HR 9750 — Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act of 2024

changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

 ROBERT T. STAFFORD DISASTER RELIEF AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT

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TITLE IV--MAJOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

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SEC. 403. ESSENTIAL ASSISTANCE.

 (a) In General.--Federal agencies may on the direction of the 
President, provide assistance essential to meeting immediate 
threats to life and property resulting from a major disaster, 
as follows:
 (1) Federal resources, generally.--Utilizing, 
 lending, or donating to State and local governments 
 Federal equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, and 
 other resources, other than the extension of credit, 
 for use or distribution by such governments in 
 accordance with the purposes of this Act.
 (2) Medicine, food, and other consumables.--
 Distributing or rendering through State and local 
 governments, the American National Red Cross, the 
 Salvation Army, the Mennonite Disaster Service, and 
 other relief and disaster assistance organizations 
 medicine durable medical equipment,, food, and other 
 consumable supplies, and other services and assistance 
 to disaster victims.
 (3) Work and services to save lives and protect 
 property.--Performing on public or private lands or 
 waters any work or services essential to saving lives 
 and protecting and preserving property or public health 
 and safety, including--
 (A) debris removal;
 (B) search and rescue, emergency medical 
 care, emergency mass care, emergency shelter, 
 and provision of food, water, medicinedurable 
 medical equipment,, and other essential needs, 
 including movement of supplies or persons;
 (C) clearance of roads and construction of 
 temporary bridges necessary to the performance 
 of emergency tasks and essential community 
 services;
 (D) provision of temporary facilities for 
 schools and other essential community services;
 (E) demolition of unsafe structures which 
 endanger the public;
 (F) warning of further risks and hazards;
 (G) dissemination of public information and 
 assistance regarding health and safety 
 measures;
 (H) provision of technical advice to State 
 and local governments on disaster management 
 and control;
 (I) reduction of immediate threats to life, 
 property, and public health and safety; [and]
 (J) provision of rescue, care, shelter, and 
 essential needs--
 (i) to individuals with household 
 pets and service animals; and
 (ii) to such pets and animals[.]; and
 (K) minor repairs up to habitability of 
 owner-occupied homes damaged by the disaster in 
 order for survivors to safely shelter in place, 
 subject to the availability of appropriations.
 (4) Contributions.--Making contributions to State or 
 local governments or owners or operators of private 
 nonprofit facilities for the purpose of carrying out 
 the provisions of this subsection.
 (5) Sheltering and housing options.--Not later than 
 15 days after a declaration of a major disaster, the 
 Federal coordinating officer shall identify all 
 sheltering and housing options available under this 
 section or section 408 to a State Governor, or the 
 designated State coordinating officer.
 (6) Definitions.--In this subsection, the term 
 ``minor repairs up to habitability'' means the minimum 
 standards for permanent housing described in section 
 576.403(c) of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
 successor regulations).
 (b) Federal Share.--The Federal share of assistance under 
this section shall be not less than 75 percent of the eligible 
cost of such assistance.
 (c) Utilization of DOD Resources.--
 (1) General rule.--During the immediate aftermath of 
 an incident which may ultimately qualify for assistance 
 under this title or title V of this Act, the Governor 
 of the State in which such incident occurred may 
 request the President to direct the Secretary of 
 Defense to utilize the resources of the Department of 
 Defense for the purpose of performing on public and 
 private lands any emergency work which is made 
 necessary by such incident and which is essential for 
 the preservation of life and property. If the President 
 determines that such work is essential for the 
 preservation of life and property, the President shall 
 grant such request to the extent the President 
 determines practicable. Such emergency work may only be 
 carried out for a period not to exceed 10 days.
 (2) Rules applicable to debris removal.--Any removal 
 of debris and wreckage carried out under this 
 subsection shall be subject to section 407(b), relating 
 to unconditional authorization and indemnification for 
 debris removal.
 (3) Expenditures out of disaster relief funds.--The 
 cost of any assistance provided pursuant to this 
 subsection shall be reimbursed out of funds made 
 available to carry out this Act.
 (4) Federal share.--The Federal share of assistance 
 under this subsection shall be not less than 75 
 percent.
 (5) Guidelines.--Not later than 180 days after the 
 date of the enactment of the Disaster Relief and 
 Emergency Assistance Amendments of 1988, the President 
 shall issue guidelines for carrying out this 
 subsection. Such guidelines shall consider any likely 
 effect assistance under this subsection will have on 
 the availability of other forms of assistance under 
 this Act.
