Summary:
Flood Insurance Premium Parity Act of 2015

Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to prohibit the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from estimating reduced (subsidized) risk premium rates for flood insurance for residential property that is neither the primary residence of an individual (as under current law) nor the secondary residence of the property owner.

Directs FEMA to establish standards for a residential property to qualify as a secondary residence eligible for subsidized risk flood insurance premium rates that: (1) require the owner to occupy the property for an appropriate minimum period of time each year, and (2) limit subsidized risk premium rates to but a single property of the owner.

Repeals the prohibition against estimating subsidized risk premium rates for business property (thus qualifying business property for such rates).

Requires FEMA, when developing guidance and rate tables necessary to implement this Act, to consult with Write Your Own companies, which are participating property and casualty insurance companies that write and service standard flood insurance policies in cooperation with FEMA. Write Your Own companies shall have between six and eight months following issuance of final guidance and rate tables to implement the changes required by them.

Directs FEMA to refund directly to insureds any flood insurance premiums collected in excess of the rates required under this Act.

flood insurance premium parity act amends national_flood_insurance_act prohibit administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema estimating reduced subsidized risk premium rates flood insurance residential property primary residence individual current law secondary residence property owner directs fema establish standards residential property qualify secondary residence eligible subsidized risk flood insurance premium rates require owner occupy property appropriate minimum period time year limit subsidized risk premium rates single property owner repeals prohibition estimating subsidized risk premium rates business property qualifying business property rates requires fema developing guidance rate tables necessary implement act consult write companies participating property casualty insurance companies write service standard flood insurance policies cooperation fema write companies shall months following issuance final guidance rate tables implement changes required directs fema refund directly insureds flood insurance premiums collected excess rates required act


Summary:
Wildfire Disaster Funding Act

This bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require specified adjustments to discretionary spending limits in FY2015-FY2022 to accommodate appropriations for wildfire suppression operations in the Wildland Fire Management accounts at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Department of the Interior.

If USDA or Interior determines that supplemental appropriations are necessary for wildfire suppression operations, the bill requires the relevant department to submit to Congress a request for the funding and a plan for obligating the funds.

The bill also requires the President's budget to include the average costs for wildfire suppression over the previous 10 years.

wildfire disaster funding act bill amends balanced_budget emergency deficit control act require specified adjustments discretionary spending limits fy2015 fy2022 accommodate appropriations wildfire suppression operations wildland_fire_management accounts department_of_agriculture usda department_of_the_interior usda interior determines supplemental appropriations necessary wildfire suppression operations bill requires relevant department submit congress request funding plan obligating funds bill requires president budget include average costs wildfire suppression previous years


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on October 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

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

DIVISION A--SUPERSTORM SANDY RELIEF AND DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS

Superstorm Sandy Relief and Disaster Loan Program Improvement Act of 2015

TITLE I--DISASTER ASSISTANCE IMPROVEMENTS

(Sec. 1101) 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 carries out this authority.

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

(Sec. 1102) 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 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards.

(Sec. 1103) 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. 1104) The SBA must establish and implement clear, written policies and procedures for analyzing the ability of a loan applicant to repay a SBA disaster loan.

(Sec. 1105) The SBA shall revise the comprehensive written disaster response plan, and any successor response plan, to incorporate the SBA 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.

DIVISION B--RECOVERY IMPROVEMENTS FOR SMALL ENTITIES

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. 2101) This title amends the Small Business Act 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, 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. 2102) 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. 2103) 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. 2104) The Small Business Act is further amended to:

 require special consideration of federal and state technology (FAST) partnership program applications for awards or cooperative agreements from applicants located in an area affected by a major disaster comparable to the description of a catastrophic incident in the SBA National Response Plan; and waive matching requirements for such awards or cooperative agreements. (Sec. 2105) 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. 2106) 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. 2107) 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. 2108) 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. 2109) 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. 2201) This title amends the Small Business Act to require SBA district offices to 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. 2301) This title requires the SBA to increase oversight of small businesses receiving economic injury disaster loans, and may consider 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 this oversight.

