S. 243 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 243 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 7, 2013 Mr. Bennet (for himself and Mr. Udall of Colorado) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry A BILL To provide assistance for watersheds adversely affected by qualifying natural disasters. 1. Agricultural assistance (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Disaster county The term disaster county means— (A) a county included in the geographical area covered by a qualifying natural disaster declaration; and (B) each county contiguous to a county described in subparagraph (A), when appropriate as determined by the Secretary. (2) Qualifying natural disaster declaration The term qualifying natural disaster declaration means a major disaster or emergency designated by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). (3) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture. (b) Assistance (1) In general Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the Secretary of the Treasury shall transfer to the account used to carry out the emergency watershed protection program established under section 403 of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 2203) $61,930,257, which the Secretary shall use to provide financial and technical assistance in disaster counties to project sponsors to address impaired watersheds under that program. (2) Receipt and acceptance The account described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to receive, shall accept, and shall be used to carry out this section the funds transferred under paragraph (1), without further appropriation.