zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Catastrophe Savings Accounts Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to create tax-exempt catastrophe savings accounts (CSAs). Allows tax-free distributions from CSAs to pay expenses resulting from a presidentially declared major disaster. Limits CSA balances to: (1) $2,000 (for individuals with homeowner insurance deductibles of not more than $1,000); and (2) the lesser of $15,000 or twice a homeowner's insurance deductible (for individuals with deductibles of more than $1,000).

Date: 2009-07-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2009 - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, in collaboration with the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF), to establish a National Hurricane Research Initiative to: (1) improve understanding and prediction of hurricanes and other tropical storms; (2) develop infrastructure that is resilient to the forces associated with such storms; (3) mitigate the impacts of hurricanes on coastal populations, the coastal built environment, and natural resources; and (4) provide training for the next generation of hurricane researchers and forecasters. Directs the Under Secretary to: (1) develop a five-year implementation plan for the Initiative, ensure that such plan is reviewed by specified agencies within 18 months after enactment of this Act, and revise such plan every five years to address findings of the National Hurricane Research Task Force; (2) establish objectives for hurricane research; (3) carry out a series of national workshops and conferences to address hurricane-related research questions; (4) facilitate the establishment of a public Internet website for the Initiative; and (5) submit to Congress a coordinated annual report for the Initiative. Requires the Under Secretary to: (1) establish a National Hurricane Research Task Force to facilitate and coordinate the efforts of federal agencies and eligible entities in support of the Initiative; (2) carry out a hurricane research program; and (3) seek to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council of the National Academies to carry out an independent review of the Initiative. Requires the NSF Director to establish a program to award grants for hurricane research.

Date: 2009-07-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) to make tax deductible contributions to a tax-exempt policyholder disaster protection fund established by this Act for the payment of policyholders' claims arising from certain catastrophic events, such as windstorms, earthquakes, fires, or floods.

Date: 2009-07-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Small Business Administration Disaster Recovery and Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to submit to the congressional small business committees recommendations for improvements to the Gulf Coast disaster loan refinancing program. Extends for 24 additional months the authorized loan assistance term for small businesses affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita and participating in the SBA small business and capital ownership development program. Allows the Administrator to declare a disaster with respect to small businesses that installed defective drywall manufactured in China, for purposes of qualification for SBA disaster loan assistance. Amends the Small Business Act to increase authorized assistance under the SBA's: (1) pioneer business recovery program (formerly the expedited disaster assistance loan program); and (2) disaster loan assistance program. Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee loans made under an approved state bridge loan program. Requires the Administrator to report on: (1) regional outreach on disaster assistance programs; (2) coordination of economic injury disaster declarations; and (3) coordination between SBA and Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster programs. Directs the Administrator to ensure that disaster recovery needs unmet by federal and private sources are not overlooked by the SBA in determining duplication of benefits for disaster victims.

Date: 2009-11-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
Amends the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 to extend through 2010 provisions of such Act allowing residents of the Midwestern disaster area to: (1) use amounts from tax-exempt retirement accounts without a tax penalty to purchase a new principal residence or repair an existing one; (2) recontribute amounts withdrawn for such purposes to such accounts; and (3) exclude from gross income income resulting from a cancellation of mortgage indebtedness incurred in such disaster area.

Date: 2009-11-20
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Emergency Response Act of 2009 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to redefine "major disaster" as any natural disaster (including pandemics), act of terrorism, or other manmade disaster (under current law, any natural catastrophe) in any part of the United States that, in the determination of the President, causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance to supplement the efforts and resources of states, local governments, and disaster relief organizations. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to designate a representative to lead a working group with national organizations that represent state, local, and tribal government interests to prepare best practice recommendations for facilitating the flow of public health information to state fusion centers and the greater homeland security community.

Date: 2009-12-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to dedicate at least $30 billion out of amounts made available to implement the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in order to purchase troubled assets from community depository institutions under the Public-Private Investment Program. Directs the Comptroller General, the Special Inspector General for TARP, and the Congressional Oversight Panel to report to Congress their evaluations and findings on the status and performance of such assistance. Directs the chairperson of the board of directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Secretary to report to Congress on the status of the Legacy Loans program, including: (1) barriers to attracting greater numbers of banks and investors to participate; (2) a detailed summary of all proposals being considered to address existing barriers and expand participation in the program; and (3) specific proposals to attract greater participation of community depository institutions.