 (Sec. 2302) The Government Accountability Office shall evaluate and report to specified congressional committees on steps the SBA has taken, with respect to SBA applications for disaster assistance, to comply with the Paper Reduction Act and related guidance.

 (Sec. 2303) The SBA must report to specified congressional committees on creation of a web portal to track the status of disaster loan applications.

measure amended passed senate october summary version repeated recovery improvements small entities disaster act rise disaster act division sandy relief disaster loan program improvements sandy relief disaster loan program improvement act title disaster assistance improvements 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 carries 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 federal_emergency_management_agency fema standards 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 establish implement clear written policies procedures analyzing ability loan applicant repay sba disaster loan sec sba shall revise comprehensive written disaster response plan successor response plan incorporate sba response situation extreme volume applications received period time immediately disaster revised plan ensure sufficient human technological resources available prevent delays loan processing division recovery improvements small entities recovery improvements small entities disaster act rise disaster act title improvements disaster response loans sec title amends small_business_act 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 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_act amended require special consideration federal state technology fast partnership program applications awards cooperative agreements applicants located area affected major disaster comparable description catastrophic incident sba national response plan waive matching requirements awards cooperative agreements 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 require sba district offices identify locations sba recovery centers event natural major disaster title iii provisions sec title requires sba increase oversight small businesses receiving economic injury disaster loans consider random site visits random review loan usage sense congress additional federal funds available provide oversight sec government_accountability_office shall evaluate report specified congressional committees steps sba taken respect sba applications disaster assistance comply paper reduction act related guidance sec sba report specified congressional committees creation web portal track status disaster loan applications


Summary:
Disclosing Aid Spent to Ensure Relief Act or the DISASTER Act

Requires the Office of Management and Budget to submit an annual report to Congress on all disaster-related assistance provided by the federal government. Requires the report to include all federal obligations related to disaster response, recovery, mitigation efforts, and administrative costs associated with these activities for specified agencies and programs.

disclosing aid spent ensure relief_act disaster act requires office_of_management_and_budget submit annual report congress disaster related assistance provided federal_government requires report include federal obligations related disaster response recovery mitigation efforts administrative costs associated activities specified agencies programs


Summary: Requires the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to designate New Jersey Task Force 1 as part of the National Urban Search and Rescue System.

requires administrator federal_emergency_management_agency designate new_jersey task_force national urban search rescue system


Summary:
Disaster Assistance Fairness and Accountability Act of 2015

Prohibits 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 prohibits 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:
Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2015

Authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to 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 individuals and households in relation to a major disaster declared by the President on or after January 1, 2011, if such assistance was distributed based on an error by FEMA, there was no fault on behalf of the debtor, and the collection of the debt would be against equity and good conscience, unless the debt that involves fraud, the presentation of a false claim, or misrepresentation by the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim.

Requires FEMA, in determining whether to waive such a debt, to presume that the debtor should be required to make at least a partial payment if the adjusted gross income of the debtor's household for the last taxable year exceeds $100,000.

Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security: (1) to report, every six months, on the cost-effectiveness of FEMA's efforts to recoup improper payments of such assistance; (2) to monitor the distribution of such assistance to determine the amount distributed based on a FEMA error; and (3) upon determining that such amount exceeds 4% of the total amount distributed, to notify FEMA and publish the determination in the Federal Register. Cancels FEMA's authority to waive debt with respect to any major disaster declared by the President after the date of such a determination.

disaster assistance recoupment fairness act authorizes federal_emergency_management_agency fema waive debt owed united_states related federal assistance provided robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act individuals households relation major disaster declared president january assistance distributed based error fema fault behalf debtor collection debt equity good conscience debt involves fraud presentation false claim misrepresentation debtor party having interest claim requires fema determining waive debt presume debtor required partial payment adjusted gross income debtor household taxable year exceeds directs inspector_general department_of_homeland_security report months cost effectiveness fema efforts recoup improper payments assistance monitor distribution assistance determine distributed based fema error determining exceeds total distributed notify fema publish determination federal_register cancels fema authority waive debt respect major disaster declared president date determination


