Summary:
Power Efficiency and Resiliency Act or the POWER Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a 30% energy tax credit for combined heat and power system property and increase the capacity limitations for such property, (2) extend until December 31, 2018, the placed-in-service deadline for such property, and (3) allow a 30% energy tax credit for waste heat to power property (property comprising a system generating electricity through the recovery of a qualified waste heat resource) placed in service before January 1, 2019.

Includes within the definition of "qualified waste heat resource": (1) exhaust heat or flared gas from any industrial process; (2) waste gas or industrial tail gas that would otherwise be flared, incinerated, or vented; and (3) a pressure drop in any gas for an industrial or commercial process. Excludes from such definition any heat resource from a process the primary purpose of which is the generation of electricity utilizing a fossil fuel or nuclear energy.

power efficiency resiliency act power act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow energy tax credit combined heat power system property increase capacity limitations property extend december placed service deadline property allow energy tax credit waste heat power property property comprising system generating electricity recovery qualified waste heat resource placed service january includes definition qualified waste heat resource exhaust heat flared gas industrial process waste gas industrial tail gas flared vented pressure drop gas industrial commercial process excludes definition heat resource process primary purpose generation electricity utilizing fossil fuel nuclear energy


Summary:
Department of Defense Energy Security Act of 2015

 This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to carry out research to improve military vehicle technology to increase combat vehicle fuel economy or reduce fuel consumption.

DOD shall:

 establish an online, centralized repository for all DOD operational energy-related research and development efforts; conduct a program to develop and support projects designed to foster secure and reliable energy sources for military installations, including incorporation of advanced energy metering, renewable energy, energy storage, and redundant power systems; and develop associated cost and benefit metrics. The DOD Alternative Fuel Vehicle Infrastructure Fund is established in the Treasury to support installing and operating alternative fuel dispensing stations for DOD's alternative fueled vehicles and other related infrastructure.

 DOD shall:

 report on the costs and benefits associated with requiring 25% of National Guard and Reserve facilities to have at least a 21-day on-site power storage capacity to assist civil authorities in case of man-made or natural disasters; and submit a plan for integrating energy storage, micro-grid technologies, and on-site power generation systems at military installations at risk of power interruptions due to geographic location, dependence on connections to the electric grid, or other factors.

department_of_defense energy security act bill authorizes department_of_defense dod carry research improve military vehicle technology increase combat vehicle fuel economy reduce fuel consumption dod shall establish online centralized repository dod operational energy related research development efforts conduct program develop support projects designed foster secure reliable energy sources military installations including incorporation advanced energy metering renewable energy energy storage redundant power systems develop associated cost benefit metrics dod alternative fuel vehicle infrastructure fund established treasury support installing operating alternative fuel dispensing stations dod alternative fueled vehicles related infrastructure dod shall report costs benefits associated requiring national_guard_and_reserve facilities day site power storage capacity assist civil authorities case man natural disasters submit plan integrating energy storage micro grid technologies site power generation systems military installations risk power interruptions geographic location dependence connections electric grid factors


Summary:
Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act

This bill amends the Clean Air Act to repeal the renewable fuel standard, which requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel.

The bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal a requirement that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency assess and report to Congress on the impact of the renewable fuel program on environmental issues, resource conservation issues, and the growth and use of cultivated invasive or noxious plants and their impact on the environment and agriculture.

The bill also nullifies certain regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations relating to the renewable fuel standard.

renewable fuel standard repeal act bill amends clean_air act repeal renewable fuel standard requires transportation fuel sold united_states contain minimum volume renewable fuel bill amends energy_independence_and_security_act repeal requirement administrator environmental_protection_agency assess report congress impact renewable fuel program environmental issues resource conservation issues growth use cultivated invasive noxious plants impact environment agriculture bill nullifies certain regulations code federal regulations relating renewable fuel standard


Summary:
Energy Efficient Government Technology Act

This bill amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to require each federal agency to coordinate with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency to develop an implementation strategy for the maintenance, purchase, and use of energy-efficient and energy-saving information technologies. The OMB must establish performance goals for evaluating the efforts of federal agencies in improving the maintenance, purchase, and use of the technology. The Chief Information Officers Council must recommend best practices for attaining the performance goals.

DOE must:

 make available to the public an update to the Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency published on August 2, 2007; carry out a data center energy practitioner program that leads to the certification of energy practitioners qualified to evaluate the energy usage and efficiency opportunities in federal data centers; carry out an open data initiative to make information about federal data center energy usage available and accessible in a manner that encourages data center innovation, optimization, and consolidation; participate in efforts to harmonize global specifications and metrics for data center energy efficiency; and facilitate in the development of an efficiency metric that measures the energy efficiency of a data center.

energy efficient government technology act bill amends energy_independence_and_security_act require federal agency coordinate office_of_management_and_budget omb department_of_energy doe environmental_protection_agency develop implementation strategy maintenance purchase use energy efficient energy saving information technologies omb establish performance goals evaluating efforts federal agencies improving maintenance purchase use technology chief information officers council recommend best practices attaining performance goals doe available public update report congress server data center energy efficiency published august carry data center energy practitioner program leads certification energy practitioners qualified evaluate energy usage efficiency opportunities federal data centers carry open data initiative information federal data center energy usage available accessible manner encourages data center innovation optimization consolidation participate efforts harmonize global specifications metrics data center energy efficiency facilitate development efficiency metric measures energy efficiency data center


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

This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to allow a state development company to use the economic development objective of helping small businesses achieve savings through energy efficiency to qualify for loan assistance.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated bill amends small_business_investment_act allow state development company use economic development objective helping small businesses achieve savings energy efficiency qualify loan assistance


Summary: This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to exclude from energy conservation standards for external power supplies any power supply circuit, driver, or device designed to power certain light-emitting diodes or to power ceiling fans using direct current motors. The Department of Energy may prescribe energy conservation standards for that equipment no earlier than one year after the date on which a test procedure has been prescribed by using its authority to improve the energy efficiency of electric motors and pumps and other industrial equipment.

bill amends energy_policy_and_conservation_act exclude energy conservation standards external power supplies power supply circuit driver device designed power certain light emitting power ceiling fans direct current motors department_of_energy prescribe energy conservation standards equipment earlier year date test procedure prescribed authority improve energy efficiency electric motors pumps industrial equipment


Summary:
Fort Knox Energy Security Act

This bill authorizes the Department of the Army, effective as of August 2, 2007, to provide by contract or otherwise for the production, treatment, management, and use of natural gas located under Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Such natural gas may only be used to support activities and operations at Fort Knox and may not be sold for use elsewhere.

The Army may take ownership of any gas production and treatment equipment and facilities and associated infrastructure from a contractor in accordance with the terms of a contract or other agreement.

The authority provided by this bill applies only to Fort Knox, Kentucky, and nothing in this bill authorizes the production, treatment, management, or use of natural gas resources underlying any other Department of Defense installation.

fort energy security act bill authorizes department_of_the_army effective august provide contract production treatment management use natural gas located fort kentucky natural gas support activities operations fort sold use army ownership gas production treatment equipment facilities associated infrastructure contractor accordance terms contract agreement authority provided bill applies fort kentucky bill authorizes production treatment management use natural gas resources underlying department_of_defense installation


Summary: This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to direct the Federal Trade Commission to initiate a rulemaking to consider including a special noteprominently on any Energy Guide label for a product that contains Smart Grid technology.The note should include that:(1)the product features Smart Grid capability, and(2)the use and value of that feature depends upon the Smart Grid capability of the utility system and the utilization of that feature by the customer.

bill amends energy_policy_and_conservation_act direct federal_trade_commission initiate rulemaking consider including special energy guide label product contains smart grid technology note include product features smart grid capability use value feature smart grid capability utility system utilization feature customer


Summary:
Storage Technology for Operational Readiness and Generating Energy Act or the S.T.O.R.A.G.E. Act

This bill amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add energy storage systems to the list of strategies states should consider when developing energy plans and using its utility ratemaking authority.

