§777 Public Assistance Pilot Program

Summary

The President, working through the Administrator and with State and local governments, must start a pilot program to lower Federal costs, give more flexibility, and speed up help to States and local governments under 42 U.S.C. 5170b(a)(3)(A), 5172, and 5173. Only States and local governments that choose to join can take part. The Administrator will try new ways to run the programs, which may include one or more of these ideas: offer an in‑lieu payment equal to 90 percent of the Federal share of the estimated repair and management costs; make grants based on estimates both sides agree to and use incentives or penalties for timely or cost‑effective work; increase the Federal share for debris removal if a jurisdiction has an approved debris plan and pre‑qualified contractors before a disaster; use a sliding Federal share tied to how long debris removal takes; pay incentives to recycle debris; and reimburse base wages for government workers and extra hires doing debris work. The Administrator may waive rules needed to run the pilot. The Administrator must start putting the pilot into action not later than 90 days after October 4, 2006. No new pilot projects can be approved after December 31, 2008. The Administrator must report to the appropriate Congressional committees by March 31, 2009, describing administrative and financial benefits, any time or cost savings, legal or other obstacles to more recycling, other findings, and any recommendations for more authority or making the pilot permanent.