Summary: Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) to extend through FY2016 the financing for National Flood Insurance Program (Program). (Sec. 3) Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (FDPA) to authorize the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to suspend temporarily the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement for areas designated as having special flood hazards, if they meet certain eligibility requirements. Authorizes the Administrator, upon request of the relevant local government authority, to extend such suspension period for an additional 12 months if the Administrator finds that more than adequate progress has been made on the construction of a flood protection system for the area. Excludes from such extension certain improved real estate or mobile home properties with new mortgages. Revises the requirement that the lender or servicer of a loan, in the case of a borrower who has failed to purchase flood insurance, purchase it on the borrower's behalf and charge the borrower for the cost of the premiums and fees incurred. Includes among such premiums or fees those incurred for coverage beginning on the date on which flood insurance coverage either lapsed or did not provide a sufficient coverage amount. Requires a lender or servicer who receives confirmation of a borrower's existing flood insurance coverage to terminate force-placed insurance and refund to the borrower all force-placed insurance premiums (including related fees). Requires each federal entity for lending regulation to direct regulated lending institutions to accept private flood insurance if it meets federal flood insurance requirements. Requires each federal agency lender, as well as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), to accept private flood insurance as satisfaction of the flood insurance purchase requirement if it meets such requirements. (Sec. 4) Amends NFIA to prescribe minimum annual flood insurance deductibles of $2,000 for subsidized rate properties and of $1,000 for actuarial rate properties. Revises the requirement that additional flood insurance in excess of specified limits be made available to any residential building for which the risk premium is determined in accordance with certain requirements so as to enable the insured or insurance applicant to receive coverage up to an aggregate liability of $250,000. Specifies that such additional flood insurance be made available only to a residential building designed for the occupancy of from one to four families. Applies the $250,000 aggregate flood insurance liability to any single building of that description. Makes technical revisions to analogous requirements for additional flood insurance in the case of any nonresidential building, including a church. Sets forth a formula for indexing maximum coverage limits. Prescribes optional coverage of up to: (1) $5,000 aggregate liability for any necessary increases in living expenses for loss of use of a personal residence, and (2) $20,000 for business interruption with regard to any commercial property or other residential property, including multifamily rental property. Requires flood insurance regulations to allow payment of flood insurance premiums in installments, at increased chargeable premium rates and surcharges. Specifies the coverage of a new flood insurance policy on properties affected by floods in progress during the 30-day waiting period before the policy's effective date. Covers damage to the property resulting from such a flood that occurs after expiration of the waiting period, but only if the property has not suffered damage or loss as a result of that flood before expiration of the period.(Sec. 5) Raises from 10% to 20% of the average of the risk premium rates for the properties concerned the annual limitation on premium increases. Schedules a 5-year phase-in of chargeable risk premium rates, in annual 20% increments, for flood insurance coverage for an area that has been upgraded to a special flood hazard area (newly mapped risk premium rate area). Specifies a different 5-year phase-in period for a risk premium in the case of preferred risk rate areas. Limits to the applicable estimated risk premium (actuarial) rate for an area the chargeable rate for: (1) any nonresidential (commercial) property, (2) second homes and vacation homes, (3) single-family properties (built or improved before the end of 1974) sold to new owners, (4) property sustaining over 50% flood damage or over 30% improvement after enactment of this Act, and (5) any severe repetitive loss property. Prohibits extension of subsidized rates for policies lapsed as a result of the policy holder's deliberate choice. Makes communities making adequate progress at reconstruction or improvement to 100-year frequency flood protection systems eligible for premium flood insurance rates that would apply if the reconstruction or improvement were completed. Revises requirements for special flood hazard rates for a community in the process of restoring flood protection afforded by a system previously accredited as providing 100-year frequency flood protection but no longer does so. Requires application of such rates without respect to the level of federal investment or participation in the restoration effort. Allows nonfederal, including private, entities that own, operate, maintain, or repair flood protection systems (instead of a federal agency) to determine whether a flood protection system is restorable. (Sec. 6) Establishes the Technical Mapping Advisory Council, chaired by the Administrator, to develop new mapping standards for 100-year flood insurance rate maps. Requires the Administrator to ensure that Council membership has a balance of federal, state, local, and private members, including representatives from the states with coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and other states containing areas identified by the Administrator of FEMA as at high-risk for flooding or special flood hazard areas. Terminates the Council after five years. Prohibits the Administrator, until the Council submits proposed new mapping standards, from making effective any new or updated rate maps for flood insurance coverage under the Program that were not in effect as of enactment of this Act, or otherwise revising, updating, or changing the flood insurance rate maps in effect as of such date. Authorizes the Administrator, however, to modify flood insurance rate maps in effect during such moratorium, but only pursuant to a letter of map change. (Sec. 7) Instructs the Administrator to: (1) establish new rate maps based upon the Council's standards and recommendations, and (2) update flood insurance rate maps accordingly. Exempts from mandatory flood insurance purchase and compliance requirements property located in a special flood hazard area if the property owner submits an elevation certificate showing that the lowest level of the primary residence on such property is at least three feet higher than the elevation of the 100-year floodplain. Prohibits the Administrator from: (1) charging a fee for reviewing the flood hazard data; or (2) issuing flood insurance maps, or making effective updated flood insurance maps, that omit or disregard the actual protection afforded by an existing levee, floodwall, pump, or other flood protection feature, regardless of its accreditation status. (Sec. 9) Requires the Administrator and the Comptroller General each to study options, methods, and strategies for privatizing the Program. Authorizes the Administrator to implement appropriate private risk-management initiatives to determine the capacity of private insurers, reinsurers, and financial markets to assist communities, on a voluntary basis only, in managing the full range of financial risks associated with flooding. Requires the Administrator to assess private sector response to a request for proposals to assume a portion of the Program's insurance risk. Authorizes the Administrator to secure flood reinsurance coverage from private market insurance, reinsurance, and capital market sources, including through an industry flood insurance pool, at reasonable and appropriate rates sufficient to maintain the ability of the Program to pay claims, minimizing the likelihood that the Program will utilize its borrowing authority. Requires the Administrator to assess annually the Program's claims-paying ability, including its utilization of private sector reinsurance and reinsurance equivalents, with and without reliance on FEMA borrowing authority. (Sec. 10) Instructs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the financial status of the Program and of the National Flood Insurance Fund, including current and projected levels of claims, premium receipts, expenses, and borrowing under the Program. (Sec. 11) Modifies the mitigation assistance grant program for: (1) states and communities to cover mitigation activities that reduce flood damage to severe repetitive loss structures, and (2) property owners in the form of direct grants to implement mitigation activities that reduce flood damage to individual structures for which two or more claim payments for losses have been made under flood insurance coverage if the Administrator determines that neither the relevant state or community has the capacity to manage such grants. Repeals authority for planning assistance grants. Changes from flood