All Roll Calls
Yes: 406 • No: 8
117-s-1617117th CongressWALLET
Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act
Sponsored By: Senator Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Became Law
Summary
New rural disaster declaration creates a specific Small Business Administration pathway so rural towns, farms, and nonprofits can access disaster loan programs after major uninsured damage.
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- Rural homeowners and property owners in areas the Census designates as rural can qualify when any home, small business, nonprofit, or small agricultural cooperative suffers "significant damage" defined as uninsured losses of at least 40% of estimated replacement or pre-disaster market value.
- Small businesses, private nonprofits, and small agricultural cooperatives can become eligible for SBA disaster loan programs even if a presidential major disaster declaration did not authorize individual assistance, when a state governor or tribal chief requests the rural declaration and the damage threshold is met.
- State and tribal leaders must request these declarations. The SBA must issue implementing regulations within 120 days and report to the House and Senate small business committees within 120 days and annually. The Government Accountability Office must report within 1 year on rural challenges and offer legislative recommendations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More disaster loans for rural communities
In Census-defined rural areas, SBA can declare a disaster for loans when the President declares a major disaster but no individual assistance is approved. The Governor or tribal chief must request it. At least one home, small business, nonprofit, or small farm co-op must have significant damage. Significant means uninsured losses of at least 40% of the property's replacement value or pre-disaster market value, whichever is lower. This gives access to SBA disaster loans for homes, small businesses, nonprofits, and small farm co-ops. This applies only in Census-designated rural areas and is effective now. SBA must issue detailed rules within 120 days after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Risch, James E. [R-ID]
ID • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 5/13/2021
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 5/13/2021
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 5/13/2021
Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 5/13/2021
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 12/8/2022
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 406 • No: 8