period; and (2) FEMA, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate, complete, and publish a report outlining recommendations to public and private utilities, including electrical, water, sewer, and telecommunications, to reduce service interruptions during and after a hurricane.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Disaster Relief
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2012-09-28 00:00:00

Mass Fatality Planning and Religious Considerations Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide guidance to and coordination with appropriate individuals, including representatives from different communities, private sector businesses, and nonprofit and religious organizations, to prepare for and respond to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster that results in mass fatalities.