risk mitigation to multi-hazard risk mitigation the plan a state or community is required to develop to be eligible for mitigation assistance. Requires the plan to examine reduction of losses rather than provide protection against them. Directs the Administrator give priority to funding activities that will result in the greatest savings to the National Flood Insurance Fund (NFI Fund), including repetitive and severe repetitive loss structures. Removes beach nourishment from the list of eligible mitigation activities. Adds to the list activities for: (1) elevation, relocation, and floodproofing of utilities (including equipment that serve structures); (2) development or update of state, local, or Indian tribal mitigation plans; and (3) personnel costs for state staff that provide technical assistance to communities to identify eligible activities, develop grant applications, and implement grants. Directs the Administrator to consider as an activity eligible for mitigation assistance the demolition and rebuilding of properties to at least base flood levels or higher, if required by either the Administrator or any governmental ordinance. Authorizes grants for eligible mitigation activities including: (1) severe repetitive loss structures, up to 100% of all eligible costs; (2) repetitive loss structures, up to 90% of all eligible costs; and (3) all other mitigation activities, in an amount up to 75% of all eligible costs. Increases the administrative penalty for a state's or community's failure to provide matching funds. Limits to $40 million per fiscal year the amount of funding for severe repetitive loss structures. Eliminates: (1) the grants Program for repetitive insurance claims properties, and (2) the pilot Program for mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties. Increases the amounts available from the NFI Fund to the National Flood Mitigation Fund (NFM Fund) for specified activities. Declares that amounts made available in the NFM Fund shall not be subject to offsetting collections through premium rates for flood insurance coverage. Revises requirements for additional flood insurance coverage for the costs of compliance with community land use and control measures to eliminate coverage for properties for which an offer of mitigation assistance is made under the repetitive loss priority program and individual priority property program. (Sec. 12) Amends the FDPA to direct the Administrator to notify residents of special flood hazard areas annually of the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement, rate phase-ins for such properties, and related information. (Sec. 13) Amends the NFIA to require the Administrator to notify: (1) Members of Congress whose districts or states would be affected of any significant action relating to any revision or update of any floodplain area or flood-risk zone, (2) tenants of the availability of contents insurance for property located in a special flood hazard area, and (3) policy holders annually regarding direct management by FEMA of their flood insurance policy and of the option to purchase flood insurance directly administered by an insurance company. (Sec. 14) Revises notification requirements for the Administrator in establishing projected flood elevations for land use purposes. Requires direct written first class mail notification to each owner of real property affected by the proposed elevations about the status of such property and the process for appealing the flood elevation determination. (Sec. 17) Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (RESPA) to require a lender's good faith estimate for loan applicants to disclose: (1) the availability of flood insurance for residential real estate both in and out of a special flood hazard area, and (2) that the escrowing of flood insurance payments is required for many loans. (Sec. 18) Amends the NFIA to provide reimbursement for costs incurred by homeowners and communities obtaining letters of map amendment due to a bona fide FEMA error. (Sec. 19) Directs the Administrator, when updating flood insurance maps, to communicate with communities located in areas where flood insurance rate maps have not been updated in 20 years or more and state emergency agencies to resolve outstanding issues, provide technical assistance, and disseminate all necessary information to reduce the prevalence of outdated maps in flood-prone areas. (Sec. 20) Requires the Administrator, when revising or updating areas with special flood hazards, to provide each owner of a property to be newly included in such an area a copy of the proposed revised or updated flood insurance maps,together with information regarding the appeals process. (Sec. 21) Declares eligible for flood insurance any property otherwise in compliance with the Program even it has a swimming pool located at ground level or in the space below the lowest floor of a building after November 30 and before June 1 (outside hurricane season) if the pool is enclosed with non-supporting breakaway walls. (Sec. 22) Specifies information for an insured having flood insurance coverage by the Administrator or by a company, insurer, or entity offering flood insurance coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (a participating company) when the insured also has wind or other homeowners (multiple perils) coverage from any company, insurer, or other entity covering property that is covered by the flood insurance. Requires the Administrator and the participating company, upon the insured's request, to provide to the insured: (1) a copy of the estimate of structure damage, (2) proofs of loss, (3) additional documentation relied upon by the Administrator or participating company in determining whether the damage was caused by flood or any other peril, and (4) the final determination on the claim. Applies this requirement only with respect to a request made after: (1) the Administrator or the participating company, or both, have issued a final decision on the flood claim involved; and (2) resolution of all appeals with respect to such claim. (Sec. 23) Authorizes the Administrator to refuse to accept the transfer of the administration of flood insurance policies that are written and administered by any insurance company, other insurer, or any insurance agent or broker. (Sec. 24) Directs the Administrator to: (1) notify a local television and radio station when establishing projected flood elevations with respect to certain communities; and (2) grant an additional 90-day extension of the initial 90-day period for appeals if an affected community certifies that there are property owners or lessees who are unaware of the statutory period to appeal proposed flood elevation determinations, and the community will use the time extension to notify those affected. (Sec. 25) ) Directs the Administrator to establish a separate National Flood Insurance Reserve Fund to meet expected future obligations of the flood insurance Program. Prescribes a reserve ratio and phase-in requirements for the Fund. (Sec. 26) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to make eligible for assistance under the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Program: (1) certain activities supplementing existing state or local funding for administration of building code enforcement by local building code enforcement departments, and (2) floodplain management outreach and education activities of local governmental agencies to encourage and facilitate purchase of flood insurance protection by owners and renters. (Sec. 28) Directs the Administrator to: (1) report to Congress on procedures to limit the percentage of flood insurance policies directly managed by FEMA to a maximum of 10% of the aggregate number of all flood insurance policies in force under the Program, and (2) reduce to a 10% maximum the number of flood insurance policies directly managed by either FEMA or its non-insurer direct servicing contractor. (Sec. 29) Directs the Administrator and Comptroller General each to study options, methods, and strategies for offering and incorporating voluntary community-based flood insurance policy options into the Program. (Sec. 30) Directs the Administrator to study the impact, effectiveness, and feasibility of amending the NFIA to include widely used and nationally recognized building codes as part of the floodplain management criteria. (Sec. 31) Directs the National Academy of Sciences to study methods for understanding graduated risk behind levees and the associated land development, insurance, and risk communication dimensions. (Sec. 32) Requires the Administrator to: (1) review the processes and procedures for determining that a flood event has commenced or is in progress for flood insurance purposes, and for providing public notification that such an event has commenced or is in progress; and (2) plan how to repay within 10 years all amounts owed pursuant to NFIA on notes and obligations approved by the President, including any previously borrowed but not yet repaid. (Sec. 34) Prohibits any cause of action or claim from being brought against the United States for violation of any notification requirement imposed by this Act. (Sec. 35) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, upon request of a governmental entity, to evaluate a levee system that was designed or constructed by the Secretary for the purposes of the National Flood Insurance Program.

