zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Flood Safe Basements Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to rate a covered structure using the elevation difference between the floodproofed elevation and the adjusted base flood elevation of such structure.

Defines "covered structure" as a residential structure: (1) located in a community that has adopted flood plain management measures approved by FEMA and satisfying requirements for an exception for floodproofed residential basements, and (2) built in compliance with the applicable flood plain management measures.

Date: 2014-01-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Helping Owners Mitigate Effectively Act of 2014 or the HOME Act of 2014 - Delays any change in risk premium rates for flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program resulting from amendments made by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Biggert-Waters Act) until five years after the enactment date of such Act.

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to provide that the maximum annual chargeable flood insurance premium rate for a property shall be the appraised value of the property when purchased by its current owner divided by 30.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit of up to $7,500 for flood mitigation expenses in a taxable year for policy holders of flood insurance coverage and small businesses. Terminates such credit after December 31, 2022

Amends the Biggert-Waters Act to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to use any other amounts available to the Administrator to carry out the the study of participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and of the affordability of risk-based premiums under such Program.

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize increased appropriations for predisaster hazard mitigation for FY2014-FY2018.  Authorizes appropriations for flood risk mitigation assistance for FY2014-FY2018.

Date: 2014-01-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act of 2014 - Requires the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to amend the rules concerning the factors FEMA 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 major disaster declared on or after January 1, 2013.

Date: 2014-01-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Savings Accounts Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish tax-exempt disaster savings accounts to pay the expenses of homeowners for disaster mitigation and recovery expenses, (2) allow a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) up to $5,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) in a taxable year for cash contributions to such accounts, (3) exclude from gross income distributions from such accounts to pay disaster mitigation and recovery expenses; and (4) set forth tax rules and penalties for excess contributions to disaster savings accounts and for failure to file required reports on such accounts.

Date: 2014-02-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Flood Insurance Flexibility Act of 2014 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make available, at the option of the insured, flood insurance coverage for properties with premiums and deductibles which have an annual loss-deductible for damage to the covered property of at least $10,000.

Authorizes FEMA to make coverage available with higher loss-deductible amounts that it considers feasible and appropriate.

Requires such flood insurance coverage to have a chargeable risk premium rate that, as determined by FEMA, accurately reflects both the current risk of flood to the property and the deductible.

Date: 2014-02-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Flood Insurance Integrity Act of 2014 - Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to review every four years the rate tables established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for implementing the national flood insurance program under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA), and determine whether: (1) the chargeable premium rates for flood insurance coverage determined by those tables are actuarially sound, based on standard actuarial practices used in the private sector; and (2) such chargeable premium rates are sufficient to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the national flood insurance program.

Directs GAO to review annually the process for establishing and updating flood insurance rate maps and determine the degree of accuracy of the mapping process.

Date: 2014-04-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Homeowner Disaster Relief Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt any qualified natural disaster distribution from the 10% penalty on premature distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans. Defines "qualified natural diasaster distribution" as a distribution from a retirement plan to an individual if: (1) such individual sustained an economic loss due to a federally-declared disaster, (2) the principal place of abode of such individual on the disaster declaration date is in the disaster area, and (3) such distribution is made during the one-year period beginning on the disaster declaration date.  

Date: 2014-04-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to tax relief for federally-declared disasters, to: (1) allow the expensing of qualified disaster expenses (i.e., for removal of debris, demolition, and repair of business-related property) for a disaster occurring during September 2013; (2) allow individual taxpayers an increased tax deduction for charitable contributions made for relief efforts related to a federally-declared disaster which occurs after August 31, 2013, if such contributions are made by December 31, 2014; and (3) allow corporations an increased tax deduction for disaster-related charitable contributions.

Date: 2014-04-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Safeguarding America's Future and Environment Act or SAFE Act - Requires the President to establish an interagency Natural Resources Climate Change Adaptation Panel to adopt the National Fish, Wildlife, and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy (released March 26, 2013) to protect, restore, and conserve natural resources so that natural resources become more resilient, adapt to, and withstand the impact of extreme weather and climate change. Requires the Panel to review and revise the strategy every four years.

Requires each agency represented on the panel to integrate the elements of the strategy that relate to conservation, restoration, and management of natural resources into agency plans, environmental reviews, and programs.

Requires the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center within the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to assess and develop scientific information, tools, strategies, and techniques to be used to address the impact of extreme weather and climate change on natural resources.

