zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
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 individual or individual and public assistance due to a disaster declaration.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Community Protection and Response Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include a terrorist attack, dispersion of radioactive or other contaminants, dispersion of hazardous substances, or other catastrophic event as a "major disaster" eligible for relief under the Act. Includes as a "public facility" for purposes of damages coverage in a major disaster private for-profit telecommunications, phone services, and utilities when losses occur during a homeland security event and are not covered by insurance. Authorizes the President, at the request of a state governor, to declare that a major disaster constitutes a homeland security event and is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capacity of the affected state and local government. Provides specified federal assistance under the Act upon such a declaration, including reimbursement and grant assistance for lost compensation, sustained losses, and required repairs. Includes as critical services under the Act education systems, providers of counseling, and providers of assistance to the homeless.Removes the $5 million limit on community disaster loans provided under the Act. Requires or provides for: (1) standards for reporting information concerning disasters involving homeland security events; (2) a special commission to review air quality following a homeland security event; (3) guidelines concerning health risks associated with the release of materials following a homeland security event and associated monitoring and analysis; and (4) grants for data collection during public health emergencies, research on assisting victims, advance preparation for public health emergencies, and disaster relief for local educational agencies.

Date: 2008-09-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Hurricane Education Recovery Act, title IV of division B of the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006, with respect to elementary and secondary education hurricane recovery relief. Extends through FY2009 the authority of the Secretary of Education, in providing any grant or other assistance to an entity in a state which in 2005 suffered a major disaster related to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita, to waive or modify, in order to ease fiscal burdens, any elementary and secondary education assistance requirement relating to: (1) maintenance of effort; (2) use of federal funds to supplement, not supplant, non-federal funds; or (3) any non-federal share or capital contribution required to match federal funds. Protects local educational agencies that serve areas in which a major disaster has been declared in 2008 related to severe storms, tornadoes, or flooding in the Midwest or hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, 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.

Date: 2008-09-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Education
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow federal disaster assistance to be provided to reimburse all or part of a deductible a person is required to pay as a condition for the receipt of benefits under an insurance policy the person obtained to protect against property loss. Makes this provision applicable to a major disaster or emergency declared by the President on or after September 1, 2008.

Date: 2008-09-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide assistance to individuals and households that are required to evacuate their primary residences for a period of two or more days pursuant to a mandatory evacuation order issued by a state or local government as a result of a major disaster. Authorizes assistance in the form of reimbursement for subsistence expenses incurred during such an evacuation: (1) for up to seven days; and (2) in an amount not to exceed the federal employee per diem allowance established for the locality to which a person is evacuated.Provides that: (1) assistance authorized may be for expenses incurred before the date of the disaster's declaration; and (2) this Act shall apply to a major disaster declared by the President on or after September 1, 2008.

Date: 2008-09-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Hurricane Ike Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax benefits to individuals affected by Hurricane Ike.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 Hurricane Ike recovery 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) expensing of environmental remediation costs and demolition and cleanup costs; (3) tax incentives for employer-provided housing; (4) tax-free withdrawals from retirement accounts and recontributions for home purchases; (5) employer tax credits for retention of employees; and (6) suspension of limitations on tax deductions for charitable contributions and personal casualty losses. Extends through 2009 the additional tax exemption for housing displaced individuals in the Hurricane Ike recovery area.Extends through 2009 the enhanced tax deduction for charitable contributions of food inventories and of book inventories to public schools. Requires charitable organizations to provide the Secretary of the Treasury with specified information, on an annual basis, relating to their disaster relief activities.Makes the standard mileage rate used to determine the tax deduction for the use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes equal to the standard mileage rate used for the tax deduction for medical and moving expenses.

