Summary: Title I: Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization - Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 104) Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Act) to extend the national flood insurance program (Program) though FY2013. (Sec. 105) Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make national flood insurance available for multifamily properties of more than four units to a maximum coverage equal to the coverage amount made available to commercial properties. (Sec. 106) Requires the FEMA Director to estimate the exclusion of certain prospective insureds from purchasing flood insurance at risk premium rates less than those estimated for specified properties (including any property not an individual's primary residence, severe repetitive loss property, and any business property). Sets an annual risk premium rate limitation of 25% for such properties. Prohibits the Director from providing flood insurance to prospective insureds at risk premium rates less than those otherwise estimated (federal subsidy) for new or lapsed policies, or to any prospective insured who refuses to accept any offer for FEMA mitigation assistance by the Administrator. Increases from 10% to 15% the annual limitation on risk premium rate increases for any properties within any single risk classification. (Sec. 107) Instructs FEMA to issue final regulations establishing revised definitions of special flood hazard areas, including residual risk areas. Subjects such areas to mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements. Requires the Director to ensure that the flood insurance policy price in residual risk areas accurately reflects the level of flood protection provided by any levee, dam, or other the man-made structure in the area. Requires the Army Corps of Engineers to notify the Director of the National Flood Insurance Program immediately upon decertification of any levee, dam, or man-made structure under its jurisdiction. (Sec. 108) Requires adjustment of flood insurance risk premium rates to reflect the current risk of flood to property located in an area participating in the Program. Prohibits the Director, until flood insurance rate maps for all areas in the St. Louis District of the Mississippi Valley Division of the Corps of Engineers are updated, from: (1) adjusting the chargeable flood insurance premium rate for any type or class of property located in an area in that District; or (2) requiring the purchase of flood insurance for any type or class of property located in such an area not subject to such purchase requirement before the updating of the national flood insurance program rate map. States that such an area does not include any area (or subdivision) that has chosen not to participate in the flood insurance program. (Sec. 109) Adds a new requirement for those states and areas where flood insurance must be made available. Requires such states or areas to give satisfactory assurance that by December 31, 2008, state-chartered lending institutions not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shall be subject to state regulations consistent with the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973. (Sec. 110) Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to increase from $350 to $2000 the civil monetary penalty for a single violation of the Act. Repeals the limitation upon the maximum penalty amount that may be imposed against any single regulated lending institution or enterprise in any calendar year. (Sec. 111) Revises the requirement that federal entities responsible for lending regulation require by regulation the payment of flood insurance premiums to a mortgage lender for deposit in an escrow account. Changes the property reference from real estate or mobile home to any property for which a loan has been made for purposes of acquisition or construction. Extends the same requirement to state entities responsible for lending regulations with respect to lending institutions they supervise. Requires any regulated lending institution, upon final payment of a mortgage, to notify the policyholder: (1) that insurance coverage may cease with such final payment; and (2) how flood insurance coverage may be continued after the life of the loan. (Sec. 112) Declares that the Secretary of the Treasury relinquishes the right to any repayment of loans to FEMA, subject to specified conditions, to the extent such borrowed sums were used to fund the payment of flood insurance claims resulting from the hurricanes of 2005. Increases from $1.5 billion to $20.775 billion, during FY2008 only, the maximum amount of loans and obligations the FEMA Director may issue to the Secretary of the Treasury with the President's approval for the Program. (Sec. 113) Prescribes minimum deductibles for claims under the Program for specified properties. Specifies the minimum annual deductible for pre-FIRM properties (containing a structure neither constructed nor substantially improved after the later of December 31, 1974, or the effective date of the initial rate map published by the FEMA Director under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 for the pertinent area) as: (1) $1,500, if the flood insurance covers structural damage of $100,000 or less; and (2) $2,000, if the flood insurance covers structural damage greater than $100,000. Sets the minimum annual deductible for post-FIRM properties at $750 in the first instance, and $1,000 in the second. (Sec. 114) Revises requirements for the FEMA Director's prescription of chargeable flood insurance premium rates. Repeals the requirement that the Director consult with certain entities before prescribing rates. Requires such rates, in addition to meeting other conditions, to be adequate, on the basis of accepted actuarial principles, to cover the average historical loss year obligations incurred by the National Flood Insurance Fund. (Sec. 115) Instructs the Director to establish in the Treasury a National Flood Insurance Reserve Fund, which shall maintain 1% of the sum of the total potential loss exposure of all outstanding flood insurance policies in force in the prior fiscal year, or any higher percentage the Director determines appropriate. (Sec. 116) Requires any funds borrowed by FEMA for the Program to include a repayment schedule, which shall be transmitted not only to the Secretary but to specified congressional committees. (Sec. 117) Prohibits FEMA from denying payment of certain flood insurance claims by condominium owners who purchased such flood insurance separate and apart from the flood insurance purchased by the condominium association, based on the flood insurance coverage of the association or others on the association's overall property. (Sec. 118) Establishes the Technical Mapping Advisory Council to make recommendations to the FEMA Director regarding: (1) flood insurance rate maps; (2) mapping standards; (3) interagency and intergovernmental coordination on flood mapping and flood risk determination; and (4) a future conditions risk assessment and modeling report. (Sec. 119) (Sec. 119) Requires the FEMA Director, in coordination with the Technical Mapping Advisory Council, to establish an ongoing program for review, update, and maintenance of Program rate maps. Requires the Director to work to enhance communication and outreach to states, local communities, property owners, and community residents about the effects: (1) of any potential changes to National Flood Insurance Program rate maps that may result from such mapping program; and (2) that any such changes may have on flood insurance purchase requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2013. (Sec. 120) Removes the limitation placed upon state or local government contributions for the cost of updating flood maps. (Sec. 121) Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, the FEMA Director, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the heads of specified federal agencies to: (1) coordinate and share data on flood risk determination and geospatial data; and (2) report to Congress an interagency budget crosscut report that displays the budget proposed for agencies working on flood risk determination data and digital elevation models, including planned agency transfers. (Sec. 122) Directs the National Academy of Public Administration to study and report to Congress on how FEMA can: (1) improve interagency coordination on flood mapping, including a funding strategy to