Requires the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Science Advisory Board to advise the panel on the state of the science regarding the impact of extreme weather and climate change on natural resources and strategies and mechanisms for natural resources adaptation. Requires each agency represented on the panel to submit to the President a natural resources adaptation plan and implement the plan upon approval by the President.

Requires states, in order to be eligible to receive funding under this Act, to submit to the Secretary of the Interior and, as applicable, the Secretary of Commerce for review and approval a state natural resources adaptation plan that details efforts to address the impact of climate change on natural resources and coastal areas.

Date: 2014-07-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Environmental protection
National Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax relief for disasters declared in 2012, 2013, and 2014 by:

 extending through 2014 the election to expense qualified disaster expenses (i.e., for removal of debris, demolition, and repair of business-related property); increasing the tax deduction for charitable contributions for disaster relief for individual and corporate taxpayers; allowing through 2014 the deduction of losses attributable to disasters; allowing waivers of requirements relating to mortgage revenue bonds; extending through 2014 the additional allowance for depreciation of business property (bonus depreciation); allowing an increase through 2015 of the new markets tax credit limitation amount within a federally-declared disaster area; permitting the use of tax-exempt retirement plan funds in federally-declared disasters without penalty; allowing an additional tax exemption for individuals who are displaced as a result of a federally-declared disaster; allowing an exclusion from gross income of imputed income from the cancellation of indebtedness resulting from federally-declared disasters; providing a special rule to allow individuals affected by a disaster in 2012, 2013, or 2014 to claim a full earned income tax credit; increasing the rehabilitation tax credit for buildings affected by a federally-declared disaster; permitting one additional advance refunding of a tax-exempt bond that is outstanding on the date on which a federally-declared disaster occurs; allowing the issuance of qualified disaster area recovery bonds; allowing an additional allocation of the low-income housing tax credit in 2014 to states affected by a federally-declared disaster occurring in 2012 or 2013;   allowing payments of disaster assistance to tax-exempt mutual ditch or irrigation companies without affecting their tax-exempt status; allowing an exclusion from gross income for disaster mitigation payments received from state and local governments; and allowing a tax deduction for payments to a tax-exempt natural disaster fund.

Date: 2014-07-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Open Government Technology Work to More Businesses Act - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to jointly make rules to: (1) streamline and simplify the registration system used by small businesses to be considered for an award of any federal contract, (2) establish procedures by which a small business may self-certify its eligibility for a federal contract under the Small Business Act, and (3) establish procedures by which a majority of small businesses may complete the registration process within four weeks after beginning it.

Requires both Administrators to make the registration system available in a unified electronic format accessible through the Internet.

Date: 2014-07-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2014 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Tsunami Warning and Education Act to expand the tsunami forecasting and warning program operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the National Weather Service (NWS).

Consolidates separate tsunami warning systems into a single warning system capable of: (1) forecasting tsunami anywhere in the Pacific and Arctic Ocean regions and providing adequate warnings; and (2) forecasting and providing adequate warnings in areas of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Requires the system to support international tsunami forecasting and warning efforts.

Requires: (1) NOAA to support or maintain tsunami warning centers as part of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and develop uniform operational procedures for the centers, (2) warning centers to maintain a fail-safe warning capability and an ability to perform back-up duties for each other, and (3) the NWS to coordinate with the centers.

(Sec. 5) Modifies the tsunami hazard mitigation program to provide for: (1) technical and financial assistance; (2) the integration of tsunami preparedness and mitigation programs into ongoing state-based hazard warning, resilience planning, and risk management activities; (3) activities to support the development of regional risk assessments; and (4) dissemination of guidelines and standards for community planning, education, and training products, programs, and tools.

(Sec. 6) Expands the tsunami research program, including by adding a standards development component, requiring development of the technical basis for validation of tsunami maps and models, and authorizing NOAA to develop a pilot project for near-field tsunami forecast development for the west coast's Cascadia region.

(Sec. 7) Revises requirements for support of the International Tsunami Warning System and operation of the International Tsunami Information Center.

(Sec. 8) Directs NOAA to designate its Ocean Exploration Advisory Working Group to serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice on matters regarding tsunami science, technology, and regional preparedness.

(Sec. 9) Requires a report to Congress on implementation of the Act, including concerning the standardization of warnings for other coastal flooding events.

(Sec. 10) Reauthorizes the Act through FY2017.

(Sec. 11) Directs NOAA to develop formal outreach activities to improve tsunami education and awareness and foster resilient communities and convene a coordinating committee to assist in the national tsunami hazard mitigation program.

