SB35 (2007) Detail

(2nd New Title) making an appropriation for disaster relief assistance in response to the May 2006 and April 2007 floods and establishing a committee to study the distribution of financial disaster assistance.


CHAPTER 334

SB 35-FN-A – FINAL VERSION

02/15/07 0139s

02/15/07 0228s

31May2007… 1697h

06/27/07 2284CofC

2007 SESSION

07-0250

05/09

SENATE BILL 35-FN-A

AN ACT making an appropriation for disaster relief assistance in response to the May 2006 and April 2007 floods and establishing a committee to study the distribution of financial disaster assistance.

SPONSORS: Sen. Gatsas, Dist 16; Sen. Barnes, Dist 17; Sen. Kenney, Dist 3; Sen. Gallus, Dist 1; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9; Sen. Clegg, Dist 14; Sen. Downing, Dist 22; Sen. Letourneau, Dist 19; Sen. Odell, Dist 8; Rep. Marshall Quandt, Rock 13; Rep. Hess, Merr 9; Rep. Whalley, Belk 5

COMMITTEE: Finance

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill appropriates state matching funds to the department of safety, bureau of emergency management, for disaster assistance to the communities that sustained flood damage in May 2006 and April 2007. The bill also establishes a committee to study the distribution of disaster assistance to local communities.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/15/07 0139s

02/15/07 0228s 07-0250

31May2007… 1697h 05/09

06/27/07 2284CofC

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven

AN ACT making an appropriation for disaster relief assistance in response to the May 2006 and April 2007 floods and establishing a committee to study the distribution of financial disaster assistance.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

334:1 Appropriation; State Matching Funds for May 2006 Disaster Assistance Grants. In response to flood damage sustained by communities in May 2006, a sum not to exceed $2,200,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of safety, bureau of emergency management, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, as the required state match for federal disaster assistance funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With prior approval of the fiscal committee, the department of safety, bureau of emergency management shall distribute the funds appropriated by this act to any eligible FEMA applicant that submitted a timely request for such assistance based on the disaster area declaration date. The funds shall be distributed pursuant to the following funding formula: federal funds shall be used for 75 percent of eligible costs and state funds shall be used for the remaining costs, except that the local municipality first shall pay a portion of such remaining costs, not to exceed 12.5 percent of its total eligible costs. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. Any unexpended funds shall lapse to the general fund on June 30, 2009.

334:2 Appropriation; State Matching Funds for April 2007 Disaster Assistance Grants. In response to flood damage sustained by communities in April 2007, a sum not to exceed $1,500,000 is hereby appropriated to the department of safety, bureau of emergency management, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, as the required state match for federal disaster assistance funds from FEMA. With prior approval of the fiscal committee, the department of safety, bureau of emergency management shall distribute the funds appropriated by this act for payment of claims in the order in which they were filed, to any eligible FEMA applicant that submitted a timely request for such assistance based on the disaster area declaration date. The funds shall be distributed pursuant to the following funding formula: federal funds shall be used for 75 percent of eligible costs and state funds shall be used for the remaining costs, except that the local municipality first shall pay a portion of such remaining costs, not to exceed 12.5 percent of its total eligible costs. The governor is authorized to draw a warrant for said sum out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. Any unexpended funds shall lapse to the general fund on June 30, 2009.

334:3 Committee to Study the Distribution of Financial Disaster Assistance Established.

I. There is established a committee to study the distribution of financial disaster assistance to local communities. The committee shall be comprised of 3 members, one of whom shall be appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be appointed by the senate president, and one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

II. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the senate appointee. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 30 days of the effective date of this section.

III.(a) The committee shall study policies relative to state and local matching funds required for federal disaster assistance from FEMA. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2007.

(b) The committee also shall study policies relative to state payment for private property damaged by disaster, as well as state payment for municipal expenses in municipalities, such as Dorchester and Colebrook, that have not been declared disaster areas by FEMA. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate clerk, the house clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2007.

334:4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

Approved: July 16, 2007

Effective: July 16, 2007