Bill Summary
The "Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act" is legislation aimed at expanding the eligibility for reimbursement under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for repairs, replacements, and restorations of private roads and bridges in North Carolina that were impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. This act allows state, tribal, and local governments to receive federal funds for these projects without consideration of the roads' pre-existing conditions, provided they serve as the only access to primary residences or essential services and were significantly damaged by the storm.
Key provisions include:
1. **Eligibility for Reimbursement**: Private roads and bridges that meet specific criteria related to storm damage and access will be eligible for federal reimbursement.
2. **Conditions for Assistance**: There are requirements for inspections to verify the need for repairs, documentation of costs, and compliance with regulations.
3. **Duplication of Benefits**: Individuals who have previously received disaster assistance for the same repairs can either proceed with those repairs or return the funds to access this new reimbursement option without it affecting their overall assistance limit.
4. **Cost Determination**: Eligible costs for reimbursement will be based on certified estimates from licensed engineers, ensuring that the amounts are reasonable and without fraud.
This legislation is intended to facilitate recovery efforts and restore vital access for communities affected by the disaster.
Possible Impacts
The "Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act" can have various impacts on individuals and communities affected by Tropical Storm Helene. Here are three examples:
1. **Improved Access to Residences and Services**:
By making repairs and restorations of private roads and bridges eligible for federal reimbursement, this legislation ensures that individuals living in remote areas can regain access to their homes and essential services (such as medical care, groceries, and emergency services) more quickly. This can significantly enhance the quality of life for residents who rely on these routes for daily activities and emergencies.
2. **Financial Relief for Local Governments**:
Local and tribal governments impacted by the storm will have the opportunity to receive federal funding for the repair and restoration of essential infrastructure. This financial relief can alleviate the burden on local budgets, allowing government entities to redirect funds to other critical services or recovery efforts. It also means that local governments can prioritize and expedite necessary repairs without fearing financial repercussions.
3. **Encouragement of Safe Reconstruction Practices**:
The legislation mandates that repairs must comply with state and federal regulations and require inspections to verify the need and cost-effectiveness of the work. This oversight can lead to safer and more resilient infrastructure, reducing the risk of future damage from similar disasters. As a result, residents may feel more secure knowing that the roads and bridges they depend on are built to higher standards, potentially decreasing the likelihood of future disruptions.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 267 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 267
To make certain repairs, replacements, and restorations of private
roads and bridges eligible for reimbursement under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 28, 2025
Mr. Budd (for himself and Mr. Tillis) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To make certain repairs, replacements, and restorations of private
roads and bridges eligible for reimbursement under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 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 ``Restoring Access to Mountain Homes
Act''.
SEC. 2. REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, AND RESTORATION WORK ON
PRIVATE ROADS AND BRIDGES IMPACTED BY TROPICAL STORM
HELENE.
(a) Eligibility for Reimbursement.--Notwithstanding any provision
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) or the regulations governing the public
assistance program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under
such Act, the State, Indian Tribal, and local governments in North
Carolina covered under major disaster declaration FEMA-4827-DR-NC
(relating to Tropical Storm Helene) shall be eligible for reimbursement
for the cost of repairs, replacements, or restoration to private roads
and bridges, without regard to pre-existing condition, under section
428 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5189f) that--
(1) are used as the sole means of access to primary
residences or essential community services;
(2) are significantly damaged or destroyed as a direct
result of Tropical Storm Helene as identified in FEMA-4827-DR-
NC; and
(3) does not duplicate work that has already been
completed.
(b) Conditions of Reimbursement.--Reimbursement under this section
shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) Private roads or bridges shall be inspected by
appropriate State, Indian Tribal, or local government officials
or their designees to verify the scope, need, and cost-
effectiveness of any mitigation measures for the proposed
repair, replacement, or restoration.
(2) The State, Indian Tribal, or local governments
requesting assistance shall ensure that the private roads or
bridges being repaired, replaced, or restored remain open for
disaster recovery activities for the duration of the repair,
replacement, or restoration process.
(3) The State or Indian Tribal governments shall be
responsible for documenting all costs associated with repairs,
replacements, or restorations within their jurisdiction in
accordance with Federal Emergency Management Agency policy.
(4) The State, Indian Tribal, or local government applying
for public assistance funding shall obtain authority or
permission to perform the work to permanently repair, replace,
or restore the private roads and bridges.
(5) The State, Indian Tribal, or local government applying
for public assistance funding shall ensure the work under this
section is performed in compliance with all applicable State
and Federal regulations and requirements that pertain to work
that is permanent in nature.
(c) Duplication of Benefits.--
(1) In general.--Any individual or household that has
received assistance prior to the date of enactment of this Act
pursuant to section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) for the
purposes of repairing a private road or bridge eligible under
this section may proceed with such repairs or return any such
assistance to have such repair eligible pursuant to this
section.
(2) Calculation.--In the event the individual or household
chooses to proceed with such repairs utilizing assistance
provided pursuant to section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174)
for a private road or bridge, such assistance shall not be
counted against the maximum amount of assistance for such
individual or household under such section.
(d) Eligible Cost.--
(1) In general.--In determining eligible costs, the
Administrator shall base such determinations on properly
conducted and certified cost estimates prepared by
professionally licensed engineers (mutually agreed upon by the
Administrator and the applicant).
(2) Use of estimates.--Once certified by a professionally
licensed engineer under paragraph (1) and accepted by the
Administrator, the estimates on which grants made pursuant to
this section are based shall be presumed to be reasonable and
eligible costs, as long as there is no evidence of fraud.
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