H.R. 8728 — Introduced in House

I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8728 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 13, 2024 Mr. Graves of Louisiana (for himself and Mr. Moskowitz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To establish alternate procedures for lump sum payments for certain covered small disasters, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the State-Managed Disaster Relief Act. 2. Alternative procedures for covered small disasters The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: VIII Alternative Procedures for Covered Small Disasters 801. Alternative procedures for covered small disasters (a) In general The Governor of a State or the governing body of an Indian tribal government for the area in which a covered small disaster occurs may request a lump sum payment of the estimated damages calculated under subsection (b) for such disaster in lieu of any assistance under the Public Assistance Program for such disaster. (b) Calculation A payment under subsection (a) shall be equal to the amount that is 80 percent of the estimated damage eligible under the Public Assistance Program for a covered small disaster in the area of jurisdiction of the State or Indian tribal government requesting such payment. (c) Limitations (1) In general A State or Indian tribal government receiving a payment under this section may not receive assistance under the Public Assistance Program with respect to the covered small disaster for which a payment was accepted under this section. (2) Final payment A payment under this section may not be increased or decreased based on actual costs calculated for a covered small disaster. (d) Use of funds A State or Indian tribal government receiving a payment under this section may use such payment for recovery for the covered small disaster in any manner determined appropriate by the respective Governor or governing body of such State or Indian tribal government. (e) Report to FEMA A State or governing body of an Indian tribal government shall submit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency a report of expenses for a covered small disaster in the area of jurisdiction of the respective State or Indian tribal government. (f) Savings clause Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any program in title IV or V that is not a Public Assistance Program. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered small disaster The term covered small disaster means a major disaster declared under section 401 or an emergency declared under section 501 with estimated damage eligible under the Public Assistance Program of less than $10,000,000. (2) Public Assistance Program The term Public Assistance Program means the programs under sections 403, 406, 407, and 502. .