 (6) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
 (A) Department of defense.--The term 
 ``Department of Defense'' has the meaning the 
 term ``department'' has under section 101 of 
 title 10, United States Code.
 (B) Emergency work.--The term ``emergency 
 work'' includes clearance and removal of debris 
 and wreckage and temporary restoration of 
 essential public facilities and services.
 (d) Salaries and Benefits.--
 (1) In general.--If the President declares a major 
 disaster or emergency for an area within the 
 jurisdiction of a State, tribal, or local government, 
 the President may reimburse the State, tribal, or local 
 government for costs relating to--
 (A) basic pay and benefits for permanent 
 employees of the State, tribal, or local 
 government conducting emergency protective 
 measures under this section, if--
 (i) the work is not typically 
 performed by the employees; and
 (ii) the type of work may otherwise 
 be carried out by contract or agreement 
 with private organizations, firms, or 
 individuals.; or
 (B) overtime and hazardous duty compensation 
 for permanent employees of the State, tribal, 
 or local government conducting emergency 
 protective measures under this section.
 (2) Overtime.--The guidelines for reimbursement for 
 costs under paragraph (1) shall ensure that no State, 
 tribal, or local government is denied reimbursement for 
 overtime payments that are required pursuant to the 
 Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et 
 seq.).
 (3) No effect on mutual aid pacts.--Nothing in this 
 subsection shall affect the ability of the President to 
 reimburse labor force expenses provided pursuant to an 
 authorized mutual aid pact.

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SEC. 408. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS.

 (a) In General.--
 (1) Provision of assistance.--In accordance with this 
 section, the President, in consultation with the 
 Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance, 
 and, if necessary, direct services, to individuals and 
 households in the State who, as a direct result of a 
 major disaster, have necessary expenses and serious 
 needs in cases in which the individuals and households 
 are unable to meet such expenses or needs through other 
 means.
 (2) Relationship to other assistance.--Under 
 paragraph (1), an individual or household shall not be 
 denied assistance under paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of 
 subsection (c) solely on the basis that the individual 
 or household has not applied for or received any loan 
 or other financial assistance from the Small Business 
 Administration or any other Federal agency.
 (b) Housing Assistance.--
 (1) Eligibility.--The President may provide financial 
 or other assistance under this section to individuals 
 and households to respond to the disaster-related 
 housing needs of individuals and households who are 
 displaced from their predisaster primary residences or 
 whose predisaster primary residences are [rendered 
 uninhabitable] damaged by a major disaster, or with 
 respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered 
 inaccessible or [uninhabitable, as a result of damage 
 caused by a major disaster] damaged by a major 
 disaster.
 (2) Determination of appropriate types of 
 assistance.--
 (A) In general.--The President shall 
 determine appropriate types of housing 
 assistance to be provided under this section to 
 individuals and households described in 
 subsection (a)(1) based on considerations of 
 cost effectiveness, convenience to the 
 individuals and households, and such other 
 factors as the President may consider 
 appropriate.
 (B) Multiple types of assistance.--One or 
 more types of housing assistance may be made 
 available under this section, based on the 
 suitability and availability of the types of 
 assistance, to meet the needs of individuals 
 and households in the particular disaster 
 situation.
 (c) Types of Housing Assistance.--
 (1) Temporary housing.--
 (A) Financial assistance.--
 (i) In general.--The President may 
 provide financial assistance to 
 individuals or households to rent 
 alternate housing accommodations, 
 existing rental units, manufactured 
 housing, recreational vehicles, or 
 other readily fabricated dwellings. 
 Such assistance may include the payment 
 of the cost of utilities, excluding 
 telephone service.
 (ii) Amount.--The amount of 
 assistance under clause (i) shall be 
 based on the fair market rent for the 
 accommodation provided plus the cost of 
 any transportation, utility hookups, 
 security deposits, or unit installation 
 not provided directly by the President.
 (B) Direct assistance.--
 (i) In general.--The President may 
 provide temporary housing units, 
 acquired by purchase or lease, directly 
 to individuals or households who, 
 because of a lack of available housing 
 resources, would be unable to make use 
 of the assistance provided under 
 subparagraph (A).
 (ii) Lease and repair of rental units 
 for temporary housing.--
 (I) In general.--The 
 President, to the extent the 
 President determines it would 
 be a cost-effective alternative 
 to other temporary housing 
 options, may--
 (aa) enter into lease 
 agreements with owners 
 of multifamily rental 
 property impacted by a 
 major disaster or 
 located in areas 
 covered by a major 
 disaster declaration to 
 house individuals and 
 households eligible for 
 assistance under this 
 section; and
 (bb) make repairs or 
 improvements to 
 properties under such 
 lease agreements, to 
 the extent necessary to 
 serve as safe and 
 adequate temporary 
 housing.
