zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Low-Income Rate Payer Disaster Recovery Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to make contributions to the owner or operator of a private or investor-owned electric utility company serving low-income households for facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster only if the costs of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing such facilities exceed 10% of the facilities' total transmission and distribution rate base minus: (1) accumulated depreciation on the date of the disaster in the case of a single major disaster; or (2) accumulated depreciation on the date of the first major disaster in the case of an aggregation of major disasters during the preceding 12 months. Sets forth application deadlines.Prohibits the total amount of contributions made to an owner or operator from exceeding $50 million in any 12-month period. Authorizes the President, for any major disaster occurring after enactment of this Act, to waive the limit upon determining that the event is of an extraordinary nature. Requires the President to approve or disapprove applications within 30 days after receipt.Allows an owner or operator who determines that the public welfare would not best be served by repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a facility to elect to receive, in lieu of the cost-based contribution, 75% of the funding that would have been available.

Date: 2009-02-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) to make tax deductible contributions to a tax-exempt policyholder disaster protection fund established by this Act for the payment of policyholders' claims arising from certain catastrophic events, such as windstorms, earthquakes, fires, or floods.

Date: 2009-02-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide eligibility for an heir of a deceased homeowner to receive certain housing-related disaster assistance (i.e., financial assistance for the repair or replacement of owner-occupied private residences damaged by a major disaster).

Date: 2009-02-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Whatever It Takes to Rebuild Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) authorize the President to make disaster loans to any state government that suffers a substantial loss of tax and other revenue as a result of a major disaster and demonstrates a need for financial assistance in order to perform its governmental functions; (2) repeal the $5 million cap for disaster loans; and (3) exempt a disaster loan made to a state or local government that suffers a substantial loss of revenues as a result of a major disaster the President determines to be a catastrophic event from the percentage of the annual state or local government operating budget limitations and from the payment of any interest or principal.

Date: 2009-02-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Community Protection and Response Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include a terrorist attack, dispersion of radioactive or other contaminants, dispersion of hazardous substances, or other catastrophic event as a "major disaster" eligible for relief under the Act. Includes as a "public facility" for purposes of damages coverage in a major disaster private for-profit telecommunications, phone services, and utilities when losses occur during a homeland security event and are not covered by insurance. Authorizes the President, at the request of a state governor, to declare that a major disaster constitutes a homeland security event and is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capacity of the affected state and local government. Provides specified federal assistance under the Act upon such a declaration, including reimbursement and grant assistance for lost compensation, sustained losses, and required repairs. Includes as critical services under the Act education systems, providers of counseling, and providers of assistance to the homeless.Removes the $5 million limit on community disaster loans provided under the Act. Requires or provides for: (1) standards for reporting information concerning disasters involving homeland security events; (2) a special commission to review air quality following a homeland security event; (3) guidelines concerning health risks associated with the release of materials following a homeland security event and associated monitoring and analysis; and (4) grants for data collection during public health emergencies, research on assisting victims, advance preparation for public health emergencies, and disaster relief for local educational agencies.

Date: 2009-02-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Veterans Reassignment Protection Act - Prohibits a preference eligible federal employee (including a preference eligible serving in or under the U.S. Postal Service) from being involuntarily separated for failing to accept a directed reassignment to a position outside his or her commuting area or to accompany a position outside of such area pursuant to a transfer of function unless such preference eligible: (1) receives written notice of the reassignment at least 30 days before the effective date of the reassignment; and (2) is allowed to elect to have the selection of employees for release conducted in the same manner as would be required in the case of a reduction in force. Entitles a preference eligible involuntarily separated in the circumstances described above to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board any failure to comply with the requirements of this Act.

