HB 421: An Act authorizing grants for temporary housing assistance during emergencies and disasters. Representative Eldon Mulder, sponsor of HB 421, and Jeff Morrison, Director, Administrative & Support Services Division, Department of Military & Veteran Affairs, testified in opposition to limiting grants to $5,000. Discussion was had by Senators Kelly, Sharp, and Co-chair Pearce regarding double payments and existing legislation for limits. HB 421 was HELD in committee until a new CS could be drafted. HOUSE BILL NO. 421: An Act authorizing grants for temporary housing assistance during emergencies and disasters. Co-chair Pearce announced that work draft SCSHB 421(FIN) "E" version was before the committee. She pointed out new language on page 1, line 11-14, and page 2, line 1, which Co-chair Frank and Senator Kelly had approved. CO-CHAIR FRANK MOVED for adoption of work draft SCSHB 421(FIN) "E" version. No objection being heard, it was ADOPTED. Representative Mulder invited Jeff Morrison, Director, Administrative & Support Services Division, Department of Military & Veteran Affairs, to speak to the bill. In regard to the $5,000 restriction, he said that in a real emergency the restriction might be too constrictive. JEFF MORRISON said there were two sections in present law regarding disasters. One that pertains to individual and family grants and one that pertains to temporary housing. HB 421 only applied to the temporary housing provision. The other section pertaining to family grants, was intended to address immediate needs following a disaster other than housing, such as food, clothing, medicine, bedding, etc., and had a $5,000 limitation per individual or per family. HB 421 would not change that limitation. He did not support putting a limit on temporary housing because it might not meet the needs of disaster victims. There was a limit of eighteen months for housing and a time limit seemed a more appropriate limitation. In answer to Co-chair Pearce, Mr. Morrison said that if a disaster was solely a state disaster and not declared a federal disaster, people would not be eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants. Usually the magnitude of a disaster, for instance, how many individuals it effected, was the factor mandating it as a federal disaster. Senator Kelly asked if the state would be reimbursed if an individual received state and then later federal assistance. Mr. Morrison said there was a provision in the current temporary housing plan to offset insurance proceeds. He did not know if a settlement would be treated the same way. Discussion followed regarding housing limitations by Senator Sharp, Mr. Morrison, and Co-chair Pearce. Senator Kelly requested a provision be added to the bill to provide reimbursement to the state if an insurance or federal settlement was received by individuals receiving grants. Mr. Morrison suggested that Senator Kelly's concern could be addressed by adding the words "or other payments" after the words "under private Insurance" on line 14, and on line 12, and replace the words "are not eligible for" with the words "for the cost of housing that are not covered under." The state then would not duplicate payments. Co- chair Pearce pointed out that it might be years before settlements or other payments were received, and this was an emergency grant so individuals could receive money quickly. Senator Kelly agreed with Co-chair Pearce that the state grant would be an immediate help, but if any money was received after that, the state should be reimbursed. Representative Mulder also agreed that the intent of HB 421 was to enable people to receive emergency funds quickly without the department having to do a lengthy housing inventory, etc. He said he was in support of the grant being repaid to the state if the individual or family received another settlement at a later date. Co-chair Pearce announced that SCSHB 421(FIN) would be HELD until language could be drafted to accomplish Senator Kelly's proposed amendment.