Date: 2009-12-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Federal Supply Schedules Usage Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to provide for the use of federal supply schedules by the American National Red Cross and other qualified organizations (as described in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act) in furtherance of purposes determined to be appropriate to facilitate emergency preparedness and disaster relief. Prohibits use of such authority to purchase supplies for resale. Requires all uses of federal supply schedules to be in accordance with the ordering guidance provided by the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to include among permitted uses of federal supply schedules by state or local governments the procurement of goods or services to facilitate disaster preparedness or response.Specifies that the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

Date: 2009-12-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 or the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2010 certain tax provisions related to disaster relief, including: (1) credits to holders of disaster area tax credit bonds; (2) increased disaster zone education tax benefits; (3) penalty-free distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans for disaster-related expenses; (4) authority to adjust the tax status of taxpayers in a disaster area; (5) deductibility of losses, including net operating losses, attributable to federally declared disasters; (6) expensing of disaster-related capital expenditures; (7) waiver of mortgage revenue bond requirements; and (8) accelerated depreciation of nonresidential real property or residential rental property located in a disaster area.

Date: 2009-12-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Taxpayer Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a 50% tax on bonuses, including retention bonuses, exceeding $400,000 paid in 2009 to employees of financial institutions (including the Federal National Mortgage Association [Fannie Mae] and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Freddie Mac]) that received $5 billion or more in emergency economic assistance from the federal government; and (2) limit the business tax deduction for such bonuses to 50% of the amount of such bonuses.

Date: 2010-02-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to prohibit the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from updating a flood plain area or a flood risk zone in a geographic area that meets the following conditions: (1) the area is intended to be protected by a levee that the Army Corps of Engineers determines has a design deficiency; (2) the entity responsible for the repair of such levee has implemented a repair plan that has been developed by the Corps or a professional licensed engineer and approved by the Corps or FEMA, that is based on sufficient and reasonably current design data that accurately reflects the condition of such levee and other flood protection facilities in the area, that will provide protection from the 1% annual chance flood for the area, and that includes an adequate financing mechanism; and (3) each state or local government with jurisdiction over any portion of the geographic area has implemented a surveillance and operations plan to provide for timely alerts and immediate remedial action when significant underseepage or potential failure occurs, has an evacuation plan, and has implemented an outreach and communication plan to advise occupants of potential flood risks, the opportunity to purchase flood insurance, and the consequences of failure to purchase insurance. Exempts a geographic area if the Director: (1) determines that the area is protected by a system that provides protection from the 1% annual chance flood; or (2) has suspended the updating of flood plain areas or flood risk zones in such area in accordance with this Act for seven consecutive years.

Date: 2010-03-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Enhancement Act of 2010 - Requires the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium to include the SUNY (State University of New York) National Center for Security and Preparedness.

Date: 2010-04-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Predisaster Hazard Mitigation Act of 2010 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require the President to: (1) award financial assistance under the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program on a competitive basis; and (2) ensure that the amount of assistance made available to each state is not less than the lesser of $575,000 or 1% of the total funds appropriated to carry out such program for the fiscal year, and not more than 15% of such appropriated funds. Authorizes appropriations for the program for FY2011-FY2015. Repeals the program termination date. Prohibits funds appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out such program from being used for congressionally directed spending. Requires the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to report to Congress explaining the reasons for awarding any grants using procedures other than competitive procedures.

Date: 2010-04-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Volunteer Emergency Services Recruitment and Retention Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow sponsors of certain deferred compensation plans to elect to include length of service award plans for bona fide volunteers providing firefighting and fire prevention services, emergency medical services, ambulance services, and emergency rescue services. Directs the Secretary of Labor to issue regulations exempting a length of service award program from treatment as an employee pension benefit plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).

