zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Kansas Flood Recovery and Economic Opportunity Act of 2007 - Establishes the federal share of assistance for the state of Kansas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for the storms and flooding in that state between June 26, 2007, and July 25, 2007, at 100% of eligible costs. Extends to certain areas in Kansas declared by the President as major disaster areas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (FEMA-1711-DR, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act) by reason of severe storms and flooding beginning on June 26, 2007, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code allowing: (1) suspension of certain limitations on personal casualty losses; (2) an extension of the period for replacing damaged property without recognizing gain; (3) an employee retention tax credit for affected businesses through 2007; (4) bonus depreciation for certain property acquired after June 26, 2007; (5) increased expensing of small business assets and of demolition and cleanup costs; (6) an increase in the tax credit for rehabilitation expenditures; (7) extended net operating loss carryback periods for losses attributable to storms and for public utility property disaster losses; (8) relaxed income verification requirements for tenants in low-income rental projects; and (9) penalty-free withdrawals and loans from individual retirement accounts and other tax-exempt pension plans.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007 - Establishes the National Commission on Children and Disasters, which shall: (1) conduct a comprehensive study that assesses childrens' needs as they relate to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies; (2) identify, review, and evaluate existing law relevant to such needs; (3) identify, review, and evaluate the lessons learned from past disasters relative to addressing such needs; and (4) report to the President and Congress on its findings and recommendations to address such needs, including regarding the need for a national resource center on children and disasters, coordination of resources and services, administrative actions, policies, regulations, financing, and legislative changes.Sets forth provisions regarding the Commission's powers, staffing, reporting and record-keeping requirements, and termination. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2007-09-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Families
Commission on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management and Insurance Act of 2007 - Establishes the Commission on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management and Insurance to report to Congress on the natural catastrophe insurance marketplace, including: (1) the extent to which insurance costs and availability are affected by specified factors; (2) which factors the federal government should address to increase catastrophe insurance availability and competitiveness; and (3) actions the federal government can undertake to achieve this goal without requiring a long-term cross-subsidy from taxpayers.Requires the Commission to report to certain congressional committees before the beginning of the 2008 hurricane season.

Date: 2007-09-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide for the suspension of each provision of the Act with respect to a federal or state agency that manages a federal river basin if the Secretary of the Army (acting through the Chief of Engineers) or the governor of the relevant state determines that: (1) a drought is in effect in the region in which the basin is located; and (2) such drought presents a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the region's population. Terminates such a suspension on the date the Secretary or governor determines the drought is no longer in effect.

Date: 2007-10-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2007 - 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 at least once every six years.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.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: 2007-10-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Act) to provide for phased-in actuarial premium rates for recently purchased pre-FIRM single family properties used as a principal residence and purchased for at least $600,000. (A pre-FIRM structure is one that was not constructed or substantially improved after the later of: (1) December 31, 1974; or (2) the effective date of the initial rate map published by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 for the area in which such structure is located.)Declares January 1, 2011, the effective date of this Act.Sets forth transition provisions under which the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is instructed to increase annually the chargeable premium rates for certain properties covered under the national flood insurance program if those rates are less than the applicable estimated risk premium rates.

Date: 2007-10-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to transfer excess materials, supplies, or equipment acquired for response or recovery efforts in connection with a major disaster or emergency to a state, governmental entity, or voluntary organization to assist victims of other major disasters and emergencies or other incidents.Authorizes the use and disposal of temporary housing for disaster victims in incidents that do not result in a declaration of a major disaster or emergency.Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to review and revise the factors considered to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need for assistance to individuals and to speed a declaration of a major disaster or emergency.

Date: 2007-10-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
California Wildfire Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Provides special tax treatment for taxpayers in areas affected by the California wildfires of October 2007 relating to: (1) nonrecognition of gain from the involuntary conversion of property; (2) limitations on charitable contributions for relief efforts; (3) the exclusion from gross income for discharges of indebtedness; (4) mortgage revenue bonds; (5) limitations on personal casualty losses; (6) additional tax exemptions for providing housing for displaced individuals; (7) earned income calculations; (8) dependency status for purposes of tax exemptions or the child tax credit; (9) premature withdrawals from retirement plans; (10) income averaging; (11) recontributions to tax-deferred home purchase plans; and (12) loans from tax-qualified employer plans.

