[StBernard] House Committee Passes "Gulf Coast Recovery Act"

[Westley Annis]

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
which has jurisdiction over Stafford Act disaster-response policy, today
passed the "Gulf Coast Recovery Act," including provisions sponsored by
senior committee member U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton Rouge, to aid storm
victims and enhance local and state government resources to aid in
Louisiana's recovery. 

"The vote today marks one of the most meaningful actions taken in Congress
to help the victims of the hurricane disasters and to help local authorities
tackle Louisiana's recovery," said Baker. "I know Chairman Young shares the
belief that more must be done, and I know he is committed to doing more
early next year. But for now, this bill, when enacted, will put people back
to work, it will help families endure financially, and it will help make way
for recovery. When the committee revisits the issue next year, I expect to
seek specific assistance for schools, hospitals, and utilities." 

The bill must now be taken up by the full House, and Baker plans to try to
expedite its enactment before Congress recesses for the holidays. 

The "Gulf Coast Recovery Act" addresses several time-sensitive issues
significant to the continued recovery of the Gulf region. 
Public Assistance Allowable Costs Allows the president to provide assistance
to financially distressed state and local governments to cover base pay and
overtime expenses for some essential response and recovery personnel. The
assistance is limited to the six-month period from January 1, 2006 to June
30, 2006 for state and local governments. This section applies only to
disaster declarations made for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita on or
after August 29, 2005. 

"Base pay" inclusion is essential for local governments that have needed
additional personnel to handle either the disaster response or the strain of
providing service with the influx of evacuees. 

Disaster Loan Program Amends the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005 to
allow local governments to receive loans up to 50% of the local government's
budget. Current law caps loan amounts at 25% of the local government's
budget. 

Federal Share for Debris Removal Sets the federal cost share of debris
removal for disaster declarations resulting from Hurricane Katrina or
Hurricane Rita on or after August 29, 2005 at 100% for the period of the
declaration. The president has the authority to set the federal cost share
for debris removal at 100%, and has done so temporarily through a series of
extensions. 
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Sets the federal cost share of the
HMGP program at 100% (instead of the current 75%-25%) for a one- year period
with respect to disaster declarations made for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
on or after August 29, 2005. Currently, State and local governments are
unable to implement the HMGP program due to inability to cover the
non-federal cost share, which limits their ability to perform cost-
effective mitigation measures during recovery. 

The bill also restores the percentage of the Disaster Relief Fund already
approved by Congress used to calculate the availability of HMGP funds
following a disaster from 7.5% to 15%. The Committee and the House approved
a similar proposal in the 108th Congress in H.R. 3181. 
Extension of Unemployment Assistance Extends the eligible period of disaster
unemployment assistance from 26 to 52 weeks from the date of disaster
declaration made for Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita on or after August
29, 2005 and raises the amount available to at least 50% of the national
average. 

Emergency Equipment Assistance Amends the Stafford Act to create a new grant
program for state and local governments nationwide to improve
interoperability and survivability of emergency communications systems. The
program is authorized at $600,000,000 over 3 years. 
Improving such communication abilities for first responders was a key
recommendation by the 9/11 commission. 

CONTACT: Michael DiResto, 225-929-7711