Date: 2008-09-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax relief in federally declared disaster areas.(Sec. 2) Waives the 10% adjusted gross income limitation on personal casualty losses for losses sustained from a federally declared disaster occurring after December 31, 2007, and before January 1, 2012. Defines "federally declared disaster" as any disaster determined by the President to warrant federal assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Increases the standard tax deduction by a taxpayer's net disaster loss (i.e., personal casualty losses in a disaster area over personal casualty gains). Increases the threshold for deductible casualty losses from $100 to $500 for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2008, and before January 1, 2012. (Sec. 3) Allows the expensing of business-related costs incurred due to a federally declared disaster for: (1) the abatement or control of hazardous substances; (2) removal of debris or demolition of damaged structures; or (3) repair of damaged property.(Sec. 4) Provides for a five-year carryback period for net operating losses attributable to a federally declared disaster. Allows such losses as a deduction in computing alternative minimum taxable income.(Sec. 5) Waives certain restrictions on mortgage revenue bond financing for principal residences destroyed due to a federally declared disaster occurring between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2011.(Sec. 6) Increases, until December 31, 2011, the standard mileage rate used to compute the tax deduction for the use of a passenger automobile for charitable purposes to the same rate used for deducting travel expenses related to medical care (currently, 27 cents per mile). (Sec. 7) Authorizes additional allocations to states (up to $190 million) of the low-income housing tax credit for federally declared disasters occurring between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2011. Prohibits allocations after December 31, 2012.(Sec. 8) Expands tax-exempt private activity bonds to include qualified disaster bonds used to finance the replacement, repair, reconstruction or renovation of depreciable property damaged or destroyed as a result of a federally declared disaster occurring between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2011. Grants priority in allocating bond amounts to business loss disaster areas (i.e., areas sustaining damages from a disaster of at least the lesser of $50 million or 5% of all business property in the disaster area). Requires all allocations to be made prior to December 31, 2012.(Sec. 9) Waives limitations on individual and corporate charitable contributions for qualified disaster contributions. Defines "qualified disaster contribution" as any charitable contribution paid prior to January 1, 2010, to a public charity for relief efforts related to a federally declared disaster.

Date: 2008-09-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Low-Income Rate Payer Disaster Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to make contributions to the owner or operator of a private or investor-owned electric utility company serving low-income households for facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster only if the costs of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing such facilities exceed 10% of the facilities' total transmission and distribution rate base minus: (1) accumulated depreciation on the date of the disaster in the case of a single major disaster; or (2) accumulated depreciation on the date of the first major disaster in the case of an aggregation of major disasters during the preceding 12 months. Sets forth application deadlines.Prohibits the total amount of contributions made to an owner or operator from exceeding $50 million in any 12-month period. Authorizes the President, for any major disaster occurring after enactment of this Act, to waive the limit upon determining that the event is of an extraordinary nature. Requires the President to approve or disapprove applications within 30 days after receipt.Allows an owner or operator who determines that the public welfare would not best be served by repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing a facility to elect to receive, in lieu of the cost-based contribution, 75% of the funding that would have been available.

Date: 2008-09-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer election to expense the cost of installing underground public utility property in the Hurricane Gustav disaster area. Terminates such expensing allowance after December 31, 2009.Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the electric grid failures in Louisiana following Hurricane Gustav.

Date: 2008-09-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Applies to any individual or household adversely affected by a major disaster that occurred on or after January 1, 2006, the provision of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 that eliminates the maximum limit on financial assistance, adjusted for inflation, of: (1) $5,000 for repair of owner-occupied private residences, utilities, and residential infrastructure damaged by a major disaster; and (2) $10,000 for replacement of owner-occupied private residences damaged by a major disaster.

Date: 2008-09-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Nursing Home Emergency Assistance Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to allow the President to provide reimbursement to private for-profit nursing homes for damages and expenses from a major disaster or declared emergency. Requires that such nursing homes: (1) be located within 30 miles of the disaster or emergency; and (2) have acted during the disaster or emergency in accordance with any relevant requirements applicable to private nonprofit nursing homes seeking reimbursement. Limits the amount of reimbursement to not greater than the amount available under such Act to a public or private nonprofit nursing home for similar damages or expenses after a disaster or emergency.

Date: 2008-09-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Emergency Fueling Station Designation Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program to address the shortage of fuel along hurricane evacuation routes by providing funds to eligible states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia) to assist in the purchase and installation of transfer switches and generators at designated emergency fueling stations.Requires states applying for funds to provide: (1) identification of hurricane zones and evacuation routes; (2) the estimated number of designated and adjacent emergency fueling stations determined to be necessary by such state using population figures along hurricane evacuation routes as a guide in selecting stations; and (3) specified assurances, including that a fueling station will not be selected as a designated emergency fueling station unless it has not less than 10 fueling positions and is located within one mile of a hurricane evacuation route.Directs the Administrator to make available to an eligible state that applies for funds 50% of the cost for the purchase and installation of transfer switches and generators for designated emergency fueling stations, and 30% of that cost of adjacent emergency fueling stations, selected by the state.

Date: 2008-09-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to establish an emergency management performance grants program to address domestic preparedness and collective response to a catastrophic incident. Limits the federal share of the cost of a program funded activity to 50%. Sets forth guidelines for the Administrator to apportion funds to carry out the program among the states on the basis of population. Revises the program providing grants to states for emergency operations centers to provide that such centers are to be equipped, upgraded, and constructed for domestic preparedness and collective response to a catastrophic incident.

