Congress 108 - HR 5408 - Small Business and Farm Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2004

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Topics

Agricultural credit Agricultural wastes Agriculture and Food Alternative energy sources Cogeneration of electric power and heat Commerce Congress Congressional reporting requirements Disaster loans Economics and Public Finance Electric power Electric utility rates Emergency Management Energy Energy prices Environmental Protection Federally-guaranteed loans Finance and Financial Sector Fuel cells Geothermal resources Government lending Heating Interest rates Natural gas Petroleum Propane Refuse as fuel Small business Small farms Solar energy Wind power

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Summary

Small Business and Farm Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2004 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make disaster loans to assist small businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of a sharp and significant increase in the price of heating fuel or electricity. Prohibits any such loan from being made if the total amount outstanding and committed to the borrower would exceed $1.5 million, unless the applicant is a major source of employment in its surrounding area. Requires, for such assistance: (1) a declaration by the President or the SBA Administrator that an area is affected by a sharp and significant increase in such price; or (2) a certification from the governor of the State that its small businesses have suffered such economic injury and are in need of assistance which is not otherwise available.

Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to farm operations that qualify as a small business and have or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury from a sharp and significant increase in energy costs or input costs from energy sources occurring on or after November 1, 2004, in connection with an energy emergency declared by the President or the Secretary.

Actions

Dec 2, 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research.
Nov 19, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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.
Nov 19, 2004

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 11/20/2004 E2111-2112)
Nov 19, 2004

Introduced in House

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