II 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3337 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 11, 2010 Ms. Landrieu introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Administration Act of 1965 to establish a program to provide technical assistance grants for use by organizations in assisting individuals and businesses affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Oil Spill Claims Assistance and Recovery Act.

2.

Oil spill claims assistance and recovery

(a)

In general

Title II of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 is amended by inserting after section 207 (42 U.S.C. 3147) the following:

208.

Oil spill claims assistance and recovery

(a)

Establishment of grant program

The Secretary shall establish a grant program to provide to eligible (as determined by the Secretary) organizations technical assistance grants for use in assisting individuals and businesses affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico (referred to in this section as the oil spill). (b)

Application

An organization that seeks to receive a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary shall require. (c)

Use of Funds

(1)

In general

Funds from a grant provided under this section may be used by an eligible organization— (A)to support— (i)education; (ii)outreach; (iii)intake; (iv)language services; (v)accounting services; (vi)legal services offered pro bono or by a nonprofit organization; (vii)damage assessments; (viii)economic loss analysis; (ix)collecting and preparing documentation; and (x)assistance in the preparation and filing of claims or appeals; (B)to provide assistance to individuals or businesses seeking assistance from or under— (i)a party responsible for the oil spill; (ii)the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund; (iii)an insurance policy; or (iv)any other program administered by the Federal Government or a State or local government; (C)to pay for salaries, training, and appropriate expenses relating to the purchase or lease of property to support operations, equipment (including computers and telecommunications), and travel expenses; (D)to assist other organizations in— (i)assisting specific business sectors; (ii)providing services; (iii)assisting specific jurisdictions; or (iv)otherwise supporting operations; and (E)to establish an advisory board of service providers and technical experts— (i)to monitor the claims process relating to the oil spill; and (ii)to provide recommendations to the parties responsible for the oil spill, the National Pollution Funds Center, other appropriate agencies, and Congress to improve fairness and efficiency in the claims process. (2)

Prohibition on use of funds

Funds from a grant provided under this section may not be used to provide compensation for damages or removal costs relating to the oil spill. (d)

Provision of grants

(1)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of the Oil Spill Claims Assistance and Recovery Act, the Secretary shall provide grants under this section. (2)

Networked organizations

The Secretary is encouraged to consider applications for grants under this section from organizations that have established networks with affected business sectors, including— (A)the fishery and aquaculture industries; (B)the restaurant, grocery, food processing, and food delivery industries; and (C)the hotel and tourism industries. (3)

Training

Not later than 30 days after the date on which an eligible organization receives a grant under this section, the Director of the National Pollution Funds Center and the parties responsible for the oil spill shall provide training to the organization regarding the applicable rules and procedures for the claims process relating to the oil spill. (4)

Availability of funds

Funds from a grant provided under this section shall be available until the later of, as determined by the Secretary— (A)the date that is 6 years after the date on which the oil spill occurred; and (B)the date on which all claims relating to the oil spill have been satisfied. (e)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $20,000,000.

. (b)

Conforming amendment

The table of contents of the Public Works and Economic Development Administration Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. prec. 3121) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 207 the following: Sec. 208. Oil spill claims assistance and recovery. .