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: Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the predisaster hazard mitigation program for FY2016-FY2020.

amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act reauthorize hazard mitigation program fy2016-fy2020


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 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 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:
Wildfire Prevention Act of 2015

 Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide: (1) hazard mitigation assistance in any area affected by a fire for which assistance was provided, whether or not a major disaster had been declared; and (2) fire management assistance in any area affected by a fire for which hazard mitigation assistance was provided.

wildfire prevention act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president provide hazard mitigation assistance area affected fire assistance provided major disaster declared fire management assistance area affected fire hazard mitigation assistance provided


Summary:
Disaster Response Reform Act of 2015

Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to require the President, in providing repair or replacement assistance to owner-occupied private residences damaged by a major disaster declared after enactment of this Act, to: (1) treat an owner-occupied housing unit of a housing cooperative in the same manner as an owner-occupied private residence, and (2) provide financial assistance for such units on a unit-by-unit basis. Authorizes the President to provide such assistance in connection with essential living items that are owned by the association for a housing cooperative and located in an owner-occupied housing unit of the cooperative.

Directs the President to provide such repair or replacement assistance in connection with damaged personal property that is located in the basement of an owner-occupied private residence in the same manner and to the same extent as personal property that is is located in any other portion of the residence.

Requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) (for a covered mortgage that is owned or guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association [Fannie Mae] or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation [Freddie Mac]) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to prohibit mortgagees and servicers from initiating or taking action to further any foreclosure with respect to a covered mortgage for 90 days after a presidential declaration of the disaster. Defines a "covered mortgage" as a mortgage that: (1) is secured by a one- to four-family dwelling that is the mortgagor's principal residence and is located within a major disaster area declared by the President; and (2) is insured by the Federal Housing Administration or owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Sets forth requirements for: (1) notification by mortgagees to mortgagors regarding such forbearance relief, (2) requests by mortgagors to mortgagees for such relief; and (3) determinations by mortgagees regarding a mortgagor's eligibility for relief. Requires a mortgagee who determines, pursuant to a mortgagor's request, that such mortgagor is an eligible homeowner, to submit to the eligible homeowner:

 a written offer for forbearance that meets the requirements of this Act; explanations of the terms of such offer, when it will expire, and what action the mortgagor must take to accept it; and notification that the mortgagor and the mortgagee can agree to terms of forbearance in lieu of or in addition to forbearance relief required to be offered under this Act and how to contact the mortgagee regarding such relief. Sets forth required terms of such forbearance, including: (1) a suspension of mortgage payments for at least six months, and (2) recoupment of any resulting arrearage by increasing the monthly payments due after the forbearance period by an not more than 5% of the monthly amount that would otherwise be due.

Directs HUD to enforce compliance by mortgagees with this Act and the guidelines issued under it.

Requires the FHFA, upon determining that a mortgagee has violated this Act, to prohibit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from acquiring or otherwise newly dealing in any mortgage of or originated by such mortgagee for 12 months.

disaster response reform_act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act require president providing repair replacement assistance owner occupied private residences damaged major disaster declared enactment act treat owner occupied housing unit housing cooperative manner owner occupied private residence provide financial assistance units unit unit basis authorizes president provide assistance connection essential living items owned association housing cooperative located owner occupied housing unit cooperative directs president provide repair replacement assistance connection damaged personal property located owner occupied private residence manner extent personal property located portion residence requires department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud covered mortgage owned guaranteed federal_national_mortgage_association fannie_mae federal_home_loan_mortgage_corporation freddie_mac federal_housing_finance_agency fhfa prohibit mortgagees servicers initiating taking action foreclosure respect covered mortgage days presidential declaration disaster defines covered mortgage mortgage secured one- family dwelling mortgagor principal residence located major disaster area declared president insured federal_housing_administration owned guaranteed fannie_mae freddie_mac sets forth requirements notification mortgagees mortgagors forbearance relief requests mortgagors mortgagees relief determinations mortgagees mortgagor eligibility relief requires mortgagee determines pursuant mortgagor request mortgagor eligible homeowner submit eligible homeowner written offer forbearance meets requirements act explanations terms offer expire action mortgagor accept notification mortgagor mortgagee agree terms forbearance lieu addition forbearance relief required offered act contact mortgagee relief sets forth required terms forbearance including suspension mortgage payments months recoupment resulting increasing monthly payments forbearance period monthly directs hud enforce compliance mortgagees act guidelines issued requires fhfa determining mortgagee violated act prohibit fannie_mae freddie_mac acquiring newly dealing mortgage originated mortgagee months