Date: 2009-02-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Smarter Funding for All of America's Homeland Security Act of 2009 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a State and Regional First Responder Grant Program under which the Secretary may make grants to states and eligible regional entities on the basis of the threat to a state or region's population and critical infrastructure, as determined by the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to evaluate and prioritize grant applications, considering factors such as threats to the population, specific economic sectors, major communications nodes and transportation systems, specific elements of the food supply, the water and energy supplies, civic infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, and specific structures of symbolic national importance. Bars the use of grant funds to supplant state or local funds that would otherwise be available for homeland security or first responder projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish the Advisory Council on First Responders, which shall report to the Secretary through the head of the Office of State and Local Government Coordination; and (2) revise the Homeland Security Advisory System to require that any designation of a threat level or other warning be accompanied by a designation of the geographic regions and economic sectors to which it applies. Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to conduct a study of whether there is a need to assign additional bands of frequencies of electromagnetic spectrum to assist first responders.

Date: 2009-02-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a grant program to provide assistance to states to promote pre-disaster property mitigation measures within their jurisdictions. Requires a state, to be eligible for assistance, to have: (1) submitted a mitigation plan; (2) established a process for accepting and processing grant and loan applications from individual homeowners and business owners; (3) established a revolving loan fund to which any grant amounts received under this Act shall be deposited; and (4) submitted a detailed plan for how terms and conditions for authorized loans and grants will be set.Directs the Administrator to allocate grant amounts to eligible states according to a formula based on specified factors, including the nature and extent of potential hazards to property in the state, the number of properties at risk in the event that a hazard or natural disaster should occur, the amount of prior property damage incurred by the state during any previous hazard or natural disaster, and any available data on the future risk of occurrence of any hazard or natural disaster in a state.Sets forth provisions regarding baseline amounts for eligible states and matching requirements. Authorizes each state to make grants or loans to assist individual homeowners and businesses in undertaking pre-disaster property mitigation measures from a revolving loan fund established under this Act.

Date: 2009-02-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the national flood insurance program to enable the purchase of multiperil coverage and optional separate windstorm coverage to protect against loss resulting from physical damage or loss of real or related personal property located in the United States. Defines windstorm as any hurricane, tornado, cyclone, typhoon, or other wind event. Restricts multiperil coverage to areas (or their subdivisions) where an appropriate public body has adopted adequate mitigation measures, including effective enforcement provisions, which the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finds are consistent with the criteria for construction described in the International Code Council building codes relating to wind mitigation. Prohibits provision of multiperil coverage to any structure (or related personal property ) covered, at any time, by flood insurance under the Act. Requires maintenance of flood insurance coverage under this Act as a prerequisite to windstorm coverage of any structure (or related personal property). States that separate windstorm coverage only covers losses from physical damages from windstorm. Prescribes the nature and terms of coverage and actuarial rates. (Sec. 3) Prohibits duplicative coverage. (Sec. 4) Prohibits new multiperil coverage for property declared by a governmental authority to be in violation of state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances intended to reduce windstorm damage. (Sec. 5) Instructs the Director to: (1) carry out studies and investigations to determine measures for wind hazard prevention; and (2) provide technical assistance to state, interstate, and local governmental agencies to encourage adoption and enforcement of laws, regulations, and ordinances relating to the orderly development and use of areas subject to damage from windstorm risks, and zoning building codes, building permits, and subdivision and other building restrictions for such areas.

Date: 2009-03-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Flood Elevation Notification Act of 2009 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), when establishing projected flood elevations for land use purposes, to first propose such determinations by: (1) providing the chief executive officer of each affected community notice of the elevations, including a copy of the pertinent maps and an explanation of the process to appeal for changes in the elevations; (2) causing notice of the elevations to be published in the Federal Register; (3) publishing the elevations in a prominent local newspaper, as well as a description of the flood determination appeals process, and contact information related to initiating an appeal; and (4) providing specified written notification, by first class mail, to each owner of real property affected by the proposed elevations.

Date: 2009-03-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Volunteer Firefighter/Emergency Medical Service Gas Price Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow volunteers who provide firefighting or emergency medical services a tax deduction for up to $250 of their travel expenses, whether or not such taxpayer itemizes.