Date: 2008-09-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
National Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise provisions governing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program. Designates the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as the lead agency for Program planning, management, and coordination. (Repeals provisions regarding the existing Interagency Working Group responsible for Program planning, management, and coordination.)Establishes the Interagency Working Group on Wind Impact Reduction (IWG) to coordinate activities and facilitate communication among Program agencies in reducing the impacts of windstorms. Requires the Director of NIST to: (1) establish a Program Office to ensure coordination and synergy across Program agencies; (2) prepare the Program's annual budget; (3) facilitate preparation of the IWG's biennial report to Congress and the National Science and Technology Council; (4) support research and development for building codes and standards; (5) promote implementation of research results; (6) support deployment of interagency teams to investigate major windstorm events and data collection and analysis; and (7) participate in, coordinate, or support other Program mitigation activities.Sets forth: (1) the duties of the Program Office and of the IWG (including preparation of an interim working plan for Program operations and a strategic plan for achieving Program objectives); and (2) supportive roles of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Army Corps of Engineers. Authorizes appropriations for the Program for FY2009-FY2013.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish an emergency management performance grants program to address domestic preparedness and collective response to a catastrophic incident. Limits the federal share of the cost of a program funded activity to 50%. Sets forth guidelines for the Administrator to apportion funds to carry out the program among the states on the basis of population. Authorizes appropriations.Revises the program providing grants to states for emergency operations centers to provide that such centers are to be equipped, upgraded, and constructed for domestic preparedness and collective response to a catastrophic incident.

Date: 2008-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Public Safety Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to allow flood insurance coverage for structures used in protecting public safety and new structures constructed in flood hazard zones that replace flood-damaged or destroyed structures, even though the property involved has been declared in violation of state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances intended to discourage or otherwise restrict land development or occupancy in flood-prone areas.

Date: 2008-11-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to revise the definition of "major disaster" to include a catastrophic incident. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish an emergency management performance grants program to address domestic preparedness and collective response to major disasters. Limits the federal share of the cost of a program funded activity to 50%. Sets forth guidelines for the Administrator to apportion funds to carry out the program among the states on the basis of population.Revises the program providing grants to states for emergency operations centers to provide that such centers are to be equipped, upgraded, and constructed for domestic preparedness and collective response to a major disaster.

Date: 2008-12-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Sets forth a special rule for the tax treatment of amounts received by a taxpayer from the Louisiana Recovery Authority or the Mississippi Development Authority for the repair or reconstruction of such taxpayer's primary residence due to hurricane damage in 2005.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Law Enforcement Assistance Force Act of 2007 or the LEAF Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a Law Enforcement Assistance Force (Force) to facilitate the contributions of retired law enforcement officers and agents during major disasters. Outlines Force eligibility requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to request eligible participants to assist efforts of federal, state, or local government law enforcement agencies in responding to such disasters.Requires a participant to remain in an assignment for the lesser of: (1) the period during which the law enforcement agency needs such services; or (2) 30 days.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 to permit the cancellation of certain loans under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. (Makes this Act effective as if enacted as part of the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005.)

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Disaster Loan Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 and the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to repeal provisions that prohibited the cancellation of certain loans under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to assist local governments in providing essential services and to assist local governments affected by Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season, respectively. (Makes this Act effective on the enactment date of the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005.)

Date: 2007-01-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Extends through September 30, 2008, the period in which states may spend funds from the additional allotments provided to them under title XX (Block Grants to States for Social Services) of the Social Security Act under the Department of Defense, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations to Address Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and Pandemic Influenza Act, 2006 for necessary expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.

Date: 2007-01-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Social welfare
Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to extend the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide funds to state and local governments for utility costs resulting from the provision of temporary housing units to evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season where the state or local government has previously arranged to pay for such utilities on behalf of the evacuees, to cover the term of any leases for up to 24 months (currently, 12 months) contracted by or prior to February 7, 2006.