Summary:
Homeowners' Defense Act of 2015

 Establishes the National Catastrophe Risk Consortium, as a non-federal, non-profit entity, to ensure the availability and affordability of homeowners' insurance coverage for catastrophic events.

Directs the Consortium to: (1) maintain an inventory of catastrophe risk obligations held by state reinsurance funds, state residual insurance market entities, and state-sponsored providers of natural catastrophe insurance; (2) issue, on a conduit basis, securities and other financial instruments linked to catastrophe risks insured or reinsured through Consortium members; (3) coordinate reinsurance contracts; (4) act as a centralized repository of state risk information accessible by certain private-market participants; and (5) establish a database to perform research and analysis that encourages standardization of the risk-linked securities market.

 Shields the federal government and the Consortium from liability for Consortium actions.

homeowners defense act establishes national catastrophe risk consortium non federal non profit entity ensure availability affordability homeowners insurance coverage catastrophic events directs consortium maintain inventory catastrophe risk obligations held state reinsurance funds state residual insurance market entities state sponsored providers natural catastrophe insurance issue conduit basis securities financial instruments linked catastrophe risks insured consortium members coordinate reinsurance contracts act centralized repository state risk information accessible certain private market participants establish database perform research analysis encourages standardization risk linked securities market shields federal_government consortium liability consortium actions


Summary:
Emergency Information Improvement Act of 2015

 Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include public 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.

Makes this Act applicable to a major disaster declared by the President under such Act on or after October 28, 2012.

emergency information improvement act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act include public 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 makes act applicable major disaster declared president act october


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:
Safe Building Code Incentive Act of 2015

 Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to increase the maximum total of contributions for a major disaster by an amount equal to 4% of the estimated aggregate amount of grants to be made under the Act, if at the time of a declaration of a major disaster the affected state has in effect and is actively enforcing an approved state building code.

Requires a state, to be eligible for the increased federal share, to submit its state building code to the President for approval.

Directs the President to approve a state building code submitted upon determining that it: (1) is consistent with the most recent version of a nationally recognized model building code, (2) has been adopted by the state within six years of the most recent version of the nationally recognized code, and (3) uses the nationally recognized code as a minimum standard.

Requires the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to set appropriate standards for the periodic update, resubmittal, and approval of state building codes, consistent with similar mitigation planning requirements under the Stafford Act.

Authorizes the use by states and local governments of technical and financial assistance to implement predisaster hazard mitigation measures to establish and operate a building department and carry out enforcement activities to implement an approved state building code.

Directs the President, in determining whether to provide technical and financial assistance to a state or local government, to take into account the extent to which that government is carrying out activities to implement an approved state building code.

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


Summary:
Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to report to Congress regarding its plans to provide: (1) consistent guidance to applicants on FEMA disaster funding procedures during the response to an emergency or disaster, (2) appropriate record maintenance and transfer of documents to new teams during staff transitions, and (3) accurate assistance to applicants and grantees to ease the administrative burden throughout the process of obtaining and monitoring assistance.

