[114th Congress Public Law 88]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 685]]
RECOVERY IMPROVEMENTS FOR SMALL ENTITIES AFTER DISASTER ACT OF 2015
[[Page 129 STAT. 686]]
Public Law 114-88
114th Congress
An Act
To improve the disaster assistance programs of the Small Business
Administration. <<NOTE: Nov. 25, 2015 - [H.R. 208]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Recovery
Improvements for Small Entities After Disaster Act of 2015.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) <<NOTE: 15 USC 631 note.>> Short Title.--This Act may be cited
as the ``Recovery Improvements for Small Entities After Disaster Act of
2015'' or the ``RISE After Disaster Act of 2015''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
DIVISION A--SUPERSTORM SANDY RELIEF AND DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM
IMPROVEMENTS
Sec. 1001. Short title.
Sec. 1002. Findings.
TITLE I--DISASTER ASSISTANCE IMPROVEMENTS
Sec. 1101. Revised disaster deadline.
Sec. 1102. Use of physical damage disaster loans to construct safe
rooms.
Sec. 1103. Reducing delays on closing and disbursement of loans.
Sec. 1104. Safeguarding taxpayer interests and increasing transparency
in loan approvals.
Sec. 1105. Disaster plan improvements.
DIVISION B--RECOVERY IMPROVEMENTS FOR SMALL ENTITIES
Sec. 2001. Short title.
TITLE I--IMPROVEMENTS OF DISASTER RESPONSE AND LOANS
Sec. 2101. Additional awards to small business development centers,
women's business centers, and SCORE for disaster recovery.
Sec. 2102. Collateral requirements for disaster loans.
Sec. 2103. Assistance to out-of-State business concerns to aid in
disaster recovery.
Sec. 2104. FAST program.
Sec. 2105. Use of Federal surplus property in disaster areas.
Sec. 2106. Recovery opportunity loans.
Sec. 2107. Contractor malfeasance.
Sec. 2108. Local contracting preferences and incentives.
Sec. 2109. Clarification of collateral requirements.
TITLE II--DISASTER PLANNING AND MITIGATION
Sec. 2201. Business recovery centers.
TITLE III--OTHER PROVISIONS
Sec. 2301. Increased oversight of economic injury disaster loans.
Sec. 2302. GAO report on paperwork reduction.
Sec. 2303. Report on web portal for disaster loan applicants.
[[Page 129 STAT. 687]]
DIVISION A-- <<NOTE: Superstorm Sandy Relief and Disaster Loan Program
Improvement Act of 2015.>> SUPERSTORM SANDY RELIEF AND DISASTER LOAN
PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS
SEC. 1001. <<NOTE: 15 USC 631 note.>> SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``Superstorm Sandy Relief and
Disaster Loan Program Improvement Act of 2015''.
SEC. 1002. <<NOTE: 15 USC 636 note.>> FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2012, Superstorm Sandy caused substantial physical
and economic damage to the United States, and New York in
particular.
(2) For businesses and homeowners, the primary means of
obtaining long-term Federal financial assistance in the wake of
disasters such as Superstorm Sandy is through the Small Business
Administration's Disaster Loan Program.
(3) With regard to the Small Business Administration's
operation of the Disaster Loan Program after Superstorm Sandy,
the Government Accountability Office found that the
Administration did not meet its timeliness goals for processing
business loan applications.
(4) According to the Government Accountability Office, the
Small Business Administration stated that it was challenged by
an unexpectedly high volume of loan applications that it
received early in its response to Superstorm Sandy.
(5) As a result, many businesses and homeowners affected by
Superstorm Sandy were unable to apply for financing from the
Small Business Administration.
TITLE I--DISASTER ASSISTANCE IMPROVEMENTS
SEC. 1101. REVISED DISASTER DEADLINE.