Date: 2009-03-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Nursing Home Emergency Assistance Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow the President to provide reimbursement to private for-profit nursing homes for damages and expenses from a major disaster or emergency. Requires that such nursing homes: (1) be located within 30 miles of the disaster or emergency; and (2) have acted during the disaster or emergency in accordance with any relevant requirements applicable to private nonprofit nursing homes seeking reimbursement. Limits the amount of reimbursement to not greater than the amount available under such Act to a public or private nonprofit nursing home for similar damages or expenses after a disaster or emergency.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Public Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to allow flood insurance coverage for structures used to provide a public safety or first responder service, including police and firefighting services, even though such structures have been declared in violation of state laws intended to discourage or restrict land development or occupancy in flood-prone areas.

Date: 2009-03-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to: (1) make communities that reconstruct and improve flood protection systems (in addition to constructing them) eligible for premium flood insurance rates under such Act; and (2) allow entities that own, operate, maintain, or repair flood protection systems (instead of a federal agency) to determine whether a flood protection system is restorable.

Date: 2009-03-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Act of 2010 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) increase the amount guaranteed to each state under the predisaster hazard mitigation program to $575,000; (2) require the President to award financial assistance under the program on a competitive basis; (3) eliminate the current termination date for such program (September 30, 2010); and (4) authorize appropriations for the program through FY2013. Prohibits the use of program funds for congressionally directed spending. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to submit to Congress a certification regarding whether all financial assistance under the program was awarded in accordance with such Act.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Greensburg, Kansas Recovery Extension Act - Requires funds from any national emergency grant made under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to address the effects of the May 4, 2007, Greensburg, Kansas, tornado to remain available for expenditure through June 30, 2010.

Date: 2009-04-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Gulf Coast Civic Works Act - Establishes within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of the Federal Coordinator of Gulf Coast Rebuilding the Gulf Coast Civic Works Commission. Authorizes any municipality of over 25,000 people in the affected area to designate a local advisory council to advise the Commission. Requires the Commission to: (1) establish regional taskforces and prepare a regional policy plan; (2) establish and administer a Gulf Coast Civic Works Project that employs a minimum of 100,000 Gulf Coast region residents and evacuees for public works projects to rebuild and develop the Gulf Coast region impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; (3) establish or support existing job-training programs and apprenticeships to recruit and train qualified workers, with emphasis on women and disadvantaged workers from the Gulf Coast region, for specific job vacancies in approved Civic Works Projects and other recovery, rebuilding, and development projects; (4) ensure that all workers are paid wages at not less than the prevailing locality rate (Davis-Bacon Act); and (5) establish or coordinate other infrastructure projects, including environmental restoration, energy efficiency and conservation, search for affordable workforce housing, and youth works projects. Authorizes the Commission to provide grants to Gulf Coast region residents who possess certain skills for: (1) artistic and cultural projects which reflect or preserve the history and culture of the Gulf Coast region; and (2) projects that chronicle the story of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Date: 2009-05-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Labor and employment
Ratepayer Recovery Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to cite conditions under which the President is authorized to make disaster assistance contributions for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of private or investor-owned power transmission and distribution facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster. Cites conditions for large in-lieu contributions to a private or investor-owned power facility in any case in which the owner determines that the public welfare would not best be served by repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility.

Date: 2009-05-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to modernize and implement the integrated U.S. public alert and warning system to ensure that the President can alert governmental authorities and the civilian population in areas endangered by disasters under all conditions. Directs the Administrator, consistent with the final recommendations of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee (established by this Act), to: (1) establish common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures; (2) include in such system the capability to adapt the distribution and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, or personal user preferences and to alert individuals with disabilities or limited English proficiency; and (3) ensure the conduct of system training, tests, and exercises. Requires the system to: (1) incorporate multiple communications technologies; (2) be designed to incorporate future technologies for communicating directly with the public, to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible, including nonresident visitors and tourists, and to improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts; (3) promote local and regional partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response; and (4) provide redundant alert mechanisms. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct pilot programs to demonstrate the feasibility of using a variety of methods for achieving system requirements.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2009 - 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 lead agency for Program planning, management, and coordination. Establishes the Interagency Working Group on Wind Impact Reduction (IWG) to coordinate activities and facilitate communication among Program agencies in reducing the impacts of windstorms. (Repeals provisions regarding the existing Interagency Working Group responsible for Program planning, management, and coordination.) Requires the Director of NIST to: (1) establish a Program Office to provide planning, management, and coordination functions; (2) facilitate preparation of a coordinated annual crosscut budget and report for the Program; (3) facilitate preparation of the IWG's biennial report to Congress and the National Science and Technology Council; (4) support research and development for building codes and standards; (5) promote implementation of research results; (6) support deployment of interagency teams to investigate major windstorm events and data collection and analysis; (7) support the organization and deployment of interagency teams to investigate major windstorm events and the gathering, publishing, and archiving of collected data and analysis results; and (8) participate in, coordinate, or support other Program mitigation activities. Sets forth the duties of the Program Office (including ensuring coordination and synergy across Program agencies) and of the IWG (including preparation of an interim working plan for Program operations and a strategic plan for achieving Program objectives). Includes the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Army Corps of Engineers as Program agencies. Authorizes appropriations for the Program for FY2010-FY2014.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to make the cost-share requirement for grants to fire departments to increase the number of firefighters under such Act inapplicable for grants awarded during FY2008.