Date: 2007-02-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Gulf Coast Back to Business Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce for grants to appropriate state government agencies in Louisiana and Mississippi for small businesses located in disaster areas caused by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to defer for a conditional period the payment of principal and interest on disaster loans made to small businesses affected by such hurricanes in the case of loans made before December 31, 2006. Prohibits an increased collateral requirement with respect to the deferred loans. Includes as a HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) any area in which the President has declared a major disaster as a result of such hurricanes. Amends the Small Business Competitive Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to make the small business competitive demonstration program (to test innovative small business procurement methods and procedures) inapplicable, for a conditional period, to any contract related to relief or reconstruction from such hurricanes.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
Toxic Right-to-Know Protection Act - Amends the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 to repeal provisions authorizing the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to modify the frequency of submitting toxic chemical release forms. Requires the Administrator to establish the eligibility threshold regarding the use of a form A certification statement under the Toxics Release Inventory Program at not greater than 500 pounds for nonpersistent bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. Prohibits the use of such form with respect to any chemical of special concern identified by the Administrator.

Date: 2007-02-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Environmental protection
Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), not later than one year after the enactment of this Act, to: (1) establish voluntary guidelines, based on the best currently available scientific knowledge, for the remediation of former methampehtamine laboratories, including guidelines regarding preliminary site assessment and the remediation of residual contaminants; (2) consider relevant federal, state, and local requirements in developing the guidelines, the varying types and locations of former methamphetamine laboratories, and the cost of carrying out such guidelines; (3) work with state and local governments and other relevant non-federal agencies in adopting the voluntary guidelines; (4) periodically update such guidelines; and (5) establish a research program to support the development and revision of such guidelines.Directs the Administrator: (1) not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and every third year thereafter, to convene a conference of appropriate state agencies, individuals, and organizations involved in research and other activities directly relating to the environmental or biological impact of former methamphetamine laboratories; (2) to submit a report to Congress that summarizes the proceedings of the conference, including a summary of recommendations and concerns of non-federal participants; and (3) to make such report widely available to the general public.Directs the Administrator to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for a study of the status and quality of research on the residual effects of methamphetanmine laboratories and to report to Congress on the uses of such study.Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support a research program to develop: (1) new methamphetamine detection technologies, with an emphasis on field test kits and site detection; and (2) appropriate standard reference materials and validation procedures for methamphetamine detection testing. Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2008.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Environmental protection
National Guard and Reserve Retirement Modernization Act - Amends federal law concerning receipt of retired pay for non-regular service to provide that, in the case of a member of the Ready Reserve who serves on active duty after September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency operation or in response to a national emergency, retirement eligibility age shall be reduced below 60 by three months for each aggregate of 90 days during which the member so performs in any fiscal year after such date. Prohibits such retirement eligibility date from being reduced below age 50. Continues age 60 as the minimum eligibility age for DOD-authorized health care for such retirees.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Local Government Disaster Relief Act of 2007 - Provides that the federal share of assistance provided under provisions of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities because of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita shall be 100%. Makes this Act applicable to assistance provided on or after August 28, 2005.

Date: 2007-02-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Gulf Coast Export Recovery Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to hire one additional full-time international trade specialist for the United States Export Assistance Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, to provide export promotion services to specified Louisiana parishes. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to hire to the Office of International Trade of the SBA an additional full-time international finance specialist who shall be located at the Center to carry out export promotion activities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Date: 2007-03-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
Deems $1.2 billion of unexpended amounts, previously made available to the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) under the Hazard Mitigation Grants program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to have been made available to the LRA pursuant to specified terms and approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for use under the Road Home Program.

Date: 2007-03-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 30 years for: (1) knowingly falsifying, concealing, or covering up by any trick, scheme, or device any material fact; or (2) making any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, or making or using any false writing or document in any matter involving any benefit authorized, transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, or in connection with the procurement of property or services by a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier during a major disaster or emergency declaration.Imposes a maximum fine of $1 million and/or prison term of 30 years for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to: (1) promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees an explanation of its guidelines and additional recommendations for combating such fraud or theft offenses.

Date: 2007-03-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 2007 - 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: 2007-03-20
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Homeowners Protection Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding: (1) estimated loss costs associated with the contracts for reinsurance coverage; and (2) development of prevention, mitigation, recovery, and rebuilding standards that better prepare and protect the United States from catastrophes. Instructs the Secretary to implement a program designed to make homeowners protection coverage available through contracts for reinsurance. Prescribes guidelines governing: (1) qualified lines of coverage; (2) covered perils; (3) contracts for reinsurance coverage for eligible state programs; and (4) minimum level of retained losses and maximum federal liability. Establishes the Consumer HELP Fund for: (1) payments to covered purchasers under contracts for reinsurance coverage; and (2) operating and administrative costs.