Section 7(d) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(d)) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Disaster loans for superstorm sandy.--
``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, and subject to the same requirements
and procedures that are used to make loans pursuant to
subsection (b), a small business concern, homeowner,
nonprofit entity, or renter that was located within an
area and during the time period with respect to which a
major disaster was declared by the President under
section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) by reason
of Superstorm Sandy may apply to the Administrator--
``(i) for a loan to repair, rehabilitate, or
replace property damaged or destroyed by reason of
Superstorm Sandy; or
``(ii) if such a small business concern has
suffered substantial economic injury by reason of
Superstorm Sandy, for a loan to assist such a
small business concern.
[[Page 129 STAT. 688]]
``(B) Timing.--The Administrator shall select loan
recipients and make available loans for a period of not
less than 1 year after the date on which the
Administrator carries out this authority.
``(C) Inspector general review.--Not later than 6
months after the date on which the Administrator begins
carrying out this authority, the Inspector General of
the Administration shall initiate a review of the
controls for ensuring applicant eligibility for loans
made under this paragraph.''.
SEC. 1102. USE OF PHYSICAL DAMAGE DISASTER LOANS TO CONSTRUCT SAFE
ROOMS.
Section 7(b)(1)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
636(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``mitigating measures'' and all
that follows through ``modifying structures'' and inserting the
following: ``mitigating measures, including--
``(i) construction of retaining walls and sea walls;
``(ii) grading and contouring land; and
``(iii) relocating utilities and modifying
structures, including construction of a safe room or
similar storm shelter designed to protect property and
occupants from tornadoes or other natural disasters, if
such safe room or similar storm shelter is constructed
in accordance with applicable standards issued by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency''.
SEC. 1103. REDUCING DELAYS ON CLOSING AND DISBURSEMENT OF LOANS.
Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)) is amended
by inserting before the undesignated matter following paragraph (9) the
following:
``(10) Reducing closing and disbursement delays.--
<<NOTE: Notification. Web posting.>> The Administrator shall
provide a clear and concise notification on all application
materials for loans made under this subsection and on relevant
websites notifying an applicant that the applicant may submit
all documentation necessary for the approval of the loan at the
time of application and that failure to submit all documentation
could delay the approval and disbursement of the loan.''.
SEC. 1104. SAFEGUARDING TAXPAYER INTERESTS AND INCREASING
TRANSPARENCY IN LOAN APPROVALS.
Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)) is amended
by inserting before the undesignated matter following paragraph (10), as
added by section 1103 of this Act, the following:
``(11) Increasing transparency in loan approvals.--
<<NOTE: Procedures.>> The Administrator shall establish and
implement clear, written policies and procedures for analyzing
the ability of a loan applicant to repay a loan made under this
subsection.''.
SEC. 1105. <<NOTE: 15 USC 6571 note.>> DISASTER PLAN
IMPROVEMENTS.
The Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall revise
the comprehensive written disaster response plan required in section 40
of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657l), or any successor thereto, to
incorporate the Administration's response to a situation in which an
extreme volume of applications are received during the period of time
immediately after a disaster, which shall
[[Page 129 STAT. 689]]
include a plan to ensure that sufficient human and technological
resources are made available and a plan to prevent delays in loan
processing.
DIVISION B-- <<NOTE: Recovery Improvements for Small Entities After
Disaster Act of 2015.>> RECOVERY IMPROVEMENTS FOR SMALL ENTITIES
SEC. 2001. <<NOTE: 15 USC 631 note.>> SHORT TITLE.
This division may be cited as the ``Recovery Improvements for Small
Entities After Disaster Act of 2015'' or the ``RISE After Disaster Act
of 2015''.
TITLE I--IMPROVEMENTS OF DISASTER RESPONSE AND LOANS
SEC. 2101. ADDITIONAL AWARDS TO SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CENTERS, WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS, AND
SCORE FOR DISASTER RECOVERY.
Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)) is amended
by inserting before the undesignated matter following paragraph (11), as
added by section 1104 of this Act, the following:
``(12) <<NOTE: Grants. Contracts.>> Additional awards to
small business development centers, women's business centers,
and score for disaster recovery.--
``(A) In general.--The Administration may provide
financial assistance to a small business development
center, a women's business center described in section
29, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, or any
proposed consortium of such individuals or entities to
spur disaster recovery and growth of small business
concerns located in an area for which the President has
declared a major disaster.
