[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H12126-H12129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       PREDISASTER MITIGATION PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2003

  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 3181) to amend the Robert

[[Page H12127]]

T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize 
the predisaster mitigation program, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 3181

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Predisaster Mitigation 
     Program Reauthorization Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. PREDISASTER HAZARD MITIGATION.

       Section 203(m) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
     and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5133(m)) is amended 
     by striking ``December 31, 2003'' and inserting ``September 
     30, 2006''.

     SEC. 3. HAZARD MITIGATION.

       (a) In General.--The last sentence of section 404(a) of the 
     Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c(a)) is amended by striking ``7.5'' and 
     inserting ``15''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a major disaster declared by the 
     President after September 30, 2002.

     SEC. 4. REPAIR ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS.

       (a) In General.--Section 408(c)(2) of the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5174(c)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B) by inserting ``initial'' before 
     ``assistance'' the first place it appears;
       (2) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) in the subparagraph heading by inserting ``initial'' 
     before ``assistance''; and
       (B) by inserting ``initial'' before ``assistance''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(D) Additional assistance.--Subject to the limitation 
     contained in subsection (h), the President may provide 
     additional repair assistance under this paragraph to an 
     individual or household that is unable to complete the 
     repairs described in subparagraph (A) using insurance 
     proceeds, loans, or other financial assistance, including 
     assistance from the Small Business Administration.''.
       (b) Applicability.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to a major disaster declared by the 
     President after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 5. STUDY REGARDING COST REDUCTION.

       Section 209 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 note; 114 Stat. 1571) is amended by striking ``3 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act'' and 
     inserting ``September 30, 2005''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette).
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 3181, the Predisaster Mitigation Program 
Reauthorization Act of 2003 reauthorizes the Predisaster Mitigation 
Program for an additional 3 years and allows the President to offer 
additional home repair assistance to disaster victims; restores the 
percentage of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to previously 
authorized levels; and requires the completion of a Congressional 
Budget Office study on the cost-effectiveness of the program.
  This program, which was originally authorized as a pilot program as a 
part of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 was intended to study the 
effectiveness of mitigation grants in the absence of a disaster, as 
opposed to solely following a disaster, as is currently the practice.
  In addition to reauthorizing the Predisaster Mitigation Program, the 
bill makes two changes to other programs within the Stafford Act. H.R. 
3181 authorizes the President to give additional home repair assistance 
when the initial amount is insignificant, and it also restores the 
percentage of funding available under the HMGP. In the omnibus 
appropriation bill that concluded the last Congress, this percentage 
was modified, and there was compelling testimony before our 
subcommittee and also brought to the attention of the members of the 
full Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by people in 
emergency management administrations across the country that the 
previous levels authorized by the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure were absolutely essential to the work that they do.
  The bill also requires the completion of a CBO study on the 
effectiveness of the PDM. This study is required by December 30, 2006, 
by which time it is expected that there will be more information on 
which to study the effectiveness of the PDM.
  This legislation is the product of a comprehensive and inclusive 
legislative process. It is, I believe, a balanced approach to disaster 
mitigation and worthy of our support. I thank the ranking member of our 
subcommittee, the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. 
Norton), for her invaluable assistance in crafting this legislation, 
and also the chairman of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young) and the 
distinguished ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. 
Oberstar). Madam Speaker, I urge immediate adoption of H.R. 3181.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3181 the Predisaster 
Mitigation Reauthorization Act. As the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 
LaTourette) pointed out, the purpose is to reauthorize predisaster 
mitigation which provides assistance on a competitive basis to States 
and localities to undertake hazard mitigation projects. It is 
absolutely incontrovertible that if we take steps early in the process, 
we will protect lives, we will protect property. There is an added 
benefit in keeping disaster costs down and insurance rates in check.
  One way or another, we all pay for natural disaster events through 
Federal disaster relief and insurance premiums. Nationwide, annual 
homeowner insurance premiums have increased 42.2 percent since 1995. In 
the last 25 years, there have been almost 1,000 Presidential disasters 
declared, and the GAO has estimated that Federal disaster relief has 
increased fivefold in the course of the last decade. From 1998 to 2001, 
this is almost $40 billion.
  Not only will this legislation help homeowners be whole again, but it 
will save taxpayers billions of dollars in disaster assistance in the 
long haul.
  One of the concerns I and a number of Members had when we had the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency with its long history of helping 
our Nation deal with natural disasters moved into the Department of 
Homeland Security was the concern that the focus on the day-to-day 
disaster preparedness and emergency response, I would be lost in that 
large bureaucracy. I am hopeful that in the course of our heightened 
homeland security concerns, that we do not allow the focus of that 
agency to become blurred. Maintaining the Hazard Mitigation Grant 
Program is an essential part of maintaining that focus.
  By funding mitigation projects after disasters at the time when 
communities are most closely focused on the benefits of mitigation and 
protecting families from future loss, we are able to invent resources 
and make a difference. Sadly, there are already stories in the 
newspapers in southern California after, the disastrous fires and the 
testimony to inadequate planning and enforcement even of local 
regulations, the people are talking about moving back into harm's way.
  The Predisaster Mitigation Program Reauthorization Act we bring to 
the floor today provides the balance between the predisaster program 
and reaffirming our support for postmitigation.
  The pilot project, as has been referenced would provide for the 
distribution of grants to carry out disaster mitigation programs, was 
created to promote appropriate mitigation efforts without having to 
wait for a disaster to trigger the availability of funds in the future.
  Even though authorized to start in 1999, it only began this calendar 
year, and the competitive grants have yet to be received or awarded. 
Even though we want to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, and 
the CBO cannot yet compete its mandate due to the lack of substantive 
information, it is appropriate for us to reauthorize for 3 years to 
make sure we get the evidence.
  We ought to be very clear that we want to have the facts and figures 
to support being able to do more in the future. I deeply appreciate the 
work of our chairman, the gentleman from Alaska (Mr. Young), and the 
ranking member, the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Oberstar), and the 
work of the chairman of the subcommittee, the

