II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2756 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 5, 2006 Ms. Collins introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To authorize the President to utilize Federal equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, and other non-monetary resources to assist utility companies that contribute to recovery efforts from the effects of a major disaster.

1.

Utility company disaster assistance

Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

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Utility companies

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term qualified utility company means an entity that— (1)provides— (A)telecommunications service; (B)electrical power; (C)natural gas; (D)water and sewer services; or (E)any other essential service, as determined by the President; (2)is a private, for-profit entity; and (3)is contributing to efforts to recover from the effects of a major disaster. (b)

Authorization

In a major disaster, the President may utilize Federal equipment, supplies, facilities, personnel, and other non-monetary resources to assist a qualified utility company, in exchange for reasonable compensation. (c)

Compensation

(1)

In general

The President shall, by regulation, establish a mechanism to set reasonable compensation for the provision of assistance under subsection (b). (2)

Criteria

The mechanism established under paragraph (1)— (A)shall reflect fair market value for the assistance provided under subsection (b) in setting compensation; (B)shall have streamlined procedures for determining compensation; and (C)is not required to set compensation based on the costs to the Federal Government.

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