``(B) Form of financial assistance.--Financial
assistance provided under this paragraph shall be in the
form of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
``(C) No matching funds required.--Matching funds
shall not be required for any grant, contract, or
cooperative agreement under this paragraph.
``(D) Requirements.--A recipient of financial
assistance under this paragraph shall provide
counseling, training, and other related services, such
as promoting long-term resiliency, to small business
concerns and entrepreneurs impacted by a major disaster.
``(E) Performance.--
``(i) In general.--The Administrator, in
cooperation with the recipients of financial
assistance under this paragraph, shall establish
metrics and goals for performance of grants,
contracts, and cooperative agreements under this
paragraph, which shall include recovery of sales,
recovery of employment, reestablishment of
business premises, and establishment of new small
business concerns.
``(ii) Use of estimates.--The Administrator
shall base the goals and metrics for performance
established
[[Page 129 STAT. 690]]
under clause (i), in part, on the estimates of
disaster impact prepared by the Office of Disaster
Assistance for purposes of estimating loan-making
requirements.
``(F) Term.--
``(i) In general.--The term of any grant,
contract, or cooperative agreement under this
paragraph shall be for not more than 2 years.
``(ii) Extension.--The Administrator may make
1 extension of a grant, contract, or cooperative
agreement under this paragraph for a period of not
more than 1 year, upon a showing of good cause and
need for the extension.
``(G) Exemption from other program requirements.--
Financial assistance provided under this paragraph is in
addition to, and wholly separate from, any other form of
assistance provided by the Administrator under this Act.
``(H) Competitive basis.--The Administration shall
award financial assistance under this paragraph on a
competitive basis.''.
SEC. 2102. COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DISASTER LOANS.
(a) In General.--Section 7(d)(6) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(d)(6)) is amended in the third proviso--
(1) by striking ``$14,000'' and inserting ``$25,000''; and
(2) by striking ``major disaster'' and inserting
``disaster''.
(b) Sunset.-- <<NOTE: Effective date. 15 USC 636 note.>> Effective
on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
section 7(d)(6) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(d)(6)) is
amended in the third proviso--
(1) by striking ``$25,000'' and inserting ``$14,000''; and
(2) by inserting ``major'' before ``disaster''.
(c) Report.--Not later than 180 days before the date on which the
amendments made by subsection (b) are to take effect, the Administrator
of the Small Business Administration shall submit to Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small
Business of the House of Representatives a report on the effects of the
amendments made by subsection (a), which shall include--
(1) <<NOTE: Assessment.>> an assessment of the impact and
benefits resulting from the amendments; and
(2) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tion.>> a recommendation as to
whether the amendments should be made permanent.
SEC. 2103. ASSISTANCE TO OUT-OF-STATE BUSINESS CONCERNS TO AID IN
DISASTER RECOVERY.
(a) In General.--Section 21(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 648(b)(3)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(3) At the discretion'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Assistance to out-of-state small business concerns.--
``(A) In general.--At the discretion''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) Disaster recovery assistance.--
``(i) In general.--At the discretion of the
Administrator, the Administrator may authorize a
small business development center to provide
advice, information, and assistance, as described
in subsection (c), to a
[[Page 129 STAT. 691]]
small business concern located outside of the
State, without regard to geographic proximity to
the small business development center, if the
small business concern is located in an area for
which the President has declared a major disaster.
``(ii) Term.--
``(I) In general.--A small business
development center may provide advice,
information, and assistance to a small
business concern under clause (i) for a
period of not more than 2 years after
the date on which the President declared
a major disaster for the area in which
the small business concern is located.
``(II) Extension.--The Administrator
may, at the discretion of the
Administrator, extend the period
described in subclause (I).
``(iii) Continuity of services.--A small
business development center that provides
counselors to an area described in clause (i)
shall, to the maximum extent practicable, ensure
continuity of services in any State in which the
small business development center otherwise
provides services.