Date: 2007-10-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Levee-Like Structure Consideration Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to issue and make effective notice or guidance providing, for purposes of determining flood plain areas and flood-risk zones under the national flood insurance program: (1) a specified process by which a community may request and obtain from the Administrator a determination, including provisional accreditation, of the nature and extent of any flood protection afforded by any structure or feature that was recognized as having some mitigating effect on flood risk on the applicable flood insurance rate map in effect on January 1, 2003, but that does not meet federal requirements for recognition as a levee offering protection from the base flood for purposes of such program; and (2) that any flood protections so determined to be afforded by such structure or feature shall be recognized on and incorporated in updated flood insurance rate maps for any area whose flood risk is affected.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Safe and Healthy Emergency Housing Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide a temporary housing unit to an individual or household only if it complies with regulations of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development that establish formaldehyde emissions requirements applicable to manufactured homes.

Date: 2007-11-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System; (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources; (3) designate task forces to participate in the System and determine criteria for participation; and (4) enter into an agreement with the required sponsoring agency of each task force regarding participation. Sets forth provisions regarding the composition of task forces and reimbursement. Authorizes the Administrator to appoint a System member for a period of federal service to participate in sponsored or sanctioned exercises, pre-incident staging, major disaster and emergency response activities, and training events. Entitles a member who suffers personal injury, illness, disability, or death while acting in the scope of such appointment to be treated as an employee who sustained the injury in the performance of duty. Sets forth provisions regarding election of benefits, liability, employment and re-employment rights, and licenses and permits. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish and maintain an advisory committee; and (2) enter into an annual preparedness cooperative agreement with each agency; and (3) enter into response cooperative agreements under which the Administrator agrees to reimburse agencies for emegency response costs.

Date: 2007-11-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act to redefine an act of terrorism to eliminate the requirement that the individual or individuals committing a terrorist act be acting on behalf of any foreign person or foreign interest.(Sec. 3) Extends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program through calendar 2014.(Sec. 4) States that no insurer may be required to make payment for insured losses in excess of its statutory deductible combined with its statutory share of insured losses. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) notify Congress within 15 days of an act of terrorism on whether the Secretary estimates that aggregate insured losses will exceed $1 hundred billion; (2) promulgate final regulations for determining the pro rata share of insured losses which exceed $100 billion; and (3) report to Congress on the process used to determine the allocation of pro rata payments when insured losses exceed $100 billion. Requires insurers to disclose to policyholders the $100 billion cap on their liability.Modifies the federal surcharges imposed to recoup the mandatory recoupment amount. Establishes a timeline for the collection of terrorism loss risk-spreading premiums.Requires the Secretary to publish an annual updated estimate of aggregate insured losses to be used as the basis for determining whether mandatory recoupment will be required. (Sec. 5) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees on: (1) the availability and affordability of insurance coverage for losses caused by terrorist attacks involving nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological terrorist events; and (2) whether there are specific markets in the United States where unique capacity constraints exist upon the amount of terrorism risk insurance available. (Sec. 6) Modifies the Act to include group life insurance coverage. Limits the federal share of such compensation.(Sec. 7) Provides for increased insurer deductibles based on the value of an insurer's direct earned premiums if aggregate industry insured losses resulting from a certified act of terrorism exceed $1 billion.(Sec. 8) Requires providers of life insurance to make such insurance available without regard to lawful foreign travel.(Sec. 9) Reduces from $100 million to $50 million the aggregated industry insured losses that will trigger federal compensation paid for Program Year 5.

Date: 2007-12-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Rebuilding Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to increase the maximum amount of assistance available to individuals and households to $50,000 (the current limit is $25,000) with respect to a single major disaster. Authorizes the President to increase the amount for an individual or household residing in a state or political subdivision of a state with a high cost of living. Makes this Act applicable to any major disaster declared on or after October 21, 2007.

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
FEMA Accountability Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete an assessment of the number of temporary housing units purchased by FEMA that are necessary to stock to respond to disasters.Requires the Administrator to establish a plan for: (1) permanently storing such necessary units; (2) selling, transferring, or otherwise disposing of the excess units that are in usable condition; and (3) disposing of the units that are not in usable condition. Provides for the exclusion of units that may contain an unsafe level of formaldehyde. Makes such plan subject to Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act requirements for disposal of units and other applicable legal provisions.

