2000
[DOCID: f:h2762ih.txt]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2762
To provide incentives to encourage private sector efforts to reduce
earthquake losses, to establish a national disaster mitigation program,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 2, 2001
Ms. Hooley of Oregon introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees
of Financial Services, and Science, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide incentives to encourage private sector efforts to reduce
earthquake losses, to establish a national disaster mitigation program,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Earthquake Loss Reduction Act of
2001''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) After 23 years of research funded by the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, a substantial body of
knowledge exists about earth sciences, geotechnical, and
structural engineering and human behavior relating earthquakes.
(2) The foremost challenge as we enter the 21st century is
putting this knowledge to work by reducing future losses to
improve the safety of Americans and the performance of State
and local government facilities and private buildings and
facilities.
(3) Earthquakes and tsunamis cause great danger to human
life and property throughout the United States and continue to
threaten Americans significantly in over 40 States and
territories.
(4) Too few States and local communities have sufficiently
identified and assessed their risk and implemented adequate
measures to reduce losses from such disasters and to ensure
that their critical public infrastructure and facilities will
continue to function after the disaster.
(5) Too much of the Nation's stocks of housing and
commercial buildings remain inherently vulnerable to earthquake
shaking. Future losses in these facilities can be lessened
using currently feasible technology.
(6) Too much of local government infrastructure remain at
risk and are likely to be non-functional in the aftermath of
foreseeable earthquake events at the time when the services
they provide are critically necessary.
(7) Federal, State and local government expenditures for
disaster assistance and recovery have increased without
commensurate reduction in the likelihood of future losses from
such earthquakes.
(8) Feasible techniques for reducing future earthquake
losses are readily available.
(9) Without economic incentives, it is unlikely that States
and local communities and the public will be able to implement
available measures to reduce losses and ensure continued
functionality of their infrastructure.
(10) With moderate to strong seismic activity many historic
buildings would sustain extensive damage and the cost to repair
these structures will be prohibitive. Private insurance
companies are becoming increasingly reluctant to issue seismic
coverage. Without assistance, these historic, national
treasures will be lost forever.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to establish a national
disaster mitigation program that--
(1) reduces the loss of life and property, human suffering,
economic disruption, and disaster assistance costs resulting
from earthquakes;
(2) offers financial incentives to encourage private sector
efforts to reduce earthquake losses;
(3) provides matching funds to encourage and assist States
and local governments and the private sector in their efforts
to implement measures designed to ensure the continued
functionality of public infrastructure, historic buildings,
commerce, and habitation after earthquakes;
(4) creates Federal, State and local government
partnerships to reduce the vulnerability of public
infrastructure, commercial enterprises, historic buildings, and
residential buildings to earthquakes;
(5) creates a national seismic insurance pool to protect
national historic buildings;
(6) reduces risk of public and private investment in
historic buildings; and
(7) increases protection of our national historic legacy.
SEC. 3. NONREFUNDABLE CREDIT FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO SEISMIC RETROFIT
OF PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE.
(a) General Rule.--Subpart A of part IV of subchapter A of chapter
1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to nonrefundable
personal credits) is amended by inserting after section 25A the
following:
``SEC. 25B. EXPENSES RELATED TO SEISMIC RETROFIT OF PRINCIPAL
RESIDENCE.
``(a) General Rule.--In the case of an individual, there shall be
allowed as a credit against the tax imposed by this chapter for the
taxable year an amount equal to 50 percent of so much of the qualified
seismic retrofit expenses of the taxpayer for the taxable year as do
not exceed $6,000.
``(b) Qualified Seismic Retrofit Expenses.--For purposes of this
section--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified seismic retrofit
expenses' means amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer during
the taxable year in relation to any seismic retrofit
construction of the principal residence of the taxpayer.