[[Page H12128]]

gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette), and the ranking member, the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton). They provide 
continuing focus on this important area that too often fail to get the 
attention it deserves. If we do our job right, we will make a 
difference for people all across the country: taxpayers, homeowners, 
and the people who have the tough jobs working in the trenches.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Burns), a very valuable new member of 
our subcommittee and full committee. A lot of Members join the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, but few have understood 
it as quickly as the gentleman from Georgia.

                              {time}  1130

  Mr. BURNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support passage of H.R. 
3181, the Predisaster Mitigation Program Reauthorization Act of 2003. 
This comprehensive bill, developed on a bipartisan basis, extends the 
predisaster mitigation program for an additional 3 years, makes two 
important changes to the Stafford Act, and requires a Congressional 
Budget Office study of the program's effectiveness.
  This program, which was originally included in the Disaster 
Mitigation Act of 2000, takes the next step in protecting our 
communities from the devastating effects of disasters. By encouraging 
communities to engage in cost-effective disaster mitigation projects 
before disasters strike, we can dramatically reduce the response and 
recovery cost of these disasters.
  Unlike terrorism, natural disasters can and will strike every State 
and territory in the United States. From the ice storms that we suffer 
in my home State of Georgia to hurricanes that have even impacted 
Washington, D.C., every State and locality can prepare itself to reduce 
its risk from disasters. Whether it be seismic retrofits of buildings, 
safe rooms in schools, improved levees, or awareness programs, the 
actions that we take today will determine how we fare in a disaster. 
This program makes necessary funds available for such projects.
  H.R. 3181 also makes two very important changes to the Stafford Act. 
These changes have been requested by professional organizations and 
have strong bipartisan support. H.R. 3181 restores to previously 
authorized levels the percentage of HMGP funds available following 
disasters and authorizes additional home repair assistance for 
individuals when the initial amount of $5,000 is insufficient. Each of 
these changes will make recovering from a disaster and preparing for 
disasters easier, thereby reducing future costs.
  Finally, this bill requires a CBO study of the effectiveness of this 
program, a study which will guide future considerations for our efforts 
in the United States to ensure disaster relief.
  I urge the adoption of H.R. 3181.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  I want to thank my friend from Oregon for participating, also my 
friend from Georgia, again thank all the members of the subcommittee 
and those in the emergency management field across the country that 
helped participate and craft this legislation. The very able and 
capable staff of the committee has reminded me that yesterday we had on 
the floor a bill dealing with flood insurance which has a mitigation 
program; and although they have done mighty work, to date they have 
only secured 938 properties and removed them from further flood damage. 
This program that we are reauthorizing today has engaged in the 
purchase of 20,000 properties.
  Again, the testimony before the subcommittee was stark and it was 
clear. It is easy to get a community to come together and spend money 
after a flood, after a hurricane, after a tornado. It is very difficult 
to get people to make that investment prior to, but the testimony is 
clear that if you make that investment in seismic upgrading of 
buildings or other features throughout parts of the country, you can 
literally save billions of dollars. It is a good program. I urge 
support.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3181, the 
Predisaster Mitigation Reauthorization Act of 2003. This bill makes a 
limited number of necessary amendments to the Stafford Act. The 
Stafford Act governs the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) 
responsibilities to help communities prepare for and respond to 
disasters. Many of the FEMA's functions were transferred to the 
Department of Homeland Security's Directorate of Emergency Prepareness 
and Response when that Department was created last year.
  Over the last 25 years, this country has had nearly one thousand 