Date: 2007-12-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Mortgage and Rental Disaster Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide temporary assistance in the form of mortgage or rental payments to or on behalf of individuals and households who, as a result of financial hardship caused by a major disaster, have received written notice of dispossession or eviction from a residence because of a foreclosure of mortgage or lien, cancellation of sales contract, or lease termination, entered into before such disaster. Defines such a "financial hardship" to include: (1) the loss of employment or significant income because a job, a business, or a business interest was located in a disaster area; or (2) suffering financially because of travel restrictions or station or road closures affecting residents of such area.Restricts eligibility for such assistance to individuals or households who have an adjusted gross income of not more than $75,000 ($100,000 for individuals or households who resided in an area with a high cost of living). Directs the President to adjust the limits annually to reflect inflation. Allows assistance to be provided for the duration of the period of financial hardship caused by the disaster, not to exceed 18 months. Requires recipients determined to be ineligible to return the full amount of assistance to the government.Makes this Act applicable to any major disaster declared on or after October 21, 2007.

Date: 2007-12-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Fire-Safe Communities Act - Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to publish a federal model ordinance for municipalities at risk (subdivisions located in a fire hazard area) that includes specified elements regarding fire prevention and management, such as: (1) specifications for construction materials and techniques for use in such communities; and (2) standards for roads, culverts, and bridges. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modify, for a municipality at risk, the requirements of the Fire Management Assistance Grant Program related to the provision of a non-federal share of funds, so that if such a municipality has adopted an applicable model ordinance and is making significant progress toward implementing it, the Administrator may reduce the required non-federal share to 10% of the grant amount. Directs the Administrator to provide grants to: (1) municipalities at risk to encourage responsible development in state-identified fire-prone regions and to mitigate the catastrophic effects of fires; and (2) states to create or update fire-hazard assessment maps. Amends the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 to: (1) include as a purpose of the Community and Private Land Fire Assistance Program to enhance the capacity of local governments to integrate fire-resistant community and home design into local planning, zoning, building code, and brush clearing ordinances; and (2) authorize a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing assistance to fire-safe communities located near federal land.

Date: 2008-01-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) prohibit the President from contributing federal funds to a state or local government or private nonprofit organization for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of donated real property that the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determines is not critical to the public welfare; and (2) repeal a provision authorizing a state or local government to elect to receive in lieu of such public facility funds a contribution equal to 90% of the federal share of the estimated cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a facility and of management expenses if such government determines that conducting such activity would not best serve the public welfare.

Date: 2008-03-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Mortgage and Rental Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide temporary assistance in the form of mortgage or rental payments for individuals and families who, because of financial hardship caused by a major disaster occurring on or after August 24, 2005, certify that they face dispossession or eviction from a residence by reason of a foreclosure of any mortgage or lien, cancellation of any contract of sale, or termination of any lease, entered into prior to such disaster. Limits assistance to not more than 18 months.

Date: 2008-04-02
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Skilled Trades Second Responders Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to establish a national program for the training, certification, registration, tracking, and integration of skilled construction workers to assist first responders in responding to disasters, including natural and manmade disasters and terrorist attacks. Requires the Director to coordinate and consult with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), other relevant agencies, and private organizations, including construction industry contractors, joint labor-management training funds, and building trade unions, that are experienced in providing rescue and recovery assistance to first responders and in the cleanup, demolition, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of disaster sites after recovery operations.

Date: 2008-04-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Emergency Housing Assistance Act of 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 for grants under the Emergency Food and Shelter Program under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Allows only up to 3.5% of such funds to be used for administrative costs. Limits the use of grants to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board under this Act, and any monies received by any private nonprofit organization or local government from the National Board from such amounts, solely for housing-related assistance needed to prevent homelessness in connection with the foreclosure on a dwelling occupied by an eligible family. Specifies among the uses of such assistance relocation expenses, security and utility deposits, mortgage payments, rent payments, utility payments, and other foreclosure or eviction prevention expenses. Allows an eligible family to receive such assistance for up to three months. Requires such assistance to be provided directly to mortgage servicers, property managers, utility companies, or other entities necessary to prevent the homelessness of such family. (No funds shall be provided directly to the family). Requires the National Board, and any private nonprofit organization or local government receiving monies from it, to maintain such monies in an account separate from other funds provided under the Program.

Date: 2008-04-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Housing and community development
Ratepayer Recovery Act of 2007 [sic]- 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.Restricts the use of such funds to the area affected as a result of the major disaster.

