H.R. 801 – Reading Mode

114th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 801

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 5, 2015

Mr. Pallone (for himself, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Sires, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Engel, Mr. Rangel, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Norcross, Miss Rice of New York, Mr. Payne, and Mrs. Watson Coleman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To waive and repay certain debts relating to assistance provided to individuals and households.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act of 2015.

Debts arising since 2012

(a)

Definition

In this section, the term covered assistance means assistance provided—

(1)

under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174); and

(2)

in relation to a major disaster declared by the President under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) during the period beginning on January 1, 2012, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act.

(b)

Waiver authority

The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall waive a debt owed to the United States related to covered assistance provided to an individual or household, unless the debt involves fraud, the intentional presentation of a false claim, or intentional misrepresentation by the debtor or any party having an interest in the claim.

(c)

Repayment authority

The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall reimburse a debtor for any payments made by the debtor on a debt owed to the United States related to covered assistance, if the Administrator would have otherwise been required to waive the debt under subsection (b).