Date: 2010-05-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Oil Spill Claims Assistance and Recovery Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to provide technical assistance grants within 60 days after this Act's enactment to eligible organizations for use in assisting individuals and businesses affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Authorizes the use of grant funds to: (1) support education, outreach, intake, language services, accounting services, pro bono legal services, damage assessments, economic loss analysis, collecting and preparing documentation, and assistance in the preparation and filing of claims or appeals; (2) provide assistance to individuals or businesses seeking assistance from a party responsible for the oil spill, the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, an insurance policy, or any other federal, state, or local government program; (3) pay salaries, training, and appropriate expenses relating to the purchase or lease of property to support operations, equipment, and travel expenses; (4) assist other organizations in assisting specific business sectors, providing services, assisting specific jurisdictions, or otherwise supporting operations; and (5) establish an advisory board of service providers and technical experts to monitor the claims process relating to the oil spill and to provide recommendations to the parties responsible for the oil spill, the National Pollution Funds Center, other appropriate agencies, and Congress to improve fairness and efficiency in the claims process. Prohibits the use of grant funds to provide compensation for damages or removal costs relating to the oil spill. Encourages the Secretary to consider grant applications from organizations that have established networks with affected business sectors, including the fishery and aquaculture industries, the restaurant, grocery, food processing, and food delivery industries, and the hotel and tourism industries. Requires the Director of the National Pollution Funds Center and the parties responsible for the oil spill to provide training to such an organization regarding the claims process. Makes grant funds available until the later of: (1) six years after the date of the oil spill; and (2) the date on which all claims relating to the oil spill have been satisfied.

Date: 2010-05-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Economics and public finance
BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster Inquiry Commission Act of 2010 - Establishes the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster Inquiry Commission to investigate: (1) the performance of BP Exploration and Production, Inc., Transocean, Ltd., and other entities affiliated with the Mobile Drilling Unit Deepwater Horizon; (2) their compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations (including their conformance with their own practices and industry practices); (3) the performance of federal, state, and local agencies responsible for oversight, inspection, and enforcement; and (4) the compliance of such agencies with federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing their actions. Requires the Commission to evaluate: (1) current and future impact of the oil disaster on the environment, economy, and public health; (2) the adequacy of the response to the oil disaster; (3) the implications of the oil disaster, and any risk of other such disasters, for offshore oil and gas activities by the United States; and (4) the availability and accuracy of baseline data against which the impact of the oil disaster may be measured. Requires the Commission to develop recommendations to: (1) improve the response to the oil disaster, including through modification of proposed plans to mitigate and monitor its impact; and (2) minimize the risk and mitigate the impact of future such disasters (including changes to federal law and regulations and improvements in industry practices). Sets forth powers of the Commission, including subpoena powers.

Date: 2010-05-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Energy
Requires disregard of any hours worked by a federal firefighter under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement for purposes of any determination relating to eligibility for or the amount of any overtime pay.

Date: 2010-05-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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: 2010-05-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Acceptance of Liability and Expedited Claims at Mississippi Canyon 252 Act - Establishes within the Department of the Interior the Office of Deepwater Horizon Claims Compensation (Office) to compensate, on a no-fault basis and in a nonadversarial manner, persons and governmental entities that have incurred damages as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. Makes the Office Administrator responsible for processing claims for compensation for damages. Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish comprehensive claimant assistance and resource centers in areas with large concentrations of potential claimants; and (2) designate categories of claims to be handled on an expedited basis as a result of extreme financial hardship. Imposes a stay upon any claim for monetary damages pending in federal or state court related to the Deepwater Horizon incident. Makes any such claim eligible for disposition only if the claimant elects to pursue it under this Act. Requires the Administrator to establish an Advisory Committee on Deepwater Horizon Compensation. Sets forth the essential elements of an eligible claim for damages, including proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the claimant suffered damages as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. Declares that a claimant shall not be required to demonstrate that such damages resulted from the negligence or other fault of any other person. Sets forth claims procedures. Covers damages for losses to real or personal property, subsistence use, revenues, profits and earning capacity, and the costs of public services. Confers on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction over any action for declaratory or injunctive relief challenging any provision of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to renegotiate the terms of the "Mississippi Canyon 252" lease to reflect statements made in a certain letter from the Group Chief Executive of British Petroleum Exploration & Production, Incorporated (BP) to the Secretaries of Homeland Security and of the Interior that BP is "prepared to pay above $75 million" on "all legitimate claims" relating to that explosion and oil spill. Requires BP, as a condition of such renegotiated lease, to pay all damages awarded pursuant to this Act.