flood insurance reform_act sec amends national_flood_insurance_act extend fy2016 financing national_flood_insurance_program program sec amends flood disaster protection act authorize administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema suspend temporarily mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement areas designated having special flood hazards meet certain eligibility requirements authorizes administrator request relevant local government authority extend suspension period additional months administrator finds adequate progress construction flood protection system area excludes extension certain improved real estate mobile home properties new mortgages revises requirement lender servicer loan case borrower failed purchase flood insurance purchase borrower behalf charge borrower cost premiums fees incurred includes premiums fees incurred coverage beginning date flood insurance coverage lapsed provide sufficient coverage requires lender servicer receives confirmation borrower existing flood insurance coverage terminate force placed insurance refund borrower force placed insurance premiums including related fees requires federal entity lending regulation direct regulated lending institutions accept private flood insurance meets federal flood insurance requirements requires federal agency lender federal_national_mortgage_association fannie_mae federal_home_loan_mortgage_corporation freddie_mac accept private flood insurance satisfaction flood insurance purchase requirement meets requirements sec amends prescribe minimum annual flood insurance deductibles subsidized rate properties actuarial rate properties revises requirement additional flood insurance excess specified limits available residential building risk premium determined accordance certain requirements enable insured insurance applicant receive coverage aggregate liability specifies additional flood insurance available residential building designed occupancy families applies aggregate flood insurance liability single building description makes technical revisions analogous requirements additional flood insurance case nonresidential building including church sets forth formula indexing maximum coverage limits prescribes optional coverage aggregate liability necessary increases living expenses loss use personal residence business interruption regard commercial property residential property including multifamily rental property requires flood insurance regulations allow payment flood insurance premiums installments increased premium rates surcharges specifies coverage new flood insurance policy properties affected floods progress day waiting period policy effective date covers damage property resulting flood occurs expiration waiting period property suffered damage loss result flood expiration raises average risk premium rates properties concerned annual limitation premium increases schedules year phase risk premium rates annual increments flood insurance coverage area upgraded special flood hazard area newly risk premium rate area specifies different year phase period risk premium case preferred risk rate areas limits applicable estimated risk premium actuarial rate area rate nonresidential commercial property second homes vacation homes single family properties built improved end sold new owners property sustaining flood damage improvement enactment act severe repetitive loss property prohibits extension subsidized rates policies lapsed result policy holder deliberate choice makes communities making adequate progress reconstruction improvement year frequency flood protection systems eligible premium flood insurance rates apply reconstruction improvement completed revises requirements special flood hazard rates community process restoring flood protection afforded system previously accredited providing year frequency flood protection longer requires application rates respect level federal investment participation restoration effort allows nonfederal including private entities operate maintain repair flood protection systems instead federal agency determine flood protection system sec establishes technical mapping advisory_council chaired administrator develop new mapping standards year flood insurance rate maps requires administrator ensure council membership balance federal state local private members including representatives states coastline gulf_of_mexico states containing areas identified administrator fema high risk flooding special flood hazard areas terminates council years prohibits administrator council submits proposed new mapping standards making effective new updated rate maps flood insurance coverage program effect enactment act revising updating changing flood insurance rate maps effect date authorizes administrator modify flood insurance rate maps effect moratorium pursuant letter map change sec instructs administrator establish new rate maps based council standards recommendations update flood insurance rate maps accordingly exempts mandatory flood insurance purchase compliance requirements property located special flood hazard area property owner submits elevation certificate showing lowest level primary residence property feet higher elevation year floodplain prohibits administrator charging fee reviewing flood hazard data issuing flood insurance maps making effective updated flood insurance maps omit disregard actual protection afforded existing levee pump flood protection feature regardless accreditation status sec requires administrator comptroller_general study options methods strategies program authorizes administrator implement appropriate private risk management initiatives determine capacity private insurers financial markets assist communities voluntary basis managing range financial risks associated flooding requires administrator assess private sector response request proposals assume portion program insurance risk authorizes administrator secure flood reinsurance coverage private market insurance reinsurance capital market sources including industry flood insurance pool reasonable appropriate rates sufficient maintain ability program pay claims minimizing likelihood program utilize borrowing authority requires administrator assess annually program claims paying ability including utilization private sector reinsurance reinsurance equivalents reliance fema borrowing authority sec instructs administrator report annually congress financial status program national flood insurance fund including current projected levels claims premium receipts expenses borrowing program sec modifies mitigation assistance grant program states communities cover mitigation activities reduce flood damage severe repetitive loss structures property owners form direct grants implement mitigation activities reduce flood damage individual structures claim payments losses flood insurance coverage administrator determines relevant state community capacity manage grants repeals authority planning assistance grants changes flood risk mitigation multi hazard risk mitigation plan state community required develop eligible mitigation assistance requires plan examine reduction losses provide protection directs administrator priority funding activities result greatest savings national flood insurance fund fund including repetitive severe repetitive loss structures removes beach nourishment list eligible mitigation activities adds list activities elevation relocation utilities including equipment serve structures development update state local indian tribal mitigation plans personnel costs state staff provide technical assistance communities identify eligible activities develop grant applications implement grants directs administrator consider activity eligible mitigation assistance demolition rebuilding properties base flood levels higher required administrator governmental ordinance authorizes grants eligible mitigation activities including severe repetitive loss structures eligible costs repetitive loss structures eligible costs mitigation activities eligible costs increases administrative penalty state community failure provide matching funds limits million fiscal year funding severe repetitive loss structures eliminates grants program repetitive insurance claims properties pilot program mitigation severe repetitive loss properties increases amounts available fund national flood mitigation fund fund specified activities declares amounts available fund shall subject offsetting collections premium rates flood insurance coverage revises requirements additional flood insurance coverage costs compliance community land use control measures eliminate coverage properties offer mitigation assistance repetitive loss priority program individual priority property program sec amends direct administrator notify residents special flood hazard areas annually mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement rate phase properties related information sec amends require administrator notify members congress districts states affected significant action relating revision update floodplain area flood risk zone tenants availability contents insurance property located special flood hazard area policy holders annually direct management fema flood insurance policy option purchase flood insurance directly administered insurance company sec revises notification requirements administrator establishing projected flood land use purposes requires direct written class mail notification owner real property affected proposed status property process appealing flood elevation determination sec amends real_estate_settlement_procedures_act respa require lender good faith estimate loan applicants disclose availability flood insurance residential real estate special flood hazard area flood insurance payments required loans sec amends provide reimbursement costs incurred homeowners communities obtaining letters map amendment bona fide fema error sec directs administrator updating flood insurance maps communicate communities located areas flood insurance rate maps updated years state emergency agencies resolve outstanding issues provide technical assistance disseminate necessary information reduce prevalence outdated maps flood prone areas sec requires administrator revising updating areas special flood hazards provide owner property newly included area copy proposed revised updated flood insurance maps information appeals process sec declares eligible flood insurance property compliance program swimming pool located ground level space lowest floor building november june outside hurricane season pool enclosed non supporting walls sec specifies information insured having flood insurance coverage administrator company insurer entity offering flood insurance coverage national_flood_insurance_program participating company insured wind homeowners multiple coverage company insurer entity covering property covered flood insurance requires administrator participating company insured request provide insured copy estimate structure damage loss additional documentation relied administrator participating company determining damage caused flood final determination claim applies requirement respect request administrator participating company issued final decision flood claim involved resolution appeals respect claim sec authorizes administrator refuse accept transfer administration flood insurance policies written administered insurance company insurer insurance agent broker sec directs administrator notify local television radio station establishing projected flood respect certain communities grant additional day extension initial day period appeals affected community certifies property owners lessees statutory period appeal proposed flood elevation determinations community use time extension notify affected sec directs administrator establish separate national flood insurance reserve fund meet expected future obligations flood insurance program prescribes reserve ratio phase requirements fund sec amends housing_and_community_development_act eligible assistance community development block grants cdbg program certain activities supplementing existing state local funding administration building code enforcement local building code enforcement departments floodplain management outreach education activities local governmental agencies encourage facilitate purchase flood insurance protection owners sec directs administrator report congress procedures limit percentage flood insurance policies directly managed fema maximum aggregate number flood insurance policies force program reduce maximum number flood insurance policies directly managed fema non insurer direct servicing contractor sec directs administrator comptroller_general study options methods strategies offering incorporating voluntary community based flood insurance policy options program sec directs administrator study impact effectiveness feasibility amending include widely nationally recognized building codes floodplain management criteria sec directs national_academy_of_sciences study methods understanding graduated risk levees associated land development insurance risk communication dimensions sec requires administrator review processes procedures determining flood event commenced progress flood insurance purposes providing public notification event commenced progress plan repay years amounts owed pursuant notes obligations approved president including previously borrowed repaid sec prohibits cause action claim brought united_states violation notification requirement imposed act sec authorizes secretary army request governmental entity evaluate levee system designed constructed secretary purposes national_flood_insurance_program


