117th CONGRESS 1st Session |
To modify eligibility requirements for certain hazard mitigation assistance programs, and for other purposes.
May 27, 2021
Mr. Tillis (for himself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Cruz, and Mr. Lankford) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
To modify eligibility requirements for certain hazard mitigation assistance programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act”.
SEC. 2. Authority to begin implementation of acquisition or relocation projects.
(a) Eligibility for Assistance for Initiated Projects.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an entity seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program shall be eligible to receive such assistance for a covered project if the entity—
(A) complies with all other eligibility requirements of the hazard mitigation assistance program for acquisition or relocation projects, including extinguishing all incompatible encumbrances; and
(B) complies with all Federal requirements for the project.
(2) COSTS INCURRED.—An entity seeking assistance under a hazard mitigation assistance program shall be responsible for any project costs incurred by the entity for a covered project if the covered project is not awarded, or is determined to be ineligible for, assistance.
(b) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) COVERED PROJECT.—The term “covered project” means—
(A) an acquisition or relocation project for which an entity began implementation prior to grant award under a hazard mitigation assistance program; and
(B) a project for which an entity initiated planning or construction before or after requesting assistance for the project under a hazard mitigation assistance program qualifying for a categorical exemption under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(2) HAZARD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.—The term “hazard mitigation assistance program” means—
(A) the predisaster hazard mitigation grant program authorized under section 203 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133);
(B) the hazard mitigation grant program authorized under section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c); and
(C) the flood mitigation assistance program authorized under section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4104c).
(c) Applicability.—This section shall apply to funds appropriated on or after the date of enactment of this Act.