[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1535-E1536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE COMMUNITY PROTECTION AND RESPONSE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Community 
Protection and Response Act of 2006 to eliminate confusion in terrorist 
prevention and response.
  One of the major lessons learned in the aftermath of the September 
11th attacks is that timely response is critical. Any delay complicates 
short-, medium-, and long-term recovery efforts. Sadly, many of the 
lessons that we have learned have gone without an appropriate response.
  In response to the attacks of September 11th, Congress took a series 
of actions to bring relief to affected areas. These legislative actions 
along with existing statutes, including the Robert T. Stafford Relief 
and Emergency Act and the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, formed the 
framework for the Federal Government's response. The magnitude of the 
attacks and the need for Congress to take action before certain relief 
could be delivered added to the challenge of the recovery efforts and 
exposed critical weaknesses in Federal authority to respond.
  The Community Protection and Response Act would amend the Stafford 
Act along with other statutes and would give the President a series of 
policy options to choose from following a homeland security event. A 
homeland security event is defined as an event that poses a significant 
risk to the security of people and property and is in such a magnitude 
that effective response is beyond the scope and capability of the 
affected State and local government. Many of these options are based on 
congressional action following September 11th or other policy 
suggestions in reports by the Congressional Research Service, the 
General Accounting Office and the New York branch of the Federal 
Reserve. Specifically, in the event of a homeland security event, the 
President can provide grants for lost tax revenue, aid to school 
systems, and assistance to medical facilities and utility companies. 
The bill also establishes guidelines to ensure the public health of 
area residents and disaster workers.
  Specifically this legislation would do the following:

          Community Protection and Response Act of 2006 (CPR)


  expansion of definitions in the stafford act/amendments to existing 
                                statutes

  1. Expands the definition of ``major disaster'' to include terrorist 
attacks, dispersions of radioactive or other contaminants, dispersion 
of hazardous substances, or other catastrophic event.
  2. In the event of a homeland security event expands definition to 
include private for-profit utilities (including power, water, 
telecommunications and phone services).
  3. Defines ``Homeland Security Event'' as a major disaster that poses 
a significant risk to the people and property of the Nation and it is 
such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the 
capability of the affected State and local government. Designation 
requested by Governor and made by President.
  4. Changes definition of critical services to include education 
systems, providers of counseling assistance, and providers of 
assistance to the homeless.
  5. Removes $5 million restriction for loans as a result of lost taxes 
or other revenues. Forgives interest in the event of a Homeland 
Security Event.
  6. Removes requirement of ``direct'' impact for assistance.


    homeland security events new authorities given to the president

  After declaration, the President is authorized, but not required, to 
do the following:
  1. Establish a coordinating office and appoint a Disaster Recovery 
Director.
  2. Reimburse State and local governments to respond to high security 
alerts.
  3. Provide grants to local governments which may suffer a loss of tax 
and other revenues.
  4. Reimburse school systems for lost instructional time, mental 
health and trauma counseling and clean up cost.
  5. Authorizes EPA to perform all indoor air testing and undertake 
remedial actions.


                        standards and reporting

  Directs OMB to establish standards for reporting disaster relief 
efforts regarding each agency that assists in disaster relief efforts 
following a homeland security event. Reports such data to Congress.


                       monitoring of health risks

  1. Instructs President to appoint a special commission to study the 
authorities available to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
following a homeland security event. Including the monitoring of the 
environment.
  2. Works with the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to 
develop guidelines regarding health risks for affected areas and 
instructs the CDC to provide information in the case of biological 
materials.
  3. Provides for standardization, rapid collection and analysis, and 
communication following a homeland security event.
  4. Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make 
awards to private

[[Page E1536]]

entities to collect health data in the aftermath of an event. These 
awards can be made in advance of the event for immediate response.

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