II 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1897 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 30, 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.

Prohibition of restriction on use of amounts

(a)

In general

Subject to subsection (c), 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 (e), 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)

Procedures

The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall identify and implement mechanisms to simplify the expedited distribution of amounts described in subsection (e), including— (1)creating a programmatic cost-benefit analysis to provide a means of conducting cost-benefit analysis by project type and geographic factors rather than on a structure-by-structure basis; and (2)developing a streamlined environmental review process to significantly speed the approval of project applications. (c)

Waiver

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), in using amounts described in subsection (e), the President shall waive the requirements of sections 206.434(c) and 206.438(d) of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar regulation or ruling), or specify alternative requirements, upon a request by the State of Louisiana that such waiver is required to facilitate the timely use of funds or a guarantee provided under section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c). (2)

Exception

The President may not waive any requirement relating to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, or, except as provided in subsection (b), the environment under paragraph (1). (d)

Savings provision

Except as provided in subsections (a), (b), and (c), 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 (e) that are used by the State of Louisiana under the Road Home Program of that State. (e)

Covered amounts

The amounts described in this subsection is $1,170,000,000 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).