Date: 2014-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Preparedness and Risk Management for Extreme Weather Patterns Assuring Resilience Act of 2014 or the PREPARE Act of 2014 - Directs the President to establish the Interagency Council on Extreme Weather Resiliency, Preparedness, and Risk Management (Council), co-chaired by an employee of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

 Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to provide administrative support and additional resources to the Council.

Requires the Council to establish government-wide goals and priorities for extreme weather preparedness and risk management.

Requires each agency to submit biannually to OMB and to the Council a comprehensive plan that integrates extreme weather into its operations and overall objectives.

Requires the United States Global Change Research Program to designate a participating agency to maintain an Internet website providing extreme weather preparedness information.

Directs the Council to publish biannually an inventory of all regional agency offices, centers, and programs that assist with extreme weather preparedness and risk management at the municipal level.

Requires annual agency performance plans to include the most recent agency extreme weather plan.

Date: 2014-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Urban Flooding Awareness Act of 2014 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council to conduct a study on urban flooding.

Defines "urban flooding" as the inundation of property in a built environment, particularly in more densely populated areas, caused by rain falling on increased amounts of impervious surface and overwhelming the capacity of drainage systems.

Directs the Council to evaluate the latest research, laws, regulations, policies, best practices, procedures, and institutional knowledge regarding urban flooding. Requires the Council's study to include an examination of:

 the prevalence of and costs associated with urban flooding events across the United States, with a focus on the largest metropolitan areas and trends in frequency and severity over the past two decades; the adequacy of federally provided flood risk information and the most cost-effective methods and products to characterize the risk of property damage from urban flooding on a property-by-property basis; the potential for training and certifying local experts in flood risk characterization as a service to property purchasers and owners; the causes of urban flooding and its apparent increase over the past 20 years; the most cost-effective strategies, practices, and technologies used to reduce the impacts of urban flooding; the role of the federal government and state governments in spurring market innovations based on public-private-nonprofit partnerships; the most sustainable and effective methods for funding flood risk and flood damage reduction at all levels of government; the relevance of the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System to urban flooding areas outside traditional flood plains and strategies for broadening coverage and increasing participation under the Program; and strategies for protecting downstream communities from the flooding impacts of development in upstream communities.

Date: 2014-09-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disclosing Aid Spent to Ensure Relief Act or the DISASTER Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit annually to Congress a report on all disaster-related assistance provided by the federal government. Requires the report to include all federal obligations related to disaster response, recovery, mitigation efforts, and administrative costs associated with these activities for specified agencies and programs.

Date: 2014-09-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Sandy Reinvestment Extension Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the nonrecognition of gain from property involuntarily converted, to extend from two years to five years the replacement period for property involuntarily converted in the Hurricane Sandy Disaster Area.

Date: 2014-11-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Makes supplemental appropriations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish and maintain mobile hospital units for responding to a possible epidemic.

Date: 2014-11-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2014 - Amends the Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2011 to make the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to waive certain debts relating to disaster assistance provided to individuals and households applicable to such assistance provided between August 28, 2005, and December 31, 2014 (currently, December 31, 2010).

Date: 2014-12-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Flood Insurance Premium Parity Act of 2014 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) from estimating reduced (subsidized) risk premium rates for flood insurance for residential property that is neither the primary residence of an individual (as under current law) nor the secondary residence of the property owner.

Directs FEMA to establish standards for a residential property to qualify as a secondary residence eligible for subsidized risk flood insurance premium rates that: (1) require the owner to occupy the property for an appropriate minimum period of time each year, and (2) limit subsidized risk premium rates to but a single property of the owner.

Repeals the prohibition against estimating subsidized risk premium rates for business property (thus qualifying business property for such rates).

Directs FEMA to refund directly to insureds any flood insurance premiums collected in excess of the rates required under this Act.

Date: 3/26/2014
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Investment Savings Access After Catastrophes Act of 2013 - 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.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Local Disaster Contracting Fairness Act of 2013 - 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.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Natural Disaster Fairness in Contracting Act of 2013 - Requires agencies, in entering into a contract to procure property or services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts, to use specified competitive procedures.

Allows agencies to enter into a contract to procure property or services in connection with such reconstruction efforts using other than full and open competition only upon the written approval of the President or the President's designee. Requires congressional notification when procedures other than full and open competitive procedures are to be used.

Instructs agencies that enter into a contract for the procurement of property or services in connection with such reconstruction efforts through the use of other than full and open competitive procedures to publish in the Federal Register or Federal Business Opportunities and otherwise make available to the public specified information concerning the contract seven days before it is finalized.