Date: 2010-05-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Energy
Acceptance of Offer on Liability and Expedited Claims at Mississippi Canyon 252 Act - Establishes within the Department of the Interior the Office of Deepwater Horizon Claims Compensation (Office) to compensate, on a no-fault basis and in a nonadversarial manner, persons and governmental entities that have incurred damages as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. Makes the Office Administrator responsible for processing claims for compensation for damages. Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish comprehensive claimant assistance and resource centers in areas with large concentrations of potential claimants; and (2) designate categories of claims to be handled on an expedited basis as a result of extreme financial hardship. Imposes a stay upon any claim for monetary damages pending in federal or state court related to the Deepwater Horizon incident. Makes any such claim eligible for disposition only if the claimant elects to pursue it under this Act. Requires the Administrator to establish an Advisory Committee on Deepwater Horizon Compensation. Sets forth the essential elements of an eligible claim for damages, including proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the claimant suffered damages as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident. Declares that a claimant shall not be required to demonstrate that such damages resulted from the negligence or other fault of any other person. Sets forth claims procedures. Covers damages for losses to real or personal property, subsistence use, revenues, profits and earning capacity, and the costs of public services. Confers on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction over any action for declaratory or injunctive relief challenging any provision of this Act. Declares that a certain letter from the Group Chief Executive of British Petroleum Exploration & Production, Incorporated (BP) to the Secretaries of Homeland Security and of the Interior evidences an offer of BP to modify the oil and gas leasing contract involved in the Deepwater Horizon incident to incorporate new terms of liability by stating that BP is "prepared to pay above $75 million" on "all legitimate claims" relating to that explosion and oil spill. Directs the Secretary to: (1) accept the new terms of liability offered by BP in such letter; (2) consider the oil and gas leasing contract involved in the Deepwater Horizon incident as being amended to reflect those new terms; and (3) return to BP for immediate payment any claim BP has failed to pay which the Secretary determines to be legitimate for BP to pay.

Date: 2010-06-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Energy
Water Assistance from International Vessels for Emergency Response Act - Waives requirements for coastwise endorsements to a certificate of documentation in order to engage in coastwise trade for foreign vessels engaged in containment, remediation, or associated activities in connection with the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Date: 2010-06-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Gulf of Mexico Economic Recovery and Job Impact Analysis Act of 2010 - Requires the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) conduct a study evaluating the effect on small businesses of a six-month moratorium on new deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico; and (2) report study results to the congressional small business and energy committees.

Date: 2010-06-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
Price Gouging Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), after the President declares a major disaster, to: (1) consult with the Attorney General, the U.S. Attorney for that area, and state and local law enforcement officials to determine whether any supplier is charging unconscionably excessive prices for gasoline or diesel fuel; (2) establish a toll-free hotline for a consumer to report price gouging; and (3) establish a program to develop and distribute public informational materials in English and Spanish to assist consumers in detecting and avoiding price gouging. Makes it unlawful to charge unconscionably excessive prices for any gasoline or diesel fuel during the 180-day period after the President declares a major disaster. Requires the FTC, if it determines a supplier is in violation, to take any action it determines appropriate to remedy the violation. Authorizes civil penalties. Requires imprisonment for knowing violations. Authorizes victims and any state attorney general to bring a civil action against violators of this Act.

Date: 2010-06-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
Data Security Act of 2010 - Prescribes security procedures which an entity that maintains or communicates sensitive account or personal information must implement and enforce in order to protect the information from an unauthorized use likely to result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the consumer. Grants exclusive enforcement powers to specified federal regulatory agencies with oversight of financial institutions. Denies a private right of action, including a class action, regarding any act or practice regulated under this Act. Prohibits any civil or criminal action in state court or under state law relating to any act or practice governed under this Act. Prescribes data security standards to be implemented by federal agencies. Preempts state law with respect to the responsibilities of any person to protect against and investigate such data security breaches and mitigate any losses or harm resulting from them.

