S. 1617: Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

117th Congress · Sponsored from Idaho · Became law

What this bill does

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.

Key facts

• Status Became law
• Introduced 2021-05-13
• Policy area Commerce
• Cosponsors 4
• Latest action Became Public Law No: 117-249.

Sponsor

Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]

Lead sponsor · Idaho

R

Who funds the sponsor?

Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID] introduced S. 1617. On Voterly you can see their top campaign donors from public Federal Election Commission records — individuals, PACs, and industry groups (follow the money) — and compare that with how they vote.

See Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]'s donors & voting record →

Campaign donations show who helps fund the sponsor's election; they are not the same as who drafted or lobbied for the bill text. Lobbying disclosures are separate public records.

Take a position & compare alignment

Agree or disagree with S. 1617? Go to the homepage to record your view and compare your stance with how your representatives vote. See Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]'s profile to vote on their bills and check your alignment % with the sponsor.

Read the official text on Congress.gov →