leverage and coordinate budgets and expenditures; and (2) establish joint funding mechanisms with other governmental agencies. (Sec. 123) Exempts from certain floor insurance purchase requirements any area located within the 500-year flood plain. (Sec. 124) Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (RESPA) to require that certain public information booklets include the availability of federal flood insurance. (Sec. 125) States that a temporary residential structure built for the purpose of testing certain new flood proofing technology in any state or community receiving flood mitigation assistance may not be construed to violate any flood risk mitigation plan developed by that state or community and approved by FEMA. (Sec. 126) Requires the FEMA Director, upon state insurance commissioner request, to cause Program representatives to participate in state disaster claims mediation programs. (Sec. 127) Directs FEMA to: (1) continue to work to implement minimum training and education standards for insurance agents who sell flood insurance policies; and (2) report to Congress on implementation of the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004. (Sec. 128) Directs the FEMA Director to collect, from property and casualty insurance companies authorized to participate in the Write Your Own program (WYO), any information needed to determine the accuracy of the resolution of flood claims filed on any property covered by a standard flood insurance policy obtained under WYO that was subject to a flood. (Sec. 129) Authorizes such companies to make specified biennial expense reports to Congress. Specifies a civil penalty for any property and casualty insurance company authorized to participate in the WYO program which fails to comply with specified reporting requirements or the requirement for biennial auditing of the flood insurance financial statements. Requires the FEMA Director to conduct rulemaking proceedings to: (1) devise a data collection methodology to allow FEMA to collect information on the expenses of property and casualty insurance companies participating in the WYO program for selling, writing, and servicing, standard flood insurance policies; and (2) formulate revised reimbursements to property and casualty insurance companies participating in the WYO program for their related expenses. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to specified congressional committees on the efficacy, adequacy, and sufficiency of such rules. (Sec. 130) Extends the pilot program for mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties through FY2013. Repeals the termination date for such program. Sec. 131) Establishes in FEMA the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate (FIA), among other duties, to: (1) assist insureds in resolving problems with FEMA; (2) supervise and coordinate audits and investigations to determine whether insurance companies allocate only flood losses to the national flood insurance program; (3) prevent and detect fraud and abuse; and (4) investigate conflicts of interest. Requires such Office to report annually to Congress directly, without any prior review or comment from FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, or OMB. Provides for appointment of regional flood insurance advocates, as well as temporary state or local offices following a flood event. Authorizes the National FIA, upon application by a qualified insured, to issue a Flood Insurance Assistance Recommendation to take or refrain from taking specified action under any other provision of law, if the qualified insured is suffering a significant hardship, such as a significant delay in resolving claims while incurring significant resulting costs, or where the insured is at risk of adverse action, including the loss of property, as a result of the manner in which the flood insurance laws are being administered by the FEMA Director. Specifies required responses by the FEMA Director to such a Recommendation. Requires the National FIA to report expeditiously to the Attorney General any reasonable grounds to believe a violation of federal criminal law has occurred. Requires the FEMA Director and the FIA to establish procedures to take appropriate action against an insurance company, including monetary penalties and removal or suspension from the program, when it refuses to cooperate with an investigation or audit or where a finding of improper conduct has been made. Authorizes the Director to use the National Flood Insurance Fund to fund the activities of the Office of the Flood Advocate in FY2009-FY2014. (Sec. 132) Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees regarding: (1) the number of flood insurance policy holders currently insuring specified residential and commercial structures; (2) increased losses the national flood insurance program would have sustained during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane season if it had insured all policyholders up to the maximum conforming loan limit; (3) the availability in the private marketplace of flood insurance coverage in amounts that exceed the current limits of federal coverage; and (4) the effect that raising or reducing current limits of coverage amounts would have upon private insurers' ability to continue providing flood insurance coverage. Directs the FEMA Director to report annually to certain congressional committees on the activities of the national flood insurance program. Requires the Comptroller General also to report to Congress on: (1) pre-FIRM structures receiving discounted premiums; and (2) a review of the three largest FEMA contractors used in administering the Program. (Sec. 133) Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees on: (1) the feasibility of requiring the FEMA Director to purchase, in addition to mandatory reinsurance coverage, private reinsurance or retrocessional coverage to underlying primary private insurers for losses due to flood insurance coverage provided by them; (2) the feasibility of repealing mandatory reinsurance and requiring the FEMA Director to purchase such private reinsurance or retrocessional coverage; and (3) the estimated total savings to the taxpayer of taking each such action. (Sec. 134) Requires each policy under the national flood insurance program to disclose conditions, exclusions, and others limitations in plain English, in boldface type, and in a font twice the size of the text of the body of the policy. (Sec. 135) Requires the FEMA Director to study and report to certain congressional committees on the feasibility of amending the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to include widely used and nationally recognized building codes as part of floodplain management criteria. Title II: Commission on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management and Insurance - Commission on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management and Insurance Act of 2008 - (Sec. 203) Establishes the Commission on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management and Insurance to report to certain congressional committees on risks posed to the United States by natural catastrophes, and the means for mitigating them and paying for ensuing losses, including an assessment of: (1) the condition of the property and casualty insurance and reinsurance markets before and after specified hurricanes; and (2) the availability and affordability of insurance in all regions of the country. (Sec. 210) Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 301) Modifies the project for flood control, Big Sioux River and Skunk Creek, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to authorize reimbursement of the nonfederal interest for funds advanced for the federal share of the project, but only if additional federal funds are appropriated for that purpose. (Sec. 302) Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy to suspend petroleum acquisition for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) from the date of enactment of this Act through December 31, 2008. Authorizes such Secretaries to resume acquisition 30 days after the date on which the President notifies Congress that the weighted average price of petroleum in the United States for the most recent 90-day period is $75 or less per barrel. Requires the Secretary, to the maximum extent practicable, to negotiate a deferral of the delivery of oil under existing contracts for a period of at least one year.

