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Public Law117th CongressCommerce
S. 1617Became Law

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 20, 2022)

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a disaster in rural areas where significant damage has been incurred for the purpose of providing certain assistance.

A rural area is a county or political subdivision designated as such by the Census Bureau. Significant damage means uninsured losses of not less than 40% of the fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property (whichever is less).

For a rural area where the President has declared a major disaster, the SBA may declare a disaster for the purpose of providing economic injury disaster loans if (1) the state or tribal government wherein the rural area is located requests the declaration; and (2) any home, small business, private nonprofit organization, or small agricultural cooperative has incurred significant damage.

The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) any unique challenges to communities in rural areas compared to communities in urbanized areas when seeking economic injury disaster assistance, and (2) any legislative recommendations for improving access to disaster assistance for communities in rural areas.

What just happenedDec 20, 2022

Became Public Law No: 117-249.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID](R-ID)Sponsor
4 cosponsors2 D2 R
Read on Congress.gov
4cosponsors1committees28actions1related bills6subjects
  1. Dec 20, 2022President

    Became Public Law No: 117-249.

  2. Dec 20, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 117-249.

  3. Dec 20, 2022President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 20, 2022BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 16, 2022Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 16, 2022President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 8, 2022FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Dec 8, 2022FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 8 (Roll no. 517). (text: 12/05/2022 CR H8741)

  9. Dec 8, 2022Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 8 (Roll no. 517).(text: 12/05/2022 CR H8741)

  10. Dec 8, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8853-8854)

  11. Dec 5, 2022FloorH37220

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

  12. Dec 5, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House resumed debate on S. 1617.

  13. Dec 5, 2022FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1617.

  14. Dec 5, 2022FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8741-8742)

  15. Dec 5, 2022FloorH30300

    Ms. Velazquez moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

  16. Sep 29, 2022FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  17. Sep 29, 2022FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  18. Sep 29, 2022Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  19. Sep 28, 2022Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S5165; text: CR S5165)

  20. Sep 28, 2022Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S5165; text: CR S5165)

  21. May 3, 2022Floor

    By Senator Cardin from Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship filed written report. Report No. 117-103.

    Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
  22. May 3, 2022Committee14900

    By Senator Cardin from Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship filed written report. Report No. 117-103.

    Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
  23. Feb 17, 2022Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 278.

  24. Feb 17, 2022Committee

    Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Cardin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
  25. Feb 17, 2022Committee14000

    Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Cardin with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
  26. Feb 15, 2022Committee

    Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.

    Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
  27. May 13, 2021IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

    Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
  28. May 13, 2021IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawDec 20, 202249

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a disaster in rural areas where significant damage has been incurred for the purpose of providing certain assistance.

A rural area is a county or political subdivision designated as such by the Census Bureau. Significant damage means uninsured losses of not less than 40% of the fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property (whichever is less).

For a rural area where the President has declared a major disaster, the SBA may declare a disaster for the purpose of providing economic injury disaster loans if (1) the state or tribal government wherein the rural area is located requests the declaration; and (2) any home, small business, private nonprofit organization, or small agricultural cooperative has incurred significant damage.

The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) any unique challenges to communities in rural areas compared to communities in urbanized areas when seeking economic injury disaster assistance, and (2) any legislative recommendations for improving access to disaster assistance for communities in rural areas.

Passed HouseDec 8, 202253

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a disaster in rural areas where significant damage has been incurred for the purpose of providing certain assistance.

A rural area is a county or political subdivision designated as such by the Census Bureau. Significant damage means uninsured losses of not less than 40% of the fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property (whichever is less).

For a rural area where the President has declared a major disaster, the SBA may declare a disaster for the purpose of providing economic injury disaster loans if (1) the state or tribal government wherein the rural area is located requests the declaration; and (2) any home, small business, private nonprofit organization, or small agricultural cooperative has incurred significant damage.

The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) any unique challenges to communities in rural areas compared to communities in urbanized areas when seeking economic injury disaster assistance, and (2) any legislative recommendations for improving access to disaster assistance for communities in rural areas.

Passed SenateSep 28, 202255

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a disaster in rural areas where significant damage has been incurred for the purpose of providing certain assistance.

A rural area is a county or political subdivision designated as such by the Census Bureau. Significant damage means uninsured losses of not less than 40% of the fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property (whichever is less).

For a rural area where the President has declared a major disaster, the SBA may declare a disaster for the purpose of providing economic injury disaster loans if (1) the state or tribal government wherein the rural area is located requests the declaration; and (2) any home, small business, private nonprofit organization, or small agricultural cooperative has incurred significant damage.

The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) any unique challenges to communities in rural areas compared to communities in urbanized areas when seeking economic injury disaster assistance, and (2) any legislative recommendations for improving access to disaster assistance for communities in rural areas.

Reported to SenateFeb 17, 202225

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a disaster in rural areas where significant damage has been incurred for the purpose of providing certain assistance.

A rural area is a county or political subdivision designated as such by the Census Bureau. Significant damage means uninsured losses of not less than 40% of the fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property (whichever is less).

For a rural area where the President has declared a major disaster, the SBA may declare a disaster for the purpose of providing economic injury disaster loans if (1) the state or tribal government wherein the rural area is located requests the declaration; and (2) any home, small business, private nonprofit organization, or small agricultural cooperative has incurred significant damage.

The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) any unique challenges to communities in rural areas compared to communities in urbanized areas when seeking economic injury disaster assistance, and (2) any legislative recommendations for improving access to disaster assistance for communities in rural areas.

Introduced in SenateMay 13, 2021

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a disaster in rural areas where significant damage has been incurred for the purpose of providing certain assistance.

A rural area is a geographic area with a population of less than 200,000 outside an urbanized area. Significant damage means uninsured losses of not less than 40% of the fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property (whichever is less).

For a rural area where the President has declared a major disaster, the SBA may declare a disaster for the purpose of providing economic injury disaster loans if (1) the state wherein the rural area is located requests the declaration; and (2) any home, small business, private nonprofit organization, or small agricultural cooperative has incurred significant damage.

The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) any unique challenges to communities in rural areas compared to communities in urbanized areas when seeking economic injury disaster assistance, and (2) any legislative recommendations for improving access to disaster assistance for communities in rural areas.

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act — Informed