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1995 SESSION

LD4428184
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 426
AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by the House Committee on Rules
on February 2, 1995)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Crouch)
Requesting the Department of Emergency Services to study the feasibility of establishing a Virginia Emergency Relief Fund to provide state assistance to localities declared disaster areas by the Governor but not approved for assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has faced an increased number of unusual natural disasters in recent years; and

WHEREAS, damage and destruction to public buildings and infrastructure due to such natural disasters have created astronomical budget crises for local governments; and

WHEREAS, there are additional costs for a wide variety of public health and safety measures arising from such natural disasters, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services, shelter, food, and curfew and law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, there are no statutory provisions authorizing the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide financial assistance to communities declared disaster areas by the Governor but subsequently not approved for assistance by FEMA; and

WHEREAS, such emergency financial assistance should not be subject to individual case evaluations by the General Assembly nor to individual case intervention by the Governor; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Emergency Services be requested to study the feasibility of establishing a Virginia Emergency Relief Fund to provide state assistance to localities declared disaster areas by the Governor but not approved for assistance by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Department shall also (i) evaluate the Commonwealth's policies governing assistance to Virginia localities declared disaster areas but which have not been approved for assistance by FEMA; (ii) determine potential sources of revenue for such fund; and (iii) suggest guidelines and procedures for qualification to receive funds up to 75 percent of any loss.

The Department shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.