title flood insurance reform modernization flood insurance reform modernization act sec amends national_flood_insurance_act act extend national_flood_insurance_program program fy2013 sec requires director federal_emergency_management_agency fema national flood insurance available multifamily properties units maximum coverage equal coverage available commercial properties sec requires fema director estimate exclusion certain prospective insureds purchasing flood insurance risk premium rates estimated specified properties including property individual primary residence severe repetitive loss property business property sets annual risk premium rate limitation properties prohibits director providing flood insurance prospective insureds risk premium rates estimated federal subsidy new lapsed policies prospective insured refuses accept offer fema mitigation assistance administrator increases annual limitation risk premium rate increases properties single risk classification sec instructs fema issue final regulations establishing revised definitions special flood hazard areas including residual risk areas subjects areas mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements requires director ensure flood insurance policy price residual risk areas accurately reflects level flood protection provided levee dam man structure area requires army_corps_of_engineers notify director national_flood_insurance_program immediately decertification levee dam man structure jurisdiction sec requires adjustment flood insurance risk premium rates reflect current risk flood property located area participating program prohibits director flood insurance rate maps areas district mississippi valley division corps_of_engineers updated adjusting flood insurance premium rate type class property located area district requiring purchase flood insurance type class property located area subject purchase requirement updating national_flood_insurance_program rate map states area include area subdivision chosen participate flood insurance program sec adds new requirement states areas flood insurance available requires states areas satisfactory assurance december state chartered lending institutions insured federal_deposit_insurance_corporation shall subject state regulations consistent flood disaster protection act sec amends flood disaster protection act increase civil monetary penalty single violation act repeals limitation maximum penalty imposed single regulated lending institution enterprise calendar year sec revises requirement federal entities responsible lending regulation require regulation payment flood insurance premiums mortgage lender deposit escrow account changes property reference real estate mobile home property loan purposes acquisition construction extends requirement state entities responsible lending regulations respect lending institutions supervise requires regulated lending institution final payment mortgage notify policyholder insurance coverage cease final payment flood insurance coverage continued life loan sec declares secretary treasury relinquishes right repayment loans fema subject specified conditions extent borrowed sums fund payment flood insurance claims resulting hurricanes increases billion billion fy2008 maximum loans obligations fema director issue secretary treasury president approval program sec prescribes minimum deductibles claims program specified properties specifies minimum annual deductible pre firm properties containing structure constructed substantially improved later december effective date initial rate map published fema director national_flood_insurance_act pertinent area flood insurance covers structural damage flood insurance covers structural damage greater sets minimum annual deductible post firm properties instance second sec revises requirements fema director prescription flood insurance premium rates repeals requirement director consult certain entities prescribing rates requires rates addition meeting conditions adequate basis accepted actuarial principles cover average historical loss year obligations incurred national flood insurance fund sec instructs director establish treasury national flood insurance reserve fund shall maintain sum total potential loss exposure outstanding flood insurance policies force prior fiscal year higher percentage director determines appropriate sec requires funds borrowed fema program include repayment schedule shall transmitted secretary specified congressional committees sec prohibits fema denying payment certain flood insurance claims condominium owners purchased flood insurance separate apart flood insurance purchased condominium association based flood insurance coverage association association overall property sec establishes technical mapping advisory_council recommendations fema director flood insurance rate maps mapping standards interagency intergovernmental coordination flood mapping flood risk determination future conditions risk assessment modeling report sec sec requires fema director coordination technical mapping advisory_council establish ongoing program review update maintenance program rate maps requires director work enhance communication outreach states local communities property owners community residents effects potential changes national_flood_insurance_program rate maps result mapping program changes flood insurance purchase requirements authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2013 sec removes limitation placed state local government contributions cost updating flood maps sec directs secretary homeland_security fema director director office_of_management_and_budget omb heads specified federal agencies coordinate share data flood risk determination geospatial data report congress interagency budget crosscut report displays budget proposed agencies working flood risk determination data digital elevation models including planned agency transfers sec directs national_academy_of_public_administration study report congress fema improve interagency coordination flood mapping including funding strategy leverage coordinate budgets expenditures establish joint funding mechanisms governmental agencies sec exempts certain floor insurance purchase requirements area located year flood plain sec amends real_estate_settlement_procedures_act respa require certain public information include availability federal flood insurance sec states temporary residential structure built purpose testing certain new flood technology state community receiving flood mitigation assistance construed violate flood risk mitigation plan developed state community approved fema sec requires fema director state insurance commissioner request cause program representatives participate state disaster claims mediation programs sec directs fema continue work implement minimum training education standards insurance agents sell flood insurance policies report congress implementation bereuter flood insurance reform_act sec directs fema director collect property casualty insurance companies authorized participate write program information needed determine accuracy resolution flood claims filed property covered standard flood insurance policy obtained subject flood sec authorizes companies specified biennial expense reports congress specifies civil penalty property casualty insurance company authorized participate program fails comply specified reporting requirements requirement biennial auditing flood insurance financial statements requires fema director conduct rulemaking proceedings devise data collection methodology allow fema collect information expenses property casualty insurance companies participating program selling writing servicing standard flood insurance policies formulate revised reimbursements property casualty insurance companies participating program related expenses directs comptroller_general study report specified congressional committees efficacy adequacy sufficiency rules sec extends pilot program mitigation severe repetitive loss properties fy2013 repeals termination date program sec establishes fema office flood insurance advocate duties assist insureds resolving problems fema supervise coordinate audits investigations determine insurance companies allocate flood losses national_flood_insurance_program prevent detect fraud abuse investigate conflicts interest requires office report annually congress directly prior review comment fema department_of_homeland_security omb provides appointment regional flood insurance advocates temporary state local offices following flood event authorizes national application qualified insured issue flood insurance assistance recommendation refrain taking specified action provision law qualified insured suffering significant hardship significant delay resolving claims incurring significant resulting costs insured risk adverse action including loss property result manner flood insurance laws administered fema director specifies required responses fema director recommendation requires national report expeditiously attorney general reasonable grounds believe violation federal criminal law occurred requires fema director establish procedures appropriate action insurance company including monetary penalties removal suspension program refuses cooperate investigation audit finding improper conduct authorizes director use national flood insurance fund fund activities office flood advocate fy2009 fy2014 sec instructs comptroller_general study report certain congressional committees number flood insurance policy holders currently insuring specified residential commercial structures increased losses national_flood_insurance_program sustained hurricane season insured policyholders maximum conforming loan limit availability private marketplace flood insurance coverage amounts exceed current limits federal coverage effect raising reducing current limits coverage amounts private insurers ability continue providing flood insurance coverage directs fema director report annually certain congressional committees activities national_flood_insurance_program requires comptroller_general report congress pre firm structures receiving discounted premiums review largest fema contractors administering program sec instructs comptroller_general study report certain congressional committees feasibility requiring fema director purchase addition mandatory reinsurance coverage private reinsurance coverage underlying primary private insurers losses flood insurance coverage provided feasibility repealing mandatory reinsurance requiring fema director purchase private reinsurance coverage estimated total savings taxpayer taking action sec requires policy national_flood_insurance_program disclose conditions exclusions limitations plain english type font twice size text body policy sec requires fema director study report certain congressional committees feasibility amending national_flood_insurance_act include widely nationally recognized building codes floodplain management criteria title commission natural catastrophe risk management insurance commission natural catastrophe risk management insurance act sec establishes_the_commission natural catastrophe risk management insurance report certain congressional committees risks posed united_states natural means mitigating paying ensuing losses including assessment condition property casualty insurance reinsurance markets specified hurricanes availability affordability insurance regions country sec authorizes appropriations title iii miscellaneous sec modifies project flood control big sioux river creek sioux falls south_dakota authorize reimbursement nonfederal interest funds advanced federal share project additional federal funds appropriated purpose sec directs secretary interior secretary energy suspend petroleum acquisition strategic_petroleum_reserve spr date enactment act december authorizes secretaries resume acquisition days date president notifies congress weighted average price petroleum united_states recent day period barrel requires secretary maximum extent practicable negotiate deferral delivery oil existing contracts period year


