Disaster declaration damage thresholds

(a) In general In making recommendations to the President regarding the eligibility of a State impacted by a major disaster declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall use as a factor for consideration whether the impacted counties, or subdivision therein, in such State meet the definition of an economically distressed community under section 301.3(a) of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, or a rural area under section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)). (b) Additional authorization In all cases where assistance under section 409 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as added by this Act, is authorized for a county, or a subdivision therein, that meets the definition of an economically distressed community under section 301.3(a) of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, or a rural area under section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)), the President shall provide assistance under section 408 of such Act. (c) Revisions to guidance, policies, and regulations The Administrator shall take such actions as are necessary to revise any policies, guidance, or regulations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to implement subsections (a) and (b). (d) Savings clause Nothing in this section shall be construed to constrain the authority of the President to make a determination of eligibility for assistance under section 409 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as added by this Act.