S.Amdt. 2191

SA 2191. Mr. REED submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 3058, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, District of Columbia, and independent agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 348, between lines 5 and 6, insert the following:

SEC. 321. EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR UNANTICIPATED INCREASES IN UTILITY RATES.

(a) Public Housing Agencies.--

(1) In general.--To address unanticipated increases in utility rates, there are appropriated $362,000,000, to public housing agencies for the operation and management of public housing, as authorized under section 9(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(e)).

(2) Distribution of funds.--Public housing agencies shall be entitled to reimbursement for utility cost increases from funds made available under paragraph (1), upon submission of proof to the Secretary of such increases.

(b) Section 8 Residents.--

(1) In general.--To address unanticipated increases in utility rates, there are appropriated $498,000,000, to be available to residents receiving tenant-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f).

(2) Distribution of funds.--Public housing agencies administering tenant-based rental assistance under section 8 shall be entitled to additional funds made available under paragraph (1) to provide for utility allowance increases for section 8 participants upon submission of proof to the Secretary of such utility allowance cost increases.

(3) Payment standard.--The payment standard limitation under section 8(o)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(1)) may be exceeded without prior approval by the Secretary in instances where an increase in the utility allowance of a resident under paragraph (1) causes the assistance needs of that resident to rise above such limit.

(c) Emergency Designation.--The amounts appropriated under subsections (a) and (b) are designated as an emergency requirement under section 402 of H. Con. Res. 95 (109th Congress).