Date: 2008-05-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Energy
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the President, acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to: (1) 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; (2) assign to the National Continuity Programs Directorate responsibility for advising on system modernization and implementation; (3) establish or adopt common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures; (4) 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 (5) ensure the conduct of training, tests, and exercises.Requires the system to: (1) incorporate multiple communications technologies; (2) be designed to adapt to and incorporate future technologies for communicating directly with the public; (3) be designed to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible and improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts; (4) promote local and regional partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response; and (5) provide redundant alert mechanisms.Requires the Director to conduct pilot programs to demonstrate the feasibility of using a variety of methods for achieving system requirements.

Date: 2008-05-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) increase the amount guaranteed to each state under the pre-disaster mitigation program; (2) require other financial assistance under the program to be awarded on a competitive basis; and (3) authorize appropriations for the program through FY2011.

Date: 2008-05-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Federal Emergency Management Advancement Act of 2008 or the FEMA Act - Reestablishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent establishment in the executive branch. Requires FEMA to be headed by a Director appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Designates the Director as the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Homeland Security for all matters relating to emergency management in the United States. Directs the President to designate the Director to serve as a Cabinet member in the event of specified disasters. Establishes as FEMA's primary mission to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards, including natural and man-made disasters, through a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation.Prescribes the Director's responsibilities. Provides for 10 regional offices. Requires each Regional Administrator to: (1) establish a Regional Advisory Council; and (2) oversee multi-agency strike teams. Establishes a National Operations Center. Requires the Director to: (1) establish Area Offices in appropriate Regional Offices; (2) defer to substantiating documentation submitted by states in determining the duration of a major disaster and in establishing the eligibility period for assistance; (3) establish and implement the voluntary private sector preparedness accreditation and certification program; (4) ensure that the National Response Plan provides for a clear chain of command to lead and coordinate the federal response to disasters; and (5) enter into a memorandum of understanding with specified individuals to collaborate on developing standards for deployment capabilities. Transfers specified functions and personnel to FEMA. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make necessary determinations regarding such functions and incidental dispositions of personnel, assets, and property.

Date: 2008-05-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Midwest Storm Victim Relief Act of 2008 - Directs the President, in providing financial assistance to individuals and households in connection with major disasters declared for storm damage and flooding in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin from May 26-June 15, 2008, to double the maximum assistance available under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend certain limitations on personal casualty losses attributable to major disasters declared for such storm damage and flooding. Excludes from gross income, for purposes of the Code, any amount received as compensation for a loss for which a deduction is allowed by reason of such a declaration if such compensation is received in a subsequent taxable year.

Date: 2008-06-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to revise the requirements for determining a community's adequate progress on the construction of a flood protection system for flood insurance eligibility purposes. Permits the minimum 60% of system cost appropriation requirement to be met from federal, state, or local appropriations or funds otherwise made available (currently, only from federal appropriations).

Date: 2008-06-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from updating a floodplain area or flood-risk zone under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 until the Administrator submits a community outreach plan to Congress.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a credit equal to the premium paid by the taxpayer for flood insurance covering any residential property which is a qualified flood risk property, subject to an income-based limitation. Defines "qualified flood risk property" as a residential property: (1) that is located in a floodplain area or flood-risk zone depicted on a flood insurance rate map revised and updated pursuant to such Act; (2) that was outside of any floodplain area or flood-risk zone prior to such revision; and (3) that the taxpayer owned on the date such map became effective or the purchase or construction of which by the taxpayer was subject to a binding written contract on such date.Makes this Act applicable to any flood insurance rate map that becomes effective pursuant to such Act. Provides that if a refund or credit of any overpayment resulting from this Act is prevented at any time before one year after enactment of this Act, such refund or credit may occur if the claim is filed before the close of that period.Amends such Act to require the community rating system program to provide grants to communities for projects to improve the rating of communities under the program.

Date: 2008-06-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Property Mitigation Assistance Act of 2008 - 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 into 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: 2008-06-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Small Business Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make disaster loans to assist small businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of a significant increase in the price of heating fuel occurring on or after October 1, 2007. Prohibits such loan from being made if the total amount outstanding and committed to the borrower would exceed $1.5 million, unless the borrower is a major source of employment in its surrounding area. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to farm operations that qualify as a small business and that have or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury on or after October 1, 2007, as the result of a significant increase in energy costs in connection with an energy emergency declared by the President or the Secretary.