``(2) Seismic retrofit construction.--The term `seismic
retrofit construction' means any addition or improvement--
``(A) which is certified by the State disaster
agency or other applicable agency--
``(i) as resulting in the mitigation of the
risk of damage to existing property from an
earthquake, and
``(ii) as being in addition to any addition
or improvement required by any State or local
law with respect to such property, and
``(B) which is placed in service at least 5 years
after the date the building is first placed in service.
Such term does not include the cost of acquiring such property
(or any interest therein).
``(3) Principal residence.--The term `principal residence'
has the same meaning as when used in section 121.
``(c) Denial of Double Benefit.--No deduction shall be allowed
under any other provision of this chapter with respect to any amount of
qualified seismic retrofit expenses taken into account under subsection
(a).
``(d) Basis Adjustment.--For purposes of this subtitle, if a credit
is allowed under this section with respect to any residence, the basis
of such residence shall be reduced by the amount of the credit so
allowed.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) The table of sections for subpart A of part IV of
subchapter A of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 25A
the following new item:
``Sec. 25B. Expenses related to seismic
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retrofit of principal
residence.''.
(2) Subsection (a) of section 1016 of such Code is amended
by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (26), by striking
the period at the end of paragraph (27) and inserting ``,
and'', and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(28) in the case of a residence with respect to which a
credit was allowed under section 25B, to the extent provided in
section 25B(d).''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to expenses paid or incurred in taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2000.
SEC. 4. RECOVERY PERIOD FOR DEPRECIATION OF CERTAIN SEISMIC RETROFIT
EXPENSES.
(a) Treatment as 5-Year Property.--Section 168(e)(3)(B) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to 5-year property) is amended
by striking ``and'' at the end of clause (v), by striking the period
and inserting ``, and'' at the end of clause (vi), and by inserting
after clause (vi) the following new clause:
``(vii) any qualified seismic retrofit
property.''.
(b) Definition of Qualified Seismic Retrofit Property.--Section
168(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to definitions
and special rules) is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(15) Qualified seismic retrofit property.--
``(A) In general.--The term `qualified seismic
retrofit property' means any addition or improvement to
real property for which depreciation is allowable under
this section--
``(i) for which the expenditure is properly
chargeable to the capital account, and
``(ii) which is a seismic retrofit.
``(B) Seismic retrofit.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A)(i), the term `seismic retrofit' means
any addition or improvement--
``(i) which is certified by the State
disaster agency or other applicable agency--
``(I) as resulting in the
mitigation of the risk of damage to
existing property from an earthquake,
and
``(II) as being in addition to any
addition or improvement required by any
State or local law with respect to such
property, and
``(ii) which is placed in service at least
5 years after the date the building is first
placed in service.
Such term does not include the cost of acquiring such
property (or any interest therein).''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to qualified seismic retrofit property placed in service after
December 31, 2000.
SEC. 5. QUALIFIED SEISMIC RETROFITTING BONDS.
(a) In General.-- Section 144 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to qualified small issue bond; qualified student loan bond;
qualified redevelopment bond) is amended by adding at the end the
following new subsection:
``(d) Qualified Seismic Retrofitting Bond.--For purposes of this
part--
``(1) In general.--The term `qualified seismic retrofitting
bond' means any bond issued as part of an issue 95 percent or
more of the net proceeds of which are to be used--
``(A) for seismic retrofitting expenditures, and
``(B) in a manner which meets the requirements of
paragraph (3).
``(2) Seismic retrofitting expenditure.--For purposes of
paragraph (1), the term `seismic retrofitting expenditure'
means any amount properly chargeable to capital account--
``(A) which is certified by the State disaster
agency or other applicable agency--
``(i) as resulting in the mitigation of the
risk of damage to existing property from an
earthquake, and
``(ii) as being in addition to any addition
or improvement required by any State or local
law with respect to such property, and
``(B) which is placed in service at least 5 years
after the date the building is first placed in service.
Such term does not include the cost of acquiring such property
(or any interest therein).