Summary: Gulf Coast Economic and Tourism Restoration Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Gulf Coast Economic Restoration Fund. Requires transfer into such Fund of not less than 40% of all amounts collected as federal penalties, settlements, or fines in relation to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill caused by the Deepwater Horizon drilling unit that began on April 20, 2010. Establishes the Gulf Coast Economic Restoration Task Force. Directs the Task Force to use the Fund for activities related to Gulf coast economic development and tourism promotion, by way of grants to the Gulf states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Prohibits any state from receiving less than 5% or more than 30% of available amounts. Requires a report from the governors of each Gulf state to Congress describing their use of such funds.

gulf_coast economic tourism restoration act establishes treasury gulf_coast economic restoration fund requires transfer fund amounts collected federal penalties settlements fines relation gulf_of_mexico oil spill caused deepwater_horizon drilling unit began april establishes gulf_coast economic restoration task_force directs task_force use fund activities related gulf_coast economic development tourism promotion way grants gulf states alabama florida louisiana mississippi texas prohibits state receiving available amounts requires report governors gulf state congress describing use funds


Summary: Gulf States Small Business Interest Relief Act of 2011 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a Southeast Hurricanes Small Business Disaster Relief Program (Program) under which the Administrator may waive, for up to three years and $15,000 total, the interest payments of small businesses that resume operations in a declared disaster area during the period beginning on: (1) September 1, 2005, and ending on October 1, 2006, for loans relating to Hurricanes Katrina or Rita of 2005; or (2) September 1, 2008, and ending on January 1, 2009, for loans relating to Hurricanes Gustav or Ike of 2008. Includes under the Program any small business that demonstrates substantial economic injury as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of April 20, 2010.

gulf states small business interest relief_act amends food conservation energy act direct administrator small_business_administration sba establish southeast hurricanes small business disaster relief program program administrator waive years total interest payments small businesses resume operations declared disaster area period beginning september ending october loans relating hurricanes katrina rita september ending january loans relating hurricanes ike includes program small business demonstrates substantial economic injury result deepwater_horizon oil spill april


Summary: Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2011 - National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Amends the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to revise and reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program through FY2015. Repeals provisions establishing the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction and an associated advisory committee. Revises responsibilities of Program agencies, including by making: (1) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) responsible for research and development to improve building standards and practices; (2) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), consistent with its all hazards approach, responsible for facilitating the adoption of model building codes; (3) the United States Geological Survey (USGS) responsible for providing real-time earthquake information; and (4) the National Science Foundation (NSF) responsible for funding basic research. Makes NIST (currently, USGS) responsible for organizing investigations under the post-earthquake investigations program. National Windstorm Impact Reduction Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Amends the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act of 2004 to revise and reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program through FY2015. Repeals provisions requiring the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an Interagency Working Group responsible for the planning, management, and coordination of the Program. Designates NIST as the lead agency and sets forth revised responsibilities of NIST and the other Program agencies: FEMA, NSF, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Establishes an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Natural Hazards Risk Reduction, chaired by the Director of NIST, to oversee the planning and coordination of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, and other federal research for natural hazard mitigation that the Committee considers appropriate. Requires: (1) the Committee to develop strategic plans and coordinated budgets for such Programs; and (2) the Director to establish an Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction, an Advisory Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction, and other advisory committees to mitigate the impact of natural disasters, as necessary. Amends: (1) the National Construction Safety Team Act to authorize safety teams to be established for deployment after events causing the failure of infrastructure, as well as buildings, leading to a substantial loss of life; and (2) the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to include among the types of fires subject to the Fire Research Center's research program fires at the wildland-urban interface.

natural hazards risk reduction act national earthquake hazards reduction program reauthorization act amends earthquake hazards reduction act revise reauthorize national earthquake hazards reduction program fy2015 repeals provisions establishing interagency_coordinating_committee earthquake hazards reduction associated advisory_committee revises responsibilities program agencies including making national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist responsible research development improve building standards practices federal_emergency_management_agency fema consistent hazards approach responsible facilitating adoption model building codes united_states_geological_survey usgs responsible providing real time earthquake information national_science_foundation nsf responsible funding basic research makes nist currently usgs responsible organizing investigations post earthquake investigations program national windstorm impact reduction reauthorization act amends national windstorm impact reduction act revise reauthorize national_windstorm_impact_reduction_program fy2015 repeals provisions requiring director office_of_science_and_technology_policy establish interagency_working_group responsible planning management coordination program designates nist lead agency sets forth revised responsibilities nist program agencies fema nsf national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa establishes interagency_coordinating_committee natural hazards risk reduction chaired director nist oversee planning coordination national earthquake hazards reduction program national_windstorm_impact_reduction_program federal research natural hazard mitigation committee considers appropriate requires committee develop strategic plans coordinated budgets programs director establish advisory_committee earthquake hazards reduction advisory_committee windstorm impact reduction advisory committees mitigate impact natural disasters necessary amends national construction safety team act authorize safety teams established deployment events causing failure infrastructure buildings leading substantial loss life national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act include types fires subject fire research_center research program fires wildland urban interface


Summary: Flood Insurance Choice Act - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to require regulated lending institutions, federal agency lenders, and the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) to accept, as satisfaction of certain mortgage requirements for flood insurance, flood insurance coverage provided by a private entity that otherwise meets the Act's coverage requirements.

flood insurance choice act_-_amends flood disaster protection act require regulated lending institutions federal agency lenders federal_national_mortgage_association fannie_mae federal_home_loan_mortgage_corporation freddie_mac accept satisfaction certain mortgage requirements flood insurance flood insurance coverage provided private entity meets act coverage requirements


Summary: Flood Insurance Fairness Act of 2011 - Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to delay, for certain areas not previously designated as having special flood hazards, the effective date for the mandatory purchase of flood insurance until the expiration of the five-year period beginning upon the date that revisions to certain flood insurance maps become available. Prohibits this Act from being construed to authorize or require any payment or refund for flood insurance coverage purchases that covered any period during which such coverage is not required for the insured property. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to prescribe a five-year phase-in schedule for flood insurance rates for areas newly mapped as having special flood hazards. Requires the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse property owners for costs incurred in requests to remove property from base flood elevations. Instructs the FEMA Administrator to submit to Congress a community outreach plan updating floodplain areas and flood-risk zones. Instructs the FEMA Administrator to notify the appropriate Members of Congress of actions taken regarding any modernization of a floodplain area or flood-risk zone in their respective states or districts.

flood insurance fairness act amends flood disaster protection act delay certain areas previously designated having special flood hazards effective date mandatory purchase flood insurance expiration year period beginning date revisions certain flood insurance maps available prohibits act construed authorize require payment refund flood insurance coverage purchases covered period coverage required insured property amends national_flood_insurance_act prescribe year phase schedule flood insurance rates areas newly having special flood hazards requires administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema reimburse property owners costs incurred requests remove property base flood instructs fema administrator submit congress community outreach plan updating floodplain areas flood risk zones instructs fema administrator notify appropriate members congress actions taken modernization floodplain area flood risk zone respective states districts


Summary: Gulf Coast Restoration Act - Establishes in the Treasury the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund. Requires transfer into such Fund of not less than 80% of all amounts collected as federal penalties, settlements, or fines in relation to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill caused by the Deepwater Horizon drilling unit that began on April 20, 2010. Establishes the Gulf Coast Restoration Task Force. Directs the Task Force to use the Fund for activities related to Gulf coast economic development, tourism promotion, and ecosystem restoration, by way of grants to the Gulf states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Prohibits any state from receiving less than 5% or more than 30% of available amounts.

gulf_coast_restoration_act_-_establishes treasury gulf_coast restoration fund requires transfer fund amounts collected federal penalties settlements fines relation gulf_of_mexico oil spill caused deepwater_horizon drilling unit began april establishes gulf_coast restoration task_force directs task_force use fund activities related gulf_coast economic development tourism promotion ecosystem restoration way grants gulf states alabama florida louisiana mississippi texas prohibits state receiving available amounts


Summary: Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government (the person recognized by the Secretary of the Interior as the chief elected administrative officer of that government) to submit a request for a declaration by the President that, consistent with requirements of that Act, a major disaster or emergency exists. Provides that: (1) in implementing assistance authorized by the President in response to such requests, references to "state" and "governor" shall mean "Indian tribal government" (the governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994) and the Chief Executive of an affected Indian tribal government; and (2) nothing in this Act shall prohibit a tribal government from receiving such assistance through a presidential declaration at the request of a state if the President does not make a declaration under this Act for the same incident. Requires any non-federal contributions of less than $200,000 required under such Act to be paid by an Indian tribal government to be waived. Allows any required non-federal contribution more than $200,000 to be adjusted or waived in accordance with criteria established by the President.

amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize chief executive affected indian tribal government person recognized secretary interior chief elected administrative officer government submit request declaration president consistent requirements act major disaster emergency exists provides implementing assistance authorized president response requests references state governor shall mean indian tribal government governing body indian alaska_native tribe band nation pueblo village community secretary acknowledges exist indian tribe federally recognized indian tribe list act chief executive affected indian tribal government act shall prohibit tribal government receiving assistance presidential declaration request state president declaration act incident requires non federal contributions required act paid indian tribal government waived allows required non federal contribution adjusted waived accordance criteria established president


Summary: Hurricane and Tornado Mitigation Investment Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and business taxpayers in certain states 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.

hurricane tornado mitigation investment act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow individual business taxpayers certain states tax credit qualified hurricane tornado mitigation property expenditures taxable year defines expenditures expenditures dwelling unit improve strength roof deck attachment create secondary water barrier improve durability roof covering end walls connections roof supporting wall protect debris protect exterior doors


Summary: Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2011 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to increase the maximum total of contributions for a major disaster by an amount equal to 4% of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made under the Act, if at the time of a declaration of a major disaster the affected state has in effect and is actively enforcing an approved state building code. Requires a state, to be eligible for the increased federal share, to submit its state building code to the President for approval.Directs the President to approve a state building code submitted upon determining that it: (1) is consistent with the most recent version of a nationally recognized model building code, (2) has been adopted by the state within six years of the most recent version of the nationally recognized code, and (3) uses the nationally recognized code as a minimum standard.Requires the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to set appropriate standards for the periodic update, resubmittal, and approval of state building codes, consistent with similar mitigation planning requirements under the Stafford Act.Authorizes the use by states and local governments of technical and financial assistance to implement predisaster hazard mitigation measures to establish and operate a building department and carry out enforcement activities to implement an approved state building code.Directs the President, in determining whether to provide technical and financial assistance to a state or local government, to take into account the extent to which that government is carrying out activities to implement an approved state building code.

safe building code incentive act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president increase maximum total contributions major disaster equal estimated aggregate grants act time declaration major disaster affected state effect actively enforcing approved state building code requires state eligible increased federal share submit state building code president approval directs president approve state building code submitted determining consistent recent version nationally recognized model building code adopted state years recent version nationally recognized code uses nationally recognized code minimum standard requires president acting administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema set appropriate standards periodic update approval state building codes consistent similar mitigation planning requirements stafford act authorizes use states local governments technical financial assistance implement hazard mitigation measures establish operate building department carry enforcement activities implement approved state building code directs president determining provide technical financial assistance state local government account extent government carrying activities implement approved state building code


Summary: Homeowners Flood Insurance Awareness Act - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to publicize determinations of proposed flood elevations (including during the 90-day period for appeals) by notifying: (1) a prominent local television and radio station, and (2) each Member of the House of Representatives and each Senator that represents any part of such community. Requires the Administrator to extend the 90-day period for appeals for 90 additional days if an affected community certifies that it: (1) believes there are property owners or lessees in the community who are unaware of such period for appeals, and (2) will use such extension to notify affected property owners or lessees of the period for appeals and the opportunity to appeal the proposed determinations. Allows reimbursement of expenses for the services of surveyors, engineers, or similar services (but not legal services) incurred in effecting a successful petition to dispute the designation of a property as being located in an area with a special flood hazard. Directs the Administrator to: (1) revise annually each flood insurance rate map to permanently remove any property whose owner or lessee (or a community) successfully petitions to remove the designation of such property as being located in an area with a special flood hazard, and (2) ensure that each such map indicates no history of such property being designated as located in a special flood hazard area.

homeowners flood insurance awareness act_-_amends national_flood_insurance_act require administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema publicize determinations proposed flood including day period appeals notifying prominent local television radio station member house_of_representatives senator represents community requires administrator extend day period appeals additional days affected community certifies believes property owners lessees community period appeals use extension notify affected property owners lessees period appeals opportunity appeal proposed determinations allows reimbursement expenses services engineers similar services legal services incurred successful petition dispute designation property located area special flood hazard directs administrator revise annually flood insurance rate map permanently remove property owner lessee community successfully petitions remove designation property located area special flood hazard ensure map indicates history property designated located special flood hazard area


Summary: Natural Disaster Mitigation Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a nonrefundable tax credit for 25% of their qualified natural disaster mitigation property expenditures, as defined by this Act, made in connection with the taxpayer's principal residence.

natural disaster mitigation act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow individual taxpayers nonrefundable tax credit qualified natural disaster mitigation property expenditures defined act connection taxpayer principal residence


Summary: Catastrophe Savings Accounts Act of 2011 - 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).

catastrophe savings_accounts act amends_the_internal_revenue_code create tax exempt catastrophe savings_accounts allows tax free distributions pay expenses resulting presidentially declared major disaster limits csa balances individuals homeowner insurance deductibles lesser twice homeowner insurance deductible individuals deductibles


Summary: Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 2011 - 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.

policyholder disaster protection act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow insurance companies life insurance companies tax deductible contributions tax exempt policyholder disaster protection fund established act payment policyholders claims arising certain catastrophic events earthquakes fires floods


Summary: National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2011 - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce (the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]) 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 and to the NOAA Science Advisory Board; (2) assemble the science and engineering expertise of state or local government agencies and nongovernmental entities through a multi-agency effort focused on improving severe tropical storm forecasting capabilities, on durable and resilient infrastructure, and on mitigating impacts on coastal populations, the coastal built environment, and the natural coastal environment; and (3) make grants for hurricane research, including regarding storm internal dynamics, predicting high winds, tornadoes, and storm surge, and improving measurements of hurricanes and tropical storms through specified technologies. 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) issue a request for proposals to undertake the basic and applied research with a sufficient annual budget to accomplish the desired research results during a 10-year term, (2) establish a National Infrastructure Database, and (3) develop a National Hurricane Research Model. Authorizes appropriations for FY2012 to carry out the Joint Polar Satellite System program.

national hurricane research initiative act requires secretary oceans atmosphere department_of_commerce administrator national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa director national_science_foundation nsf establish national hurricane research initiative cooperate specified federal agencies carry requires initiative set research objectives based national_science_board report need initiative recommendations board noaa science_advisory_board assemble science engineering expertise state local government agencies nongovernmental entities multi agency effort focused improving severe tropical storm forecasting capabilities durable resilient infrastructure mitigating impacts coastal populations coastal built environment natural coastal environment grants hurricane research including storm internal dynamics predicting high storm surge improving measurements hurricanes tropical storms specified technologies directs white_house office_of_science_and_technology_policy national_science_and_technology_council coordinate activities related initiative formal program defined organizational structure execution plan directs secretary director issue request proposals undertake basic applied research sufficient annual budget accomplish desired research results year term establish national infrastructure database develop national hurricane research model authorizes appropriations fy2012 carry joint polar satellite system program


Summary: FEMA Recoupment Fairness Act of 2011 - Directs the President to forgo recoupment of liabilities to the United States relating to assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to individuals and households in relation to a major disaster declared by the President between August 28, 2005, and December 31, 2010, if: (1) such assistance was provided based on an error by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); and (2) there was no fault on behalf of the recipient with respect to the error, including fraud, presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation by the recipient or any party having an interest in the claim. Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to specified congressional committees a report assessing the cost-effectiveness of the efforts of FEMA to recoup erroneous assistance provided for such a major disaster or other catastrophic incident.

fema recoupment fairness act directs president forgo recoupment liabilities united_states relating assistance provided robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act individuals households relation major disaster declared president august december assistance provided based error federal_emergency_management_agency fema fault behalf recipient respect error including fraud presentation false claim misrepresentation recipient party having interest claim directs inspector_general department_of_homeland_security dhs submit specified congressional committees report assessing cost effectiveness efforts fema recoup erroneous assistance provided major disaster catastrophic incident


Summary: Southeastern Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2011 - Extends certain disaster-related tax relief provisions to the Southeastern disaster area. Defines "Southeastern disaster area" as an area with respect to which a major disaster has been declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act due to severe storms, tornados, or flooding occurring after April 13, 2011, and before June 7, 2011, in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Rescinds $12 billion of appropriated discretionary unexpired and unobligated federal funds to implement this Act.