 (II) Improvements or 
 repairs.--Under the terms of 
 any lease agreement for 
 property entered into under 
 this subsection, the value of 
 the improvements or repairs 
 shall be deducted from the 
 value of the lease agreement.
 (iii) Period of assistance.--The 
 President may not provide direct 
 assistance under clause (i) with 
 respect to a major disaster after the 
 end of the [18-month period] 24-month 
 period beginning on the date of the 
 declaration of the major disaster by 
 the President, except that the 
 President may extend that period if the 
 President determines that due to 
 extraordinary circumstances an 
 extension would be in the public 
 interest.
 (iv) Collection of rental charges.--
 After the end of the [18-month period] 
 24-month period referred to in clause 
 (iii), the President may charge fair 
 market rent for each temporary housing 
 unit provided.
 [(2) Repairs.--
 [(A) In general.--The President may provide 
 financial assistance for--
 [(i) the repair of owner-occupied 
 private residences, utilities, and 
 residential infrastructure (such as a 
 private access route) damaged by a 
 major disaster to a safe and sanitary 
 living or functioning condition; and
 [(ii) eligible hazard mitigation 
 measures that reduce the likelihood of 
 future damage to such residences, 
 utilities, or infrastructure.
 [(B) Relationship to other assistance.--A 
 recipient of assistance provided under this 
 paragraph shall not be required to show that 
 the assistance can be met through other means, 
 except insurance proceeds.]
 (2) Repairs.--
 (A) Financial assistance for repairs.--The 
 President may provide financial assistance for 
 the repair of owner-occupied private 
 residences, utilities, and residential 
 infrastructure (such as a private access route) 
 damaged by a major disaster, or with respect to 
 individuals with disabilities, rendered 
 inaccessible by a major disaster.
 (B) Direct assistance for repairs.--
 (i) In general.--The President may 
 provide direct assistance to 
 individuals and households who are 
 unable to make use of financial 
 assistance under subparagraph (A) and 
 when there is a lack of available 
 resources, for--
 (I) the repair of owner-
 occupied private residences, 
 utilities, and residential 
 infrastructure (such as a 
 private access route) damaged 
 by a major disaster, or with 
 respect to individuals with 
 disabilities, rendered 
 inaccessible by a disaster; and
 (II) eligible hazard 
 mitigation measures that reduce 
 the likelihood and future 
 damage to such residences, 
 utilities, and infrastructure.
 (ii) Eligibility.--A recipient of 
 assistance under this subparagraph 
 shall not be eligible for assistance 
 under paragraph (1), unless otherwise 
 determined by the Administrator.
 (iii) Coordination with other 
 assistance.--Assistance allowed under 
 this paragraph may be used in 
 coordination with other sources for the 
 repair and rebuilding of an owner-
 occupied residence.
 (C) Relationship to other assistance.--A 
 recipient of assistance provided under this 
 paragraph shall not be required to show that 
 the assistance can be met through other means, 
 except insurance proceeds.
 (3) Replacement.--
 (A) In general.--The President may provide 
 financial assistance for the replacement of 
 owner-occupied private residences damaged by a 
 major disaster.
 (B) Applicability of flood insurance 
 requirement.--With respect to assistance 
 provided under this paragraph, the President 
 may not waive any provision of Federal law 
 requiring the purchase of flood insurance as a 
 condition of the receipt of Federal disaster 
 assistance.
 (4) Permanent housing construction.--The President 
 may provide financial assistance or direct assistance 
 to individuals or households to construct permanent or 
 semi-permanent housing in insular areas outside the 
 continental United States and in other locations [in 
 cases in which--
 [(A) no alternative housing resources are 
 available; and
 [(B) the types of temporary housing 
 assistance described in paragraph (1) are 
 unavailable, infeasible, or not cost-
 effective.] if the President considers it a 
 cost effective alternative to other housing 
 solutions, including the costs associated with 
 temporary housing provided under this section, 
 and long-term rebuilding costs associated with 
 section 431.
 (d) Terms and Conditions Relating to Housing Assistance.--
 (1) Sites.--
 (A) In general.--Any readily fabricated 
 dwelling provided under this section shall, 
 whenever practicable, be located on a site 
 that--
 (i) is complete with utilities;
 (ii) meets the physical accessibility 
 requirements for individuals with 
 disabilities; and
 (iii) is provided by the State or 
 local government, by the owner of the 
 site, or by the occupant who was 
 displaced by the major disaster.