Requires the report to: (1) include a plan for implementing operating procedures and document retention requirements to ensure the maintenance of appropriate records throughout the life cycle of the emergency or disaster; and (2) identify new technologies to aid the disaster workforce in partnering with state, local, and tribal governments and private nonprofits in the wake of a disaster or emergency to educate, assist, and inform applicants on the status of their applications and projects.

directs federal_emergency_management_agency fema report congress plans provide consistent guidance applicants fema disaster funding procedures response emergency disaster appropriate record maintenance transfer documents new teams staff transitions accurate assistance applicants grantees ease administrative burden process obtaining monitoring assistance requires report include plan implementing operating procedures document retention requirements ensure maintenance appropriate records life cycle emergency disaster identify new technologies aid disaster workforce partnering state local tribal governments private nonprofits wake disaster emergency educate assist inform applicants status applications projects


Summary:
Disaster Savings Accounts Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish tax-exempt disaster savings accounts to pay the expenses of homeowners for disaster mitigation and recovery expenses, (2) allow a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) up to $5,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) in a taxable year for cash contributions to such accounts, (3) exclude from gross income distributions from such accounts to pay disaster mitigation and recovery expenses; and (4) set forth tax rules and penalties for excess contributions to disaster savings accounts and for failure to file required reports on such accounts.

disaster savings_accounts act amends_the_internal_revenue_code establish tax exempt disaster savings_accounts pay expenses homeowners disaster mitigation recovery expenses allow deduction gross income line deduction adjusted annually inflation taxable year cash contributions accounts exclude gross income distributions accounts pay disaster mitigation recovery expenses set forth tax rules penalties excess contributions disaster savings_accounts failure file required reports accounts


Summary:
Field EMS Modernization and Innovation Act

This bill amends part A (General Provisions) of title XI of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to evaluate the implementation and reimbursement under Medicare of field EMS (emergency medical response and medical care provided outside of a medical facility) other than transportation to the nearest appropriate medical facility.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) must: (1) promote innovative payment models for field EMS, (2) develop and evaluate innovative models of field EMS delivery and reimbursement, and (3) pay providers and suppliers of ground ambulance services for reporting certain quality measures.

The SSA may establish for field EMS an innovative payment model that has been sufficiently demonstrated.

The Public Health Service Act (PHSA) is amended to require the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to: (1) award grants to improve field EMS agency readiness and for field EMS education programs, (2) promote medical oversight of field EMS, (3) make recommendations for improving collection and use of field EMS data that the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) must implement, and (4) develop and implement a national emergency medical services strategy to improve patient outcomes in the field and support value-based emergency medical care.

Patient safety improvement activities are expanded to include field EMS agencies, medical directors, and emergency medical technicians.

Responsibility for the National EMS Information System is transferred from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the ONC.

Emergency medical service providers are health care providers for purposes of title XXX (Health Information Technology and Quality) of the PHSA.

HHS is responsible for improving the emergency medical care system and field EMS.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must conduct or support field EMS research.

Federal field EMS research may be used to determine Medicare coverage.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund and allow individuals to contribute to the fund when filing a tax return.

field ems modernization innovation_act bill amends general_provisions title social_security_act ssact require center medicare medicaid_innovation evaluate implementation reimbursement medicare field ems emergency medical response medical care provided outside medical facility transportation nearest appropriate medical facility social_security_administration ssa promote innovative payment models field ems develop evaluate innovative models field ems delivery reimbursement pay providers suppliers ground ambulance services reporting certain quality measures ssa establish field ems innovative payment model sufficiently demonstrated public_health_service_act phsa amended require office assistant secretary preparedness response award grants improve field ems agency readiness field ems education programs promote medical oversight field ems recommendations improving collection use field ems data office national coordinator health information technology implement develop implement national emergency medical services strategy improve patient outcomes field support value based emergency medical care patient safety improvement activities expanded include field ems agencies medical directors emergency medical technicians responsibility national ems information system transferred national_highway_traffic_safety_administration emergency medical service providers health_care providers purposes title health information technology quality phsa hhs responsible improving emergency medical care system field ems agency healthcare_research_and_quality conduct support field ems research federal field ems research determine medicare coverage bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code establish emergency medical services trust_fund allow individuals contribute fund filing tax return