southeastern disaster tax relief_act extends certain disaster related tax relief provisions southeastern disaster area defines southeastern disaster area area respect major disaster declared president robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act severe storms flooding occurring april june alabama arkansas georgia kentucky mississippi missouri north_carolina oklahoma tennessee rescinds billion appropriated discretionary unexpired unobligated federal funds implement act


Summary: Humanitarian Aid for Americans Act - Prohibits any appropriation during calendar year 2011 or 2012 for disaster assistance from being: (1) counted for any budgetary purpose of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 or of any rule of either chamber, or (2) required to be accompanied by any budgetary offset.

humanitarian aid americans act prohibits appropriation calendar year disaster assistance counted budgetary purpose congressional_budget_act rule chamber required accompanied budgetary offset


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out a project for hurricane and storm damage reduction at Surf City and North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, substantially in accordance with the Surf City and North Topsail Beach, North Carolina Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Report dated December 30, 2010, for periodic beach nourishment and monitoring over the 50-year economic life of the project.

authorizes secretary army carry project hurricane storm damage reduction city north beach north_carolina substantially accordance city north beach north_carolina coastal storm damage reduction report dated december periodic beach nourishment monitoring year economic life project


Summary: Wallow Fire Recovery and Monitoring Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct and report on a hazard tree and commercial timber evaluation that identifies timber resources appropriate for removal within the Wallow Fire Area in Arizona and New Mexico not later than the date that is the earlier of: (1) 30 days after the completion of the burned area emergency response for the Wallow Fire Area; or (2) 45 days after the date of containment of the Wallow Fire. Requires the Secretary to: (1) exclude from areas identified for tree removal high fire-severity burned areas on steep slopes, slopes with an incline greater than 40%, riparian areas, and fragile erosive sites, unless tree removal in those areas is necessary to address public health and safety concerns; and (2) limit the removal of trees under a timber removal project under this Act to hazard trees and trees that are already down, dead, or severely root-sprung, such that mortality is highly probable. Provides that: (1) nothing in this Act authorizes new permanent road construction for timber removal, and (2) it is the intent of Congress that all timber removal projects carried out under this Act be completed within 18 months of this Act's enactment. Requires the Secretary, in the case of a timber removal project to be conducted in a Community Protection Management Area, to prepare an environmental assessment for the proposed agency action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Subjects timber removal projects carried out under this Act to the special administrative process and judicial review process under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003. Requires amounts collected from a timber removal project carried out under this Act to be available for expenditure by the Secretary for forest restoration treatments in the Wallow Fire Area.

fire recovery monitoring act_-_requires secretary agriculture conduct report hazard tree commercial timber evaluation identifies timber resources appropriate removal fire area arizona new_mexico later date earlier days completion burned area emergency response fire area days date containment fire requires secretary exclude areas identified tree removal high fire severity burned areas greater riparian areas fragile sites tree removal areas necessary address public health safety concerns limit removal trees timber removal project act hazard trees trees dead severely root mortality highly probable provides act authorizes new permanent road construction timber removal intent congress timber removal projects carried act completed months act enactment requires secretary case timber removal project conducted community protection management area prepare environmental assessment proposed agency action national_environmental_policy_act nepa subjects timber removal projects carried act special administrative process judicial review process healthy_forests_restoration_act requires amounts collected timber removal project carried act available expenditure secretary forest restoration treatments fire area


Summary: Homeowners' Defense Act of 2011 - Establishes the National Catastrophe Risk Consortium as a nonprofit, nonfederal entity to: (1) maintain an inventory of catastrophe risk obligations held by state reinsurance funds, state residual insurance market entities, and state-sponsored providers of natural catastrophe insurance; (2) issue, on a conduit basis, securities and other financial instruments linked to catastrophe risks insured or reinsured through Consortium members; (3) coordinate reinsurance contracts; (4) act as a centralized repository of state risk information accessible by certain private-market participants; and (5) establish a database to perform research and analysis that encourages standardization of the risk-linked securities market. Shields the federal government and the Consortium from liability for Consortium actions. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee holders of debt against loss of principal or interest, or both, on debt issued by certain eligible state programs Provides separate limits on the total principal amount of such obligations for programs that cover earthquake peril and those that cover all other perils. Subjects the catastrophic debt guarantee to specified requirements. Directs the Secretary to make contracts for reinsurance coverage available for purchases only by eligible state programs. Sets pricing guidelines and limits aggregate potential federal liability. Establishes a Federal Natural Catastrophe Reinsurance Fund. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a grants program for eligible entities to develop, enhance, or maintain programs to prevent and mitigate losses from natural catastrophes. Directs the Comptroller General to study: (1) risk-based insurance rate pricing; and (2) rates for state insurance, reinsurance, or residual market programs that fail to cover the expected value of all future associated costs.

homeowners defense act establishes national catastrophe risk consortium nonprofit nonfederal entity maintain inventory catastrophe risk obligations held state reinsurance funds state residual insurance market entities state sponsored providers natural catastrophe insurance issue conduit basis securities financial instruments linked catastrophe risks insured consortium members coordinate reinsurance contracts act centralized repository state risk information accessible certain private market participants establish database perform research analysis encourages standardization risk linked securities market shields federal_government consortium liability consortium actions authorizes secretary treasury guarantee holders debt loss principal interest debt issued certain eligible state programs provides separate limits total principal obligations programs cover earthquake cover subjects catastrophic debt guarantee specified requirements directs secretary contracts reinsurance coverage available purchases eligible state programs sets pricing guidelines limits aggregate potential federal liability establishes federal natural catastrophe reinsurance fund directs secretary housing_and_urban_development hud establish grants program eligible entities develop enhance maintain programs prevent mitigate losses natural directs comptroller_general study risk based insurance rate pricing rates state insurance reinsurance residual market programs fail cover expected value future associated costs


Summary: Disaster Tax Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to disaster tax relief provisions, to: (1) provide for an increase in the tax deduction for losses attributable to a federally declared disaster, (2) make permanent expensing provisions for qualified disaster expenses and qualified disaster assistance property and for net operating losses attributable to federally declared disasters, (3) waive specified requirements for the issuance of mortgage revenue bonds in disaster areas, (4) increase the limit for charitable contributions for disaster relief for individuals and corporations, and (5) increase the new markets tax credit for low-income community investments within a disaster area.

disaster tax act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect disaster tax relief provisions provide increase tax deduction losses attributable federally declared disaster permanent expensing provisions qualified disaster expenses qualified disaster assistance property net operating losses attributable federally declared disasters waive specified requirements issuance mortgage revenue bonds disaster areas increase limit charitable contributions disaster relief individuals corporations increase new markets tax credit low income community investments disaster area


Summary: Gulf Coast Disadvantaged Business Relief Act of 2011 - Permits any small business located in a Louisiana parish or Mississippi or Alabama county that was designated by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) as a disaster area by reason of Hurricane Katrina or Rita while it was participating in a SBA small business and capital ownership development program to continue participation and eligibility in such program for an additional 24 months.

gulf_coast disadvantaged business relief_act permits small business located louisiana parish mississippi alabama county designated administrator small_business_administration sba disaster area reason hurricane katrina rita participating sba small business capital ownership development program continue participation eligibility program additional months


Summary: Rebuilding Communities Act of 2011 - Amends the Heartland Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 to extend through December 31, 2014, the increased rehabiliation tax credit allowed to residents of the Midwestern disaster area (the major disaster area including the states of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin).

rebuilding communities act amends disaster tax relief_act extend december increased tax credit allowed residents disaster area major disaster area including states arkansas illinois indiana iowa kansas michigan minnesota missouri nebraska wisconsin


