Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Drinking Water Disaster Act of 2016”.
Drinking Water Disaster Act of 2016
A BILL
To authorize the President to provide major disaster assistance for contamination of drinking water from public water systems.
Sec. 2 Authority to use disaster relief funds
In general— Notwithstanding the definition of the term major disaster in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122), the President may, upon the request of a Governor of a State, declare under section 401 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) that a major disaster exists as a result of contamination of drinking water from a public water system (as defined in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f)).
Regulations— Notwithstanding subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, and not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall promulgate regulations to carry out the authority described in subsection (a).
Coordination— In the case of a major disaster declared under subsection (a), the Federal coordinating officer appointed under section 302 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5143) shall ensure that the coordination of administration of relief required under subsection (b) of that section includes, at a minimum, coordination with—
the Secretary of Health and Human Services;
the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers;
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and
the head of any other relevant agency.