``(iv) Access to disaster recovery
facilities.--For purposes of this subparagraph,
the Administrator shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, permit the personnel of a small
business development center to use any site or
facility designated by the Administrator for use
to provide disaster recovery assistance.''.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, subject to
the availability of funds, the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration should, to the extent practicable, ensure that a small
business development center is appropriately reimbursed for any
legitimate expenses incurred in carrying out activities under section
21(b)(3)(B) of the Small Business Act, as added by subsection (a).
SEC. 2104. FAST PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--Section 34(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
657d(a)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (9) as
paragraphs (4) through (10), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Catastrophic incident.--The term `catastrophic
incident' means a major disaster that is comparable to the
description of a catastrophic incident in the National Response
Plan of the Administration, or any successor thereto.''.
(b) Priority.--Section 34(c)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
657d(c)(2)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B)(vi)(III), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) shall give special consideration to an
applicant that is located in an area affected by a
catastrophic incident.''.
[[Page 129 STAT. 692]]
(c) Additional Assistance.--Section 34(c) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 657d(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Additional assistance for catastrophic incidents.--
Upon application by an applicant that receives an award or has
in effect a cooperative agreement under this section and that is
located in an area affected by a catastrophic incident, the
Administrator may--
``(A) provide additional assistance to the
applicant; and
``(B) <<NOTE: Waiver authority.>> waive the
matching requirements under subsection (e)(2).''.
SEC. 2105. USE OF FEDERAL SURPLUS PROPERTY IN DISASTER AREAS.
Section 7(j)(13)(F) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
636(j)(13)(F)) is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(i)'' after ``(F)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(ii)(I) In this clause-- <<NOTE: Definition. Time
period.>>
``(aa) the term `covered period' means the 2-
year period beginning on the date on which the
President declared the applicable major disaster;
and
``(bb) the term `disaster area' means the area
for which the President has declared a major
disaster, during the covered period.
``(II) The Administrator may transfer technology or
surplus property under clause (i) on a priority basis to
a small business concern located in a disaster area if--
``(aa) the small business concern meets the
requirements for such a transfer, without regard
to whether the small business concern is a Program
Participant; and
``(bb) for a small business concern that is a
Program Participant, on and after the date on
which the President declared the applicable major
disaster, the small business concern has not
received property under this subparagraph on the
basis of the status of the small business concern
as a Program Participant.
``(III) For any transfer of property under this
clause to a small business concern, the terms and
conditions shall be the same as a transfer to a Program
Participant, except that the small business concern
shall agree not to sell or transfer the property to any
party other than the Federal Government during the
covered period.
``(IV) A small business concern that receives a
transfer of property under this clause may not receive a
transfer of property under clause (i) during the covered
period.
``(V) If a small business concern sells or transfers
property in violation of the agreement described in
subclause (III), the Administrator may initiate
proceedings to prohibit the small business concern from
receiving a transfer of property under this clause or
clause (i), in addition to any other remedy available to
the Administrator.''.
SEC. 2106. RECOVERY OPPORTUNITY LOANS.
Section 7(a)(31) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(31)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
[[Page 129 STAT. 693]]
(A) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) as
clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), respectively; and
(B) by inserting before clause (ii), as so
redesignated, the following:
``(i) <<NOTE: Definition. Time period.>> The
term `disaster area' means the area for which the
President has declared a major disaster, during
the 5-year period beginning on the date of the
declaration.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) Recovery opportunity loans.--
``(i) In general.--The Administrator may
guarantee an express loan to a small business
concern located in a disaster area in accordance
with this subparagraph.
``(ii) Maximums.--For a loan guaranteed under
clause (i)--
``(I) the maximum loan amount is
$150,000; and
``(II) the guarantee rate shall be
not more than 85 percent.
``(iii) Overall cap.--A loan guaranteed under
clause (i) shall not be counted in determining the
amount of loans made to a borrower for purposes of
subparagraph (D).