Summary:
Tornado Family Safety Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Act to allow Small Business Administration physical disaster loans to be used for the construction of safe rooms or similar storm shelters designed to protect property and occupants from tornadoes or other natural disasters.

tornado family safety act bill amends small_business_act allow small_business_administration physical disaster loans construction safe rooms similar storm shelters designed protect property occupants natural disasters


Summary:
Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 to require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct and update at least once every seven years an ocean acidification coastal community vulnerability assessment with a corresponding public report. The assessment must identify: (1) U.S. coastal communities that are most dependent on coastal and ocean resources that may be impacted by ocean acidification; (2) the nature of those communities' social and economic vulnerabilities; (3) impacts from changes in ocean and coastal marine resources that are not managed by the federal government; and (4) key knowledge gaps where research could be devoted to better understand the possible ocean acidification impacts, risks, threats, and possible adaptation strategies for the communities.

NOAA's ocean acidification program is expanded to include an ongoing mechanism that allows affected industry members, coastal stakeholders, non-federal resource managers, and outside scientific experts not employed by the federal government to provide input on research, data, and monitoring necessary to support on-the-ground management, decision making, and adaptation related to ocean acidification and its impacts.

The strategic plan for ocean acidification research and monitoring developed by the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology of the National Science and Technology Council must make recommendations for research to address the key knowledge gaps identified in the community vulnerability assessment report.

coastal communities ocean acidification act bill amends federal ocean acidification research monitoring act require national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa conduct update seven years ocean acidification coastal community vulnerability assessment corresponding public report assessment identify coastal communities dependent coastal ocean resources impacted ocean acidification nature communities social economic vulnerabilities impacts changes ocean coastal marine resources managed federal_government key knowledge gaps research devoted better understand possible ocean acidification impacts risks threats possible adaptation strategies communities noaa ocean acidification program expanded include ongoing mechanism allows affected industry members coastal stakeholders non federal resource managers outside scientific experts employed federal_government provide input research data monitoring necessary support ground management decision making adaptation related ocean acidification impacts strategic plan ocean acidification research monitoring developed joint subcommittee ocean science_and_technology national_science_and_technology_council recommendations research address key knowledge gaps identified community vulnerability assessment report


Summary:
Disaster Survivor Benefit Clarification Act of 2015

Expresses the sense of Congress that disaster loans made by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that carry interest and must be repaid should not be considered the same type of benefit as a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for purposes of calculating duplication of benefits under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Amends the Stafford Act to provide that an SBA disaster loan made on or after January 1, 2012, shall not be considered financial assistance for purposes of the prohibition on receiving duplicative disaster assistance if: (1) such loan has been repaid in full; or (2) the borrower is making the required payments on time. Deems the borrower of any such loan made by the date of this Act's enactment for which the borrower was not making the required payments on time to be compliant with this Act if, within 60 days, the borrower becomes current on the loan payments.

disaster survivor benefit clarification act expresses sense congress disaster loans small_business_administration sba carry interest repaid considered type benefit grant federal_emergency_management_agency purposes calculating duplication benefits robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act amends stafford act provide sba disaster loan january shall considered financial assistance purposes prohibition receiving duplicative disaster assistance loan repaid borrower making required payments time deems borrower loan date act enactment borrower making required payments time compliant act days borrower current loan payments


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:
Strengthening Homes and Eliminating Liabilities Through Encouraging Readiness Act or the SHELTER Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and business taxpayers a tax credit for 25% of their qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures up to $5,000 for any taxable year. Defines such expenditures as expenditures in a dwelling unit or place of business for property to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment, create a secondary water barrier, improve the durability of a roof covering, brace gable-end walls, reinforce the connections between a roof and supporting wall, protect against windborne debris, or protect exterior doors and garages.

strengthening homes eliminating liabilities encouraging readiness act shelter act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow individual business taxpayers tax credit qualified hurricane tornado mitigation property expenditures taxable year defines expenditures expenditures dwelling unit place business property improve strength roof deck attachment create secondary water barrier improve durability roof covering end walls connections roof supporting wall protect debris protect exterior doors