117 S4836 IS: Prioritizing Disaster Relief Act U.S. Senate 2022-09-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4836IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 13, 2022Mr. Paul introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo allow COVID–19 relief funds to be used for disaster assistance, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Prioritizing Disaster Relief Act.

2.

Use of COVID–19 relief funds for disaster relief

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

COVID–19 relief funds

The term COVID–19 relief funds means amounts appropriated under the following Acts related to COVID–19 relief:(A)The CARES Act (Public Law 116–136; 134 Stat. 281).(B)The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117–2; 135 Stat. 4).(C)The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116–23; 134 Stat. 146).(D)The Emergency Aid for Returning Americans Affected by Coronavirus Act (Public Law 116–148; 134 Stat. 661).(E)The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Public Law 116–127; 134 Stat. 178).(F)The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (Public Law 116–139; 134 Stat. 620).(G)The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (Public Law 116–260; 134 Stat. 1182).(H)The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (Public Law 116–159; 134 Stat. 709).(I)The Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 117–43; 134 Stat. 344).(2)

Indian Tribe; Tribal organization

The terms Indian Tribe and Tribal organization have the meanings given those terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). (3)

State

The term State means each State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of the United States.(b)

Use of funds for disaster relief

(1)

In general

Notwithstanding any limitation on the use of COVID–19 relief funds under any other provision of law, a State, unit of local government, Indian Tribe, or Tribal organization may use COVID–19 relief funds for expenses related to assisting communities, individuals, and businesses affected by and located within the designated area of a major disaster or emergency declared under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191) before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.(2)

Supplement, not supplant

COVID–19 relief funds used in accordance with paragraph (1) shall supplement and not supplant any other Federal disaster assistance made available to a community, individual, or business.