Date: 2007-03-20
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Hurricane and Tornado Mitigation Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and business taxpayers a tax credit for 25% of their qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures up to $5,000 for any taxable year. Defines such expenditures as expenditures in a dwelling unit to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment, create a secondary water barrier, improve the durability of a roof covering, brace gable-end walls, reinforce the connections between a roof and supporting wall, protect against windborne debris, or protect exterior doors and garages.

Date: 2007-03-20
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007 - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a National Hurricane Research Initiative and to cooperate with other specified federal agencies to carry it out. Requires such Initiative to set research objectives (based on a National Science Board report on the need for such Initiative) to: (1) make recommendations to the Board; (2) assemble the expertise of U.S. science and engineering capabilities through a multi-agency effort focused on infrastructure, the natural environment, and improving understanding of hurricane prediction, intensity, and mitigation on coastal populations; and (3) make grants for hurricane research, including regarding hurricane dynamics, modification, and observation, air-sea interaction, relationships between hurricanes and climate, predicting flooding and storm surge, coastal infrastructure, building construction, emergency communication networks, information utilization by public officials, and sharing computational capability. Directs the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the National Science and Technology Council, to coordinate U.S. activities related to the Initiative as a formal program with a well-defined organizational structure and execution plan. Directs the Under Secretary and the Director to: (1) establish a National Infrastructure Database to catalog infrastructure, provide information to improve information public policy related to hurricanes, and provide data to improve researchers' abilities to measure hurricane impacts in order to improve building codes and urban planning; and (2) develop a National Hurricane Research Model to conduct integrative research and facilitate the transfer of research knowledge to operational applications.

Date: 2007-03-20
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Catastrophic Disaster Recovery Fairness Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in providing SBA disaster relief assistance for any major disaster declared during the period beginning on August 29, 2005, and ending on October 24, 2005, to waive the prohibition on the duplication of benefits, including whether damage or destruction has been compensated by, credit is available from, activities are reimbursable through, or funds have been made available from any other source. Applies such amendment to any SBA assistance provided on or after August 29, 2005 (thereby ensuring applicability and retroactivity for victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma).

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
James Zadroga Act of 2007 - Amends the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (Fund), part of the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act, to extend the current December 22, 2003, deadline for filing claims under the Fund for five years following enactment of this Act if the Special Master determines that the individual: (1) was unaware that he or she had suffered physical harm as the result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist-related aircraft crashes until after the deadline and before enactment of this Act; (2) was unaware of his or her eligibility to file a claim until after December 22, 2003; (3) suffered psychological harm as a result of the crashes; or (4) in the case of an individual who had previously filed a claim, suffered a significantly greater physical harm than was known to the individual as of the date the claim was filed, but did not know its full extent until after the claim was filed and before enactment of this Act. Allows the filing of a claim also during the five years after the individual first knew that he or she had suffered physical or psychological harm as the result of such crashes, if he or she did not know that until on or after enactment of this Act. Extends the same five-year filing allowance to anyone who did not know the full extent of the harm suffered until on or after the enactment of this Act, even though he or she had previously filed a claim and had suffered a significantly greater physical or psychological harm than was known to the individual as of the date the claim was filed. Waives the single claim requirement in such circumstances. Makes a claimant eligible for compensation based on the psychological harm suffered as a result of the crashes. Defines "immediate aftermath" for compensation eligibility purposes as any period of time after the crashes that was sufficiently close in time to them that there was a demonstrable risk to the claimant of resulting physical or psychological harm, including the period of time during which related rescue, recovery, and cleanup activities were conducted.

Date: 2007-04-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Law
Growth Opportunity Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to states to establish revolving loan funds to provide loans to small manufacturers (less than $50 million in annual sales) for new product development. Limits grants to $10 million each and requires states to contribute at least 25% of the grant funds provided.

Date: 2007-04-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Commerce
First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for facility and equipment expenses to construct an additional 25 Primary Entry Point stations (radio broadcast stations designated to provide public information following emergencies where there is no commercial power) in the continental United States and territories.Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program, the Broadcast Disaster Preparedness Grant Program, under which the Administrator may make grants to first response broadcasters. Sets forth provisions regarding priorities in making grants, use of funds, the federal share, and termination of grant authority.Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) include specified assistance to first response broadcasters among the essential assistance that federal agencies may provide to meet immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster; (2) prohibit a federal officer or employee from confiscating fuel, water, or food from such a broadcaster during a disaster if that broadcaster documents that such supplies will be used to enable the broadcast of essential disaster-related public information in the affected area; and (3) direct the head of a federal agency to allow access to the area affected by a major disaster for technical personnel, broadcast engineers, and equipment needed to restore, repair, or resupply any facility or equipment critical to such a broadcaster's ability to continue to acquire, produce, and transmit essential disaster-related public information, subject to specified limitations. Establishes guidelines for press access to a disaster area.

