Natural Disasters
US Congress 116th Congress
Disaster Opportunity Zones Act [S.1000]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Taxes ]
[Economic Development ]
[Community Development ]
[Funding ]
Allows a certain number of population census tracts comprising a low-income community within a qualified disaster zone to be designated as additional opportunity zones. An opportunity zone is an economically distressed community where new investments, under certain conditions, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment. Currently, opportunity zones have been designated in parts of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. The bill defines qualified disaster zone as that portion of the Hurricane Florence disaster area;
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Sen. Marco Rubio
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 04/03/2019
Spread the world
Gettr US Congress 116th Congress
READINESS Act of 2019 Requiring Every American Defense Installation to Nullify Environmental Stresses for Security Act of 2019 [S.1156]
[Defense ]
[Environmental ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Energy ]
[Military ]
[National Security ]
[Climate Change ]
[Public Safety ]
[Water ]
Requires the Department of Defense to ensure the readiness of the Armed Forces through a program of military installation resilience plans. These plans, which may include state-owned National Guard facilities, shall contain the following elements, as appropriate: an assessment of current risks and threats, such as changes in environmental conditions, and future risks and threats—based upon authoritative projections of changing environmental conditions—to the resilience of a major installation considered in a master plan during a 50-year lifespan;
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Sen. Jack Reed
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Armed Services. on 04/11/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2019 [S.1137]
[Environmental ]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Health ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish guidelines for credentialing environmental health workers and to create a plan to develop the environmental health workforce. Environmental health workers investigate, assess, and control hazardous environmental agents. HHS also must, within two years, conduct a study on the environmental health workforce and natural disaster preparedness.
Sponsored by: Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions. on 04/10/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2019 [S.1137]
[Environmental ]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Health ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish guidelines for credentialing environmental health workers and to create a plan to develop the environmental health workforce. Environmental health workers investigate, assess, and control hazardous environmental agents. HHS also must, within two years, conduct a study on the environmental health workforce and natural disaster preparedness.
Sponsored by: Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Health, Education, Labor, And Pensions. on 04/10/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
First Responders Passport Act of 2019 [HB-2229]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Human Services ]
[International ]
[Law Enforcement ]
[Public Safety ]
Authorizes the Department of State to waive passport fees for an individual operating under a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with the U.S. government, including a volunteer, to travel abroad within the first seven days after a natural disaster to aid a foreign country suffering from the natural disaster. The Department of State shall report to Congress on the number of fee waivers for the issuance of passports to first responders.
Sponsored by: Rep. Gerald Connolly
Received In The Senate And Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 09/25/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 [HB-2157]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Agriculture ]
[Defense ]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[Healthcare ]
[Housing ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Education ]
[Veterans ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Safety ]
Provides $17.2 billion in FY2019 supplemental appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for expenses related to the consequences of recent wildfires, hurricanes, volcanos, earthquakes, typhoons, and other natural disasters. The funding provided by this bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits and other budget enforcement rules. The bill includes appropriations for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Rep. Nita Lowey
Became Public Law No: 116-20. (txt | Pdf) on 06/06/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2019 [HB-2145]
[Taxes ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Small Business ]
[Retirement ]
Allows various tax credits, tax deductions, and modifications to existing rules for individuals and businesses affected by certain federally declared disasters that began after January 1, 2018, and before the enactment of this bill. With respect to individuals and businesses in the affected areas, the bill waives the 10% additional tax on certain early distributions from retirement plans, permits individuals to recontribute funds to retirement plans if the funds were distributed for a home purchase that was cancelled on account of a disaster, increases
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Rep. David Rouzer
Introduced In House on 04/09/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
To provide coverage under the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program to certain crop, tree, bush, and vine losses due to flooding occurring in Iowa in calendar year 2019. [HB-2125]
[Agriculture ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Funding ]
Expands the Department of Agriculture 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program to include coverage for certain crop, tree, bush, and vine losses due to flooding occurring in Iowa in 2019. (Under current law, the program provides disaster payments for certain losses resulting from hurricanes and wildfires during 2017.)
Sponsored by: Rep. Cindy Axne
Referred To The Subcommittee On General Farm Commodities And Risk Management. on 05/07/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Earthquake Mitigation and Tax Parity Act [S.1058]
[Taxes ]
[Housing ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Insurance ]
[Property Tax ]
[Real Estate ]
Modifies the requirements for calculating taxable income to exclude from gross income any earthquake loss mitigation received by a residential property owner or occupant under a state-based earthquake loss mitigation program. "Earthquake loss mitigation" is any property or service that reduces seismic risks to a residential structure or its contents. The term includes any payment, reimbursement, loan, loan forgiveness, grant, credit, rebate, voucher, or other financial incentive for the property or service. The bill applies to earthquake loss mitigation
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Finance. on 04/08/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
A joint resolution proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States. [SJR-18]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Social Security ]
[Medicare and Medicaid ]
[Taxes ]
[National Security ]
[Unemployment ]
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a three-fifths roll call vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal, receipts derived from borrowing, receipts or outlays of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, and outlays relating to a natural disaster if the law providing the funds explicitly exempts the funds from the requirement and is agreed to by
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Sen. Joe Manchin
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On The Judiciary. on 04/04/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Equity for Disaster Victims Act of 2019 [HB-2018]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Small Business ]
[Community Development ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
Assists victims of Superstorm Sandy and other disasters by allowing recipients of specified disaster-assistance loans from the Small Business Administration to repay the loans with disaster-recovery grant funds received under the Community Development Block Grant Program.