``(3) Use of proceeds requirements.--The use of the
proceeds of an issue meets the requirements of this paragraph
if within the 26-month period beginning with the date of
issue--
``(A) at least 95 percent of the net proceeds of
such issue are used for seismic retrofitting
expenditures or are used to finance 1 or more loans to
ultimate borrowers for such expenditures, or
``(B) to the extent not so used under subparagraph
(A), such proceeds in excess of $10,000 are used to
redeem bonds which are part of such issue.''.
(b) Bonds Treated as Qualified Bonds.--Paragraph (1) of section
141(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (defining qualified bond)
is amended by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (F), by
redesignating subparagraph (G) as subparagraph (H), and by inserting
after subparagraph (F) the following new subparagraph:
``(G) a qualified seismic retrofitting bond, or''.
(c) Bonds Included for Purposes of Small Issuer Exemption Status.--
Subclause (I) of section 265(b)(3)(C)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (relating to obligations not taken into account in determining
status as qualified small issuer) is amended by inserting ``, or a
qualified seismic retrofitting bond, as defined in section 144(d)(1)''
after ``section 145''.
(d) Exception From Volume Cap.--Section 146(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to exception for certain bonds) is
amended by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (3), by striking
the period at the end of paragraph (4) and inserting a comma, and by
adding after paragraph (4) the following new paragraphs:
``(5) any qualified mortgage bond if 95 percent or more of
the net proceeds of the bond are to be used to provide home
improvement loans in connection with seismic retrofitting
expenditures (as defined in section 144(d)(2) without regard to
the capital account requirement), and
``(6) any qualified seismic retrofitting bond.''.
(e) Proceeds of Mortgage Revenue Bonds Used in Connection With
Seismic Retrofitting.--
(1) In general.--Paragraph (4) of section 143(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to other definitions
and special rules for qualified mortgage bonds) is amended to
read as follows:
``(4) Qualified home improvement loan.--The term `qualified
home improvement loan' means--
``(A) the financing (in an amount which does not
exceed $15,000)--
``(i) of alterations, repairs, and
improvements on or in connection with an
existing residence by the owner thereof, but
``(ii) only for such items as substantially
protect or improve the basic livability or
energy efficiency of the property, and
``(B) the financing (in an amount which does not
exceed $20,000) of seismic r
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etrofitting expenditures
(as defined in section 144(d)(2) without regard to the
capital account requirement) in connection with an
existing residence by the owner thereof.''.
(2) Exception from income requirements.--Section 143(f) of
such Code (relating to income requirements) is amended by
adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(7) Exception for certain qualified home improvement
loans.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to any
qualified home improvement loan (as defined in subsection
(k)(4)(B).''.
(f) Clerical Amendments.--
(1) The heading of section 144 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 is amended by striking ``bond.'' and inserting ``bond;
qualified seismic retrofitting bond.''.
(2) The item relating to section 144 in the table of
sections for subpart A of part IV of subchapter B of chapter 1
of such Code is amended by striking ``bond.'' and inserting
``bond; qualified seismic retrofitting bond.''
(g) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply to bonds issued after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. TREATMENT OF PASSIVE LOSSES OF CERTAIN PARTNERSHIPS ENGAGED IN
SEISMIC RETROFITTING.
(a) In General.--Section 469 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to passive activity losses and credits limited) is amended by
adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(n) Exemption for Seismic Retrofitting Trade or Business.--
``(1) In general.--In the case of any natural person,
subsection (a) shall not apply to that portion of the passive
activity loss or the deduction equivalent (within the meaning of
subsection (j)(5)) of the passive activity credit for any taxable year
which is attributable to any seismic retrofitting activity which such
person engages in during the taxable year, whether or not the taxpayer
materially participates in such activity.
``(2) Seismic retrofitting activity.--For purposes of this
subsection, the term `seismic retrofitting activity' means any
activity which involves the trade or business of seismic
retrofit construction (as defined in section 25B(b)(2)) for
residential property.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2000.
SEC. 7. MORTGAGE INSURANCE INCENTIVE.