Permits the use of noncompetitive procedures by agencies when: (1) a contract will be performed within a six-month period, and (2) the need for the property or services is of such an unusual and compelling urgency that the government would otherwise be seriously injured.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO), in coordination with the National Academy of Engineering, to conduct and submit to Congress a full audit of hurricane protection funding and cost estimates associated with post-Katrina hurricane protection.

Date: 2013-01-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act Reauthorization of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit the National Health Security Strategy to Congress in 2014.

Gives the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness lead responsibility within HHS for emergency preparedness and response policy and coordination. Requires the Secretary to establish the National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters. Prescribes requirements for the voluntary emergency reassignment of state and local personnel during a public health emergency. Reauthorizes appropriations for public health preparedness activities, including: (1) the National Disaster Medical System, (2) the public health emergency readiness of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, (3) state and local public health security, (4) the influenza vaccine tracking and distribution program, (5) the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Health Professions Volunteers (ESAR-VHP), (6) the Medical Reserve Corps, (7) surge capacity and community and hospital preparedness, (7) public health alert communications and surveillance and public health situational awareness capability, (8) the Special Reserve Fund, (8) the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and (9) the Strategic National Stockpile.

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to give the Secretary additional powers during a public health emergency related to: (1) the use of unapproved medical products or the unapproved use of an approved product, (2) the extension of the expiration date of eligible medical countermeasures, (3) deviations from good manufacturing practice requirements, (4) waiver of prescription requirements, and (5) waiver of requirements for a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy.

Requires the Secretary to establish a formal process for obtaining scientific feedback and interactions regarding the development and regulatory review of eligible countermeasures through written regulatory management plans.

Sets forth requirements regarding pediatric studies for medical countermeasures.

Extends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemption for specific technical data or scientific information that is created or obtained during countermeasure and product advanced research and development carried out under PHSA that reveals significant and not otherwise known vulnerabilities of existing medical or public health defenses against biological, chemical, nuclear, or radiological threats.

Extends the antitrust exemption to permit meetings and consultations to discuss the development of security countermeasures, qualified countermeasures, or qualified pandemic or epidemic products.

Date: 2013-02-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Health
Provides assistance, from Treasury funds not otherwise appropriated, for watersheds adversely affected by qualifying natural disasters.

Date: 2013-02-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Fire Damaged Home Rebuilding Act of 2013 - 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.

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 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.

Date: 2013-04-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Superstorm Sandy Unemployment Relief Act of 2013 - 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 Sandy after October 20, 2012, to make such assistance available for 39 weeks after the date of the declaration (currently limited to 26 weeks).

Requires the payments to a state to equal 100% of the amount of unemployment compensation (UC) paid under state law to affected individuals in each affected state or any area within it.

 Makes payments available until July 28, 2013.

Makes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that upon receiving a reimbursement or advance under this Act, a state should, if its law allows:

 reverse or waive any charges to employer accounts related to UC paid to affected individuals for which the reimbursement or advance is provided; or reimburse for such costs any state or local governmental entity, non-profit organization, Indian tribe, or other employer which elected to reimburse the state for UC paid to affected individuals in lieu of paying taxes based on charges to its employer account; and provide for retroactive payment of UC to affected individuals who received a waiting period credit instead of an UC payment in relation to their initial week of unemployment. Allows the state to receive reimbursement under this Act for any such retroactive payment.

Date: 2013-04-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Labor and employment
Strengthening The Resiliency of Our Nation on the Ground Act or STRONG Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish and chair an interagency working group with cabinet-level representation from all relevant federal agencies in order to: (1) provide a strategic vision of extreme weather resilience; (2) conduct a gap and overlap analysis of current and planned federal activities related to achieving short- and long-term resilience to extreme weather and its impacts on the United States, such as flooding and drought; and (3) develop a National Extreme Weather Resilience Action Plan.

Requires the Plan to include the establishment of an online, publicly available information portal to be used by federal agencies and other stakeholders that directs users to key data and tools to inform resilience-enhancing efforts and to build off and complement existing federal efforts. Provides for a coordinating entity to establish and maintain such portal.

Requires such coordinating entity to coordinate the implementation of the Plan and to track its progress.

Requires the submission of specified reports.

Date: 2013-05-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2013 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to increase the maximum total of contributions for a major disaster by an amount equal to 4% of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made under the Act, if at the time of a declaration of a major disaster the affected state has in effect and is actively enforcing an approved state building code.

Requires a state, to be eligible for the increased federal share, to submit its state building code to the President for approval.

Directs the President to approve a state building code submitted upon determining that it: (1) is consistent with the most recent version of a nationally recognized model building code, (2) has been adopted by the state within six years of the most recent version of the nationally recognized code, and (3) uses the nationally recognized code as a minimum standard.

Requires the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to set appropriate standards for the periodic update, resubmittal, and approval of state building codes, consistent with similar mitigation planning requirements under the Stafford Act.

Authorizes the use by states and local governments of technical and financial assistance to implement predisaster hazard mitigation measures to establish and operate a building department and carry out enforcement activities to implement an approved state building code.

Directs the President, in determining whether to provide technical and financial assistance to a state or local government, to take into account the extent to which that government is carrying out activities to implement an approved state building code.

Date: 2013-05-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to repeal the prohibition against provision of flood insurance by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to prospective insureds at rates less than standard estimates for property purchased after enactment of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Biggert-Waters). (Thus allows risk premium rates lower than standard rates for certain property purchased after Biggert-Waters.)

Delays the effective date of any flood insurance rate changes until 180 days after FEMA submits: (1) a certain report on methods to establish an affordability framework for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), or (2) notice to the congressional committees concerned of an alternative method of gathering information for such report if the report cannot be submitted by its due date. Directs FEMA to study options, methods, and implementing strategies for making available voluntary community-based flood insurance policies through NFIP.

Prohibits FEMA, when determining whether a community has made adequate progress on the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of a flood protection system, from considering the level of federal funding or participation.

Deems an action for the repair, restoration, and replacement of a totally destroyed structure or facility located in a coastal high hazard area for which an eligible entity received a contribution under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to be a "substantial improvement" for which grant funds may be used, if specified conditions are met.

Requires a replacement structure or facility to be relocated to an alternative site if FEMA determines that a practicable alternative located outside the coastal high hazard area exists and provides better protection against hazards associated with coastal high hazard areas.

Prescribes deed restrictions to dedicate and maintain it in perpetuity as open space for the conservation of natural floodplain functions for any property involved in the construction of replacement structures or facilities, either the original site if the replacement structure or facility is relocated, or an alternative parcel of land in the coastal high hazard area if the replacement is rebuilt at the same location.

Date: 2013-05-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Saving Homeowners from Onerous Rate Escalations Act of 2013 or SHORE Act of 2013 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to phase in, over an eight-year period, any increase in the flood insurance risk premium rate caused by the prohibition against extending subsidies to new or lapsed policies.

Extends from a 5-year to a 10-year period the phase-in period for premium adjustment increases in the flood insurance risk rate. Prescribes a phase-in rate of: (1) 5% for each of the first 5 years after the effective date of an update, and 15% for each of the 5 ensuing years; and (2) 5% for each of the first 5 years following the effective date of designation as a special flood area of any area not previously so designated, and 15% for each of the 5 ensuing years.

Date: 2013-05-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Responsible Implementation of Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to limit the requirements for flood insurance premium rate adjustments to reflect the current risk of flood only to property located in an area participating in the national flood insurance program for which the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published in the Federal Register projected base flood elevations and designations of areas having specified flood hazards on or after December 31, 2013.

Increases by 20% annually the flood insurance risk premium rates for certain properties sold on or after enactment of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (July 6, 2012), and which are not subject to a specified 25% per year phase-in, until the average risk premium rate for such properties is equal to the average of the risk premium rates for properties within a specified single risk classification.

Directs FEMA to establish a means by which a state or local government may submit to FEMA payments to fully cover the cost of any premium for property within its jurisdiction.

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct FEMA, in providing hazard mitigation assistance in connection with flooding, to ensure that not less than 25% of the estimated aggregate amount of such assistance is used by a grant recipient to elevate, acquire, or relocate eligible properties within the recipient's jurisdiction.

Prohibits FEMA, in determining whether a community has made adequate progress on the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of a flood protection system, from considering the level of federal funding or participation in such efforts.

Revises requirements for the availability of flood insurance in a community which FEMA has determined to be in the process of restoring flood protection afforded by a system previously accredited on a Flood Insurance Rate Map as providing 100-year frequency flood protection but no longer does so. Declares that such requirements shall apply without regard to the level of federal funding of or participation in the construction, reconstruction, or improvement of the flood protection system.

Prohibits FEMA from issuing a flood insurance rate map, or an update to one, unless: (1) the map or update adequately reflects the protection provided by any levee system in the area against the base flood, regardless of the system's accreditation status; or (2) the community in which any levee system is located elects not to provide the data necessary for FEMA to issue either a map or an update that adequately reflects the protection the system provides against the base flood.

