II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1541 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 5, 2007 Mr. Vitter introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To allow for expanded uses of funding allocated to Louisiana under the hazard mitigation program while preserving the goals of the program to reduce future damage from disasters through mitigation.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Providing for Commonsense Rebuilding Act of 2007.

2.

Prohibition of restriction on use of amounts

(a)

In general

Subject to subsection (b), and notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall not prohibit the use by the State of Louisiana under the Road Home Program of that State of any amounts described in subsection (c), based upon the existence or extent of any requirement or condition under that program that— (1)limits the amount made available to an eligible homeowner who does not agree to remain an owner and occupant of a home in Louisiana; or (2)waives the applicability of any limitation described in paragraph (1) for eligible homeowners who are elderly or senior citizens. (b)

Savings provision

Except as provided in subsection (a), section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c) shall apply to amounts described in subsection (c) that are used by the State of Louisiana under the Road Home Program of that State. (c)

Covered amounts

The amounts described in this subsection are any amounts provided to the State of Louisiana because of Hurricane Katrina of 2005 or Hurricane Rita of 2005 under the hazard mitigation grant program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c).