Summary: Disaster Voting Reform Act of 2007 - Directs the Election Assistance Commission to make grants to each eligible state to: (1) restore and replace supplies, materials, and equipment used in the administration of elections which were damaged as a result of a major natural disaster; and (2) conduct voter outreach and education for voters displaced as a result of a major natural disaster. Requires preference for states with satellite voting sites. Grants an eligible disaster evacuee the right to be treated in the same manner as an absent uniform services voter and overseas voter under the Uniform and Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act. Deems such an individual entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Requires each motor vehicle authority and each designated voter registration agency in a state to take necessary steps to notify individuals to whom services are provided of the protections of this Act and the requirements for obtaining those protections.

disaster voting reform_act directs election_assistance_commission grants eligible state restore replace supplies materials equipment administration elections damaged result major natural disaster conduct voter outreach education voters displaced result major natural disaster requires preference states satellite voting sites grants eligible disaster right treated manner absent uniform services voter overseas voter uniform overseas citizen absentee voting act deems individual entitled vote absentee ballot national voter registration act help_america_vote_act requires motor vehicle authority designated voter registration agency state necessary steps notify individuals services provided protections act requirements obtaining protections


Summary: Fire Disaster Assistance Act of 2007 - Amends the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 to extend the date for which livestock indemnity payments and livestock compensation program assistance is available for disaster-caused losses.

fire disaster assistance_act amends troop readiness veterans care katrina_recovery iraq_accountability_appropriations_act extend date livestock indemnity payments livestock compensation program assistance available disaster caused losses


Summary: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Recovery Facilitation Act of 2008 - Directs the President to increase the amount of federal in-lieu contributions under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for covered hurricane damages suffered in Louisiana or Mississippi as a result of Hurricanes Katrina or Rita to 90% of the cost of repairing any state or local government controlled property that will be replaced instead of repaired.Makes a pilot program established under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 that was designed to make better use of existing rental housing located in areas covered by a major disaster declaration applicable to any assistance being provided under any major disaster declaration relating to Hurricanes Katrina or Rita that otherwise qualifies for participation under such program.Authorizes and encourages the President to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures for an appeal of a decision made under the Stafford Act regarding assistance provided to a state, local government, or owner or operator of a private facility for covered hurricane damages for a project the total assistance for which exceeds $500,000. Directs the President to: (1) provide written notice of and the reasons for the denial of any request by a state, local government, or owner or operator of a private facility to use ADR procedures for an appeal; (2) report to specified congressional committees annually on denials; and (3) report to such committees within one year on how ADR procedures are being used under this Act and on whether the President should be given authority to use such procedures under the Stafford Act on a permanent basis.Permits the President to use simplified procedures under the Stafford Act for a project for which the federal cost estimate is less than $100,000 for covered damages if requested by a state or local government or an owner or operator of a private nonprofit facility. Authorizes the President, in providing assistance under the Stafford Act for covered hurricane damages, to provide temporary housing units purchased under that Act that are determined through appropriate testing to be safe for occupancy to state and local governments and private nonprofit entities to provide housing to volunteers assisting in the recovery (but only upon determining that such assistance is appropriate, cost effective, and would not unduly interfere with the ability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] to provide housing with respect to other major disasters). Requires the President to report to specified congressional committees regarding the status of recovery for Louisiana and Mississippi from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.(Sec. 4) Directs the President, within 30 days after submission of a request, to provide a single payment for eligible costs under the Stafford Act for a fire station, police station, or criminal justice facility damaged by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Prohibits the President from reducing the amount of: (1) federal in-lieu assistance provided under the Stafford Act for such a facility; or (2) flood assistance provided to a local government under that Act more than once for each such facility for which that local government is receiving assistance relating to Hurricane Katrina or Rita.Authorizes the President to provide case management services or assistance for victims of any major disaster relating to Hurricanes Katrina or Rita.

hurricanes katrina rita recovery facilitation act directs president increase federal lieu contributions robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act covered hurricane damages suffered louisiana mississippi result hurricanes katrina rita cost repairing state local government controlled property replaced instead repaired makes pilot program established department_of_homeland_security appropriations act designed better use existing rental housing located areas covered major disaster declaration applicable assistance provided major disaster declaration relating hurricanes katrina rita qualifies participation program authorizes encourages president use alternative dispute resolution procedures appeal decision stafford act assistance provided state local government owner operator private facility covered hurricane damages project total assistance exceeds directs president provide written notice reasons denial request state local government owner operator private facility use procedures appeal report specified congressional committees annually denials report committees year procedures act president given authority use procedures stafford act permanent basis permits president use simplified procedures stafford act project federal cost estimate covered damages requested state local government owner operator private nonprofit facility authorizes president providing assistance stafford act covered hurricane damages provide temporary housing units purchased act determined appropriate testing safe occupancy state local governments private nonprofit entities provide housing volunteers assisting recovery determining assistance appropriate cost effective unduly interfere ability federal_emergency_management_agency fema provide housing respect major disasters requires president report specified congressional committees status recovery louisiana mississippi hurricanes katrina directs president days submission request provide single payment eligible costs stafford act fire station police station criminal justice facility damaged hurricanes katrina rita prohibits president reducing federal lieu assistance provided stafford act facility flood assistance provided local government act facility local government receiving assistance relating hurricane katrina rita authorizes president provide case management services assistance victims major disaster relating hurricanes katrina rita


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a project for the repair and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35 bridge located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007. Makes the federal share of the project cost 100%. Authorizes appropriations. Waives, for such project, the $100 million per state single-failure (or, single-disaster) highway-related total obligation limitation. Amends the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users to authorize the Secretary to: (1) use such single-failure (or, single-disaster) highway-related funds for the repair and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007; and (2) use no more than $5 million of funds made available for FY2007 for Federal Transit Administration Discretionary Programs, Bus and Bus Facilities (without any local matching funds requirement) to reimburse the Minnesota state department of transportation for actual and necessary costs of maintenance and operation (less the amount of fares earned) for providing temporary substitute highway traffic service following the collapse of the Interstate I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on August 1, 2007, until highway traffic service is restored on such bridge. Makes the federal share of the project cost 100%.