Date: 2009-06-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
California Catastrophic Wildfire Prevention and Community Protection Act - Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to carry out eligible projects on National Forest System lands and public lands, respectively, in California which are within or adjacent to at-risk communities or watersheds if the project is consistent with the applicable community wildfire protection plan or county fire plan. Requires eligible projects on such lands to be carried out in a cost-effective manner that focuses on surface, ladder, and canopy fuels reduction activities or implements forest restoration activities in response to extreme weather events or natural disasters. Requires the Secretaries to: (1) prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for each proposed eligible project; and (2) evaluate and consider an alternative recommendation if a project is or may be inconsistent with its community wildfire protection plan. Requires administrative and judicial review of eligible projects in accordance with the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003.

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Evacuees Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers to elect either a tax credit or tax deduction for up to $5,000 of their voluntary or mandatory evacuation expenses due to a disaster.

Date: 2009-06-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Enhancement Program Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize: (1) the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make grants on a competitive basis to states and other jurisdictions to assist predisaster hazard mitigation strategies; and (2) the use of technical and financial assistance under such Act to support state programs that provide grants to low income homeowners for wind and flood inspections of their principal residences and for implementation of hazard mitigation improvements.. Limits the use of grants to assist predisaster hazard mitigation improvements to: (1) residential property valued up to $250,000; (2) small business property valued up to $500,000; and (3) residential rental property valued up to the product of the number of rental units in such property and $250,000. Prohibits grants from being used for projects located in the Coastal Barrier Resources System. Directs the Administrator to arrange with the National Academy of Sciences or a similar organization to examine methods to coordinate the functions of man-made and natural storm buffers.

Date: 2009-06-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Housing and community development
First Responder Innovation and Support Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to make grants to eligible entities (defined as any of the states, the District of Columbia, any federally recognized Indian tribe, and any U.S. territory or possession that has an approved mitigation plan for identifying and mitigating the natural hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities of the area of jurisdiction) to assist innovative natural disaster first responder programs. Directs the President to establish selection criteria for making grants, which shall include consideration of: (1) the severity and frequency of natural disasters that affect the applicant; (2) whether existing natural disaster first responder systems would be improved; (3) whether the grant would provide natural disaster first responder support for special populations, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and the disabled; and (4) whether the activity assisted is sustainable with non-federal amounts after such grant is made. Requires the President to make grants annually on a competitive basis. Allows eligible entities to apply for multiple grants each year.

Date: 2009-06-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the national flood insurance program from September 30, 2008, through March 31, 2010. (Sec. 3) Extends through FY2010 the pilot program for mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties. Repeals the termination date for, and thus makes permanent, the authority of the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide assistance to any state or community. (Sec. 4) Extends eligibility for flood insurance at specified maximum premium rates to any community that has made adequate progress on construction (as under current law), reconstruction, or improvement of a flood protection system which will afford flood protection for the one-hundred year frequency flood (without respect to the level of federal investment or participation). Revises the requirement that a revised Flood Insurance Rate Map be prepared for the community to delineate as Zone AR the areas of special flood hazard that result from the disaccreditation of the flood protection system. Specifies that the areas of special flood hazard may be either coastal or riverine. Revises the requirement that a community will be considered to be in the process of restoration if its flood protection system has been deemed restorable by a federal agency in consultation with the local project sponsor. Replaces a federal agency as the deeming authority with the entity or entities that own, operate, maintain, or repair the system. (Sec. 5) Instructs the FEMA Administrator to implement this Act in a manner that will not materially weaken the financial position of the National Flood Insurance Program, or increase the risk of financial liability to federal taxpayers.