Date: 2013-06-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include community centers and houses of worship as "private nonprofit facilities" that provide essential services of a governmental nature to the general public for purposes of disaster relief and emergency assistance eligibility under such Act.

Makes a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or other house of worship and an otherwise eligible private nonprofit facility operated by a religious organization eligible for federal contributions for the repair, restoration, and replacement of facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster, without regard to the religious character of the facility or the primary religious use of the facility. Requires that, in spaces used primarily for religious worship services, such contributions only be used to cover costs of purchasing or replacing, without limitation, the building structure, building enclosure components, building envelope, vertical and horizontal circulation, physical plant support spaces, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems (including heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and fire and life safety systems), and related site improvements.

Makes this Act applicable to the provision of assistance in response to a major disaster or emergency declared on or after October 28, 2012.

Date: 2013-07-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide: (1) hazard mitigation assistance in any area in which fire management assistance was provided, whether or not a major disaster had been declared; and (2) fire management assistance in any area in which hazard mitigation assistance was provided.

Date: 2013-07-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Prepare, Ready, Equip, and Prevent Areas at Risk of Emergency Wildfires Act of 2013 or the PREPARE Act of 2013 - 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 establish a pilot program to make grants to states for wildfire mitigation and preparedness.

Permits a grant to be used to: (1) reduce the use of fuels that may contribute to catastrophic wildfires in high-risk areas; (2) invest in personnel, organizations, vehicles, and equipment to improve wildfire preparedness; (3) invest in airborne assets to help contain, suppress, and monitor wildfires; and (4) prevent damage from runoff into waterways and floods caused by erosion from wildfires.

Makes a state eligible for assistance under this Act if the fire management assistance grant ratio for such state is equal to or greater than 150% of the state population ratio. Authorizes the President to waive that requirement if a state: (1) files a petition for waiver of that requirement, and (2) demonstrates that significant environmental changes or shifts in forest health put the state at an elevated risk for catastrophic wildfires.

Allows the governor of a state to award grant funds to: (1) any county or municipality in that state with a community wildfire protection plan or a local mitigation plan, or (2) any other entity that is explicitly referenced in and central to the design of such a plan.

Directs the President to consider environmental conditions in a state and give preference to a state: (1) with a high level of need for assistance based on the best scientific data available, (2) a state that provides 100% matching non-federal funds, and (3) a state that previously received a grant and efficiently and effectively used the federal funds for wildfire mitigation and preparedness activities.

Directs the President to use specified unobligated amounts in the National Predisaster Mitigation Fund for each of FY2014-FY2019 in carrying out this Act.

Date: 2013-08-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Homeowners' Defense Act of 2013 - Establishes the National Catastrophe Risk Consortium as a nonprofit, nonfederal entity to: (1) maintain an inventory of catastrophe risk obligations held by state reinsurance funds and state residual insurance market entities; (2) issue, on a conduit basis, securities and other financial instruments linked to catastrophe risks insured or reinsured through Consortium members; (3) coordinate reinsurance contracts; (4) act as a centralized repository of state risk information accessible by certain private-market participants; and (5) use a database to perform research and analysis that encourages standardization of the risk-linked securities market.

Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to implement a national homeowners' insurance stabilization program to make liquidity loans and catastrophic loans to qualified reinsurance programs to: (1) ensure their solvency; (2) improve the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance; (3) provide incentive for risk transfer to the private capital and reinsurance markets; and (4) spread the risk of catastrophic financial loss resulting from natural disasters and catastrophic events.

Authorizes the Secretary to establish and collect, from qualified and precertified reinsurance programs, a reasonable fee to offset expenses of the program.

Instructs the Secretary to require full repayment of all loans made under this Act.

Date: 2013-08-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include a condominium or housing cooperative association as an "individual" or "household" for purposes of the provision of federal disaster assistance (thus authorizing assistance for condominiums and housing cooperatives damaged by a major disaster).

Requires the President to determine the maximum amount of assistance that any such association may receive under such Act for a single disaster.

Date: 2013-08-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Flood Safe Basements Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to rate a covered structure using the elevation difference between the floodproofed elevation and the adjusted base flood elevation of such structure.

Defines "covered structure" as a residential structure: (1) located in a community that has adopted flood plain management measures approved by FEMA and satisfying requirements for an exception for floodproofed residential basements, and (2) built in compliance with the applicable flood plain management measures.

Date: 2013-10-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management