To provide for reimbursement of communities for purchases of supplies distributed to Katrina Survivors.

September 12, 2005

Mrs. HUTCHISON (for herself and Mr. CORNYN) introduced the following bill; which was read the first time

September 13, 2005

Read the second time and placed on the calendar

To provide for reimbursement of communities for purchases of supplies distributed to Katrina Survivors.

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

SECTION 1. REIMBURSEMENT FOR PURCHASES.

(a) Definitions-

(1) DISASTER PERIOD- The term `disaster period' means, with respect to any State that includes an area for which a major disaster has been declared in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) as a result of Hurricane Katrina, the period beginning on the earliest date on which any area of the State was so declared and ending on the latest date for which any such declaration of an area of the State terminates.

(2) KATRINA SURVIVOR- The term `Katrina Survivor' means an individual who--

(A) resides in an area for which a major disaster has been declared in accordance with 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) as a result of Hurricane Katrina; or

(B) resided in an area described in subparagraph (A) during the 7 days immediately preceding the declaration of a major disaster described in subparagraph (A).

(3) MAJOR DISASTER- The term `major disaster' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).

(b) Reimbursement-

(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2) and subsection (c), notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President shall reimburse a community for each purchase of supplies (such as food, personal hygiene products, linens, and clothing) distributed to Katrina Survivors in an amount equal to 100 percent of the amount expended for the purchase.

(2) ELIGIBLE PURCHASES- Reimbursement under paragraph (1)--

(A) shall be available only with respect to supplies that--

(i) are purchased with taxpayer dollars; and

(ii) would otherwise be eligible for reimbursement if purchased by a Katrina Survivor; and

(B) shall not be available with respect to any supplies purchased with funds from a charitable contribution.

(c) Period of Applicability- This section and the authority provided by this section apply only to a community assisting Katrina Survivors from a State during the disaster period of the State.

Calendar No. 206

To provide for reimbursement of communities for purchases of supplies distributed to Katrina Survivors.

September 13, 2005

END