Sponsored by: Rep. Christopher Smith
Referred To The Subcommittee On Economic Development, Public Buildings, And Emergency Management. on 04/02/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 [S.914]
[Environmental ]
[Science ]
[Water ]
[Climate Change ]
[Public Safety ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
Reauthorizes through FY2025 and revises the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (IOOS), which is a network of federal and regional entities that provide information about the nation's coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes, as well as new tools and forecasts to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. The bill revises the authority of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct scientific assessments related to storms, including to (1) direct NOAA to seek public input before the Named Storm
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Became Public Law No: 116-271. on 12/31/2020
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Vet Center Eligibility Expansion Act [HB-1812]
[Veterans ]
[Mental Health ]
[Healthcare ]
To amend title 38, United States Code, to furnish Vet Center readjustment counseling and related mental health services to certain individuals.
Sponsored by: Rep. David Roe
Became Public Law No: 116-176. (txt | Pdf) on 10/20/2020
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Border Security and Disaster Relief, 2019 [S.811]
[Budget and Spending ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Agriculture ]
[Defense ]
[Environmental ]
[Immigration ]
[Public Lands and National Parks ]
[Healthcare ]
[Housing ]
[Labor, Jobs, Employment ]
[Education ]
[Veterans ]
[Transportation and Motor Vehicles ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Safety ]
[National Security ]
Provides FY2019 supplemental appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for expenses related to natural disasters and border security. The funding provided by this bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. The bill includes appropriations for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Coast Guard, the
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Sen. Marco Rubio
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Appropriations. on 03/14/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
COASTAL Implementation Act of 2019 [S.810]
[Science ]
[Environmental ]
[Climate Change ]
[Water ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Public Safety ]
Revises the authority of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct scientific assessments related to storms, including to (1) direct NOAA to seek public input before the Named Storm Event Model (the official meteorological and oceanographic computerized model which replicates the winds, rainfall, and storm surges associated with named storms) takes effect, (2) authorize the deployment of sensors to enhance data collection in coastal states that are at highest risk of experiencing indeterminate losses from an identified
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Sen. Roger Wicker
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Commerce, Science, And Transportation. on 03/14/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Climate Security Act of 2019 [S.745]
[Climate Change ]
[Energy ]
[Environmental ]
[International ]
[National Security ]
[Science ]
[Water ]
Establishes various positions and duties related to climate change in the foreign policy context. The President shall appoint a Climate Security Envoy within the Department of State. The envoy shall develop, implement, and encourage other countries to support a climate security policy to (1) enhance resilience to the effects of climate change to reduce the risk of conflict and instability, (2) evaluate the risks to regions and countries that are vulnerable to climate change and are strategically significant to the United States, and (3) coordinate
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Sen. Cory Booker
Read Twice And Referred To The Committee On Foreign Relations. on 03/12/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Disaster Preparedness for Power Outages Act of 2019 [HB-1659]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Energy ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Health ]
[Senior Citizens ]
Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to long-term care facilities to help such facilities prepare for power outages during and after natural disasters. Eligible grant activities include the purchase of backup power sources (e.g., generators) and the creation of regional resource directories.
Sponsored by: Rep. Frederica Wilson
Referred To The Subcommittee On Health. on 03/09/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
Disaster Preparedness for Power Outages Act of 2019 [HB-1659]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Energy ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Healthcare ]
[Public Health ]
[Senior Citizens ]
Authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to long-term care facilities to help such facilities prepare for power outages during and after natural disasters. Eligible grant activities include the purchase of backup power sources (e.g., generators) and the creation of regional resource directories.
Sponsored by: Rep. Frederica Wilson
Referred To The Subcommittee On Health. on 03/09/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
FAST Voting Act of 2019 Fair, Accurate, Secure, and Timely Voting Act of 2019 [HB-1512]
[Elections ]
[Voting Rights ]
[Cybersecurity ]
[Technology and Innovation ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Public Safety ]
Requires the Election Assistance Commission to award grants to states to (1) improve voter participation, such as by providing flexible registration opportunities, early voting, or absentee voting; (2) improve voting system security, such as by providing voting machines that are less than 10 years old, updating voting equipment to provide a verifiable paper trail at polling places, or implementing strong chain of custody procedures for voting equipment and paper records; or (3) implement automatic voter registration.
Sponsored by: Rep. Gerald Connolly
Introduced In House on 03/05/2019
Spread the world
US Congress 116th Congress
To direct the Secretary of Education to make grants to State educational agencies for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public school facilities, and for other purposes. [HB-1457]
[Education ]
[Construction ]
[Infrastructure ]
[Disaster Relief ]
[Funding ]
[Grants ]
[Children and Youth ]
Requires the Department of Education (ED) to make grants to states for the modernization, renovation, or repair of public schools, including early learning facilities and charter schools. The bill allocates grant funds among states on the basis of the relative portion of school improvement funds provided to local educational agencies (LEAs) in each state. States shall reallocate the grant funds to LEAs on the basis of each LEA's share of school improvement funds received by LEAs in the state for the previous fiscal year. In addition, ED shall make
(continued...)
Sponsored by: Rep. Sean Maloney
Introduced In House on 02/28/2019