Date: 2010-07-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Fairness in Admiralty and Maritime Law Act - Repeals specified general limitations on a shipowner's liability (the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851) for personal injury or death on seagoing vessels. Allows punitive damages to be assessed without regard to the amount of compensatory damages assessed in a civil maritime action for damages arising out of a maritime tort. Amends the Death on the High Seas Act to permit the personal representative of a decedent to bring a civil action in admiralty or law (limited to admiralty under current law) against the person or vessel responsible for the decedent's death when the death was caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring on the high seas beyond three nautical miles from the shore of the United States. Limits the right to bring such action to the decedent's survivors, including spouse, parent, child, or dependent relative. Allows recovery in such an action for fair compensation for nonpecuniary loss (limited to pecuniary loss under current law), plus a fair compensation for the decedent's pain and suffering. Defines "nonpecuniary loss" as loss of care, comfort, and companionship. Amends the Jones Act to allow recovery for the loss of the care, comfort, and companionship of a seaman who died in the course of employment. Removes restrictions on the bringing of actions under U.S. maritime law by workers who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents against a mineral or energy company for personal injury or death occurring in the territorial waters or continental shelf of a foreign country.

Date: 2010-07-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Transportation and public works
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 29, 2010. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Extends through FY2011 the deadline for state expenditure of certain emergency supplemental appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the Administration for Children and Families provided for recovery from Hurricanes Ike and Rita and other 2008 natural disasters.

Date: 2010-09-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Social welfare
National Flood Insurance Program Reextension Act of 2010 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend the National Flood Insurance Program from September 30, 2010, through September 30, 2011. Continues through FY2011 the authority of the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with the President's approval, to issue up to $20.725 billion in notes and obligations to finance the Program.

Date: 2010-09-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
National Commission on Children and Disasters Reauthorization Act of 2010 - Amends the Kids in Disasters Well-being, Safety, and Health Act of 2007 to authorize appropriations for the National Commission on Children and Disasters through FY2012. Requires any vacancy in the Commission to be filled within 90 days after the date of the vacancy. Requires the Commission to submit: (1) interim reports to the President and Congress annually; and (2) its final report by December 31, 2012.

Date: 2010-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Flood Insurance Affordability and Risk Notification Act - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to delay, for a five-year period, the effective date for the mandatory purchase of flood insurance for certain new flood hazard areas not previously designated as having special flood hazards (with "100-year floodplains"). Limits such delay to geographic areas whose state or local governments have developed an evacuation plan and implemented an outreach and communication plan to advise occupants of flood risks and evacuation routes. Makes the preferred risk rate method premium available for flood insurance coverage for properties located in such areas during such five-year time period. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to set forth a five-year phase-in of flood insurance rates for newly mapped areas not previously designated as having special flood hazards. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) work to enhance communication and outreach to states, local communities, and property owners about the effects of any potential changes or updates to National Flood Insurance Program rate maps, including their effects on flood insurance purchase requirements; (2) engage with local communities to enhance communication and outreach to their residents; and (3) make certain information available to the public on the FEMA website, including information on the availability and cost of flood insurance.