Date: 2009-07-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Declares inapplicable to any area located in Coastal Barrier Resources System unit P30 or FL-92 in Gulf County, Florida,certain federal expenditure limitations in the Coastal Barrier Resources Act and certain limitations on flood insurance coverage in the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.

Date: 2009-07-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to prohibit the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from updating a flood plain area or a flood risk zone in a geographic area that meets the following conditions: (1) the area is intended to be protected by a levee that the Army Corps of Engineers determines has a design deficiency; (2) the entity responsible for the repair of such levee has implemented a repair plan that has been developed by the Corps or a professional licensed engineer and approved by the Corps or FEMA, that is based on sufficient and reasonably current design data that accurately reflects the condition of such levee and other flood protection facilities in the area, that will provide protection from the 1% annual chance flood for the area, and that includes an adequate financing mechanism; and (3) each state or local government with jurisdiction over any portion of the geographic area has implemented a surveillance and operations plan to provide for timely alerts and immediate remedial action when significant underseepage or potential failure occurs, has an evacuation plan, and has implemented an outreach and communication plan to advise occupants of potential flood risks, the opportunity to purchase flood insurance, and the consequences of failure to purchase insurance. Exempts a geographic area if the Director: (1) determines that the area is protected by a system that provides protection from the 1% annual chance flood; or (2) has suspended the updating of flood plain areas or flood risk zones in such area in accordance with this Act for seven consecutive years.

Date: 2009-07-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Assistance Voting Act of 2009 - Applies certain protections for absent military and overseas voters to individuals evacuated (eligible evacuees) as a result of a major disaster. Requires any eligible evacuee to be treated in the same manner as an absentee uniformed services voter and overseas voter for purposes of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. Deems such an individual to be entitled to vote by absentee ballot for purposes of the National Voter Reigistration Act of 1993 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to eligible states to: (1) restore and replace supplies, materials, and equipment used in the state election administration which were damaged as a result of a major natural disaster; and (2) conduct outreach and education for voters displaced for the same reason. Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require delay for at least three (currently, two) consecutive federal general elections before removal of eligible evacuees from the official list of voters by reason of their not voting or appearing to vote in several consecutive such elections. Requires each motor vehicle authority and each voter registration agency in a state to take necessary steps to notify individuals to whom their services are provided of the protections afforded by this Act and of the requirements for obtaining them, including submission of an affidavit stating that the individual intends to return to the place of residence where the individual is otherwise qualified to vote. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the President to send a similar notice to each individual and household receiving assistance under that Act.