 (B) Sites provided by the president.--A 
 readily fabricated dwelling may be located on a 
 site provided by the President if the President 
 determines that such a site would be more 
 economical or accessible.
 (2) Disposal of units.--
 (A) Sale to occupants.--
 (i) In general.--Notwithstanding any 
 other provision of law, a temporary 
 housing unit purchased under this 
 section by the President for the 
 purpose of housing disaster victims may 
 be sold directly to the individual or 
 household who is occupying the unit if 
 the individual or household lacks 
 permanent housing.
 (ii) Sale price.--A sale of a 
 temporary housing unit under clause (i) 
 shall be at a price that is fair and 
 equitable.
 (iii) Deposit of proceeds.--
 Notwithstanding any other provision of 
 law, the proceeds of a sale under 
 clause (i) shall be deposited in the 
 appropriate Disaster Relief Fund 
 account.
 (iv) Hazard and flood insurance.--A 
 sale of a temporary housing unit under 
 clause (i) shall be made on the 
 condition that the individual or 
 household purchasing the housing unit 
 agrees to obtain and maintain hazard 
 and flood insurance on the housing 
 unit.
 (v) Use of gsa services.--The 
 President may use the services of the 
 General Services Administration to 
 accomplish a sale under clause (i).
 (B) Other methods of disposal.--If not 
 disposed of under subparagraph (A), a temporary 
 housing unit purchased under this section by 
 the President for the purpose of housing 
 disaster victims--
 (i) may be sold to any person; or
 (ii) may be sold, transferred, 
 donated, or otherwise made available 
 directly to a State or other 
 governmental entity or to a voluntary 
 organization for the sole purpose of 
 providing temporary housing to disaster 
 victims in major disasters and 
 emergencies if, as a condition of the 
 sale, transfer, or donation, the State, 
 other governmental agency, or voluntary 
 organization agrees--
 (I) to comply with the 
 nondiscrimination provisions of 
 section 308; and
 (II) to obtain and maintain 
 hazard and flood insurance on 
 the housing unit.
 (e) Financial Assistance To Address Other Needs.--
 (1) Medical, dental, child care, and funeral 
 expenses.--The President, in consultation with the 
 Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance 
 under this section to an individual or household in the 
 State who is adversely affected by a major disaster to 
 meet disaster-related medical, dental, child care, and 
 funeral expenses.
 (2) Personal property, transportation, and other 
 expenses.--The President, in consultation with the 
 Governor of a State, may provide financial assistance 
 under this section to an individual or household 
 described in paragraph (1) to address personal 
 property, transportation, and other necessary expenses 
 or serious needs resulting from the major disaster.
 (f) State Role.--
 (1) State- or indian tribal government-administered 
 assistance and other needs assistance.--
 (A) Grant to state.--Subject to subsection 
 (g), a Governor may request a grant from the 
 President to provide assistance to individuals 
 and households in the State under subsections 
 (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e) if the President and 
 the State or Indian tribal government comply, 
 as determined by the Administrator, with 
 paragraph (3).
 (B) Administrative costs.--A State that 
 receives a grant under subparagraph (A) may 
 expend not more than 5 percent of the amount of 
 the grant for the administrative costs of 
 providing assistance to individuals and 
 households in the State under subsections 
 (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e).
 (2) Access to records.--In providing assistance to 
 individuals and households under this section, the 
 President shall provide for the substantial and ongoing 
 involvement of the States in which the individuals and 
 households are located, including by providing to the 
 States access to the electronic records of individuals 
 and households receiving assistance under this section 
 in order for the States to make available any 
 additional State and local assistance to the 
 individuals and households.
 (3) Requirements.--
 (A) Application.--A State or Indian tribal 
 government desiring to provide assistance under 
 subsection (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), or (e) shall 
 submit to the President an application for a 
 grant to provide financial assistance under the 
 program.
 (B) Criteria.--The President, in consultation 
 and coordination with State and Indian tribal 
 governments, shall establish criteria for the 
 approval of applications submitted under 
 subparagraph (A). The criteria shall include, 
 at a minimum--
 (i) a requirement that the State or 
 Indian tribal government submit a 
 housing strategy under subparagraph 
 (C);
 (ii) the demonstrated ability of the 
 State or Indian tribal government to 
 manage the program under this section;
 (iii) there being in effect a plan 
 approved by the President as to how the 
 State or Indian tribal government will 
 comply with applicable Federal laws and 
 regulations and how the State or Indian 
 tribal government will provide 
 assistance under its plan;
 (iv) a requirement that the State or 
 Indian tribal government comply with 
 rules and regulations established 
 pursuant to subsection (j); and
 (v) a requirement that the President, 
 or the designee of the President, 
 comply with subsection (i).
 (C) Requirement of housing strategy.--
 (i) In general.--A State or Indian 
 tribal government submitting an 
 application under this paragraph shall 
 have an approved housing strategy, 
 which shall be developed and submitted 
 to the President for approval.
 (ii) Requirements.--The housing 
 strategy required under clause (i) 
 shall--
 (I) outline the approach of 
 the State in working with 
 Federal partners, Indian tribal 
 governments, local communities, 
 nongovernmental organizations, 
 and individual disaster 
 survivors to meet disaster-
 related sheltering and housing 
 needs; and
 (II) include the 
 establishment of an activation 
 plan for a State Disaster 
 Housing Task Force, as outlined 
 in the National Disaster 
 Housing Strategy, to bring 
 together State, tribal, local, 
 Federal, nongovernmental, and 
 private sector expertise to 
 evaluate housing requirements, 
 consider potential solutions, 
 recognize special needs 
 populations, and propose 
 recommendations.
 (D) Quality assurance.--Before approving an 
 application submitted under this section, the 
 President, or the designee of the President, 
 shall institute adequate policies, procedures, 
 and internal controls to prevent waste, fraud, 
 abuse, and program mismanagement for this 
 program and for programs under subsections 
 (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e). The President shall 
 monitor and conduct quality assurance 
 activities on a State or Indian tribal 
 government's implementation of programs under 
 subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e). If, 
 after approving an application of a State or 
 Indian tribal government submitted under this 
 paragraph, the President determines that the 
 State or Indian tribal government is not 
 administering the program established by this 
 section in a manner satisfactory to the 
 President, the President shall withdraw the 
 approval.
 (E) Audits.--The Inspector General of the 
 Department of Homeland Security shall provide 
 for periodic audits of the programs 
 administered by States and Indian tribal 
 governments under this subsection.
 (F) Applicable laws.--All Federal laws 
 applicable to the management, administration, 
 or contracting of the programs by the Federal 
 Emergency Management Agency under this section 
 shall be applicable to the management, 
 administration, or contracting by a non-Federal 
 entity under this section.
 (G) Report on effectiveness.--Not later than 
 18 months after the date of enactment of this 
 paragraph, the Inspector General of the 
 Department of Homeland Security shall submit a 
 report to the Committee on Homeland Security 
 and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the 
 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
 of the House of Representatives on the State or 
 Indian tribal government's role to provide 
 assistance under this section. The report shall 
 contain an assessment of the effectiveness of 
 the State or Indian tribal government's role in 
 providing assistance under this section, 
 including--
 (i) whether the State or Indian 
 tribal government's role helped to 
 improve the general speed of disaster 
 recovery;
 (ii) whether the State or Indian 
 tribal government providing assistance 
 under this section had the capacity to 
 administer this section; and
 (iii) recommendations for changes to 
 improve the program if the State or 
 Indian tribal government's role to 
 administer the programs should be 
 continued.
 (H) Report on incentives.--Not later than 12 
 months after the date of enactment of this 
 paragraph, the Administrator of the Federal 
 Emergency Management Agency shall submit a 
 report to the Committee on Homeland Security 
 and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the 
 Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
 of the House of Representatives on a potential 
 incentive structure for awards made under this 
 section to encourage participation by eligible 
 States and Indian tribal governments. In 
 developing this report, the Administrator of 
 the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall 
 consult with State, local, and Indian tribal 
 entities to gain their input on any such 
 incentive structure to encourage participation 
 and shall include this information in the 
 report. This report should address, among other 
 options, potential adjustments to the cost-
 share requirement and management costs to State 
 and Indian tribal governments.
 (I) Prohibition.--The President may not 
 condition the provision of Federal assistance 
 under this Act on a State or Indian tribal 
 government requesting a grant under this 
 section.
 (J) Miscellaneous.--
 (i) Notice and comment.--The 
 Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
 Management Agency may waive notice and 
 comment rulemaking with respect to 
 rules to carry out this section, if the 
 Administrator determines doing so is 
 necessary to expeditiously implement 
 this section, and may carry out this 
 section as a pilot program until such 
 regulations are promulgated.
 (ii) Final rule.--Not later than 2 
 years after the date of enactment of 
 this paragraph, the Administrator of 
 the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
 shall issue final regulations to 
 implement this subsection as amended by 
 the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 
 2018.
 (iii) Waiver and expiration.--The 
 authority under clause (i) and any 
 pilot program implemented pursuant to 
 such clause shall expire 2 years after 
 the date of enactment of this paragraph 
 or upon issuance of final regulations 
 pursuant to clause (ii), whichever 
 occurs sooner.
 (g) Cost Sharing.--
 (1) Federal share.--Except as provided in paragraph 
 (2), the Federal share of the costs eligible to be paid 
 using assistance provided under this section shall be 
 100 percent.
 (2) Financial assistance to address other needs.--In 
 the case of financial assistance provided under 
 subsection (e)--
 (A) the Federal share shall be 75 percent; 
 and
 (B) the non-Federal share shall be paid from 
 funds made available by the State.
 (h) Maximum Amount of Assistance.--
 (1) In general.--No individual or household shall 
 receive financial assistance greater than $25,000 under 
 this section with respect to a single major disaster, 
 excluding financial assistance to rent alternate 
 housing accommodations under subsection (c)(1)(A)(i) 
 and financial assistance to address other needs under 
 subsection (e).
 (2) Other needs assistance.--The maximum financial 
 assistance any individual or household may receive 
 under subsection (e) shall be equivalent to the amount 
 set forth in paragraph (1) with respect to a single 
 major disaster.
 (3) Adjustment of limit.--The limit established under 
 paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be adjusted annually to 
 reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All 
 Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.
 (4) Exclusion of necessary expenses for individuals 
 with disabilities.--
 (A) In general.--The maximum amount of 
 assistance established under paragraph (1) 
 shall exclude expenses to repair or replace 
 damaged accessibility-related improvements 
 under paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of 
 subsection (c) for individuals with 
 disabilities.
 (B) Other needs assistance.--The maximum 
 amount of assistance established under 
 paragraph (2) shall exclude expenses to repair 
 or replace accessibility-related personal 
 property under subsection (e)(2) for 
 individuals with disabilities.
 (i) Verification Measures.--In carrying out this section, the 
President shall develop a system, including an electronic 
database, that shall allow the President, or the designee of 
the President, to--
 (1) verify the identity and address of recipients of 
 assistance under this section to provide reasonable 
 assurance that payments are made only to an individual 
 or household that is eligible for such assistance;
 (2) minimize the risk of making duplicative payments 
 or payments for fraudulent claims under this section;
 (3) collect any duplicate payment on a claim under 
 this section, or reduce the amount of subsequent 
 payments to offset the amount of any such duplicate 
 payment;
 (4) provide instructions to recipients of assistance 
 under this section regarding the proper use of any such 
 assistance, regardless of how such assistance is 
 distributed; and
 (5) conduct an expedited and simplified review and 
 appeal process for an individual or household whose 
 application for assistance under this section is 
 denied.
 (j) Rules and Regulations.--The President shall prescribe 
rules and regulations to carry out this section, including 
criteria, standards, and procedures for determining eligibility 
for assistance.

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SEC. 431. NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM.

 (a) Natural Disaster Recovery Reserve Fund.--
 (1) In general.--There is established in the Treasury 
 of the United States an account to be known as the 
 Natural Disaster Recovery Reserve Fund (in this section 
 referred to as the ``Fund'').
 (2) Amounts.--The Fund shall consist of--
 (A) any amounts appropriated, and deposited 
 in the Fund, for a specific major disaster 
 declared under section 401; and
 (B) amounts deposited into the Fund pursuant 
 to paragraph (4).
 (3) Use of funds.--Amounts in the Fund shall be 
 available, pursuant to a declaration of a major 
 disaster--
 (A) to States and Indian tribal governments 
 for unmet need related to a major disaster is 
 declared under section 401; and
 (B) with respect to grantees that have been 
 allocated assistance for such unmet need, for 
 technical assistance and capacity building 
 under subsection (c)(2) to facilitate planning 
 and increase capacity to administer assistance 
 under this section.
 (4) Unused amounts.--If any amounts made available 
 for assistance under this section to grantees remain 
 unexpended on the earlier of--
 (A) the date that the grantee of such amounts 
 notifies the President that the grantee has 
 completed all activities; or
 (B) except as provided in paragraph (5), the 
 expiration of the 6-year period beginning when 
 the President obligates such amounts to the 
 grantee, the President shall transfer such 
 unexpended amounts to the Secretary of the 
 Treasury for deposit into the Fund, except that 
 the President may permit the grantee to retain 
 amounts needed to close out the grant.
 (5) Extension of period for use of funds.--The period 
 under paragraph (4)(B) may be extended by not more than 
 4 years if, before the expiration of such 6-year 
 period, the President waives this requirement and 
 submits a written justification for such waiver to the 
 Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
 Representatives and the Senate that specifies the 
 period of such extension.
 (b) Assessment of Unmet Need.--
 (1) In general.--To assess unmet need with respect to 
 a major disaster under section, not later than 90 days 
 after the declaration of such a disaster, the President 
 shall coordinate with other Federal agencies, as 
 determined appropriate and including the Administrator 
 of the Small Business Administration, to obtain data on 
 all recovery needs and the amount of such recovery 
 needs that are unmet, including--
 (A) all data on damage caused by the 
 disaster;
 (B) information on how any Federal assistance 
 provided in connection with the disaster has 
 been expended;
 (C) information on the effect of the disaster 
 on education, transportation capabilities and 
 dependence, housing needs, health care 
 capacity, and displacement of persons; and
 (D) the extent of the unmet need remaining in 
 relation to such disaster.
 (2) Public availability.--The President shall make 
 publicly available the data described in paragraph (1) 
 for any major disaster for which assistance is provided 
 from the Fund under this section.
 (3) Protection of personally identifiable 
 information.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
 President and any recipient of funds under this section 
 shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure 
 that personally identifiable information regarding 
 recipients of assistance provided under this section is 
 not made publicly available by any agency with which 
 information is shared pursuant to this subsection.
 (c) Administrative Costs.--
 (1) In general.--A State or Indian tribal government 
 receiving a grant under this section may use not more 
 than 13 percent of the amount of grant funds received, 
 or within such other percentage as may be established 
 pursuant to subparagraph (B), for administrative costs, 
 including costs related to audits, reviews, oversight, 
 evaluation, and investigations.
 (2) Discretion to establish sliding scale.--The 
 President may establish a series of percentage 
 limitations on the amount of grant funds received that 
 may be used by a grantee for administrative costs, but 
 only if--
 (A) such percentage limitations are based on 
 the amount of grant funds received by a 
 grantee; and
 (B) such series provides that the percentage 
 that may be used is lower for grantees 
 receiving a greater amount of grant funds and 
 such percentage that may be used is higher for 
 grantees receiving a lesser amount of grant 
 funds.
 (3) Technical assistance; capacity building.--From 
 funds made available for use under this section, the 
 President may provide--
 (A) necessary technical assistance to 
 grantees to ensure grantees are compliant with 
 Federal law; and
 (B) capacity building assistance, including 
 assistance regarding contracting and 
 procurement processes, including providing 
 solicitation and contractual templates that 
 conform to Federal requirements for use by 
 grantees.
 (d) Allocation, Process, and Procedures; Coordination.--
 (1) Allocation.--
 (A) In general.--The President shall allocate 
 funds under this section proportionally to 
 grantees based on their level of unmet need as 
 determined under subsection (b).
 (B) Grantee use of funds.--Each grantee--
 (i) shall be solely responsible for 
 determining how funds provided under 
 this section are prioritized and 
 expended; and
 (ii) shall not be required to provide 
 an action or spending plan to the 
 President before or after funds are 
 allocated.
 (C) Limitation.--Notwithstanding section 312, 
 a loan shall not--
 (i) be considered a duplication of 
 benefits with funds provided by a 
 Federal agency; or
 (ii) limit or otherwise impact the 
 ability of a recipient to receive any 
 other Federal assistance.
 (2) Procedure for provision of funds.--An entity 
 awarded a grant under this section shall be provided an 
 initial amount that equals 50 percent of total grant 
 amount allocated under paragraph (1). To be eligible 
 for the remaining 50 percent of the allocation, a 
 grantee shall submit to the Committees on 
 Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
 Senate, the Committee on Transportation and 
 Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the 
 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
 of the Senate, and the Inspector General of the United 
 States a report containing--
 (A) a detailed description of how such amount 
 was spent; and
 (B) a certification from an auditor of the 
 State or Indian tribal government that none of 
 the funds were wasted or used inappropriately.
 (3) Requirements.--Each State and Indian tribal 
 government that receives funds under this section shall 
 establish or adhere to existing guidelines for 
 procurement processes and procedures and require that 
 subgrantees--
 (A) provide for full and open competition and 
 require cost or price analysis;
 (B) specify methods of procurement and their 
 applicability, but not allow cost-plus-a-
 percentage-of cost or percentage-of-
 construction-cost methods of procurement;
 (C) include standards of conduct governing 
 employees engaged in the award or 
 administration of contracts; and
 (D) ensure that all purchase orders and 
 contracts include any clauses required by 
 Federal statute, Executive order, or 
 implementing regulation.
 (e) Funding.--Any funds provided under this section--
 (1) shall supplement and not supplant any other 
 assistance provided by the President or any other 
 Federal agency in response to a major disaster; and
 (2) may not be considered a duplication of 
 assistance.
 (f) Environmental Review.--Any Federal agency or recipient of 
funds received under this section that fund or use funds to 
supplement funds provided under section 402, 403, 404, 406, 
407, 408(c)(4), 428, or 502 may adopt, without review or public 
comment, any environmental review, approval, or permit 
performed by a Federal agency.
 (g) Best Practices.--The President shall identify best 
practices for grantees on issues including developing action 
plans, establishing financial controls, building grantee 
technical and administrative capacity, procurement, and use of 
grant funds as local match for other sources of Federal 
funding. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
this section, the President shall publish a compilation of such 
identified best practices and share with all relevant grantees 
to facilitate a more efficient and effective disaster recovery 
process.
 (h) Definitions.--In this section:
 (1) State auditor.--The term ``State auditor'' means 
 the individual selected by the Governor or head of an 
 Indian tribal government to submit a certification in 
 accordance with subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii).
 (2) Unmet need.--The term ``unmet need''--
 (A) means any necessary expenses for 
 activities related to disaster relief, 
 resiliency, long-term recovery, restoration of 
 infrastructure and housing, mitigation, and 
 economic revitalization related to a major 
 disaster declared by the President under 
 section 401; and
 (B) may include--
 (i) any unresourced item, support, or 
 assistance that has been assessed and 
 verified as necessary for a survivor to 
 recover from a major disaster, 
 including food, clothing, shelter, 
 first aid, emotional and spiritual 
 care, household items, home repair, or 
 rebuilding; and
 (ii) cleaning and removing debris 
 from rivers, creeks, streams, and 
 ditches.

SEC. 432. UNMET NEEDS ASSISTANCE.

 (a) In General.--In any major disaster, the Governor or the 
Chief Executive of the Indian tribal government may request a 
grant from the President to provide assistance to meet unmet 
needs resulting from a major disaster.
 (b) Funding.--
 (1) Amount of funding.--The President may set aside 
 from the Disaster Relief Fund, with respect to each 
 major disaster, an amount equal to 10 percent of the 
 estimated aggregate amount of the grants to be made 
 pursuant to sections 406 and 408 of the major disaster 
 in order to provide technical and financial assistance 
 under this section and such amounts shall be deemed to 
 be related to activities carried out pursuant to major 
 disasters under this Act.
 (2) Estimated aggregate amount.--Not later than 180 
 days after each major disaster declared pursuant to 
 this Act, the estimated aggregate amount of grants for 
 purposes of paragraph (1) shall be determined by the 
 President and such estimated amount need not be 
 reduced, increased, or changed due to variations in 
 estimates.
 (3) No reduction in amounts.--The amount set aside 
 pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not reduce the amounts 
 otherwise made available for sections 403, 406, 407, 
 408, 410, 416, and 428 under this Act.
 (c) Unmet Needs.--A State or Indian tribal government may use 
unmet needs grants to provide assistance, in addition to other 
assistance made available under this Act, for the following 
unmet needs resulting from a major disaster:
 (1) Disaster-related home repair and rebuilding 
 financial assistance to families for permanent housing 
 purposes, including in conjunction with eligible 
 expenditures under section 408.
 (2) Disaster-related unmet needs of families who are 
 unable to obtain adequate assistance from other 
 sources.
 (3) Other disaster-related services that alleviate 
 human suffering and promote the well-being of disaster 
 victims.
 (4) Economic and business activities (including food 
 and agriculture) after a disaster to implement post-
 disaster economic recovery measures, including planning 
 and technical assistance for long-term economic 
 recovery plans, infrastructure improvements, business 
 or infrastructure financing, market or industry 
 research, and other activities authorized under a 
 comprehensive economic development strategy.
 (d) Accounting and Fiscal Controls.--
 (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after 
 receipt of funds and every 6 months thereafter until 
 all such funds are expended, each State or Indian 
 tribal government receiving such funds shall submit to 
 the Administrator a report that includes--
 (A) the criteria established for determining 
 how the funds are spent;
 (B) the allocation of such funds; and
 (C) the process for public notice and 
 comment.
 (2) Administrative costs.--A State or Indian tribal 
 government that receives funds under this section may 
 expend not more than 5 percent of the amount of such 
 funds for the administrative costs of providing 
 financial assistance to individuals and households in 
 the State.

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