presidential disaster declarations in the United States and the Insular 
Territories. These disasters have cost our Nation billions of dollars 
and taken an untold number of lives.
  The Stafford Act authorizes programs that not only provide funding 
for post-disaster recovery, but also provide funding for importance 
pre-disaster hazard mitigation projects.
  In October 2000, Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 
(DMA), which reauthorized the Stafford Act and created several new 
programs. One of those new programs was a pre-disaster mitigation 
program that allowed FEMA to award grants to States on a competitive 
basis to implement pre-disaster mitigation plans. Although authorized 
to begin in fiscal year 1999, the program began in earnest only a few 
months ago. No competitive grant applications have yet been received by 
FEMA, and none of the competitive grants have been awarded. In light of 
this, H.R. 3181 extends the authorization of this program for another 
three years in order to give FEMA the time to implement the program and 
to give Congress the time to fairly evaluate it. In addition, the bill 
redirects the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to conduct a study on 
the program's effectiveness.
  Further, the bill reaffirms our support for the Hazard Mitigation 
Grant Program (HMGP) that seeks to substantially reduce the risk of 
future damage, hardship, or loss in any area affected by a major 
disaster. This program has a proven record of success. It is successful 
in large part because it funds hazard mitigation projects immediately 
after a disaster strikes, when the public and local governments are 
most focused on mitigation measures. In addition, it has the strong 
support of State and local governments.
  Finally, this bill would allow the Undersecretary to provide 
additional home repair assistance for a homeowner upon the homeowner's 
showing of an inability to make the necessary repairs by other means. 
Not being able to properly repair a home after a disease can add 
further distress to an already devastating situation. While current law 
provides for a $5,000 cap on home repair assistance for individuals who 
have been impacted by a disaster, there is a significant percentage of 
homeowners who continue to struggle with unmet needs. This bill 
remedies that concern.
  Madam Speaker, I'd also like to thank my colleagues on the 
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Chairman Young, 
Subcommittee Chairman LaTourette, and Subcommittee Democratic Ranking 
Member Norton, for their work on this important bill. I believe this 
bill provides a balanced approach to mitigation by providing for both 
pre- and post-disaster mitigation programs. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting it.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I raise today in support of H.R. 3181, 
the Predisaster Mitigation Act Reauthorization Act of 2002. I would 
like to commend my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee, Chairman Young, Subcommittee Chairman Latourette and 
Subcommittee Democratic Ranking Member Norton, for all of their work on 
this important bill.
  This bill makes a limited number of necessary amendments to the 
Stafford Act, which governs the Federal Emergency Management Agency's 
(FEMA) responsibilities to help communities prepare for and respond to 
disasters. The Stafford Act authorizes programs that provide funding 
for both post-disaster recovery, and for important pre-disaster hazard 
mitigation projects.
  The pre-disaster mitigation program was authorized to begin in fiscal 
year 1999; however, the program began in earnest only a few months ago. 
The program allowed FEMA to award grants to states on a competitive 
basis to implement pre-disaster mitigation plans. Because of its late 
start, no competitive grant applications have yet been received by 
FEMA, and none of the competitive grants have been awarded. Among other 
things, this bill extends the authorization of this program for another 
three years to give FEMA the time necessary to implement the program 
and to give Congress the time necessary to fairly evaluate it.
  Madam Speaker, I believe this is a good bill that provides a balanced 
approach to both pre- and post-disaster mitigation programs. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting the bill.
  Mr. LaTOURETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

[[Page H12129]]

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. LaTourette) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3181.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________