Date: 2010-12-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Recovery Improvement Act - Directs the President to issue and begin to implement regulations required by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) regarding the repair, restoration, reconstruction, and replacement of public facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster to provide for cost estimation procedures that expedite recovery and to reduce the costs and time for completion of recovery projects through the creation of financial and performance incentives. Amends such Act to require a decision regarding an appeal of any decision regarding eligibility for, or the amount of, federal disaster assistance to be rendered within 60 (currently, 90) days after the designated federal official receives notice of the appeal. Requires: (1) the federal official to provide a written explanation to the applicant of a failure to satisfy that requirement, and (2) the President to transmit quarterly reports on such failures. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in cooperation with representatives of state and local emergency management agencies, to review, update, and revise through rulemaking the factors considered when evaluating a governor's request for a major disaster declaration to measure the severity, magnitude, and impact of a disaster, in order to provide more objective criteria for evaluating the need for assistance to individuals and to speed such declaration. Authorizes the President, in any emergency, to provide assistance for rescue, care, shelter, and essential needs to individuals with household pets and service animals and to such pets and animals.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) study the uses and capabilities of amateur radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief; (2) use the expertise of the American Radio Relay League in the study; and (3) report to Congress.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Smart Housing in Disasters Act of 2011 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) to cover as a major disaster any "catastrophic incident" as defined by the Homeland Security Act, namely any natural disaster, act of terrorism, or other man-made disaster that results in extraordinary levels of casualties or damage or disruption severely affecting the population (including mass evacuations), infrastructure, environment, economy, national morale, or government functions in an area. Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop, as an annex to the National Disaster Housing Strategy, a lifecycle and tracking plan for housing units provided to individuals and households affected by an emergency or major disaster that establishes policies for procurement, delivery, installation, maintenance, deactivation, and disposal of the units. Requires the plan to: (1) emphasize the acquisition of housing units that can be recycled and reused for multiple emergencies or major disasters; and (2) include a process for the Administrator to track each housing unit from its date of acquisition through its date of disposal. Amends the Stafford Act to direct the President, upon determining that a temporary housing unit purchased under such Act for housing disaster victims is unsuitable for habitation, to alter such unit in a manner that will prevent it from being used for habitation before it is disposed through sale to a recycler or other purchaser.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Protecting Jobs in Your State Act of 2011 - Prohibits a state or a political subdivision from using funds made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, Public Law 111-226 (relating to education jobs and Medicaid payments to states), the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, or funds for disaster relief administered by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), as an incentive for a business to: (1) relocate a plant, facility, or other operation from one state to another; or (2) expand an operation in a state in a manner that will result in a reduction in such an operation in another state. Authorizes a political subdivision to submit to the state governor a petition stating that it has been adversely affected by a violation of such prohibition and requesting that the governor submit to the Secretary of Commerce a petition for an investigation. Provides that if the Secretary determines that a violation has occurred, the state in which such a violation was committed shall be liable to the United States for the amount of funds involved. Prohibits such a state from receiving any other funds under such Acts until it fully repays such amount to the United States. Directs the Comptroller General, biannually during the period that ends five years after this Act's enactment, to submit to specified committees a report on the impact of such provisions, including: (1) a statement of the number of petitions received by the Secretary of Commerce and a summary of the disposition of such petitions; (2) a list of U.S. claims that arose, were outstanding, or were collected; and (3) a list of any funds withheld.

Date: 2011-01-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
National Flood Insurance Program Termination Act of 2010 [sic] - Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from providing any new flood insurance coverage after December 31, 2013, or renewing any coverage provided before such date, under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Terminates the National Flood Insurance Program on such date. Makes conforming repeal amendments to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, and the Federal Flood Insurance Act of 1956. Grants the consent of Congress to any two or more states to enter into agreements or compacts for making flood insurance available to interested persons for loss and damage arising from any flood occurring in the United States.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Restoration Act of 2011 - Establishes the Gulf of Mexico Recovery Council, consisting of each member of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. Directs the Council to: (1) establish guidelines for, approve or disapprove, and annually review Gulf state comprehensive restoration plans that address the effects in such a state of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon that began on April 20, 2010, with regard to the economy, the environment, and public health; (2) distribute funds to states whose plans are approved; (3) establish a Gulf of Mexico Observation System, to be implemented through a Gulf of Mexico Exploration Research Center, to increase observation and monitoring capabilities in the Gulf; (4) establish a Gulf of Mexico sea grant program to fund Gulf coast restoration projects carried out by sea grant colleges or institutions located in the Gulf states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi); (5) establish a Gulf of Mexico seafood marketing program and a Gulf of Mexico Seafood Marketing Board to submit a seafood marketing plan; (6) establish a Gulf of Mexico clean energy program to make grants for qualified clean energy projects and energy efficiency projects; (7) establish a Gulf coast-based working group to implement policies and programs to accomplish Gulf coast economic development, ecosystem restoration, and public health rehabilitation; (8) coordinate the sharing of scientific information and other research associated with Gulf coast economic development, ecosystem restoration, and public health rehabilitation; and (9) submit an annual report to Congress. Establishes in the Treasury a Gulf of Mexico Economic and Environmental Recovery Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit into the Fund not less than 80% of any amounts collected as penalties, settlements, or fines under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) in relation to the oil spill. Requires the Fund to be made available to the Council only for activities related to Gulf coast economic development, ecosystem restoration, and public health rehabilitation that are not inconsistent with the regional ecosystem restoration strategy developed by the Task Force.

Date: 2011-01-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Dental Emergency Responder Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the inclusion of dental health facilities in the National Health Security Strategy for purposes of preparedness during public health emergencies. Includes dental entities among entities that may carry out education and training activities to improve responses to public health emergencies.