Summary: FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012 - Title I: Reauthorization of FEMA and Modernization of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System - (Sec. 101) Amends the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 to authorize appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for FY2012-FY2014 for salaries and expenses. (Sec. 102) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2012 - Directs the Administrator of FEMA to modernize and implement the integrated public alert and warning system of the United States to ensure that the President is able, under all conditions, to alert governmental authorities and the civilian population in areas endangered by disasters, including by: (1) establishing common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures for such system; (2) including in such system the capability to adapt the distribution and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, or personal user preferences and to alert individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs; (3) ensuring that training, tests, and exercises are conducted for such system; (4) establishing and integrating into the National Incident Management System a comprehensive and periodic training program to instruct and educate federal, state, tribal, and local government officials in the use of the Common Alerting Protocol enabled Emergency Alert System; (5) conducting nationwide tests of the system at least every three years; and (6) ensuring that the system is resilient, secure, and can withstand acts of terrorism and other external attacks. Requires the system to: (1) incorporate multiple communications technologies, (2) be designed to incorporate future technologies for communicating directly with the public to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible and to improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts, (3) promote local and regional partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response, (4) provide redundant alert mechanisms, and (5) protect individual privacy. Directs the Administrator to submit to specified congressional committees a detailed plan to implement the system, including a timeline, a spending plan, and recommendations for any additional authority necessary. Directs the FEMA Administrator to establish the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for the system. Title II: Stafford Act and Other Programs - (Sec. 201) Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) to direct the Administrator to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System, (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources to assist states and local governments in responding to hazards, (3) designate task forces to participate in the System, (4) enter into an agreement with the state or local government sponsoring a task force (sponsoring agency) with respect to participation, and (5) maintain such management and other technical teams as necessary to administer the System. Authorizes the Administrator to appoint a System member for a period of federal service to participate in sponsored or sanctioned exercises, pre incident staging, major disaster and emergency response activities, and training events. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish and maintain an advisory committee to provide expert recommendations to assist the Administrator in administering the System; (2) enter into an annual preparedness cooperative agreement with each sponsoring agency for training and exercises, equipment acquisition and maintenance, and medical monitoring required for responder safety and health; and (3) enter into response cooperative agreements under which the Administrator agrees to reimburse sponsoring agencies for costs incurred in responding to a major disaster or emergency. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the System for FY2012-FY2014. (Sec. 202) Amends the Stafford Act to authorize the Administrator to make grants to provide for implementation of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Makes states and the Administrator of the Compact eligible to receive such grants. Requires grants to be used to: (1) carry out recommendations identified in the Compact after-action reports for the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons; (2) administer Compact operations on behalf of states that have enacted it; (3) continue coordination with FEMA, appropriate federal agencies, states and local governments, and their respective national organizations; and (4) assist with credentialing emergency response providers and the typing of emergency response resources. Requires the FEMA Administrator to consult with the Compact Administrator to ensure effective coordination of efforts in responding to requests for assistance. Authorizes appropriations for Compact grants for FY2012-FY2014. (Sec. 203) Amends the Stafford Act to authorize the President to transfer excess materials, supplies, or equipment acquired for response or recovery efforts in connection with a major disaster or emergency to a state, local government, or relief or disaster assistance organization for the purpose of assisting: (1) disaster survivors in other major disasters and emergencies; and (2) survivors in incidents caused by a hazard that do not result in a declaration of a major disaster or emergency if the governor of the affected state certifies that there is an urgent need for the materials, supplies, or equipment, and that the state is unable to provide such items in a timely manner. (Sec. 204) Directs the FEMA Administrator to: (1) determine the number of temporary housing units that FEMA needs to maintain in stock to respond appropriately to emergencies or major disasters; (2) establish a plan and guidelines for storing such number of units and for selling, transferring, donating, or otherwise disposing of units in FEMA's inventory in excess of such number; (3) report on actions taken to implement the plan and guidelines; and (4) update the plan as necessary to ensure that the Administrator maintains in FEMA's inventory only the units needed. Authorizes the Administrator to transfer or donate, on a priority basis, excess temporary housing units to states that agree to: (1) use the units to provide temporary housing to survivors of incidents that are caused by hazard, (2) pay to store and maintain the units, (3) make the units available to the President or use the units to provide housing directly to survivors in the event of a major disaster or emergency declared for the state by the President, (4) comply with nondiscrimination provisions, and (5) maintain hazard and flood insurance on the units. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the sale, transfer, or donation of such units directly to a state or other governmental entity or to a voluntary organization for the sole purpose of providing temporary housing to disaster victims in disasters and incidents caused by a hazard that does not result in a declaration of a major disaster or emergency if the recipient agrees to comply with nondiscrimination provisions and to obtain and maintain hazard and flood insurance for the units. (Sec. 206) Directs the President, within 180 days of this Act's enactment, to establish criteria required under the Stafford Act for the approval of an application submitted by a state for the delegation of the authority to administer the hazard mitigation grant program. (Sec. 207) Directs the Administrator: (1) within 180 days of this Act's enactment, to review regulations and policies relating to federal disaster assistance to eliminate regulations that are no longer relevant, harmonize contradictory regulations, and simplify and expedite disaster recovery and assistance; (2) within 1 year of enactment, to report to specified congressional committees on changes made to regulations as a result of such review, together with any legislative recommendations; and (3) to revise regulations related to the submission of State Hazard Mitigation Plans to extend the hazard mitigation planning cycle to every 5 years, consistent with local planning cycles. (Sec. 208) Requires a decision regarding an appeal of a major disaster assistance decision to be rendered within 60 (currently, 90) days after the federal official designated to administer such appeal receives notice of such appeal. Requires the official to provide to the applicant a written explanation of any failure to meet such deadline. Directs the Administrator to transmit to specified committees a quarterly report on such failures. (Sec. 209) Directs the Administrator to issue and begin to implement regulations required under the Stafford Act 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. (Sec. 210) Authorizes the chief executive of an affected Indian tribal government to submit a request for a major disaster or emergency declaration by the President under the Stafford Act. Authorizes the President, in providing assistance to such a government, to waive or adjust any payment of a non-federal contribution with respect to the assistance if the President: (1) has the authority to waive or adjust the payment under another provision under the Act, and (2) determines that the waiver or adjustment is necessary and appropriate. (Sec. 211) Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with representatives of state, tribal, 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. (Sec. 212) Directs the Administrator, in coordination with states, tribal and local governments, and owners or operators of private nonprofit facilities, to establish and conduct a pilot program to: (1) reduce the costs to government of providing assistance to such states, governments, and owners or operators for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster; (2) increase flexibility in the administration of such assistance; and (3) expedite such assistance. Requires the Administrator to establish new procedures to administer such assistance, which shall include: (1) making grants on the basis of estimates agreed to by the requesting entity and the Administrator to provide financial incentives and disincentives for the timely and cost-effective completion of projects; (2) providing an option for the requesting entity to elect to receive an in-lieu contribution, without reduction, on the basis of estimates of the cost of repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of the facility and management expenses; (3) consolidating facilities as a single project based upon the estimates established under the pilot procedures; and (4) allowing the Administrator, if the actual costs of a project completed under the pilot procedures are less than the estimated costs, to permit a grantee or sub grantee to use all or part of the excess funds for cost-effective activities that reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, or suffering from a major disaster. Permits the Administrator to waive such regulations or rules applicable to the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities under the Stafford Act as the Administrator determines are necessary to carry out such pilot program. Directs the Administrator to report to specified committees by October 31, 2015, regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program. Prohibits the Administrator from approving a project under the pilot program after December 31, 2014. (Sec. 213) Directs the Administrator to establish new procedures to administer assistance under the Stafford Act for removal of debris and wreckage resulting from a major disaster or emergency, which may include: (1) making grants on the basis of fixed estimates to provide financial incentives and disincentives for the timely or cost effective completion of removal projects if the state, tribal, or local government or facility owner or operatoragrees to be responsible to pay for any actual costs that exceed the estimate; (2) using a sliding scale for the federal share based on the time it takes to complete removal; (3) allowing utilization of program income from recycled debris without offset to the grant amount; (4) reimbursing base and overtime wages for employees and extra hires performing removal; and (5) authorizing the Administrator, if the actual costs of projects are less than the estimated costs, to permit a grantee or subgrantee to use all or part of the excess funds for purposes of debris management planning, acquisition of debris management equipment for current or future use, and other activities to improve future debris removal operations. (Sec. 214) Authorizes the Administrator to use amounts authorized under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 for FEMA administration and operations for reviews, reports, and studies included in this Act. (Sec. 215) Reduces the FY2012 authorization of appropriations for Emergency Management Performance Grants under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act. (Sec. 217) Dam Safety Act of 2012 - Authorizes appropriations for the National Dam Safety Program for FY2012-FY2015. Requires the head of a federal agency, on request, to provide a state dam safety agency with information on the condition and provision for emergency operations of any dam the failure of which would affect the state. Includes as an objective of the Program the development and implementation of a comprehensive dam safety hazard education and public awareness program to assist the public in preparing for, mitigating against, responding to, and recovering from dam incidents. Changes the limit on the amount allocated to a state under the Program from 50% of the reasonable cost of implementing the state's dam safety program to the amount of funds committed by the state to implement dam safety program activities.

fema reauthorization act title reauthorization fema modernization integrated public alert warning system sec amends post-katrina_emergency_management_reform_act authorize appropriations federal_emergency_management_agency fema fy2012-fy2014 salaries expenses sec integrated public alert warning system modernization act directs administrator fema modernize implement integrated public alert warning system united_states ensure president able conditions alert governmental authorities civilian population areas endangered disasters including establishing common warning protocols standards terminology operating procedures system including system capability adapt distribution content communications basis geographic location risks personal user preferences alert individuals disabilities individuals access functional needs ensuring training tests exercises conducted system establishing integrating national incident management system comprehensive periodic training program instruct educate federal state tribal local government officials use common protocol enabled emergency alert system conducting nationwide tests system years ensuring system resilient secure withstand acts terrorism external attacks requires system incorporate multiple communications technologies designed incorporate future technologies communicating directly public provide alerts largest portion affected population feasible improve ability remote areas receive alerts promote local regional partnerships enhance community preparedness response provide redundant alert mechanisms protect individual privacy directs administrator submit specified congressional committees detailed plan implement system including timeline spending plan recommendations additional authority necessary directs fema administrator establish integrated public alert warning system advisory_committee develop recommendations system title stafford act programs sec amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act stafford act direct administrator continue administer national urban search rescue response system provide national network standardized search rescue resources assist states local governments responding hazards designate task forces participate system enter agreement state local government sponsoring task_force sponsoring agency respect participation maintain management technical teams necessary administer system authorizes administrator appoint system member period federal service participate sponsored sanctioned exercises pre incident major disaster emergency response activities training events directs administrator establish maintain advisory_committee provide expert recommendations assist administrator administering system enter annual preparedness cooperative agreement sponsoring agency training exercises equipment acquisition maintenance medical monitoring required responder safety health enter response cooperative agreements administrator agrees reimburse sponsoring agencies costs incurred responding major disaster emergency authorizes appropriations carry system fy2012-fy2014 sec amends stafford act authorize administrator grants provide implementation emergency management assistance compact makes states administrator compact eligible receive grants requires grants carry recommendations identified compact action reports hurricane administer compact operations behalf states enacted continue coordination fema appropriate federal agencies states local governments respective national organizations assist credentialing emergency response providers emergency response resources requires fema administrator consult compact administrator ensure effective coordination efforts responding requests assistance authorizes appropriations compact grants fy2012-fy2014 sec amends stafford act authorize president transfer excess materials supplies equipment acquired response recovery efforts connection major disaster emergency state local government relief disaster assistance organization purpose assisting disaster survivors major disasters emergencies survivors incidents caused hazard result declaration major disaster emergency governor affected state certifies urgent need materials supplies equipment state unable provide items timely manner sec directs fema administrator determine number temporary housing units fema needs maintain stock respond appropriately emergencies major disasters establish plan guidelines storing number units selling transferring donating disposing units fema inventory excess number report actions taken implement plan guidelines update plan necessary ensure administrator maintains fema inventory units needed authorizes administrator transfer donate priority basis excess temporary housing units states agree use units provide temporary housing survivors incidents caused hazard pay store maintain units units available president use units provide housing directly survivors event major disaster emergency declared state president comply nondiscrimination provisions maintain hazard flood insurance units sec authorizes sale transfer donation units directly state governmental entity voluntary organization sole purpose providing temporary housing disaster victims disasters incidents caused hazard result declaration major disaster emergency recipient agrees comply nondiscrimination provisions obtain maintain hazard flood insurance units sec directs president days act enactment establish criteria required stafford act approval application submitted state delegation authority administer hazard mitigation grant program sec directs administrator days act enactment review regulations policies relating federal disaster assistance eliminate regulations longer relevant harmonize regulations simplify expedite disaster recovery assistance year enactment report specified congressional committees changes regulations result review legislative recommendations revise regulations related submission state hazard mitigation plans extend hazard mitigation planning cycle years consistent local planning cycles sec requires decision appeal major disaster assistance decision rendered currently days federal official designated administer appeal receives notice appeal requires official provide applicant written explanation failure meet deadline directs administrator transmit specified committees quarterly report failures sec directs administrator issue begin implement regulations required stafford act provide cost estimation procedures expedite recovery reduce costs time completion recovery projects creation financial performance incentives sec authorizes chief executive affected indian tribal government submit request major disaster emergency declaration president stafford act authorizes president providing assistance government waive adjust payment non federal contribution respect assistance president authority waive adjust payment provision act determines waiver adjustment necessary appropriate sec directs administrator cooperation representatives state tribal local emergency management agencies review update revise rulemaking factors considered evaluating governor request major disaster declaration measure severity magnitude impact disaster sec directs administrator coordination states tribal local governments owners operators private nonprofit facilities establish conduct pilot program reduce costs government providing assistance states governments owners operators repair restoration reconstruction replacement facility damaged destroyed major disaster increase flexibility administration assistance expedite assistance requires administrator establish new procedures administer assistance shall include making grants basis estimates agreed requesting entity administrator provide financial incentives disincentives timely cost effective completion projects providing option requesting entity elect receive lieu contribution reduction basis estimates cost repair restoration reconstruction replacement facility management expenses consolidating facilities single project based estimates established pilot procedures allowing administrator actual costs project completed pilot procedures estimated costs permit grantee sub grantee use excess funds cost effective activities reduce risk future damage hardship suffering major disaster permits administrator waive regulations rules applicable repair restoration replacement damaged facilities stafford act administrator determines necessary carry pilot program directs administrator report specified committees october effectiveness pilot program prohibits administrator approving project pilot program december sec directs administrator establish new procedures administer assistance stafford act removal debris resulting major disaster emergency include making grants basis fixed estimates provide financial incentives disincentives timely cost effective completion removal projects state tribal local government facility owner responsible pay actual costs exceed estimate sliding scale federal share based time takes complete removal allowing utilization program income recycled debris offset grant reimbursing base overtime wages employees extra hires performing removal authorizing administrator actual costs projects estimated costs permit grantee subgrantee use excess funds purposes debris management planning acquisition debris management equipment current future use activities improve future debris removal operations sec authorizes administrator use amounts authorized post-katrina_emergency_management_reform_act fema administration operations reviews reports studies included act sec reduces fy2012 authorization appropriations emergency management performance grants post-katrina_emergency_management_reform_act sec dam safety act authorizes appropriations national dam safety program fy2012 fy2015 requires head federal agency request provide state dam safety agency information condition provision emergency operations dam failure affect state includes objective program development implementation comprehensive dam safety hazard education public awareness program assist public preparing mitigating responding recovering dam incidents changes limit allocated state program reasonable cost implementing state dam safety program funds committed state implement dam safety program activities