H.R. 6658: Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008

110th Congress · introduced 2008-07-30 · Emergency Management · Latest: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2008-07-30 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008

Plain summary

Disaster Response, Recovery and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to: (1) require the President to award financial assistance under the pre-disaster hazard mitigation program on a competitive basis; and (2) authorize continuing appropriations for such program through FY2011. Requires: (1) the President, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to modernize and implement the integrated U.S. public alert and warning system; and (2) the Administrator to establish an Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee. Makes temporary FEMA employees hired in the aftermath of a disaster eligible to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan. Authorizes the President to transfer excess materials, supplies, or equipment acquired for response or recovery efforts in connection with a major disaster or emergency to a state, local government, or relief organization to assist victims of other major disasters, emergencies, or incidents. Directs the Administrator to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System; (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources; (3) designate task forces to participate in the System and determine participation criteria; and (4) enter into annual preparedness cooperative agreements with sponsoring agencies. Provides for the establishment of a Disaster Relief Fund. Authorizes the President to: (1) increase disaster mitigation assistance to states that are actively enforcing approved building codes; and (2) provide temporary assistance in the form of mortgage or rental payments for individuals and families who, because of financial hardship caused by a major disaster, are at imminent risk of dispossession or eviction from a residence. Authorizes FEMA to rescue and shelter animals during disasters and emergencies. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) continue to administer the Citizen Corps and the Community Emergency Response Team Program; and (2) make grants for implementation of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Oberstar, James L. [D-MN-8] · 12 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 6658, Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008 (2008-10-07); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 6658, Disaster Response, Recovery, and Mitigation Enhancement Act of 2008 (2008-10-07)

Cosponsors on this site

Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-110hr6658.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/110/hr>

Record fed-us-cong110-hr6658 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110