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House Approves Two Of Several Flood Disaster Relief Bills
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The House Wednesday approved House Bill 1915 (Boback-R-Columbia) to authorize state bridge repair and replacement projects in areas impacted by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.
Also passed by the House this week was House Bill 1913 (Culver-R-Northumberland) authorizing the abatement of real estate taxes because of destruction or damage caused by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee.
These bills are part of a seven bill package House Republicans proposed to deal with flood recovery issues.
“This legislation will enable flood-damaged communities to access the funding needed to complete state bridge repairs,” said Rep. Karen Boback. “I represent one of the hardest hit areas, and have seen firsthand how many communities are still struggling with the impact of these storms. I am hopeful this legislation will be approved by the Senate and governor in the near future so we can help Pennsylvania’s storm-ravaged areas get back on their feet.”
House Bill 1915, known as the Flood Disaster Highway Bridge Project Itemization Act of 2012, specifies state bridges throughout Pennsylvania slated to receive matching funds for repairs provided by federal disaster-aid dollars.
Rep. Boback noted PennDOT identified the projects included in the legislation.
In total, House Bill 1915 authorizes nearly $50 million for capital bridge repair and replacement projects, which will require federal approval and Gov. Tom Corbett’s authorization before funding is released. Funding will come from the Motor License Fund and federal dollars.
“This legislation will allow Pennsylvania to take full advantage of federal disaster relief funds for our communities desperately in need of bridge repair assistance,” said Rep. Boback. “I am very pleased to be part of the solution for the Commonwealth’s storm-damaged areas.”
House Bill 1915 and 1913 will now go before the Senate for its consideration. A summary and House Fiscal Note are available for House Bill 1915 and House Bill 1913.
The House also took action on these other flood disaster recovery bills:
-- House Bill 1916 (Millard-R-Columbia) providing for an itemized list of public improvement projects for flood protection and flood damage repair was reported from the House Appropriations Committee and is on the House Calendar for action.
-- House Bill 2077 (Masser-R-Columbia) establishing a $15 million small business flood relief program was amended and reported from the House Appropriations Committee and is on the House Calendar for action.
-- House Bill 2242 (Baker-R-Tioga) providing for a Capital Budget to repair flood-damaged highways was amended and reported out by the House Transportation Committee and referred into and out of the House Appropriations Committee and is now on the House Calendar for action.
-- House Bill 2245 (Bobak-R-Columbia) establishing the Flood Disaster Railroad Assistance Project List totaling $2.6 million was referred into the House Appropriations Committee, amended and reported out of Committee. The amendment took $2.6 million from the Rail Freight Assistance line item to fund the bill. The bill is now on the House Calendar for action.
-- House Bill 2244 (Major-R-Susquehanna) establishing the Watershed Disaster Reconstruction Account with funds from the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Fund was amended and reported out of the House Finance Committee and Tabled. The amendment allocated $1.3 million for the payment of the state's share to secure NRCS funding for stream restoration instead of from the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Fund.
Last November, the Senate passed a package of 8 flood disaster recovery bills which are pending in the House.
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4/2/2012 |
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