Date: 2009-07-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Smart Housing in Disasters Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to cover as a major disaster any "catastrophic incident" as defined by the Homeland Security Act, namely any natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster that results in extraordinary levels of casualties or damage or disruption severely affecting the population (including mass evacuations), infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, or government functions in an area. Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop, as an annex to the National Disaster Housing Strategy, lifecycle plans and tracking procedures for housing units provided to individuals and households affected by an emergency or major disaster that establishes policies for procurement, delivery, installation, maintenance, deactivation, and disposal of the units. Requires the plan to: (1) emphasize the acquisition of housing units that can be recycled and reused for multiple emergencies or major disasters; and (2) include a process for the Administrator to track each housing unit from its date of acquisition through its date of disposal. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the President to alter any housing unit unsuitable for habitation, before its disposal through sale to a recycler or other purchaser, in a manner that will prevent the unit from being used for habitation.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Recovery Improvement Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to increase the maximum total contributions for a major disaster by 5% under such Act if, at the time of a declaration of a major disaster, the affected state has in effect and is actively enforcing an approved building code. Sets forth state building code submission and approval requirements, including use of the nationally recognized model building code as a minimum standard. Directs the President, in making a contribution to a state or local government or a person that owns a nonprofit facility for repair, restoration, and replacement of a damaged facility, to provide not less than 50% of the President's initial estimate of the federal share as an initial payment. Provides for expedited payments. Requires the federal share for debris removal to be increased by 5% for states and local governments that have: (1) a debris management plan approved by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); (2) prequalified two or more debris and wreckage removal contractors before the date of declaration of the major disaster; and (3) resubmitted such plan to the Administrator for approval every four years. Allows a recipient of a debris removal grant to: (1) use funds for the costs of recycling debris and wreckage resulting from a major disaster; and (2) retain any financial benefit received from the salvage. Increases the period for appeals of disaster assistance decisions. Directs the Administrator to review, update, and revise the factors considered to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster. Authorizes the President to provide emergency assistance to pets and animals and their owners.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President, upon determining that there is extensive damage resulting from a major disaster, to allow a state or local government or private nonprofit facility to consolidate contributions received as a lump sum payment to repair, restore, reconstruct, or replace more than one public facility. Allows a state or local government and a private nonprofit facility to choose whether or not to repair, restore, reconstruct, or replace one or more of such facilities after assessing the need.Sets the federal cost share for a public facility at 100% of: (1) the federal estimate of the cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facilities; and (2) management expenses.

Date: 2009-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Relief and Recovery Development Act of 2009 - Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the ability of existing alert and warning systems to provide information relating to disasters to individuals with limited English proficiency. Requires the President to: (1) review regulations and policies relating to federal disaster assistance to eliminate regulations that are no longer relevant, to harmonize contradictory regulations, and to simplify and expedite disaster recovery and assistance; and (2) issue and implement regulations required under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide procedures for estimating the cost of repairing or replacing a facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster that expedite recovery and reduce the costs and time for completion of recovery projects through the creation of financial and performance incentives. Amends such Act to: (1) prohibit a state or local government from using more than 15% (currently, 10%) of the financial assistance received by it for implementing approved predisaster hazard mitigation measures for a fiscal year under such Act to fund activities to disseminate information regarding cost-effective mitigation technologies; and (2) require the federal coordinating officer of a major disaster area to make an initial appraisal of the recovery assistance needed within one month after the disaster is declared and to coordinate detailed recovery plans with state officials. Directs the President: (1) in carrying out requirements to form federal emergency support teams for major disaster areas, to establish at least three national recovery teams, sufficient regional recovery teams, including Regional Office strike teams, and other teams as necessary to meet incident management responsibilities; (2) to establish a federal interagency disaster recovery task force to maintain a catalogue of, and ensure communications among, federal programs that may be used to assist in disaster recovery efforts; and (3) to notify specified congressional committees before making any contribution in an amount greater than $5 million (currently, $20 million) for the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities,. Permits the President, upon determining that there is extensive and widespread damage and destruction resulting from a major disaster, to allow a state or local government or a private nonprofit facility to consolidate contributions received as a lump sum payment to repair, restore, reconstruct, or replace more than one public facility.

Date: 2009-09-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Small Business Disaster Readiness and Reform Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in making a small business disaster loan of $250,000 or less, from requiring a borrower to use the borrower's home as collateral. (Sec. 3) Increases the SBA disaster loan limit to $3 million. Prohibits the Administrator from requiring repayment on such loans until 12 months after final disbursement of the approved loan amount. (Sec. 5) Provides specific disbursement directions for each of the following categories of loans: (1) $150,000 or less; (2) more than $150,000 up to $500,000; and (3) more than $500,000. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Administrator to make a disaster assistance grant of up to $100,000 to a small business that: (1) is located in an area affected by a major disaster; (2) certifies its intention to reestablish the business in the same county as originally located; (3) has applied and was rejected for a conventional disaster assistance loan; and (4) was in existence for at least two years before the disaster declaration. Provides a grant priority for small businesses determined to be economically viable but unable to meet short-term financial obligations. Authorizes grants of $100 million for each of FY2010-FY2011 and authorizes appropriations for such grants. (Sec. 7) Directs the Administrator to develop a disaster preparedness and response plan for each SBA region. Requires each plan to identify the three disasters, natural or manmade, most likely to occur in such region. (Sec. 8) Authorizes the Administrator to make outreach grants for loan application assistance to the following in areas affected by a disaster: (1) a women's business center; (2) a small business development center; (3) a veterans business outreach center; and (4) a chamber of commerce. Authorizes grants for each of FY2010-FY2011. (Sec. 9) Authorizes the Administrator to make a loan to any homeowner whose primary residence has been adversely impacted by the installation of toxic drywall manufactured in China. Allows the loan to be used only for the repair or replacement of such drywall. (Sec. 10) Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2011 for administrative expenses and small business disaster assistance loans.