``(iv) Operations.--
<<NOTE: Certification.>> A small business concern
receiving a loan guaranteed under clause (i) shall
certify that the small business concern was in
operation on the date on which the applicable
major disaster occurred as a condition of
receiving the loan.
``(v) Repayment ability.--A loan guaranteed
under clause (i) may only be made to a small
business concern that demonstrates, to the
satisfaction of the Administrator, sufficient
capacity to repay the loan.
``(vi) Timing of payment of guarantees.--
``(I) In general.--
<<NOTE: Deadline. Determination.>> Not
later than 90 days after the date on
which a request for purchase is filed
with the Administrator, the
Administrator shall determine whether to
pay the guaranteed portion of the loan.
``(II) Recapture.--Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, unless there
is a subsequent finding of fraud by a
court of competent jurisdiction relating
to a loan guaranteed under clause (i),
on and after the date that is 6 months
after the date on which the
Administrator determines to pay the
guaranteed portion of the loan, the
Administrator may not attempt to
recapture the paid guarantee.
``(vii) Fees.--
``(I) In general.--Unless the
Administrator has waived the guarantee
fee that would otherwise be collected by
the Administrator under paragraph (18)
for a loan guaranteed under clause (i),
and except as provided in subclause
(II), the guarantee fee for the loan
shall be equal to the guarantee fee that
the Administrator would collect if the
guarantee rate for the loan was 50
percent.
[[Page 129 STAT. 694]]
``(II) Exception.--Subclause (I)
shall not apply if the cost of carrying
out the program under this subsection in
a fiscal year is more than zero and such
cost is directly attributable to the
cost of guaranteeing loans under clause
(i).
``(viii) Rules.-- <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Not
later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this subparagraph, the Administrator shall
promulgate rules to carry out this
subparagraph.''.
SEC. 2107. CONTRACTOR MALFEASANCE.
Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)) is amended
by inserting before the undesignated matter following paragraph (12), as
added by section 2101 of this Act, the following:
``(13) Supplemental assistance for contractor malfeasance.--
``(A) In general.--If a contractor or other person
engages in malfeasance in connection with repairs to,
rehabilitation of, or replacement of real or personal
property relating to which a loan was made under this
subsection and the malfeasance results in substantial
economic damage to the recipient of the loan or
substantial risks to health or safety, upon receiving
documentation of the substantial economic damage or the
substantial risk to health and safety from an
independent loss verifier, and subject to subparagraph
(B), the Administrator may increase the amount of the
loan under this subsection, as necessary for the cost of
repairs, rehabilitation, or replacement needed to
address the cause of the economic damage or health or
safety risk.
``(B) Requirements.--The Administrator may only
increase the amount of a loan under subparagraph (A)
upon receiving an appropriate certification from the
borrower and person performing the mitigation attesting
to the reasonableness of the mitigation costs and an
assignment of any proceeds received from the person
engaging in the malfeasance. The assignment of proceeds
recovered from the person engaging in the malfeasance
shall be equal to the amount of the loan under this
section. <<NOTE: Audit.>> Any mitigation activities
shall be subject to audit and independent verification
of completeness and cost reasonableness.''.
SEC. 2108. LOCAL CONTRACTING PREFERENCES AND INCENTIVES.
Section 15 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644) is amended by
inserting after subsection (e) the following:
``(f) Contracting Preference for Small Business Concerns in a Major
Disaster Area.--
``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `disaster
area' means the area for which the President has declared a
major disaster, during the period of the declaration.
``(2) Contracting preference.--An agency shall provide a
contracting preference for a small business concern located in a
disaster area if the small business concern will perform the
work required under the contract in the disaster area.
``(3) Credit for meeting contracting goals.--If an agency
awards a contract to a small business concern under the
circumstances described in paragraph (2), the value of the
contract shall be doubled for purposes of determining
[[Page 129 STAT. 695]]
compliance with the goals for procurement contracts under
subsection (g)(1)(A).''.
SEC. 2109. CLARIFICATION OF COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS.