authorizes secretary transportation carry project repair reconstruction interstate bridge located minnesota august makes federal share project cost authorizes appropriations waives project million state single failure single disaster highway related total obligation limitation amends safe accountable flexible efficient transportation equity act legacy users authorize secretary use single failure single disaster highway related funds repair reconstruction interstate bridge minnesota august use million funds available fy2007 federal_transit_administration discretionary programs bus bus facilities local matching funds requirement reimburse minnesota state department_of_transportation actual necessary costs maintenance operation fares earned providing temporary substitute highway traffic service following collapse interstate bridge minnesota august highway traffic service restored bridge makes federal share project cost


Summary: Amends the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005 to extend for an additional two-year period the eligibility of Hurricane Katrina employees for the work opportunity tax credit.

amends katrina emergency tax relief_act extend additional year period eligibility hurricane katrina employees work opportunity tax credit


Summary: Homeowners' Defense Act of 2007 - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to provide federal support for state-sponsored insurance programs to: (1) help homeowners prepare for and recover from damages caused by natural catastrophes; and (2) promote the use of private market capital as a means to insure against such catastrophes.Title I: National Catastrophe Risk Consortium - (Sec. 101) Establishes the National Catastrophe Risk Consortium as a nonprofit, nonfederal entity to: (1) inventory catastrophe risk obligations held by state reinsurance funds, and state residual insurance market entities; (2) issue, on a conduit basis, securities and other financial instruments linked to catastrophe risks insured or reinsured through Consortium members; (3) act as a centralized repository of state risk information accessible by private-market participants seeking to participate in either such financial instruments or certain reinsurance contracts; and (4) perform research and analysis that encourages standardization of the risk-linked securities market.Makes eligible to join the Consortium any: (1) state that has established a reinsurance fund or has authorized operation of a state residual insurance market entity; or (2) state-sponsored provider of natural catastrophe insurance.(Sec. 107) Shields the federal government and the Consortium from liability arising from Consortium actions. Requires participating states to retain all catastrophe risk until completion of specified transactions. (Sec. 108) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2013.Title II: National Homeowners' Insurance Stabilization Program - (Sec. 201) Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to implement a program to make liquidity loans and catastrophic loans to qualified reinsurance programs to: (1) ensure their solvency; (2) improve the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance; (3) encourage risk transfer to the private capital and reinsurance markets; and (4) spread the risk of catastrophic financial loss resulting from natural disasters and catastrophic events.(Sec. 202) Prescribes terms and conditions for liquidity loans and catastrophic loans for qualified reinsurance programs. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into loan contracts.Requires as one prerequisite for such a loan to a qualified reinsurance program that before the loan is made the state or regional reinsurance program enter into an agreement with the Secretary that the state will not use federal funds of any kind or from any federal source (including any disaster or other financial assistance, loan proceeds, and any other assistance or subsidy) to repay the loan.Cites circumstances under which the Secretary is required to make loans upon request of a qualified reinsurance program.Limits the use of such loans solely to providing reinsurance or retrocessional coverage to underlying primary insurers or reinsurers for losses arising from specified personal residential lines of insurance.(Sec. 204) Authorizes the Secretary to establish a fee collection program to implement this Act.Instructs the Secretary to require full repayment of all loans made under this Act.Title III: Reinsurance Coverage for Qualified Reinsurance Programs - (Sec. 301) Authorizes the Secretary to make contracts for reinsurance coverage under this title available for purchase only by qualified reinsurance programs.(Sec. 302) Declares that contracts for reinsurance coverage made available under this title: (1) shall not displace or compete with the private insurance or reinsurance markets or the capital market; (2) shall minimize the administrative costs of the federal government; and (3) shall provide coverage based solely on insured losses covered by the qualified reinsurance program purchasing the contract.(Sec. 303) Specifies terms and conditions of qualified reinsurance programs, including: (1) a minimum attachment point; and (2) 90% coverage of insured losses in excess of retained losses.(Sec. 304) Sets the maximum aggregate potential federal liability for payment of claims under all reinsurance contracts sold in any single year at $200 billion, or such lesser amount as the Secretary determines based on review of the reinsurance market.Limits the authority of the Secretary to enter into reinsurance contracts for any fiscal year to the extent or in such amounts as are or have been provided in appropriation Acts for that fiscal year.(Sec. 305) Establishes in the Treasury the Federal Natural Catastrophe Reinsurance Fund, to be credited with amounts received annually from the sale of reinsurance contracts, appropriations, and any amounts earned on investments.Authorizes the Secretary to invest in U.S. bonds any amounts in the Fund in excess of current needs.Title IV: General Provisions - (Sec. 401) Prescribes criteria for a qualified reinsurance program under this Act.Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for state and regional reinsurance programs and certain state residual insurance market entities to apply for certification (and recertification) as qualified reinsurance programs.Requires each qualified reinsurance program (except any existing state residual insurance market entity, or state-sponsored provider of natural catastrophe insurance, deemed to be a qualified reinsurance program during an initial five-year transition period) to: (1) maintain risk-based capital in accordance with requirements established by the Secretary, in consultation with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and consistent with the NAIC Risk-Based Capital Model Act; and (2) take into consideration asset risk, credit risk, underwriting risk, and other relevant risks.Directs the Secretary to recognize and give credit for the ability of any qualified reinsurance program to access capital through the liquidity loan program (established under title II of this Act) to the extent that such program is deficient in complying with any aspect of risk-based capital requirements.Requires the Secretary to increase the credit recognized and given for a qualified reinsurance program by an amount equal to the losses paid by the program as a result of a catastrophe.(Sec. 402) Directs the Secretary to study, on an expedited basis, the need for and impact of expanding the programs established by this Act to apply to insured losses of qualified reinsurance programs for losses arising from all commercial insurance policies covering properties composed predominantly of residential rental units (commercial residential lines of insurance).Requires the Secretary, to the extent a need to expand is determined, and that such expansion will be effective in increasing insurance capacity for the commercial residential insurance market, to: (1) apply the provisions of this Act, as appropriate, to any such insured losses of a qualified reinsurance program; and (2) provide restrictions, limitations, or conditions with respect to the programs under this Act that the Secretary deems appropriate, based on the study.