Date: 2009-10-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
Catastrophe Obligation Guarantee Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee holders against loss of principal, interest, or both, on obligations issued by eligible state programs that are established to provide insurance and reinsurance coverage for residential property in the case of catastrophic events. Prescribes standards for eligible state programs, and for catastrophic debt guarantees. Limits the aggregate principal amount of guaranteed debt following a catastrophic event to the amount by which the insured losses expected to be sustained by the state program as a result of the events exceed 80% of: (1) the qualifying assets of an eligible state program as stated in its most recent quarterly financial statement filed with the domiciliary regulator; or (2) a state's unrestricted net assets as stated in its annual financial statement. Pledges the full faith and credit of the United States to the payment of all guarantees issued under the program. Limits the aggregate total principal amount of guaranteed debt obligations to: (1) $5 billion for earthquake peril; and (2) $20 billion for all other perils. Makes appropriations to satisfy debt guarantee commitments and attendant administrative expenses.

Date: 2009-11-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), with respect to a state in the calculation for it of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), to substitute the state's average historical per capita income for a year in any instance for which the Secretary would use the state's per capita income for such year if: (1) in such year the state's per capita income exceeds the average historical per capita income by at least 8%; and (2) during such year or any of the two previous years a major disaster was declared in the state by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Date: 2009-11-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Health
Fair Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent: (1) the enhanced tax deduction for net losses incurred in federally declared disasters; (2) the $500 limit on the tax deduction for individual casualty losses; (3) expensing of certain disaster abatement and cleanup expenses; (4) the tax deduction for net operating losses attributable to a federally declared disaster; (5) eligibility for tax-exempt bond financing for repair of principal residences destroyed or damaged in a federally declared disaster; and (6) the bonus depreciation allowance for property in a disaster area.

Date: 2009-11-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the President to provide assistance under such Act to an individual or household adversely affected by a major disaster if: (1) such individual or household resides in a county included in a request for a major disaster declaration made by the governor of a state; (2) such state is contiguous to a state for which a major disaster has been declared; and (3) certain counties in each state have comparable damage estimates. Sets forth criteria for determining whether damage estimates are comparable.

Date: 2009-11-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to provide that an increase in the risk premium rate charged for covered properties mapped into a higher-risk flood zone as the result of an update to a Flood Insurance Rate Map (post-FIRM properties) shall be limited to an annual increase for 5 years of 20% per year of the difference between: (1) the risk premium rate otherwise chargeable pursuant to such update; and (2) the chargeable risk premium rate for such property that existed before such update.

Date: 2009-12-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 to extend through 2010 provisions of such Act allowing residents of the Midwestern disaster area to: (1) use amounts from tax-exempt retirement accounts without a tax penalty to purchase a new principal residence or repair an existing one; (2) recontribute amounts withdrawn for such purposes to such accounts; and (3) exclude from gross income income resulting from a cancellation of mortgage indebtedness incurred in such disaster area.

Date: 2009-12-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Rural Disaster Assistance Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): (1) in order to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need for assistance to individuals and to speed a declaration of a major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, to review, update, and revise the factors considered when evaluating a governor's request for such a declaration to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster; and (2) to consider any disproportionate impacts of disasters on rural areas.

Date: 2009-12-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management