Section 203(b)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
1709(b)(2)), is amended, in the second undesignated paragraph, by
inserting ``or due to seismic retrofitting of the residence (within the
meaning of the term `seismic retrofit construction' under section
25B(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986)'' after ``Act)
therein''.
SEC. 8. EARTHQUAKE DISASTER MITIGATION AND RECOVERY PLANNING GRANT
PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--
(1) In general.--Section 4 of the Earthquake Hazards
Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7703) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(8) Agency.--The term `Agency' means the Federal
Emergency Management Agency.
``(9) Critical facility.--The term `critical facility'
means--
``(A) a public structure (including a police
station, fire station, city or town hall, school, or
other public building) or a public or nonprofit private
hospital that is--
``(i) owned by an entity; and
``(ii) critical to the continuity of the
entity or to the conduct of the disaster
response activities of the entity; or
``(B) a facility that--
``(i) provides medical services to a
specific occupational or industry segment of
the general public; and
``(ii) is operated by an organization
described in subsection (c) or (d) of section
501 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
exempt from taxation under subsection (a) of
such section.
``(10) Critical public infrastructure.--The term `critical
public infrastructure' means a utility or transportation system
(including a bridge, energy system, water or sewer system, or
communication system) that is--
``(A) owned by an entity; and
``(B) critical to the conduct of the disaster
response activities of the entity.
``(11) Earthquake disaster.--
``(A) In general.--The term `earthquake disaster'
means a disaster that results from a movement of the
earth.
``(B) Inclusions.--The term `earthquake disaster'
includes a disaster that results from a tsunami or an
earthquake-caused landslide or liquefaction (as
determined by the Director of the Agency).
``(12) Grant program.--The term `grant program' means the
earthquake disaster mitigation and recovery planning grant
program established under section 6.
``(13) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
``(14) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
``(15) Local government.--The term `local government'
means--
``(A) a city, town, township, county, parish,
village, or other general-purpose political subdivision
of a State;
``(B) an Indian tribe; and
``(C) a geologic hazard abatement or similar
special purpose district formed to carry out or fund
projects to reduce the vulnerability of infrastructure
and buildings to earthquake disasters.
``(16) Loss reduction trust fund.--The term `Loss Reduction
Trust Fund' means the Loss Reduction Trust Fund established by
section 7.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 5(b)(1) of the
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7704(b)(1))
is amended by striking ``(hereafter in this Act referred to as
the `Agency')''.
(b) Grant Program.--The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 is
amended by inserting after section 5 (42 U.S.C. 7704) the following:
``SEC. 6. EARTHQUAKE DISASTER MITIGATION AND RECOVERY PLANNING GRANT
PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Director of the Agency may establish a
grant program to provide financial assistance to eligible recipients
described in subsection (b) to pay the Federal share of the cost of
carrying out earthquake disaster mitigation and recovery planning
measures with respect to the critical facilities and critical public
infrastructure under the jurisdiction of the recipients.
``(b) Eligible Recipients.--
``(1) In general.--To be eligible for a grant under the
grant program, an entity shall be a local government, public or
nonprofit private hospital, or public institution of higher
education that--
``(A) has jurisdiction over, or is located in, an
area that is subject to earthquake disasters;
``(B) submits to the Director of the Agency for
approval an application for the grant in such form as
the Director shall require;
``(C) has completed an earthquake disaster risk
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analysis;
``(D) has adopted a long-term strategic earthquake
disaster loss reduction plan that identifies high
priority earthquake disaster loss reduction projects;
and
``(E) meets criteria established by the Director
under paragraph (2).
``(2) Criteria.--
``(A) Establishment.--The Director of the Agency
shall establish, by regulation, criteria that local
governments, public and nonprofit private hospitals,
and public institutions of higher education shall meet
to qualify for grants under the grant program.