Date: 2008-07-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
8/29 Investigation Team Act - Establishes a bipartisan 8/29 Investigation Team to examine: (1) the events beginning on August 29, 2005, with respect to the failure of the flood protection system in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; and (2) each flood control and restoration project that has been carried out since that date in the Gulf Coast. Prohibits any elected federal official from serving as a Team member. Expresses the sense of Congress regarding member qualifications.Urges the Team to: (1) review findings and recommendations of all studies conducted in the aftermath of the levee failures in Louisiana on or after August 29, 2005; (2) review the ongoing U.S. exposure to flood control system failures; and (3) report on necessary legislative or regulatory changes.

Date: 2008-07-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Public Health Emergency Response Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to activate the coverage of short-term emergency health care services if the Secretary determines that there is a public health emergency. Sets forth factors for the Secretary to consider, including the degree to which the emergency is likely to overwhelm health care providers in the region.Requires the Secretary to establish a medical monitoring program for monitoring and reporting on the health care needs of the affected population over time.Limits eligibility for coverage of emergency health care services to: (1) uninsured or underinsured emergency victims who need health care services due to injuries or disease resulting from the public health emergency; or (2) uninsured individuals residing in the affected area whose ability to access care or medicine is disrupted as a result of the emergency.Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a streamlined process for determining eligibility for emergency health care services; (2) report to Congress on the number and adequacy of volunteers enrolled in the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) who will be available to each state in the event of a public health emergency; and (3) conduct an outreach and public education campaign to inform health care providers and the general public about the availability of emergency health care coverage during the period of the emergency.

Date: 2008-07-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Health
Midwestern Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax benefits to individuals affected by presidentially-declared natural disasters (i.e., severe storms, tornadoes, or flooding) in the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin on or after May 20, 2008, and before August 1, 2008 (Midwestern disaster area).Makes specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, which currently apply only to residents of the Gulf Opportunity Zone and the Hurricane Katrina disaster area, applicable to the Midwestern disaster area, including: (1) tax-exempt bond financing, the low-income housing tax credit, accelerated depreciation and increased expensing of business assets, an increase in the rehabilitation tax credit, extended carryback of net operating losses, and investment in tax credit bonds; (2) increased tax deductions for tuition and related educational expenses; (3) expensing of environmental remediation costs and demolition and cleanup costs; (4) tax incentives for employer-provided housing; (5) tax-free withdrawals from retirement accounts and recontributions for home purchases; (6) employer tax credits for retention of employees; (7) suspension of limitations on tax deductions for charitable contributions and personal casualty losses; (8) mortgage revenue bonds for owner-occupied residences; (9) tax exemptions for cancellation of indebtedness; and (10) nonrecognition of gain for homes and businesses destroyed in a disaster. Allows taxpayers in the Midwestern disaster area who claimed a tax deduction for a casualty loss to a principal residence and later received a grant under any federal or state program for reimbursement of such loss to file an amended tax return, without incurring tax penalties.Extends through 2009 the additional tax exemption for housing displaced individuals in the Midwestern disaster area. Excludes from gross income, through December 31, 2008, reimbursements to volunteers in the Midwestern disaster area for the use of a personal vehicle for charitable work. Increases the standard mileage rate for the charitable use of personal vehicles.Extends through 2009 the enhanced tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventories and of book inventories to public schools. Requires tax-exempt charitable organizations to provide the Secretary of the Treasury with specified information, on an annual basis, relating to their disaster relief activities.

Date: 2008-07-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Allows taxpayers who claimed a tax deduction for a casualty loss to a principal residence resulting from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma and then received a grant as reimbursement for such loss in a subsequent taxable year to file an amended income tax return and reduce such tax deduction by the amount of the reimbursement. Waives interest and penalties on any underpayment of tax resulting from the reduced tax deduction if such underpayment is paid within one year of the filing of the amended tax return.

Date: 2008-07-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Fair Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide special tax rules for individuals affected by a federally declared disaster, including: (1) allowance of all personal casualty losses incurred in a federally declared disaster in excess of $500; (2) an increase in the standard tax deduction for disaster losses; (3) full expensing of business-related disaster cleanup expenses; (4) extension of the net operating loss carryback period from two to five years for disaster-related losses; and (5) allowance of tax-exempt bond financing of low-interest loans for principal residences damaged in a federally declared disaster.