States are encouraged to analyze whether energy storage systems benefit their efforts to promote energy conservation and the greater use of domestic energy.

To further encourage the development of programs relating to energy storage, the Department of Energy (DOE) must streamline and coordinate efforts among various existing programs conducting energy storage research at DOE to maximize efficiency of its funds and expand vital research.

storage technology operational readiness generating energy act act bill amends public_utility_regulatory_policies_act add energy storage systems list strategies states consider developing energy plans utility ratemaking authority states encouraged analyze energy storage systems benefit efforts promote energy conservation greater use domestic energy encourage development programs relating energy storage department_of_energy doe streamline coordinate efforts existing programs conducting energy storage research doe maximize efficiency funds expand vital research


Summary:
Electrochromic Glass Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to specify that the use of electrochromic glass qualifies for the tax credit for investment in energy property. (Electrochromic glass is able to switch from clear to dark using a switch, sensor, timer, or similar controls.)

glass act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code specify use glass qualifies tax credit investment energy property glass able switch clear switch sensor similar controls


Summary: Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding estimated loss costs associated with contracts for reinsurance coverage. Authorizes the Secretary to make homeowners protection coverage available through contracts for reinsurance coverage. Restricts purchase of such coverage to eligible state programs. Prescribes criteria for state eligibility. Requires each contract for reinsurance coverage to provide insurance coverage against residential property losses to homes, including condominium and cooperative ownership, and the contents of apartment buildings. Cites covered perils. Prescribes a minimum level of retained losses and maximum federal liability. Authorizes any insurer who participates in an eligible state program to establish a Catastrophe Capital Reserve Fund to hold funds on the Secretary's behalf to offset reinsurance claims. Establishes the Consumer Hurricane, Earthquake, Loss Protection (HELP) Fund to: (1) make payments to covered purchasers under contracts for reinsurance coverage for eligible losses; and (2) pay for Commission operating costs and reinsurance program administrative expenses. Directs the Comptroller General to study the national flood insurance program and hurricane-related flooding.

homeowners insurance protection act instructs secretary treasury establish national_commission catastrophe preparation protection advise secretary estimated loss costs associated contracts reinsurance coverage authorizes secretary homeowners protection coverage available contracts reinsurance coverage restricts purchase coverage eligible state programs prescribes criteria state eligibility requires contract reinsurance coverage provide insurance coverage residential property losses homes including condominium cooperative ownership contents apartment buildings cites covered prescribes minimum level retained losses maximum federal liability authorizes insurer participates eligible state program establish catastrophe capital reserve fund hold funds secretary behalf offset reinsurance claims establishes consumer hurricane earthquake loss protection help fund payments covered purchasers contracts reinsurance coverage eligible losses pay commission operating costs reinsurance program administrative expenses directs comptroller_general study national_flood_insurance_program hurricane related flooding


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

requires director federal_emergency_management_agency fema designate new_jersey task_force national urban search rescue system


Summary: Policyholder Disaster Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) to make tax deductible contributions to a tax-exempt policyholder disaster protection fund established by this Act for the payment of policyholders' claims arising from certain catastrophic events, such as windstorms, earthquakes, fires, or floods.

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


Summary: Hurricane Katrina Disaster Inquiry Commission Act of 2007 - Directs the President to establish an independent nonpartisan Commission within the executive branch to discover and assess the circumstances relating to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina on or between Friday, August 26, 2005, and Tuesday, August 30, 2005. Directs the Commission to: (1) chronicle the trajectory of Hurricane Katrina, including the timetable and locations of its path, and the responses made by the federal, state, and local governments; (2) estimate the loss of life, physical and structural damage, and displacement of residents; (3) recommend corrective actions; and (4) prepare a report to Congress, the President, and the public.

hurricane katrina disaster inquiry commission act directs president establish independent nonpartisan commission executive branch discover assess circumstances relating damage caused hurricane katrina friday august tuesday august directs commission trajectory hurricane katrina including timetable locations path responses federal state local governments estimate loss life physical structural damage displacement residents recommend corrective actions prepare report congress president public


Summary: Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that no disaster relief funds are used for any type of crisis counseling, recreation, or self esteem building classes or instruction.

requires director federal_emergency_management_agency fema ensure disaster relief funds type crisis counseling recreation self building classes instruction


Summary: Small Business Disaster Loan Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in determining whether a person is eligible for a loan under the SBA's disaster loan program with respect to a catastrophic incident, or in determining the amount of such loan, to consider the extent to which: (1) the loss or injury of the person is compensated for by insurance or otherwise; or (2) the person paid insurance proceeds to a recorded lienholder. Deems the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, and Rita as catastrophic incidents for purposes of this Act.

small business disaster loan improvement act amends small_business_act prohibit administrator small_business_administration sba determining person eligible loan sba disaster loan program respect catastrophic incident determining loan consider extent loss injury person compensated insurance person paid insurance proceeds recorded deems hurricanes katrina wilma rita catastrophic incidents purposes act


Summary: Volunteer Emergency Responder Fair Mileage Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exclude from the gross income of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders reimbursements of automobile operating expenses incurred for the benefit of a volunteer fire department; and (2) allow such volunteers to deduct such automobile operating expenses using the higher business mileage rate instead of the standard rate.

volunteer emergency responder fair mileage act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income volunteer firefighters emergency medical responders reimbursements automobile operating expenses incurred benefit volunteer fire department allow volunteers deduct automobile operating expenses higher business mileage rate instead standard rate


Summary: Amends the Small Business Act to include as a HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) any area in which the President has declared a major disaster as a result of the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Amends the Small Business Competitive Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to make the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program (to test innovative small business procurement methods and procedures) inapplicable to any contract related to relief or reconstruction from Hurricanes Katrina or Rita.

amends small_business_act include hubzone historically underutilized business zone area president declared major disaster result hurricanes katrina rita amends small business competitive demonstration program act small business competitiveness demonstration program test innovative small business procurement methods procedures inapplicable contract related relief reconstruction hurricanes katrina rita


Summary: Sets forth a special rule for the tax treatment of amounts received by a taxpayer from the Louisiana Recovery Authority or the Mississippi Development Authority for the repair or reconstruction of such taxpayer's primary residence due to hurricane damage in 2005.

sets forth special rule tax treatment amounts received taxpayer louisiana recovery authority mississippi development authority repair reconstruction taxpayer primary residence hurricane damage


Summary: Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 to repeal the prohibition against cancelling of certain disaster loans authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to assist local governments in providing essential services.

amends community disaster loan act repeal prohibition cancelling certain disaster loans authorized robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act assist local governments providing essential services


Summary: Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide funds to a state or local government to pay for utility costs resulting from the provision of temporary housing to evacuees from hurricanes of the 2005 season if such governmental entities have previously arranged to pay for those utilities on behalf of the evacuees for certain leases contracted by or prior to February 7, 2008 (currently February 7, 2006).

