Bill Summary
This legislation, titled the "Indian Tribal Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Assistance Cost Share Relief Act," aims to waive the cost sharing requirements for Native American tribes receiving disaster assistance in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that the federal government will cover 100% of the eligible costs for any assistance provided to these tribes, regardless of whether they were the direct recipient or a subrecipient of the assistance. The waiver applies to all applications submitted before, on, or after the enactment of this Act.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could positively affect tribal communities by waiving their cost share requirement for disaster assistance related to COVID-19. This could provide much-needed financial relief to these communities during a time of crisis.
2. On the other hand, this legislation could also potentially negatively affect non-tribal communities by diverting federal funds exclusively to tribal governments for disaster assistance. This could create tension and resentment between different communities.
3. The Act's applicability to disaster assistance applied for before, on, or after the date of enactment could cause confusion and delays in the distribution of funds. This could impact the timely and effective response to disaster situations.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3622 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3622
To waive the cost share requirement for Indian Tribes receiving
disaster assistance relating to COVID-19, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 6, 2020
Mr. Heinrich (for himself, Mr. Udall, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Sullivan, Mr.
Blumenthal, and Mr. Sanders) introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To waive the cost share requirement for Indian Tribes receiving
disaster assistance relating to COVID-19, and for other purposes.
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 ``Indian Tribal Government Coronavirus
(COVID-19) Disaster Assistance Cost Share Relief Act''.
SEC. 2. DISASTER ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
including any agreement, the Federal share of assistance, including
direct Federal assistance, provided to an Indian tribal government in
connection with COVID-19 under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) shall be 100
percent of the eligible costs under such Act, regardless of whether the
Indian tribal government was the recipient or subrecipient of the
assistance.
(b) Applicability.--The Federal share provided by subsection (a)
shall apply to disaster assistance described in subsection (a) applied
for before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act, regardless
of whether the application deadline for the assistance has passed.
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