``(B) Requirement applicable to local
governments.--The criteria under subparagraph (A)
applicable to local governments shall include the
requirement that a local government adopt and enforce
comprehensive ordinances, building codes, land use
measures, and other measures for earthquake disaster
loss reduction that--
``(i) take into consideration the
identified earthquake hazards applicable to the
area over which the local government has
jurisdiction; and
``(ii) reflect current, cost-effective
techniques designed to reduce losses from
earthquake disasters and ensure the continued
functionality of critical facilities and
critical public infrastructure.
``(C) Consultation.--The criteria under
subparagraph (A) shall be adopted after consultation
with--
``(i) Federal, State, and local government
officials and agencies; and
``(ii) other persons knowledgeable in the
fields of natural disasters and hazard
mitigation.
``(c) Cost Sharing.--
``(1) Federal share.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), the
Federal share of the cost of measures carried out using
a grant under the grant program shall be 75 percent.
``(B) Insufficiency of federal funds.--In paying
the Federal share under subparagraph (A) in a case in
which there are insufficient funds in the Loss
Reduction Trust Fund to fund all applications that are
eligible for approval, the Director of the Agency may
consider--
``(i) the desirability of geographical
dispersal of available funds;
``(ii) the extent to which any applicant
faces a greater risk of earthquake disasters,
in number or severity, than other applicants;
``(iii) the extent to which each applicant
is expending resources on addressing urgent
problems concerning critical facilities or
critical public infrastructure; and
``(iv) the extent to which the measures
proposed to be funded using the grant are
expected to result in cost savings to the
Federal Government under the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
``(2) Non-federal share.--
``(A) Grants to local governments (other than
indian tribes).--In the case of a grant to a local
government (other than an Indian tribe) under the grant
program, the non-Federal share of the cost of measures
carried out using the grant shall be provided as
follows:
``(i) \1/2\ by the State.
``(ii) \1/2\ by the local government.
``(B) Grants to indian tribes.--In the case of a
grant to an Indian tribe under the grant program, the
non-Federal share of the cost of measures carried out
using the grant shall be provided as follows:
``(i) \1/2\ by the Bureau of Indian
Affairs.
``(ii) \1/2\ by the Indian tribe.
``(C) Grants to public hospitals.--In the case of a
grant to a public hospital under the grant program, the
non-Federal share of the cost of measures carried out
using the grant shall be provided as follows:
``(i) \1/2\ by the State, from funds other
than general State appropriations to the
hospital.
``(ii) \1/2\ by the public hospital, from
general State appropriations to the hospital or
from funds donated to the hospital.
``(D) Grants to nonprofit private hospitals.--In
the case of a grant to a nonprofit private hospital
under the grant program, the non-Federal share of the
cost of measures carried out using the grant shall be
provided by the nonprofit private hospital.
``(E) Grants to public institutions of higher
education.--In the case of a grant to a public
institution of higher education under the grant
program, the non-Federal share of the cost of measures
carried out using the grant shall be provided as
follows:
``(i) \1/2\ by the State, from funds other
than general State appropriations to the
institution of higher education.
``(ii) \1/2\ by the public institution of
higher education, from general State
appropriations to the institution of higher
education or from funds donated to the
institution of higher education.
``(d) Use of Grant Funds.--
``(1) In general.--A grant under the grant program may be
used--
``(A) to retrofit critical facilities and critical
public infrastructure in accordance with paragraph (2);
``(B) to implement earthquake disaster mitigation
measures in accordance with paragraph (3); or
``(C) to develop earthquake disaster recovery plans
in accordance with paragraph (4).
``(2) Retrofit of critical facilities and critical public
infrastructure.--
``(A) In general.--A grant under the grant program
may be used to retrofit a critical facility or critical
public infrastructure with parts or equipment that
meets current standards for withstanding earthquake
disasters (as determined by the Director of the
Agency).
``(B) Selection of critical facilities and critical
public infrastructure.--A critical facility or critical
public infrastructure shall be selected for a grant
under subparagraph (A) if the critical facility or
critical public infrastructure is identified in a long-
term strategic earthquake disaster loss reduction plan
adopted under subsection (b)(1)(D) as having high
priority for retrofit because
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of the effect that damage
to the critical facility or critical public
infrastructure from an earthquake disaster would have
on the quality of human life in the region and on
recovery from the earthquake disaster.
``(3) Implementation of earthquake disaster mitigation
measures.--A grant under the grant program may be used to
implement an earthquake disaster mitigation measure designed to
ensure the continued functionality of a critical facility or
critical public infrastructure.
``(4) Development of earthquake disaster recovery plans.--
``(A) In general.--A grant under the grant program
may be used to develop an earthquake disaster recovery
plan that includes--
``(i) a plan for reestablishing government
operations and community services after an
earthquake disaster; and
``(ii) a plan for long-term recovery after
an earthquake disaster.
``(B) Schedule for payment of grant funds.--Of a
grant for measures described in subparagraph (A)--
``(i) 50 percent shall be paid upon
approval by the Director of the Agency of the
application for the grant; and
``(ii) 50 percent shall be paid upon
adoption of the earthquake disaster recovery
plan by the local government, public hospital,
or public institution of higher education.
``SEC. 7. LOSS REDUCTION TRUST FUND.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the
United States a fund to be known as the `Loss Reduction Trust Fund',
consisting of--
``(1) such amounts as are appropriated to the Loss
Reduction Trust Fund under subsection (b);
``(2) such amounts as are appropriated to the Loss
Reduction Trust Fund under section 12(e); and
``(3) any interest earned on investment of amounts in the
Loss Reduction Trust Fund under subsection (d).
``(b) Transfers to Loss Reduction Trust Fund.--There are
appropriated to the Loss Reduction Trust Fund amounts equivalent to--
``(1) such amounts as the Director of the Agency determines
are remaining after the close-out of any active disaster
declaration account under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
``(2) such amounts as--
``(A) were allocated for hazard mitigation
assistance with respect to a major disaster under
section 404 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 5170c); and
``(B) the Director of the Agency determines are
remaining after expiration of the time limits
established under subsection (c) of that section; and
``(3) amounts received as gifts under subsection (f).
``(c) Expenditures From Loss Reduction Trust Fund.--Upon request by
the Director of the Agency, the Secretary of the Treasury shall
transfer from the Loss Reduction Trust Fund to the Director of the
Agency such amounts as the Director of the Agency determines are
necessary to carry out section 6.
``(d) Investment of Amounts.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury shall
invest such portion of the Loss Reduction Trust Fund as is not,
in the judgment of the Secretary of the Treasury, required to
meet current withdrawals. Investments may be made only in
interest-bearing obligations of the United States.
``(2) Acquisition of obligations.--For the purpose of
investments under paragraph (1), obligations may be acquired--
``(A) on original issue at the issue price; or
``(B) by purchase of outstanding obligations at the
market price.
``(3) Sale of obligations.--Any obligation acquired by the
Loss Reduction Trust Fund may be sold by the Secretary of the
Treasury at the market price.
``(4) Credits to fund.--The interest on, and the proceeds
from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the
Loss Reduction Trust Fund shall be credited to and form a part
of the Loss Reduction Trust Fund.
``(e) Transfers of Amounts.--
``(1) In general.--The amounts required to be transferred
to the Loss Reduction Trust Fund under this section shall be
transferred at least monthly from the general fund of the
Treasury to the Loss Reduction Trust Fund on the basis of
estimates made by the Secretary of the Treasury.
``(2) Adjustments.--Proper adjustment shall be made in
amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates
were in excess of or less than the amounts required to be
transferred.
``(f) Gifts.--The Secretary of the Treasury may accept gifts of
cash for transfer to the Loss Reduction Trust Fund.''.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 12 of the Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7706) is amended by inserting
after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Loss Reduction Trust Fund.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Loss Reduction Trust Fund $1,000,000,000.''.
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