Section 7(d)(6) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(d)(6)) is
amended by inserting after ``which are made under paragraph (1) of
subsection (b)'' the following: ``: <<NOTE: Determination.>> Provided
further, That the Administrator, in obtaining the best available
collateral for a loan of not more than $200,000 under paragraph (1) or
(2) of subsection (b) relating to damage to or destruction of the
property of, or economic injury to, a small business concern, shall not
require the owner of the small business concern to use the primary
residence of the owner as collateral if the Administrator determines
that the owner has other assets of equal quality and with a value equal
to or greater than the amount of the loan that could be used as
collateral for the loan: Provided further, That nothing in the preceding
proviso may be construed to reduce the amount of collateral required by
the Administrator in connection with a loan described in the preceding
proviso or to modify the standards used to evaluate the quality (rather
than the type) of such collateral''.
TITLE II--DISASTER PLANNING AND MITIGATION
SEC. 2201. BUSINESS RECOVERY CENTERS.
Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)) is amended
by inserting before the undesignated matter following paragraph (13), as
added by section 2108 of this Act, the following:
``(14) Business recovery centers.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator, acting through
the district offices of the Administration, shall
identify locations that may be used as recovery centers
by the Administration in the event of a disaster
declared under this subsection or a major disaster.
``(B) Requirements for identification.--Each
district office of the Administration shall--
``(i) identify a location described in
subparagraph (A) in each county, parish, or
similar unit of general local government in the
area served by the district office; and
``(ii) ensure that the locations identified
under subparagraph (A) may be used as a recovery
center without cost to the Government, to the
extent practicable.''.
TITLE III--OTHER PROVISIONS
SEC. 2301. INCREASED OVERSIGHT OF ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS.
(a) In General.--Section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
636(b)) is amended by inserting before the undesignated matter following
paragraph (14), as added by section 2201 of this Act, the following:
[[Page 129 STAT. 696]]
``(15) Increased oversight of economic injury disaster
loans.--The Administrator shall increase oversight of entities
receiving loans under paragraph (2), and may consider--
``(A) scheduled site visits to ensure borrower
eligibility and compliance with requirements established
by the Administrator; and
``(B) reviews of the use of the loan proceeds by an
entity described in paragraph (2) to ensure compliance
with requirements established by the Administrator.''.
(b) Sense of Congress Relating To Using Existing Funds.--It is the
sense of Congress that no additional Federal funds should be made
available to carry out the amendments made by this section.
SEC. 2302. GAO REPORT ON PAPERWORK REDUCTION.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee
on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report evaluating
steps that the Small Business Administration has taken, with respect to
the application for disaster assistance under section 7(b) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)), to comply with subchapter I of chapter
35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as the ``Paperwork
Reduction Act'') and related guidance.
SEC. 2303. REPORT ON WEB PORTAL FOR DISASTER LOAN APPLICANTS.
Section 38 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657j) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(c) Report on Web Portal for Disaster Loan Application Status.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall submit to
the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the
Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of
Representatives a report relating to the creation of a web
portal to the track the status of applications for disaster
assistance under section 7(b).
``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall
include--
``(A) information on the progress of the
Administration in implementing the information system
under subsection (a);
``(B) <<NOTE: Recommenda- tions.>> recommendations
from the Administration relating to the creation of a
web portal for applicants to check the status of an
application for disaster assistance under section 7(b),
including a review of best practices and web portal
models from the private sector;
``(C) information on any related costs or staffing
needed to implement such a web portal;
``(D) information on whether such a web portal can
maintain high standards for data privacy and data
security;
``(E) information on whether such a web portal will
minimize redundancy among Administration disaster
programs, improve management of the number of inquiries
made by disaster applicants to employees located in the
area affected by the disaster and to call centers, and
reduce paperwork burdens on disaster victims; and
[[Page 129 STAT. 697]]
``(F) such additional information as is determined
necessary by the Administrator.''.
Approved November 25, 2015.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 208 (S. 1811):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 114-186 (Comm. on Small Business).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 161 (2015):
July 13, considered and passed House.
Oct. 21, considered and passed Senate, amended.
Nov. 16, House concurred in Senate amendments.
<all>