Date: 2011-02-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Floodplain Maps Moratorium Act - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to delay for five years the requirement to purchase flood insurance for properties in a new flood hazard area if the area's state or local government has developed a flood evacuation plan and meets other specified criteria. Makes the preferred risk rate method premium available for flood insurance coverage of such properties. Directs the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish and implement a plan to notify annually residents of areas having special flood hazards regarding the mandatory purchase requirement. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Director to: (1) notify the pertinent Members of Congress as well as the affected communities and their state and local governments about any decision to make a floodplain area or flood-risk zone revision, and (2) provide each such community and state and local government with an opportunity to review and propose modifications to a flood insurance map change or revision. Requires the Comptroller General to review the methodology used to issue or revise flood insurance rate maps. Requires the Director to notify a local television and radio station about proposed or published flood elevation determinations. Directs the Administrator of FEMA to report to Congress a plan for repaying within 10 years all unpaid presidentially approved flood insurance program debt.

Date: 2011-02-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Fair Treatment of Existing Levees Act of 2011 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from using the assumption that an existing levee or flood control structure does not exist to designate an area as having new flood hazards pursuant to issuance of, or any process to implement changes in, flood insurance maps used under the national flood insurance program under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, except in cases where no affected community objects to the Administrator's hazard modeling processes within 90 days of this Act's enactment and provided that prior to implementation of this provision the affected community notifies affected residents that the level of protection provided by such levee or flood control structure is under review.

Date: 2011-02-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act - Rescinds and permanently cancels all unobligated funding remaining available under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act for the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program. Terminates the program. Requires all such unobligated balances so rescinded and permanently canceled to be retained in the general fund of the Treasury for reducing the debt of the federal government. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to study: (1) the extent to which the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program is used by homeowners who are active duty members of the Armed Forces (or their spouses or parents), veterans, or Gold Star-eligible widows, parents, or next of kin of Armed Forces members who died in military operations or members or veterans with service-connected injuries (and their survivors and dependents); and (2) the impact of the program on such homeowners.

Date: 2011-02-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Housing and community development
Extends until September 30, 2016: (1) the authority for a bid protest (i.e., a written objection to a federal agency solicitation, cancellation of a solicitation, or award of a contract) of a task or delivery order contract valued in excess of $10 million; and (2) the exclusive jurisdiction of the Comptroller General over such protests.

Date: 2011-03-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude from the average sales price in calculating Medicare payments for drugs and biologicals any customary prompt pay discounts from manufacturers to wholesalers.

Date: 2011-03-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Health
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Preparedness Planning Act - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a competitive program to make grants for emergency preparedness planning and implementation to local educational agencies and districts located in areas under a high threat of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or public health emergencies. Directs the Secretary, in awarding grants, to give priority to: (1) local educational agencies and districts located in areas with higher population densities that are under a higher threat of terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or public health emergencies; and (2) such agencies and districts that have demonstrated the ability to formulate and implement effective emergency preparedness plans. Requires a local educational agency or district receiving a grant to use such funds to formulate and implement an emergency preparedness plan, which shall provide for: (1) the creation in the office of the superintendent or other chief executive officer of the local educational agency or district of a School Emergency Response Center; (2) the creation of a Regional Advisory Council; and (3) the development of a plan specific to each school under the local educational agency's or district's authority for each type of emergency likely to occur in the area. Permits remaining funds to be used for any purpose relating to emergency preparedness planning or implementation.

Date: 2011-03-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Good Samaritan Protection for Construction, Architectural, and Engineering Volunteers Act - Grants construction companies and architectural and engineering firms and their employees immunity from liability for negligence, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct, when providing emergency assistance on a voluntary basis in response to a declared emergency or disaster, in good faith, and without expectation of compensation.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Law
Nuclear Power Plant Safety Act of 2011 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to initiate a rulemaking proceeding to revise nuclear power plant safety regulations to ensure that each licensed utilization facility can withstand and adequately respond to: (1) an earthquake, tsunami (for a facility located in a coastal area), strong storm, or other event that threatens a major impact to the facility; (2) a loss of the primary operating power source for at least 14 days; and (3) a loss of the primary backup operating power source for at least 72 hours. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005, in connection with loan guarantees, to require the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to ensure, in the case of a guarantee for advanced nuclear energy facilities, that the cost of the obligation is calculated using a consideration of the Tohoku earthquake of 2011 to estimate the risk characteristics of the project.

Date: 2011-03-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Energy