Date: 2008-07-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Small Business Owner Disaster Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide contributions to a person who owns or operates a private business damaged or destroyed by a major disaster for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of the facility and for associated expenses, if the business employed an average of 25 or fewer employees during the 12-month period preceding the disaster.

Date: 2008-07-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Response, Recovery and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) require the President to award financial assistance under the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program on a competitive basis; and (2) authorize continuing appropriations for such program through FY2011.Requires: (1) 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; and (2) the Administrator to establish an Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee.Makes temporary FEMA employees hired in the aftermath of a disaster eligible to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan.Authorizes the President to transfer excess materials, supplies, or equipment acquired for response or recovery efforts in connection with a major disaster or emergency to a state, local government, or relief organization to assist victims of other major disasters, emergencies, or incidents. Directs the Administrator to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System; (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources; (3) designate task forces to participate in the System and determine participation criteria; and (4) enter into annual preparedness cooperative agreements with sponsoring agencies.Provides for the establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund.Authorizes the President to: (1) increase disaster mitigation assistance to states that are actively enforcing approved building codes; and (2) provide temporary assistance in the form of mortgage or rental payments for individuals and families who, because of financial hardship caused by a major disaster, are at imminent risk of dispossession or eviction from a residence.Authorizes FEMA to rescue and shelter animals during disasters and emergencies.Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) continue to administer the Citizen Corps and the Community Emergency Response Team Program; and (2) make grants for implementation of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Date: 2008-07-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Duncan Plaza Homeless Disaster Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an enhanced low-income housing tax credit for low-income housing projects providing temporary living accommodations for homeless individuals located in areas determined by the President to warrant public assistance due to an incident of national significance.

Date: 2008-07-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Midwest Schools Disaster Recovery Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make payments to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin to enable such states to assist their local educational agencies (LEAs) in recovering from the severe storms and flooding that hit the Midwest during the months of May and June, 2008. Protects such LEAs, that serve major disaster areas due to those storms and floods, from experiencing a FY2009 reduction of school improvement funds under part A of title I (Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Authorizes the Secretary to waive or modify the application of maintenance of effort and cost-sharing conditions on the receipt of educational funding by entities in states affected by such disaster. Directs the Secretary to provide: (1) temporary emergency Impact Aid to states and, through them, to LEAs and Indian schools to enable such LEAs and schools to instruct students displaced by such disaster; and (2) assistance, consistent with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, to LEAs serving students rendered homeless by such disaster. Terminates this Act's programs on August 1, 2009.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Education
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: 2008-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Gulf Coast Multifamily and Assisted Housing Recovery Act - Amends the Housing Act of 1959 to authorize additional appropriations to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for low-income elderly persons meeting certain criteria relating to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to authorize additional appropriations to the Secretary to provide the same kind of assistance for low-income persons with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations for the redevelopment (rebuilding or replacement) of housing authorized under the Housing Act of 1959 which was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and in the Parish of St. Bernard. Requires the Secretary to adjust the rent levels annually on a budget-based basis for eligible projects in a designated disaster area receiving rental assistance under the Housing Act of 1959 and the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. Requires the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the number of project-based assistance contracts and units which were terminated in the designated disaster area after September 30, 2005; and (2) the specific developer, project name, location, number of units, and project description for each such project-based assistance contract. Prohibits a project-based assistance payments contract for a covered assisted multifamily housing project from expiring or being terminated because of the damage or destruction of dwelling units in the project by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita. Deems the expiration date of such a contract to be the later of the date: (1) specified in the contract; or (2) that is not less than three months after the dwelling units in such project, or in a replacement project, are first made habitable. Requires the Secretary to develop and report to specified congressional committees on a written disaster response plan for federally assisted properties that receive assistance pursuant to such Acts.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Housing and community development
Homeowners Insurance and Mitigation Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) 50% of the increases in homeowners insurance premiums for taxpayers whose principal residences are located in certain federally declared hurricane disaster areas or in states which border the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico, up to $500 annually; and (2) 25% of the qualified hurricane, earthquake, and tornado mitigation property expenditures of homeowners and businesses, up to $5,000 annually. Includes within the definition of "qualified hurricane, earthquake, and tornado mitigation expenditures" expenditures for property to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment, create a secondary water barrier, improve the durability of a roof covering, reinforce the connection between a roof and a supporting wall, and protect exterior doors and garages.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation