[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3345 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 3345

Making additional supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2002 for 
 relief and recovery from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on 
               the United States, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 19, 2001

 Mr. Sweeney introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Appropriations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
Making additional supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2002 for 
 relief and recovery from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on 
               the United States, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Emergency Relief and Recovery 
Supplemental Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2002''.

SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF APPROPRIATION.

    The following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for fiscal year 2002, and for 
other purposes.

           TITLE I--EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RECOVERY PROVISIONS

                          DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

                 Employment and Training Administration

 temporary emergency unemployment assistance for the state of new york

    For emergency expenses to respond to the September 11, 2001, 
terrorist attacks on the United States, for payment to the special fund 
established and administered by the State of New York for the payment 
of unemployment compensation (as referred to in section 3306(f) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986), $880,000,000, to remain available until 
expended: Provided, That such amount shall be available only to provide 
assistance to dislocated workers in New York City and the State of New 
York who are unemployed as a consequence of those attacks, in 
accordance with succeeding provisions of this paragraph: Provided 
further, That such amount shall not be paid over to such special fund 
until such time as the State of New York enters into an agreement with 
the Secretary of Labor, under the terms of which such amount shall be 
used only (1) to provide for up to 26 weeks of regular compensation to 
displaced workers (described in the preceding proviso) in accordance 
with the unemployment compensation law of that State, (2) to provide 
for up to 26 weeks of extended compensation, under a program 
established under such agreement, for any such displaced workers who 
have, beginning with any week that begins on or after September 11, 
2001, and before the week that includes December 31, 2002, exhausted 
all rights to regular compensation under the unemployment compensation 
law of that State, (3) to provide for up to 26 weeks of benefits, under 
a program established under such agreement, for any such displaced 
workers not otherwise eligible for benefits under the unemployment 
compensation law of that State (weekly benefits under such program not 
to exceed the maximum weekly amount authorized under the unemployment 
compensation law of that State), and (4) notwithstanding any other 
provision of State or Federal law, to cover administrative expenses 
incurred by that State in connection with any compensation or benefits 
provided for under clauses (1)-(3); and the State of New York has taken 
such measures as may be necessary to ensure that the provisions of such 
agreement relating to clauses (2) and (3) will be implemented: Provided 
further, That such amount may be used to reimburse the appropriate fund 
or account of the State of New York for any amounts described in clause 
(1) or (4) of the preceding proviso which were paid or incurred after 
September 11, 2001, and before the date of the enactment of this Act 
with respect to such displaced workers: Provided further, That, in 
determining (for purposes of this paragraph) whether an individual's 
separation from employment was as a consequence of the September 11, 
2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, the relevant authority 
may consider the displacement of businesses in and around the World 
Trade Center area, dislocations for workers employed in businesses 
serving clients in and around the World Trade Center area, the effect 
of the attacks on travel and tourism in the New York City area, and the 
effect of the attacks on the ability of businesses to distribute goods 
and services in the New York City area: Provided further, That, in 
connection with any compensation payable under chapter 85 of title 5, 
United States Code, and any compensation payable on the basis of 
services to which section 3309(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1986 applies, any amounts paid out of the amount appropriated by this 
paragraph shall not be required to be repaid: Provided further, That 
the amount provided in this paragraph is designated by the Congress as 
an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided 
further, That such amount shall be available only to the extent that an 
official budget request, that includes designation of the entire amount 
of the request as an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the 
President to the Congress.

    premium assistance for cobra continuation coverage for certain 
             individuals impacted by the terrorist attacks

    Sec. 101. (a) Establishment.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall establish a 
        program under which premium assistance for COBRA continuation 
        coverage shall be provided for qualified individuals under this 
        section.
            (2) Qualified individuals.--For purposes of this section, a 
        qualified individual is an individual who--
                    (A)(i) becomes entitled to elect COBRA continuation 
                coverage--
                            (I) as a result of the loss of employment 
                        in New York City or New York State of the 
                        individual as a consequence of the September 
                        11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United 
                        States; or
                            (II) as a result of a reduction of hours of 
                        employment in New York City or New York State 
                        of the individual as a consequence of such 
                        attacks; or
                            (ii) is the beneficiary of an individual 
                        who--
                                    (I) is described in clause (i); or
                                    (II) was employed in New York City 
                                or New York State at the time of such 
                                attacks and was killed as a result of 
                                such attacks;
                    (B) has elected such coverage; and
                    (C) enrolls in the premium assistance program under 
                this section by not later than the end of the 1-year 
                period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
                Act.
            (3) Scope of consequences of attack.--For purposes of this 
        section (and the succeeding section), in determining whether an 
        individual's loss of employment or reduction in hours of 
        employment is a consequence of the September 11, 2001, 
        terrorist attacks on the United States, there shall be taken 
        into consideration the displacement of businesses in and around 
        the World Trade Center area, dislocations for workers employed 
        in businesses serving clients in and around the World Trade 
        Center area, the effect of the attacks on travel and tourism in 
        the New York City area, and the effect of the attacks on the 
        ability of businesses to distribute goods and services in the 
        New York City area.
            (4) State option to elect administration of program.--
                    (A) In general.--A State may elect to administer 
                the premium assistance program established under this 
                section if the State submits to the Secretary of the 
                Treasury, not later than January 1, 2002, a plan that 
                describes how the State will administer such program on 
                behalf of qualified individuals who reside in the State 
                beginning on that date.
                    (B) Payments.--In the case of a State that submits 
                a plan under subparagraph (A), subject to subsection 
                (k), the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to each 
                such State an amount for each quarter equal to the 
                total amount of premium subsidies provided in that 
                quarter on behalf of such individuals.
            (5) Immediate implementation.--The program established 
        under this section shall be implemented without regard to 
        whether or not final regulations to carry out such program have 
        been promulgated by the deadline described in paragraph (1).
    (b) Limitation of Period of Premium Assistance.--Premium assistance 
provided under this subsection shall end with respect to an individual 
on the earlier of--
            (1) the date the individual is no longer covered under 
        COBRA continuation coverage; or
            (2) 12 months after the date the individual is first 
        enrolled in the premium assistance program established under 
        this section.
    (c) Payment and Crediting of Assistance.--
            (1) Amount of assistance.--Premium assistance provided 
        under this section shall be equal to 100 percent of the amount 
        of the premium required for the COBRA continuation coverage.
            (2) Provision of assistance.--Premium assistance provided 
        under this section shall be provided through the establishment 
        of direct payment arrangements with a group health plan 
        (including a multiemployer plan), an issuer of health insurance 
        coverage, an administrator, or an employer as appropriate with 
        respect to the individual provided such assistance. It shall be 
        a fiduciary duty of the plan, issuer, administrator, or 
        employer to enter into such arrangements under this section.
            (3) Premiums payable by qualified individual reduced by 
        amount of assistance.--Premium assistance provided under this 
        section shall be credited by such plan, issuer, administrator, 
        or employer against the premium otherwise owed by the 
        individual involved for such coverage.
    (d) Change in COBRA Notice.--
            (1) General notice.--
                    (A) In general.--In the case of notices provided 
                under section 4980B(f)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code 
                of 1986 with respect to individuals who, on or after 
                September 11, 2001, and before the end of the 1-year 
                period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
                Act, become entitled to elect COBRA continuation 
                coverage, such notices shall include an additional 
                notification to the recipient of the availability of 
                premium assistance for such coverage under this 
                section.
                    (B) Alternative notice.--In the case of COBRA 
                continuation coverage to which the notice provision 
                under section 4980B(f)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code 
                of 1986 does not apply, the Secretary of the Treasury 
                shall, in coordination with group health plans, health 
                insurance issuers, administrators, and employers that 
                provide or administer the COBRA continuation coverage 
                involved, assure provision of such notice.
                    (C) Form.--The requirement of the additional 
                notification under this paragraph may be met by 
                amendment of existing notice forms or by inclusion of a 
                separate document with the notice otherwise required.
            (2) Specific requirements.--Each additional notification 
        under paragraph (1) shall include--
                    (A) the forms necessary for establishing 
                eligibility under subsection (a)(2)(A) and enrollment 
                under subsection (a)(2)(C) in connection with the 
                coverage with respect to each qualified individual;
                    (B) the name, address, and telephone number 
                necessary to contact the plan administrator and any 
                other person maintaining relevant information in 
                connection with the premium assistance; and
                    (C) the following statement displayed in a 
                prominent manner:
    ``You may be eligible to receive assistance with payment of 100 
percent of your COBRA continuation coverage premiums for a duration of 
not to exceed 12 months.''.
            (3) Notice relating to retroactive coverage.--In the case 
        of such notices previously transmitted before the date of the 
        enactment of this Act in the case of a qualified individual who 
        has elected (or is still eligible to elect) COBRA continuation 
        coverage as of the date of the enactment of this Act, the group 
        health plan, health insurance issuer, administrator, or 
        employer involved or the Secretary of the Treasury (in the case 
        described in the paragraph (1)(B)) shall provide (within 60 
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act) for the 
        additional notification required to be provided under paragraph 
        (1).
            (4) Model notices.--The Secretary shall prescribe models 
        for the additional notification required under this subsection.
    (e) Obligation of Funds.--Subject to subsection (k), this section 
constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and 
represents the obligation of the Federal Government to provide for the 
payment of premium assistance under this section.
    (f) Prompt Issuance of Guidance.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in 
consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall issue guidance under 
this section not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
    (g) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``administrator'' has the 
        meaning given such term in section 3(16) of the Employee 
        Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
            (2) Beneficiary.--The term ``beneficiary'' has the meaning 
        given such term under section 1002 of the Employee Retirement 
        Income Security Act of 1974.
            (3) COBRA continuation coverage.--The term ``COBRA 
        continuation coverage'' means continuation coverage provided 
        pursuant to title XXII of the Public Health Service Act, 
        section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (other than 
        subsection (f)(1) of such section insofar as it relates to 
        pediatric vaccines), part 6 of subtitle B of title I of the 
        Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (other than 
        under section 609), section 8905a of title 5, United States 
        Code, under a State program that provides continuation coverage 
        comparable to such continuation coverage, or other comparable 
        continuation coverage offered to a beneficiary under a group 
        health plan.
            (4) Federal public benefit.--The term ``Federal public 
        benefit'' has the meaning given that term in section 401(c) of 
        the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation 
        Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1611(c)).
            (5) Group health plan.--The term ``group health plan'' has 
        the meaning given that term in section 2791(a) of the Public 
        Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-91(a)) and in section 
        607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
        (29 U.S.C. 1167(1)).
            (6) Multiemployer plan.--The term ``multiemployer plan'' 
        has the meaning given that term in section 3(37) of the 
        Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 
        1002(37)).
            (7) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New York.
            (8) State or local public benefit.--The term ``State or 
        local public benefit'' has the meaning given that term in 
        section 411(c) of the Personal Responsibility and Work 
        Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1621(c)).
    (h) Emergency Designation.--The amount provided in this section is 
designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Such amount 
shall be available only to the extent that an official budget request, 
that includes designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the President to the 
Congress.
    (i) Disregard of Subsidies for Purposes of Federal and State 
Programs.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any premium 
assistance provided to, or on behalf of, an individual under this 
section, shall not be considered income or resources in determining 
eligibility for, or the amount of assistance or benefits provided 
under, any other Federal public benefit or State or local public 
benefit.
    (j) Limitation on Amount.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this section or section 102, in no case shall the total amount 
        that may be obligated under this section and section 102 exceed 
        $1,025,000,000.
            (2) Contingency mechanism.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretaries of the Treasury 
                and Health and Human Services shall cooperatively 
                establish a mechanism to assure that the total amount 
                obligated under this section and section 102 does not 
                exceed the amount specified in paragraph (1).
                    (B) Use of first come, first served mechanism.--
                Under such mechanism--
                            (i) with respect to this section, the 
                        Secretary of the Treasury shall provide, in 
                        coordination with States to the extent 
                        applicable, the assistance under this section 
                        giving priority based upon the order in which a 
                        qualified individual applies for assistance in 
                        a manner consistent with subparagraph (A); and
                            (ii) with respect to section 102, the 
                        Secretary of Health and Human Services shall 
                        provide that the Federal financial 
                        participation provided under such section shall 
                        be available to States giving priority based 
                        upon the order of qualifying expenditures under 
                        State plans in a manner consistent with 
                        subparagraph (A).

optional temporary medicaid coverage for certain uninsured individuals 
                   impacted by the terrorist attacks

    Sec. 102. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, with respect to any month before the ending month, a State may 
elect to provide, under its medicaid program under title XIX of the 
Social Security Act, medical assistance in the case of an individual--
            (1)(A) who lost employment in New York City or New York 
        State as a consequence of the September 11, 2001, terrorist 
        attacks on the United States;
            (B) who experienced a reduction of hours of employment in 
        New York City or New York State as a consequence of such 
        attacks; or
            (C) who is the spouse or dependent child of--
                    (i) an individual described in subparagraph (A) or 
                (B); or
                    (ii) an individual who was employed in New York 
                City or New York State and was killed as a result of 
                such attacks;
            (2) who is not eligible for COBRA continuation coverage (as 
        defined in section 101(h)(3)); and
            (3) who is uninsured.
    (b) Limitation of Period of Coverage.--Assistance under this 
section shall end with respect to an individual on the earlier of--
            (1) the date the individual is no longer uninsured; or
            (2) 12 months after the date the individual is first 
        determined to be eligible for medical assistance under this 
        section.
    (c) Special Rules.--In the case of medical assistance provided 
under this section--
            (1) the Federal medical assistance percentage under section 
        1905(b) of the Social Security Act shall be 100 percent;
            (2) a State may elect to disregard (or apply alternative) 
        income, asset, and resource limitations and the provisions of 
        section 1916(g) of such Act, except that in no case shall a 
        State cover individuals with higher family income without 
        covering individuals with a lower family income;
            (3) such medical assistance shall not be provided for 
        periods before the date the individual becomes uninsured;
            (4) individuals eligible for medical assistance under this 
        section shall be deemed to be described in the list of 
        individuals described in the matter preceding paragraph (1) of 
        section 1905(a) of such Act; and
            (5) the Federal financial participation with respect to 
        such assistance is subject to the limitations specified in 
        section 101(k).
    (d) Definitions.--For purposes of this Act:
            (1) Uninsured.--The term ``uninsured'' means, with respect 
        to an individual, that the individual is not covered under--
                    (A) a group health plan (as defined in section 
                2791(a) of the Public Health Service Act),
                    (B) health insurance coverage (as defined in 
                section 2791(b)(1) of the Public Health Service Act), 
                or
                    (C) a program under title XVIII, XIX, or XXI of the 
                Social Security Act, other than under such title XIX 
                pursuant to this section.
        For purposes of this paragraph, such coverage under 
        subparagraph (A) or (B) shall not include coverage consisting 
        solely of coverage of excepted benefits (as defined in section 
        2791(c) of the Public Health Service Act).
            (2) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given such 
        term for purposes of title XIX of the Social Security Act.
            (3) Ending month.--The term ``ending month'' means the last 
        month that begins before the date that is 1 year after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act.
    (e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect upon its 
enactment, whether or not regulations implementing this section are 
issued.
    (f) Emergency Designation.--The amount provided in this section is 
designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Such amount 
shall be available only to the extent that an official budget request, 
that includes designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the President to the 
Congress.

     TITLE II--ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY RELIEF AND RECOVERY PROVISIONS

                       CHAPTER 1--LABOR PROGRAMS

                          DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

                 Employment and Training Administration

                    training and employment services

    Of the amounts provided under this heading in supplemental 
appropriation Acts for fiscal year 2002 to be obligated from amounts 
made available in Public Law 107-38, $32,400,000 shall be provided to 
the Consortium for Worker Education, established by the New York City 
Central Labor Council and the New York City Partnership, for an 
Emergency Employment Clearinghouse.

                   State Unemployment Security Office

                     workers compensation programs

                     (including transfer of funds)

    For emergency expenses to respond to the September 11, 2001, 
terrorist attacks on the United States, for workers compensation 
programs in accordance with this paragraph, $195,000,000, to remain 
available until expended: Provided, That, of such amount, $145,000,000 
shall be for payment to the New York State Workers Compensation Review 
Board, for the processing of claims related to the terrorist attacks: 
Provided further, That, of such amount, $25,000,000 shall be for 
payment to the New York State Uninsured Employers Fund, for 
reimbursement of claims related to the terrorist attacks: Provided 
further, That, of such amount, $25,000,000 shall be for payment to the 
New York State Uninsured Employers Fund, for reimbursement of claims 
related to the first response emergency services personnel who were 
injured, were disabled, or died due to the terrorist attacks: Provided 
further, That the amount provided in this paragraph is designated by 
the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act 
of 1985: Provided further, That such amount shall be available only to 
the extent that an official budget request, that includes designation 
of the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement as 
defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
1985, is transmitted by the President to the Congress.

             CHAPTER 2--HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS

                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

              Health Resources and Services Administration

                     health resources and services

    For an additional amount for ``Health Resources and Services'' to 
reimburse local area public and private hospitals for unreimbursed care 
provided in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on 
the United States, including overtime costs, equipment and supplies 
destroyed or damaged in the attack, $140,000,000, to remain available 
until expended: Provided, That the amount provided in this paragraph is 
designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to 
section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That such amount shall be 
available only to the extent that an official budget request, that 
includes designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the President to the 
Congress.

               Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

                disease control, research, and training

    For an additional amount for ``Disease Control, Research, and 
Training'' for baseline safety screening for the emergency services 
personnel and rescue and recovery personnel who served in response to 
the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, 
$12,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the 
amount provided in this paragraph is designated by the Congress as an 
emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, 
That such amount shall be available only to the extent that an official 
budget request, that includes designation of the entire amount of the 
request as an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the 
President to the Congress.

                     National Institutes of Health

          national institute of environmental health sciences

    For an additional amount for ``National Institute of Environmental 
Health Sciences'' to respond to the September 11, 2001, terrorist 
attacks on the United States, for carrying out activities set forth in 
section 311(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, $10,450,000, to remain 
available until expended: Provided, That the amount provided in this 
paragraph is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement 
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That such amount shall 
be available only to the extent that an official budget request, that 
includes designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the President to the 
Congress.

                      CHAPTER 3--COMMERCE PROGRAMS

                         DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

       National Telecommunications and Information Administration

    public telecommunications facilities, planning and construction

    For an additional amount for emergency grants authorized by section 
392 of the Communications Act of 1934 to respond to the September 11, 
2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, $6,500,000, to 
remain available until expended: Provided, That such amount is 
designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to 
section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That such amount shall be 
available only to the extent that an official budget request, that 
includes designation of the entire amount of the request as an 
emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the President to the 
Congress.

           CHAPTER 4--COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND FEMA PROGRAMS

              DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                   Community Planning and Development

                       community development fund

    For an additional amount for ``Community Development Fund'', to 
respond to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United 
States, $900,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
That such funds shall be subject to the first through sixth provisos in 
section 434 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and 
Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2002 : 
Provided further, That, of the amount provided in this paragraph, 
$10,000,000 shall be used for a program to aid the travel and tourism 
industry in New York City: Provided further, That the amount provided 
in this paragraph is designated by the Congress as an emergency 
requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and 
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided further, That such 
amount shall be available only to the extent that an official budget 
request, that includes designation of the entire amount of the request 
as an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced Budget and 
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the President 
to the Congress.

                          INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                  Federal Emergency Management Agency

                            disaster relief

    For an additional amount for ``Disaster Relief'', to respond to the 
September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, 
$6,560,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such 
amount shall be for recovery activities and assistance in New York City 
and the State of New York, Northern Virginia, and Pennsylvania: 
Provided further, That, of the amount provided in this paragraph, 
$1,350,000,000 shall be for the Office of World Trade Center Attack 
Claims, created in chapter 5 of this title: Provided further, That, of 
the amount provided in this paragraph, the Federal Emergency Management 
Agency may provide up to $110,000,000 to the New York City Board of 
Education to compensate the Board for the costs of providing additional 
classroom instruction and related activities to students who lost 
instructional time as a result of the September 11, 2001, terrorist 
attack on New York City: Provided further, That, of the amount provided 
in this paragraph, not less than $600,000,000 shall be for public 
facilities defined in section 261 of this title: Provided further, That 
the amount provided in this paragraph is designated by the Congress as 
an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the 
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985: Provided 
further, That such amount shall be available only to the extent that an 
official budget request, that includes designation of the entire amount 
of the request as an emergency requirement as defined in the Balanced 
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, is transmitted by the 
President to the Congress.

              CHAPTER 5--WORLD TRADE CENTER ATTACK CLAIMS

                              short title

    Sec. 251. This chapter may be cited as the ``World Trade Center 
Attack Claims Act''.

                              definitions

    Sec. 252. In this chapter, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Affected area.--The term ``affected area'' means the 
        area south of Canal Street in the borough of Manhattan, New 
        York City, New York.
            (2) Attack.--The term ``attack'' means the attack on the 
        World Trade Center in New York City that occurred on September 
        11, 2001.
            (3) Claim.--The term ``claim'' means a claim by an injured 
        person under this chapter for payment for injury suffered by 
        the injured person as a result of the attack.
            (4) Claimant.--The term ``claimant'' means an injured 
        person that submits a claim under section 254(b).
            (5) Director.--The term ``Director'' means--
                    (A) the Director of the Federal Emergency 
                Management Agency; or
                    (B) if an Independent Claims Manager is appointed 
                under section 253(d)(4), the Independent Claims 
                Manager.
            (6) Injured person.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``injured person'' means 
                an individual, corporation, partnership, company, 
                association, cooperative, joint venture, limited 
                liability company, estate, trust, or nonprofit 
                organization that--
                            (i) suffered injury as a result of the 
                        attack; and
                            (ii) resides or maintains a place of 
                        business in the affected area.
                    (B) Exclusions.--The term ``injured person'' does 
                not include--
                            (i) a lender that holds a mortgage on or 
                        security interest in real or personal property 
                        affected by the attack; or
                            (ii) a person that holds a lien on real or 
                        personal property affected by the attack.
            (7) Office.--The term ``Office'' means the Office of World 
        Trade Center Attack Claims established by section 253.

               office of world trade center attack claims

    Sec. 253. (a) In General.--There is established within the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency an office to be known as the ``Office of 
World Trade Center Attack Claims''.
    (b) Purpose.--The Office shall receive, process, and pay claims in 
accordance with section 254.
    (c) Funding.--The Office--
            (1) shall be funded from funds made available under this 
        chapter; and
            (2) may reimburse any other Federal agency for provision of 
        assistance in the receipt and processing of claims.
    (d) Personnel.--
            (1) In general.--The Office may appoint and fix the 
        compensation of such temporary personnel as are necessary to 
        carry out the duties of the Office, without regard to the 
        provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
        appointments in the competitive service.
            (2) Personnel from other agencies.--On the request of the 
        Director, the head of any other Federal agency may detail, on a 
        reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the agency to the 
        Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist the Office in 
        carrying out the duties of the Office under this chapter.
            (3) Effect on other fema duties.--The establishment of the 
        Office shall not diminish the authority of, or funding 
        available to, the Director to carry out the responsibilities of 
        the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Robert T. 
        Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
        U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), including the timely provision of 
        disaster assistance to any area with respect to which a major 
        disaster or emergency is declared by the President to exist 
        during the period in which the Director carries out this 
        chapter.
            (4) Appointment of independent claims manager.--The 
        Director may appoint an Independent Claims Manager to head the 
        Office and to assume the duties of the Director under this 
        chapter.

                 compensation for victims of the attack

    Sec. 254. (a) In General.--Each injured person may receive from the 
United States compensation for injury suffered by the injured person as 
a result of the attack, as determined by the Director in accordance 
with subsection (d).
    (b) Submission of Claims.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
which interim final regulations are promulgated under subsection (h), 
an injured person may submit to the Director a written claim for 
payment of injury suffered by the injured person as a result of the 
attack in accordance with such requirements as the Director determines 
to be appropriate.
    (c) Investigation of Claims.--The Director shall investigate, 
adjust, grant, deny, settle, or compromise any claim submitted under 
subsection (b).
    (d) Amount of Payment.--
            (1) In general.--Any payment on a claim by an injured 
        person--
                    (A) shall be limited to the amount necessary to 
                compensate the injured person for injury described in 
                paragraph (2) suffered as a result of the attack during 
                the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending 
on March 11, 2003;
                    (B) shall be subject to subsection (e)(1)(D);
                    (C) shall not include--
                            (i) interest on the amount of the payment 
                        before the date of settlement or payment of a 
                        claim; or
                            (ii) punitive damages or any other form of 
                        noncompensatory damages; and
                    (D) shall not exceed $500,000, except in the case 
                of a claim for which the Director determines that a 
                greater amount is appropriate.
            (2) Types of injury.--
                    (A) Residential loss.--Under paragraph (1), an 
                injured person may receive payment for a residential 
                loss consisting of 1 or more of the following:
                            (i) An uninsured or underinsured property 
                        loss.
                            (ii) Damage to or destruction of physical 
                        infrastructure.
                            (iii) An insurance deductible.
                            (iv) A temporary living or relocation 
                        expense.
                            (v) Debris removal and other cleanup costs.
                            (vi) Any other type of related injury that 
                        the Director determines to be appropriate.
                    (B) Business loss.--Under paragraph (1), an injured 
                person may receive payment for a business loss 
                consisting of 1 or more of the following:
                            (i) An uninsured or underinsured property 
                        loss.
                            (ii) Damage to or destruction of physical 
                        infrastructure.
                            (iii) Damage to or destruction of tangible 
                        assets or inventory.
                            (iv) A business interruption loss.
                            (v) Overhead costs.
                            (vi) Employee wages for work not performed.
                            (vii) An insurance deductible.
                            (viii) A temporary relocation expense.
                            (ix) Debris removal and other cleanup 
                        costs.
                            (x) Any other type of injury that the 
                        Director determines to be appropriate.
            (3) Burden of proof.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), a 
                claimant shall have the burden of demonstrating injury 
                suffered by the claimant.
                    (B) Absence of documents.--If documentary evidence 
                substantiating injury is not reasonably available, the 
                Director may pay a claim based on an affidavit or other 
                documentation executed by the claimant.
    (e) Payment of Claims.--
            (1) Determination and payment of amount.--
                    (A) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, 
                not later than 180 days after the date on which a claim 
                is submitted under subsection (b), the Director shall--
                            (i) determine the amount, if any, to be 
                        paid for the claim; and
                            (ii) pay the amount.
                    (B) Priority.--The Director may establish 
                priorities for processing and paying claims based on--
                            (i) an assessment of the needs of the 
                        claimants; and
                            (ii) any other criteria that the Director 
                        determines to be appropriate.
                    (C) Parameters of determination.--In determining 
                and paying a claim, the Director shall determine only--
                            (i) whether the claimant is an injured 
                        person;
                            (ii) whether the injuries that are the 
                        subject of the claim resulted from the attack;
                            (iii) the amount, if any, to be paid under 
                        this section; and
                            (iv) the person or persons entitled to 
                        receive the amount.
                    (D) Insurance and other benefits.--
                            (i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), to 
                        prevent recovery by a claimant in excess of the 
                        equivalent of actual compensatory damages in 
                        accordance with subsection (d), the Director, 
                        in determining the amount of, and paying, a 
                        claim, shall reduce the amount to be paid for 
                        the claim by an amount that is equal to the sum 
                        of the payments or settlements of any kind that 
were paid, or will be paid, with respect to the claim, including--
                                    (I) payments on insurance policies; 
                                and
                                    (II) benefits under the public 
                                assistance program, individual 
                                assistance program, or other program of 
                                the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
                                or under a program of any other 
                                Federal, State, or local agency.
                            (ii) Government loans.--Clause (i) shall 
                        not apply to the receipt by a claimant of any 
                        Federal, State, or local government loan that 
                        is required to be repaid by the claimant.
            (2) Advance or partial payments.--At the request of a 
        claimant, the Director may make 1 or more advance or partial 
        payments before the final settlement of a claim.
    (f) Recovery of Funds Improperly Paid or Misused.--The United 
States may recover any portion of a payment on a claim that was 
improperly paid to the claimant as a result of--
            (1) fraud or misrepresentation on the part of the claimant 
        or a representative of the claimant;
            (2) a material mistake on the part of the United States;
            (3) the payment of benefits described in subsection 
        (e)(1)(D) that were not taken into account in determining the 
        amount of the payment; or
            (4) the failure of the claimant to cooperate in an audit.
    (g) Appeals of Decisions.--
            (1) Right of appeal.--A claimant may appeal a decision 
        concerning payment of a claim by filing, not later than 60 days 
        after the date on which the claimant is notified that the claim 
        of the claimant will or will not be paid, a notice of appeal--
                    (A) in the case of a decision on a claim relating 
                to a business loss, with the Administrator of the Small 
                Business Administration; and
                    (B) in the case of a decision on a claim relating 
                to a residential loss, with the Director.
            (2) Period for decision.--A decision concerning an appeal 
        under paragraph (1) shall be rendered not later than 90 days 
        after the date on which the notice of appeal is received.
    (h) Regulations.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not 
later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act--
            (1) the Director shall promulgate and publish in the 
        Federal Register interim final regulations for the processing 
        and payment of claims; and
            (2) the Director and the Administrator of the Small 
        Business Administration shall jointly promulgate and publish in 
        the Federal Register procedures under which a dispute 
        concerning payment of a claim may be settled through an appeals 
        process described in subsection (g).
    (i) Public Information.--At the time of publication of interim 
final regulations under subsection (h), the Director shall disseminate, 
through brochures, pamphlets, radio, television, the print news media, 
and such other media as the Director determines to be likely to reach 
prospective claimants, a clear, concise, and easily understandable 
explanation, in English, Spanish, and any other language that the 
Director determines to be appropriate, of--
            (1) the rights conferred under this section; and
            (2) the procedural and other requirements of the 
        regulations promulgated under subsection (h).
    (j) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the Director shall 
coordinate with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, 
other Federal agencies, State and local agencies, and any other 
individual or entity, as the Director determines to be necessary--
            (1) to ensure the efficient administration of the claims 
        process; and
            (2) to provide for local concerns.
    (k) Applicability of Debt Collection Requirements.--
            (1) In general.--Section 3716 of title 31, United States 
        Code, shall not preclude any payment on a claim.
            (2) Assignment and exemption from claims of creditors.--
                    (A) Assignment.--No assignment, release, or 
                commutation of a payment due or payable under this 
                section shall be valid.
                    (B) Exemption.--
                            (i) In general.--A payment under this 
                        section shall be exempt from all claims of 
                        creditors and from levy, execution, attachment, 
                        or other remedy for recovery or collection of a 
                        debt.
                            (ii) Nonwaivable exemption.--The exemption 
                        provided by clause (i) may not be waived.
            (3) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the Director 
        may--
                    (A) require the repayment, using a payment under 
                this section, of any disaster loan made by the Small 
                Business Administration to address injury suffered as a 
                result of the attack; and
                    (B) use the remedies provided by subchapter II of 
                chapter 37 of title 31, United States Code, in 
                collecting debts due to the Federal Government that 
                arise from this chapter.

     acceptance of services of other agencies and volunteers; gifts

    Sec. 255. In carrying out this chapter, the Director may--
            (1) accept and use the services or facilities of any State 
        or local government, or of any agency, office, or employee of 
        any State or local government, with the consent of the 
        government;
            (2) use such voluntary and uncompensated services by 
        individuals or organizations as may be needed; and
            (3) accept gifts of supplies, equipment, and facilities to 
        be used in carrying out this chapter.

              relationship to federal entitlement programs

    Sec. 256. (a) Requests for Benefits.--Nothing in this chapter 
affects any right of an injured person that submits a claim to submit a 
request for benefits under any Federal entitlement program.
    (b) Consideration of Payments as Resources.--A payment on a claim 
received by an injured person under section 254 shall not be taken into 
account in determining the assets or resources of any individual or 
household under any Federal program or federally assisted program that 
provides financial aid, assistance, or benefits based on need, 
including--
            (1) the food stamp program under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 
        (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); and
            (2) any program established under the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.).

                           reports and audits

    Sec. 257. (a) Reports.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
promulgation of interim final regulations under section 254(i) and 
annually thereafter, the Director shall submit to Congress a report 
that describes the claims submitted under section 254(b) during the 
year preceding the date of submission of the report, including, with 
respect to each claim--
            (1) the amount claimed;
            (2) a brief description of the nature of the claim; and
            (3) the status or disposition of the claim, including the 
        amount of any payment on the claim.
    (b) Audits.--The Comptroller General shall--
            (1) conduct an annual audit of the payment of all claims 
        submitted under section 254(b); and
            (2) not later than 120 days after the date on which the 
        Director submits to Congress the initial report required by 
        subsection (a) and annually thereafter, submit to Congress a 
        report on the results of the audit.

                    authorization of appropriations

    Sec. 258. (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this chapter--
            (1) for administration by the Office of the compensation 
        process $100,000,000; and
            (2) for payment of claims $1,900,000,000.
    (b) Availability.--Amounts made available under subsection (a) 
shall remain available until expended.
    (c) FEMA Funds.--None of the funds made available to the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency for the administration of disaster relief 
shall be used to carry out this chapter.

                        termination of authority

    Sec. 259. The authority provided by this chapter terminates 
effective 42 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

                     CHAPTER 6--GENERAL PROVISIONS

authority to obtain reimbursement for expenses incurred in restoration 
               of utility service and trading operations

    Sec. 261. (a) In General.--For purposes of any appropriations made 
by Public Law 107-38 or this Act--
            (1) the term ``public facilities'' as used in such law and 
        in section 102(8) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
        Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(8)) includes 
        facilities and equipment of public utility companies regulated 
        by the New York Public Service Commission and the facilities 
        and equipment of not-for-profit exchanges and boards of trade 
        regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the 
        Commodity Futures Trading Commission; and
            (2) the term ``repairing public facilities'' in such law 
        includes replacing and restoring facilities and equipment lost, 
        damaged, and destroyed.
    (b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall apply through September 
30, 2003.
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