amends emergency supplemental appropriations act defense global war terror hurricane recovery authorize federal_emergency_management_agency fema provide funds state local government pay utility costs resulting provision temporary housing hurricanes season governmental entities previously arranged pay utilities behalf certain leases contracted prior february currently february


Summary: Disaster Recovery Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to pay an eligible disaster relief applicant 50% of the federal share of assistance for which the applicant is eligible under specified sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, within 60 days after the applicant files a claim for such assistance. Requires authorized reimbursement for clearing and removing debris to include reimbursement for clearing, removing, and disposing of debris from any emergency access road. Authorizes federal assistance for removing, clearing, and disposing of debris from private property.

disaster recovery_act requires secretary homeland_security acting director federal_emergency_management_agency fema pay eligible disaster relief applicant federal share assistance applicant eligible specified sections robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act days applicant files claim assistance requires authorized reimbursement clearing removing debris include reimbursement clearing removing disposing debris emergency access road authorizes federal assistance removing clearing disposing debris private property


Summary: Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) set forth criminal penalties for fraud in the provision of benefits or the procurement of property or services in connection with a major disaster or emergency declared under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974; and (2) increase criminal penalties for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during and in relation to a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. Directs the U. S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a declared emergency or major disaster.

emergency disaster assistance fraud penalty enhancement_act amends federal criminal code set forth criminal penalties fraud provision benefits procurement property services connection major disaster emergency declared disaster relief_act increase criminal penalties engaging wire radio television mail fraud relation presidentially declared major disaster emergency directs sentencing commission promulgate amend sentencing guidelines provide increased penalties persons convicted fraud theft offenses connection declared emergency major disaster


Summary: Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to extend the authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide funds to state and local governments for utility costs resulting from the provision of temporary housing units to evacuees from Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes of the 2005 season where the state or local government has previously arranged to pay for such utilities on behalf of the evacuees, to cover the term of any leases for up to 24 months (currently, 12 months) contracted by or prior to February 7, 2006.

amends emergency supplemental appropriations act defense global war terror hurricane recovery extend authority federal_emergency_management_agency fema provide funds state local governments utility costs resulting provision temporary housing units hurricane katrina hurricanes season state local government previously arranged pay utilities behalf cover term leases months currently months contracted prior february


Summary: Improving Communications Interoperability Grant Program Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of the Office of Grants and Training, to establish the Improve Communications for Emergency Response Grant Program to make grants to states and regions for initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications for first responders for domestic preparedness and the collective response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, including initiatives to achieve solutions to statewide, regional, national, and international interoperability.

improving communications interoperability grant program act_-_amends homeland_security act direct secretary homeland_security director office grants training establish improve communications emergency response grant program grants states regions initiatives improve interoperable emergency communications responders domestic preparedness collective response natural disasters acts terrorism man disasters including initiatives achieve solutions statewide regional national international interoperability


Summary: Hurricane and Tornado Mitigation Investment Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual and business taxpayers in certain states a tax credit for 25% of their qualified hurricane and tornado mitigation property expenditures up to $5,000 for any taxable year. Defines such expenditures as expenditures in a dwelling unit to improve the strength of a roof deck attachment, create a secondary water barrier, improve the durability of a roof covering, brace gable-end walls, reinforce the connections between a roof and supporting wall, protect against windborne debris, or protect exterior doors and garages.

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


Summary: Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the national flood insurance program to enable the purchase of optional insurance against loss resulting from physical damage to or loss of real or related personal property located in the United States arising from any flood or windstorm (any hurricane, tornado, cyclone, typhoon, or other wind event). Restricts multiperil coverage to areas (or their subdivisions) where an appropriate public body has adopted adequate land use and control measures, including effective enforcement provisions, which the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finds are consistent with certain statutory criteria for land management and use relating to windstorms. Prohibits provision of multiperil coverage to any structure (or related personal property ) covered, at any time, by flood insurance under the Act. Prescribes the nature and terms of coverage, and actuarial rates. Prohibits new multiperil coverage for property declared by a duly constituted governmental authority to be in violation of state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances intended to reduce windstorm damage.

multiple insurance act amends national_flood_insurance_act require national_flood_insurance_program enable purchase optional insurance loss resulting physical damage loss real related personal property located united_states arising flood windstorm hurricane tornado wind event restricts coverage areas subdivisions appropriate public body adopted adequate land use control measures including effective enforcement provisions administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema finds consistent certain statutory criteria land management use relating prohibits provision coverage structure related personal property covered time flood insurance act prescribes nature terms coverage actuarial rates prohibits new coverage property declared duly constituted governmental authority violation state local laws regulations ordinances intended reduce windstorm damage


Summary: Flood Insurance Community Outreach Grant Program Act of 2007 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to authorize the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make grants to local governmental agencies responsible for floodplain management activities in communities that participate in the national flood insurance program for: (1) outreach activities to encourage and facilitate the purchase of flood insurance protection by owners and renters of properties in such communities; and (2) educational activities that increase awareness of flood risk reduction. Permits grant funds to be used to: (1) identify such property owners and renters; (2) notify them when their properties become included in, or are excluded from, an area having special flood hazards about the effect of such inclusion or exclusion on the applicability of the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement; (3) educate them regarding the flood risk and reduction of risk in their community and regarding the benefits and costs of flood insurance; and (4) encourage them to maintain or acquire coverage. Sets forth requirements regarding cost-sharing and limits on administrative costs. Requires the Director to provide for such agencies to submit applications for grants and for competitive selection, based on criteria established by the Director. Lists selection considerations. Authorizes the Director to use up to 50% of amounts available for grants in each fiscal year in areas determined to have the most immediate need for such activities.

flood insurance community outreach grant program act amends national_flood_insurance_act authorize director federal_emergency_management_agency fema grants local governmental agencies responsible floodplain management activities communities participate national_flood_insurance_program outreach activities encourage facilitate purchase flood insurance protection owners properties communities educational activities increase awareness flood risk reduction permits grant funds identify property owners notify properties included excluded area having special flood hazards effect inclusion exclusion applicability mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement educate flood risk reduction risk community benefits costs flood insurance encourage maintain acquire coverage sets forth requirements cost sharing limits administrative costs requires director provide agencies submit applications grants competitive selection based criteria established director lists selection considerations authorizes director use amounts available grants fiscal year areas determined immediate need activities


Summary: National Flood Insurance Program Participation Evaluation Act of 2007 - Directs the Comptroller General to analyze and report to Congress on potential methods, practices, and incentives that would increase the extent to which low-income families that own residential properties located within areas having special flood hazards purchase flood insurance coverage for such properties under the national flood insurance program.

national_flood_insurance_program participation evaluation act directs comptroller_general analyze report congress potential methods practices incentives increase extent low income families residential properties located areas having special flood hazards purchase flood insurance coverage properties national_flood_insurance_program


Summary: Disaster Assistance Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit the termination or demotion of, or other discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment against, an employee who, when activated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a disaster assistance employee reservist, is absent from or late to work for up to 90 days (or longer if the Secretary of Homeland Security publishes a determination that an extension is appropriate due to a national emergency). Allows an employer to: (1) charge against the employee's regular pay any time that an employee loses from employment because of such activation; and (2) request the employee to provide written verification from FEMA of the time and dates of such activation. Requires any such employee to make a reasonable effort to notify his or her employer of such absences or lateness. Authorizes a person who has been terminated, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against in violation of this Act to bring a civil action in U.S. district court if the action is commenced within one year after the violation.

disaster assistance employment reemployment rights act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act prohibit termination demotion discrimination terms conditions employment employee activated federal_emergency_management_agency fema disaster assistance employee reservist absent late work days longer secretary homeland_security publishes determination extension appropriate national emergency allows employer charge employee regular pay time employee loses employment activation request employee provide written verification fema time dates activation requires employee reasonable effort notify employer authorizes person terminated demoted discriminated violation act bring civil action district_court action commenced year violation


Summary: Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma Federal Match Relief Act of 2007 - Sets the federal share of assistance, including direct federal assistance, provided for Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida in connection with Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma for essential assistance, repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities, debris removal, and federal assistance to individuals and households under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act at 100% of eligible costs. Makes the federal share applicable to disaster assistance provided before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act, but limits such federal share of essential assistance, repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities, and debris removal to assistance provided for projects for which project worksheets have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before that date.Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 and the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to repeal provisions that prohibit the cancellation of loans under the Community Disaster Loan Program, effective as of the date of enactment of each such Act.

hurricanes katrina rita wilma federal match relief_act sets federal share assistance including direct federal assistance provided louisiana mississippi texas florida connection hurricanes katrina rita wilma essential assistance repair restoration replacement damaged facilities debris removal federal assistance individuals households robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act eligible costs makes federal share applicable disaster assistance provided date enactment act limits federal share essential assistance repair restoration replacement damaged facilities debris removal assistance provided projects project approved federal_emergency_management_agency fema date amends community disaster loan act emergency supplemental appropriations act defense global war terror hurricane recovery repeal provisions prohibit cancellation loans community disaster loan program effective date enactment act


Summary: Catastrophic Disaster Recovery Improvements Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), in providing SBA disaster relief assistance, to waive the prohibition on the duplication of benefits, including whether damage or destruction has been compensated for, credit is available from, or funds have been made available from any other source. Applies such amendment to any SBA assistance provided on or after August 29, 2005 (thereby ensuring applicability and retroactivity for victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma).

catastrophic disaster recovery improvements act amends small_business_act authorize administrator small_business_administration sba providing sba disaster relief assistance waive prohibition duplication benefits including damage destruction compensated credit available funds available source applies amendment sba assistance provided august ensuring applicability victims hurricanes katrina rita wilma


Summary: Gulf Coast Back to Business Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations for the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce for grants to appropriate state government agencies in Louisiana and Mississippi for small businesses located in disaster areas caused by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to defer for a conditional period the payment of principal and interest on disaster loans made to small businesses affected by such hurricanes in the case of loans made before December 31, 2006. Prohibits an increased collateral requirement with respect to the deferred loans. Includes as a HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) any area in which the President has declared a major disaster as a result of such hurricanes. Amends the Small Business Competitive Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to make the small business competitive demonstration program (to test innovative small business procurement methods and procedures) inapplicable, for a conditional period, to any contract related to relief or reconstruction from such hurricanes.

gulf_coast business act authorizes appropriations economic_development_administration department_of_commerce grants appropriate state government agencies louisiana mississippi small businesses located disaster areas caused hurricanes katrina rita amends small_business_act authorize administrator small_business_administration sba defer conditional period payment principal interest disaster loans small businesses affected hurricanes case loans december prohibits increased collateral requirement respect deferred loans includes hubzone historically underutilized business zone area president declared major disaster result hurricanes amends small business competitive demonstration program act small business competitive demonstration program test innovative small business procurement methods procedures inapplicable conditional period contract related relief reconstruction hurricanes


Summary: Emergency Child Care for the Gulf Coast Region Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs for: (1) businesses and consortia in the Gulf Coast Region to pay start-up costs and to provide additional child care services for employees; (2) nonprofit business organizations in the Region to provide technical assistance to such businesses for child care services; (3) entities to develop distance learning child care training technology infrastructures and model technology-based training courses for child care providers and workers in the Region; and (4) child care providers in the Region to improve the qualifications and promote the retention of such providers. Defines "Gulf Coast Region" to mean the area declared by the President to be a major disaster as a consequence of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make scholarship grants to child care providers to improve their educational qualifications to provide services.

emergency child care gulf_coast region act requires secretary health_and_human_services establish grant programs businesses consortia gulf_coast region pay start costs provide additional child care services employees nonprofit business organizations region provide technical assistance businesses child care services entities develop distance learning child care training technology infrastructures model technology based training courses child care providers workers region child care providers region improve qualifications promote retention providers defines gulf_coast region mean area declared president major disaster consequence hurricanes katrina rita requires secretary health_and_human_services scholarship grants child care providers improve educational qualifications provide services


Summary: Tax Free Road Home Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments to individual taxpayers from the Louisiana Road Home program for rebuilding or renewing a personal residence.

tax free road home act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income payments individual taxpayers louisiana road home program rebuilding renewing personal residence


Summary: College and University Hurricane Revitalization Act of 2007 - Provides for calculating the allotments of grants under title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which provides institutional aid to schools serving high percentages of minority and low-income students, to institutions of higher education located in parishes or counties for which a major disaster was declared owing to Hurricane Katrina or Rita. Requires the Secretary of Education to consider school data from the school year immediately preceding the school year which included August, 29, 2005, rather than current school year data, in calculating 2007-2012 grant allotments. Requires each institution to submit a written request to the Secretary for such consideration.

college university hurricane revitalization act provides calculating allotments grants title iii higher education act provides institutional aid schools serving high percentages minority low income students institutions higher education located parishes counties major disaster declared owing hurricane katrina rita requires secretary education consider school data school year immediately preceding school year included august current school year data calculating grant allotments requires institution submit written request secretary consideration


Summary: Katrina Housing Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) qualify certain buildings in the Gulf Opportunity Zone, the Rita Go Zone, and the Wilma GO Zone (GO Zones) placed in service before 2011 for the housing tax credit without regard to certain otherwise applicable restrictions if such buildings receive (or received) a state or local housing credit allocation in 2006, 2007, or 2008; (2) extend through 2010 the treatment of such Go Zones as difficult development areas for purposes of the increased housing tax credit; (3) exclude certain assistance provided under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (e.g., community development block grants), the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2006, or the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006, in determining whether Go Zone buildings eligible for the housing tax credit are federally subsidized and therefore subject to limitations on such tax credit; and (4) treat qualified GO Zone repair and reconstruction loans provided prior to January 1, 2011, as qualified rehabilitation loans for purposes of the tax exemption for exempt facility and mortgage bonds.Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee on state and local practices in allocating and utilizing tax incentives provided by this Act. Requires such committees to hold public hearings if the report includes findings of significant fraud, waste or abuse.Denies a pre-levy hearing to taxpayers upon whom the Secretary of the Treasury has served a disqualified employment tax levy. Defines a "disqualified employment tax levy" as any levy in connection with the collection of employment taxes if: (1) the person subject to the levy requested a hearing with respect to unpaid employment taxes arising in the most recent two-year period before the beginning of the taxable period with respect to which the levy is served; and (2) such levy is served before February 29, 2016.Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to increase from 106.25% to 106.45% the estimated tax rate in the third quarter of 2012 for corporations with assets of not less than $1 billion.

katrina housing tax relief_act amends_the_internal_revenue_code qualify certain buildings gulf_opportunity zone rita zone wilma zone zones placed service housing tax credit regard certain applicable restrictions buildings receive received state local housing credit allocation extend treatment zones difficult development areas purposes increased housing tax credit exclude certain assistance provided housing_and_community_development_act community development block grants department_of_defense_appropriations_act emergency supplemental appropriations act defense global war terror hurricane recovery determining zone buildings eligible housing tax credit federally subsidized subject limitations tax credit treat qualified zone repair reconstruction loans provided prior january qualified rehabilitation loans purposes tax exemption exempt facility mortgage bonds directs comptroller_general study report house ways_and_means committee senate finance committee state local practices allocating utilizing tax incentives provided act requires committees hold public hearings report includes findings significant fraud waste abuse denies pre levy hearing taxpayers secretary treasury served disqualified employment tax levy defines disqualified employment tax levy levy connection collection employment taxes person subject levy requested hearing respect unpaid employment taxes arising recent year period beginning taxable period respect levy served levy served february tax_increase_prevention_and_reconciliation_act increase estimated tax rate quarter corporations assets billion


Summary: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Environmental Justice Act of 2007 - Defines "environmental justice" to mean the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and socioeconomic groups with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of laws and policies affecting the environment.Requires the heads of federal agencies to make achieving environmental justice part of their missions by identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse effects of their programs on minority, low-income populations in the area affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Requires agencies to conduct programs in a manner to prevent discrimination.Establishes the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (Working Group). Requires federal agencies to develop agency-wide environmental justice strategies that identify and address disproportionately high and adverse effects or disproportionately low benefits of their programs with respect to minority, low-income populations. Requires such strategies to identify programs that should be revised to: (1) promote enforcement of all health and environmental statutes in areas with such populations; (2) ensure greater public participation; (3) improve research and data collection; and (4) identify differential patterns of use of natural resources among such populations.Establishes the Federal Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Environmental Justice Advisory Committee to provide independent advice and recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Working Group on areas relating to environmental justice.

hurricanes katrina rita environmental justice act defines environmental justice mean fair treatment people cultures socioeconomic groups respect development adoption implementation enforcement laws policies affecting environment requires heads federal agencies achieving environmental justice missions identifying addressing disproportionately high adverse effects programs minority low income populations area affected hurricanes katrina rita requires agencies conduct programs manner prevent discrimination establishes hurricanes katrina rita interagency_working_group environmental justice working_group requires federal agencies develop agency wide environmental justice strategies identify address disproportionately high adverse effects disproportionately low benefits programs respect minority low income populations requires strategies identify programs revised promote enforcement health environmental statutes areas populations ensure greater public participation improve research data collection identify differential patterns use natural resources populations establishes federal hurricanes katrina rita environmental justice advisory_committee provide independent advice recommendations environmental_protection_agency epa working_group areas relating environmental justice


Summary: American National Red Cross Governance Modernization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) charitable organizations are an indispensable part of American society; (2) such organizations must maintain the trust of the American public by fostering effective governance and transparency; (3) the American National Red Cross (ANRC) is and will remain a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States; and (4) the ANRC should maintain appropriate communications with state regulators of charitable organizations and cooperate with such regulators.(Sec. 3) Amends the charter of the ANRC to designate the ANRC as a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States and authorize it to conduct its business and affairs as the American Red Cross in any jurisdiction and to conduct other activities consistent with its traditional purposes.(Sec. 5) Authorizes the ANRC corporation (corporation), rather than its board of directors, to prescribe policies and regulations relating to ANRC chapters. Provides for the selection of delegates to the annual meeting of the ANRC, instead of its national convention.(Sec. 6) Modifies provisions relating to the ANRC board of governors to restate the role of the board as the governing body of the corporation and to revise provisions relating to its size, composition, and relationship with management. Establishes an Advisory Council to advise, report to, and meet with the board of governors.(Sec. 7) Authorizes the corporation to adopt policies in lieu of bylaws. (Sec. 8) Defines the annual meeting of the corporation as the annual meeting of the delegates of the chapters (instead of the national convention). Designates the time and place of the annual meeting and determines the voting guidelines and requirements for such meeting. (Sec. 9) Eliminates the requirement that the number of trustees overseeing the ANRC endowment fund be nine. Grants the corporation, rather than the board of governors, the authority to prescribe policies and regulations on terms and tenure of office, accountability, and expenses of the board of trustees. (Sec. 10) Requires the corporation to submit a report to the Secretary of Defense on the activities of the corporation during the preceding fiscal year, including a complete, itemized report of all receipts and expenditures. (Sec. 11) Authorizes the Comptroller General to review the corporation's involvement in any federal program or activity. Requires the corporation to establish an Office of the Ombudsman. Requires such Office to submit an annual report to specified congressional committees on trends and systemic matters that the Office has identified as confronting the corporation.

american national red cross governance modernization act sec expresses sense congress charitable organizations american society organizations maintain trust american public fostering effective governance transparency american national red cross remain federally chartered instrumentality united_states maintain appropriate communications state regulators charitable organizations cooperate amends charter designate federally chartered instrumentality united_states authorize conduct business affairs american red cross jurisdiction conduct activities consistent traditional authorizes corporation corporation board_of_directors prescribe policies regulations relating chapters provides selection delegates annual meeting instead national modifies provisions relating board_of_governors role board governing body corporation revise provisions relating size composition relationship management establishes advisory_council advise report meet board authorizes corporation adopt policies lieu bylaws sec defines annual meeting corporation annual meeting delegates chapters instead national convention designates time place annual meeting determines voting guidelines requirements meeting sec eliminates requirement number trustees overseeing endowment fund grants corporation board_of_governors authority prescribe policies regulations terms tenure office accountability expenses board_of_trustees sec requires corporation submit report secretary defense activities corporation preceding fiscal year including complete itemized report receipts expenditures sec authorizes comptroller_general review corporation involvement federal program activity requires corporation establish office_of_the_ombudsman requires office submit annual report specified congressional committees trends systemic matters office identified corporation


Summary: Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 - Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the status of the national flood insurance program for specified pre-FIRM properties (containing a structure neither constructed nor substantially improved after the later of December 31, 1974, or the effective date of the initial rate map published by the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) for the pertinent area); (2) the extension of mandatory flood insurance coverage purchase requirements to properties located in any area that would be designated as having special flood hazards but for the existence of a structural flood protection system; and (3) the mandatory purchase requirement in connection with non-federally related loans. Amends the NFIA to include nonresidential properties and nonprimary residences within the guidelines for actuarial rate properties. Amends the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 to increase civil monetary penalties. Amends the NFIA to: (1) increase flood insurance coverage for residential property; (2) provide coverage for necessary increases in living expenses, basement improvements, business interruption, and replacement cost of contents; (3) provide for notification to tenants of the availability of contents insurance; and (4) increase borrowing authority for the flood insurance program. Requires FEMA, upon request, to participate in state disaster claims mediation programs. Authorizes grants for outreach to property owners and renters to encourage purchase of flood insurance protection. Extends funding through FY2011 for the pilot program for mitigation of severe repetitive loss properties. Includes demolition and rebuilding activities within the flood mitigation assistance program. Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to require good faith estimates to state that flood insurance coverage for residential real estate is generally available, whether or not the real estate is located in an area having special flood hazards. Instructs the FEMA Director to: (1) establish a decisions appeals process for flood insurance policyholders; (2) establish a program to review, update, and maintain flood insurance program maps; and (3) clarify the applicability of replacement cost coverage. Reestablishes the Technical Mapping Advisory Council.

flood insurance reform modernization act instructs comptroller_general study report congress status national_flood_insurance_program specified pre firm properties containing structure constructed substantially improved later december effective date initial rate map published director federal_emergency_management_agency fema national_flood_insurance_act pertinent area extension mandatory flood insurance coverage purchase requirements properties located area designated having special flood hazards existence structural flood protection system mandatory purchase requirement connection non federally related loans amends include nonresidential properties nonprimary residences guidelines actuarial rate properties amends flood disaster protection act increase civil monetary penalties amends increase flood insurance coverage residential property provide coverage necessary increases living expenses improvements business interruption replacement cost contents provide notification tenants availability contents insurance increase borrowing authority flood insurance program requires fema request participate state disaster claims mediation programs authorizes grants outreach property owners encourage purchase flood insurance protection extends funding fy2011 pilot program mitigation severe repetitive loss properties includes demolition rebuilding activities flood mitigation assistance program amends real_estate_settlement_procedures_act require good faith estimates state flood insurance coverage residential real estate generally available real estate located area having special flood hazards instructs fema director establish decisions appeals process flood insurance policyholders establish program review update maintain flood insurance program maps clarify applicability replacement cost coverage reestablishes technical mapping advisory_council


Summary: Federal Land Avalanche Protection Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, to establish an avalanche protection program to: (1) identify the potential for avalanches on federal lands and inform the public about the probability of avalanches and their potential adverse effects; (2) carry out ongoing research to improve avalanche forecasting; and (3) reduce the risks of avalanches and mitigate their effects.Requires the Secretary: (1) to coordinate the program to ensure protection for recreational users of public land under the Secretary of the Interior's jurisdiction, using resources of the Forest Service's National Avalanche Center; (2) to establish an advisory committee to assist in program development and implementation; and (3) with the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Army, to establish a central depository for weapons, ammunition, and parts for avalanche control purposes.Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to carry out projects and activities to: (1) assist in the prevention, forecasting, detection, and mitigation of avalanches; (2) maintain essential transportation, utilities, and communications; (3) assist avalanche artillery users to ensure the availability of adequate supplies of artillery and explosives required for avalanche control in specified areas; and (4) assist research and development activities for alternatives to minimize reliance on military weapons for avalanche control.Directs the Secretary to give priority to projects carried out in avalanche zones with a high frequency or severity of avalanches or in which deaths, injuries, or damage to public facilities and communities have occurred. Requires the Administrator of General Services to transfer specified property suitable for avalanche control purposes to a user of surplus ordnance.

federal land protection act directs secretary agriculture acting chief forest_service establish protection program identify potential federal lands inform public probability potential adverse effects carry ongoing research improve forecasting reduce risks mitigate effects requires secretary coordinate program ensure protection recreational users public land secretary interior jurisdiction resources forest_service national center establish advisory_committee assist program development implementation secretary transportation secretary army establish central depository weapons ammunition parts control purposes authorizes secretary grants carry projects activities assist prevention forecasting detection mitigation maintain essential transportation utilities communications assist artillery users ensure availability adequate supplies artillery explosives required control specified areas assist research development activities alternatives minimize reliance military weapons control directs secretary priority projects carried zones high frequency severity deaths injuries damage public facilities communities occurred requires administrator general_services transfer specified property suitable control purposes user surplus ordnance


Summary: Strengthening Public Health Protections in Major Disasters and Emergencies Act of 2007 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to carry out a program for the protection, assessment, monitoring, and study of the health and safety of individuals who responded to Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita or who respond to a major disaster or emergency, if chemicals or substances associated with potential acute or chronic human health effects were or are released in a major disaster area.Makes participation voluntary. Requires the President to take appropriate measures to protect the privacy of registry or study participants. Authorizes the President to carry out such a program through a cooperative agreement with a medical institution (including a local health department) or a consortium of medical institutions. Requires the President to carry out such a program in accordance with certain privacy regulations.Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enter jointly into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report on disaster area health and environmental protection and monitoring. Extends through September 30, 2010, the President's authority to establish a program to provide technical and financial assistance to state and local governments for the implementation of cost-effective predisaster hazard mitigation measures.Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize payments from allotments made to a state for community outreach and education programs and other activities designed to prevent health and health care disparities.

strengthening public health protections major disasters emergencies act amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act authorize president carry program protection assessment monitoring study health safety individuals responded hurricane katrina hurricane rita respond major disaster emergency chemicals substances associated potential acute chronic human health effects released major disaster area makes participation voluntary requires president appropriate measures protect privacy registry study participants authorizes president carry program cooperative agreement medical institution including local health department consortium medical institutions requires president carry program accordance certain privacy regulations directs secretary homeland_security secretary health_and_human_services administrator environmental_protection_agency epa enter jointly contract national_academy_of_sciences study report disaster area health environmental protection monitoring extends september president authority establish program provide technical financial assistance state local governments implementation cost effective hazard mitigation measures amends public_health_service_act authorize payments allotments state community outreach education programs activities designed prevent health health_care disparities


Summary: National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007 - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a National Hurricane Research Initiative and to cooperate with other specified federal agencies to carry it out. Requires such Initiative to set research objectives (based on a National Science Board report on the need for such Initiative) to: (1) make recommendations to the Board; (2) assemble the expertise of U.S. science and engineering capabilities through a multi-agency effort focused on infrastructure, the natural environment, and improving understanding of hurricane prediction, intensity, and mitigation on coastal populations; and (3) make grants for hurricane research, including regarding hurricane dynamics, modification, and observation, air-sea interaction, relationships between hurricanes and climate, predicting flooding and storm surge, coastal infrastructure, building construction, emergency communication networks, information utilization by public officials, and sharing computational capability.Directs the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the National Science and Technology Council, to coordinate U.S. activities related to the Initiative as a formal program with a well-defined organizational structure and execution plan. Directs the Under Secretary and the Director to: (1) establish a National Infrastructure Database to catalog infrastructure, provide information to improve information public policy related to hurricanes, and provide data to improve researchers' abilities to measure hurricane impacts in order to improve building codes and urban planning; and (2) develop a National Hurricane Research Model to conduct integrative research and facilitate the transfer of research knowledge to operational applications.

national hurricane research initiative act requires secretary oceans atmosphere department_of_commerce director national_science_foundation nsf establish national hurricane research initiative cooperate specified federal agencies carry requires initiative set research objectives based national_science_board report need initiative recommendations board assemble expertise science engineering capabilities multi agency effort focused infrastructure natural environment improving understanding hurricane prediction intensity mitigation coastal populations grants hurricane research including hurricane dynamics modification observation air sea interaction relationships hurricanes climate predicting flooding storm surge coastal infrastructure building construction emergency communication networks information utilization public officials sharing capability directs white_house office_of_science_and_technology_policy national_science_and_technology_council coordinate activities related initiative formal program defined organizational structure execution plan directs secretary director establish national infrastructure database catalog infrastructure provide information improve information public policy related hurricanes provide data improve researchers abilities measure hurricane impacts order improve building codes urban planning develop national hurricane research model conduct integrative research facilitate transfer research knowledge operational applications


Summary: Ready, Willing, and Able Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting jointly, to establish a working group to assist their respective departments to: (1) promote the development of disaster plans that will protect the maximum number of citizens; (2) help state and local officials provide the necessary means and infrastructure for the American public to volunteer to assume a direct and influential role in community-based disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation planning efforts; and (3) develop standards to measure the success of a community's level of direct, participatory disaster planning efforts. Amends the Public Health Service Act to revise the requirements for a state application for a grant to improve state, local, and hospital preparedness for and response to bioterrorism and other public health emergencies. Requires the application to include an assurance that the state will take specific steps to comply with any recommendations of the working group.

ready willing able act_-_directs secretary homeland_security secretary health_and_human_services acting jointly establish working_group assist respective departments promote development disaster plans protect maximum number citizens help state local officials provide necessary means infrastructure american public volunteer assume direct role community based disaster preparedness response recovery mitigation planning efforts develop standards measure success community level direct disaster planning efforts amends public_health_service_act revise requirements state application grant improve state local hospital preparedness response bioterrorism public health emergencies requires application include assurance state specific steps comply recommendations working_group


Summary: Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to carry out a program to refinance Gulf Coast disaster loans (loans made by the SBA to Gulf Coast small businesses in response to Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, or Rita) under which the Administrator may provide an option to defer loan repayment for up to four years after the initial disbursement under the original loan was made. Requires the Administrator to disclose the accrued interest that must be paid under the option.

authorizes administrator small_business_administration sba carry program refinance gulf_coast disaster loans loans sba gulf_coast small businesses response hurricanes katrina wilma rita administrator provide option defer loan repayment years initial disbursement original loan requires administrator disclose accrued interest paid option


Summary: Good Samaritan Protection for Construction, Architectural, and Engineering Volunteers Act - Grants construction companies and architectural and engineering firms and their employees immunity from liability for negligence, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct, when providing emergency assistance on a voluntary basis in response to a declared emergency or disaster, in good faith, and without expectation of compensation.

good samaritan protection construction architectural engineering volunteers act grants construction companies architectural engineering firms employees immunity liability negligence gross negligence willful misconduct providing emergency assistance voluntary basis response declared emergency disaster good faith expectation compensation


Summary: First Response Broadcasters Act of 2007 - Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for facility and equipment expenses to construct an additional 25 Primary Entry Point stations (radio broadcast stations designated to provide public information following emergencies where there is no commercial power) in the continental United States and territories.Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program, the Broadcast Disaster Preparedness Grant Program, under which the Administrator may make grants to first response broadcasters. Sets forth provisions regarding priorities in making grants, use of funds, the federal share, and termination of grant authority.Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) include specified assistance to first response broadcasters among the essential assistance that federal agencies may provide to meet immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster; (2) prohibit a federal officer or employee from confiscating fuel, water, or food from such a broadcaster during a disaster if that broadcaster documents that such supplies will be used to enable the broadcast of essential disaster-related public information in the affected area; and (3) direct the head of a federal agency to allow access to the area affected by a major disaster for technical personnel, broadcast engineers, and equipment needed to restore, repair, or resupply any facility or equipment critical to such a broadcaster's ability to continue to acquire, produce, and transmit essential disaster-related public information, subject to specified limitations. Establishes guidelines for press access to a disaster area.

response broadcasters act authorizes appropriations administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema facility equipment expenses construct additional primary entry point stations radio broadcast stations designated provide public information following emergencies commercial power continental united_states territories directs secretary homeland_security establish pilot program broadcast disaster preparedness grant program administrator grants response broadcasters sets forth provisions priorities making grants use funds federal share termination grant authority amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act include specified assistance response broadcasters essential assistance federal agencies provide meet immediate threats life property resulting major disaster prohibit federal officer employee fuel water food broadcaster disaster broadcaster documents supplies enable broadcast essential disaster related public information affected area direct head federal agency allow access area affected major disaster technical personnel broadcast engineers equipment needed restore repair facility equipment critical broadcaster ability continue acquire produce transmit essential disaster related public information subject specified limitations establishes guidelines press access disaster area


Summary: National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007 - Requires the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere of the Department of Commerce and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish a National Hurricane Research Initiative and to cooperate with other specified federal agencies to carry it out. Requires such Initiative to set research objectives (based on a National Science Board report on the need for such Initiative) to: (1) make recommendations to the Board and to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Science Advisory Board; (2) assemble the science and engineering expertise of state or local government agencies and nongovernmental entities through a multi-agency effort focused on improving severe tropical storm forecasting capabilities, on durable and resilient infrastructure, and on mitigating impacts on coastal populations, the coastal built environment, and the natural coastal environment; and (3) make grants for hurricane research, including regarding storm internal dynamics, predicting high winds, tornadoes, and storm surge, and improving measurements of hurricanes and tropical storms through specified technologies.Directs the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, through the National Science and Technology Council, to coordinate U.S. activities related to the Initiative as a formal program with a well-defined organizational structure and execution plan. Directs the Under Secretary and the Director to: (1) issue a request for proposals to undertake the basic and applied research with a sufficient annual budget to accomplish the desired research results during a 10-year term; (2) establish a National Infrastructure Database; and (3) develop a National Hurricane Research Model.

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


Summary: Emergency Child Care Services Act - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include: (1) technical advice and assistance for emergency child care services among the types of assistance federal agencies may provide, at the President's direction, to meet immediate threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster; (2) private facilities that provide emergency child care among those facilities damaged by a major disaster to which the President may make contributions; and (3) the House and Senate homeland security committees among those committees that the President shall notify before making any contribution exceeding $20 million for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public or private facility damaged or destroyed by a major disaster. Defines "emergency child care."

emergency child care services act_-_amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act include technical advice assistance emergency child care services types assistance federal agencies provide president direction meet immediate threats life property resulting major disaster private facilities provide emergency child care facilities damaged major disaster president contributions house senate homeland_security committees committees president shall notify making contribution exceeding million repair restoration reconstruction replacement public private facility damaged destroyed major disaster defines emergency child care


Summary: Gulf Coast All-Hazard Readiness Act of 2007 - Grants congressional consent to any number of the Gulf Coast states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) to negotiate and enter into an agreement or compact that: (1) is consented to by the legislatures of the participating states by December 31, 2010; (2) is entered into primarily to establish a plan for all-hazard mitigation, readiness, response, and recovery; (3) establishes a multi-state all-hazard fund generated by participating states to be utilized when a disaster affects those states; (4) requires states to appoint commissioners to organize the operation, management, and disbursement of the fund; and (5) prohibits participating states from taking action prohibited by federal law.

gulf_coast hazard readiness act grants congressional consent number gulf_coast states alabama florida louisiana mississippi texas negotiate enter agreement compact consented participating states december entered primarily establish plan hazard mitigation readiness response recovery establishes multi state hazard fund generated participating states utilized disaster affects states requires states appoint commissioners organize operation management disbursement fund prohibits participating states taking action prohibited federal law


Summary: Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act to redefine an act of terrorism to eliminate the requirement that the individual or individuals committing a terrorist act be acting on behalf of any foreign person or foreign interest. (Sec. 3) Extends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program through calendar 2014. (Sec. 4) States that no insurer may be required to make payment for insured losses in excess of its statutory deductible combined with its statutory share of insured losses. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) notify Congress within 15 days of an act of terrorism on whether the Secretary estimates that aggregate insured losses will exceed $100 billion; (2) promulgate final regulations for determining the pro rata share of insured losses which exceed $100 billion; and (3) report to Congress on the process used to determine the allocation of pro rata payments when insured losses exceed $100 billion. Requires insurers to disclose to policyholders the $100 billion cap on their liability. Modifies the federal surcharge imposed to recoup federal financial assistance provided in connection with all acts of terrorism (or acts of war) during a Terrorism Insurance Program Year. Requires a terrorism loss risk-spreading premium in an amount equal to 133% (currently, 100%) of any mandatory recoupment amount for such period. Establishes deadlines for the collection of terrorism loss risk-spreading premiums for acts of terrorism occurring during specified periods. (Sec. 5) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees regarding: (1) the availability and affordability of insurance coverage for losses caused by terrorist attacks involving nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological materials; (2) the outlook for such coverage in the future; and (3) the capacity of private insurers and state workers compensation funds to manage risk associated with such events. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees on whether there are specific markets in the United States with unique capacity constraints on the amount of terrorism risk insurance available.

terrorism_risk_insurance program reauthorization act sec amends terrorism_risk_insurance_act redefine act terrorism eliminate requirement individual individuals committing terrorist act acting behalf foreign person foreign interest sec extends terrorism_risk_insurance program calendar sec states insurer required payment insured losses excess statutory deductible combined statutory share insured losses requires secretary treasury notify congress days act terrorism secretary estimates aggregate insured losses exceed billion promulgate final regulations determining pro rata share insured losses exceed billion report congress process determine allocation pro rata payments insured losses exceed billion requires insurers disclose policyholders billion cap liability modifies federal surcharge imposed recoup federal financial assistance provided connection acts terrorism acts war terrorism_insurance_program year requires terrorism loss risk spreading premium equal currently mandatory recoupment period establishes deadlines collection terrorism loss risk spreading premiums acts terrorism occurring specified periods sec directs comptroller_general study report certain congressional committees availability affordability insurance coverage losses caused terrorist attacks involving nuclear biological chemical radiological materials outlook coverage future capacity private insurers state workers compensation funds manage risk associated events directs comptroller_general study report certain congressional committees specific markets united_states unique capacity constraints terrorism_risk_insurance available


Summary: Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue implementation of an emergency management performance grants program. Limits the federal share of the cost of a program funded activity to 50%. Sets forth guidelines for the Administrator to apportion funds to carry out the program among the states on the basis of population. Provides that if the total amount appropriated to carry out the program for a fiscal year equals or exceeds $200 million, no state shall receive an apportionment for that fiscal year that is less than the amount the state received in emergency management performance grants for FY2007. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to states for equipping, upgrading, and constructing emergency operations centers and limits the federal share of the cost of any funded activity to 75% (current law prohibits using funds to construct emergency operating centers in any state that does not match the amount made available).

amends robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance_act direct administrator federal_emergency_management_agency fema continue implementation emergency management performance grants program limits federal share cost program funded activity sets forth guidelines administrator apportion funds carry program states basis population provides total appropriated carry program fiscal year equals exceeds million state shall receive apportionment fiscal year state received emergency management performance grants fy2007 authorizes appropriations authorizes administrator grants states equipping upgrading constructing emergency operations centers limits federal share cost funded activity current law prohibits funds construct emergency operating centers state match available


Summary: Amends emergency relief fund provisions providing for the repair of highways, roads, and trails damaged as a result of a natural disaster to authorize on or after April 29, 2007, the expenditure of fund amounts for additional mass transportation services, including the operation of traveler information services, provided as temporary substitute highway traffic services on federal-aid highways during a natural disaster emergency.

amends emergency relief fund provisions providing repair highways roads trails damaged result natural disaster authorize april expenditure fund amounts additional mass transportation services including operation traveler information services provided temporary substitute highway traffic services federal aid highways natural disaster emergency


Summary: CJ's Home Protection Act of 2007 - Requires the consensus committee established under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, to develop and submit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development proposed federal manufactured home construction and safety standards. Requires the Secretary to issue a final order promulgating the standard within 90 days after receiving the proposal. Amends the Act to require such standards to require each manufactured home delivered for sale to be supplied with a weather radio: (1) capable of broadcasting emergency information relating to local weather conditions; (2) equipped with a tone alarm and Specific Alert Message Encoding, or SAME technology; and (3) compliant with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Standard 2009-A Performance Specification for Public Alert Receivers (or its current revision). Exempts any aspect of the function, operation, performance, capabilities, or utilization of such weather radio or any related instructions from certain requirements regarding: (1) noncompliance with standards or defective nature of manufactured homes; (2) notification and correction of defects by such manufacturers; or (3) the Secretary's regulations pursuant to the authority under such Act. Requires the Secretary to study and report to specified congressional committees on conditioning the applicability of the requirement to supply weather radios in manufactured homes on the geographic location at which a manufactured home is placed, but only to the extent that such requirement applies to new manufactured homes and new site-built homes.

home protection act requires consensus committee established national manufactured housing construction safety standards act days enactment act develop submit secretary housing_and_urban_development proposed federal manufactured home construction safety standards requires secretary issue final order promulgating standard days receiving proposal amends act require standards require manufactured home delivered sale supplied weather radio capable broadcasting emergency information relating local weather conditions equipped tone alarm specific alert message technology compliant consumer electronics association cea standard performance specification public alert receivers current revision exempts aspect function operation performance capabilities utilization weather radio related instructions certain requirements noncompliance standards defective nature manufactured homes notification correction defects manufacturers secretary regulations pursuant authority act requires secretary study report specified congressional committees conditioning applicability requirement supply weather manufactured homes geographic location manufactured home placed extent requirement applies new manufactured homes new site built homes


Summary: Affordable Homeowners Insurance Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt distributions from retirement plans for disaster relief from the penalty for premature retirement plan withdrawals.

affordable homeowners insurance act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt distributions retirement plans disaster relief penalty premature retirement plan withdrawals


Summary: Kansas Disaster Tax Relief Assistance Act - Extends to businesses and individuals in certain Kansas counties declared by the President as major disaster areas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (FEMA-1699-DR, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act) by reason of severe storms and tornados beginning on May 4, 2007, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code allowing: (1) suspension of certain limitations on personal casualty losses; (2) an extension of the period for replacing damaged property without recognizing gain; (3) an employee retention tax credit for affected businesses through 2007; (4) 50% bonus depreciation for affected businesses; (5) increased expensing of small business assets; (6) increased expensing of demolition and cleanup costs; (7) extended net operating loss carryback periods for losses attributable to storms and tornadoes and for public utility property disaster losses; (8) relaxed income verification requirements for tenants in low-income rental projects; and (9) penalty-free withdrawals and loans from individual retirement accounts and other tax-exempt pension plans.

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


Summary: Public Safety Interoperability Implementation Act - Amends the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act to establish the Public Safety Communications Trust Fund to make grants to implement interoperability and modernization for the communications needs of public safety, fire, emergency, law enforcement, and crisis management by state and local government agencies and instrumentalities and nonprofit organizations. Requires that the Fund be a separate Fund in the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund and that it consist of certain amounts from the Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Fund, appropriations under this Act, and proceeds from the sale of certain bands of government-owned broadcast spectrum.

public safety interoperability implementation act_-_amends national_telecommunications_and_information_administration_organization_act establish public safety communications trust_fund grants implement interoperability modernization communications needs public safety fire emergency law enforcement crisis management state local government agencies instrumentalities nonprofit organizations requires fund separate fund digital television transition public safety fund consist certain amounts digital television transition public safety fund appropriations act proceeds sale certain bands government owned broadcast spectrum