homeowners defense act declares purpose act provide federal support state sponsored insurance programs help homeowners prepare recover damages caused natural promote use private market capital means insure title national catastrophe risk consortium sec establishes national catastrophe risk consortium nonprofit nonfederal entity inventory catastrophe risk obligations held state reinsurance funds state residual insurance market entities issue conduit basis securities financial instruments linked catastrophe risks insured consortium members act centralized repository state risk information accessible private market participants seeking participate financial instruments certain reinsurance contracts perform research analysis encourages standardization risk linked securities market makes eligible join consortium state established reinsurance fund authorized operation state residual insurance market entity state sponsored provider natural catastrophe shields federal_government consortium liability arising consortium actions requires participating states retain catastrophe risk completion specified transactions sec authorizes appropriations fy2008 national homeowners insurance stabilization program sec instructs secretary treasury implement program liquidity loans catastrophic loans qualified reinsurance programs ensure solvency improve availability affordability homeowners insurance encourage risk transfer private capital reinsurance markets spread risk catastrophic financial loss resulting natural disasters catastrophic prescribes terms conditions liquidity loans catastrophic loans qualified reinsurance programs authorizes secretary enter loan contracts requires prerequisite loan qualified reinsurance program loan state regional reinsurance program enter agreement secretary state use federal funds kind federal source including disaster financial assistance loan proceeds assistance subsidy repay loan cites circumstances secretary required loans request qualified reinsurance program limits use loans solely providing reinsurance coverage underlying primary insurers losses arising specified personal residential lines authorizes secretary establish fee collection program implement act instructs secretary require repayment loans act title iii reinsurance coverage qualified reinsurance programs sec authorizes secretary contracts reinsurance coverage title available purchase qualified reinsurance declares contracts reinsurance coverage available title shall displace compete private insurance reinsurance markets capital market shall minimize administrative costs federal_government shall provide coverage based solely insured losses covered qualified reinsurance program purchasing specifies terms conditions qualified reinsurance programs including minimum attachment point coverage insured losses excess retained sets maximum aggregate potential federal liability payment claims reinsurance contracts sold single year billion lesser secretary determines based review reinsurance market limits authority secretary enter reinsurance contracts fiscal year extent amounts provided appropriation acts fiscal establishes treasury federal natural catastrophe reinsurance fund credited amounts received annually sale reinsurance contracts appropriations amounts earned investments authorizes secretary invest bonds amounts fund excess current needs title general_provisions sec prescribes criteria qualified reinsurance program act directs secretary establish procedures state regional reinsurance programs certain state residual insurance market entities apply certification recertification qualified reinsurance programs requires qualified reinsurance program existing state residual insurance market entity state sponsored provider natural catastrophe insurance deemed qualified reinsurance program initial year transition period maintain risk based capital accordance requirements established secretary consultation national_association_of_insurance_commissioners naic consistent naic risk based capital model act consideration asset risk credit risk underwriting risk relevant risks directs secretary recognize credit ability qualified reinsurance program access capital liquidity loan program established title act extent program deficient complying aspect risk based capital requirements requires secretary increase credit recognized given qualified reinsurance program equal losses paid program result directs secretary study expedited basis need impact expanding programs established act apply insured losses qualified reinsurance programs losses arising commercial insurance policies covering properties composed predominantly residential rental units commercial residential lines secretary extent need expand determined expansion effective increasing insurance capacity commercial residential insurance market apply provisions act appropriate insured losses qualified reinsurance program provide restrictions limitations conditions respect programs act secretary deems appropriate based study


Summary: Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide assistance to a person who owns or operates a rental dwelling unit damaged or destroyed by a major disaster for that unit's repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement if: (1) before the disaster the unit was made available for occupancy only by low- or moderate-income tenants; (2) the person will continue, for a specified minimum period, to make available rental dwelling units for occupancy only by such tenants; and (3) the person has applied for a disaster loan under the Small Business Act and either has been determined to be ineligible for such a loan or has obtained such a loan in the maximum amount for which the Small Business Administration (SBA) determines the person is eligible.

amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president provide assistance person owns operates rental dwelling unit damaged destroyed major disaster unit repair restoration reconstruction replacement disaster unit available occupancy low- moderate income tenants person continue specified minimum period available rental dwelling units occupancy tenants person applied disaster loan small_business_act determined ineligible loan obtained loan maximum small_business_administration sba determines person eligible


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

kansas flood recovery economic opportunity act establishes federal share assistance state kansas robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act storms flooding state june july eligible costs extends certain areas kansas declared president major disaster areas robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act effect date enactment act reason severe storms flooding beginning june provisions internal_revenue_code allowing suspension certain limitations personal casualty losses extension period replacing damaged property recognizing gain employee retention tax credit affected businesses bonus depreciation certain property acquired june increased expensing small business assets demolition cleanup costs increase tax credit rehabilitation expenditures extended net operating loss carryback periods losses attributable storms public utility property disaster losses income verification requirements tenants low income rental projects penalty free withdrawals loans individual retirement accounts tax exempt pension plans


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

kids disasters safety health act establishes national_commission children disasters shall conduct comprehensive study assesses childrens needs relate preparation response recovery hazards including major disasters emergencies identify review evaluate existing law relevant needs identify review evaluate lessons learned past disasters relative addressing needs report president congress findings recommendations address needs including need national_resource_center children disasters coordination resources services administrative actions policies regulations financing legislative changes sets forth provisions commission powers staffing reporting record keeping requirements termination authorizes appropriations


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

commission natural catastrophe risk management insurance act establishes_the_commission natural catastrophe risk management insurance report congress natural catastrophe insurance marketplace including extent insurance costs availability affected specified factors factors federal_government address increase catastrophe insurance availability competitiveness actions federal_government undertake achieve goal requiring long term cross subsidy taxpayers requires commission report certain congressional committees beginning hurricane season


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

amends endangered species act provide suspension provision act respect federal state agency manages federal river_basin secretary army acting chief_of_engineers governor relevant state determines drought effect region basin located drought presents threat health safety welfare region population terminates suspension date secretary governor determines drought longer effect


Summary: Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to increase the maximum total of contributions for a major disaster by an amount equal to 4% of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made under the Act, if at the time of a declaration of a major disaster the affected state has in effect and is actively enforcing an approved state building code. Requires a state, to be eligible for the increased federal share, to submit its state building code to the President for approval at least once every six years.Directs the President to approve a state building code submitted upon determining that it: (1) is consistent with the most recent version of a nationally recognized model building code; (2) has been adopted by the state within six years of the most recent version of the nationally recognized code; and (3) uses the nationally recognized code as a minimum standard.Authorizes the use by states and local governments of technical and financial assistance to implement predisaster hazard mitigation measures to establish and operate a building department and carry out enforcement activities to implement an approved state building code.Directs the President, in determining whether to provide technical and financial assistance to a state or local government, to take into account the extent to which that government is carrying out activities to implement an approved state building code.

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

amends national_flood_insurance_act act provide phased actuarial premium rates recently purchased pre firm single family properties principal residence purchased pre firm structure constructed substantially improved later december effective date initial rate map published director federal_emergency_management_agency fema national_flood_insurance_act area structure january effective date act sets forth transition provisions director federal_emergency_management_agency fema increase annually premium rates certain properties covered national_flood_insurance_program rates applicable estimated risk premium rates


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

amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president transfer excess materials supplies equipment acquired response recovery efforts connection major disaster emergency state governmental entity voluntary organization assist victims major disasters emergencies incidents authorizes use disposal temporary housing disaster victims incidents result declaration major disaster emergency directs federal_emergency_management_agency fema review revise factors considered measure severity magnitude impact disaster provide objective criteria evaluating need assistance individuals speed declaration major disaster emergency


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

california wildfire tax relief_act provides special tax treatment taxpayers areas affected california wildfires october relating nonrecognition gain involuntary conversion property limitations charitable contributions relief efforts exclusion gross income discharges indebtedness mortgage revenue bonds limitations personal casualty losses additional tax exemptions providing housing displaced individuals earned income calculations dependency status purposes tax exemptions child tax credit premature withdrawals retirement plans income averaging tax deferred home purchase plans loans tax qualified employer plans


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

levee like structure consideration act directs administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema issue effective notice guidance providing purposes determining flood plain areas flood risk zones national_flood_insurance_program specified process community request obtain administrator determination including provisional accreditation nature extent flood protection afforded structure feature recognized having mitigating effect flood risk applicable flood insurance rate map effect january meet federal requirements recognition levee offering protection base flood purposes program flood protections determined afforded structure feature shall recognized incorporated updated flood insurance rate maps area flood risk affected


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

safe healthy emergency housing act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president provide temporary housing unit individual household complies regulations secretary housing_and_urban_development establish formaldehyde emissions requirements applicable manufactured homes


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

national urban search rescue response system act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act direct administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema continue administer national urban search rescue response system provide national network standardized search rescue resources designate task forces participate system determine criteria participation enter agreement required sponsoring agency task_force participation sets forth provisions composition task forces reimbursement authorizes administrator appoint system member period federal service participate sponsored sanctioned exercises pre incident major disaster emergency response activities training events entitles member suffers personal injury illness disability death acting scope appointment treated employee sustained injury performance duty sets forth provisions election benefits liability employment employment rights licenses permits directs administrator establish maintain advisory_committee enter annual preparedness cooperative agreement agency enter response cooperative agreements administrator agrees reimburse agencies response costs


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

terrorism_risk_insurance program reauthorization act sec amends terrorism_risk_insurance_act redefine act terrorism eliminate requirement individual individuals committing terrorist act acting behalf foreign person foreign extends terrorism_risk_insurance program calendar states insurer required payment insured losses excess statutory deductible combined statutory share insured losses requires secretary treasury notify congress days act terrorism secretary estimates aggregate insured losses exceed billion promulgate final regulations determining pro rata share insured losses exceed billion report congress process determine allocation pro rata payments insured losses exceed billion requires insurers disclose policyholders billion cap liability modifies federal surcharges imposed recoup mandatory recoupment establishes timeline collection terrorism loss risk spreading premiums requires secretary publish annual updated estimate aggregate insured losses basis determining mandatory recoupment required sec directs comptroller_general study report certain congressional committees availability affordability insurance coverage losses caused terrorist attacks involving nuclear biological chemical radiological terrorist events specific markets united_states unique capacity constraints exist terrorism_risk_insurance available sec modifies act include group life insurance coverage limits federal share provides increased insurer deductibles based value insurer direct earned premiums aggregate industry insured losses resulting certified act terrorism exceed requires providers life insurance insurance available regard lawful foreign reduces million million aggregated industry insured losses trigger federal compensation paid program year


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

disaster rebuilding assistance_act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act increase maximum assistance available individuals households current limit respect single major disaster authorizes president increase individual household residing state political subdivision state high cost living makes act applicable major disaster declared october


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

fema accountability_act directs administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema complete assessment number temporary housing units purchased fema necessary stock respond disasters requires administrator establish plan permanently storing necessary units selling transferring disposing excess units usable condition disposing units usable condition provides exclusion units contain unsafe level formaldehyde makes plan subject robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act requirements disposal units applicable legal provisions


Summary: United States Fire Administration Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to authorize appropriations for the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) for FY2009-FY2012. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Superintendent of the National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control to include within fire service personnel training: (1) response, tactics, and strategies for dealing with non-terrorist-caused national catastrophes and incidents that involve weapons of mass destruction; (2) applying new technology and developing strategies and tactics for fighting wildfires; (3) response, tactics, and strategies for fighting large-scale or multiple fires in a general area that cross jurisdictional boundaries, fires occurring at the wildland-urban interface, and fires involving hazardous materials; and (4) advanced emergency medical services (EMS) training. Requires the Administrator of USFA to: (1) include in triennial reports information about changes made to the National Fire Academy curriculum; and (2) consolidate and integrate into that curriculum a course on incident command training for fire service personnel for fighting fires at U.S. ports and in marine environments, including fires on the water and aboard vessels. Provides that such course shall not relate to border and port security. Authorizes the Administrator to contract with one or more nationally recognized organizations that have established on-site training programs that prepare fire service personnel to meet national voluntary consensus standards for fire service personnel and that facilitate delivery of education and training programs, provided that such an organization: (1) provides training that leads to certification by a program accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization; or (2) provides training under such a program pursuant to a cooperative agreement with a federal agency. Limits the amounts that may be expended by the Administrator to carry out this provision to 4% of the amount authorized to be appropriated in that fiscal year to facilitate the delivery of education and training programs directly to fire service personnel. (Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to use specified funds during FY2009-FY2011 to update the National Fire Incident Reporting system to an Internet-based, real-time incident reporting database. (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Administrator to assist the nation's fire services for activities and equipment to improve fire prevention and control in the wildland-urban interface. Directs the Administrator to make available to the public information regarding USFA funded activities, to advance new knowledge and best practices in firefighting through a regularly updated Internet database. (Sec. 7) Requires the Administrator to: (1) promote adoption by fire services of voluntary national consensus standards for firefighter health and safety; and (2) develop and provide information and training to relevant federal departments on the importance of clearing biomass in wildland areas of federal lands to promote firefighter safety. (Sec. 8) Directs the Administrator to provide liaison to assure coordination of fire service-based EMS programs. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct studies of the operations and management aspects of fire service-based EMS and coordination between EMS and fire services, including the optimum protocols for on-scene care, the allocation of resources, and the training requirements for fire service-based EMS. (Sec. 10) Expresses support for USFA recommendations regarding the adoption of fire sprinklers in commercial buildings and educational programs to raise awareness of the importance of installing fire sprinklers in residential buildings.