Date: 2007-04-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Kansas Disaster Tax Relief Assistance Act - Extends to businesses and individuals in certain Kansas counties declared by the President as major disaster areas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (FEMA-1699-DR) by reason of severe storms and tornados beginning on May 4, 2007 (qualifying area) 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) 50% bonus depreciation for affected businesses; (5) increased expensing of small business assets; (6) expensing of demolition and cleanup costs; (7) extended net operating loss carryback periods for losses attributable to storms and tornadoes 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. Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out a program of student loan repayment for college graduates residing or employed in a qualifying area.Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to individuals in a qualifying area to allow: (1) a tax credit for the lesser of 10% or $5,000 of the purchase price of a principal residence; (2) a capital loss deduction for the sale or exchange of a principal residence; and (3) the establishment of tax-exempt homestead accounts for the payment of education, business, medical, and other expenses.Allows: (1) business-related tax credits for investment in certain buildings and small businesses in rural areas; and (2) accelerated deprecation of investment property in rural areas.

Date: 2007-05-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Federal Emergency Management Improvement Act of 2007 - 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, by and 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 natural disasters, terrorist acts, or other man-made disasters.Sets forth provisions regarding FEMA's primary mission and the Director's responsibilities. Provides for 10 regional offices in FEMA, each headed by a Regional Administrator. Requires each Regional Administrator to: (1) establish a Regional Advisory Council; and (2) oversee multi-agency strike teams. Establishes a National Integration Center as FEMA's principal operations center. Requires the Director to: (1) ensure that the National Response Plan provides for a clear chain of command to lead and coordinate the federal response to disasters; (2) enter into a memorandum of understanding with specified individuals to collaborate on developing standards for deployment capabilities, including credentialing of personnel and typing of resources; and (3) appoint a Disability Coordinator. 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: 2007-05-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Improved Hurricane Tracking and Forecasting Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to carry out a program for an improved ocean surface winds vector satellite for purposes including: (1) to address science and application questions related to air-sea interaction, coastal circulation, and biological productivity; (2) to improve forecasting for hurricanes, coastal winds and storm surge, and other weather-related disasters; (3) to ensure continuity of quality for satellite ocean surface vector wind measurements so that existing weather forecasting and warning capabilities are not degraded; and (4) to advance satellite ocean surface vector wind data capabilities.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Kansas Disaster Tax Relief Assistance Act - Extends to businesses and individuals in certain Kansas counties declared by the President as major disaster areas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (FEMA-1699-DR, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act) by reason of severe storms and tornados beginning on May 4, 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) 50% bonus depreciation for affected businesses; (5) increased expensing of small business assets; (6) increased expensing of demolition and cleanup costs; (7) extended net operating loss carryback periods for losses attributable to storms and tornadoes 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: 2007-05-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Taxation
Providing for Commonsense Rebuilding Act of 2007 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from prohibiting the use by Louisiana under its Road Home Program of amounts provided under FEMA's hazard mitigation grant program because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita based upon the existence of a Program requirement that: (1) limits the amount made available to an eligible homeowner who does not agree to remain an owner and occupant of a home in Louisiana; or (2) waives the applicability of such limitation for homeowners who are elderly or senior citizens.

Date: 2007-06-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Emergency management
Weather Mitigation Research and Development Policy Authorization Act of 2007 - Establishes in the National Science Foundation (NSF) the Weather Mitigation Advisory and Research Board to establish and coordinate the national research and development program on weather mitigation described in this Act. Requires the Executive Director of the Board to submit a plan for the establishment and coordination of the Program. Requires the Board to promote and fund research and development (R&D), studies, and investigations with respect to: (1) improved forecast and decisionmaking technologies for weather mitigation operations, including tailored computer workstations and software and new observation systems with remote sensors; and (2) assessments and evaluations of the efficacy of weather mitigation. Authorizes the Board to establish a grant program for the awarding of grants to eligible entities (state agencies, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits that have expertise in the field of weather mitigation and experience working with state agencies) for R&D projects that pertain to weather mitigation. Permits a grant recipient to only use the grant for a R&D project that: (1) pertains to weather mitigation; and (2) was in operation on the day before the grant was awarded. Requires the submission of annual reports to the President and Congress on the activities conducted pursuant to this Act.

Date: 2007-07-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Disaster Relief)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources