Summary:
Jumpstart Housing Opportunities Utilizing Small Enterprises Act of 2016 or the Jumpstart HOUSE Act of 2016 This bill amends the State Small Business Credit Initiative Act of 2010 to extend for an additional eight fiscal years the State Small Business Credit Initiative to assist participating states to give collateral support and other innovative credit access and guarantee initiatives for small businesses and manufacturers.

The bill also prescribes allocations of federal funds to participating states.

The Department of the Treasury may award, on a competitive basis, up to a total of $1 billion in two tranches, according to specified criteria, to participating states and consortiums of participating states for use: (1) for making federal contributions to, or for the account of, an approved state program; or (2) as collateral for a qualifying loan or swap funding facility.

Small businesses receiving funds from a participating state may use them to: develop, acquire, construct, rehabilitate, maintain, operate, or manage projects for affordable housing for low- or moderate-income households; cover any contribution, matching amount, or non-federal share required in connection with any other federal grant or assistance program to provide such housing; or purchase foreclosed properties and property being sold by a state or local government, but only for the use of such properties for such housing.

jumpstart housing opportunities utilizing small enterprises act jumpstart house act bill amends state small business credit initiative act extend additional fiscal years state small business credit initiative assist participating states collateral support innovative credit access guarantee initiatives small businesses manufacturers bill prescribes allocations federal funds participating states department_of_the_treasury award competitive basis total billion according specified criteria participating states consortiums participating states use making federal contributions account approved state program collateral qualifying loan swap funding facility small businesses receiving funds participating state use develop acquire construct rehabilitate maintain operate manage projects affordable housing low- moderate income households cover contribution matching non federal share required connection federal grant assistance program provide housing purchase foreclosed properties property sold state local government use properties housing


Summary:
National Mitigation Investment Act

This bill 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 such 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.

To be eligible for such increased federal contributions, a state must submit its building code to the President for approval. The President shall approve such a code 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 such nationally recognized code; and (3) uses the nationally recognized code as a minimum standard.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shall set appropriate standards for the periodic update, resubmittal, and approval of previously approved state building codes.

Recipients may use hazard mitigation assistance received under such Act to conduct activities to help reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss, or suffering in any area affected by a flood.

States and local governments may use technical and financial assistance received under such Act 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. In determining whether to provide such assistance, the President shall take into account the extent to which a state or local government is carrying out activities to implement an approved state building code.

The National Advisory Council shall commence a comprehensive study to evaluate disaster costs and losses and develop recommendations for reducing them.

FEMA shall conduct a pilot program to award grants to state, local, and tribal governments to aid and encourage the adoption and active enforcement of nationally recognized model building codes, state building codes, and related mitigation measures.

national mitigation investment act bill 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 eligible increased federal contributions state submit building code president approval president shall approve code determining consistent recent version nationally recognized model building code adopted state years recent version nationally recognized code uses nationally recognized code minimum standard federal_emergency_management_agency fema shall set appropriate standards periodic update approval previously approved state building codes recipients use hazard mitigation assistance received act conduct activities help reduce risk future damage hardship loss suffering area affected flood states local governments use technical financial assistance received act implement hazard mitigation measures establish operate building department carry enforcement activities implement approved state building code determining provide assistance president shall account extent state local government carrying activities implement approved state building code national_advisory_council shall commence comprehensive study evaluate disaster costs losses develop recommendations reducing fema shall conduct pilot program award grants state local tribal governments aid encourage adoption active enforcement nationally recognized model building codes state building codes related mitigation measures


Summary:
National Flood Research and Education Center Act

 This bill establishes within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a National Flood Research and Education Center (NFREC), which shall consist of: (1) an office within NOAA; (2) one public university or college selected by the NOAA Administrator, which shall serve as the lead partner institution with NOAA; and (3) a consortium of other public universities or colleges selected by the Administrator and such lead partner institution based on their ability to fulfill specific purposes of NFREC.

The purposes of NFREC are listed, including to plan, conduct, and arrange for competent public research, data, education, and recommendations within the following categories as they relate to flooding issues nationwide, regionally, and locally: (1) physical sciences, social science, and economic, policy, and risk analysis; (2) risk management; and (3) improvement of existing, and testing of new, risk assessment tools and methods, monitoring and predicting strategies and techniques, and flood management and prevention strategies and techniques.

The bill sets forth criteria for selection of a lead partner institution and consortium members.

NFREC must: (1) partner with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Army Corps of Engineers; (2) collaborate on federal flood-related issues with specified federal agencies; and (3) collaborate and share best practices on regional, state, and locally specific flooding and flood-related issues with state and local governments and with watershed, agriculture, environmental, and business and development organizations.

Review and reporting requirements are set forth. NFREC must establish and make information available on a website.

NFREC may provide technical assistance and demonstration project grant assistance to state and local governments on a competitive basis to assist with implementing recommendations of NFREC or testing new or improved strategies or technologies.

national flood research education center act bill establishes national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa national flood research education center shall consist office noaa public university college selected noaa administrator shall serve lead partner institution noaa consortium public universities colleges selected administrator lead partner institution based ability fulfill specific purposes purposes listed including plan conduct arrange competent public research data education recommendations following categories relate flooding issues nationwide regionally locally physical sciences social science economic policy risk analysis risk management improvement existing testing new risk assessment tools methods monitoring predicting strategies techniques flood management prevention strategies techniques bill sets forth criteria selection lead partner institution consortium members partner geological survey army_corps_of_engineers collaborate federal flood related issues specified federal agencies collaborate share best practices regional state locally specific flooding flood related issues state local governments watershed agriculture environmental business development organizations review reporting requirements set forth establish information available website provide technical assistance demonstration project grant assistance state local governments competitive basis assist implementing recommendations testing new improved strategies technologies


Summary:
Earthquake Mitigation Tax Incentive Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income any amount received as a qualified earthquake mitigation payment. A qualified earthquake mitigation payment is any amount received by a residential property owner or occupant under an earthquake loss mitigation program established by a state (including an agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of the state) or by a state with a tax-exempt organization or public instrumentality of the state.

earthquake mitigation tax incentive act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income received qualified earthquake mitigation payment qualified earthquake mitigation payment received residential property owner occupant earthquake loss mitigation program established state including agency instrumentality political subdivision state state tax exempt organization public instrumentality state


Summary:
Equity for Disaster Victims Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act to allow a small business concern, homeowner, or nonprofit entity that received a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan for repairing, rehabilitating, or replacing real property damaged or destroyed by or because of Superstorm Sandy or that received such an SBA loan to refinance a mortgage or other lien against a home or business concern totally destroyed or substantially damaged by or because of the storm to receive Superstorm Sandy CDBG-DR grant funds only if they will be used to repay:

 the principal and any interest accrued on the loan for such repair, rehabilitation, or replacement; or the loan received to refinance the mortgage or other lien. The bill allows these recipients of additional SBA disaster assistance resulting from a declared major disaster to use CDBG-DR grant funds only if they are used for such repayments.

The term Superstorm Sandy CDBG-DR grant funds means mandatory amounts made available by the Department of Housing and Urban Development only for impacted and distressed areas resulting from a declared major disaster due to Superstorm Sandy for activities authorized under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

A small business concern, homeowner, or nonprofit entity who receives assistance pursuant to any other law to repair, rehabilitate, or replace real property damaged or destroyed by or as a result of a declared major disaster on or after enactment of this bill may use such assistance to repay the principal and any interest accrued on a loan or the amount of other assistance received under it.

equity disaster victims act bill amends small_business_act allow small business concern homeowner nonprofit entity received small_business_administration sba disaster loan repairing rehabilitating replacing real property damaged destroyed sandy received sba loan refinance mortgage lien home business concern totally destroyed substantially damaged storm receive sandy cdbg grant funds repay principal interest accrued loan repair rehabilitation replacement loan received refinance mortgage lien bill allows recipients additional sba disaster assistance resulting declared major disaster use cdbg grant funds repayments term sandy cdbg grant funds means mandatory amounts available department_of_housing_and_urban_development impacted distressed areas resulting declared major disaster sandy activities authorized housing_and_community_development_act small business concern homeowner nonprofit entity receives assistance pursuant law repair rehabilitate replace real property damaged destroyed result declared major disaster enactment bill use assistance repay principal interest accrued loan assistance received


Summary:
National Flood Insurance Program Debt Forgiveness Act of 2016

This bill cancels all indebtedness outstanding as of September 30, 2016, of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under any notes or other obligations issued pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Federal Flood Insurance Act of 1956.

Such cancelled indebtedness may be treated as a public debt of the United States and is designated as an emergency pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

national_flood_insurance_program debt forgiveness act bill cancels indebtedness outstanding september federal_emergency_management_agency notes obligations issued pursuant national_flood_insurance_act federal flood insurance act cancelled indebtedness treated public debt united_states designated emergency pursuant statutory pay act


Summary: This bill sets the federal share of major disaster assistance provided to Louisiana under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in connection with flooding events occurring during 2016 at: (1) 90% of the eligible costs for the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged public facilities; and (2) 100% of the eligible costs for assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property and for debris removal.

bill sets federal share major disaster assistance provided louisiana robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act connection flooding events occurring eligible costs repair restoration replacement damaged public facilities eligible costs assistance essential meeting immediate threats life property debris removal


Summary:
Small Business Investment Opportunity Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the maximum amount of outstanding leverage (i.e., borrowing power) made available to any licensed small business investment company (SBIC) from $150 million to $170 million.

small business investment opportunity act bill amends small_business_investment_act increase maximum outstanding leverage borrowing power available licensed small business investment company sbic million million


Summary:
Investing in Main Street Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase from 5% to 15% of its capital and surplus, the amount a national bank, a member bank of the Federal Reserve System, a nonmember insured bank (to the extent permitted under applicable state law), or a federal savings association may invest in one or more small business investment companies (SBICs), or in any entity established to invest solely in SBICs. The increase is subject to the approval of the appropriate federal banking agency.

investing main street act bill amends small_business_investment_act increase capital surplus national bank member bank federal_reserve_system nonmember insured bank extent permitted applicable state law federal savings association invest small business investment companies sbics entity established invest solely sbics increase subject approval appropriate federal banking agency


Summary:
Small Business Relief from Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act with respect to Small Business Administration disaster assistance to expand the definition of "disaster" to include the onset of transmissible diseases for which the federal government issues a public health advisory or declaration.

small business relief disease induced economic hardship act bill amends small_business_act respect small_business_administration disaster assistance expand definition disaster include onset diseases federal_government issues public health advisory declaration


Summary:
Bring the Jobs Home Loan Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a loan program to assist small business concerns involved in manufacturing to begin the U.S. production of products that would otherwise be imported.

Small business concerns receiving these loans must report to the SBA on: (1) facility and equipment changes made using the loans, and (2) progress made in the production of products in the U.S. The bill allows the SBA to consider the report information in determining whether to provide an additional loan or loan assistance under another SBA program.

It prohibits an individual loan greater than 5% of the total amount available for such loans.

bring jobs home loan act bill amends small_business_act direct small_business_administration sba establish loan program assist small business concerns involved manufacturing begin production products imported small business concerns receiving loans report sba facility equipment changes loans progress production products bill allows sba consider report information determining provide additional loan loan assistance sba program prohibits individual loan greater total available loans


Summary: This bill sets the federal share of major disaster assistance provided to Louisiana under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in connection with the major disaster declaration (DR-4263) declared on March 13, 2016, at: (1) 90% of the eligible costs for the repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged public facilities; and (2) 100% of the eligible costs for assistance essential to meeting immediate threats to life and property and for debris removal.

bill sets federal share major disaster assistance provided louisiana robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act connection major disaster declaration declared march eligible costs repair restoration replacement damaged public facilities eligible costs assistance essential meeting immediate threats life property debris removal


Summary:
Timely Payments for Flood Victims Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to require that a final determination and notification regarding approval of a claim for damage to or loss of property under the national flood insurance program be made by the expiration of the 30-day period after such claim was made. Such period may be extended by a single additional period of 15 days if extraordinary circumstances are demonstrated. Claims shall be paid as soon as possible after approval.

timely payments flood victims act bill amends national_flood_insurance_act direct federal_emergency_management_agency fema require final determination notification approval claim damage loss property national_flood_insurance_program expiration day period claim period extended single additional period days extraordinary circumstances demonstrated claims shall paid soon possible approval


Summary:
Louisiana Flood and Storm Devastation Tax Relief Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify several tax provisions and rules for individuals and businesses affected by storms and flooding in Louisiana.

The bill applies to the area with respect to which a major disaster has been declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act:

 before September 3, 2016, by reason of severe storms and flooding occurring in Louisiana during August of 2016; and before April 21, 2016, by reason of severe storms and flooding occurring in Louisiana during March and April of 2016. For individuals and businesses in the specified Louisiana storm and flood disaster area, the bill modifies tax provisions and rules regarding: (1) early withdrawals of retirement funds; (2) employment-related tax credits; (3) charitable contributions; (4) and various tax deductions, exclusions, and credits related to losses and recovery from the storms and flooding.

louisiana flood storm tax relief_act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code modify tax provisions rules individuals businesses affected storms flooding louisiana bill applies area respect major disaster declared president robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act september reason severe storms flooding occurring louisiana august april reason severe storms flooding occurring louisiana march april individuals businesses specified louisiana storm flood disaster area bill modifies tax provisions rules early withdrawals retirement funds employment related tax credits charitable contributions tax deductions exclusions credits related losses recovery storms flooding


Summary:
Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act

 This bill amends the National Flood Insurance Act to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to require communities participating in the national flood insurance program that have adopted land use control measures to: (1) analyze and map areas in which are located structures and public or nonprofit facilities that have been repetitively damaged by flooding; and (2) develop a community-specific plan for addressing continuing flood risks and make the plan, updates, and reports on progress in reducing flood risk publicly available.

FEMA shall provide sanctions upon communities that fail to comply with the requirements of this bill or to make sufficient progress in reducing the flood risks to areas repeatedly damaged by floods.

repeatedly flooded communities preparation act bill amends national_flood_insurance_act direct federal_emergency_management_agency fema require communities participating national_flood_insurance_program adopted land use control measures analyze map areas located structures public nonprofit facilities damaged flooding develop community specific plan addressing continuing flood risks plan updates reports progress reducing flood risk publicly available fema shall provide sanctions communities fail comply requirements bill sufficient progress reducing flood risks areas repeatedly damaged floods


Summary:
Flood Insurance Reimbursement Standards Transparency Cap Profits Act of 2016 or the FIRST Cap Profits Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the property and casualty insurance companies participating in the "Write Your Own" (WYO) flood insurance program under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (Biggert-Waters Act) to implement and comply with the program's oversight and expense reimbursement requirements within one year after enactment of this bill. (The WYO program is a cooperative undertaking between the insurance industry and the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration that allows participating property and casualty insurance companies to write and service standard flood insurance policies.)

The Biggert-Waters Act is amended to require FEMA to prohibit reimbursements to WYO insurers from exceeding 110% of the aggregate amount of the insurer's actual expenses for selling, writing, and servicing flood insurance policies and adjusting flood claims on behalf of the National Flood Insurance Program.

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 is amended to require courts to award litigation costs to plaintiffs who prevail in civil actions for fraud or misrepresentation by an insurance company participating in the WYO program.

flood insurance reimbursement standards transparency cap profits act cap profits act bill requires federal_emergency_management_agency fema property casualty insurance companies participating write flood insurance program waters flood insurance reform_act waters act implement comply program oversight expense reimbursement requirements year enactment bill program cooperative undertaking insurance industry federal insurance mitigation administration allows participating property casualty insurance companies write service standard flood insurance policies waters act amended require fema prohibit reimbursements insurers exceeding aggregate insurer actual expenses selling writing servicing flood insurance policies adjusting flood claims behalf national_flood_insurance_program national_flood_insurance_act amended require courts award litigation costs plaintiffs prevail civil actions fraud misrepresentation insurance company participating program


Summary:
Local Disaster Contracting Fairness Act of 2015

 Prohibits the head of an executive agency from entering into an agreement for debris removal or demolition services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts unless the agreement specifies that: (1) all of the work under the contract will be performed by the prime contractor or one or more subcontractors at one tier under the contract; (2) any work performed under the contract by subcontractors will be performed by local subcontractors, except to the extent that local subcontractors are not available to perform any such work; (3) the prime contractor will act as the project manager or construction manager for the contract; and (4) the prime contractor has primary responsibility for managing all work under the contract and will be paid a certain percentage of the overall value of the contract as sole compensation for assuming the risk associated with such responsibility.

Requires the agency head, in entering into an agreement for debris removal or demolition services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts, to give preference in the source selection process to each offeror who certifies that any work that is to be performed under the contract by subcontractors will be performed by local subcontractors.

local disaster contracting fairness act prohibits head executive agency entering agreement debris removal demolition services connection natural disaster reconstruction efforts agreement specifies work contract performed prime contractor subcontractors tier contract work performed contract subcontractors performed local subcontractors extent local subcontractors available perform work prime contractor act project manager construction manager contract prime contractor primary responsibility managing work contract paid certain percentage overall value contract sole compensation assuming risk associated responsibility requires agency head entering agreement debris removal demolition services connection natural disaster reconstruction efforts preference source selection process offeror certifies work performed contract subcontractors performed local subcontractors


Summary:
Investment Savings Access After Catastrophes Act of 2015

 Defines "Hurricane Isaac disaster area" for purposes of this Act as any parish or county of Louisiana or Mississippi in an area in which a major disaster has been declared before September 10, 2012, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Isaac.

Provides for tax preferences in the Hurricane Isaac disaster area, including: (1) suspension of limitations on the tax deduction for personal casualty losses, (2) an extension of the carryback period for net operating losses, and (3) tax-free distributions from a retirement plan made on or after August 26, 2012, and before September 11, 2014, to an individual whose principal place of abode on August 26, 2012, was located in the Hurricane Isaac disaster area and who sustained an economic loss due to Hurricane Isaac.

Rescinds unobligated funds in an amount equal to the reduction in revenues resulting from the enactment of this Act.

investment savings access act defines hurricane disaster area purposes act parish county louisiana mississippi area major disaster declared september robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act reason hurricane provides tax preferences hurricane disaster area including suspension limitations tax deduction personal casualty losses extension carryback period net operating losses tax free distributions retirement plan august september individual principal place abode august located hurricane disaster area sustained economic loss hurricane rescinds unobligated funds equal reduction revenues resulting enactment act


Summary:
Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2015

 Requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to: (1) waive a debt owed to the United States related to federal assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to an individual or household in relation to a major disaster declared by the President between January 1, 2012, and the date of enactment of this Act, unless the debt involves fraud, the intentional presentation of a false claim, or intentional misrepresentation by the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim; and (2) reimburse a debtor for any payments already made on such a debt.

disaster assistance recoupment fairness act requires federal_emergency_management_agency waive debt owed united_states related federal assistance provided robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act individual household relation major disaster declared president january date enactment act debt involves fraud intentional presentation false claim intentional misrepresentation debtor party having interest claim reimburse debtor payments debt


Summary:
Fire-Damaged Home Rebuilding Act of 2015

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to allow local variances for certain residential structures substantially damaged by a fire or other disaster, not including a flood, in a covered area having special flood hazards.

Permits state or local authorities, upon making certain determinations, to grant a variance from compliance with certain mandatory adequate land use and control measures to allow repair and restoration of an eligible structure to its pre-damaged condition without elevation of the structure.

Includes among such determinations that: (1) the repaired and restored structure will be located on the same site as it was before being substantially damaged, and (2) the number of floors of the restored structure will not exceed the number of floors of the original structure.

Restricts the maximum number of such variances to 10 for a covered area during any calendar year.

Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from either: (1) finding that land use and control measures are inadequate or inconsistent with the comprehensive criteria for land management and use because they permit granting the variances identified under this Act; or (2) suspending an area or subdivision from participation in the national flood insurance program, or placing it on probation, because its land use and control measures provide for such variances.

Prohibits the chargeable flood insurance premium rate for a residential structure granted a variance under this Act from being lower than the rate that otherwise would apply if such structure had not been substantially damaged by a fire or other disaster (except a flood) and repaired and restored pursuant to the variance.

fire damaged home rebuilding act amends national_flood_insurance_act allow local variances certain residential structures substantially damaged fire disaster including flood covered area having special flood hazards permits state local authorities making certain determinations grant variance compliance certain mandatory adequate land use control measures allow repair restoration eligible structure pre damaged condition elevation structure includes determinations repaired restored structure located site substantially damaged number restored structure exceed number original structure restricts maximum number variances covered area calendar year prohibits administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema finding land use control measures inadequate inconsistent comprehensive criteria land management use permit granting variances identified act suspending area subdivision participation national_flood_insurance_program placing probation land use control measures provide variances prohibits flood insurance premium rate residential structure granted variance act lower rate apply structure substantially damaged fire disaster flood repaired restored pursuant variance


Summary:
Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act of 2015

 This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2021 the Tsunami Warning and Education Act.

The tsunami warning systems for the Pacific and Arctic Oceans and for the Atlantic Ocean are consolidated into a single warning system. The system must support international tsunami forecasting and warning efforts. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must support or maintain tsunami warning centers to support the national warning system and develop uniform operational procedures for the centers. Warning centers are given additional responsibilities, including maintaining a fail-safe warning capability and an ability to perform back-up duties for each other.

The tsunami hazard mitigation program must provide for: (1) technical and financial assistance; (2) activities to support the development of regional hazard and risk assessments; (3) activities to promote preparedness in at-risk ports and harbors; and (4) dissemination of guidelines and standards for community planning, education, and training products, programs, and tools.

The tsunami research program must develop the technical basis for validation of tsunami maps, models, and forecasts.

NOAA no longer has to operate an International Tsunami Information Center to improve tsunami preparedness for Pacific Ocean nations.

NOAA must: (1) designate an existing working group to serve as the Tsunami Science and Technology Advisory Panel to provide advice on matters regarding tsunami science, technology, and regional preparedness; (2) maintain a coordinating committee to assist in the national tsunami hazard mitigation program; and (3) develop formal outreach activities to improve tsunami education and awareness and foster the development of resilient communities.

tsunami warning education research_act bill revises reauthorizes fy2021 tsunami warning education act tsunami warning systems pacific arctic oceans atlantic_ocean consolidated single warning system system support international tsunami forecasting warning efforts national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa support maintain tsunami warning centers support national warning system develop uniform operational procedures centers warning centers given additional responsibilities including maintaining fail safe warning capability ability perform duties tsunami hazard mitigation program provide technical financial assistance activities support development regional hazard risk assessments activities promote preparedness risk ports harbors dissemination guidelines standards community planning education training products programs tools tsunami research program develop technical basis validation tsunami maps models forecasts noaa longer operate international tsunami information center improve tsunami preparedness pacific_ocean nations noaa designate existing working_group serve tsunami science_and_technology advisory_panel provide advice matters tsunami science technology regional preparedness maintain coordinating committee assist national tsunami hazard mitigation program develop formal outreach activities improve tsunami education awareness foster development resilient communities


Summary:
Disaster Assistance Fairness and Accountability Act of 2015

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from taking any actions to recoup from a recipient assistance provided in relation to a major disaster declared by the President on or after January 1, 2012, if: (1) the recipient's application was made in good faith and provided accurate information and the receipt of such assistance could reasonably have been expected by the recipient, or (2) the receipt of such assistance occurred more than three years before FEMA first notifies the recipient of FEMA's intent to recoup.

Requires FEMA, in carrying out a recoupment of disaster assistance that is not prohibited under this Act, to provide documentation that demonstrates that the recipient did not apply in good faith with accurate information or could not reasonably have expected to receive such assistance.

disaster assistance fairness accountability_act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act prohibit federal_emergency_management_agency fema taking actions recoup recipient assistance provided relation major disaster declared president january recipient application good faith provided accurate information receipt assistance reasonably expected recipient receipt assistance occurred years fema notifies recipient fema intent recoup requires fema carrying recoupment disaster assistance prohibited act provide documentation demonstrates recipient apply good faith accurate information reasonably expected receive assistance


Summary:
Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act of 2015

Requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to amend the rules concerning the factors it considers when evaluating a governor's request for a major disaster declaration to provide that, with respect to the evaluation of the need for public assistance: (1) specific weighted valuations shall be assigned to the estimated cost of the assistance (10%), localized impacts (40%), insurance coverage in force (10%), hazard mitigation (10%), recent multiple disasters (10%), programs of other federal assistance (10%), and economic circumstances (10%); and (2) FEMA shall consider the economic circumstances of both the local economy of the affected area (including the local assessable tax base and local sales tax, median income, and poverty rate) and the state economy (including the unemployment rate).

Requires such rules to provide that, with respect to the evaluation of the severity, magnitude, and impact of the disaster and the evaluation of the need for assistance to individuals: (1) specific weighted valuations shall be assigned to concentration of damages (20%), trauma (20%), special populations (20%), voluntary agency assistance (10%), insurance (20%), average amount of individual assistance by state (5%), and economic considerations (5%); and (2) FEMA shall consider the economic circumstances of the affected area (including the local assessable tax base and local sales tax, median income, and poverty rate).

Makes such rules applicable to any disaster for which a governor requested a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and was denied on or after January 1, 2012.

fairness federal disaster declarations act requires federal_emergency_management_agency fema amend rules concerning factors considers evaluating governor request major disaster declaration provide respect evaluation need public assistance specific weighted valuations shall assigned estimated cost assistance impacts insurance coverage force hazard mitigation recent multiple disasters programs federal assistance economic circumstances fema shall consider economic circumstances local economy affected area including local tax base local sales tax median income poverty rate state economy including unemployment rate requires rules provide respect evaluation severity magnitude impact disaster evaluation need assistance individuals specific weighted valuations shall assigned concentration damages trauma special populations voluntary agency assistance insurance average individual assistance state economic considerations fema shall consider economic circumstances affected area including local tax base local sales tax median income poverty rate makes rules applicable disaster governor requested major disaster declaration robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act denied january


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include broadcasting facilities within the definition of a "private nonprofit facility" that provides essential services of a governmental nature to the general public, and to include broadcast and telecommunications within the definition of "critical services" provided by such a facility, for purposes of eligibility for certain disaster assistance.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated emergency information improvement act sec amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act include broadcasting facilities definition private nonprofit facility provides essential services governmental nature general public include broadcast telecommunications definition critical services provided facility purposes eligibility certain disaster assistance


Summary:
Small Business Tax Certainty and Growth Act of 2015

Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should undertake comprehensive tax reform to make the tax system fairer and simpler and to promote economic growth.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the increased tax deductions for business start-up expenditures, organizational expenditures, and organization and syndication fees; (2) allow the cash accounting method for businesses whose gross receipts do not exceed $10 million (currently, $5 million); (3) exempt businesses whose gross receipts do not exceed $10 million from the requirement to use inventories; (4) make permanent a $500,000 allowance for expensing business assets, including computer software; (5) extend for one year the additional depreciation allowance for business assets (bonus depreciation); and (6) make permanent the 15-year straight-line depreciation allowance for qualified leasehold improvement, restaurant, and retail improvement property.

small business tax certainty growth act expresses sense senate congress undertake comprehensive tax reform tax system simpler promote economic growth amends_the_internal_revenue_code permanent increased tax deductions business start expenditures organizational expenditures organization fees allow cash accounting method businesses gross receipts exceed million currently million exempt businesses gross receipts exceed million requirement use inventories permanent allowance expensing business assets including computer software extend year additional depreciation allowance business assets bonus depreciation permanent year straight line depreciation allowance qualified leasehold improvement restaurant retail improvement property


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 25, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) modernize the integrated U.S. public alert and warning system to help ensure that under all conditions the President, federal agencies, and state, tribal, and local governments can alert and warn the civilian population in areas endangered by natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters or threats to public safety; and (2) implement such system to disseminate timely and effective warnings.

Directs FEMA to: (1) establish common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures for the system; (2) include in such system the capability to adapt the distribution and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, and multiple communication technologies and to alert, warn, and provide equivalent information to individuals with disabilities, access and functional needs, or limited English proficiency; (3) ensure that specified training, tests, and exercises for such system are conducted and that the system is resilient, secure, and can withstand external attacks; and (4) conduct public education efforts and a general market awareness campaign about the system.

Requires the system to: (1) be designed to adapt to and incorporate future technologies for communicating directly with the public, provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible, and improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts; (2) promote local and regional public and private partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response; (3) provide redundant alert mechanisms; and (4) protect individual privacy.

Requires FEMA to make available on its public website and submit to Congress an annual report of the performance of the system.

Directs FEMA to establish the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Subcommittee to develop and submit recommendations for an integrated public alert and warning system to the National Advisory Council, which shall report the recommendations it approves to agencies represented on the Subcommittee and to specified congressional committees. Terminates the Subcommittee not later than three years after this Act's enactment.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act for FY2016-FY2018.

measure amended reported senate june summary version repeated integrated public alert warning system modernization act sec amends homeland_security act direct federal_emergency_management_agency fema modernize integrated public alert warning system help ensure conditions president federal agencies state tribal local governments alert warn civilian population areas endangered natural disasters acts terrorism man disasters threats public safety implement system disseminate timely effective warnings directs fema establish common warning protocols standards terminology operating procedures system include system capability adapt distribution content communications basis geographic location risks multiple communication technologies alert warn provide equivalent information individuals disabilities access functional needs limited english proficiency ensure specified training tests exercises system conducted system resilient secure withstand external attacks conduct public education efforts general market awareness campaign system requires system designed adapt incorporate future technologies communicating directly public provide alerts largest portion affected population feasible improve ability remote areas receive alerts promote local regional public private partnerships enhance community preparedness response provide redundant alert mechanisms protect individual privacy requires fema available public website submit congress annual report performance system directs fema establish integrated public alert warning system subcommittee develop submit recommendations integrated public alert warning system national_advisory_council shall report recommendations approves agencies represented subcommittee specified congressional committees terminates subcommittee later years act enactment authorizes appropriations carry act fy2016 fy2018


Summary:
National Laboratory Technology Maturation Act of 2015

 Requires the Department of Energy to establish the National Laboratory technology maturation program to make grants of up to $5 million per fiscal year to National Laboratories to increase the successful transfer of technologies licensed from National Laboratories to small businesses by providing a link between an innovative process or technology and a practical application with potential to be successful in commercial markets.

Requires grant recipients to use the funds to provide vouchers of up to $250,000 each to small businesses that hold a technology license from a National Laboratory to pay the cost of providing assistance from its scientists and engineers to assist in the development of the licensed technology and further develop related products and services until they are market-ready or sufficiently developed to attract private investment.

Requires a National Laboratory that awards a voucher to carry out such a project to: (1) establish a procedure to monitor interim progress of the project toward commercialization milestones, and (2) discontinue providing such funding or assistance if it determines that a project is not making adequate progress toward such milestones under the procedure.

national_laboratory technology act requires department_of_energy establish national_laboratory technology program grants million fiscal year national_laboratories increase successful transfer technologies licensed national_laboratories small businesses providing link innovative process technology practical application potential successful commercial markets requires grant recipients use funds provide vouchers small businesses hold technology license national_laboratory pay cost providing assistance scientists engineers assist development licensed technology develop related products services market ready sufficiently developed attract private investment requires national_laboratory awards voucher carry project establish procedure monitor interim progress project commercialization milestones discontinue providing funding assistance determines project making adequate progress milestones procedure


Summary:
Small Business Start-up Savings Accounts Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for tax-exempt Small Business Start-up Savings Accounts to pay for trade or business expenses, including the purchase of equipment or facilities, marketing, training, incorporation, and accounting fees. Allows annual contributions to such accounts up to $10,000. Sets forth rules for the tax treatment of contributions to and rollovers from such accounts, similar to rules governing individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

small business start savings_accounts act amends_the_internal_revenue_code provide tax exempt small business start savings_accounts pay trade business expenses including purchase equipment facilities marketing training incorporation accounting fees allows annual contributions accounts sets forth rules tax treatment contributions rollovers accounts similar rules governing individual retirement accounts iras


Summary:
Helping Our Middle-Class Entrepreneurs Act or the HOME Act

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer who uses a residence to conduct a trade or business a standard tax deduction equal to the lesser of $1,500 or the taxpayer's gross trade or business income derived from the business use of such residence. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the standard deduction amount in calendar years beginning after 2015.

helping middle class entrepreneurs act home act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow taxpayer uses residence conduct trade business standard tax deduction equal lesser taxpayer gross trade business income derived business use residence provides inflation adjustment standard deduction calendar years beginning


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

HUBZone Revitalization Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to redefine HUBZones (historically underutilized business Zones) eligible for certain assistance to include a qualified disaster area (a specified census tract or nonmetropolitan county located in a major declared disaster area or in an area where a catastrophic incident has occurred).

A qualified disaster area shall be treated as a HUBZone for 5 years after it has been declared a major disaster area or for 10 years after a catastrophic incident has occurred within it.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency shall provide the Small Business Administration with any data it needs to verify a small business's eligibility for the HUBZone small business loan program.

(Sec. 3) HUBZones shall now also include areas that can be used by small businesses whose principal offices are located in base closure HUBZones, with at least 35% of their employees residing in:

 a HUBZone, a census tract in which the base closure HUBZone is wholly contained, a census tract that intersects the boundaries of the base closure HUBZone, or census tract contiguous with these census tracts. This bill also amends the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005 to extend HUBZone eligibility assistance for base closure areas from five years to eight years after their closure.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure hubzone revitalization act sec bill amends small_business_act redefine hubzones historically underutilized business zones eligible certain assistance include qualified disaster area specified census tract nonmetropolitan county located major declared disaster area area catastrophic incident occurred qualified disaster area shall treated hubzone years declared major disaster area years catastrophic incident occurred federal_emergency_management_agency shall provide small_business_administration data needs verify small business eligibility hubzone small business loan program sec hubzones shall include areas small businesses principal offices located base closure hubzones employees residing hubzone census tract base closure hubzone wholly contained census tract boundaries base closure hubzone census tract contiguous census tracts bill amends consolidated_appropriations_act extend hubzone eligibility assistance base closure areas years years closure


Summary:
Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) to give access to and manage the distribution of U.S-owned surplus property, including foreign excess personal property returned to a state for handling as surplus property, to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the SBA and the head of the state agency for surplus properties.

veterans small business enhancement_act bill amends small_business_act direct small_business_administration sba access manage distribution owned surplus property including foreign excess personal property returned state handling surplus property small business concerns owned controlled veterans pursuant memorandum understanding sba head state agency surplus properties


Summary:
Microloan Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Act to revise requirements for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program (direct loans to eligible intermediaries for making fixed interest rate microloans to startup, newly established, or growing small businesses).

The bill repeals the authority for each intermediary to expend certain grant amounts to: (1) provide information and technical assistance to small businesses that are prospective borrowers, and (2) enter into third party contracts to provide technical assistance.

The bill also repeals minimum allocation requirements and authority to redistribute portions of remaining microloan funds in the third quarter.

It is the sense of Congress that the SBA should promote the Microloan Program to encourage entrepreneurs to use it.

microloan act bill amends small_business_act revise requirements small_business_administration sba microloan program direct_loans eligible intermediaries making fixed interest rate microloans startup newly established growing small businesses bill repeals authority intermediary expend certain grant amounts provide information technical assistance small businesses prospective borrowers enter party contracts provide technical assistance bill repeals minimum allocation requirements authority redistribute portions remaining microloan funds quarter sense congress sba promote microloan program encourage entrepreneurs use


Summary:
Recovery Improvements for Small Entities After Disaster Act of 2015 or the RISE After Disaster Act of 2015

TITLE I--IMPROVEMENTS OF DISASTER RESPONSE AND LOANS

(Sec. 101) This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to exempt from specified nondisclosure requirements any agency action taken to prevent, investigate, or recover duplicative federal major disaster assistance and emergency benefits made to an entity.

An agency investigation relating to fraudulent acquisition of assistance shall not be subject to an individual's right to verification and an opportunity to contest the agency's findings before it takes certain adverse action.

(Sec. 102) The Small Business Act is amended to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA), in order to spur disaster recovery and growth of small businesses located in a declared major disaster area, to provide up to two years of additional financial assistance, on a competitive basis, to a small business development center (SBDC), an SBA women's business center, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, an entity, organization, or individual that receives an award or has in effect a cooperative agreement under the SBA federal and state technology (FAST) partnership program, or any proposed consortium of such individuals or entities.

No matching funds shall be required for any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement relating to such financial assistance.

Recipients of this assistance must provide counseling, training, and other related services, such as promoting long-term resiliency, to small businesses and entrepreneurs impacted by a major disaster.

The SBA shall establish performance metrics and goals for grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, including recovery of sales, recovery of employment, reestablishment of business premises, and establishment of new small business concerns.

The SBA may make one extension of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement for up to one year, upon a showing of good cause and need.

(Sec. 103) The minimum disaster loan amount for which the SBA may require collateral is increased, for a 3-year period only, from $14,000 to $25,000 (or, as under existing law, any higher amount the SBA determines appropriate in the event of a disaster). Three years after enactment of this Act the minimum disaster loan threshold shall revert to $14,000.

The SBA must assess for Congress the impact and benefits resulting from the increase to $25,000, and recommend whether it should be made permanent.

(Sec. 104) The SBA may authorize an SBDC to provide advice, information, and assistance to small businesses outside the SBDC's state, without regard to geographical proximity to the SBDC, if the small business is in a declared major disaster area.

It is the sense of Congress that the SBA shall ensure that an SBDC is appropriately reimbursed for any legitimate expenses in carrying out such activities.

(Sec. 105) The Small Business Investment Act of 1958 is amended to require the SBA to give priority to small business investment company applications for licenses to operate in a declared major disaster area.

In calculating the maximum amount of outstanding leverage (SBA-guaranteed debentures and participating securities) it may make available to any one SBDC, or to two or more commonly controlled SBDCs that are not under capital impairment, the SBA shall exclude the cost basis of any SBDC investment in a small business concern located in a major disaster area during the year following its declaration.

 (Sec. 106) The Small Business Act is further amended to:

 require special consideration of FAST applications for awards or cooperative agreements from applicants located in a catastrophic disaster area; waive matching requirements for such awards or cooperative agreements; and to reauthorize the FAST program, including Mentoring Networks, through FY2017. (Sec. 107) The SBA may transfer, on a priority basis, federal technology or surplus property to certain small businesses in major disaster areas. Such property may not be sold or transferred to any non-federal party during the two-year period of the declared major disaster area.

(Sec. 108) The SBA may guarantee up to 85% of an express recovery opportunity loan of up to $150,000 to a small business located in a disaster area if the concern has the capacity to repay it. The guarantee fee, unless waived, and except in certain cost circumstances, shall be the same as the one the SBA would collect if the guarantee rate were 50%.

(Sec. 109) The SBA may provide supplemental assistance for contractor malfeasance in the form of an increased disaster loan to cover the cost of any repairs, rehabilitation, or replacement of real or personal property needed to address economic damage or health or safety risks caused by the malfeasance of a contractor or other person.

(Sec. 110) Federal agencies shall establish contracting preferences and incentives for small businesses located in disaster areas if they will perform the work required under the contract. The value of the contract shall be doubled if SBA goals for procurement contracts are met.

(Sec. 111) In obtaining the best available collateral for a disaster loan of up to $200,000 relating to damage to or destruction of the property of, or economic injury to, a small business, the SBA may not require the small business owner to use his or her primary residence as collateral if the owner has other assets with a value equal to or greater than the amount of the loan that could be used.

TITLE II--DISASTER PLANNING AND MITIGATION

(Sec. 201) This title amends the Small Business Act to subject to the prohibition against duplication of other federal agency activities the SBA's authority to increase a disaster loan by an additional 20% of the aggregate costs of property damage or destruction. Any such increase shall cover construction of a safe room or similar storm shelter designed to protect property and occupants from tornadoes or other natural disasters.

(Sec. 202) SBA district offices shall identify locations that may be used as SBA recovery centers in the event of a natural or a major disaster.

TITLE III--OTHER PROVISIONS

 (Sec. 301) The SBA shall increase oversight of small businesses receiving economic injury disaster loans, including random site visits and random review of loan usage.

It is the sense of Congress that no additional federal funds should be made available to provide such oversight.

(Sec. 302) It is also the sense of Congress that the SBA should: (1) reduce paperwork burdens on small businesses applying for disaster assistance; and (2) ensure that the application for it facilitates deterring and detecting potential incidents of waste, fraud, and abuse.

The SBA is directed to take steps to reduce such paperwork.

(Sec. 303) The SBA must report to specified congressional committees on creation of a web portal to track the status of disaster loan applications.

(Sec. 304) The head of an executive agency may not enter into an agreement for debris removal or demolition services in connection with natural disaster reconstruction efforts unless the agreement specifies that:

 all of the work under the contract will be performed by the prime contractor or one or more subcontractors at one tier under the contract; any subtractor work under the contract will be performed by local subcontractors, except to the extent that they are not available; the prime contractor will act as the project manager or construction manager; and the prime contractor has primary responsibility for managing all work under the contract and will be paid a certain percentage of the contract's overall value as sole compensation for assuming the risk associated with that responsibility.

recovery improvements small entities disaster act rise disaster act title improvements disaster response loans sec bill amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act exempt specified nondisclosure requirements agency action taken prevent investigate recover duplicative federal major disaster assistance emergency benefits entity agency investigation relating fraudulent acquisition assistance shall subject individual right verification opportunity contest agency findings takes certain adverse action sec small_business_act amended authorize small_business_administration sba order spur disaster recovery growth small businesses located declared major disaster area provide years additional financial assistance competitive basis small business development center sbdc sba women business center service_corps_of_retired_executives entity organization individual receives award effect cooperative agreement sba federal state technology fast partnership program proposed consortium individuals entities matching funds shall required grant contract cooperative agreement relating financial assistance recipients assistance provide counseling training related services promoting long term resiliency small businesses entrepreneurs impacted major disaster sba shall establish performance metrics goals grants contracts cooperative agreements including recovery sales recovery employment business premises establishment new small business concerns sba extension grant contract cooperative agreement year showing good cause need sec minimum disaster loan sba require collateral increased year period existing law higher sba determines appropriate event disaster years enactment act minimum disaster loan threshold shall revert sba assess congress impact benefits resulting increase recommend permanent sec sba authorize sbdc provide advice information assistance small businesses outside sbdc state regard geographical proximity sbdc small business declared major disaster area sense congress sba shall ensure sbdc appropriately reimbursed legitimate expenses carrying activities sec small_business_investment_act amended require sba priority small business investment company applications licenses operate declared major disaster area calculating maximum outstanding leverage sba guaranteed debentures participating securities available sbdc commonly controlled sbdcs capital impairment sba shall exclude cost basis sbdc investment small business concern located major disaster area year following declaration sec small_business_act amended require special consideration fast applications awards cooperative agreements applicants located catastrophic disaster area waive matching requirements awards cooperative agreements reauthorize fast program including mentoring networks fy2017 sec sba transfer priority basis federal technology surplus property certain small businesses major disaster areas property sold transferred non federal party year period declared major disaster area sec sba guarantee express recovery opportunity loan small business located disaster area concern capacity repay guarantee fee waived certain cost circumstances shall sba collect guarantee rate sec sba provide supplemental assistance contractor form increased disaster loan cover cost repairs rehabilitation replacement real personal property needed address economic damage health safety risks caused contractor person sec federal agencies shall establish contracting preferences incentives small businesses located disaster areas perform work required contract value contract shall sba goals procurement contracts met sec obtaining best available collateral disaster loan relating damage destruction property economic injury small business sba require small business owner use primary residence collateral owner assets value equal greater loan title disaster planning mitigation sec title amends small_business_act subject prohibition duplication federal agency activities sba authority increase disaster loan additional aggregate costs property damage destruction increase shall cover construction safe room similar storm shelter designed protect property occupants natural disasters sec sba district offices shall identify locations sba recovery centers event natural major disaster title iii provisions sec sba shall increase oversight small businesses receiving economic injury disaster loans including random site visits random review loan usage sense congress additional federal funds available provide oversight sec sense congress sba reduce paperwork burdens small businesses applying disaster assistance ensure application facilitates deterring detecting potential incidents waste fraud abuse sba directed steps reduce paperwork sec sba report specified congressional committees creation web portal track status disaster loan applications sec head executive agency enter agreement debris removal demolition services connection natural disaster reconstruction efforts agreement specifies work contract performed prime contractor subcontractors tier contract work contract performed local subcontractors extent available prime contractor act project manager construction manager prime contractor primary responsibility managing work contract paid certain percentage contract overall value sole compensation assuming risk associated responsibility


Summary:
Urban Flooding Awareness Act of 2015

Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study on urban flooding.

Defines "urban flooding" as the inundation of property in a built environment, particularly in more densely populated areas, caused by rain falling on increased amounts of impervious surface and overwhelming the capacity of drainage systems. Requires the primary focus of the study to be on urban areas outside of special flood hazard areas.

Directs the NAS to evaluate the latest research, laws, regulations, policies, best practices, procedures, and institutional knowledge regarding urban flooding. Requires the study to include an examination of:

 the prevalence of and costs associated with urban flooding events across the United States, with a focus on the largest metropolitan areas and trends in frequency and severity over the past two decades; the adequacy of federally provided flood risk information and the most cost-effective methods and products to characterize the risk of property damage from urban flooding on a property-by-property basis; the potential for training and certifying local experts in flood risk characterization as a service to property purchasers and owners; the causes of urban flooding and its apparent increase; the most cost-effective strategies, practices, technologies, policies, standards, or rules used to reduce the impacts of urban flooding; the role of the federal and state governments in spurring market innovations based on public-private-nonprofit partnerships; the most sustainable and effective methods for funding flood risk and flood damage reduction at all levels of government; the relevance of the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating System to urban flooding areas outside traditional flood plains and strategies for improving compliance, broadening coverage, and increasing participation under the Program; strategies for protecting communities in the lower elevations of a watershed or drainage area from the flooding impacts of development in upstream communities; cost-effective strategies for reducing infiltration/inflow into combined and separate sewer systems; and opportunities to increase coordination between stormwater management programming under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and flood risk management and mitigation programming under various laws.

urban flooding awareness act directs federal_emergency_management_agency fema enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences nas conduct study urban flooding defines urban flooding property built environment particularly populated areas caused rain falling increased amounts impervious surface capacity drainage systems requires primary focus study urban areas outside special flood hazard areas directs nas evaluate latest research laws regulations policies best practices procedures institutional knowledge urban flooding requires study include examination prevalence costs associated urban flooding events united_states focus largest metropolitan areas trends frequency severity past decades adequacy federally provided flood risk information cost effective methods products characterize risk property damage urban flooding property property basis potential training certifying local experts flood risk characterization service property purchasers owners causes urban flooding apparent increase cost effective strategies practices technologies policies standards rules reduce impacts urban flooding role federal state governments market innovations based public private nonprofit partnerships sustainable effective methods funding flood risk flood damage reduction levels government relevance national_flood_insurance_program community rating system urban flooding areas outside traditional flood plains strategies improving compliance broadening coverage increasing participation program strategies protecting communities lower watershed drainage area flooding impacts development upstream communities cost effective strategies reducing infiltration inflow combined separate sewer systems opportunities increase coordination stormwater management programming federal_water_pollution_control_act flood risk management mitigation programming laws


Summary:
Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act

This bill amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to make technical amendments to requirements for flood insurance under either the federal program or private flood insurance.

"Private flood insurance" shall include any policy issued by an insurance company eligible as a nonadmitted insurer to provide flood insurance in the state or jurisdiction where the property to be insured is located.

The flood insurance program under the Act, including both private and federal flood insurance, shall extend to Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 is amended to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider any period during which a property was continuously covered by private flood insurance to be a period of continuous insurance coverage.

flood insurance market parity modernization act bill amends flood disaster protection act technical amendments requirements flood insurance federal program private flood insurance private flood insurance shall include policy issued insurance company eligible nonadmitted insurer provide flood insurance state jurisdiction property insured located flood insurance program act including private federal flood insurance shall extend puerto_rico guam northern_mariana_islands virgin_islands american_samoa national_flood_insurance_act amended direct federal_emergency_management_agency consider period property continuously covered private flood insurance period continuous insurance coverage


Summary:
National Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax relief for disasters declared in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 by:

 allowing an election to expense qualified disaster expenses (i.e., for the abatement of hazardous substances, removal of debris, demolition, and repair of business-related property); increasing the tax deduction for charitable contributions for disaster relief for individual and corporate taxpayers; allowing through 2015 the deduction of losses and net operating losses attributable to disasters; allowing waivers of requirements relating to mortgage revenue bonds; extending through 2015 the additional allowance for depreciation of business property (bonus depreciation); allowing an increase through 2015 of the new markets tax credit limitation amount within a federally-declared disaster area; permitting the use of tax-exempt retirement plan funds in federally-declared disasters without penalty; allowing an additional tax exemption for individuals who are displaced as a result of a federally-declared disaster; allowing an exclusion from gross income of imputed income from the cancellation of indebtedness resulting from federally-declared disasters; providing a special rule to allow individuals affected by a disaster in 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015 to claim a full earned income tax credit; increasing the rehabilitation tax credit for buildings affected by a federally-declared disaster; permitting one additional advance refunding of a tax-exempt bond that is outstanding on the date on which a federally-declared disaster occurs; allowing the issuance of qualified disaster area recovery bonds; allowing an additional allocation of the low-income housing tax credit in 2016 to states affected by a federally-declared disaster occurring in 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015;   allowing payments of disaster assistance to tax-exempt mutual ditch or irrigation companies without affecting their tax-exempt status; allowing an exclusion from gross income for disaster mitigation payments received from state and local governments; allowing a tax deduction for payments to a tax-exempt natural disaster fund; allowing a five-year replacement period for property located in a disaster area for purposes of the exclusion of gain from an involuntary conversion; allowing employers a business-related tax credit for up to 40% of wages paid to employees in a disaster area; and allowing an enhanced tax deduction for medical expenses related to an injury occurring in a disaster area.

national disaster tax relief_act amends_the_internal_revenue_code provide tax relief disasters declared allowing election expense qualified disaster expenses abatement hazardous substances removal debris demolition repair business related property increasing tax deduction charitable contributions disaster relief individual corporate taxpayers allowing deduction losses net operating losses attributable disasters allowing waivers requirements relating mortgage revenue bonds extending additional allowance depreciation business property bonus depreciation allowing increase new markets tax credit limitation federally declared disaster area permitting use tax exempt retirement plan funds federally declared disasters penalty allowing additional tax exemption individuals displaced result federally declared disaster allowing exclusion gross income imputed income cancellation indebtedness resulting federally declared disasters providing special rule allow individuals affected disaster claim earned income tax credit increasing rehabilitation tax credit buildings affected federally declared disaster permitting additional advance refunding tax exempt bond outstanding date federally declared disaster occurs allowing issuance qualified disaster area recovery bonds allowing additional allocation low income housing tax credit states affected federally declared disaster occurring allowing payments disaster assistance tax exempt mutual ditch irrigation companies affecting tax exempt status allowing exclusion gross income disaster mitigation payments received state local governments allowing tax deduction payments tax exempt natural disaster fund allowing year replacement period property located disaster area purposes exclusion gain involuntary conversion allowing employers business related tax credit wages paid employees disaster area allowing enhanced tax deduction medical expenses related injury occurring disaster area


Summary:
Superstorm Sandy Relief and Disaster Loan Program Improvement Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize a small business, homeowner, nonprofit entity, or renter that was located within a declared major disaster area during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 to apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan to: (1) repair, rehabilitate, or replace property damaged or destroyed because of the storm; or (2) assist a small business that suffered substantial economic injury because of it.

The SBA must select loan recipients and make such loans available for at least one year after the date on which it begins carrying out this authority.

The SBA Inspector General must review the controls for ensuring applicant eligibility for these loans.

(Sec. 4) SBA physical disaster loans may be used to construct a safe room or similar storm shelter designed to protect property and occupants from tornadoes or other natural disasters, if they are constructed in accordance with applicable standards issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

(Sec. 5) The SBA shall make a clear and concise notification on all application materials for SBA disaster loans and on relevant websites notifying an applicant that:

 he or she may submit all documentation necessary for the approval of the loan at the time of application, and failure to do so could delay the loan's approval and disbursement. (Sec. 6) The SBA shall revise the comprehensive written disaster response plan, and any successor, to incorporate its response to a situation in which an extreme volume of applications are received during the period of time immediately after a disaster. The revised plan must: (1) ensure that sufficient human and technological resources are made available, and (2) prevent delays in loan processing.

sandy relief disaster loan program improvement act sec bill amends small_business_act authorize small business homeowner nonprofit entity located declared major disaster area sandy apply small_business_administration sba loan repair rehabilitate replace property damaged destroyed storm assist small business suffered substantial economic injury sba select loan recipients loans available year date begins carrying authority sba inspector_general review controls ensuring applicant eligibility loans sec sba physical disaster loans construct safe room similar storm shelter designed protect property occupants natural disasters constructed accordance applicable standards issued federal_emergency_management_agency fema sec sba shall clear concise notification application materials sba disaster loans relevant websites notifying applicant submit documentation necessary approval loan time application failure delay loan approval disbursement sec sba shall revise comprehensive written disaster response plan successor incorporate response situation extreme volume applications received period time immediately disaster revised plan ensure sufficient human technological resources available prevent delays loan processing


Summary:
Small Business Tax Compliance Relief Act of 2015

This bill amends provisions of the the Internal Revenue Code relating to the taxation of small businesses to:

 allow small business entities with gross receipts not exceeding $10 million (currently, $5 million) to use the cash method of accounting and an exemption from the requirement to use inventories; eliminate restrictions on the depreciation of computers or peripheral equipment; extend the tax deduction for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals; allow small business entities to maintain pension plans designated as flexible retirement accounts; repeal provisions for simple pension plans and simple individual retirement accounts and special rules for top-heavy pension plans; require inflation adjustments after 2015 to the dollar amounts of specified tax exclusions and deductions; allow a reasonable cause exception to noncompliance penalties; modify return due dates for partnerships, C corporations, S corporations, and other entities; modifiy the application of tax rules for nonqualified deferred compensation plans; and reduce from 5 years to 3 years the required holding period for qualified small business stock and extend the rollover period for such stock. The bill directs: (1) the Department of the Treasury to modify Treasury regulations for the expensing of tangible property to increase from $500 to $2,500 the de minimis safe harbor amount for taxpayers without applicable financial statements; and (2) the Internal Revenue Service to implement procedures for the review of regulations affecting small business and report on uniform statutory definitions relating to small business and on improvements in customer service to small business.

small business tax compliance relief_act bill amends provisions internal_revenue_code relating taxation small businesses allow small business entities gross receipts exceeding million currently million use cash method accounting exemption requirement use inventories eliminate restrictions depreciation computers peripheral equipment extend tax deduction health insurance costs self employed individuals allow small business entities maintain pension plans designated flexible retirement accounts repeal provisions simple pension plans simple individual retirement accounts special rules heavy pension plans require inflation adjustments dollar amounts specified tax exclusions deductions allow reasonable cause exception noncompliance penalties modify return dates partnerships corporations corporations entities application tax rules nonqualified deferred compensation plans reduce years years required holding period qualified small business stock extend rollover period stock bill directs department_of_the_treasury modify treasury regulations expensing tangible property increase minimis safe harbor taxpayers applicable financial statements internal_revenue_service implement procedures review regulations affecting small business report uniform statutory definitions relating small business improvements customer service small business