united_states_fire_administration reauthorization act sec amends federal_fire_prevention control act authorize appropriations fire administration fy2009 fy2012 sec authorizes superintendent national academy fire prevention control include fire service personnel training response tactics strategies dealing non terrorist caused national incidents involve weapons mass destruction applying new technology developing strategies tactics fighting wildfires response tactics strategies fighting large scale multiple fires general area cross jurisdictional boundaries fires occurring wildland urban interface fires involving hazardous materials advanced emergency medical services ems training requires administrator include triennial reports information changes national fire academy curriculum consolidate integrate curriculum course incident command training fire service personnel fighting fires ports marine environments including fires water aboard vessels provides course shall relate border port security authorizes administrator contract nationally recognized organizations established site training programs prepare fire service personnel meet national voluntary consensus standards fire service personnel facilitate delivery education training programs provided organization provides training leads certification program accredited nationally recognized accreditation organization provides training program pursuant cooperative agreement federal agency limits amounts expended administrator carry provision authorized appropriated fiscal year facilitate delivery education training programs directly fire service personnel sec directs administrator use specified funds fy2009 fy2011 update national fire incident reporting system internet based real time incident reporting database sec authorizes administrator assist nation fire services activities equipment improve fire prevention control wildland urban interface directs administrator available public information funded activities advance new knowledge best practices firefighting regularly updated internet database sec requires administrator promote adoption fire services voluntary national consensus standards firefighter health safety develop provide information training relevant federal departments importance clearing biomass wildland areas federal lands promote firefighter safety sec directs administrator provide liaison assure coordination fire service based ems programs authorizes administrator conduct studies operations management aspects fire service based ems coordination ems fire services including optimum protocols scene care allocation resources training requirements fire service based ems sec expresses support recommendations adoption fire commercial buildings educational programs raise awareness importance installing fire residential buildings


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

mortgage rental disaster relief_act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president provide temporary_assistance form mortgage rental payments behalf individuals households result financial hardship caused major disaster received written notice eviction residence foreclosure mortgage lien cancellation sales contract lease termination entered disaster defines financial hardship include loss employment significant income job business business interest located disaster area suffering financially travel restrictions station road closures affecting residents area restricts eligibility assistance individuals households adjusted gross income individuals households resided area high cost living directs president adjust limits annually reflect inflation allows assistance provided duration period financial hardship caused disaster exceed months requires recipients determined ineligible return assistance government makes act applicable major disaster declared october


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

fire safe communities act_-_requires director national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist publish federal model ordinance municipalities risk subdivisions located fire hazard area includes specified elements fire prevention management specifications construction materials techniques use communities standards roads bridges authorizes administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema modify municipality risk requirements fire management assistance grant program related provision non federal share funds municipality adopted applicable model ordinance making significant progress implementing administrator reduce required non federal share grant directs administrator provide grants municipalities risk encourage responsible development state identified fire prone regions mitigate catastrophic effects fires states create update fire hazard assessment maps amends cooperative_forestry_assistance_act include purpose community private land fire assistance program enhance capacity local governments integrate fire resistant community home design local planning zoning building code brush clearing ordinances authorize pilot program assess feasibility advisability providing assistance fire safe communities located near federal land


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

amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act prohibit president contributing federal funds state local government private nonprofit organization repair restoration reconstruction replacement donated real property director federal_emergency_management_agency fema determines critical public welfare repeal provision authorizing state local government elect receive lieu public facility funds contribution equal federal share estimated cost repairing restoring reconstructing replacing facility management expenses government determines conducting activity best serve public welfare


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

mortgage rental assistance reauthorization act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president provide temporary_assistance form mortgage rental payments individuals families financial hardship caused major disaster occurring august certify face eviction residence reason foreclosure mortgage lien cancellation contract sale termination lease entered prior disaster limits assistance months


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

skilled trades second responders act amends public_health_service_act require director national_institute_of_environmental_health_sciences establish national program training certification registration tracking integration skilled construction workers assist responders responding disasters including natural manmade disasters terrorist attacks requires director coordinate consult department_of_homeland_security dhs including federal_emergency_management_agency fema relevant agencies private organizations including construction industry contractors joint labor management training funds building trade unions experienced providing rescue recovery assistance responders cleanup demolition rehabilitation reconstruction disaster sites recovery operations


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

emergency housing assistance_act authorizes appropriations fy2008 grants emergency food shelter program mckinney-vento homeless assistance_act allows funds administrative costs limits use grants emergency food shelter program national board act monies received private nonprofit organization local government national board amounts solely housing related assistance needed prevent homelessness connection foreclosure dwelling occupied eligible family specifies uses assistance relocation expenses security utility deposits mortgage payments rent payments utility payments foreclosure eviction prevention expenses allows eligible family receive assistance months requires assistance provided directly mortgage servicers property managers utility companies entities necessary prevent homelessness family funds shall provided directly family requires national board private nonprofit organization local government receiving monies maintain monies account separate funds provided program


Summary: Ratepayer Recovery Act of 2007 [sic]- Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to cite conditions under which the President is authorized to make disaster assistance contributions for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of private or investor-owned power transmission and distribution facilities damaged or destroyed by a major disaster.Cites conditions for large in-lieu contributions to a private or investor-owned power facility in any case in which the owner determines that the public welfare would not best be served by repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility.Restricts the use of such funds to the area affected as a result of the major disaster.

recovery_act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act cite conditions president authorized disaster assistance contributions repair restoration reconstruction replacement private investor owned power transmission distribution facilities damaged destroyed major disaster cites conditions large lieu contributions private investor owned power facility case owner determines public welfare best served repairing restoring reconstructing replacing facility restricts use funds area affected result major disaster